The 2016 Presidential Candidates Thread

grokit

grokit

well-worn member
Sander’s “Crazy” Ideas: Most of Which Other Developed Nations Have Already Implemented

sanders_0.jpg

(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

BURLINGTON, VT - MAY 26: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) waves to supporters after officially announcing his candidacy for the U.S. presidency during an event at Waterfront Park May 26, 2015 in Burlington, Vermont. Sanders will run as a Democrat in the presidential election and is former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's first challenger for the Democratic nomination.

“This is a critical period in American history. It’s time for the people of this country to use their massive power to turn this country in these new directions.”

In this hotly contested primary campaign, we hear Senator Bernie Sanders, candidate for U.S. president, promoting social initiatives that most of the other 31 developed nations of the world, primarily in Europe and Scandinavia, have implemented over past decades.

Sanders stands alone among the various candidates, both the Republicans and his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, in making substantive recommendations to bring America up to the standards set by its fellow Western nations. But the dinosauric Republicans scoff at his proposals and call them unrealistic. Hillary Clinton dismisses them as far too ambitious and challenges Sanders to show how he would pay for them.

Let’s review some of these ideas that Sanders is trying to sell to the American people. He continues to stress that America needs to develop a universal health care system in which all Americans have medical coverage. But that’s the last thing in the world the Republicans want, a world-class health care system, while Hillary says that everything is just fine as is.

Republicans condemn that idea because, in their minds, it would be just another socialist program run by the government; never mind that socialism is alive and well in America as evidenced by the following very important and successful social programs and organizations: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, police enforcement agencies, teachers, and, yes, the U.S. military. In fact, Sanders does not want to add another social program, he simply wants to expand Medicare for all Americans and substantially lower overall costs for everyone.

What else does this visionary, forward–thinking individual want to bring to this country? Well, he also wants to create decent paying jobs, millions of which would come from hiring American workers to repair and rebuild our rapidly deteriorating infrastructure; he wants a living wage for all Americans, he wants to restore the middle class, the heart of America; he says we need to address America’s massive inequality of wealth and income.

And there is even more:...

(much more)
http://www.nationofchange.org/news/...r-developed-nations-have-already-implemented/
 
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CarolKing

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
This was from the LA Times. I only took part of the article What a Trump Presidency Might Look Like. Feb. 28, 2016

If elected, Trump would take office after what amounts to a hostile takeover of the Republican Party and over the opposition of Democrats. He probably would not be able to count on much support from either side on Capitol Hill. That would mean trouble for his promises to build a wall along the Mexican border or to round up and deport the roughly 11 million people currently in the U.S. without legal authorization. Both would require Congress to approve billions of dollars in new appropriations even if Trump could pressure the Mexican government into reimbursing the U.S. for the cost of the wall, which Mexico says it won't consider.

On foreign policy, a President Trump would face a different set of constraints — other countries.

Trump has repeatedly denounced current arrangements under which the U.S. guarantees to defend its allies in Europe and Japan, saying Americans are getting taken advantage of.

"Those days are gone," he said a few weeks ago at a New Hampshire rally.

If Trump really wants to end that obligation, he would have to do away with treaties that have defined U.S. foreign relations since the 1950s, including the U.S.-Japan defense treaty.
 
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lwien

lwien

Well-Known Member
What's weird is that one of the only things that can actually unite the Dems and the GOP and that is a Trump Presidency. It's like, "OK, this idiot is gonna fuck up our country. We gotta fix this."
 
Gunky

Gunky

Well-Known Member
There was a Republican National Committee pledge each candidate signed vowing to support the party’s eventual nominee. Remember that? This was an attempt to rope Trump into supporting the eventual nominee and not running as an independant. Now that Trump looks like getting the nomination of course all these other candidates have signed a pledge to support, uh, Trump! That's awkward. But meanwhile Rubio is calling him a "con man". The convention is going to be interesting.
 
