Live data from Hacker News

How I Acted Like a Pundit and Screwed Up on Donald Trump

fivethirtyeight.com

51–59 of 59 posts

Re: How I Acted Like a Pundit and Screwed Up on Donald Trump

#51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Okay, I think you're projecting in a lot of your assessment of Trump, but that's just my dumb opinion. I hear Trump's words and his "Big City boss" approach to governing doesn't appeal to me, and I don't believe is going to be productive. I take it you think he will tack to the populist center, but I have no clue what he'd do on a whole range of issues based just on what he has said. It's like "Hope America Change Ag…

>He's boorish when it comes to women and sexuality. It's funny that people say this, when Bill Clinton repeatedly raped and took advantage of women and Hillary helped cover it up.

Then I'm sure you'll applaud me when I oppose Trump! I don't want to be inconsistent, after all.

You see, I'm a conservative, and I said at the time that predator Clinton deserved jailtime for what he did. Impeachment and disbarment wasn't enough for an executive that had sex with his 20-something _intern staffer_. That's straight-up criminal, go to JAIL, pig!

But let's not re-litigate the past, you're right, let's focus on Trump. What don't we know about this creep's sleazy activities? Let's see the tax returns! Trump University was a scam that hurt vulnerable people! The casino biz is full of colorful characters, I'm curious about his business partners and finances. Did he really visit that rumored "sex island" along with _Bill Clinton_? How young were the girls/boys he diddled there, if he did go? Are any of the rumors of mob ties to Trump substantial? Enquiring minds want to know!!

And then Trump sounded like a Grade-A perv when he said on mic that he'd want to date his daughter if they weren't related. Noone should talk sexually about their kids that way, SICK! For Pete's sake, sorry to vent, but WTF is the appeal of this guy?? I know Evangelical Christians that voted enthusiastically for the guy, it's madness!

Re: How I Acted Like a Pundit and Screwed Up on Donald Trump

#52
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If one were to take Trump literally, then yes, he would have some very negative aspects --but so would Bernie. As far as I can read mr. Trump which isn't to say I'm right, I think he's a quite an adroit pragmatic populist who when it becomes necessary will adjust his more extreme positions and bring them in alignment with the average sentiment of the population. His having been a business person, I don't think he'd t…

Okay, I think you're projecting in a lot of your assessment of Trump, but that's just my dumb opinion. I hear Trump's words and his "Big City boss" approach to governing doesn't appeal to me, and I don't believe is going to be productive. I take it you think he will tack to the populist center, but I have no clue what he'd do on a whole range of issues based just on what he has said. It's like "Hope America Change Ag…

With regard to politicians, like artists and many other people of note, I don't like them because of what their personal character is, but rather what I think they can accomplish.

If I'm on a boat with a captain and the choice is between a well mannered gentleman and a gruff captain who can "get shit done" I want the latter to captain the ship and I'd want the former as company. I'm not electing an official to be the nicest person, but the person who can see through things which need to get done. Not saying I'd want a criminal, I just don't need an idealized for of personal character.

I vote independent, though have probably voted more conservative at the local level and more liberal at the upstream levels. But really depends on what the candidate might do politically, rather than personally.

Re: How I Acted Like a Pundit and Screwed Up on Donald Trump

#53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>He's boorish when it comes to women and sexuality. It's funny that people say this, when Bill Clinton repeatedly raped and took advantage of women and Hillary helped cover it up.

Then I'm sure you'll applaud me when I oppose Trump! I don't want to be inconsistent, after all. You see, I'm a conservative, and I said at the time that predator Clinton deserved jailtime for what he did. Impeachment and disbarment wasn't enough for an executive that had sex with his 20-something _intern staffer_. That's straight-up criminal, go to JAIL, pig! But let's not re-litigate the past, you're right, let's f…

You can wildly speculate about Trump all day, but Bill Clinton messed with a lot more women than just Monica Lewinsky.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton_sexual_misconduct...

It's especially weird that "Trump will be bad for women" is the (hilariously inept) angle the Clinton campaign is trying to take on him, given this.

