Patterico's Pontifications

5/17/2016

Will Ted Cruz Endorse Donald Trump? You Might Be Surprised!

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 5:53 am



Ted Cruz has, notably, not endorsed Donald Trump as of today. One of his most vocal supporters, Steve Deace, says he shouldn’t — ever. Deace gives several reasons, and his piece is worth reading in full. Here is one reason that stands out:

4. This is a rare opportunity in politics when the morally righteous thing to do is also the most politically expedient.

It’s rare in politics to be politically rewarded for doing the most principled thing, but that is the case here for Cruz. And it will be much easier for him to win over people mad at him for not “unifying” later than it would be to reunify his base if he were to endorse. Look at all the voters who don’t care Trump is a progressive and a Hillary donor. Look at all the other candidates groveling before the same Trump they once insulted. These are soulless people that will come to your beck and call in the future if you’re winning. But Cruz’s odds of winning diminish if he splits his base.

This echoes what I said on the day of the Indiana vote, even before the polls closed and Cruz bowed out:

I think Cruz genuinely believes (as I do) that Donald Trump will end up as a disaster, either because he will hand the election to Hillary Clinton — or else will get into office and stab conservatives in the back so many times that they’ll look like someone sicced O.J. on them.

At some point the depth of Trump’s incompetence and betrayal will be obvious to all but his most mindless supporters. So why not be the person who actually stood athwart history yelling stop? — in the words of the founder of National Review, which actually did that in this primary, to their everlasting credit.

Deace’s point about the other soulless candidates is dead on target. I have already written about Perry and Jindal. Perry said Trump was a “cancer on conservatism” and now rolls on his back hoping Trump will rub his belly and make him VP. Jindal called Trump a “shallow, unserious, substance-free, narcissistic egomaniac” and a “madman who must be stopped.” Jindal now says he’s voting Trump! Guess the madman doesn’t have to be stopped any more.

I also wrote about Marco Rubio, who said Trump is a “con artist who should not get access to nuclear codes.” He also said we should not hand “the nuclear codes of the United States to an erratic individual.” Apparently he didn’t mean a word of it — or his “pledge” is more meaningful than the future of the world.

These people are pathetic, weak, and unprincipled. They were in a tough spot, to be sure, having “pledged” to support the nominee — but they put themselves there.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PLEDGE???!!!1! People will, of course, throw that in Cruz’s face, just as they have thrown it in the other candidates’ faces. Never mind that Trump broke the pledge before he became the nominee. Cruz must be held to a higher standard than the lying Trump.

The Smart Set assumes Cruz will endorse, just like the rest of these weasels, because he made that same “pledge” everyone else did, and he is certainly thinking of running again in 2020. But if Cruz is worried about people throwing stuff in his face, let’s not forget that he also said this (video at the link):

Donald Trump alleges that my dad was involved in assassinating JFK. Now, let’s be clear. This is nuts. This is not a reasonable position. This is just kooky. . . . This man is a pathological liar. He doesn’t know the difference between truth and lies. He lies practically every word that comes out of his mouth. . . .

The man cannot tell the truth, but he combines it with being a narcissist. A narcissist at a level I don’t think this country’s ever seen. Donald Trump is such a narcissist that Barack Obama looks at him and goes: ‘Dude, what’s your problem?’ Everything in Donald’s world is about Donald.

And he combines being a pathological liar — and I say pathological because I actually think Donald, if you hooked him up to a lie detector test, he could say one in the morning, one thing at noon, and one thing in the evening, all contradictory, and he’d pass the lie detector test each time. Whatever lie he’s telling, at that minute, he believes it.

But the man is utterly amoral. Let me finish this, please. The man is utterly amoral. Morality does not exist for him. It’s why he went after Heidi directly and smeared my wife. Attacked her. Apparently she’s not pretty enough for Donald Trump. I may be biased, but I think if he’s making that allegation, he’s also legally blind.

But Donald is a bully. You know, we just visited with fifth graders. Every one of us knew bullies in elementary school. Bullies don’t come from strength. Bullies come from weakness. Bullies come from a deep yawning cavern of insecurity. There is a reason Donald builds giant buildings and puts his name on them everywhere he goes.

And I will say: there are millions of people in this country who are angry. They’re angry at Washington. They’re angry at politicians who’ve lied to them. I understand that anger. I share that anger. And Donald is cynically exploiting that anger. And he is lying to his supporters.

It’s worth remembering that Cruz made his “pledge” before Trump called his wife ugly, insinuated that his dad was involved in the JFK assassination, blatantly lied on national TV about whether he had impersonated his own publicist . . . and God only knows what he’ll do over the next six months.

Cruz is laying low now, but I suspect he’s already made his decision. He won’t support Donald Trump. But the way he’s doing it is clever. He has made adherence to constitutional principles the key to whether he can support Trump. As a smart Cruz observer, Erica Greider, has noted:

[Cruz] specified a series of lofty standards that he expects a presidential candidate to meet, knowing full well that Trump struggles to meet standards, and visibly resents expectations. He later made no distinction between Trump and the presumptive Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, when offering the following observation: “I fear that our nation may be facing four very challenging years.”

Cruz already knows that Trump can’t and won’t adhere to constitutional principles. But as Trump continues to tack left in the general election, he will drift further and further away from any semblance of constitutionalism and support for limited government.

And Cruz can then say that he can’t support a nominee who doesn’t stand for conservatism.

Cruz could always disappoint me and his other followers, and fall in line like the rest. It wouldn’t be the first time I have been disappointed by politician.

But somehow I think Ted Cruz will not disappoint.

325 Responses to “Will Ted Cruz Endorse Donald Trump? You Might Be Surprised!”

  1. Ding.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  2. Mr. Cruz will never be able to credibly argue that Republicans should unite around his divisive harvardtrash butt-snuffling ass

    he’ll no longer be a credible presidential candidate

    happyfeet (831175)

  3. Donald Trump alleges that my dad was involved in assassinating JFK.

    No he didn’t. Trump alleged that Rafael Cruz was handing out pro Castro leaflets with Oswald in New Orleans. Just so happens Trump was right about that.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  4. pappy cruz never really got anywhere near the scrutiny he deserved

    pee-stank and the media were saving it for the general

    happyfeet (831175)

  5. Trump …”else will get into office and stab conservatives in the back so many times that they’ll look like someone sicced O.J. on them.”

    As opposed to what ryan, boner, mcconnel, et al, said and did? Ithat t is interesting that a higher percentage of republicans trust Trump more than ryan. We have to stop letting the media tell us who the “conservative” leaders are. If we see what they do we see that they are not really conservative.

    I think anyone who advocates for anyone but Trump wants hillary to pick the next 3 or 4 supreme court justices.

    Jim (016302)

  6. Donald Trump alleges that my dad was involved in assassinating JFK.

    No he didn’t. Trump alleged that Rafael Cruz was handing out pro Castro leaflets with Oswald in New Orleans. Just so happens Trump was right about that.

    papertiger (c2d6da) — 5/17/2016 @ 6:07 am

    You’re confusing the National Enquirer article with what Trump said. I don’t think Trump even said anything about leaflets.

    Gerald A (945582)

  7. So Cruz’s dad was Pro Castro at one time? Maybe. But many virulent anti-Communist were — it is their behavior since then which should mater in judging them. (Since = more than a few months conversion). Your comment is silly.

    With respect to Cruz, how about he try to go back to the Senate and try and help elect CONSERVATIVES and stop worrying about POTUS. Maybe if he built a coalition of like minded folks, things like “power of the Purse” might mean something……

    Rodney King's Spirit (e2dd8e)

  8. Deace:

    If Trump loses in November, Cruz becomes the immediate frontrunner in 2020. And if Trump wins, Cruz becomes the face of the principled opposition to what would likely be the most feckless presidency in the history of the republic.

    Yup and yup.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  9. The left isn’t against racism. Racism is one of its core principles. I’m for defeating the left.

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  10. I’m for defeating the left.

    That chance is gone in 2016. Which flavor of left would you like? The lying, shrill, corrupt kind? Or the lying, bullying, corrupt kind?

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  11. Cruz’s moment has passed I think

    this campaigned served to show what a small person he is, and how he’s a way way too-narrow candidate

    it’s unlikely he’ll be able to raise monies again to be serious and credible

    his future is more as a perennial fringe candidate like Santorum

    happyfeet (831175)

  12. In the same interview where he said no one denied Rafael’s involvement with Lee Harvey Oswald — which was a lie, because the previous day both Cruz and his father had denied the story — Trump also said this:

    In the same interview, Trump said that he would accept small contributions in the general election, but didn’t want big contributions.

    “We will probably take small contributions,” he told Stephanopoulos. “I don’t want to have anybody have any influence over me, that I can tell you.”

    Ten days later, Trump accepted a pledge of up to $100M from Sheldon Adelson, a pledge made in a private meeting between the men the week before in New York. So less than a week after saying he wouldn’t take big donations, Trump took a YUGE donation.

    Trump is a liar and he can be bought.

    DRJ (15874d)

  13. Mr. Adelson would spend that money whether Mr. Trump accepted it or not

    he’s very wary of Hillary and her utter disdain for a free prosperous Israel

    happyfeet (831175)

  14. happyfeet’s disdain is a powerful endorsement.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  15. This WAS a nice discussion topic. But between hf and papertiger I can see nothing but a waste of time in the offing. Of the first six comments, only one was on topic, and that was the “Ding”.

    Cruz should not support Trump. He explained why. And there is no question that Trump did what Cruz complained about. We all saw it. The Trumpeteers are beyond reason, so they have removed themselves from the calculation. It’s a free country (still) and I’m happy they can do what they want, at least in principle. In practice they are a plague on all our houses.

    BobStewartatHome (a52abe)

  16. This WAS a nice discussion topic. But between hf and papertiger I can see nothing but a waste of time in the offing. Of the first six comments, only one was on topic, and that was the “Ding”.

    You win Comment of the Day, and it’s not even 7 a.m.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  17. it’s just the troof Mr. P

    teddy-pie had his at-bat

    nobody can deny that

    he swung for the fences

    nobody can deny that

    he failed

    nobody can deny that

    the people just flat-out didn’t buy what he had to sell

    the wake of food stamp’s tenure was the perfect tailor-made foil for Cruz’s hyper-dogmatic sanctimonious ideology

    if he can’t get it done this year it’s just never gonna happen

    happyfeet (831175)

  18. harvardtrash goldysacks kim davis butt-snuffler jfk-killing ted should endorse mr the donald

    because mr the donald hearts gays and trannies and gay trannies more than pickles

    and will give us all free passion lube by the 55-gallon barrel

    and free batteries for our dildos

    and if jfk-killiing ted does not want us to have free passion lube and free batteries and free gay trannies than he does not want to make america great

    and history will remember that

    geography too

    because this is international day against homophobia and transphobia

    nk (dbc370)

  19. we’ll see how he does in oregon tonight

    happyfeet (831175)

  20. *killing*

    nk (dbc370)

  21. The importance of the pledge is Cruz’s word and securing hus access to GOP GoTV, donor lists and money. Cruz has shown he is more a man of his word than anyone in Washington. He has also created his own GoTV system and has expansive donor lists that raised substantial money. Finally, Trump’s insults were beyond the pale, even by the lax standards of politics.

    IMO Cruz should not endorse or refuse to endorse Trump. His campaign has been suspended and Cruz shoukd have no further comment about this election.

    DRJ (15874d)

  22. Mr. Cruz’s inability to work with Mr. Trump says a lot about how ham-strung his rigid inflexible moralizing dogma would render him trying to get his agenda through a Congress that all but universally loathes him

    he’s just not a people person

    happyfeet (831175)

  23. Cruz can include Clinton delenda est in every public statement without ever acknowledging Trump as anything but a clown. Using impeccable Trumpian logic, NeverClinton = support of Trump. The laying low link is clear about his intent to protect the platform and that should remain Job #1 in the short term. Helping to protect GOP Senate incumbents is Job #2 and there is plenty of time to do so after the convention.

    Rick Ballard (97c612)

  24. “I mean, what was he doing with Lee Harvey Oswald shortly before the death, before the shooting?” Trump asked. “It’s horrible.”

    Trump’s fan, papertiger, is insisting Trump didn’t try to link Cruz’s dad to murder on the day of the Indiana primary. In other words, papertiger thinks everyone is stupid. Papertiger also seems to assert he has proof Cruz peddled commie leaflets with Oswald. I notice papertiger kept his proof to himself.

