PGT: President-Elect Donald J Trump

[Senator Clay Davis]

So I think we've all been more concerned about Trump supporters than Trump himself, and the biggest test will be when amnesty and no wall and no Muslim ban happen. That's when the ugliest stuff will come, when the cult is truly duped (they don't care about the rest). But yeah it's painfully obvious now Trump has no interest in doing the job and will defer to Pence often. Which means no Muslim ban, no wall and amnesty. And rallies.



http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us...?_r=1&referer=

[Lanny_McDonald]

Rallies. Lots of rallies. Keep the population and the nationalism whipped into a frenzy. Very Third Reich-ish. When can we expect the publication of Mein Drumpf?

[V]

It took him a few days, but here it comes.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by V

It took him a few days, but here it comes.

Here "what" comes?

I don't think Trump has done anything so far that was not predictable. From embracing K Street, to softening his stance on issues he clearly knew nothing about, to altering his grand plan, to stacking his transition team and advisors with family, to suggesting those same advisors illegally run his companies during his time in office, none of this was unpredictable in the grand scheme of things.

As mentioned during the election cycle, the vast majority of people are ignorant of the political process, and it showed in the vote.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by New Era

You would know that differentiation in definition if you read the SPLC reports instead of taking the word or one guy who has an axe to grind with the organization.

This is the first thing that came to mind after reading this excellent post:

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by New Era

You claim you have worked on a gang task force, and I am not going to deny that claim, but I will ask a very simple question. Where did your gang task force get its intel on various groups being monitored?

I didn't say I worked on one, I said I worked with one. And they didn't use any SPLC information as far as I'm aware, but obviously, I'm in Canada. The point is that this organization has become politicized, and that the information they provide is now far less reliable when we're deciding whether people are "extremists" or "hate groups" for political purposes as a result. Nawaz isn't an "extremist".

Originally Posted by New Era

A myopic view of the world? Seriously counselor? You who judge everyone on whether their particular perspective aligns with yours, and the sources you use, has the audacity to claim someone is myopic? I mean, just look at your engagement with wittynickname. She's explaining her perspective, as a woman, and you charge her with using identity politics? Pot, meet kettle.

I deliberately, consciously avoid "judging" people based on whether they agree or disagree with me, so this is a pretty ridiculous thing to accuse me of. As for charging her with using identity politics, she obviously did. She said that my views on Trump were the result of my identity as a straight white man, and that as a result I wasn't seeing things clearly and was minimizing or writing off certain bad outcomes. That is quintessential identity politics. That's what it means.

I think I'm just going to ignore you, because the way you deal with people on here is just so aggressive and so intellectually obdurate that you're just exasperating to deal with. It's full speed ahead a hundred miles an hour right out of the gate with "Your views don't matter because you don't know anything about this subject, but luckily for all of you I'm an expert". Every time. It's Dunning-Kruger on steroids. You're not here to have a discussion or work through ideas, you're just trying to win an argument on the internet for the sake of your own ego. I'm getting nothing out of this back and forth except frustration and really don't see any reason to keep talking to you at this point.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Donald Trump is as predictable as they come. Day four and already Trump is running away from his promises.

Hedging pledges

So, for those keeping score, gone are:

* Repealing Obamacare. Turns out he's just going to take that law and do what he does best. Do some minor renovations, apply some gold leaf, and slap his name on it. Coming soon: Trumpcare. Just like Obamacare, but with more benefits to the insurers rather than the insured.

* Appointing a Special Prosecutor to go after Hillary Clinton. No longer a priority at all.

* Immediately building the wall is now a no-go and getting Mexico to pay for it was just a campaign device. It will get done, according to Nosferatu - er Rudy Guliani - but it will take some time to figure it out.

* Deportations are being walked back. I guess he finally realizes that this is impossible, and could cause major damage to multiple industries here in the US and cause a major humanitarian crisis as he breaks up families who have legal standing due to having a child here in the US.

* A total ban on Muslims coming into the country has been completely dropped and questions in regards to this issue are not being answered.

* Identifying "Jina" as a currency manipulator and slapping a 45% tariff on goods coming from that country. His new advisors are in full denial of him ever saying this, claiming a misquote.

* Ripping up the Iran nuclear deal. His advisors have said he has used wrong language in this regard and it will be reviewed with the international context in mind.

* Draining the swamp in Washington DC. Trump has started draining it, by piping it directly into Trump Tower. Trump's transition team and advisors are predominantly old school establishment Republicans and lobbyists from K Street.

I guess we can be thankful that he is holding on one promise, that being the attack on taxes. Trump is adamant that he will reduce the corporate rate from 35% to 15% and that is now his only priority.

On a terrifying note, it appears that Mike Pence will be running the show and will become the most powerful VP in American history, even more than the original Son of perdition, Dick Cheney.

