Trump watch (2)

Gary Baldi said:

You could just say Acosta was wrong. It won't hurt

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But he wasn't so why would I?!

It shows how far trump has dragged down the office of president that mildly belligerent behaviour (and not in any way aggressive to any interns - have a proper look at the footage) by a journalist is worthy of his being barred from the WH. Meanwhile trump is tweeting to actively prejudice voting outcomes. Acosta is a pushy journalist - that’s his job. Trump is an unprincipled, coercive liar - that is not his job, and the mind boggles why anyone is defending him.

Pete Burrett said:

Poor old Trump couldn't make it to a remembrance event at a Paris cemetery today. Apparently the weather was too bad for his helicopter to fly. I assume no other method of transport was available.

This will not affect his credibility with his core support at all though. While enough people in the middle of America continue to believe his lies and distortions he's safe. It's still difficult to believe this is how the most powerful person in the world conducts himself though.

It's a bit like the constant malapropisms from Reagan. You get used to them and they become background noise.

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Trump can't help himself, not that it'll make a difference:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46168107

Trump is blaming the wild forest fires on poor Forest management accusing the State Authorities of "gross mismanagement", threatening to withhold federal funding*. Absolutely no class as 25 confirmed dead so far.

*Clearly Trump doesn't expect much support in California anyway.

Marked Ox said:

But he wasn't so why would I?!

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Because clearly Acosta had a micro aggressive show of his toxic masculinity by demeaning a female intern - does that cover the woke bingo? At least I know the standards now.

Next you'll tell me that Clinton was ok to say black people look all the same?

" a micro aggressive show of his toxic masculinity "

The real woke bingo is in spotting people who counter any criticism of trump with a "well, XXX did blah blah do you think they're a saint?". In the last few posts, GaryBaldi, you've scored with Acosta, Beto and Clinton (although it would break the alphabetic series, I'm betting on Obama next). It doesn't seem possible to criticise Trump - why's that?

ZeroTheHero said:

" a micro aggressive show of his toxic masculinity "

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I enjoyed that one. My leftie woke side came out.

chuckbert said:

The real woke bingo is in spotting people who counter any criticism of trump with a "well, XXX did blah blah do you think they're a saint?". In the last few posts, GaryBaldi, you've scored with Acosta, Beto and Clinton (although it would break the alphabetic series, I'm betting on Obama next). It doesn't seem possible to criticise Trump - why's that?

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I have been plenty critical of Trump and will be right here.

He chews through staff in a manner that belies someone who is a good manager. I recently said he loaded the American's with a lot of debt and I will repeat it again. It's eye watering how much it's increased (I think up to 2 trillion), especially for someone running as a Republican and criticised Obama for doing the same thing. His ex marital dalliances are incredibly disrespectful to his wives and kids. He has a compassionate side, but refuses to show it and his external default is brash New York property developer, which to most us is idiotic.

He constantly finds ways to be the centre of attention in political leader meetings, at the expense of others. He loads the news cycle so much that it becomes tiring to keep with whatever comes into his mind - and he does it to filter bad news because he knows the media relies on him for numbers. He doesn't care enough about what he says - too often a salient point is ruined by a ridiculous delivery. His reliance on Fox News is short sighted. He belittles people like Jeff Sessions who he appointed.

He thought appointing Omarosa was a good idea. She cray cray. The whole birther thing was both wrong and incredibly disrespectful - at no point was it ever right. His use of nicknames is clever, but I can do without it. The spat with SNL, while valid, was childish and unseemly. I can go on.

My point has always been. While there are many negatives about Trump, there are also positives. But Trump Derangement Syndrome has done funny ish to people that means everything is bad and they go to ridiculous ends to disagree with everything he does or get outrages over a tweet, while not accepting anything he has done that is positive. Facts don't matter when it's Trump and I can get angry!!!!!!! I find some of the hypocrisy simply stunning.