    I guess it’s tedious to reply to every smear. I could spend an hour going back and forth and it would just end with ten new smears. The smear that makes me the angriest is the one about how Cruz attacked Trump’s wife. It’s like how Trump always called Cruz a liar, while lying about Cruz. It’s mudslinging from the guy who knows he is dirty, hoping to obscure the entire issue of integrity. It’s exactly why I just cannot vote for Trump, ever.

    If Cruz is so horrible that Trump’s attacks on his family were justified, then I guess Trump shouldn’t want his endorsement anyway. If Cruz’s endorsement is worth anything, then I guess Trump’s attacks were way out of line. Either way it adds up to no endorsement.

    Dustin (2a8be7)

  25. My pappy said “Son your gonna drive me to distraction
    If you don’t stop humpin’ that far-left faction”

    Have you heard the story of the campaign race
    Where the Trumps and the Sanders were settin’ the pace?
    Well that story is true cause I’m here to say
    I was readin’ that sh*t every night and day

    It’s gotta businessman who always shoots his mouth
    And an ornery ol’ man who’ll take the economy south
    It’s gotta pantsuit gal who abuses the law
    And you shoulda seen justa what I saw

    It had a principled man who made ’em swoon
    Couldn’t cut the mustard and left too soon
    It’s down to the rich buffoon but I ain’t scared
    Breaks weren’t good, but life ain’t fair

    Pulled outta the race late one night
    But they say his star’s still shining bright
    He’s gonna make a stand but this ain’t The Hill
    He gave it a shot but he’d had his fill

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  26. papertiger,

    Even Trump doesn’t believe his own lies about Rafael Cruz and Oswald, but he is counting on you and his other supporters to believe. And you do.

    DRJ (15874d)

  27. PolitiFact unravels Trump’s talking points lies about Cruz and Oswald.

    DRJ (15874d)

  28. So Ted Cruz’s father might have been pro-Castro way back during the years of…the McKinley Administration.
    Donnie Trump was pro-Harry Reid as recently as 2010.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  29. I don’t think Cruz will endorse Trump either.
    First, he had no qualms about about calling out Mitch McConnell on the Senate floor, and McConnell is a better man than Trump and someone Cruz has to work with every day.
    Second, there is no downside to telling Shortfinger to go play with his anatomically-correct Barbies. Cruz’s appeal is that he is a man of principle, and this will only reinforce it.
    Third, Trump will not finish his term, should he, God forbid, be elected. Republicans who are now posing for photo-ops with him will join Democrats to throw him out either through impeachment or through 25th Amendment certification of incapacity.

    nk (dbc370)

  30. Trump needs the Republican Party’s GoTV, small donor lists and ballot access, but the Party no longer controls the big money. Big donors go directly to the candidates now, as Adelson did.

    Cruz has his own GoTV and donor lists so all the GOP has to offer him is ballot access, but that is open to anyone who claims to be a Republican. (Donald Trump proves this.) At this point, The GOP Pledge may be gone for all but the least-funded, most marginal candidates.

    DRJ (15874d)

  31. Mr. Cruz will never be able to credibly argue that Republicans should unite around his divisive harvardtrash butt-snuffling ass

    he’ll no longer be a credible presidential candidate

    happyfeet (831175) — 5/17/2016 @ 6:01 am

    yes yes its all about Mr. Donald

    Mr. Donald will also never be able to credibly argue that Republicans should unite around his divisive goldy sack liberaltrash buttsnuffling ass after the election

    he’ll no longer be a credible presidential candidate

    but at least we’ll have our principles!

    principles of liberalism and assaulting women!

    principles of selling out!

    principles of trying stop pee stank with poo stank!

    it’ll be great

    sadfeet (e04f50)

  32. DRJ had it right:

    IMO Cruz should not endorse or refuse to endorse Trump. His campaign has been suspended and Cruz shoukd have no further comment about this election.

    Senator Cruz could state simply that he will vote for the entire Republican ticket, and let that be the end of it. In that way, he could keep his promise to support the eventual Republican nominee, without doing one other thing to support Mr Trump.

    The conundrum is that a man of principle, which Mr Cruz claims to be, must also be a man of his word.

    The somewhat realistic Dana (f6a568)

  33. Politifact and a broken clock.

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  34. I don’t believe Cruz will endorse Trump, either. I supposed some of that is wishcasting- because if he does endorse or even support Trump me and lot of his supporters will be great disillusioned with him. But I believe he is a smart and principled man. Not perfect by any means, but enough that he will avoid any indication of supporting Trump.

    I know the Trumpets will attack him on his pledge. But all he has to say is “That was before he attacked my wife and family. No right thinking person would support someone who did that.”

    Patrick Henry, the 2nd (ddead1)

  35. You want a dead useless rump party like they had in venezuela, stay on your current path.

    narciso (378575)

  36. “The conundrum is that a man of principle, which Mr Cruz claims to be, must also be a man of his word.”

    – The somewhat realistic Dana

    I get what you’re saying, but I think “man of principle” is too broad a phrase in this context. Political principles operate on a different plane than moral principles, and there are (clearly) times where the two conflict. Endorsing Donald Trump would undermine Cruz’s claim that he’s a man of political principle (because Donald Trump is anathema to Cruz’s political principles). Not endorsing Donald Trump would undermine Cruz’s claim that he’s a man of moral principle – but not much, in my opinion, and the claim of political principle was always the primary one to begin with.

    Donald Trump is so obviously noxious that few are going to blame Cruz for refusing to support him – silly TV pledges be damned.

    Leviticus (efada1)

  37. Honoring a foolish pledge to support the election of a dangerous moron with totalitarian tendencies is not principled. The only principled move here is to admit that he didn’t think Trump could win the nomination, and that even if he did, he would at least be better than Hillary. But that the ensuing scorched earth campaign of lies, slander, and incitements to violence waged by Trump proved both counts to be false.

    cnh (c9c12f)

  38. Trump has already killed the Republican Party. And there’s a good argument that it needed killing. It was little more than a wing of a political class combine. Let’s just put a stake through its heart, now, and bury it deep, before it starts eating our brains.

    nk (dbc370)

  39. RKS 7,

    Only a few Senators are receptive to Cruz’s conservatism, but some members of the House have endorsed Cruz. Compare their conservative rankings (average 83%) to those of Rubio (54%), Kasich (46%) and Trump (56%).

    DRJ (15874d)

  40. More of Trump’s I’ll remember and get even” foreign policy approach that his supporters love. Who of those supporters will worry that his anger is directed at Great Britain, just like Obana does? None.

    Everything Trump says is revealing of his character and thoughts. He calls others nasty because he’s a nasty man.

    DRJ (15874d)

  41. Tom Ridge

    “Every four years since my 18th birthday, I’ve pulled the lever in support of the Republican nominee for President of the United States. That streak will end this November.”

    Obviously a pro-Clinton secret plant.

    Rick Ballard (97c612)

  42. Mr. Trump’s argument is with the radical muslim mayor of londonistan, not “great britain”

    happyfeet (831175)

  43. Ah yes the fellow tried to get to run in Pennsylvania when specter fell through.

    narciso (d9722a)

  44. Ridge originally endorsed former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman for president, in September 2011.

    he’s a pee-stanker at heart

    happyfeet (831175)

  45. Khaan is as harmless as vpldemort, Cameron is being subtle in brexit, like a ballpine hammer.

    narciso (d9722a)

  46. Oh, I would be surprised if Cruz publicly comes out against Trump, because I suspect he values his word a bit more than that, after having railed against the Washington cartel for breaking theirs against him. But I’ve been wrong before. My suspicion is he’ll just remain silent.

    As for the choice before us? Well, I’ve been eligible to vote since the 1988 election, and so far, conservatives are 0 for 7 in even getting to the general. We’ve already lost this election. And sure, this election is as unpalatable as they get – the only one worse for me was Obama versus that lying crapweasel McCain. In this one we get to choose between a two-bit hustler making it big, but who kinda likes the things about the USA that I like, versus the wife of the capo who wants to destroy everything about the US that I like, knowing who’s really going to be running things behind the scene. For me there’s no question which way that choice goes. I put the bag on my head, and vote for the non-conservative who’s at least vaguely on my side, just like I’ve done my entire adult life. I suspect that, in the end, most of the #nevertrump people will realize this and end up making the same decision, but I get it. It’s painful, especially so this cycle.

    As for an independent candidate? Please. The goal has to be to get a constitutional conservative in, not another liberal/moderate. John Kasich need not apply. But in order to be successful, you have to win enough states to throw the election to the House, and you have to take most of them from Hillary, not Trump. And apart from Utah, where, exactly do the numbers support that?

    Having said all that, if you just cannot stomach voting for either candidate – vote strategically for the Green candidate. If we can get them to 5% they’ll get Federal matching dollars and possibly manage to pull votes from the Democrats for several cycles. Avoid voting for the Libertarian for the same reason.

    Skip (83e9b7)

  47. In the same way, Bruce Cutler was harmless.

    narciso (378575)

  48. I guess you missed this part of the same interview, happyfeet:

    Trump to David Cameron: “It Looks Like We’re Not Going To Have A Very Good Relationship”

    Donald Trump talks about British Prime Minister David Cameron and newly elected London Mayor Sadiq Khan in a wide-ranging interview with Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain. Trump has been critical of Khan and how he plans to deal with Islamic extremism in the UK capital.

    Khan said Trump’s views are “ignorant, divisive and dangerous” and plays right into the hands of Islamic extremists.

    “I think they were very rude statements and, frankly, tell him I will remember those statements,” Trump said. “They are very nasty statements. I just think it’s very rude of him. In fact it’s the opposite. I wished him well when I heard he won, he’s a Muslim.”

    “I think it’s ignorant of him to say that,” Trump added.

    Trump said he hopes for a good relationship with PM David Cameron, but doesn’t envision it unless he changes the way he deals with Islamic extremism.

    “It looks like we’re not going to have a very good relationship,” Trump told Morgan. “Who knows, I hope to have a good relationship with him but it sounds like he’s not willing to address the problem either.”

    Trump is taunting Great Britain, not just the Mayor. Now tell us how this is so awesome, as you always do.

    DRJ (15874d)

  49. that’s not taunting he’s just saying sleazy faux-conservative David Cameron’s not a very good security partner

    but as far as taunting goes I’m game

    Great Britain is a lost cause

    all they do is stomp on the civil rights of their citizens like a bunch of fascists, wonder why their health cares suck ass, and watch kate middleton get bred like a piece of livestock

    happyfeet (831175)

  50. The reality is that Trump is trying to incite nativists in Britain the way he did here in America and use that to pressure PM Cameron not to take sides with Hillary. It’s smart politically but will hurt American foreign policy interests.

    Putting his own interests ahead of America’s interests is something we should understand about Trump.

    DRJ (15874d)

  51. And happyfeet is fine with it.

    DRJ (15874d)

  52. and they don’t give free passion lube and batteries to their trannies either

    happyfeet, you are impossible to parody, and I don’t mean that in a nice way.

    nk (dbc370)

  53. great britain isn’t on my list of troubles and worries and concerns

    failmerica has plenty of problems all its own DRJ

    so many problems

    and let’s be for reals

    if the UK hasn’t figured out that failmerica is a sleazy cowardly useless ally then as a country it’s dumber than the queen

    happyfeet (831175)

  54. If Trump loses in November, Cruz becomes the immediate frontrunner in 2020.

    Perhaps if he loses decisively, but if loses a close race there might be a “Trump lost because sore loser Cruz wouldn’t help” narrative in 2020 that Trumpers would take to heart.

    Gerald A (945582)

  55. yes yes the nevertrumpers are gonna own the pee-stank era Mr. A it’s unavoidable

    they don’t seem to mind though

    happyfeet (831175)

  56. happyfeet –

    Upon William’s ascension to the throne, Kate will be done up like the rich wife in the opening scene of the Dutch film “Because of the Cats” (1973), except the masked men will be duskier and stinkier.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  57. ugh the idea of anyone calling that gangly half-wit a king is very disturbing Mr. leftbehind

    happyfeet (831175)

  58. “I’m for defeating the left.”

    Then why are you supporting Donald Trump? He’s as much a creature of the Left as Hillary is.

    The right is not going to win this; there’s no one left. Perhaps that Austin Petersen can end up the Libertarian Party’s nominee and get some conservatives to support him, but that’s about it. Conservatism has lost. Now we’ll have to focus on a) Congress, b) 2020, and c) the culture.

    Michael van der Galien (33c9b2)

  59. At this point, badmouthing Trump doesn’t help the right elect a good Republican candidate. It only helps the Democrats. So you can do one of two thing: Remain silent or hope for meteorites.