Can it get any more predictable?

[FlamesAddiction]

Maybe a stupid question, but could Obama appoint a SCOTUS to fill the vacant spot before he leaves office?

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Maybe a stupid question, but could Obama appoint a SCOTUS to fill the vacant spot before he leaves office?

He can't just appoint people, they have to be confirmed. He made a nomination; Garland. The Senate refused to consider it. Which ploy has now worked, and will no doubt serve as a precedent for more obstructionism in the future.

[Regulator75]

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by New Era

Donald Trump is as predictable as they come. Day four and already Trump is running away from his promises.

Hedging pledges

So, for those keeping score, gone are:

* Repealing Obamacare. Turns out he's just going to take that law and do what he does best. Do some minor renovations, apply some gold leaf, and slap his name on it. Coming soon: Trumpcare. Just like Obamacare, but with more benefits to the insurers rather than the insured.

* Appointing a Special Prosecutor to go after Hillary Clinton. No longer a priority at all.

* Immediately building the wall is now a no-go and getting Mexico to pay for it was just a campaign device. It will get done, according to Nosferatu - er Rudy Guliani - but it will take some time to figure it out.

* Deportations are being walked back. I guess he finally realizes that this is impossible, and could cause major damage to multiple industries here in the US and cause a major humanitarian crisis as he breaks up families who have legal standing due to having a child here in the US.

* A total ban on Muslims coming into the country has been completely dropped and questions in regards to this issue are not being answered.

* Identifying "Jina" as a currency manipulator and slapping a 45% tariff on goods coming from that country. His new advisors are in full denial of him ever saying this, claiming a misquote.

* Ripping up the Iran nuclear deal. His advisors have said he has used wrong language in this regard and it will be reviewed with the international context in mind.

* Draining the swamp in Washington DC. Trump has started draining it, by piping it directly into Trump Tower. Trump's transition team and advisors are predominantly old school establishment Republicans and lobbyists from K Street.

I guess we can be thankful that he is holding on one promise, that being the attack on taxes. Trump is adamant that he will reduce the corporate rate from 35% to 15% and that is now his only priority.

On a terrifying note, it appears that Mike Pence will be running the show and will become the most powerful VP in American history, even more than the original Son of perdition, Dick Cheney.

Can it get any more predictable?

No way. Zero chance of this.

Pence will be given an opportunity to do the transition but will soon be shuffled away.

Trump ignored him on the campaign trail except where Pence disagreed and Trump made sure everyone knew where Trump stood.

This will be Trump's show. Some key players will be brought in and out of the lineup when it suits Trump, but the second he feels that there is a powerplay against his interests, Trump will push the player so far to the sidelines they'll never be heard from again - or until decides it suits him to bring them back.

It makes sense for Trump to bring in a few people with grey hairs to help with the transition, but it remains that Trump is still a wildcard as President, with his own agenda.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Warren/Booker in 2020.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

No way. Zero chance of this.

Pence will be given an opportunity to do the transition but will soon be shuffled away.

Trump ignored him on the campaign trail except where Pence disagreed and Trump made sure everyone knew where Trump stood.

This will be Trump's show. Some key players will be brought in and out of the lineup when it suits Trump, but the second he feels that there is a powerplay against his interests, Trump will push the player so far to the sidelines they'll never be heard from again - or until decides it suits him to bring them back.

It makes sense for Trump to bring in a few people with grey hairs to help with the transition, but it remains that Trump is still a wildcard as President, with his own agenda.

Interesting article from the NYT seems to disagree.

This was my line of thinking as well. Trump is too much a noob to be a major player in Washington. It will be on Pence to get the political ball rolling. Trump will do his rallies, but Pence will be doing the political heavy lifting.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

He can't just appoint people, they have to be confirmed. He made a nomination; Garland. The Senate refused to consider it. Which ploy has now worked, and will no doubt serve as a precedent for more obstructionism in the future.

I believe you're wrong. Photon posted it earlier in the other thread, there's a short window I believe when Obama can appoint a justice for a temporary spot when Congress is in recess that lasts two years or so. I don't know if that time has already passed but right now why not? If that option comes up I bet he gives garland the short term seat to get some stuff moving before Christian McElectrotherapy gets his chance to recreate the Spanish Inquisition

[killer_carlson]

Well i'm prepared to be convinced otherwise, however there are two key pieces in that article:

1) The person stumping for Pence to be a key figure is a key Pence guy. The other "support" is a guy who says "we like Pence to come to lunch" comes across to me as really saying "we'd like another voice who isn't reckless around when Trump comes up with a plan"

2) The end of the article which says Pence knows it's Trump's show. That suggests that Pence knows he has to implement and tow the line with Trump if he has any interest in not being tossed to the sidelines. But as I said above, Pence will be around for a while until Trump thinks Pence is pushing a power play.

