Can someone explain what has happened to the GOP?

[Correll]

Populism is dangerous.

It offers simple solutions to complex problems, and relies on demagoguery and scapegoating of others. It speaks to people in a very dark place.

Some of the worst governments anywhere have been populist or had roots in populism - Chavez, Peron, Mugabe, Hitler to name a few.

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

Was it banning all Muslims or banning until they get thoroughly vetted? He is against illegals, not immigrants. He has the back of US citizens.

He said ban all Muslims, including American Muslims. He backtracked on American Muslims a few days later.

He said until we knew what was going on, not about being vetted.

Okay...."until we knew what was going on" can be translated as vetting.

It's vague. Probably purposefully so.

 

[Conservative65]

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

There is a problem with crime and Third World Immigration. Being honest about that is not demagoguery or scapegoating others.

There is a problem with Muslims becoming radicalized and we don't know how to filter for that. A "temporary" ban is a reasonable response to that. That is not demagoguery or scapegoating others.

If there are "better ways" to articulate opposition to immigrant criminals and terrorism, no one has picked up that ball and ran with it.

Trump has. He is the best option for those issues available at this time.

It is not true that most Mexican immigrants are rapists, drug mules, etc.

Nor is it true that all Muslims are terrorists.

That's demagoguery and scapegoating groups of people.

That is divisive and dangerous.

The problem is the government is willing to allow people into this country that the very same government says can't be vetted to determine whether or not they're terrorists.

That's different than saying we should ban all Muslims and create a police state-like agency that will monitor Muslims and create a Muslim database.

You mean like gun haters want to do with gun owners?

The people who say we shouldn't judge all Muslims by the actions of a few are the same ones who judge all gun owners by the actions of a few.

 

[Skylar]

And maybe explain it without the standard hyperbole and partisan BS. Just some honest, solid analysis. Or maybe provide a link to a piece that someone has written that calmly and reasonably explains it.

I think this "Fox News is the enemy" thing is the final straw with me. I'm now completely lost, and I feel like Sandra Bullock in Gravity, floating away from reality with no way to get back.

To wit:

• The aforementioned darling news network is, overnight, the target of at least as much derision as MSNBC
  
• A bombastic New Yorker who is clearly not a conservative is running away with the nomination
• That same candidate can literally say the most ridiculous things and it only makes his support stronger
  
• Suddenly, nationalism & populism clearly have more energy in the party than "conservative values"
• A nihilistic, "I don't care, just blow the whole thing up" attitude seems to completely permeate the party
  
• The slightest nod toward legislative cooperation is simply no longer allowed in public discourse
• The Establishment, whatever that is, appears to be more hated than any Democrat

It's like half the party has just snapped.

Exactly what is the goal here? And does anyone care if this inter-party schism is healed?
.

Sure: the GOP carefully trained their constituency to be angry, to be afraid, to feel, not to think..

And their constituents learned the lesson too well.

 

[Toro]

Populism is dangerous.

It offers simple solutions to complex problems, and relies on demagoguery and scapegoating of others. It speaks to people in a very dark place.

Some of the worst governments anywhere have been populist or had roots in populism - Chavez, Peron, Mugabe, Hitler to name a few.

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

Was it banning all Muslims or banning until they get thoroughly vetted? He is against illegals, not immigrants. He has the back of US citizens.

He said ban all Muslims, including American Muslims. He backtracked on American Muslims a few days later.

He said until we knew what was going on, not about being vetted.

Okay...."until we knew what was going on" can be translated as vetting.

Not to me.

But Trump supporters will rationalize a way to defend him no matter what he does or says. It's funny that Trump thinks so too.

 

[paulitician]

Boot the Neocons (Nazis), and the GOP can come back. That's the only way. The Neocons are an incredibly dangerous group of madmen. They want their Police State and WWIII. Republicans need to stop living in denial about what they're supporting. Until that happens, the Party will stay in the hands of madmen.

