Trump Tied for First in GOP Race

Deranged GOP base loves Trump as a Birther
Wingnuts • Views: 19,840

Donald Trump has correctly identified and is ferociously exploiting one of the real hot buttons in the Republican Party: Birtherism. And there’s no doubt that it’s working for him: CNN Poll: Trump tied for first in GOP horserace.

Nineteen percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents questioned in the poll say that as of now, they’d be most likely to support Trump for next year’s GOP presidential nomination. Trump says he’ll decide by June whether he runs for the White House. An equal amount say they’d back Huckabee. The former Arkansas governor and 2008 Republican presidential candidate says he’ll decide by later this year if he’ll make another bid for the White House.

Twelve percent say they’d support former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, who was the party’s 2008 vice presidential nominee, with 11 percent backing former Massachusetts Gov. and 2008 White House hopeful Mitt Romney and the same amount supporting former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Seven percent say they are backing Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, another 2008 presidential candidate, with five percent supporting Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, who enjoys strong backing from many in the Tea Party movement. Everyone else registers in the low single digits.

The psychos have taken over the Republican Party, from the ground up, with the willing consent of the Party’s bigwigs. They all do it, but Donald Trump is just a little more open about pandering to the crazies.

UPDATE at 4/12/11 9:49:20 am

And Trump’s dog-whistle Birther racism is not being missed by African-Americans: Trump courts black backlash.

Trump’s shows boast a solid African-American viewership and black cast members, some of whom he’s likely alienating. “As a people, we celebrated his business acumen; purchased his books and anything else with the Trump name we could get our hands on,” Goldie Taylor wrote on The Grio. “Now among African-Americans, the once gilded Trump brand is about as worthless as a plug nickel.”

“I’m not calling Trump a racist. But he ought to quit quacking before people start believing he’s a duck.,” she wrote.

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198 comments
1 Varek Raith  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:43:41am
2 The Yankee  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:44:07am

If Trump does win the primaries would it be OK to say that the GOP is racist cause a majority of them actually believe that any white man can do a better job then Obama?

3 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:44:58am

Does Chump really believe the crap he spews?

More importantly, is he that self-absorbed that he actually thinks his hair looks good?

4 Gus  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:45:13am

Entropy.

5 jamesfirecat  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:45:18am

So David Frum how is that prediction about Bitherism being quarantined going for you?

6 Winny Spencer  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:45:25am

What a relief that birtherism has been quarantined within the GOP.

7 Varek Raith  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:45:57am

I…don’t know what the hell is wrong with the GOP anymore. I give up trying to figure it out, let alone fix it.

8 S'latch  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:46:58am

Trump would be great for Obama. Obama would not even have to campaign much, but could for the enjoyment of it.

9 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:48:01am

Birtherism: Because it works

10 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:49:27am

I’m not really sure how deeply you can read into any of this. It’s still really early and Trump is someone people have heard of and who is making himself show up everywhere right now. I think there’s a pretty good chance of him flaming out in the next few months.

11 wrenchwench  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:49:45am
The psychos have taken over the Republican Party, from the ground up, with the willing consent of the Party’s bigwigs.

Hence the need for Trump.

12 Varek Raith  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:51:06am

re: #10 Simply Sarah

I’m not really sure how deeply you can read into any of this. It’s still really early and Trump is someone people have heard of and who is making himself show up everywhere right now. I think there’s a pretty good chance of him flaming out in the next few months.

I’m not concerned about Trump. He ain’t going anywhere electorally.
What bothers the hell out of me is the GOP base thinking he can.

13 Gus  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:51:09am

In consideration of the GOP base.

Donald Trump - Christian
Mitt Romney - Mormon

Well, looks like Donald Trump wins that race.

14 S'latch  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:51:17am

re: #10 Simply Sarah

The odds that Trump will implode even before the actual nomination process are irresistible.

15 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:51:53am

re: #13 Gus 802

In consideration of the GOP base.

Donald Trump - Christian
Mitt Romney - Mormon

Well, looks like Donald Trump wins that race.

Donald Trump is a Hairy Krishna

/rimshot

16 Charles Johnson  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:51:55am

Notice that Mitt Romney’s support is falling drastically.

It’s crazy time for the right wing.

17 darthstar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:52:30am

re: #1 Varek Raith

Image: cookie-monster-wtf-is-this.jpg

Cookie don’t like fruits and veggies, and Trump is definitely fruity.

18 Varek Raith  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:53:17am

I think the only chance for the GOP to cleanse itself of the crazy is to hit rock bottom and spend some time in the political wilderness.
Even then, I’m not too sure it’ll figure it out…

19 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:53:35am

re: #16 Charles

Notice that Mitt Romney’s support is falling drastically.

It’s crazy time for the right wing.

It’s nice to have such a clear display of the huge problems in our primary system.

20 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:53:41am

re: #12 Varek Raith

I’m not concerned about Trump. He ain’t going anywhere electorally.
What bothers the hell out of me is the GOP base thinking he can.

Well, 19% of the people polled. I’m not sure how broad or deep his support really is at this point, though. And people tend to like shiny new things for a bit, after which they get bored and move on.

21 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:53:44am

re: #16 Charles

Notice that Mitt Romney’s support is falling drastically.

It’s crazy time for the right wing.

I honestly don’t think that it would be possible for a Mormon or a Catholic to make it in the current GOP on the national level. Romney will turn and kiss the base’s bottom just like McCain if it would help - and he has been trying to of late. In this case though, I very strongly think, it will not help him.

22 darthstar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:53:45am

re: #16 Charles

Notice that Mitt Romney’s support is falling drastically.

It’s crazy time for the right wing.