    CrustyB (69f730)

  60. It might help Trump lose. That’s what’s important. Not who the other person who wins is. #nevertrump

    nk (dbc370)

  61. A vote for Donald Trump is a vote for David Duke.

    nk (dbc370)

  62. Trump has already killed the Republican Party. And there’s a good argument that it needed killing. It was little more than a wing of a political class combine. Let ’s just put a stake through its heart, now, and bury it deep, before it starts eating our brains.

    nk (dbc370) — 5/17/2016 @ 8:15 am

    =========================================

    How ’bout let’s not and say we did. We’ve at least a chance of survival and perhaps even an improvement with something other than a liberal Democrat administration. Enduring four to eight more years of this stuff – or even worse – is not an acceptable plan. I say lay waste to the Democrat party. Now, that’s a sensible plan.

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  63. It might help Trump lose. That’s what’s important. Not who the other person who wins is. #nevertrump

    This. We already know that the Dem party can’t do much better than a Hillary-level candidate (Obama, Kerry, etc.). But the Republican party–or a party that replaces it–CAN do much, much better than Trump. And we have to INSIST on better than Trump, or risk going down the same road as the Dems.

    cnh (c9c12f)

  64. happyfeet

    I think you can check yourself for a bladder infection. Something like 16 buckeroos at Walgreens .

    Danube River Guide (76b104)

  65. i just want us all to move past these vile loathsome and degrading food stamp years Mr. Guide

    we can do that with Mr. The Donald

    we can’t do that with pee-stank – she’s part of the food stamp legacy

    happyfeet (831175)

  66. If Hillary is elected, we will get a THIRTY-FIVE YEAR 7-2 leftist SCOTUS.

    There is little that President Cruz in 2021 will be able to do to un-do the STRUCTURAL damage wrought between 2017 and his inauguration.

    #NeverHillary

    Mitch (341ca0)

  67. It’s Ms. Guide, happy.

    Danube River Guide (76b104)

  68. You should have figured that out when I told you my favorite Kardashian is Kourtney.

    Danube River Guide (76b104)

  69. oh sorry sorry I will endeavour to remember that Ms. Guide

    happyfeet (831175)

  70. #NeverHillary! #HillaryClintonIndictment2016!

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  71. Just say No! to snakes in the grass, lefties with unsolicited advice and soapbox bloviators.

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  72. Mr. Colonel in these matters I must say you’re very clear-thinking

    it’s very heartening to me to see such selfless love of country in these dark days

    happyfeet (831175)

  73. Eh, if you wanted Hillary gone should have found someone who didn’t break her–record breaking unfavorables.

    Danube River Guide (76b104)

  74. Just say No! to snakes in the grass, lefties with unsolicited advice and soapbox bloviators.

    That’s what I said, Haiku. Say no to Trump. (I wouldn’t call him a leftie, though; gangsters are more like fascists.)

    nk (dbc370)

  75. If Hillary is elected, we will get a THIRTY-FIVE YEAR 7-2 leftist SCOTUS.

    There is little that President Cruz in 2021 will be able to do to un-do the STRUCTURAL damage wrought between 2017 and his inauguration.

    #NeverHillary

    Mitch (341ca0) — 5/17/2016 @ 10:20 am

    That’s one thing. Plus I don’t know where this idea that Cruz automatically gets the nomination in 2020, let alone beats Clinton, is coming from. It strikes me as pie in the sky. If this year should have taught anyone anything it’s not to make assumptions like that. Hoping Trump loses so Cruz becomes POTUS in 2020 is like going all in on a poker hand where you’ve got nothing and hoping to draw 4 aces.

    Gerald A (945582)

  76. What do we do when The Donald stops self-identifying as a Republican?
    Some of us will rejoice, but where does that leave the Party (as if we should care any longer)?

    askeptic (bfa00e)

  77. DRG, Haiku supported Cruz. happyfeet wants Hillary’s purported policies and Cruz’s fiscal policies and hopes he can have his cake and eat it too with Trump.

    nk (dbc370)

  78. purported *social* policies

    nk (dbc370)

  79. Actually Cruz is the SAME as the politicians you speak against. One thing about Trump is that he “owns” whatever is said. It is Not done by surrogates. Cruz uses or has others do his dirty work so he doesn’t Have to own it. THIS is what politicians do in the normal process of campaigning. They don’t want to “own” these words and are ever so reluctant to speak against them.
    I wonder what all the NeverTrumps will say if their predictions do NOT pan out, he Does beat Hillary, which Glenn Beck now admits, and is Not the disaster as predicted but does work on the policies he speaks of. It is those stated policies that convinced me. We’ll see what does transpire with a Trump presidency.
    The focus of the Cruz campaign was his Conservative Constitutionalist credentials. Is it conservative to want a 500% increase in HI-B visas into the country when employers are fired and have to train their replacements. Jeff Sessions, the ardent Trump supporter, has been in the forefront in fighting this policy. It has become seemingly apparent that “conservatives” are so “pro-business” and the employee be damned. The constitution DOES say “We the People” and NOT “We the Businesses”.
    The Cruz tax plan is evidently from what I have read is a VAT type tax. Is THIS constitutional. He wants to end the IRS. That may “sound” like what people want but the income tax IS now constitutional and it IS the IRS that administers that tax law. As it stand a person will have to “deal” with income tax law.

    Greg (88bcbb)

  80. i’m more concerned about people what pee-stank will hurt

    people like oil workers

    people working at under-capitalized small businesses

    people what are getting tax-raped by obamacare

    so many people will suffer cause of pee-stank

    and smarmy Ted Cruz and his sleazy goldy sacky will glory in their suffering

    they’re sublimely evil even for harvardtrash

    happyfeet (831175)

  81. A VAT type tax was constitutional even before the 16th Amendment. Direct taxes on people were problematic. I’d like to see the Department of Education abolished before the IRS, along with HUD, FHA and some more you could mention.

    But to your main question, if Trump does in fact behave like a President should and does not bring more debasement to the Office, that will be enough for me. I will be relieved. I will not care if he does not keep all or most or even a significant number of his promises. I will give him the respect due to his Office, and might even stop making fun of his hair.

    nk (dbc370)

  82. To suggest that Trump and Hillary are the same is absolutely ludicrous.
    The bottom line is that Cruz lost according to the rules of the primaries. I read where he ran a ‘stellar campaign.’
    Geez, the ignorance of the anti-Trump crowd is stunning.
    Not a mention of Cruz’s support for the Trans Promotion Authority (Fast Track) which paved the way for passage of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. Cruz along with Fiorina, Carson, Rubio, Bush, Walker, Graham, Jindal and Kasich.
    Cruz chose Carly Fiorina as a VP running mate who proclaimed this lunacy about Islam:

    “There was once a civilization that was the greatest in the world.

    It was able to create a continental super-state that stretched from ocean to ocean, and from northern climes to tropics and deserts. Within its dominion lived hundreds of millions of people, of different creeds and ethnic origins.

    One of its languages became the universal language of much of the world, the bridge between the peoples of a hundred lands. Its armies were made up of people of many nationalities, and its military protection allowed a degree of peace and prosperity that had never been known. The reach of this civilization’s commerce extended from Latin America to China, and everywhere in between.

    And this civilization was driven more than anything, by invention. Its architects designed buildings that defied gravity. Its mathematicians created the algebra and algorithms that would enable the building of computers, and the creation of encryption. Its doctors examined the human body, and found new cures for disease. Its astronomers looked into the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for space travel and exploration.

    Its writers created thousands of stories. Stories of courage, romance and magic. Its poets wrote of love, when others before them were too steeped in fear to think of such things.

    When other nations were afraid of ideas, this civilization thrived on them, and kept them alive. When censors threatened to wipe out knowledge from past civilizations, this civilization kept the knowledge alive, and passed it on to others.

    While modern Western civilization shares many of these traits, the civilization I’m talking about was the Islamic world from the year 800 to 1600, which included the Ottoman Empire and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the Magnificent.”

    I voted for Cruz in the Texas primary. Cruz has dropped out and Trump is the last man standing. He beat handily 16 other candidates. Suck it up and dry those tears. If Cruz is so great why did he lose and lose badly?

    steve (006e75)

  83. It’s not Republicans that you have to convince anymore. We are not your problem. You have to convince the people in the battleground states, and more specifically The White Catholic swing vote in those states.

    Danube River Guide (76b104)

  84. This blog has gone downhill with all the permanent trolls.

    It’s really hard to wade through it with people who take National Enquirer BS as fact, a tedious guy who has a permanent clown nose but has long since stopped being funny, and assorted other fanboys on all sides, impervious to any discussion or facts.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  85. If Sen. Cruz does not support Mr. Trump, then the natural follow-on question is: what changed between when he promised to do so and when he decided not to? Or did Sen. Cruz *knowingly lie* when he made the promise and think he could get away with it because it would never actually happen?

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  86. DRG, Haiku supported Cruz. happyfeet wants Hillary’s purported policies and Cruz’s fiscal policies and hopes he can have his cake and eat it too with Trump.

    nk (dbc370) — 5/17/2016 @ 10:40 am

    ********

    Happyfeet probably should brace himself –he might have to eat a whole load of humble pie.

    Danube River Guide (76b104)

  87. steve, if you are offering your knowledge of the Ottoman empire, and its glorious intellectual achievements, as some sort of credential, you would be well advised to read a little more broadly and speak very softly, and then only when spoken to.

    BobStewartatHome (a52abe)

  88. Jaysus… Sanders actually has an idea I can get behind!

    https://youtu.be/LnPrxbYARJg

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  89. Patterico, at 10: you realize that a large percentage of the self-described “left” view Sen. Clinton as not being of the left, correct?

    Fundamentally, the self-described “left” thinks the left stands for different things than the self-described “right” thinks the left stands for … and the same is true in reverse; the self-described “right” thinks the right stands for different things than the self-described “left” thinks the right stands for.

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  90. You will know the left by their deeds, who/what they support, and by who/what they associate themselves with.

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  91. Even Trump doesn’t believe his own lies about Rafael Cruz and Oswald, but he is counting on you and his other supporters to believe. And you do.

    In 1957, when arrived in Austin, Daddy Cruz was a supporter of the revolution — as were many many Cubans who hated the Trujillo regime. After visiting Castro’s Cuba in 1959 — while Oswald was still a Marine — he returned aghast at what Castro had done and began to speak against the regime.

    Yet we are supposed to believe that 3 years later he was hanging out with Oswald hadning out “Fair Play for Cuba” leaflets based on the comparison of two grainy low-rez photos that show two vaguely similar Cuban men.

    All this shows is to some people all Cubans look alike.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  92. steve

    The problem with a significant portion of Cruz fans online is that they actually have written escape clauses for themselves and probably do not regularly participate in elections. They think that they can simply get Texas to secede from the United States–or they have a fervent belief that they can pull off a perfect Article V Convention –and they alone know –exactly–how that will turn out ahead of time. I do not share their confidence and/or blind belief in how both of those propositions would play out.

    Danube River Guide (76b104)

  93. so you’re saying Pappy Cruz did NOT kill President Kennedy

    interesting theory

    happyfeet (831175)

  94. 36. …Endorsing Donald Trump would undermine Cruz’s claim that he’s a man of political principle (because Donald Trump is anathema to Cruz’s political principles). Not endorsing Donald Trump would undermine Cruz’s claim that he’s a man of moral principle – but not much, in my opinion, and the claim of political principle was always the primary one to begin with.

    Donald Trump is so obviously noxious that few are going to blame Cruz for refusing to support him – silly TV pledges be damned.

    Leviticus (efada1) — 5/17/2016 @ 7:52 am

    Even more important, he should remain true to honor and respect his wife.

    Steve57 (eca648)

  95. A vote for Donald Trump is a vote for David Duke.

    nk (dbc370) — 5/17/2016 @ 9:43 am

    Almost, but not quite. Duke has been off the stage for rather a while now. Trump never actually did disavow the KKK though, did he?

    Bill H (971e5f)

  96. aphrael–

    I understand that there are the same social-policy vs economic-policy divisions on the left. There are people who think that, say, transgender rights are maximally important but aren’t interested in changing the economic system, and there are people who want the State own the Means of Production and run everything, but don’t like gays much. And every division in between.

    Hillary comes down more on the social policy side, Bernie on the economic-policy side. I admit that I cannot tell the difference between their economic plans as they both look ruinous, but I suppose that Hillary’s is less immediately ruinous, and commitment to Social Justice is somewhat more likely to trash the Constitution.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  97. #92: Kevin, it also tells you a lot about those who wrap themselves around such fabrications and then repeat them. Ignorance is bliss for those who choose to follow blindly.