 

[Conservative65]

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

You are a lying sack. Trump clearly said a temporary ban on any more Muslims, and far as Mexico, many many criminals come in from Mexico and are committing horrible crimes daily. And, libtard, they are not immigrants they are illegal aliens.

You're the type of person Trump was referring to when he said he could gun people down and his supporters would support him anyways.

Heck, Trump could shoot you and you'd still support him.

Hell Mrs Clinton was in charge when four of our men will killed, and she is still supported.

Mrs. Bosnia Clinton outright LIES to all of us about sniper fire and yet still has support. THAT is exactly what Trump was talking about, i think most didn't see the irony.

I'm tired of the Clintons and want them to go away. But I don't live in the right-wing media echo chamber either, where every single thing Hillary and the Democrats do is a crime.

I will probably vote for any other Republican other than Trump, and probably not for Cruz. I'll vote for Hillary if Trump is the nominee and probably for the Libertarian candidate if it's Cruz.

Not everything Hillary does is a crime just those that are illegal.

 

[imawhosure]

You see, the lefty ideas are working on the GOP, it is proven by this thread, and it makes me exceedingly sad.

I am in no way suggesting that ANY GOPer give up on their candidate. Nope! And why should you. Not 1 vote has been cast by anyone's supporters.

What I am saying is...............support the eventual winner, and hope like hell that they can keep everybody's supporters under the tent so we have a chance to fix this country.

Do you want a Socialist Bernie?

Do you want Hillary? This person has screwed up everything she has touched including her marriage with her husbands help, not to mention all of her accomplishments turned out to be failures. She lies to soldiers loved ones in mourning, she had her surrogate lie to your face to push her boss into the White House; in fact the only thing she hasn't screwed up is her own foundation that has helped make her rich. Her supporters like "Cornwallis" can only point at her V-jay-jay as a reason to vote for her, and do it with a straight face.

The Democrats whole shtick is to make the GOP candidate..........any candidate unlikable. Carson was an idiot, Cruz is a rightwing screwball, Trump is so far right, he keeps the right turn signal on constantly. When that didn't work, they changed tactics and now he is a liberal so we should hate him.

Is Trump arrogant? Well yes, I think he is. He may personally be nice, I don't know, but in public, he appears to be somewhat of a pr***. I suppose if I had made a business into a 10 billion dollar empire, I would probably be a little arrogant too. When he says he can do it for America, I tend to believe him.

On the other hand you have Hillary. What makes her believe she should be President and can fix anything? Is that NOT the height of arrogance, but from the female perspective? What can she point to? A failed healthcare program under her husband? A failed secretary of state job GIVEN to her? How about a Senator who MOVED to the most liberal state in the country, rode her HUSBANDS coat tails to an election win, then voted for a war she now rails against?!?! She has a V-jay-jay, so vote for me, and I'll set you free! It is ludicrous at best, downright disingenuous at worst.

So WE are going to put the nuclear codes in the hands of an arrogant failure at everything? Someone who thinks BHO would be a GREAT Justice? Your kidding, correct?

 

[Conservative65]

The GOP has been neutered long ago by career politicians, known as Rinos today....

But Trump is the ultimate Northeast RINO.....he's who you all have pushed out of congress....the social moderate, isn't he???

Trump is literally a RINO....yet points to other candidates and screams.....You are not a real Republican

Trump just pisses you off because you don't like what he has to say but is willing to say it.

Trump is willing to say anything that will get him headlines the next day

You mean like Hillary and Obama saying they believed marriage is between a man and a women then flip flopping when they decided being for it was politically expedient.

 

[Freewill]

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

You are a lying sack. Trump clearly said a temporary ban on any more Muslims, and far as Mexico, many many criminals come in from Mexico and are committing horrible crimes daily. And, libtard, they are not immigrants they are illegal aliens.

You're the type of person Trump was referring to when he said he could gun people down and his supporters would support him anyways.

Heck, Trump could shoot you and you'd still support him.