Romney announced yesterday, and is trying the “adult in the room” approach…good strategy for a general election, but he’s toast in the Republican primary. He’d have a better chance at the presidency if he started out now as a third party candidate.

23 S'latch  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:53:46am

It must be that at this point in the process, only the crazies are involved and answering the phones. Any remaining sane Republicans are at work or on vacation.

24 laZardo  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:55:04am

re: #18 Varek Raith

I think the only chance for the GOP to cleanse itself of the crazy is to hit rock bottom and spend some time in the political wilderness.
Even then, I’m not too sure it’ll figure it out…

I just want it to fall back onto the fringe, let the Democrats move into the center-right and have a new third party bring progressivism back.

25 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:55:11am

re: #15 Alouette

Donald Trump is a Hairy Krishna

/rimshot

Trump is a malignant narcissist. He is one part show man and one part shady business man. It is tragic, but unsurprising, that a man whose entire career has been reveling in personifying avarice is seen as a poster boy for the GOP.

26 Gus  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:55:41am
27 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:56:30am

I’m just remembering how the lead up for 2008 was. On the Democratic side, you had Hillary being seen for a bit as the person that would clearly win. For the GOP, McCain was dead in the water, Rudy was sure to win, and then it was Fred Thompson was going to swoop in win it.

28 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:56:43am

re: #26 Gus 802

Trump can play the wingnuts like a violin.

One part show man and one part greedy shady business man. A perfect poster boy for the modern GOP… utterly cynical and utterly malign.

29 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:56:51am

It doesn’t matter that Obama’s half sister says he was born in Hawaii, the birthers are fact-resistant.

Daly wrote in the Daily News thusly (and I wholeheartedly concur):

Only, with this birther nonsense, there is no longer any excuse for being fooled.

He showed that to promote himself he is willing to play on the paranoid imaginings of folks whose real problem with Barack Obama has nothing to do with the place of his birth.

What they cannot stand is that Obama was born black and proved we really are a country where anybody can grow up to become President.

They are obsessed with finding some way to cast Obama as an Other, ineligible to be President.

“Hey, he can’t be President,” they say. “He’s bla… I mean foreign-born.”

Anybody who seeks to capitalize on that deserves to be fired - and forgotten.

He was born in Hawaii, which makes him a US citizen.

He was born to an American mother, which makes him an American citizen - regardless of where exactly he was born in the world.

Yet, these birthers ignore all that because… well, they don’t like the fact that he won, and he’s not the write skin tone.

Trump is merely using the same bamboozling techniques that he’s used on investors in the past to go in on his projects that later turn into money pits - including his failed casinos that have repeatedly gone bankrupt. A sucker is born every minute, and Trump capitalizes on this with his birtherism.

Without the birtherism, Trump isn’t even in the discussion.

30 Varek Raith  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:57:10am

re: #27 Simply Sarah

I’m just remembering how the lead up for 2008 was. On the Democratic side, you had Hillary being seen for a bit as the person that would clearly win. For the GOP, McCain was dead in the water, Rudy was sure to win, and then it was Fred Thompson was going to swoop in win it.

Yeah, but at least they were sane.
The current crop?
Guano grade crazy.

31 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:57:31am

re: #26 Gus 802

Trump can play the wingnuts like a violin.

From the first paragraph:

he stores away Bibles he gets sent from fans.

I demand Trump show us these bibles immediately.

32 jamesfirecat  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:57:43am

re: #22 darthstar

Romney announced yesterday, and is trying the “adult in the room” approach…good strategy for a general election, but he’s toast in the Republican primary. He’d have a better chance at the presidency if he started out now as a third party candidate.

A Mitt Romney Third party candidate would be an early Christmas Present for Barack Obama.

He’d insure that the marginally sane/Fiscal conservatives while the crazy pants ones vote for whoever wins the primary, and he sails straight to re-election.

33 darthstar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:57:56am

So, what does everyone think about the GOP’s chances of holding our entire financial system hostage over a social issue when the debt ceiling discussions get going in earnest? Will Boehner play the fetus card again? Will Bachmann get some air time talking about the un-Americans in congress?

McConnell is already quietly urging Republicans in the Senate not to filibuster so the Democrats can pass the debt ceiling with 51 votes and the GOP can lay claim to some kind of fiscal wisdom. But with Rand Paul off his leash, who knows what will happen?

34 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:58:43am

re: #24 laZardo

I just want it to fall back onto the fringe, let the Democrats move into the center-right and have a new third party bring progressivism back.

Well, you’re part of the way there, at least. The national Democrats are already mostly center-right.

35 laZardo  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:59:06am

Because conservatism keeps digging.

Nighty folks.

36 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 9:59:45am

re: #35 laZardo

Because conservatism keeps digging.

They’re to get to all of our money in China…

37 Mad Prophet Ludwig  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:00:38am

re: #29 lawhawk

It doesn’t matter that Obama’s half sister says he was born in Hawaii, the birthers are fact-resistant.

Daly wrote in the Daily News thusly (and I wholeheartedly concur):

He was born in Hawaii, which makes him a US citizen.

He was born to an American mother, which makes him an American citizen - regardless of where exactly he was born in the world.

Yet, these birthers ignore all that because… well, they don’t like the fact that he won, and he’s not the write skin tone.

Trump is merely using the same bamboozling techniques that he’s used on investors in the past to go in on his projects that later turn into money pits - including his failed casinos that have repeatedly gone bankrupt. A sucker is born every minute, and Trump capitalizes on this with his birtherism.

Without the birtherism, Trump isn’t even in the discussion.

