Trumps: White Angry Middleclass

[creaker]

Trump is not for single payer. The level of ignorance of the actual positions Trump has taken is off the charts (I know issues are an epiphenomena to the Trump phenomena, he's not about ideas to be sure. But really pretending Trump is your guy if you want single payer is simply WRONG). Here's the thing: Trump came out for single payer once long ago (so there is a slight amount of historical truth to that), but has since come out against it in the debates (didn't anyone follow any of the debates? I admit I couldn't stomach them all but some ... I know these are weasly unstrustable politicians and narcissists, but what they say is still a better guide to what they will do, than making stuff up out of whole cloth.).

It was asked as a debate question whether Trump favors single payer like Sanders or something and he does not. And yet people think Trump is the guy who is going to be fighting for single payer (even Sanders has limited ability to implement it without Congress, but he is for it, he has a section on his website on issues called "Medicare for All", so make no mistake he had made it one of his issues). Someone who waffles on their positions like Trump is not going to put up a fight for single payer (they will probably just leave the status quo - that is the ACA in place, whatever they say, that is the path of least resistance for an issues they seem to care so little about anyway as to be constantly waffling on).

Trump is a salesman - right now for Donald Trump. He always plays to the audience in front of him so it's really hard to say what his actual stand is on anything - except Donald Trump.

[LDAHL]

Trump is not for single payer. The level of ignorance of the actual positions Trump has taken is off the charts (I know issues are an epiphenomena to the Trump phenomena, he's not about ideas to be sure. But really pretending Trump is your guy if you want single payer is simply WRONG). Here's the thing: Trump came out for single payer once long ago (so there is a slight amount of historical truth to that), but has since come out against it in the debates (didn't anyone follow any of the debates? I admit I couldn't stomach them all but some ... I know these are weasly unstrustable politicians and narcissists, but what they say is still a better guide to what they will do, than making stuff up out of whole cloth.).

It was asked as a debate question whether Trump favors single payer like Sanders or something and he does not. And yet people think Trump is the guy who is going to be fighting for single payer (even Sanders has limited ability to implement it without Congress, but he is for it, he has a section on his website on issues called "Medicare for All", so make no mistake he had made it one of his issues). Someone who waffles on their positions like Trump is not going to put up a fight for single payer (they will probably just leave the status quo - that is the ACA in place, whatever they say, that is the path of least resistance for an issues they seem to care so little about anyway as to be constantly waffling on).

He has supported it explicitly in the past, and has spoken approvingly of the Canadian and Scottish systems. Lately, he has become more coy when called on it, vaguely saying "We're gonna take care of everybody".

[Gregg]

Gregg, I don't want to leave you out. CNN is ginning up tonight's debate like it was an Ali - Frazier rematch. I guess that's the business but the truth is.......the debate matters little. By Tuesday, any bump Cruz or Rubio get will have evaporated. They are actually talking about "mayhem" happening. C'mon. I think it is going to be underwhelming.

No worries Williamsmith. I tried to make my prediction sound like it would be gut wrenchingly boring, but you're right: it could actually be much worse.

[Teacher Terry]

I read that Trump inherited a ton of $ from his Dad and if he had just let it sit and lived off the interest he would be much richer then he is now. So not a good businessman.

[LDAHL]

I read that Trump inherited a ton of $ from his Dad and if he had just let it sit and lived off the interest he would be much richer then he is now. So not a good businessman.

There's an old joke:

How do you make a billion bucks in real estate?

Start with two billion.

[ApatheticNoMore]

He has supported it explicitly in the past, and has spoken approvingly of the Canadian and Scottish systems. Lately, he has become more coy when called on it, vaguely saying "We're gonna take care of everybody"

people see what they want to see, I mean it is foolish to think Trump is going to somehow implement single payer based on this:
Trump:

As far as single payer, it works in Canada. It works incredibly well in Scotland. It could have worked in a different age, which is the age you're talking about here. What I'd like to see is a private system without the artificial lines around every state.

it reminds me of people thinking Obama was a lot of things he was not, in those cases where there was plain evidence from his own voting record and his debates that he was not. While it is foolish to believe everything politicians promise, it is even more foolish to think they are somehow going to promote single payer which would upset a vast array of entrenched interests, it is an uphill fight, when they explicitly say they will not.

[Williamsmith]

Wolf Blitzer needed a whistle and a yellow flag last night. Many opportunities to penalize for unsportsmanlike conduct. Clearly Rubio and Cruz got the memo. Mend fences and join resources to attack Trump. Carson had the best seat in the house by far. Kasich took the high road which is to say he brought a knife to a gun fight. He gained some style points and remained dignified throughout.

What was gained? Trump, for all the attacks didn't seem to break a sweat. Rubio and Cruz emptied their ammunition and went full out. They are a desperate pair. While it was all entertaining, will it truly have any effect on Tuesdays voters?

Suppose Rubio and Cruz have an agreement. If Cruz can manage to claim his own state and capture all the delegates, not just a portion......I think Cruz has the green light to make a run and Rubio will bow out. If not, Cruz really has no path and will be forced to bow out for a Rubio run. It's got to be one or the other if Trump is to be blocked.

Last nights debate was a fight for second place. I thought Rubio showed the most passion and preparation, Cruz has worn out his right middle and index finger pounding them on the podium when its a question you might see on the final exam. It's pretty bad when your own state is up for grabs and you claim to be such a great politician. If he does pull Texas out of his rear it will be an entertaining Ides of March.

After all that yelling.....It seems all the Democrats have to do is stand by with their brooms and sweep what is left of the pieces into the sewer.

[Ultralight]

How did or will this effect the polling numbers?

[Williamsmith]

How did or will this effect the polling numbers?

I don't think polls can keep up with the fast news cycle. They seem to lag in my opinion and only have predictive value when the numbers are overwhelmingly in favor of one candidate. They are certainly not as scientific as say weather forecasting and you know how that goes. But it fills up large time gaps for 24 hour news channels and so they are widely reported and there are many of them. Really great for talk radio too. Just not of any value except to give Trump something to brag about.

[LDAHL]

It's got to be one or the other if Trump is to be blocked.

After all that yelling.....It seems all the Democrats have to do is stand by with their brooms and sweep what is left of the pieces into the sewer.

I think you're right about Cruz/Rubio. Polling at about 35% of GOP primary voters, Trump will not look like such an electoral juggernaut against one main opponent. Since Hillary seems all but inevitable (except in the unlikely event that the Justice department proceeds with some sort of indictment), it seems like Rubio would be in the best position to run against her. Otherwise, I'll be praying for an obstructionist congress.