Hell Mrs Clinton was in charge when four of our men will killed, and she is still supported.

Mrs. Bosnia Clinton outright LIES to all of us about sniper fire and yet still has support. THAT is exactly what Trump was talking about, i think most didn't see the irony.

I'm tired of the Clintons and want them to go away. But I don't live in the right-wing media echo chamber either, where every single thing Hillary and the Democrats do is a crime.

I will probably vote for any other Republican other than Trump, and probably not for Cruz. I'll vote for Hillary if Trump is the nominee and probably for the Libertarian candidate if it's Cruz.

I didn't mention one crime of Mrs. Bosnia Clinton. Fortunately incompetence is not yet a crime and her lying just speaks to her integrity.

I can't imagine how hard one has to hold their nose to vote for Mrs. Bosnia Clinton.

 

[rightwinger]

Seems the GOP got Obamad

They actually believed they could stop healthcare, get more tax cuts, block gay marriage

When it became evident they couldn't ...they jumped in bed with the next snakeoil salesman who claimed he could

 

[Toro]

And maybe explain it without the standard hyperbole and partisan BS. Just some honest, solid analysis. Or maybe provide a link to a piece that someone has written that calmly and reasonably explains it.

I think this "Fox News is the enemy" thing is the final straw with me. I'm now completely lost, and I feel like Sandra Bullock in Gravity, floating away from reality with no way to get back.

To wit:

• The aforementioned darling news network is, overnight, the target of at least as much derision as MSNBC
  
• A bombastic New Yorker who is clearly not a conservative is running away with the nomination
• That same candidate can literally say the most ridiculous things and it only makes his support stronger
  
• Suddenly, nationalism & populism clearly have more energy in the party than "conservative values"
• A nihilistic, "I don't care, just blow the whole thing up" attitude seems to completely permeate the party
  
• The slightest nod toward legislative cooperation is simply no longer allowed in public discourse
• The Establishment, whatever that is, appears to be more hated than any Democrat

It's like half the party has just snapped.

Exactly what is the goal here? And does anyone care if this inter-party schism is healed?
.

Conservative Ideology AND the Republican Party are means to an end, the interests of the Nation.

That some Conservative Ideology seems to have failed to deliver on that, ie supposedly Free Trade, and the Establishment Republicans have failed to deliver on that, you are seeing a Populist revolt of the Republican voters.

The "nihilism" you think you see is actually desperation, because we don't know if the interests of the country can be served at this late date.

The question is not can the inter-party schism be healed, the question is can we turn this country around from it's path of decline.

Populism is dangerous.

It offers simple solutions to complex problems, and relies on demagoguery and scapegoating of others. It speaks to people in a very dark place.

Some of the worst governments anywhere have been populist or had roots in populism - Chavez, Peron, Mugabe, Hitler to name a few.

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

Is there a difference between saying Mexico is sending their rapists across the border illegally to make them someone elses problem and "calling all Mexican immigrants rapists"?

Is there a difference between calling for a temporary halt to Muslim immigration until we can instate a proper vetting program to identify probable terrorist infiltrators bent of destruction and "banning all Muslims"?

Cuz if there is (and there is a huge difference)...you seriously need to change your information provider.

EDIT: Edited to remove snide comment. Honestly, I try not to get hateful, but these half-truths intended to score political points really piss me off.

"And I assume, some are good people" is what Trump said about Mexican immigrants. That implies most are not. That's ridiculous, and plays on fear and loathing. That takes us to a very dark place.

And no, we should not halt immigration based on religion. If you want to halt immigration, period, or from certain countries, that's a different argument. But to single out a single religion is odious, even if individuals in that religion are evil.

Trump has chosen to demean whole groups of people, whether they are guilty or not. That's what a demagogue does, and why so many conservatives have come out against him.

 

[Toro]

And maybe explain it without the standard hyperbole and partisan BS. Just some honest, solid analysis. Or maybe provide a link to a piece that someone has written that calmly and reasonably explains it.