There was never a question of facts here - like the fact that most states will not release original birth certificates. The “evidence” in the “trial” was always that Obama is black and has a funny name. He was convicted of being not areal American on those grounds alone before the “birther” nonsense gave a coded excuse to talk about it openly.

38 Shiplord Kirel  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:02:04am

At this point, I would bet on Huckabee to take the nomination. He has good media presence and can even seem superficially reasonable at times. At the same time, he knows just which buttons to push and his appeal among the theocrat base is rock solid.

39 baier  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:02:30am

Trump is joke. In 4 weeks no one will even remember the guy was running.

40 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:03:05am

re: #27 Simply Sarah

I’m just remembering how the lead up for 2008 was. On the Democratic side, you had Hillary being seen for a bit as the person that would clearly win. For the GOP, McCain was dead in the water, Rudy was sure to win, and then it was Fred Thompson was going to swoop in win it.

Which tells you something, since Giuliani was never a viable candidate, and most non-fans had trouble remembering that Fred Thompson was alive.

41 baier  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:03:15am

re: #38 Shiplord Kirel

It will be Mitt.

42 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:03:16am

re: #33 darthstar

So, what does everyone think about the GOP’s chances of holding our entire financial system hostage over a social issue when the debt ceiling discussions get going in earnest? Will Boehner play the fetus card again? Will Bachmann get some air time talking about the un-Americans in congress?

McConnell is already quietly urging Republicans in the Senate not to filibuster so the Democrats can pass the debt ceiling with 51 votes and the GOP can lay claim to some kind of fiscal wisdom. But with Rand Paul off his leash, who knows what will happen?

With them facing off against Obama and the Democrats, I give them pretty good odds of getting massive concessions that gut important programs, along with tax cuts for the top income brackets, businesses, and capital gains.

43 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:03:26am

re: #39 baier

Trump is joke. In 4 weeks no one will even remember the guy was running.

Birtherism is the joke. Trump is just the punchline. I think he sticks around for a while.

44 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:03:37am

Meanwhile, Michele Bachmann would apparently approve of intervening to crush a protest against our enhanced interrogatin’ buddy Mubarak.

“He wasn’t perfect, but [former Egyptian President Hosni] Mubarak was one of the best friends that we had in the Middle East region,” Bachmann said. “When Mubarak was in trouble, where was the president? He was sitting on his hands and let Mubarak fall.

45 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:03:53am

re: #40 SanFranciscoZionist

Which tells you something, since Giuliani was never a viable candidate, and most non-fans had trouble remembering that Fred Thompson was alive.

NPR made sure I couldn’t forget about Thompson.

46 Charles Johnson  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:04:10am

Even if Trump is just a “sideshow,” notice who’s tied with him for first.

Religious fanatic Mike Huckabee.

And Romney is dropping like a rock.

This is the GOP.

47 jamesfirecat  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:04:33am

re: #41 baier

It will be Mitt.

So, a patrician flip-flopper from Massachusetts (shot of John Kerry) … good luck with that” —Jon Stewart “

48 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:04:34am

re: #45 Simply Sarah

NPR made sure I couldn’t forget about Thompson.

Hunt for Red October reruns do it for me…

49 Shiplord Kirel  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:04:50am

Trump will help Huckabee look reasonable, at least to those voters who don’t know what a dark-age theocrat he really is.

50 Varek Raith  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:05:05am

re: #41 baier

It will be Mitt.

Heh, not with the RW in control of the primaries.

51 Varek Raith  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:05:58am

re: #50 Varek Raith

Heh, not with the RW in control of the primaries.

And the RR.
Works either way.
;)

52 Charles Johnson  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:07:00am

Huckabee’s strategy of going on Fox News and portraying himself as a kindly old uncle type, playing the bass and relating cornpone pseudo-wisdom, has really worked. He built up a lot of support among the religious right with help from Fox, and that’s why he’s polling so high now.

53 baier  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:07:02am

re: #46 Charles

This a poll taken before anyone has really started a campaign. I wouldn’t put much stock in it. I imagine name recognition plays a major factor in a poll like this, especially during this stage of an election.

54 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:07:11am

Gosh I remember hearing from conservatives about how awesome Fred Thompson was and then he promptly proved to be a snoozefest. In the 2008 primaries, I was commuting via bus to my classes at the community college I was attending and I just remember on the eve of the South Carolina primary, Rush was convinced that Thompson would crush McCain and Huckabee too. Think McCain ended up winning with Huckabee behind him. I don’t see Romney being the nominee. Huckabee remains my bet since social conservatism seems to be more valued at this point than fiscal conservatism.

55 Shiplord Kirel  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:07:42am

As things stand now, none of these GOP hopefuls have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the general UNLESS some unmitigated disaster overtakes the country and Obama can be blamed for it.
Essentially, they are betting on disaster.

56 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:08:09am

re: #53 baier

This a poll taken before anyone has really started a campaign. I wouldn’t put much stock in it. I imagine name recognition plays a major factor in a poll like this, especially during this stage of an election.

I don’t know. If it’s only name recongition, how do you explain Trump being at the bottom a month or so back? It seems to me that his rise in the polls has come since he started panderign to the birthers.

57 Gus  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:08:59am

I guess the only chance for Romney then is for him to start dropping “Obama birth certificate” bombs like the rest of the field.

Once we had the “Southern Strategy”. Today, we have the “Birth Certificate Strategy”. The quickest way to Republicans hearts.

58 baier  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:09:05am

re: #55 Shiplord Kirel

As things stand now, none of these GOP hopefuls have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the general UNLESS some unmitigated disaster overtakes the country and Obama can be blamed for it.
Essentially, they are betting on disaster.

That is a bit of a hysterical statement. It is way too early to make that kind of assessment. Wait until the campaigns start at least.