I hate to be annoying a**e, but I sincerely wish both sides would tone it down and I call on Trump to start it. It's been my message since 2016, and I will repeat it again. But the sides that lost just cannot let it go, and hence I won't. If it pisses people off, so be it.

Gary Baldi said:

I enjoyed that one. My leftie woke side came out.


I have been plenty critical of Trump and will be right here.

He chews through staff in a manner that belies someone who is a good manager. I recently said he loaded the American's with a lot of debt and I will repeat it again. It's eye watering how much it's increased (I think up to 2 trillion), especially for someone running as a Republican and criticised Obama for doing the same thing. His ex marital dalliances are incredibly disrespectful to his wives and kids. He has a compassionate side, but refuses to show it and his external default is brash New York property developer, which to most us is idiotic.

He constantly finds ways to be the centre of attention in political leader meetings, at the expense of others. He loads the news cycle so much that it becomes tiring to keep with whatever comes into his mind - and he does it to filter bad news because he knows the media relies on him for numbers. He doesn't care enough about what he says - too often a salient point is ruined by a ridiculous delivery. His reliance on Fox News is short sighted. He belittles people like Jeff Sessions who he appointed.

He thought appointing Omarosa was a good idea. She cray cray. The whole birther thing was both wrong and incredibly disrespectful - at no point was it ever right. His use of nicknames is clever, but I can do without it. The spat with SNL, while valid, was childish and unseemly. I can go on.

My point has always been. While there are many negatives about Trump, there are also positives. But Trump Derangement Syndrome has done funny ish to people that means everything is bad and they go to ridiculous ends to disagree with everything he does or get outrages over a tweet, while not accepting anything he has done that is positive. Facts don't matter when it's Trump and I can get angry!!!!!!! I find some of the hypocrisy simply stunning.

I hate to be annoying a**e, but I sincerely wish both sides would tone it down and I call on Trump to start it. It's been my message since 2016, and I will repeat it again. But the sides that lost just cannot let it go, and hence I won't. If it pisses people off, so be it.

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It doesn't bother me at all as I know you are wrong about Acosta.

Marked Ox said:

It doesn't bother me at all as I know you are wrong about Acosta.

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Thing is, I know I am right.

Because he's still on the outside

Gary Baldi said:

Thing is, I know I am right.

Because he's still on the outside

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Oh look a squirrel.

Pete Burrett said:

@tonyw - is Trump's lack of achievement widely reported in the media in the US? Or has Trump poisoned the minds of many by constantly berating the press and screaming 'fake news'? I ask, because the vox pox pieces I've seen suggest many Americans still believe he is doing all he promised, particularly regards immigration and 'the wall'. They seem to believe him when he says he is doing great things, all the time.

And what's your view on him winning the next election? Would Beto (or someone else) have a chance? The mid terms suggested the tide had turned to an extent, but will this continue?

Good to get a non-partisan view from someone actually living in Trump's America.

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Sorry - been a busy weekend, and I don't get on here as often as I used to!

I'd say the answer to the first question is that the US media is mostly a circus nowadays. They never seem to focus for any length of time on major issues like legislation or policy, because they're too busy with the back-and-forth outrage over Jim Acosta maybe touching an intern's arm, or Trump not going out in the rain to a military ceremony.
And Trump is brilliant at it - I don't know any public figure with such an ability to take the spotlight off what's important and on to pointless minutiae as well as he's been able to over the past two years. The man campaigned on "Build the Wall" and "Take down Obamacare", and has failed to do either in his first two years in office, and will likely fail to do either in his next two years because it's nigh-on impossible to do so with a Democrat House. But it doesn't seem to make a difference to his popularity because he's so good at controlling the media narrative.