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lwien

lwien

Well-Known Member
steama said:
I don't think this person knows the Republicans very well. They are going to line up for Trump like tin soldiers.
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In my opinion, if the RNC lines up for Trump, they are a doomed party and will not see the inside of the Whitehouse for at least the next two decades, and, the RNC knows this.
 
Magic9

Magic9

Plant Enthusiast
IamKrazy2 said:
I typically have voted Democratic in the past. Issues such as the war on drugs, police accountability, non violent offenders in jail, have often swayed my decision.

So who would that make my horses? Bernie or Hillary right? Anyone want to tell me that would be a great decision or a bad one and why? You see some of the issues im interested in above. I am middle ground on gun control too. I have several myself, and a concealed pistol permit for Michigan but almost never carry. Only under rare circumstances.

So lay it on me. Is that the likely candidates for pro medical and states right to choose recreational marijuana? Bernie and Hillary? Who is better?
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(*Disclaimer - I Support Sanders)

War On Drugs -

Clinton: Her plan will prioritize rehabilitation and treatment over prison for low-level and nonviolent drug offenses, and work to end the era of mass incarceration. This is her official line, although Bill Clinton has largely contributed to the problem in the first place.

Sanders: Calls the drug war "a failed policy", "Millions of lives have been destroyed because people are in jail for nonviolent crimes. For decades, we have been engaged in a failed “War on Drugs” with racially-biased mandatory minimums that punish people of color unfairly."

Both candidates say they want to end the privatization of prisons. Sanders has introduced legislation to do so.


Police Accountability -

Both are pretty much saying the same thing in this regard. One minor notable difference is Clinton wants to make body cameras available to every police dept., while Sanders wants to require them.

Clinton official position, Sanders official position.


Non Violent offenders in jail -

Clinton wants to cut mandatory minimum sentences in half, Sanders wants to get rid of mandatory minimums. See above links.


Gun Control -

Very similar here too. At least as of yet. Either way, stock up on 10+ round magazines in the near future. The glaring difference is Clinton supports holding gun manufacturers and shops accountable (lawsuits) for the actions of criminals that misuse firearms. Sanders was initially opposed, but now supports. NRA gave Sanders a D-, and Clinton an F.

Cannabis laws -

Clinton: Supports medical use "for people who are in extreme medical conditions". Doesn't think there is "enough research". As President, she wants to reclassify it as a schedule II (along with meth, cocaine, pcp, and others). Wants to use the legal states as an "experiment".

Sanders: Supports medical use and the rights of the states to legalize and regulate. As President, he wants to remove cannabis from the controlled substance list altogether.

Where all the candidates stand on cannabis.
 
cybrguy

cybrguy

Putin is a War Criminal
Honestly, I don't really know how republicans with a conscience can do anything else. This isn't Mayor of Mayberry, this is President of the United States!
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Republicans Breaking Ranks with the Likely Nominee
trump470.jpeg

​
It is interesting to note that today, conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt felt the need to write: Six reasons Trump is still better than Clinton. I’m not as interested in his actual list as I am in the fact that he felt the need to write it in the first place.

Barring some unforeseen circumstances - it is looking increasingly possible that Donald Trump will be the Republican Party’s nominee. Even though we’ve been working up to that over the last few months, it is still quite the statement about the current state of affairs in the GOP. It is also no news to anyone that there are some Republicans who are none too happy at the prospect. And a few of them are starting to make their intentions clear if/when that reality materializes.

Last week I noted an article by “former Republican” Robert Kagan that ended with this:

So what to do now? The Republicans’ creation will soon be let loose on the land, leaving to others the job the party failed to carry out. For this former Republican, and perhaps for others, the only choice will be to vote for Hillary Clinton. The party cannot be saved, but the country still can be.
​
Since then, a few of those others have started to speak out. For example, former Governor Christie Todd Whitman:

First, she says she’s planning to vote for Hillary Clinton if Trump gets the nod. She’s keeping her options open, in case we find out something new and horrible about Hillary. But that’s her plan now.
“You’ll see a lot of Republicans do that,” Whitman told me. “We don’t want to. But I know I won’t vote for Trump.”
​
That statement was prompted by Gov. Chris Christie’s endorsement of Donald Trump, as was this one from Meg Whitman:

“Chris Christie’s endorsement of Donald Trump is an astonishing display of political opportunism. Donald Trump is unfit to be president”, said the statement from Whitman, who is chief executive and president of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and chairman of HP Inc.
​
Obviously, Whitman didn’t say that she would vote for Clinton if Trump were the nominee. But like Sen. Ben Sasse, her choice might be to do so or sit this one out.