59 baier  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:09:35am

re: #56 HappyWarrior

I don’t know. If it’s only name recongition, how do you explain Trump being at the bottom a month or so back? It seems to me that his rise in the polls has come since he started panderign to the birthers.

He’s been int he news everyday for the past week.

60 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:09:58am

re: #41 baier

It will be Mitt.

Mitt will win Florida. Afternoon Honcos.

61 The Yankee  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:10:11am

re: #46 Charles

Even if Trump is just a “sideshow,” notice who’s tied with him for first.

Religious fanatic Mike Huckabee.

And Romney is dropping like a rock.

This is the GOP.

It was before my time but I remember hearing what Al Sharpton did to the democratic party when he ran for President, made too polarized for independents want to be involved.

So is Trump the reverse Al Sharpton. I mean funny hair doos and all.

62 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:11:13am

I’ll again point out the McCain was the hopeless, helpless, old, boring also-ran fairly late in the run-up to the primaries. I’m not saying the same thing will happen (Clearly, radicals have been picked to run in the past), but it’s still really early.

63 Varek Raith  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:12:12am

re: #62 Simply Sarah

I’ll again point out the McCain was the hopeless, helpless, old, boring also-ran fairly late in the run-up to the primaries. I’m not saying the same thing will happen (Clearly, radicals have been picked to run in the past), but it’s still really early.

I’ll point out that the GOP base has gone completely nutso since 2008. Very different process this time around. It’s all crazy.

64 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:12:34am

I think Mitt may be too late to the birther party if he decides to show up.

65 Varek Raith  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:13:23am

BBL, lunchtime!

66 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:13:35am

I think Mitt’s problem will be that his opponents will remind voters about his healthcare plan in Massachusetts and hammer him on social issues. I expect the Republican nominee to be someone with a populist streak and Mitt is no populist.

67 Ming  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:13:37am

Trump’s pandering reminds me of Hillary Clinton’s famous April 2008 soundbite: “hard-working people, white people”. I hope that in 2012, the voters decide that they want a grown-up for President.

68 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:13:46am

re: #63 Varek Raith

I’ll point out that the GOP base has gone completely nutso since 2008. Very different process this time around. It’s all crazy.

I’m mostly just terrified that one of these people will win the nomination and steal (In the sense of somehow winning, not as in fraud) a win in general. I’m trying to convince myself someone vaguely sane will be the one up against Obama.

69 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:13:54am

re: #64 JasonA

I think Mitt may be too late to the birther party if he decides to show up.

I don’t think Birther Nation is strong enough through out the country.

70 The Yankee  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:14:23am

re: #62 Simply Sarah

I’ll again point out the McCain was the hopeless, helpless, old, boring also-ran fairly late in the run-up to the primaries. I’m not saying the same thing will happen (Clearly, radicals have been picked to run in the past), but it’s still really early.

The only person in that pack that I wouldn’t be afraid of being president is Mitt and Newt. Mitt has the Mormon thing in his way and Newt has 2 ex’s that you got rid of when they got sick. So if this new one starts sneezing…

71 Shiplord Kirel  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:14:27am

re: #58 baier

That is a bit of a hysterical statement. It is way too early to make that kind of assessment. Wait until the campaigns start at least.

We shall see. I don’t think it is too early in the context of this particular group of candidates. All of them are campaigning hard right now, and all are known quantities. A new candidate could emerge but without a drastic change in the base, in defiance of observed trends, a candidate with a good chance in the general cannot win the nomination.

72 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:15:54am

re: #69 Cannadian Club Akbar

I don’t think Birther Nation is strong enough through out the country.

Birfers are impervious to any kind of facts and logic. They are the home-grown equivalent of the “Israel is Apartheid” crowd.

73 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:16:08am

re: #70 The Yankee

The only person in that pack that I wouldn’t be afraid of being president is Mitt and Newt. Mitt has the Mormon thing in his way and Newt has 2 ex’s that you got rid of when they got sick. So if this new one starts sneezing…

Mitt is about the only one who I’m aware of being in the running that I could be OK with. He was a decent governor here, at least until he decided he’d rather spend his time running for president.

74 wrenchwench  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:16:23am

re: #39 baier

Trump is joke. In 4 weeks no one will even remember the guy was running.

re: #41 baier

It will be Mitt.

re: #53 baier

This a poll taken before anyone has really started a campaign. I wouldn’t put much stock in it. I imagine name recognition plays a major factor in a poll like this, especially during this stage of an election.

re: #58 baier

That is a bit of a hysterical statement. It is way too early to make that kind of assessment. Wait until the campaigns start at least.

So the poll was too early, Trump is a joke, Shiplord made a hysterical statement, but you know now that Mitt will win. Odd set of facts.

75 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:17:51am

re: #62 Simply Sarah

I’ll again point out the McCain was the hopeless, helpless, old, boring also-ran fairly late in the run-up to the primaries. I’m not saying the same thing will happen (Clearly, radicals have been picked to run in the past), but it’s still really early.

Romney does’t have a defineable base - Trump is now “the business guy” in the race and the FreedomWerkz/Citizens United money will be going to teabagger acolytes.

Romney may be waiting for the others to flame out before throwing his hat into the ring - but it’s a dangerous game - just ask Giuliani or Fred Thompson.

76 baier  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:17:56am

re: #74 wrenchwench

Opinion. And I’m not painting an entire group of people nuts or racist based off one silly poll.

77 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:18:33am

re: #75 wozzablog

Romney does’t have a defineable base - Trump is now “the business guy” in the race and the FreedomWerkz/Citizens United money will be going to teabagger acolytes.