I think this "Fox News is the enemy" thing is the final straw with me. I'm now completely lost, and I feel like Sandra Bullock in Gravity, floating away from reality with no way to get back.

To wit:

• The aforementioned darling news network is, overnight, the target of at least as much derision as MSNBC
  
• A bombastic New Yorker who is clearly not a conservative is running away with the nomination
• That same candidate can literally say the most ridiculous things and it only makes his support stronger
  
• Suddenly, nationalism & populism clearly have more energy in the party than "conservative values"
• A nihilistic, "I don't care, just blow the whole thing up" attitude seems to completely permeate the party
  
• The slightest nod toward legislative cooperation is simply no longer allowed in public discourse
• The Establishment, whatever that is, appears to be more hated than any Democrat

It's like half the party has just snapped.

Exactly what is the goal here? And does anyone care if this inter-party schism is healed?
.

I've told you for a long time there is no such thing as a RINO only people that republicans disagree with at the time. They are a knee jerk party who puts more into tough talking and show than substance. I think Bush played it that way great....except people started to believe the show.

Now we have Trump, a literal rich kid who simply says hes a (Maverick, Outsidered, Rebel) Anti Establishment enough with a straight face and all he has to do to strengthen himself is to blame an enemy to create support. Insert Press and Media here. Now maybe my explanation isnt considered calm or you will call it partisan to move on and ignore it....Ironically its the same thing that is happening now. You've been taught that everyone is wrong or partisan or hates your face instead of them might actually having a point.

So now the republicans are being yelled down by their own. It was inevitable. Its like Frankenstein's monster

Ain't it great what is happening to the GOP and its career politicians??

Nothing has happened. But it's interesting that the Rebel label seems to work on you guys every election cycle when Trump is anything BUT...but he says he is a whole bunch so it takes hold

The sooner the GOP establishment is burned to the ground the better... Poach more Rinos

Better vote for Cruz then, since Trump said he'd cut deals with Nancy Pelosi, i.e. he's a RINO.

 

[Toro]

The downfall of the Republican Party can be traced to the origination of the term RINO

The people using the term are Small Tent Republicans.

 

[Correll]

Conservative Ideology AND the Republican Party are means to an end, the interests of the Nation.

That some Conservative Ideology seems to have failed to deliver on that, ie supposedly Free Trade, and the Establishment Republicans have failed to deliver on that, you are seeing a Populist revolt of the Republican voters.

The "nihilism" you think you see is actually desperation, because we don't know if the interests of the country can be served at this late date.

The question is not can the inter-party schism be healed, the question is can we turn this country around from it's path of decline.

Populism is dangerous.

It offers simple solutions to complex problems, and relies on demagoguery and scapegoating of others. It speaks to people in a very dark place.

Some of the worst governments anywhere have been populist or had roots in populism - Chavez, Peron, Mugabe, Hitler to name a few.

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

Is there a difference between saying Mexico is sending their rapists across the border illegally to make them someone elses problem and "calling all Mexican immigrants rapists"?

Is there a difference between calling for a temporary halt to Muslim immigration until we can instate a proper vetting program to identify probable terrorist infiltrators bent of destruction and "banning all Muslims"?

Cuz if there is (and there is a huge difference)...you seriously need to change your information provider.

EDIT: Edited to remove snide comment. Honestly, I try not to get hateful, but these half-truths intended to score political points really piss me off.

"And I assume, some are good people" is what Trump said about Mexican immigrants. That implies most are not. That's ridiculous, and plays on fear and loathing. That takes us to a very dark place.

And no, we should not halt immigration based on religion. If you want to halt immigration, period, or from certain countries, that's a different argument. But to single out a single religion is odious, even if individuals in that religion are evil.

Trump has chosen to demean whole groups of people, whether they are guilty or not. That's what a demagogue does, and why so many conservatives have come out against him.

Discussing the crime that comes with illegals is not "coming from a dark place".