I’m as frustrated and saddened as you are about what’s happening to our country. But I cannot support Donald Trump.
Please understand: I’m not an establishment Republican, and I will never support Hillary Clinton. I’m a movement conservative who was elected over the objections of the GOP establishment. My current answer for who I would support in a hypothetical matchup between Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton is: Neither of them. I sincerely hope we select one of the other GOP candidates, but if Donald Trump ends up as the GOP nominee, conservatives will need to find a third option.
​
I am not suggesting that these people are speaking for a majority of the Republican Party right now. But there is a contingent that agrees - I know because I have talked to some of them. That is why Hewitt had to take the unprecedented step of defending the guy who is likely to be the Republican nominee…to Republicans.

Update: Phillip Rucker and Robert Costa note the same phenomenon. Here is another example:
“For many Republicans, Trump is more than just a political choice,” said Kevin Madden, a veteran operative who advised 2012 nominee Mitt Romney. “It’s a litmus test for character.”

Madden, like some of his peers, said he could never vote for Trump. If he is the nominee, Madden said, “I’m prepared to write somebody in so that I have a clear conscience.”​
 
Gunky

Gunky

Well-Known Member
lwien said:
In my opinion, if the RNC lines up for Trump, they are a doomed party and will not see the inside of the Whitehouse for at least the next two decades, and, the RNC knows this.
Click to expand...
Well you know this actually happens now and then. The Republican party first came about around the time of Lincoln as a couple of previous parties imploded. The current Republican party is just a mess and the stooge of ultra-rich benefactors and corporations.
 
C

Chill Dude

Well-Known Member
A while back there were Reagan Democrats. If Trump is in fact going to be the nominee... Say hello to Clinton Republicans. Many establishment Republicans will refuse to support Trump. Minority turnout will be higher than ever and Trump will lose big.. Is it too early to say " Madam President"?
 
howie105

howie105

Well-Known Member
Political parties are good at posturing and promising but in my opinion they are even better at not delivering. What is the cause of this failure to perform, is it because the opposing party is just so powerful and skillful that it can't be overcome, is it that the parties refuse to work together on an acceptable compromise or perhaps the issues have become a convenient, known and effective rallying tool for the parties that they really don't care to do what is necessary to move forward. For myself I am tired of citizens living on the streets, trillions of dollars going missing and a forever war that feeds on itself and the better angles of our society. Mostly however I am tired of the failures repeating over and over again and both parties and their supporters playing the blame game and getting away with it.
 
grokit

grokit

well-worn member
It's not over quite yet.

BREAKING:
Vice Chair of DNC Quits, Endorses Bernie Sanders

gabbard.jpg

Tulsi Gabbard has resigned from the DNC following tension regarding debate schedules and apparent favoritism of Hillary Clinton.

Hawaiian Congresswoman and Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Tulsi Gabbard resigned Sunday.

In an email to the DNC, Tulsi explained her reasons for her resignation:

“I have taken my responsibilities as an officer of the DNC seriously, and respected the need to stay neutral in our primaries. However, after much thought and consideration, I’ve decided I cannot remain neutral and sit on the sidelines any longer.

“There is a clear contrast between our two candidates with regard to my strong belief that we must end the interventionist, regime change policies that have cost us so much. This is not just another ‘issue.’ This is THE issue, and it’s deeply personal to me. This is why I’ve decided to resign as Vice Chair of the DNC so that I can support Bernie Sanders in his efforts to earn the Democratic nomination in the 2016 presidential race.”