Romney may be waiting for the others to flame out before throwing his hat into the ring - but it’s a dangerous game - just ask Giuliani or Fred Thompson.

Romney already threw his hat in the ring.

78 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:18:34am

My feet hurt really bad and I can’t get my pain meds refilled until Thursday.

79 jamesfirecat  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:18:37am

re: #76 baier

Opinion. And I’m not painting an entire group of people nuts or racist based off one silly poll.

Neither is anyone else here.

80 Charles Johnson  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:18:39am

re: #76 baier

Opinion. And I’m not painting an entire group of people nuts or racist based off one silly poll.

Apparently, you missed the last two years.

81 baier  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:18:54am

re: #74 wrenchwench

And #58 is taken out of context.

82 wrenchwench  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:19:04am

re: #76 baier

Opinion. And I’m not painting an entire group of people nuts or racist based off one silly poll.

Who is?

83 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:19:14am

Good for the goose, good for the gander: how ‘bout a bit of Trig Palin birtherism? Is he really Bristol’s baby?

[Link: www.salon.com…]

I don’t really buy any such theories, nor do I rightly care, but what the heck, if they wanna beat on that drum, let them beat back…

84 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:19:28am

re: #55 Shiplord Kirel

As things stand now, none of these GOP hopefuls have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the general UNLESS some unmitigated disaster overtakes the country and Obama can be blamed for it.
Essentially, they are betting on disaster.

I’ll tell you the truth. Even if Obama was personally responsible for a meteor strike from outer space, I would still trust him to deal with the aftermath more than some of these dudes.

This is not even because he’s a Democrat. I would say the same for McCain, or George Bush.

These people are not even bad politicians, or people I don’t agree with. They are just batshit crazy.

85 wrenchwench  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:20:32am

re: #81 baier

And #58 is taken out of context.

It’s in the same context as the rest: right there with a link to the comment in its natural environment for all to see.

86 Jaerik  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:20:38am

Looks like the supposed “worst President in history” is going to have one of the easiest re-elections in history.

Funny, that.

87 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:20:53am

re: #78 Alouette

My feet hurt really bad and I can’t get my pain meds refilled until Thursday.

Call your doctor. See if he can make an exception. It’s not like you ran out after 2 days.

88 PT Barnum  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:21:01am

re: #72 Alouette

Birfers are impervious to any kind of facts and logic. They are the home-grown equivalent of the “Israel is Apartheid” crowd.

anytime you see a poll stating what % of Repubs don’t believe Obama is a citizen,replace the word don’t with won’t for accuracy

89 brennant  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:21:14am

re: #86 Jaerik

Looks like the supposed “worst President in history” is going to have one of the easiest re-elections in history.

Funny, that.

Agreed. Totally agreed.

90 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:21:34am

re: #83 ralphieboy

Good for the goose, good for the gander: how ‘bout a bit of Trig Palin birtherism? Is he really Bristol’s baby?

[Link: www.salon.com…]

I don’t really buy any such theories, nor do I rightly care, but what the heck, if they wanna beat on that drum, let them beat back…

See, I can’t agree with that. It’s bad enough for people to go after Obama the grown (black) man. Going after a little kid because his mom is nuts it even worse.

91 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:22:06am

re: #87 Cannadian Club Akbar

Call your doctor. See if he can make an exception. It’s not like you ran out after 2 days.

I would if my doctor was Greg House.

92 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:22:11am

re: #71 Shiplord Kirel

We shall see. I don’t think it is too early in the context of this particular group of candidates. All of them are campaigning hard right now, and all are known quantities. A new candidate could emerge but without a drastic change in the base, in defiance of observed trends, a candidate with a good chance in the general cannot win the nomination.

Exactly in regard to this group of candidates.

Mitt has the potential to be the only grown-up in the room, but he won’t win by pissing off the base and telling them outright that Obama has nothing to hide, isn’t a socialist destorying the American Way Of Life or himself be realistic about things like Planned PArenthood and NPR. Mitt won’t be a grown up - in the campaign - he’ll be the quiet kid in the corner about all the shit thats flying in the corridor.

I don’t see anyone emerging past that pack of candidates - in the last cycle Obama came from no-where - up til the point he didn’t, he’d already headlined the previous Democratic convention.

93 Charles Johnson  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:22:59am
94 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:23:17am

re: #77 Cannadian Club Akbar

Romney already threw his hat in the ring.

Ah, yesterday - hadn’t seen the news.

95 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:23:37am
96 The Yankee  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:23:58am

re: #86 Jaerik

Looks like the supposed “worst President in history” is going to have one of the easiest re-elections in history.

Funny, that.

President Obama has had stupid luck when it comes to elections. Even with McCain comments about not knowing much about the economy and then the economic crash. All his opponents shoot them selves in the foot look up how he won the democrat domination and then beat the Republican for the Senate seat.

97 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:24:30am

re: #92 wozzablog

Exactly in regard to this group of candidates.

Mitt has the potential to be the only grown-up in the room, but he won’t win by pissing off the base and telling them outright that Obama has nothing to hide, isn’t a socialist destorying the American Way Of Life or himself be realistic about things like Planned PArenthood and NPR. Mitt won’t be a grown up - in the campaign - he’ll be the quiet kid in the corner about all the shit thats flying in the corridor.

I don’t see anyone emerging past that pack of candidates - in the last cycle Obama came from no-where - up til the point he didn’t, he’d already headlined the previous Democratic convention.

Mitt has the big problem of *actually* being a moderate, everything else he may claim notwithstanding. He’s not a ultra-conservative right winger and has never been one. He dad wasn’t one either. He’s trying to run on positions his history and his heart really don’t support.

