The 2016 US American Election Thread

[PsYcNeT]

I think what people don't seem to acknowledge is the degree of entitled certainly with which Trump says these things. When you joke to your wife about raping a baby or whatever, I'm sure (hopefully) in no way shape or form are you earnest about it.

Trump is, which is the alarming thing. He's speaking from experience, experience assaulting women's sexual agency.

[troutman]

Rudy is appearing on the Sunday news shows. Most others have pulled out.

[White Out 403]

I've never disliked an ex mayor as much as I have know. How embarrassing to be a political lap dog.

[the_only_turek_fan]

http://www.businessinsider.com/jake-...-women-2016-10

What is Guliani getting out of this?

[GGG]

The one area where Clinton is vulnerable is how did she act around people who accused Bill Clinton of Rape and harassment. Did she intimidate them to make them go away. That will be trumps attack tonight.

[Matata]

Originally Posted by New Era

She must be proud.

What position of authority do you hold that your comments would matter? See, there is a difference. When you're a young kid, flipping burgers, no one really cares about your asinine comments. But when you are a mature person in a position of power or authority, your comments hold much more importance. We'll see if you make the same boorish comments when you're older, married, and have a daughter of your own. Your view of these comments will change dramatically when you have some context.

My gf doesn't need a stranger on the internet to speak for her.

My comments would certainly hurt my professional life, but they were said privately and done in the spirit of blowing off steam. Everyone has a different level of blowing off steam due to their values and environment, and I'm a filthy, disgusting scumbag when I do it. It hasn't poisoned any of my personal or professional relationships and it won't be changing.

I don't doubt Trump has done horrible things to women, but worse than Bill? Worse than what Hillary has done to silence those women? I think it ends up a wash and don't think it really matters. When I look at the influence of a president and the scales of morality they effect: war, oppression of nations, global economics, etc. I don't see vulgar comments budging those scales in either direction.

[station]

^^^ Also if you're talking and joking with your gf about things you're going to do to her and with her as consenting adults during sexy time, even if they are really dirty / kinky, then that's way different than joking about and admitting to kissing and groping strangers without permission because you are famous and can get away with it.

Comment no longer applies but I'll leave it anyway.

What you you said is disgusting.

[flylock shox]

I don't think there's any problem with vulgar joking or black humour: they're part of even (maybe especially) some of the most vaunted professions around. Doctors, lawyers, police, paramedics all engage in it. All of them would look bad if their words were put to print, and there could be repercussions for them professionally. Why should Trump be any different? These comments would disqualify him from an assistant manager position at a local Arby's let alone POTUS.

More significantly though, they are entirely consistent with the very real allegations of rape, sexual assault, and general misogyny that have been leveled against him repeatedly.

[GirlySports]

Guiliani must really just hate Hillary. Something must have happened when he was Mayor and she was Senator.

[Senator Clay Davis]

The problem is going after Bill is a loser and everyone knows it. There is no upside for Trump other than further winning the hearts and souls of his cult. Pissing off more women is not exactly the wise play when you're already losing and bleeding badly. If only he could ever let things go he might be ok, but he clearly can't.

[2Stonedbirds]

So amid all the narcissistic crotch grabbing, pandering, and reneging of election platform promises behind closed doors to major donors, crap is about to hit the propeller hard in Syria.

Can anyone remember a time we have seen such hardline posturing from both the Russians and Americans outside of the Cold War? American generals are promising to "destroy any and all enemies", Russia is moving missile systems into Kaliningrad, and both sides have stated a no-fly zone will lead to war. Good times, essentially. Can a president use the war powers to suspend an election? Remain in power? As weak as Obama has appeared on foreign policy in terms of making good on threats, I have much more confidence in him leading both sides to a peaceful resolution in Syria than either Kissingers Lil Helper Hillary or God save us, Trump.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by GGG

The one area where Clinton is vulnerable is how did she act around people who accused Bill Clinton of Rape and harassment. Did she intimidate them to make them go away. That will be trumps attack tonight.

Hillary has always been very supportive of Bill's sexual escapades and would take a very aggressive stance against anyone that would try to make Bill look bad or that would try to make his relations public. Hillary would try to discredit and belittle any woman that claimed sexual assault or harassment against Bill. She has previously claimed that Bill doesn't really know any better because he was abused as a child.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Matata

My gf doesn't need a stranger on the internet to speak for her.

Big question is, do you allow her say anything?

My comments would certainly hurt my professional life, but they were said privately and done in the spirit of blowing off steam. Everyone has a different level of blowing off steam due to their values and environment, and I'm a filthy, disgusting scumbag when I do it. It hasn't poisoned any of my personal or professional relationships and it won't be changing.

I don't think you're going to get many arguments on that.

I don't doubt Trump has done horrible things to women, but worse than Bill?

That's the best defense you have? It's okay because someone else did it? It's okay you sodomized you girl friend against her will, because Kanye has done the same, or even worse? Get a grip.