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by New Era

Warren/Booker in 2020.

Other way around and I'm in*.


*I have no say.

[Pizza]

Originally Posted by New Era

Donald Trump is as predictable as they come. Day four and already Trump is running away from his promises.

Hedging pledges

So, for those keeping score, gone are:

* Repealing Obamacare. Turns out he's just going to take that law and do what he does best. Do some minor renovations, apply some gold leaf, and slap his name on it. Coming soon: Trumpcare. Just like Obamacare, but with more benefits to the insurers rather than the insured.

* Appointing a Special Prosecutor to go after Hillary Clinton. No longer a priority at all.

* Immediately building the wall is now a no-go and getting Mexico to pay for it was just a campaign device. It will get done, according to Nosferatu - er Rudy Guliani - but it will take some time to figure it out.

* Deportations are being walked back. I guess he finally realizes that this is impossible, and could cause major damage to multiple industries here in the US and cause a major humanitarian crisis as he breaks up families who have legal standing due to having a child here in the US.

* A total ban on Muslims coming into the country has been completely dropped and questions in regards to this issue are not being answered.

* Identifying "Jina" as a currency manipulator and slapping a 45% tariff on goods coming from that country. His new advisors are in full denial of him ever saying this, claiming a misquote.

* Ripping up the Iran nuclear deal. His advisors have said he has used wrong language in this regard and it will be reviewed with the international context in mind.

* Draining the swamp in Washington DC. Trump has started draining it, by piping it directly into Trump Tower. Trump's transition team and advisors are predominantly old school establishment Republicans and lobbyists from K Street.

I guess we can be thankful that he is holding on one promise, that being the attack on taxes. Trump is adamant that he will reduce the corporate rate from 35% to 15% and that is now his only priority.

On a terrifying note, it appears that Mike Pence will be running the show and will become the most powerful VP in American history, even more than the original Son of perdition, Dick Cheney.

Can it get any more predictable?

A sign that the young, Liberal Trump is returning?

This may not be so bad for Democrats

We may as well be looking at the greatest Troll job in history if he's repealing promises he made to cater to the extreme right. Like his Access Hollywood rant, this might be dismissed as just "Campaign Talk. You know how it is"

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

I believe you're wrong. Photon posted it earlier in the other thread, there's a short window I believe when Obama can appoint a justice for a temporary spot when Congress is in recess that lasts two years or so. I don't know if that time has already passed but right now why not? If that option comes up I bet he gives garland the short term seat to get some stuff moving before Christian McElectrotherapy gets his chance to recreate the Spanish Inquisition

I would definitely agree if it were possible, and I must have missed what Photon posted, but I'm pretty sure there's no "window" to do this. He can try to put together a lame duck session of the existing senate to try to get Garland confirmed before the new Senate comes in, but that's not going to go any better than it did before. I've also seen some really, really shady legal analysis that tries to parse the words of Article II, Section2, basically by saying that he can skip the advice and consent process if the Senate doesn't do its job (which is contradicted by a plain reading of the words). I'm happy to stand corrected here if you can point me to what the basis for this is.

And yeah maybe Photon was referring to a recess appointment. But a recess appointment of a supreme court justice hasn't happened since Eisenhower as far as I know, and those appointments still have to be confirmed once the Senate is back from recess, so that wouldn't work either. Pretty sure it would just be immediately overturned once they got back in session... Not to mention that recess appointments are supposed to be for candidates that the Senate is going to have no problem confirming. Plus, they can do that pro-forma session thing to technically avoid a recess.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

I believe you're wrong. Photon posted it earlier in the other thread, there's a short window I believe when Obama can appoint a justice for a temporary spot when Congress is in recess that lasts two years or so. I don't know if that time has already passed but right now why not? If that option comes up I bet he gives garland the short term seat to get some stuff moving before Christian McElectrotherapy gets his chance to recreate the Spanish Inquisition

I do believe he is wrong and right. Obama can use a recess appointment, but that appointment is only in effect until the recess is over. At that point the Senate would convene and go through the confirmation process. The constitution states that the Senate must be consulted and approve all SCOTUS appointments, so they are involved in the process regardless of the use of a recess appointment. The recess appointment is only a temporary provision.

[photon]

Recess appointments, if not confirmed, are in effect to the end of the next session, not until the recess is over from what I understand. So that would be until the 2018 elections which if Democrats think they could somehow magically get Dems to vote during a midterm election and take the senate back then they could confirm the recess appointment.

People don't like it because it's 'contentious' but saying that if Clinton had one they'd block any appointment for the next 4 years is contentious as well.

I think this was the article I'd posted back then that mentioned it http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...al-crisis.html