98 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:26:05am

re: #96 The Yankee

President Obama has had stupid luck when it comes to elections. Even with McCain comments about not knowing much about the economy and then the economic crash. All his opponents shoot them selves in the foot look up how he won the democrat domination and then beat the Republican for the Senate seat.

IIRC, Obama ran against Jack Ryan who had to drop out because of a sex scandal and ended up running against Alan Keyes for the Senate seat.

99 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:26:49am

re: #97 Simply Sarah

Mitt has the big problem of *actually* being a moderate, everything else he may claim notwithstanding. He’s not a ultra-conservative right winger and has never been one. He dad wasn’t one either. He’s trying to run on positions his history and his heart really don’t support.

You know, his Dad is probably why Mitt hasn’t slipped to birtherism. His dad was actually born in Mexico City and all. I personally find Mitt very oppotunistic but I think this respect that would be a bridge too far for even him. I do agree that Mitt’s biggest handicap is actually being a moderate. His opponents will go after him for that. I think he’ll do well in the New England and Middle Atlantic states but I can’t see Mitt doing well in the south and midwest.

100 zora  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:27:38am

re: #83 ralphieboy

yeah, where is the birth certificate. i bet trig is kenyan. /

101 RogueOne  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:28:55am

re: #98 Cannadian Club Akbar

IIRC, Obama ran against Jack Ryan who had to drop out because of a sex scandal and ended up running against Alan Keyes for the Senate seat.

Worst sex scandal of all time. If I were sleeping with Jeri Ryan I’d want people to watch too//. Crap, I’d demand time on my local cable access show.

102 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:29:05am

re: #96 The Yankee

President Obama has had stupid luck when it comes to elections. Even with McCain comments about not knowing much about the economy and then the economic crash. All his opponents shoot them selves in the foot look up how he won the democrat domination and then beat the Republican for the Senate seat.

That’s just the way things work. GWB got lucky to run against the floorboard that was John Kerry. Carter had an accidental President to challenge. Nixon didn’t have to run against Bobby. Which isn’t to say the results may not have still been the same, but things certainly could have been different.

103 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:29:20am

re: #99 HappyWarrior

You know, his Dad is probably why Mitt hasn’t slipped to birtherism. His dad was actually born in Mexico City and all. I personally find Mitt very oppotunistic but I think this respect that would be a bridge too far for even him. I do agree that Mitt’s biggest handicap is actually being a moderate. His opponents will go after him for that. I think he’ll do well in the New England and Middle Atlantic states but I can’t see Mitt doing well in the south and midwest.

But if Mitt wins the nomination, voter in the south will have to pick between him and Obama. He can take Florida in a race and its 29 votes.

104 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:29:23am

re: #97 Simply Sarah

Mitt has the big problem of *actually* being a moderate, everything else he may claim notwithstanding. He’s not a ultra-conservative right winger and has never been one. He dad wasn’t one either. He’s trying to run on positions his history and his heart really don’t support.

Bingo.

McCain is the last moderate we’ll see getting through the presidential primaries for a while.

Democrats don’t have the same problem - Obama is a moderate - not a blue dog of a moon bat, but he got through primaries - Hilary the same made it to the final two, Biden and Richardson also fairly moderate within the democratic party.

The Republican list looks like five Kucinichs and Bill Richardson within a primary base of moonbats.

Romney can hope that the wingnut vote fractures and he becomes John Kerry mk2 i suppose.

105 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:30:02am

re: #98 Cannadian Club Akbar

IIRC, Obama ran against Jack Ryan who had to drop out because of a sex scandal and ended up running against Alan Keyes for the Senate seat.

Alan Keyes, the mother lode of crazy.

106 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:30:19am

re: #101 RogueOne

Worst sex scandal of all time. If I were sleeping with Jeri Ryan I’d want people to watch too//. Crap, I’d demand time on my local cable access show.

Actually, he was making her have sex with other women, IIRC. Or something like that.

107 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:31:28am

re: #104 wozzablog

Romney can hope that the wingnut vote fractures and he becomes John Kerry mk2 i suppose.

I’ve been predicting to myself that Mitt would be the nominee and be forced to choose a far-right teabagger as his running mate. Now I find myself wondering if that scenario just might be reversed o_O

108 hugh59  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:31:49am

I am a conservative Republican and I would vote for President Obama before I would vote for Donald Trump.

I hope that liberal Democrats to not emulate some of the foolish conservatives in the past who crossed party lines to vote for the worst member of the opposition party during the primaries. The wisest thing to do is make certain that a selfish, self centered fool like Trump never gets close to the nomination.

109 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:32:12am

re: #107 publicityStunted

I’ve been predicting to myself that Mitt would be the nominee and be forced to choose a far-right teabagger as his running mate. Now I find myself wondering if that scenario just might be reversed o_O

He will pick someone from the south for VP. Rubio comes to mind.

110 RogueOne  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:32:27am

re: #106 Cannadian Club Akbar

Actually, he was making her have sex with other women, IIRC. Or something like that.

Nah,
[Link: articles.cnn.com…]


The ex-wife of Jack Ryan, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Illinois, alleged in court papers filed in 2000 that he took her to sex clubs and asked her to engage in sexual activity in front of other patrons.
….
Jeri Ryan, who starred in the TV shows “Boston Public” and “Star Trek: Voyager,” also issued a conciliatory statement, saying that she now considers her ex-husband “a friend” and has “no doubt that he will make an excellent senator.”

While not addressing the sex club allegations directly in her statement, she said that “there was never any physical abuse in our marriage — either to myself or to our son — nor, to my knowledge, was he ever unfaithful to me.”

“Jack is a good man, a loving father, and he shares a strong bond with our son. I wish him all the best,” she said.