Bill Clinton is not running for President. He took his lumps as President and then in is life after office. If he were to run for office again he would have to face those behaviors. What works in Bill's favor is that he was a solid politician who did well for the greater majority of people. Donald Trump is a sociopath who does things only for the benefit of him.

Worse than what Hillary has done to silence those women?

What exactly has Hillary done to silence those women? This is a huge talking point for the pointy-headed Limbaugh set, but I'm really curious what she did and what evidence there is for it? Also, if some gold digging little tramp is trying to take advantage of me or my family, I know exactly how my wife is going to react. The claws would be out. So when some intern blows the President, spills his semen on her dress, then wraps and stores that dress so as to maintain the integrity of the DNA, I would expect the First Lady to see this as a threat on multiple levels and come out swinging. Or has the behavior of Lewinsky never struck you as strange, or politically/fame motivated?

I think it ends up a wash and don't think it really matters.

When I look at the influence of a president and the scales of morality they effect: war, oppression of nations, global economics, etc. I don't see vulgar comments budging those scales in either direction.

So if your boss came into your office and started talking like that you wouldn't immediately become uncomfortable, think it was inappropriate and think less of him? You don't think that another world leader would hear a comment like that and hold a very different opinion about the character and trust worthiness of his counterpart?

Originally Posted by Matata

We were watching "Born this way" (a show about young adults with down syndrome), I started riffing about how "down" someone can be and consent to sex and what it would take to coerce them into sex. I snorted I was laughing so hard.

Says a lot more about you than you can believe.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by Matata

We were watching "Born this way" (a show about young adults with down syndrome), I started riffing about how "down" someone can be and consent to sex and what it would take to coerce them into sex. I snorted I was laughing so hard.

They have the mental capacity of children, and coercing them into sex is somehow hilarious? You're repulsive.

[calumniate]

I love the false equivalences the trump camp is going to hang their head on. Bill Clinton may have committed adultery, but so did Donny. There's no bridge to cross here when speaking of sexual assault!

[puffnstuff]

This debate should be entertaining.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by GGG

The one area where Clinton is vulnerable is how did she act around people who accused Bill Clinton of Rape and harassment. Did she intimidate them to make them go away. That will be trumps attack tonight.

Yup, it looks like that's exactly what his strategy will be:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...s-are-now-off/

We thought the first debate was nasty? I think tonight is gonna be the lowest of the low when it comes to Trump. I predict this strategy will backfire on him spectacularly. Hillary is too smart and experienced to get sucked into an argument about her husband's sexual history. She'll simply deflect his attacks and try and steer the conversation towards the actual issues and her policies. It worked like a charm in the first debate, and it'll work for her tonight. All she needs to do is stay on message as much as she can, counter-punch when she sees an opening, and just let Trump hang himself.

The problem with Trump using this strategy is that he has zero evidence that Hillary intimidated these women. Secondly, and more importantly, Bill Clinton isn't running for president. But at this point it's all Trump has left, so he's gonna sling as much mud as he can and see if anything sticks. This is his hail mary. The election is essentially over already, but if Hillary wins tonight, that'll definitely be the knock-out.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

I've been in locker rooms before too and don't recall people bragging about sexual assaulting anyone and getting away with it because they were popular. What a clown. And shame on anyone dismissing it as locker room talk. What kind of ####ing rapists and #######s are you hanging out with and playing sports with??

Can we just clarify what comments by Trump you're referring to that evidence sexual assault or rape? As in my earlier post, my interpretation of the "grab them in the p***y" comment was Trump bragging not that he had assaulted anyone, but that when you're a star many women will let you get away with things like that. And that's something I can say isn't particularly novel from a man who has enjoyed power/fame/status.

I mean has no one read a biography of a successful musician? Do you honestly think a comment like "When you're famous and on the road women are throwing themselves at you. You wouldn't believe the stuff they'll let you do. You can just walk up and grab them in the p***y!" would be out of place in the average rock biography?

And to be clear, I'm not condoning assault, misogyny, or the like, but I am saying that if Trump's language on this issue is beyond the pale for you you'd better throw out all of your albums, stop watching professional sports, and vote exclusively for women for any high power political offices, beause, again, IMO most men in positions of high power/fame/status are somewhere on the pig spectrum at least some of the time.

[station]

^^^ Also town hall format limits amount of talking between candidates. If Trump continually turns unrelated audience questions into Bill infidelity banter, personal attacks, and accusations it's going to look so bad. That format is a huge advantage for her because she can easily take the high road by just answering the audience questions earnestly. Trump answering unscripted questions on live national tv has to have his advisors drinking early today.

[Alpine Fisher]

I am not sure this debate is going to matter much. I think the percentage of undecided voters is inconsequential. This debate is going to be crazy nonetheless.
It is Wolf Blitzer's Wet Dream