Re: How I Acted Like a Pundit and Screwed Up on Donald Trump

#54
post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not the OP but Cruz was an ideologue (would apparently not compromise) engaged in risky tactics (shut down government) , was disliked by colleagues and religion was above all else. The country does not need a priest or pastor in chief.

Why is shutting down the government risky?

It incurs costs both financial and political. And really, it's antithetical to being a politician. It's like being a physician and wanting to not cure people. Being a politician and simultaneously wanting to have things shutdown is anathema.

Re: How I Acted Like a Pundit and Screwed Up on Donald Trump

#55
post #39
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it's actually quite interesting - as a non-insignificant number of people are probably supporting Trump because they are tired of being told that holding a particular belief is 'racist' or 'xenophobic' (something they clearly would disagree with).

So a bunch of racist, xenophobic people are tired of being told that they're racist and xenophobic? I can believe that. Of course, I thought they also want a "straight shooter" who "isn't afraid to tell it like it is"... well, I guess something's gotta give.

Is there a benchmark for measuring racism or xenophobia? Ie the terms are so vague and subject to personal interpretation that I think they pretty much mean 'Someone's whose views I disagree with'.

Re: How I Acted Like a Pundit and Screwed Up on Donald Trump

#56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then I'm sure you'll applaud me when I oppose Trump! I don't want to be inconsistent, after all. You see, I'm a conservative, and I said at the time that predator Clinton deserved jailtime for what he did. Impeachment and disbarment wasn't enough for an executive that had sex with his 20-something _intern staffer_. That's straight-up criminal, go to JAIL, pig! But let's not re-litigate the past, you're right, let's f…

You can wildly speculate about Trump all day, but Bill Clinton messed with a lot more women than just Monica Lewinsky. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton_sexual_misconduct... It's especially weird that "Trump will be bad for women" is the (hilariously inept) angle the Clinton campaign is trying to take on him, given this.

Yeah, watch the hilarity ensue as we pit the two most negative political animals against one another. Pray the electorate doesn't get a clue about your guy before Nov, is all I'm saying.

Re: How I Acted Like a Pundit and Screwed Up on Donald Trump

#57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can wildly speculate about Trump all day, but Bill Clinton messed with a lot more women than just Monica Lewinsky. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton_sexual_misconduct... It's especially weird that "Trump will be bad for women" is the (hilariously inept) angle the Clinton campaign is trying to take on him, given this.

Yeah, watch the hilarity ensue as we pit the two most negative political animals against one another. Pray the electorate doesn't get a clue about your guy before Nov, is all I'm saying.

Have a nice day.

Re: How I Acted Like a Pundit and Screwed Up on Donald Trump

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, watch the hilarity ensue as we pit the two most negative political animals against one another. Pray the electorate doesn't get a clue about your guy before Nov, is all I'm saying.

Have a nice day.

Cheers, I'll say a prayer for ya.

Re: How I Acted Like a Pundit and Screwed Up on Donald Trump

#59
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Okay, I think you're projecting in a lot of your assessment of Trump, but that's just my dumb opinion. I hear Trump's words and his "Big City boss" approach to governing doesn't appeal to me, and I don't believe is going to be productive. I take it you think he will tack to the populist center, but I have no clue what he'd do on a whole range of issues based just on what he has said. It's like "Hope America Change Ag…

With regard to politicians, like artists and many other people of note, I don't like them because of what their personal character is, but rather what I think they can accomplish. If I'm on a boat with a captain and the choice is between a well mannered gentleman and a gruff captain who can "get shit done" I want the latter to captain the ship and I'd want the former as company. I'm not electing an official to be the…

> With regard to politicians, like artists and many other people of note, I don't like them because of what their personal character is, but rather what I think they can accomplish.

I don't think you're so unbiased on personal character. You did say the country does not need a priest or pastor in chief. The fact that the Cruz character/persona his campaign put out there was dripping with Christianity has no bearing on his ability to "get shit done".

I got the sense that Cruz is a sharky lawyer political operator type above all. Opportunistic, and out to further his own political career. He's not the greatest human being, but I liked his campaign promises because I thought they were mostly doable if he got a strong mandate from the voters and the GOP was still largely in power in Congress.

With Trump my mind keeps returning to the fable about the Scorpion and the Frog. I just don't trust the guy.

Post reply on HN