111 RogueOne  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:33:15am

re: #109 Cannadian Club Akbar

He will pick someone from the south for VP. Rubio comes to mind.

I thought Rubio has said he didn’t want it?

112 Charles Johnson  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:33:43am

I will be voting for Barack Obama in 2012. At this point, I seriously doubt that I’ll ever vote for a Republican again. The party is hopelessly corrupt, hopelessly anti-science, and completely controlled by religious fanatics.

113 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:33:54am

re: #111 RogueOne

I thought Rubio has said he didn’t want it?

Maybe, but then again, I don’t want a beer.

114 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:34:07am

re: #111 RogueOne

I thought Rubio has said he didn’t want it?

He might have said that, but I think it becomes a lot harder to turn down the offer should you actually be asked.

115 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:35:49am

re: #109 Cannadian Club Akbar

He will pick someone from the south for VP. Rubio comes to mind.

A Mormon & a Latino?.

I’m not sure the GOP is quite ready for that level of diversity on a ticket.

116 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:35:54am

re: #112 Charles

I will be voting for Barack Obama in 2012. At this point, I seriously doubt that I’ll ever vote for a Republican again. The party is hopelessly corrupt, hopelessly anti-science, and completely controlled by religious fanatics.

I feel mostly the same way, except I kinda hope that I’m young enough that it won’t have to be never.

117 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:36:24am

re: #115 wozzablog

A Mormon & a Latino?.

I’m not sure the GOP is quite ready for that level of diversity on a ticket.

Wait, wait! I think I’ve heard this one!

118 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:36:53am

re: #117 Simply Sarah

Wait, wait! I think I’ve heard this one!

Well, they can’t both walk into a bar……..

119 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:37:01am

re: #116 Simply Sarah

I feel mostly the same way, except I kinda hope that I’m young enough that it won’t have to be never.

So, you’re calling Charles old?
Is that a flounce?
///

120 hugh59  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:37:09am

re: #110 RogueOne

Nah,
[Link: articles.cnn.com…]

I think that Jeri Ryan later said that these claims, made by her attorneys during her divorce, were not true. There is a reason why divorce records are usually sealed.

As for Republicans being corrupt; both parties are filled with corrupt people. The federal government keeps spending more and more and wasting more and more.

121 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:37:15am

re: #115 wozzablog

A Mormon & a Latino?.

I’m not sure the GOP is quite ready for that level of diversity on a ticket.

A Latino? Are we sure he wasn’t born in Cuba?

/

122 Fozzie Bear  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:37:32am

re: #76 baier

Opinion. And I’m not painting an entire group of people nuts or racist based off one silly poll.

Nobody is. This is based on dozens of polls, a couple of electoral cycles, and large assortment of other events that were impossible to miss, unless you get all your news from Fox and Rush.

The majority of the GOP electorate is, at the moment, crazy. That’s why crazy people keep winning elections. They aren’t stealing the elections, and they aren’t being deceived into voting for people that pretend to be sane and then later turn out to not be. This is a national movement of nutbags who have taken over (i.e., are more than half of) the GOP.

Of course, it’s not like this is really “new”, per se, the GOP has always been massively racist, it’s just that the far right thinks it’s safe to openly speak their minds now. For the few decades following the civil rights movement, it was understood that you had to keep that kind of thing quiet, speak in coded language, and generally avoid taking off the mask all the way. Those days are over, and the darkness that never really went away is visible again.

123 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:38:04am

re: #121 JasonA

A Latino? Are we sure he wasn’t born in Cuba?

/

Only his parents were!!

124 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:38:05am

re: #121 JasonA

A Latino? Are we sure he wasn’t born in Cuba?

/

Cuba ain’t texas, ‘is all i know :p

125 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:38:10am

I think the GOP insiders have completely given up. They have no chance to win in 2012 and they know it. They are just sitting back and letting the crazy take over.

126 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:38:40am

I don’t know. I am not saying it’s exactly the same but Rubio will have as much statewide elected experiences as Palin did in 2008, I highly doubt that GOP vetters want to go down that row again. I think the VP will be an experienced senator or governor depending on the nomiene.

127 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:38:49am

re: #112 Charles

I will be voting for Barack Obama in 2012. At this point, I seriously doubt that I’ll ever vote for a Republican again. The party is hopelessly corrupt, hopelessly anti-science, and completely controlled by religious fanatics.

On that note, did you see this bit Gus posted earlier?

One of the hardest hit institutions is the Environmental Protection Agency, whose power Republicans have sought to curtail in recent years through a variety of legislative means. The agency will receive $1.6 billion less in funding than current levels, a 16 percent drop, including a $49 million reduction in climate change programs and $149 million cut to the Land and Water Conservation Fund…The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also saw a $142 million reduction in funding and is prohibited from creating a Climate Service

Stupid. Obscene. Vile.

further comments redacted out of respect for site posting policy

128 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:39:11am

re: #126 HappyWarrior

I don’t know. I am not saying it’s exactly the same but Rubio will have as much statewide elected experiences as Palin did in 2008, I highly doubt that GOP vetters want to go down that row again. I think the VP will be an experienced senator or governor depending on the nomiene.

Same experience as obama.

129 wrenchwench  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:40:01am

re: #120 hugh59

As for Republicans being corrupt; both parties are filled with corrupt people. The federal government keeps spending more and more and wasting more and more.

Magical Balance Fairy.

130 hugh59  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:40:03am

Insulting the opposition is useless. Most Republicans and not stupid, evil, or crazy. If you keep insulting them and refuse to understand them, you will end up missing out on the part of their message that is valuable.