    BobStewartatHome (a52abe)

  98. A vote for Donald Trump is a vote for David Duke.

    Well, no. David Duke is at least consistent and predictable. Trump disavows yesterdays recorded statements and calls those who air the recordings liars.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  99. I’m hoping Trump disqualifies himself somehow before the convention.

    Danube River Guide (76b104)

  100. I am willing to bet that David Duke will disavow Donald Trump. He has more integrity than Donald.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  101. I’m hoping Trump disqualifies himself somehow before the convention.

    He could rape babies on live TV and his supporters would say the babies had it coming.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  102. Even more important, he should remain true to honor and respect his wife.

    deciding to live in the same area code with her was a great start

    happyfeet (831175)

  103. Jaysus… Sanders actually has an idea I can get behind!

    https://youtu.be/LnPrxbYARJg

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:18 am

    Damn, that was funny. Too bad the comments were disabled, they would have been epic.

    Bill H (971e5f)

  104. I always thought that e.e. cummings wannabees were dumbasses. This Happyfeet ‘tard – now yet another Trump whore – tends to confirm my view.

    Brian (898210)

  105. Steve (of the 57th variety), you have a very good point. Mr. Trump with his lies, insults, and fabrications about Cruz and his family, has put Cruz in a position where he must make a choice. Either Cruz must pretend that Trump didn’t do what he did, or Cruz must respond to what he knows to be the truth. The honorable choice for an American is to stick with the truth.

    Write in Cruz and Fiorina in November!

    BobStewartatHome (a52abe)

  106. 86. …If Sen. Cruz does not support Mr. Trump, then the natural follow-on question is: what changed between when he promised to do so and when he decided not to? Or did Sen. Cruz *knowingly lie* when he made the promise and think he could get away with it because it would never actually happen?

    aphrael (e0cdc9) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:16 am

    I think I would like you in real life. Whether or not you’d like me is a different question.

    Steve57 (eca648)

  107. Hillary has a minimum wage proposal starting with a base of $12.50 depending on local cost of living estimates and moving upwards towards the beloved $15 if certain areas can support that.

    Bernie wants an across the board minimum wage-even though black youth unemployment is near record numbers–at the same time he wants to release many from the prison system. Hillary is actually meeting Bernie on this road–and of course Trump wants in on that minimum wage action.

    Basically the general election will be the democrat primary. One that isn’t completely controlled by Hillaryland.

    Danube River Guide (76b104)

  108. so you’re saying Pappy Cruz did NOT kill President Kennedy

    interesting theory

    happyfeet (831175) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:26 am

    I don’t think even the Warren Commission mentioned Rafael Cruz. You’re having to go some to out-conspiracy those guys, Happyfeet.

    Bill H (971e5f)

  109. So Cruz’s dad was Pro Castro at one time? Maybe. But many virulent anti-Communist were — it is their behavior since then which should mater in judging them. (Since = more than a few months conversion). Your comment is silly.

    Reiterating that being photographed with Oswald isn’t a crime. That the Cuban refugee population in the early 60’s would be a small and brackish pool who ran from Batista, it’s understandable that the opposition to Batista would be default heroes for that group.
    The rest of Rafael Cruz’s early narrative on Wikipedia doesn’t hold water.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  110. 13. happyfeet (831175) — 5/17/2016 @ 6:42 am

    Mr. Adelson would spend that money whether Mr. Trump accepted it or not

    he’s very wary of Hillary and her utter disdain for a free prosperous Israel

    Yes, but he wouldn’t route the money through Trump.

    What Trump was trying to do was prevent any large scale fundraising and spending just on down ballot races. Trump is trying to choke off money for anyone who doesn’t support him. He certainly scared the Nebraska Republican Party.

    The argument that candidates must support Trump or lose votes is completely wrong. Few people are really dedicated to Trump – his support comes from people who like the fact that he’s a wild card (and also don’t understand how wild some of the things he said really are)

    Those people who you think would vote only for Trump if the down ballot candidates didn’t support him, likely will not cast a vote anyway below the presidential level because if that’s the case, that’s likely all they are interested in. Meanwhile, other people, who don’t like Trump, will be more likely to vote for candidates for president if the candidate separates himself from Trump. Nixon had no coattails in 1972 – and the Democrats even gained two Senate seats. Why should anyone believe that Trump has coattails??

    And if there’s a third party option, they are more likely to go to the polls.

    Sammy Finkelman (6b5229)

  111. Wikipedia… now there’s a hotbed of idiocy.

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  112. I’m hoping Trump disqualifies himself somehow before the convention.

    He could rape babies on live TV and his supporters would say the babies had it coming.

    Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:37 am

    ********

    I’m hoping Republicans find grounds to disqualify Trump at the convention. I do get your point–most online Trump supporters are a cult of personality. I know some Trump supporters that are too busy in real life and they do not know all the particulars about Trump. When they are at the airport–all they see on CNN is Trump, Trump, Trump–but they do not hear the details.

    I suspect that there could be Mexican males that hate Hillary, and are attracted to Trump’s minimum wage proposals–they might overlook some of Trump’s previous rhetoric.

    Trump himself has stopped talking about the round up, and there could be a vey strategic reason for that–the same Quinnipiac poll that shows Trump winning Ohio–also shows that the round up loses essentially by 60%. That number is huge,– I doubt Trump missed that.

    Danube River Guide (76b104)

  113. 104… Agree, Bill H!

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  114. If Sen. Cruz does not support Mr. Trump, then the natural follow-on question is: what changed between when he promised to do so and when he decided not to? Or did Sen. Cruz *knowingly lie* when he made the promise and think he could get away with it because it would never actually happen?

    aphrael (e0cdc9) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:16 am

    Look at it like this- that pledge was more of a cease fire than anything else. Cruz probably gave his word and his fingers weren’t crossed behind his back. Trump fired first because of a mistaken belief that Cruz was behind a smear on Melanoma whatever her name is. Trump’s campaign could have asked Cruz’s “WTF is this all about?” before throwing a national temper tantrum. With Trump’s direct attacks on Heidi, any man with any honor at all would tell Trump to stick that pledge up his as*.

    Bill H (971e5f)

  115. Sammy:

    > his support comes from people who like the fact that he’s a wild card (and also don’t understand how wild some of the things he said really are)

    I think some of his support comes from such people, yes. But he’s now getting a lot of support from people who see Sen. Clinton as such an enormous evil that any opponent will do.

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  116. I think some of his support comes from such people, yes. But he’s now getting a lot of support from people who see Sen. Clinton as such an enormous evil that any opponent will do.

    aphrael (e0cdc9) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:59 am

    A lot of his support is coming from that direction. Trump quite literally is Obama mirrored from the right. I agree with your second statement, though. You’re seeing several people- even here- who have made that calculation. I don’t have a problem with that. Those are persons who are putting their vote where they think it will do the most good. Most of these people know just how deeply, tremendously, almost fatally flawed Trump is. But they feel they’ve been left with no choice. It’s a really bad situation all the way around, and it starts with a weak, pusillanimous GOP who began creating this monster 20 years and 5 election cycles ago.

    Bill H (971e5f)

  117. 112. the round up is less about “them” as then it is about stopping Islam and more shameless mid- and lower- Central American criminals and ne’er do wells. Mexicans I wager show up less at the border and more at the airport as visa-overstays as a function of years going by.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  118. CBS News reported 44 percent said they’d vote for Trump, 23 percent for Hillary Clinton, and 32 percent for neither. These findings—especially Sanders’ supporters shifting to Trump—seem like a stretch, but maybe they’re not. —– [Exit poll of West Virginia Bernie voters.pt]

    http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2016/05/17/these-exit-polls-should-rattle-the-clinton-campaign/

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  119. Make your choice. (jpg)

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  120. Kevin bemoans the decline of discussion of facts:

    This blog has gone downhill with all the permanent trolls.

    It’s really hard to wade through it with people who take National Enquirer BS as fact, a tedious guy who has a permanent clown nose but has long since stopped being funny, and assorted other fanboys on all sides, impervious to any discussion or facts.

    Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:16 am

    Then only 21 minutes later he provides an outstanding example of the “facts” he wants to discuss.

    He (Trump) could rape babies on live TV and his supporters would say the babies had it coming.

    Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:37 am

    This is not a man interested in either discussion or facts. He’s a self-revealed hate monger and chief of the permanent trolls he pretends to disdain.

    ropelight (a24807)

  121. Sympathy For The Devil Demoness

    Please allow me to introduce myself
    I’m a gal who lies a lot
    I’ve been selling my services
    Big Money knows I can be bought
    And I was ’round when Monica
    Had her moment of doubt and fame
    Didn’t make sure that Billy
    Washed that dress, it sealed his fate
    Pleased to meet you
    Hope you guess my name
    But what’s puzzling you is
    When will I feel shame

    I stuck around Washington D.C.
    Voters said it was time for a change
    I looked good in my victimhood
    Ricky Lazio screamed in vain
    I rode a wave
    Was a Wall Street fave
    While the bubble raged
    And the economy tanked
    Pleased to meet you
    Hope you guess my name, oh yeah
    Ah, what’s puzzling you
    Is the nature of my game, oh

    I watched with glee
    While in Benghazi
    They fought for 13 hours
    Against jihadi power
    (Woo woo, woo woo)
    I shouted out,
    Who killed our bravest youth?
    I lied and blamed
    A dumb film on the innertubes
    (Who who, who who)
    Let me please introduce myself
    I’m a gal of stealth and haste
    And I laid traps for the lower class
    Who’ll vote before they reach legal status
    (Woo woo, who who)
    Pleased to meet you
    Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
    (Who who)
    But what’s puzzling you
    Is the nature of my game

    Sent from my iPhone

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  122. BobStewartatHome @98:

    I take it that you don’t characterize the Ottoman Empire the same way, right? I mean, how could anyone with half a brain believe that, right?

    Perhaps you should learn to read, instead of looking for trigger warnings with a cursory glance. Note how steve said, and I quote:

    Cruz chose Carly Fiorina as a VP running mate who proclaimed this lunacy about Islam

    Didn’t you notice that? Or the quotation marks around it? For English speakers who got past 6th grade, those are big hints that an author is providing someone else’s words verbatim.

    Since one, as you said, “would be well advised to read a little more broadly and speak very softly, and then only when spoken to.”, please explain how you could support someone (Ted Cruz) that he wanted such a person to be a heartbeat away from the Oval Office? What does that say about his judgement? Or yours?

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  123. what changed between when he promised to do so and when he decided not to?

    One thing he might say: “As the campaign progressed, it became apparent that my oath of office as a Senator was in conflict with my pledge when it comes to Donald Trump, who is as much of an enemy of the Constitution as Hillary Clinton.”

    But he won’t. I expect him to endorse at the Convention, after speaking for his values in prime time. I also expect that Trump will appoint him to the Court should he win, much as FDR got rid of his rival William O Douglas that way.

    Not that this would be in repayment for that support, but it sure wouldn’t happen without it.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  124. This is not a man interested in either discussion or facts. He’s a self-revealed hate monger and chief of the permanent trolls he pretends to disdain.

    Your OWN GUY has said he could shoot someone in broad daylight on a packed NY street and his supporters would say the guy had it coming.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  125. But then your guy also denies he said things after they run the tape of him saying things.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  126. You will ignore those last two facts and then say I’m not open-minded. Scientologists have nothing on you guys.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  127. You bemoan trolls and minutes later reveal yourself as a hate mongering troll. Don’t try to weasel word your way out, or manufacture some phony equivocation. You are what you are and you’ve been pushing hate here for months. Your record proves it. It’s you. Own it.

    ropelight (a24807)

  128. we have to try to rise above

    happyfeet (831175)

  129. Between a rock and a hard place, or if you prefer (jpg)

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  130. Trump never actually did disavow the KKK though, did he?

    Bill H @98

    I thought it was all the evil Trump supporters with the misinformation and lies. Almost 1.5 hours later, and none of you who so venerate the truth sure have been silent. I mean, it isn’t like this wasn’t covered in media outlets galore.

    Since then, Trump has repeatedly said he disavows Duke and the Klan.

    “How many times do I have to continue to disavow people?” he said Monday on NBC. “I disavowed David Duke. Now if you look on Facebook, right after that I also disavowed David Duke. When we looked at it and looked at the question, I disavowed David Duke. So I’ve disavowed David Duke all weekend long.”
    “I put out a tweet and I put out on Facebook that I totally disavow. Now everybody knew I did that, but the press refused to look at that. It was right after. And I disavowed then. I disavowed today on ABC with George Stephanopoulos. I disavowed again. I mean, how many times are you supposed to disavow? But I disavow and hopefully it’s the final time I have to do it.”