And can he win? Yes, absolutely.
My general analysis would be that he's not going to win any states in the North East or the West Coast, because they hate him; and he's going to win all the states in the south and the centre of the country because they either love him or just hate the Democrats. So the Presidential election is going to come down to five States - Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin & Florida.
Florida is a basket case, so I won't try and predict that.....but the other four are the Rust Belt - the hub of America's manufacturing and industry. And more than anything and more than anywhere else in the US, they are going to vote based on the economy. If the US economy stays strong, and people in those states are doing OK in the pocket, then he's got a great chance at reelection, whoever the Dems find. And if the US economy falters, then he's toast.

Thus far, he's eased regulation and reduced corporate taxation, and the US economy is doing well. I'd have said the biggest risk, however, and the thing that could lead to a short term tanking of the world (not just the US) economy is a full-scale trade war with China. His team will likely try and steer him clear, but if he does blunder into that then he's in trouble.

I don’t like Trump, but I wouldn’t personally like to see the American economy fail as that will impact us all, pensions, savings etc.
I think the Democrats having more influence will hopefully prevent the excesses of Trumps uttering,
America like Britain seems a very divided nation. Personally I feel Trump will get a second term. It’s rare for a president over there not too. The worry is that there seems to be no natural leader on the Democrats side emerging as a serious contender

Pete Burrett said:

Poor old Trump couldn't make it to a remembrance event at a Paris cemetery today. Apparently the weather was too bad for his helicopter to fly. I assume no other method of transport was available.

This will not affect his credibility with his core support at all though. While enough people in the middle of America continue to believe his lies and distortions he's safe. It's still difficult to believe this is how the most powerful person in the world conducts himself though.

It's a bit like the constant malapropisms from Reagan. You get used to them and they become background noise.

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I was astounded at this one, though I doubt it was even mentioned 'back home' - but you do just end up running out of words to describe everything he does or doesnt do.

Please God, the Democrats come up with someone viable over the next two years, I dont think any of us can cope four more of this abomination

Living proof that Trump is not a conventional politician

mooro said:

I was astounded at this one, though I doubt it was even mentioned 'back home' - but you do just end up running out of words to describe everything he does or doesnt do.

Please God, the Democrats come up with someone viable over the next two years, I dont think any of us can cope four more of this abomination

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Just as a follow up - just seen this from Canadian president Trudeau as he threw away his umbrella - " ... “As we sit here in the rain, thinking how uncomfortable we must be these minutes as our suits get wet, and our hair gets wet...it’s all the more fitting that we remember on that day in Dieppe the rain wasn’t rain, it was bullets.”

mooro said:

I was astounded at this one, though I doubt it was even mentioned 'back home' - but you do just end up running out of words to describe everything he does or doesnt do.

Please God, the Democrats come up with someone viable over the next two years, I dont think any of us can cope four more of this abomination

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Right now they look to be going back to Clinton. Are they mad? Did they not learn? Trump will smear the Clinton Foundation to smithereens if he gets nominated again.

Gary Baldi said:

Right now they look to be going back to Clinton. Are they mad? Did they not learn? Trump will smear the Clinton Foundation to smithereens if he gets nominated again.

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Highly unlikely!
She may run, but there's no way that she'll win the nomination unless the Dems decide to form a circular firing squad. Democrat voters have already seen how that story ends (and it's those voters in every state who decide the nomination, it's not just an appointment by the party).

Frankly, I think Bernie would beat her in a run-off in 2020. He wouldn't win the presidency either, but the debates would be amazing!

tonyw said:

Highly unlikely!
She may run, but there's no way that she'll win the nomination unless the Dems decide to form a circular firing squad. Democrat voters have already seen how that story ends (and it's those voters in every state who decide the nomination, it's not just an appointment by the party).

Frankly, I think Bernie would beat her in a run-off in 2020. He wouldn't win the presidency either, but the debates would be amazing!

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I agree. I don't see why going back to Clinton is a good idea. But I can't see the likes of Corey Booker or Kamala Harris ultimately being much of an improvement either. Same for Bernie. Osario-Cortez needs time before being put in front of the wolves.

And to be honest, the Republican side would be no better if Clinton won the election. Arguably, they'd be worse. At least they could laugh at Chris Christie before!