Gabbard admits that there has been high tension within the DNC in the last several months, including disagreement over the Democratic debate schedule which many have seen as a way to favor Hillary Clinton.

The former vice chair has now endorsed Bernie Sanders for president. In a statement, Sanders said:

“Congresswoman Gabbard is one of the important voices of a new generation of leaders.”

“As a veteran of the Iraq War she understands the cost of war and is fighting to create a foreign policy that not only protects America but keeps us out of perpetual wars that we should not be in.”

Gabbard previously told “Meet the Press” that “As a veteran and as a soldier I’ve seen firsthand the true cost of war. I served in a medical unit during my first deployment, where every single day I saw firsthand the very high human cost of that war.”

“I think it’s most important for us, as we look at our choices as to who our next commander in chief will be, is to recognize the necessity to have a commander in chief who has foresight, exercises good judgment, who looks beyond the consequences, looks at the consequences of the actions they’re looking to take, before they take those actions, so we don’t continue to find ourselves in these failures that have resulted in chaos in the Middle East and so much loss of life.”

This is Sanders highest profile endorsement yet.


http://www.nationofchange.org/news/...e-chair-of-dnc-quits-endorses-bernie-sanders/
 
grokit

grokit

well-worn member
steama said:
Trump crossed the line with his disingenuous, "I don't know who David Duke is?" and playing dumb regarding the KKK. Of course it all was media gotcha crap but holy shit Donald getting it right once in awhile can't be that fucking hard. Lying and Trump is completely unapologetic and arrogant.

I don't believe Bernie will win the nomination. Hillary showed us the power of her machine in South Carolina. I think she is far too powerful for Bernie to defeat. I completely hate Hillary and the idea of voting for her produces a taste of vomit in my mouth.

So, I can't vote for Trump (he's retarded). Don't want to vote for Hillary (she is bought and paid for).

So I am back to following the advice of George Carlin. If these are my choices I don't give a fuck.

George Carlin American Bullshit Truth Politics

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I'm feeling your pain ;)
You could always take the pledge :tup:
 
CarolKing

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
Fox News is really anti Trump. CNN is easier on him than Fox News. This KKK - David Duke controversy has everybody pissed at Trump and anybody that's in his court is the bad guy.:lol: Trump is after the racists votes is why he played dumb initially on CNN with Jake Tapper regarding David Duke. He now realizes it was a mistake.

Malania Trump is dump as a post. I'm sure Trump didn't marry her for her brains. Anderson Cooper interviewed her. It could have been how she chose her words because of the language barrier. She's been in the states for 20 years. I'm sure she was nervous.
 
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CuckFumbustion

CuckFumbustion

Lo and Behold! The transformative power of Vapor.
Voting shenanigans - Examples of ghost voting later in the clip:popcorn:.http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-ghost-voting.htm
Superdelgates explained in wiki. RNC -->The Republican Party does not have superdelegates, per se. There are delegates to the Republican National Convention that are seated automatically, but they are limited to three per each state, consisting of the state chairman and two RNC committee members.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdelegate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Democratic_Party_superdelegates,_2016
Every single Democratic superdelegate, in one chart

http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/2/22/11070364/list-all-superde
 
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macbill

macbill

Oh No! Mr macbill!!
Staff member
I'm surprised that the wife's former model photos haven't yet been used to try to shame Donald Trump, not that there is anything wrong with naked photos. Personally, I don't mind looking at naked photos, in fact, there is a chance that sometime today I may be intently looking at them.
 
Adobewan

Adobewan

Well-Known Member
CuckFumbustion

CuckFumbustion

Lo and Behold! The transformative power of Vapor.
CuckFumbustion,
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cybrguy

cybrguy

Putin is a War Criminal
macbill said:
I'm surprised that the wife's former model photos haven't yet been used to try to shame Donald Trump, not that there is anything wrong with naked photos. Personally, I don't mind looking at naked photos, in fact, there is a chance that sometime today I may be intently looking at them.
Click to expand...
Are you kidding? It's the one thing he has going for him.

No question his lovely wife is his only redeeming characteristic...
 
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