    Of course, the Washington Post went on to say that he didn’t do it the “right” way, full of white guilt and calls for social justice. Is that what you meant to say, BillH? That he didn’t crawl before Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton asking for absolution?

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/03/08/what-donald-trump-doesnt-seem-to-understand-about-the-kkk/

    Hey, why don’t you tell me how Trump could only win open primaries? That’s always good for a laugh.

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  131. If Trump wants to call Sharpton for absolution, he just needs to use the quick dial on his cell phone

    http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/the-tweet-donald-trump-doesnt-want-you-to-see/

    kishnevi (91d5c6)

  132. I’m not letting Kevin off the hook. He’s responsible for injecting hatred here and he’s trying to weasel out. It’s time he took responsibility. Here are the false words Kevin puts in Trump’s mouth at #124 above: (emphasis added)

    Your OWN GUY has said he could shoot someone in broad daylight on a packed NY street and his supporters would say the guy had it coming.

    Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/17/2016 @ 12:57 pm

    And here are Trump’s actual words as quoted by CBSNEWS on 1/24/16:

    “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?”

    Close, but no cigar. Why? Well, since Kevin has already hurled the blood libel at Trump and his supporters that:

    He (Trump) could rape babies on live TV and his supporters would say the babies had it coming.

    Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:37 am

    As Kevin the hate monger continues to lose ground he escalates his hate speech in a straw grasping effort to encourage other sick pukes to chime in. After all anyone who would fail to bow to Kevin’s superior intellect, vast political expertise, and moral certainty must suffer the torments of hell, and they’ll have it coming.

    ropelight (a24807)

  133. Kevin M rides a wave ahead of a storm blowing across an Ocean of Trigglypuffs…

    Colonel Haiku (6047c1)

  134. I don’t know what a Trigglypuff is, but I know when I’ve been accused of condoning the rape of babies. Make fun of that.

    ropelight (a24807)

  135. prowlerguy (fa36d8) — 5/17/2016 @ 1:14 pm

    Since it never seems to matter to you about reality, I’m just going to go Godwin, and tell you that’s sorta like disavowing Gregor Strasser and still not disavowing the NSDAP.

    Trump can disclaim David Duke all he wants. That’s a safe thing for him to do. Duke hasn’t been a national figure for at least 20 years. Trump can’t possibly disavow the KKK. They and their fellow travellers make up too large a portion of his base. The only reason why you’re so vociferous about it is the stink follows you and you’re afraid someone will notice.

    Bill H (971e5f)

  136. No reason for Ted to cave into the pressure from GOP or the lying trumpet followers. Cruz 2020

    sasq (cb875d)

  137. “I don’t know what a Trigglypuff is, but I know when I’ve been accused of condoning the rape of babies. Make fun of that.”

    – ropelight

    This from the guy who follows Il Douche’s lead in calling people that he doesn’t like pedophiles. Cry more, primadonna.

    Leviticus (efada1)

  138. i learned about the brimham rocks today

    today was a good day

    happyfeet (831175)

  139. Everything Trump said about Cruz would be done by the Democrats as well.

    Maybe not as well – Trump is a skilled communicator – but more overwhelmingly, from all quarters of the media. Hillary wouldn’t have to get her hands dirty, she could do it all from proxies.

    Whoever the Republicans put forwards, they have to have the power to attack the media and Teflon away their brutality.

    Ingot (e5bf64)

  140. #135 …. “Trump can’t possibly disavow the KKK. They and their fellow travellers make up too large a portion of his base.

    Pure nonsense.

    But if true then those were the votes Cruz was hoping for to “win it by Super Tuesday.”

    Rodney King's Spirit (e2dd8e)

  141. #138 Happy,

    Some guy named Brimham tea bagged you today?

    Rodney King's Spirit (e2dd8e)

  142. Castel Meur (jpg)

    “Castel Meur is the name of this amazing house. She turns her back to the sea since 1861, the year of its construction, to protect it from violent winds during storms, that frequent this place. This tiny house was built at a time when building permits did not exist, where everyone could build her own way and give free rein to his imagination.”

    – translated from http://docarmor.free.fr/valarmor/valouest/plougre3.htm

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  143. 89. This is taken from the April 14 New York primary debate, except that at the end of the excerpt, it is edited to make something appear to happen that did not. It’s in very poor taste.

    After that a whole lot of bits taken from bigger videos play:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dY77j6uBHI

    It doesn’t put anything in context, and is pretty much useless, except to remind people who already know about these things.

    That 90% versus 1% of emails in State Department records is good, but Hillary she doesn’t tell you the catch which alows her to make that statement. There is acatch. It’s not an undefensible lie. The catch is that of the e-mails she declared to be governmenbt records 90% or so were sent to state.gov addresses. But the other party, in the vast majority of cases, did not archive them. Nevertheless, I think when she turned over e-mails to the State Department in 2014, all before letting the Benghazi Committee know anything at all aboutb this, they kept discovering e-mails that she didn’t send, so finally she sent mostly everything that went to or came from state.gov 3-mail addresses.

    Sammy Finkelman (643dcd)

  144. Mr. Spirit made a funny

    happyfeet (831175)

  145. #144, I thought it so.

    Rodney King's Spirit (e2dd8e)

  146. 115. 116. But he’s now getting a lot of support from people who see Sen. Clinton as such an enormous evil that any opponent will do.

    aphrael (e0cdc9) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:59 am
    ——————————————————

    Those are not true Donald Trump supporters, and we’re talking about people who (someone proposes) might be angry that down ballot candidates did not endorse him.

    Sammy Finkelman (643dcd)

  147. 92. Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/17/2016 @ 11:23 am

    In 1957, when arrived in Austin, Daddy Cruz was a supporter of the revolution — as were many many Cubans who hated the Trujillo regime. After visiting Castro’s Cuba in 1959 — while Oswald was still a Marine — he returned aghast at what Castro had done and began to speak against the regime.

    Batista, not Trujillo. Trujillo was the dictator in the Dominican Republic.

    Oswald was passing out leaflets (on his own initiative – he had no connection with anybody in the actual “Fair Play for Cuba” committee) in August, 1963, well after the Cuban Missile crisis.

    Yet we are supposed to believe that 3 years later he was hanging out with Oswald hadning out “Fair Play for Cuba” leaflets based on the comparison of two grainy low-rez photos that show two vaguely similar Cuban men.

    All this shows is to some people all Cubans look alike.

    Sammy Finkelman (643dcd)

  148. I’m not letting Kevin off the hook

    Well, I gotta consider the source. I would hope to hell that you never approve of me. As for you guys accepting EVERY DAMN THING that comes out of Trump’s mouth, I hope you don’t think I hold you in utter contempt. Because you’d only be flattering yourself.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  149. 147, yes. I get all those strongmen confused.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  150. Yet we are supposed to believe that 3 years later he was hanging out with Oswald hadning out “Fair Play for Cuba” leaflets based on the comparison of two grainy low-rez photos that show two vaguely similar Cuban men.

    All this shows is to some people all Cubans look alike.

    This is not mine. It got inadvertently quoted.

    I could say more about possible conspirators. That’s not where to look.

    Sammy Finkelman (643dcd)

  151. So Cruz can say that he’ll keep his word—-unless he gets his feelings hurt? How does that work? “I’ll keep my word unless I don’t feel like it.” Great principles.

    And he shows his loyalty to the Republican Party by refusing to endorse the Repub party Presidential candidate?

    In 2020, “vote for me, the guy who didn’t endorse the 2016 candidate.” Great talking point.

    fred-2 (ce04f3)

  152. Kevin, you claimed that Trump supporters condone the rape of babies. Shame on you. Reassure yourself, I’ll never approve of that sort of blood libel or of those who would say such things, nor will I pretend you didn’t record for all to see as it reverberates on these pages.

    You’ve got an albatross around your neck and you’ll wear your shame till it rots and falls at your feet. I do hold you in contempt, and you’ve got it coming.

    ropelight (a24807)

  153. stinky bird of shame

    happyfeet (831175)

  154. Actually, saying that you didn’t support Trump may work out to be a solid selling point, politically.

    What is so funny to me is how Trump supporters cannot defend all the vulgar dishonest two faced nonsense Trump has pulled over decades. It’s all starting to pile up, and its going to get much worse very soon.

    And these are the same people, by the way, who carried on and on how they couldn’t support Romney or McCain, and the heck with party loyalty.

    Silly hypocrites.

    Instead, they go on the attack…rather than defend the actions and statements of their candidate. I’ve said it over and over again. And the only response is discussions of butt snuffling and bullying nonsense (plus bonus discussion of female genitals).

    I mean, look at silly happyfeet. He has the perfect candidate to support: lazy, vulgar, thoughtless, and flipflopping continually on issues. The only difference is that happyfeet doesn’t live in a big building made with daddy’s money.

    I think it is great that Cruz doesn’t support Trump. Some folks will support Trump. If Trump loses, Cruz doesn’t have to bear that responsibility by association. If Trump wins and blows everything up, the same applies.

    I would remind every single Trump supporter that Trump could have given carefully thought out interviews. Could have acted in a responsible fashion (for someone who wants to control the nuclear “triad,” whatever he thinks that is). Could have come up with solid policy proposals. Instead, he is making fools of his supporters.

    Trump chooses to be this vulgar, this lazy, and this inconsistent. And supporters line up to support him, just like his comment about how he could shoot someone and still have support.

    Look in the mirror and ask yourself: what would you say about a similar person being run by the Democrats? Because that’s what he is. And I suspect the supporters know it, and feel trapped.

    Simon Jester (4ed13b)

  155. Okay, I admit that Trump supporters only condone public murders and not baby-raping, at least not in public. Satisfied?

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  156. Simon Jester, do you agree with Kevin that Trump’s supporters condone the rape of babies?

    ropelight (a24807)

  157. Actually, saying that you didn’t support Trump may work out to be a solid selling point, politically.

    In 1945 there sere no fascists in Italy, nor anyone who knew any.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  158. Ropelight, you need anger management. I have seen you be extremely rude to others, then get quite sensitive to other people when they slap back.

    Like your silly nonsense about Cruz’s eligibility. It doesn’t matter how many judges rule on it.

    You know better than everyone.

    And you don’t.

    So just take a chill pill. You have something wrong with you.

    Personally, I just think you like to fight. It’s boring.

    Simon Jester (4ed13b)

  159. “At some point the depth of Trump’s incompetence and betrayal will be obvious to all but his most mindless supporters.”

    You could have just said “Trumps supporters”

    Chester (371952)

  160. Trump opted out of the pledge back in March.

    No one owes the guy anything.

    Chester (371952)

  161. BillH #135

    Since it never seems to matter to you about reality

    So the Washington Post wasn’t good enough, huh?
    So I guess the GOP debate on 3/3 didn’t happen, either?
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/i-totally-disavow-the-ku-klux-klanlook-at-my-035335583.html

    There it is. On video. So to recap, you said “Trump never actually did disavow the KKK though, did he?” and by your later posts, it is clear that you followed this topic closely. Enough to feel free to repeat your claim, and call Trump supporters Nazis. Buy like always, you were knowingly lying, hoping to get away with it. After all, none of the “Truth Warriors” here give a tinker’s darn about the truth, only hurting Trump at any cost.

    Then you doubled down on stupid, when you said “Trump can’t possibly disavow the KKK. They and their fellow travellers[sic] make up too large a portion of his base.” Of course, the fact that Trump DID disavow David Duke and the KKK repeatedly makes your statement non-sensical. But I’d love to see you provide ANY source whatsoever that would support your assertion that KKK sympathizers and virulent racists make up a large part of Trump’s base.

    Of course you can’t, but that won’t stop you from lying and making up “facts” over and over, all with the blessing of the Cruz contingent here. If they had half the principls they claim to have, they would be taking issue with your lies and with KevinM’s hateful smears. But they actually LIKE those sorts of lies and smears, just like they LIKED Ted lying about being for immigration reform, or lying now that he is seeking election. Either way, he lied, and they love it.

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  162. question, knowing what we know of the rhodes roadshow, why couldn’t he get cosponsors:

    http://www.weeklystandard.com/tom-cotton-rips-obamas-foreign-policy-team-of-van-drivers-and-campaign-flaks-and-failed-novelists/article/2002430

    my late grandfather, was one who figured out that fidel was not on the up and up within the year, however, many figures of the anticastro resistance, took a little longer,

    narciso (732bc0)

  163. Kevin,

    Now, you claim that Trump’s supporters still condone baby rape but only when it’s done outside public view. And you have the gall to ask if that’s a satisfactory conclusion to your shame?