Gary Baldi said:

I agree. I don't see why going back to Clinton is a good idea. But I can't see the likes of Corey Booker or Kamala Harris ultimately being much of an improvement either. Same for Bernie. Osario-Cortez needs time before being put in front of the wolves.

And to be honest, the Republican side would be no better if Clinton won the election. Arguably, they'd be worse. At least they could laugh at Chris Christie before!

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Corey Booker is actually one of 'my' senators (I live in NJ) and I quite like him. He can be a bit too much of a showman, but deep down he's actually fairly pragmatic; socially highly progressive but fiscally much more centrist. He's also been an active senator, and previously has some (really tough) executive experience as Mayor of Newark.
That being said, he probably isn't weighty enough to bring down Trump......

Osario-Cortez, on the other hand, comes across (whenever I've seen her) as a hard lefty and actually, to be honest, a bit of a buffoon. She has no significant experience, and no significant ability to argue her points in a coherent and structured manner. It's all wild statements and sound bites without any substance.
In other words, she's like Trump just at the other end of the scale! So maybe we shouldn't rule it out.....although thankfully she's only 29 and constitutionally, you can't run for President until you're 35 so we're safe for this cycle!


They guy I wonder about is Sherrod Brown. Just convincingly re-elected to the Senate in Ohio - which has otherwise been trending red for a while now. Has a long track record of legislating and voting in favour of American workers and protectionism (therefore taking that particular position, which has been an important one, away from Trump) but is more liberal than Trump on other issues. Unlike Trump, he's also fervently anti-Wall Street (which should play well with the electorate) and he's deeply experienced politically.

I don't know if he could win the nomination, as I'm not sure he's Progressive enough. But I think he might have the best shot against Trump if he did.

tonyw said:

Corey Booker is actually one of 'my' senators (I live in NJ) and I quite like him. He can be a bit too much of a showman, but deep down he's actually fairly pragmatic; socially highly progressive but fiscally much more centrist. He's also been an active senator, and previously has some (really tough) executive experience as Mayor of Newark.
That being said, he probably isn't weighty enough to bring down Trump......

Osario-Cortez, on the other hand, comes across (whenever I've seen her) as a hard lefty and actually, to be honest, a bit of a buffoon. She has no significant experience, and no significant ability to argue her points in a coherent and structured manner. It's all wild statements and sound bites without any substance.
In other words, she's like Trump just at the other end of the scale! So maybe we shouldn't rule it out.....although thankfully she's only 29 and constitutionally, you can't run for President until you're 35 so we're safe for this cycle!


They guy I wonder about is Sherrod Brown. Just convincingly re-elected to the Senate in Ohio - which has otherwise been trending red for a while now. Has a long track record of legislating and voting in favour of American workers and protectionism (therefore taking that particular position, which has been an important one, away from Trump) but is more liberal than Trump on other issues. Unlike Trump, he's also fervently anti-Wall Street (which should play well with the electorate) and he's deeply experienced politically.

I don't know if he could win the nomination, as I'm not sure he's Progressive enough. But I think he might have the best shot against Trump if he did.

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I've seen limited amounts of Booker but he feels like a man who likes to posture without necessarily the detail to back it up. Having seen his participation in the Kavanaugh hearings, I was underwhelmed from the reputation that I heard he had. The questions were basically do you like a beer and that was it. He didn't come across on that occasion as man who could think on his feet. I suppose I expected more. He made Lindsey Graham look bright.

Osaria-Cortez is a hoot. There are times she comes across as a woman who was recently a bar maid but whose views will resonate with that generation, making her very popular. Be interesting to see if she learns economics or struggles to in the Washington system. Not someone you'd want debating Trump type personality at this moment.

I did see some talk about Sherrod Brown being the goldie locks candidate for the Dems. Know nothing about him mind. Just wonder if he'll survive the young vs old debate in the Dem party.