Being careful to use sensitive language when discussing this crime is does NOT address it.

Allowing such concerns to TRUMP, no pun intended, actually addressing the issue is irresponsible and betrays the actual victims of illegal committed crime.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Apparently you are as out of touch as the media and the government is. Here you go, what you asked for:

The majority of the people are FED UP with the government and the media. Trump is telling people what they want to hear and I see no reason why he will not try very hard to deliver. The republicans are a corrupt entity just like the democrats

Wrong.

It's not a a "majority" of the people, it's a minority of mostly Republicans, about a third, with this ridiculous, wrongheaded perception of "the government."

 

[Correll]

Apparently you are as out of touch as the media and the government is. Here you go, what you asked for:

The majority of the people are FED UP with the government and the media. Trump is telling people what they want to hear and I see no reason why he will not try very hard to deliver. The republicans are a corrupt entity just like the democrats

Wrong.

It's not a a "majority" of the people, it's a minority of mostly Republicans, about a third, with this ridiculous, wrongheaded perception of "the government."

It is not just Trump that is an outsider. Hell, Sanders challenge to Hillary is equally rebellious.

 

[Ravi]

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

You are a lying sack. Trump clearly said a temporary ban on any more Muslims, and far as Mexico, many many criminals come in from Mexico and are committing horrible crimes daily. And, libtard, they are not immigrants they are illegal aliens.

You're the type of person Trump was referring to when he said he could gun people down and his supporters would support him anyways.

Heck, Trump could shoot you and you'd still support him.

Hell Mrs Clinton was in charge when four of our men will killed, and she is still supported.

Mrs. Bosnia Clinton outright LIES to all of us about sniper fire and yet still has support. THAT is exactly what Trump was talking about, i think most didn't see the irony.

I'm tired of the Clintons and want them to go away. But I don't live in the right-wing media echo chamber either, where every single thing Hillary and the Democrats do is a crime.

I will probably vote for any other Republican other than Trump, and probably not for Cruz. I'll vote for Hillary if Trump is the nominee and probably for the Libertarian candidate if it's Cruz.

Sweet! I'll vote for Trump in the primary

 

[Ravi]

And maybe explain it without the standard hyperbole and partisan BS. Just some honest, solid analysis. Or maybe provide a link to a piece that someone has written that calmly and reasonably explains it.

I think this "Fox News is the enemy" thing is the final straw with me. I'm now completely lost, and I feel like Sandra Bullock in Gravity, floating away from reality with no way to get back.

To wit:

• The aforementioned darling news network is, overnight, the target of at least as much derision as MSNBC
  
• A bombastic New Yorker who is clearly not a conservative is running away with the nomination
• That same candidate can literally say the most ridiculous things and it only makes his support stronger
  
• Suddenly, nationalism & populism clearly have more energy in the party than "conservative values"
• A nihilistic, "I don't care, just blow the whole thing up" attitude seems to completely permeate the party
  
• The slightest nod toward legislative cooperation is simply no longer allowed in public discourse
• The Establishment, whatever that is, appears to be more hated than any Democrat

It's like half the party has just snapped.

Exactly what is the goal here? And does anyone care if this inter-party schism is healed?
.

Sure: the GOP carefully trained their constituency to be angry, to be afraid, to feel, not to think..

And their constituents learned the lesson too well.

What's funny about that is the GOP is always claiming that Democrats are emotional.

I just love irony.

 

[SmokeALib]

When Boehner and McConnell caved on Cut, Cap, and Balance, thats when I began losing faith in the Republican Party. They weren't at all fighting for their constituents. When the going got tough, they just seemingly shrugged their shoulders and moved on. Beyond weak.

 

[rightwinger]

When Boehner and McConnell caved on Cut, Cap, and Balance, thats when I began losing faith in the Republican Party. They weren't at all fighting for their constituents. When the going got tough, they just seemingly shrugged their shoulders and moved on. Beyond weak.

What should they have done?