    Not only no! But Hell No!

    ropelight (a24807)

  164. Simon Jester

    > Trump chooses to be this vulgar, this lazy, and this inconsistent

    On some level, by being vulgar and lazy, he’s signalling that he doesn’t care about the Establishment, because the Establishment cares about vulgarity and laziness. So the vulgarity and laziness are a signal … and his supporters are *loving* it.

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  165. Some of you would not make good surgeons,
    “I said I would do ‘x’ and I’m gonna do ‘x’,
    even if it is the wrong thing to do once I get inside.”

    MD in Philly (d85301)

  166. i like Mr. Trump better than getting peed on by a nasty old woman

    that’s me

    that’s who i am

    happyfeet (831175)

  167. Cruz’ vows to his wife likely included for better or for worse, richer or poorer, younger or older (ok, I threw that one in for effect),
    his promise to the RNC or Trump or to voters was and is nowhere near that.

    MD in Philly (d85301)

  168. tmi, pikachu,

    narciso (732bc0)

  169. Sanders does better against Trump than HRC from what I hear.

    I am not convinced Hillary will be the Dem candidate, only one twitch of Obama’s little finger signaling the DOJ and she is gone.
    And I hope Trump some how destroys his candidacy before the end of the convention.

    MD in Philly (d85301)

  170. Donald Trump cut off health insurance coverage for his nephew’s family because of a dispute over his father’s Will. He did this even though his nephew’s baby was sick. Later, Trump admitted he reneged on a pledge to pay the baby’s medical bills because he was angry at being sued.

    So, ropelight, Donald Trump won’t rape babies but he will deliberately hurt babies, and his supporters know it and don’t care.

    DRJ (15874d)

  171. Also, I thought blood libel had to involve Jews and be anti-Semitic, although I know Sarah Palin has expanded the definition.

    DRJ (15874d)

  172. Trump bought the license, so what the heck. (YouTube)

    Suck it, Lips Jagger!

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  173. as opposed to the usual pattern when they commit seppuku weeks or months later,

    narciso (732bc0)

  174. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/may/17/army-goes-all-bowe-bergdahls-defense-assigns-four-/

    DRJ, if I have to lose I would rather lose on your side.

    Steve57 (eca648)

  175. you need to admit you have a problem first,

    http://www.kausfiles.com/2016/05/13/the-omerta-olympics/

    narciso (732bc0)

  176. Some of you would not make good surgeons,
    “I said I would do ‘x’ and I’m gonna do ‘x’,
    even if it is the wrong thing to do once I get inside.”

    MD in Philly (d85301) — 5/17/2016 @ 3:23 pm

    ====================================

    “All cats are grey in the dark.”

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  177. ugh so over kaus

    at the end of the day he’s the most reliable vote pee-stank’s got

    happyfeet (831175)

  178. Steve57,

    As a fellow Texan, you know we don’t lose but sometimes it takes awhile for us to win.

    PS to Danube River Guide: Have you ever been to Texas?

    DRJ (15874d)

  179. “Hillary Clinton’s Big Plan: Give North Korea the Same Deal As Obama Gave Iran”
    —Ace

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  180. they already did, wendy sherman managed both negotiations,

    narciso (732bc0)

  181. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/first-openly-gay-army-secretary-confirmed-n575661

    By voice vote, McCain’s “Yea” the loudest. Obama paying back the Hollywood and Silicon Valley Democrat donors with the help of Republicans.

    Social conservatives do not have a home in the Republican Party. F*** it! Hillary 2016!

    nk (dbc370)

  182. yet another success of the top men,

    narciso (732bc0)

  183. is the Army still at thing?

    i mean really?

    happyfeet (831175)

  184. *a* thing i mean

    happyfeet (831175)

  185. #158, yes Jester, I’m angry at being accused of condoning the rape of babies. Wouldn’t you be?

    Now, answer the damn question at #156:

    Simon Jester, do you agree with Kevin that Trump’s supporters condone the rape of babies?

    ropelight (a24807) — 5/17/2016 @ 2:59 pm

    Time to man-up

    ropelight (a24807)

  186. mom met her once and she was just really taken with her

    happyfeet (831175)

  187. they’ve kinda twistered off lately Mr. ropelight

    they’re acting like the campaign is a personal job interview they’re doing for to hire a new church treasurer or something

    hello it’s failmerica

    you just had 8 years of an evil satanic socialist buttboy (harvard)

    before that you had 8 years of a squandering murderous piece of idiot bushtrash (yale/harvard)

    before that you had 8 years of herpes boy the rapist (yale)

    before that pappy read my lying lips you taxable little farm beasts bush (yale)

    all of a sudden we need a phony baloney pseudo-christian harvardtrash p.o.s. half-term senate-monkey like Ted Cruz (who lost fair and square) or the right proper thing to do is to elect a filthy diseased criminal pee-stank (yale)

    that’s a beautiful example of christian charity right there

    beautiful

    happyfeet (831175)

  188. you forgot christian college attending ronald reagan, who held the country together pretty well for eight years, but he was a rare talent and a force of nature,

    narciso (732bc0)

  189. Like I said, impossible to parody.

    Intelligent, well-educated, versed in government and law, young and energetic — bad.

    Foul-mouthed, barely-educated, pussy-chasing, rich daddy’s boy, semi-senile — good.

    nk (dbc370)

  190. As opposed to a phony salami fake conservative whartontrash con man?

    kishnevi (93670d)

  191. yes yes yes army thing
    ima enlist what cos ima be MOS 69-delta bravo where ima gonna deploy and attach -trash to ivy school thingies on them front lines i think
    i can call officertrash cowards and be all edgy and witty i think

    scooby and scrappyfeet (2b00c5)

  192. “After all this time of watching the left try to shove it in to America with Obama and break off the handle with Hillary, I should not have to tell Americans that this year it is incumbent upon them to vote for the candidate who is most to the right even if that candidate is wrong.”

    – Gerard Vanderleun

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  193. Ropelight has his panties in a bunch over what is clearly hyperbole intended to expand on a point The Donald himself made. It gives him an excuse to claim some imaginary moral high ground where he can ignore the lies and baseless smears he peddles on behalf of his hero, Trump. What a precious little foot soldier.

    JD (7fd277)

  194. you forgot christian college attending ronald reagan

    no i didn’t forget he just didn’t fit

    happyfeet (831175)

  195. a phony salami fake conservative whartontrash con man

    you should say that with more respect

    happyfeet (831175)

  196. and that quaker fellow from california, had some solid insights, as opposed to dartmouth nelson and harvard henry, I forget where scranton went to school,

    narciso (732bc0)

  197. Ropelight – you should reach out to Amanda Marcotte. She will help you dial up the faux outrage to an appropriate level.

    JD (7fd277)

  198. Did Tiny Donnie actually matriculate at Wharton? Or is his diploma signed by Registrar John Miller?

    nk (dbc370)

  199. Isn’t Wharton part of an Ivy, Happyfeet?

    JD (b70a8e)

  200. A little bit of reading without the spittle flying for prowlerguy:
    http://tinyurl.com/zndjyj6
    http://tinyurl.com/hdtvezj

    Oh, and that any proof at all he asked for:
    http://tinyurl.com/zbmdpn5
    http://tinyurl.com/z9morgp

    And I would love for him to show me where I called anyone a Nazi. I kinda think I understand the phrase a little better than he does. I doubt very seriously he even knows who Gregor Strasser is. Maybe prowlerguy would feel better if I had invoked Anton Drexler as a comparison to David Duke?

    Bill H (971e5f)

  201. yes it is JD but Mr. The Donald doesn’t really have that ivy leaguer feel to me

    he seems like a normal real guy in a lot of ways

    happyfeet (831175)

  202. it’s not in the prestige circle of harvard yale princeton,

    narciso (732bc0)

  203. So your beef is with the Ivy League, but not all Ivy, where you draw out a little safe space because your preferred leftist went there, making it okay?

    JD (7fd277)

  204. JD, it was nk who already used the shopworn hyperbole defense yesterday or the day before. It’s won’t wash. Kevin said what he said and he isn’t man enough to admit it and apologize, and Simon Jester is willing to offer Kevin cover, but he isn’t willing to stand up and be counted.

    They’re cowards, and so are you.

    ropelight (a24807)

  205. Amash to the rescue, he gave some mighty fine speeches and that is all.
    Another hack who has never had to risk anything but the peoples hard earned money.

    mg (31009b)

  206. A Trumpkin getting an overwhelming case of the vapors over hyperbole is rich in irony.

    JD (7fd277)

  207. Please don’t faint.

    JD (7fd277)

  208. but behavior like the puffington host or daily kos is a little unseemly, the establishment disdains any real critique of the system, here or across the pond, in fact there is no real functional reason that serves the constituents that put them there, whether it’s farage, or johnson,

    narciso (732bc0)

  209. it was nk who already used the shopworn hyperbole defense yesterday or the day before

    ? I doubt it. I may have used the “Do you know what a figure of speech is?” defense. Can you link my comment?

    nk (dbc370)

  210. I once called my good friend Lubos Motl a nazi, sort of. He doesn’t invite me to parties anymore.

    Boot Hill Tombstone Arizona. (jpg)

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  211. “Dear Brainiacs, I’ve been down this road. I’ve seen things get old. Time to get control, and start again. I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but in 2016 voting is simple.

    You ponder all the as usual shabby and vile candidates offered by the major parties;

    you feel your gorge rise;

    you feel your brain writhe as you are forced to remember, and not for the first time, just what an evil and soul destroying system the current system is;

    you shiver with the very natural and enduring repulsion, and then….

    You vote for the one who is the most to the right.

    Always.

    Without fail.

    “But I have my principles!”

    Fu*k.
    Your.
    Principles.

    This is not a kindergarten ethics period just before milk and cookies and a long dirt nap.

    We’re playing with live ammunition in 2016.

    Man up, grow a pair, and vote for the candidate who is most to the right.

    You might hate him.

    You might loathe him.

    Me. Too.

    And I don’t care what his name is.

    Trump.
    Dump.
    Bump.
    Lump.
    Stump or
    Hump.

    You might want him to be executed by a belt sander on pay-per-view.

    Me too.

    Does.
    Not.
    Matter.

    “But.. but… he can’t win!”

    Not if you sit home in your eternal dorm room muttering small talk at the wall while I’m in the hall, reliving your visions of political purity, and tossing your brain salad with mixed nuts.

    “But… but… he makes me feel bad.”

    Me too.
    Fine. We get it that you have feelings. We get you feel bad.

    Take your feelings back to your dorm room and sob into your pillow until you’re finished. Don’t get any on you. We’ll bring you a box of Kleenex or a hot towel, okay? You done? Good.

    Now line up and vote for the candidate who is most to the right.

    Be ye of — at the very least — low-info-flow Nike caliber intellectual prowess and “Just Do It.”

    Take a series of deep breaths, hold up the hem of your ball gown, keep calm…. and vote for the candidate who is most to the right.

    You’re not voting for the candidate, you silly person, you are voting for the right.

    Either you are voting for the Right because you believe that the Right is Right for America, or you are not. Sit it out and you are still not voting for what is Right.”

    – Gerard Vanderleun

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  212. A Trumpkin getting an overwhelming case of the vapors over hyperbole is rich in irony.

    JD (7fd277) — 5/17/2016 @ 5:21 pm

    No kidding.

    I demand you apologize good sir! Tepid Slap!

    Dustin (2a8be7)

  213. Mr. Vanderleun sees things clearly

    happyfeet (831175)

  214. p…guy,

    Or the quotation marks around it?

    The quotation mark that began the line,

    “There was once a civilization that was the greatest in the world.

    was clear enough. But the extended quote did not use the “quote” formatting style, so I assumed the rest was his own contribution. It is up to “steve” to make his point clearly, and failing to provided the all important formatting, it is left to the reader, and I missed the crucial closing quote six paragraphs encompassing fourteen lines later. Better yet, he should have provided a link for that extended quote, if that is what it was.

    If this is a quote from Fiorina, it is embarrassing, to say the least. And I would advise her to do some reading, if she hasn’t corrected her ignorance already.

    Given “steve”‘s litany of grievances with Cruz’s voting record, I find it puzzling that he voted for Cruz in the Texas primary.

