The Many Faces of US Politics...

[J70]

Did the Republican not due dilligence on Trump?

Can you imagine a Fortune 500 company not doing some due dilligence on candidates who would be representing them in Public?

It's not about due diligence. It's about a bunch of reactionary voters lashing out against a changing society and the powers that be, and latching on to an opportunist, shameless, narcissistic demagogue who appealed to their misguided and misdirected anger.

The GOP has an open primary. The Dems have superdelegates as well, whose purpose is to prevent the liberal counterpart of Trump winning the nomination. That allows the Dems to retain some control of the process, unlike the GOP. Unless they change their primary process, they will always be vulnerable to extremists who appeal to their base's worst instincts.

[AZOffaly]

Did the Republican not due dilligence on Trump?

Can you imagine a Fortune 500 company not doing some due dilligence on candidates who would be representing them in Public?

It's not about due diligence. It's about a bunch of reactionary voters lashing out against a changing society and the powers that be, and latching on to an opportunist, shameless, narcissistic demagogue who appealed to their misguided and misdirected anger.

The GOP has an open primary. The Dems have superdelegates as well, whose purpose is to prevent the liberal counterpart of Trump winning the nomination. That allows the Dems to retain some control of the process, unlike the GOP. Unless they change their primary process, they will always be vulnerable to extremists who appeal to their base's worst instincts.

Not that I like Trump or anything, perish the thought, but did you just say that the Democrats only like democracy when it suits what the party executive want?

[ashman]

Surely the GOP will have to look very hard at selection process .  It is like the time we sent Dustin to the Eurovision . 

[muppet]

Surely the GOP will have to look very hard at selection process .  It is like the time we sent Dustin to the Eurovision .

Dustin would make a far better President.

[J70]

Did the Republican not due dilligence on Trump?

Can you imagine a Fortune 500 company not doing some due dilligence on candidates who would be representing them in Public?

It's not about due diligence. It's about a bunch of reactionary voters lashing out against a changing society and the powers that be, and latching on to an opportunist, shameless, narcissistic demagogue who appealed to their misguided and misdirected anger.

The GOP has an open primary. The Dems have superdelegates as well, whose purpose is to prevent the liberal counterpart of Trump winning the nomination. That allows the Dems to retain some control of the process, unlike the GOP. Unless they change their primary process, they will always be vulnerable to extremists who appeal to their base's worst instincts.

Not that I like Trump or anything, perish the thought, but did you just say that the Democrats only like democracy when it suits what the party executive want?

No, the vast majority of delegates are elected by the primary voters. But the 15% who are superdelegates and not beholden to the voters can row in behind the favoured candidate from the off and give them a big lead and thus, momentum. Doesn't stop someone like Obama from winning (Hillary had a good chunk in 2008 at the start), but it lessens the chances of someone with no hope of appealing across the board in a general election being selected. They tried shifting the power to primary and caucus voters in the 70s and got hammered by Nixon and Reagan.

[muppet]

Did the Republican not due dilligence on Trump?

Can you imagine a Fortune 500 company not doing some due dilligence on candidates who would be representing them in Public?

It's not about due diligence. It's about a bunch of reactionary voters lashing out against a changing society and the powers that be, and latching on to an opportunist, shameless, narcissistic demagogue who appealed to their misguided and misdirected anger.

The GOP has an open primary. The Dems have superdelegates as well, whose purpose is to prevent the liberal counterpart of Trump winning the nomination. That allows the Dems to retain some control of the process, unlike the GOP. Unless they change their primary process, they will always be vulnerable to extremists who appeal to their base's worst instincts.

Not that I like Trump or anything, perish the thought, but did you just say that the Democrats only like democracy when it suits what the party executive want?

There has to be some form of restrictions on democracy, otherwise people would vote for no taxes or free houses for all, or no police, or trillions of police, etc.

[AZOffaly]

No, not necessarily. You vote for people you trust to run the country in the general direction you would like to see it headed.

A lot of people obviously would like the US to be run the way Donald Trump says. Why is the Democratic way of nominating any better? It stops stupid people getting what they want? I have to say I'm a little uneasy with that notion. One man, one vote. Unless it's a stupid vote, in which case we'll overrule you.

[muppet]

No, not necessarily. You vote for people you trust to run the country in the general direction you would like to see it headed.

A lot of people obviously would like the US to be run the way Donald Trump says. Why is the Democratic way of nominating any better? It stops stupid people getting what they want? I have to say I'm a little uneasy with that notion. One man, one vote. Unless it's a stupid vote, in which case we'll overrule you.

The US has a severely restricted democracy. You needs hundreds of millions of dollars behind you you to even consider running for the highest office

[AZOffaly]

This is true.

Anyway, this election is like being asked to choose (if you are American) between a kick in the balls, or a box in the gob.

[Declan]

http://www.gregpalast.com/see-film-billionaires-ballot-bandits-dont-want-see/#more-12631
I read the original book in the early 2000's and nothing has changed

[J70]

No, not necessarily. You vote for people you trust to run the country in the general direction you would like to see it headed.

A lot of people obviously would like the US to be run the way Donald Trump says. Why is the Democratic way of nominating any better? It stops stupid people getting what they want? I have to say I'm a little uneasy with that notion. One man, one vote. Unless it's a stupid vote, in which case we'll overrule you.

Does the parliamentary system not have an even greater buffer between the voters and the leader? No one votes for prime minister or Taoiseach. The parties select him or her.

But, as I said, 85% of the Dems votes come from the ordinary voters. If they want someone, like they did with Obama, they will get him, superdelegates be damned.

[AZOffaly]

We elect people to do jobs, including to elect a Taoiseach. There is no similar role to President in Ireland really, given the powers etc that the President in the US has.

The closest election would be for Uachtaran, and if Johnny Joe Soap lunatic wants to be president, and gets enough votes, he will be.

[sid waddell]

Donald Trump = Tony Fearon 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37628704

Trump urges people to vote - on wrong date

At a rally in Panama City, Florida, Donald Trump urged people to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

The Republican candidate then told people to make sure they cast their vote on 28th November - the election is on the 8th.

[seafoid]

http://www.gregpalast.com/see-film-billionaires-ballot-bandits-dont-want-see/#more-12631
I read the original book in the early 2000's and nothing has changed

There are no more Yanks to dispossess. That is a huge difference.
The system can't go on another 10 years
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWXazVhlyxQ

[Ball Hopper]

Donald Trump = Tony Fearon 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37628704

Trump urges people to vote - on wrong date

At a rally in Panama City, Florida, Donald Trump urged people to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

The Republican candidate then told people to make sure they cast their vote on 28th November - the election is on the 8th.

And most people think the election occurs on the first Tuesday in November, which is not true.