    BobStewartatHome (404986)

  215. nk, if it wasn’t you who used the hyperbole defense I apologize for laying it at your feet. It might have been JD or someone else. If it becomes an issue I’ll look it up. Sorry for the incorrect attribution.

    ropelight (a24807)

  216. What is a Gerard Vanderleun and why should I give a [digested meal] what he writes?

    nk (dbc370)

  217. Gerard Vanderleun’s been around the whirl and he he he

    he can’t find his baby

    happyfeet (831175)

  218. It is not a defense. It is hyperbole. And you are too obtuse, thin skinned, and small-handed to let that sink in. You are turning into your idol, minus the millions and the awful combover.

    JD (7fd277)

  219. he’s a lively scribe, was a bohemian type once upon a time,

    http://www.steynonline.com/7528/priority-boarding-on-the-lolita-express

    narciso (732bc0)

  220. nk@202
    Here is El Tupe’s education

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/07/17/yes-donald-trump-really-went-to-an-ivy-league-school/

    It probably took some effort to be expelled from a prep school when his father was a member of the board.

    kishnevi (91d5c6)

  221. Is “I won’t break my pledge.” sufficient or is “Vote Slimeball!!”necessary? Cruz erred in his initial reaction to the idiot and no principle other than ‘the political enemy of my enemy…’ was involved. Rejecting the pledge, even though it was made to pond scum, is not going to be beneficial to continuing to represent the electorate of Texas in the Senate.

    Rick Ballard (97c612)

  222. So, JD you Cjicken Sh*t little coward, you claim the right to say Trump’s supporters condone baby rape and hide from taking responsibility for your blood libel by hiding behind the fig leaf that it was only hyperbole. And, worse, that the victims of your vile accusations are obtuse or thin skinned if they object to being smeared?

    What astonishing cowardice.

    ropelight (a24807)

  223. nonononono

    happyfeet (831175)

  224. deep breathings

    fresh spring air

    the moon never beams without bringing me dreams of the beautiful annabel lee

    happyfeet (831175)

  225. How dare you use insults and hyperbole, you chicken **&#$(*&#$ (*&#$(*& $(*&#$(*&#$(*&#$!!!!

    (sobs and gasps for air)

    Dustin (2a8be7)

  226. Heck, ropelight probably rapes baby manatees every morning. Why wouldn’t he condone it?

    John Hitchcock (2f599c)

  227. All around the world teh same song… all around the world teh same song…

    Nothing but a bunch of fire bombin’, scum suckin’, Bernadette Devlin supportin’, baby rapin’, priest humpers. There… I said it.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  228. No sobbing allowed, Dustin. Bite yer pillow.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  229. Kevin maybe should have said “cook and eat a baby”? ropelight would have laughed; happyfeet would have said “yummy” and meant it. That’s not hyperbole — it’s an allusion to happyfeet’s abortion stance.

    nk (dbc370)

  230. JD, look at the company you keep, and weep for the man you once were.

    ropelight (a24807)

  231. Haiku, you sent money to Cruz.
    Vanderleun gets paid to write that stuff.
    I’ll respect your opinion.
    It’s something I’ve said before.

    nk (dbc370)

  232. Vanderleun is a man I respect, with opinions I often agree with, but always respect. In this instance, I think he’s right. The lines are drawn.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  233. yes, but in marin county, that’s not the easiest thing to write, he lives deep in the facehugger hive,

    narciso (732bc0)

  234. If you disagree, nk, that’s perfectly acceptable. Different strokes and all.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  235. happyfeet- Know of any good restaurants in Dana Point?

    mg (31009b)

  236. If you don’t know who Vanderluen is you should find out. His site is informative, humorous, and insightful. I’m a fan.

    ropelight (a24807)

  237. Ropelight didn’t deny it, so it must be true!
    — Trump’s rules

    John Hitchcock (2f599c)

  238. I did read what Haiku posted. Vanderleun is using the “greater good” instead of the “lesser evil” approach. A lot of people have already said the same thing here.

    nk (dbc370)

  239. mg, you can’t go wrong at the Chart House in Dana Point, 34442 Street of the Green Lantern, (949) 493-1183. Good food, a little pricey, great views. A solid choice.

    ropelight (a24807)

  240. i don’t know down there very well mg the closest i know down there is fig n olive in newport beach – that’s a small chain there’s one here in chicago – really like it

    i’m intrigued by this though

    i could go for some stacks

    happyfeet (831175)

  241. mg,

    Dana Point has lots of good eating. Of course, the price of the real estate (and the view) gets built into the price of your meal at most places.
    https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g32279-Dana_Point_California.html

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  242. Crab Cooker in Newport Beach… simple… great fish and you’ll save some coin.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  243. But Trump is a particularly poor alternative,
    you can’t trust a narcissistic megalomaniac who doesn’t keep his promises, leaves a wake of disaster, and keeps looking for the p word by his own admission
    to do anything but
    more of the same…

    Just so you realize just how bad the alternative has to be in order to vote for Trump
    Which is why I continue to hope and pray his candidacy crashes and burns.

    MD in Philly (d85301)

  244. Ha, ha, I just realized Mr happyfeet just beat me to the punch with a trip advisor link for mg! I would think that The Chart House would be listed much higher on the list, but hey, neither my sports teams nor my preferred presidential candidates are ever ranked as highly as I believe they ought to be! (LOL)

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  245. is ok i use it way more than yelp for when I’m out of town

    happyfeet (831175)

  246. Crab Cooker in Newport Beach… simple… great fish and you’ll save some coin. Band era in Corona Del Mar on PCH is very good too, but more expensive. Try the poke there, great.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  247. Bandera

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  248. Thanks for the tips. Moving a daughter to Cantafordya.

    mg (31009b)

  249. oh my goodness

    it’ll steal the best years of her life

    it always does

    pls to tell her this warning

    she won’t listen

    happyfeet (831175)

  250. That is my view also, MD. I cannot see a “greater good” in Trump.

    nk (dbc370)

  251. Crab Cooker … I second that motion! Do they still have the huge Great White Shark by the counter?

    BobStewartatHome (404986)

  252. she won’t listen
    She is much smarter than her old man.

    mg (31009b)

  253. 179. Steve57,

    As a fellow Texan, you know we don’t lose but sometimes it takes awhile for us to win.

    PS to Danube River Guide: Have you ever been to Texas?

    DRJ (15874d) — 5/17/2016 @ 4:12 pm

    If I were to lose.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKfznizTgis

    Not saying it’s happened.

    Steve57 (eca648)

  254. Hillary is ahead of Bernie by 1,781 votes with 99% of precincts reporting. It’s too close to call but it looks like Hillary is going to pull ahead in Kentucky. The state is proportional so unless there’s skulduggery afoot she should win out with a few more delegates than Bernie. So, we wait for the Oregon returns.

    ropelight (a24807)

  255. I believe they do, Bob. 13 footer caught off the wharf in 1960, if memory serves.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  256. RE: November Vote: If you live in WA, OR, CA, PA, IL, NY, NJ, CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, DE, and MD your write in ballot for Cruz and Fiorina may do some good, and can’t do any harm. If Cruz carries any of these states, it might be enough to deny either Hillary or Trump the absolute majority (270) required. At that point it goes to the House.

    Think about it.

    BobStewartatHome (404986)

  257. Colonel, generally speaking a wharf runs parallel to and is attached along the long side to the shore, and a pier is perpendicular to the shore and extends out into deeper water. Just sayin’

    ropelight (a24807)

  258. Ropelight – after you are done nailing yourself to a cross, you might want to attempt a little self-examination. The complete lack of self-awareness is astounding. Maybe it’s a manifestation of your tiny hands.

    JD (b70a8e)

  259. That’s nice, Bill H. If you bothered to read (or were capable of it) you would have seen that the WaPo artilce you linked to was the article I linked. So not sure what your point is, since they said that he disavowed both Duke and the KKK.

    But on to your “proof”. Two articles that state that some white supremacists have endorsed Trump. I don’t think I disagreed with that, but that isn’t even close to what you said. Here, let me help you out

    Trump can’t possibly disavow the KKK. They and their fellow travellers[sic] make up too large a portion of his base.

    Neither of those two articles even mention what % of Trump supporters are in those groups. But let us say, just for fun, that every single KKK member throughout the US supports Trump and voted for him. So there are, let’s say, 11M people who have cast votes for Trump so far, and there are still 6 primaries to go. So conservatively, let’s call it 12M voters by the end. And let’s say for every KKK member, there are 9 others who are members of white supremacists groups. And since there are estimated to be, at most, 5000 KKK members, that means that .4% (that’s .004) of Trumps supporters are KKK members or similar groups. At most. Given that he trounced Ted by more than 3.5M votes (so far), I’d say he could lose every single KKK vote and still be OK. And since Trump did, in fact, disavow any support from the KKK, it didn’t seem to hurt him too much, did it?

    So where did you get this “a large portion of his base” from? Again I ask, what is the source for your claim? Here are my sources

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/republican_vote_count.html
    http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/07/us/klan-numbers/

    Besides, Ted was working pretty hard for the racist vote himself:
    http://reverbpress.com/politics/ted-cruz-panders-to-white-supremacists-in-secret-video/
    http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/01/27/what-the-media-isnt-saying-about-ted-cruzs-newe/208226
    http://www.forwardprogressives.com/ted-cruz-raising-money-gun-group-ties-white-supremacists/
    http://trofire.com/2015/09/18/ted-cruz-says-he-is-honored-to-receive-endorsement-of-white-supremacist-gun-fanatic-group/

    See, I can google up random links that show next to nothing, just like you. But I’m not the one claiming that Cruz’s base is mainly made of of people laughing uproariously at a wetback joke. I’m not the liar. Just you.

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  260. JD, I don’t have big hands, I met Johnny Unitas at a crab feast in Tidewater, Virginia, back in the late 60s, and we shook hands. He had big hands. I know what big hands look and feel like and he had big hands.

    But, hand size isn’t the measure of a man, you know that even if you lack the character to acknowledge it in the heat of political debate. And, while I’m at it, perhaps you could profit from a little self examination. I’m somewhat astonished at your lack of self-awareness.

    Have you got the courage to answer the question Kevin and Simon Jester are ducking? Do you agree with the accusation that Trump’s supporters condone baby killing?

    ropelight (a24807)

  261. Oh, I forgot JD, you’re already on-record using the hyperbole defense. Tell any low mean lie your twisted sick mind can conger up and fling it at your political opponents, then if they object run away and hide behind the “hyperbole defense.” Like a cowardly little weasel.

    ropelight (a24807)

  262. As opposed to th overt lies and smears you and Trump engage in? WTF is wrong with you?

    JD (534747)

  263. F***ing Trump. F***ing election. ropelight is ememies with JD and buddies with happyfeet. Up is down, day is night.

    nk (dbc370)

  264. I’ll answer your STUPID question. No, I don’t think you condone baby raping, in public or private. And you also know that is not the point he was making. He clearly chose something much worse than Trump shooting someone in the street, since it has basically been shown that Trump’s assertion that would help him with his supporters has been proven to be true. Now, are you done nailing yourself to the cross and screaming out that you are an aggrieved martyr?

    JD (534747)

  265. i’ve noticed this mirroring, on a number of sites, on the opposite side of the political divide,

    narciso (732bc0)

  266. yeah but who hasn’t had the occasion to cuss ropelight?

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  267. Lucifer signed the pledge. If he wants to affirm his reputation as a liar, don’t back Trump.

    Besides, he pulled out abruptly because his name/number may be on the DC Madam’s phone logs.

    DCSCA (a343d5)

  268. I, for one, go out of my way to be offensive to all Trumpkins, not only to ropelight. But JD does not.

    nk (dbc370)

  269. realistically, how effective has that been, you win the admiration of the dog trainer, carlos slims and bezos, where’s the third stage of underpants gnome,

    narciso (732bc0)

  270. it’s the wrong question. The correct question what would Hillary have to do for you to never even consider voting for her, no matter if she were running against Beelzebub with the brimstone fumes curling around his ears?

    Hasn’t she passed that point several times over?

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  271. JD, you might not think it was such stupid question if one of Trump’s supporters had accused you of condoning baby killing (it’s not the first time that blood libel has been hurled at me). It was a false accusation in 1968 and it’s just as false now.

    ropelight (a24807)

  272. I have already declared I’m #NeverTrump #NeverHillary. I would wager most #NeverTrump people are also #NeverHillary people.

    John Hitchcock (2f599c)

  273. Trump fans do condone baby killing. And Trump openly condoned it shortly before he got into the race. And HF openly condones it.

    John Hitchcock (2f599c)

  274. I am exaggerating when I say I will vote for Hillary; or send her money; or put a “Vote for the old broad, it’s important” bumper-sticker on my car; or “F*** it! Hillary 2016”. It’s just venting. My real position is that I cannot bear to push the button for either. For similar reasons. I give Hillary the edge on gravitas and dignitas and Trump the edge on not-too-left but that’s only comparative, not enough to keep down my gag reflex.

    nk (dbc370)

  275. ropelight,

    In the past, you’ve accused the Bushes and Hinckleys of conspiring to assassinate President Reagan. You have also espoused wild theories about JFK’s assassination.
    Perhaps in that context you’re not in the best position to be complaining about “blood libel” accusations allegedly being hurled at you.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  276. allegedly?

    ropelight (a24807)

  277. such scenarios entertain a ridiculous level of competence among govt agencies, they can strand an expedition on a nearby coast, abandon a diplomatic outpost, but proactively, it’s a carpshoots, iran succeeded because of an alliance between the merchants and the mullahs, guatemala a rebellion among middle class elements, same with chile,

    narciso (732bc0)

  278. This day when the Lord delivered thee into mine hand and I will smite thee and take thine head from thee and I will give the carcasses of the hosts of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air and the wild beasts of the earth.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  279. Chicken Sh*t, are you trying to change the subject? How about you answering the question:

    Do you agree with the accusation that Trump’s supporters condone baby killing?

    JD had the guts to answer, but Kevin (the accuser) is still hiding. Hitchcock chimed in with his usual insane balderdash but that halfwit is too inconsequential for the courtesy of a response.

    PS: If you want to question me about Bush and Hinckley family involvement in the attempt on Reagan’s life provide a reference to my comments and I’ll take it from there.

    ropelight (a24807)

  280. You made the wild accusations. You need someone to point them out to you? You’re as senile as Perry? Or as asinine as Phoenician in a Time of Romans?

    John Hitchcock (2f599c)

  281. And no, JD did not answer a question concerning baby killing, as that question was not asked of him. He answered a question concerning baby rape. No, Trump does not condone baby rape. But yes, he does condone baby killing. He also condones Democracy Demonstrators being killed with tanks.

    John Hitchcock (2f599c)

  282. Nothing but a bunch of fire bombin’, scum suckin’, Bernadette Devlin supportin’, baby rapin’, priest humpers. There… I said it.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 5/17/2016 @ 5:51 pm

    You forgot father rapers with the hairy eyeball, sittin’ on the Group W bench, Colonel.

    Bill H (971e5f)

  283. John, were you referring to Trump’s position on abortion? Because he also said that he would go after the families of terrorists.

    nk (dbc370)

  284. 283. And no, JD did not answer a question concerning baby killing…

    John Hitchcock (2f599c) — 5/17/2016 @ 8:55 pm

    I, must have missed that.

    Steve57 (eca648)

  285. Steve, at #263 I asked JD about baby killing. At #267 he responded about baby rape.

    I didn’t call him on it. He was the only one so far with the guts of answer.

    ropelight (a24807)

  286. Yes I was, nk. And I completely forgot about Trump’s position on killing the babies of terrorists.

    John Hitchcock (2f599c)

  287. Ropelight, it is not cowardice to mock you. As it was not cowardice to mock Blubonnet. As it was not cowardice to mock Phoenician in a Time of Romans. As it was not cowardice to mock Perry.

    John Hitchcock (2f599c)

  288. JD (534747) — 5/17/2016 @ 7:50 pm

    He clearly chose something much worse than Trump shooting someone in the street, since it has basically been shown that Trump’s assertion that would help him with his supporters has been proven to be true.

    Donald Trump said he could shoot someone in public on Fifth Avenue and it wouldn’t cost him his supporters, but I don’t know where any of that was shown to be true.

    Sammy Finkelman (6b5229)

  289. Ambition is about to collide with principles… My vote is that ambition wins… I notice there is wiggle room and ambition could mean that Cruz chooses not to back Trump and that also equals principle. A twofer one. ambition and principle both drive Cruz to refusing to back Trump.

    My guess is that the GOP makes it very clear that at this point in the game if you have ambition, you will check said principles at the door and back Trump

    steveg (fed1c9)

  290. Well, New Yorkers are always shooting or otherwise victimizing each other. And the rest of the country is not especially fond of them, either. So even if Trump thought he was exaggerating, his boast is probably literally true.

    nk (dbc370)

  291. Trump said he’d go after the families of terrorists. Osama bin Ladin’s son is now running Al Qaeda, does he get a free pass because he was a member of bin Ladin’s family?

    And, what’s this insane preoccupation with babies. No one wants to kill babies, or women, or non-combatants for that matter.

    Consider Saddam Hussein’s sons, Uday and Qusay. They sure as hell were targets, but not their 3 sisters, members all of Hussein’s family.

    Grow up.

    ropelight (a24807)

  292. The leader of a terrorist organization is, by definition, a terrorist; ropelight’s sophistry notwithstanding.

    John Hitchcock (2f599c)

  293. And that “grow up” mantra comes straight from Perry.

    John Hitchcock (2f599c)

  294. No comment on the content, which is stellar as usual. I’ve noticed several times your use of “!!!!1!!.” Just wondering: If your intent is to channel Mr. Tufnel, shouldn’t it be “!!!!11!!”? If I’ve missed a previous reasoning or am otherwise mistaken, my apologies; it’s not the first time and certainly won’t be the last. All the best.

    dejapa (3e1ae9)

  295. Did everyone see the picture of Donnie’s grandaddy and Hitler at high school together?

    jb (9badd6)

  296. No comment on the content, which is stellar as usual. I’ve noticed several times your use of “!!!!1!!.” Just wondering: If your intent is to channel Mr. Tufnel, shouldn’t it be “!!!!11!!”? If I’ve missed a previous reasoning or am otherwise mistaken, my apologies; it’s not the first time and certainly won’t be the last. All the best.

    Thanks. It’s an old Internet gag, poking fun at people who type angrily and forget to hold down the shift key for some of their exclamation points.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  297. Going after the families of terrorists is the least we should be considering. I’d quite happily support leveling entire cities with B-52’s with the deliberate aim of maximum civilian casualties.

    Mr Black (7c41e5)

  298. yes, yes, to the tune of ride of the valkyries

    with huge bombs a really tremendous bombing

    and then we can build casinos on all that real estate

    the very best casinos with the finest games

    with slovenian models serving drinks

    and free passion lube for comps

    for when the big spenders take the models up to their rooms

    it will really be great

    nk (dbc370)

  299. There ya go, ropelight, a Trumpster advocating the mass murder of children, just because a terrorist lived in that town. Say goodbye to Boston. Say goodbye to Minneapolis.

    John Hitchcock (df0438)

  300. yes, yes, to the tune of ride of the valkyries

    with huge bombs a really tremendous bombing

    and then we can build casinos on all that real estate

    the very best casinos with the finest games

    with slovenian models serving drinks…

    I stand corrected.

    You forgot ultimate luxury. Hubba hubba.

    Steve57 (eca648)

  301. How is this difficult? The pledge was to support the eventual nominee, right? Not endorse the eventual nominee. Can support Trump by voting against Hillary (for Trump).

    AMartel (a99e2c)

  302. Steve57 – maybe! I get along decently with most people IRL. If we’re ever in the same city we should find out 🙂

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  303. There are, in fact, a number of people here I think it would be enjoyable to share a beer and a BBQ with. 🙂

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  304. I’m good with BBQ.

    You’re a good egg, aphrael. Thanks for not suggesting something vegan.

    Steve57 (eca648)

  305. *laugh* I’m not vegan. I have vegan friends, and if i’m cooking for them i’ll make something vegan, and if I go out with them I might, depending on the circumstances, eat vegan with them; but that’s just politeness. 🙂

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  306. It’s not polite to eat vegan, they should cater to your wishes and eat dead animals. Lol

    JD (7fd277)

  307. aphrael @307, did I mention the vegetarian fighter pilot? The one we messed with his head by convincing him the squadron was strafing the caribou?

    Ok, maybe not a nice thing to do.

    But I threw a BBQ and I tried to be nice. I made him an all-vegan shishkabob. And he wouldn’t eat it because it had been cooked on the same grill that had cooked meat.

    If you have vegan friends all I can say if you have more patience than I do .

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTdUh4Ftc84

    If meat eaters acted like vegetarians/vegans

    Steve57 (eca648)

  308. I overheard a chick in Brazilian BBQ. She ordered the meat sampler. The chef’s special. But she was a vegetarian. She wanted to know if the chef could substitute everything on the plate with vegetables. Then she got upset because the BRAZILIAN MEAT RESTAURANT couldn’t accommodate her.

    Like it was their fault.

    You’ve got the patience of a saint, aphrael.

    Steve57 (eca648)

  309. a friend of mine, who is somewhat of a gourmand is so frustrated with lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegans that she no longer does large meals,

    narciso (732bc0)

  310. 308. It’s not polite to eat vegan, they should cater to your wishes and eat dead animals. Lol

    JD (7fd277) — 5/18/2016 @ 12:29 pm

    I require them to make the kill. With a knife.

    Steve57 (eca648)

  311. Or a shovel. Either way.

    Steve57 (eca648)

  312. http://datatargeting.com/POTUS

    2.Here are the most striking, historic numbers: 58. 55. 65.

    What are they?

    a.58% of respondents are dissatisfied with the current group of Republican and Democratic candidates for President.

    b.55% of respondents favor having an independent presidential ticket in 2016.

    i.A shocking 91% of voters under the age of 29 favor having an independent candidate on the ballot.

    c.65% of respondents are at least somewhat, pretty or very willing to support a candidate for President who is not Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.

    This poll was done May through May 15 – after the West Virginia primary. To qualify for the survey someone needed to be a registered voter who had voted in either the 2008 or 2012 general election, or who had first registered later (that means a higher percentage of young people would qualify)

    Sammy Finkelman (643dcd)

  313. 260 BobStewartatHome (404986) — 5/17/2016 @ 6:59 pm

    If you live in WA, OR, CA, PA, IL, NY, NJ, CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, DE, and MD your write in ballot for Cruz and Fiorina may do some good, and can’t do any harm. If Cruz carries any of these states, it might be enough to deny either Hillary or Trump the absolute majority (270) required. At that point it goes to the House.

    Think about it.

    You can’t write in a presidential candidate since you are voting not for president but for Electors.

    Those states seem to be states carried by Democrats in all presidenmntial elections since 1992.

    Q 1. Why are Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Hawaii missing?

    Q 2. Why is New Hampshire included since BNush carried it in the year 2000.

    Sammy Finkelman (643dcd)

  314. How do you know if someone is gluten free?

    Oh, they will let you know!!!

    mg (31009b)

  315. One of my closest friends is a vegan because of a health-related issue which causes his body to overproduce cholesterol and resulted in him having a heart attack at 34. It’s basically true that he *must* avoid animal fat for health reasons, due to an unusual health condition.

    But he’s nice about it. 🙂

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  316. aphrael,

    But we think it’s better when there’s a one size fits all approach.
    So people such as your friend should just suck it up and go along with the greater good.

    Signed,
    President Obama

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  317. Uncle has a hilarious video about what if meatatarians talked like vegans. http://www.saysuncle.com/2016/05/18/i-lold-3/

    nk (dbc370)

  318. You can’t write in a presidential candidate since you are voting not for president but for Electors.

    Sammy Finkelman (643dcd) — 5/18/2016 @ 2:44 pm

    I think he’s talking about the general, Sammy, not the primaries. BSaH alludes to the electoral college by stating 270 votes.

    Bill H (971e5f)

  319. Bill H — Sammy’s right. When you vote for President, technically you aren’t voting for the presidential candidate whose name appears on the ballot — you are voting for a group of specific individuals who are candidates for the office of “elector,” who actually elect the President, and who are pledged to vote for the presidential candidate under whose name they ran. (See the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution.) If you vote for a write-in, there are no candidates for elector who are pledged to vote for him, so your vote has no practical effect.

    gwjd (bd49bb)

  320. Well, you are all correct but not entirely. The slate of electors is appointed by the state legislature and when you vote you are telling the legislature which ones to appoint, and as far as the federal Constitution is concerned your vote is only advisory to the legislature. That it is in practical effect binding, is a matter of historical tradition and your state’s laws. If you’ll recall in 2000, the Florida legislature appointed a slate of electors for Bush while the chads were still hanging just in case the courts had not finished with the case by the time the electoral college met. So if a write-in gets enough votes to persuade the state legislature, then the legislature can appoint electors for him.

    nk (dbc370)


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