131 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:40:08am

re: #125 Killgore Trout

I think the GOP insiders have completely given up. They have no chance to win in 2012 and they know it. They are just sitting back and letting the crazy take over.

It’ll take a couple of national cycles to be fully worked through the system - but people won’t be sure it’s better until the likes of Angle, Paladino and O’Donnell stop being nominated statewide.

132 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:40:20am

re: #119 Cannadian Club Akbar

So, you’re calling Charles old?
Is that a flounce?
///

I’m just saying that he’s not quite in his mid-20s anymore! Even that might not give me enough time.

133 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:40:20am

Trump Takes on the Koran (video)

Well, I’ll tell you what. The Koran is very interesting. A lot of people say it teaches love and there is a very big group of people who really understand the Koran far better than I do. I’m certainly not an expert, to put it mildly. But there’s something there that teaches some very negative vibe.

I mean things are happening, when you look at people blowing up all over the streets that are in some of the countries over in the Middle East, just blowing up a super market with not even soldiers, just people, when 250 people die in a super market that are shopping, where people die in a store or in a street. There’s a lot of hatred there that’s some place.

Now I don’t know if that’s from the Koran. I don’t know if that’s from some place else. But there’s tremendous hatred out there that I’ve never seen anything like it.

134 RogueOne  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:40:34am

re: #120 hugh59

I think that Jeri Ryan later said that these claims, made by her attorneys during her divorce, were not true. There is a reason why divorce records are usually sealed.

As for Republicans being corrupt; both parties are filled with corrupt people. The federal government keeps spending more and more and wasting more and more.

I wasn’t saying anyone was corrupt only that the ryan scandal was the worst sex scandal ever. I have a hard time reaching the “scandal” level when the accusation involves sex between spouses.

135 wrenchwench  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:40:57am

re: #130 hugh59

Insulting the opposition is useless. Most Republicans and not stupid, evil, or crazy. If you keep insulting them and refuse to understand them, you will end up missing out on the part of their message that is valuable.

Which part is that?

136 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:41:04am

re: #112 Charles

I can’t possibly support anyone who doesn’t acknowledge AGW and the clear danger it presents to the US.

Maybe Huntsman will descend in a cloud of glory and lift the veils from the eyes of GOP voters.

I doubt it. The propaganda has worked. The efforts of the anti-scientist brigade have paid off beyond their dreams.

137 The Yankee  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:41:46am

re: #112 Charles

I will be voting for Barack Obama in 2012. At this point, I seriously doubt that I’ll ever vote for a Republican again. The party is hopelessly corrupt, hopelessly anti-science, and completely controlled by religious fanatics.

I am voting Green Party (if they still exist) just because I like being different….

138 Fozzie Bear  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:42:12am

re: #130 hugh59

Insulting the opposition is useless. Most Republicans and not stupid, evil, or crazy. If you keep insulting them and refuse to understand them, you will end up missing out on the part of their message that is valuable.

Most republicans are voting for stupid, evil, and crazy, hence all the stupid, evil, and crazy republicans winning office. I suppose you could make an argument that they are just massively ignorant, but that’s about the best defense a rational person could muster for the GOP right now.

139 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:43:04am

re: #130 hugh59

Insulting the opposition is useless. Most Republicans and not stupid, evil, or crazy.

Most republicans are ill-informed, or something. Most Republicans don’t believe AGW is happening. Most Republicans are birthers.

I don’t find it useful to just use insults, but there is something very deeply wrong in the GOP voting population. I think it comes mostly from the right-wing propaganda that bombards them daily, but I can’t really absolve them from all responsibility, either.

140 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:43:05am

re: #128 Cannadian Club Akbar

Same experience as obama.

Fair point - but he lacks a zeitgeist and any sense that he has a set of numbers that will remotely come close to adding up RE: the budget (his own deficit reduction budget increased the projected debt by trillions).

141 hugh59  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:43:06am

re: #134 RogueOne

I wasn’t saying anyone was corrupt only that the ryan scandal was the worst sex scandal ever. I have a hard time reaching the “scandal” level when the accusation involves sex between spouses.

Actually, I was responding to a couple of comments, including yours. Sorry about that.

You wrote WAS the worst scandal? Is that a typo?

142 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:43:59am

re: #122 Fozzie Bear

Nobody is. This is based on dozens of polls, a couple of electoral cycles, and large assortment of other events that were impossible to miss, unless you get all your news from Fox and Rush.

The majority of the GOP electorate is, at the moment, crazy. That’s why crazy people keep winning elections. They aren’t stealing the elections, and they aren’t being deceived into voting for people that pretend to be sane and then later turn out to not be. This is a national movement of nutbags who have taken over (i.e., are more than half of) the GOP.

Of course, it’s not like this is really “new”, per se, the GOP has always been massively racist, it’s just that the far right thinks it’s safe to openly speak their minds now. For the few decades following the civil rights movement, it was understood that you had to keep that kind of thing quiet, speak in coded language, and generally avoid taking off the mask all the way. Those days are over, and the darkness that never really went away is visible again.

I’d be careful in saying things like “the GOP has always been massively racist”, since that’s not really true. Certainly, it has taken on a lot of the racists in the last few decades, but for a long time before the civil rights era, it was the Democratic Party that was full of the most hardcore racists.

143 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:45:16am

re: #133 Killgore Trout

Trump Takes on the Koran (video)

He should read one of those many bibles he’s collected and see if he can find the “negative vibe” in there…

144 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:45:53am

re: #143 JasonA

He should read one of those many bibles he’s collected and see if he can find the “negative vibe” in there…

At least he keeps them in a safe place.
/

145 RogueOne  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:45:59am

re: #141 hugh59

Actually, I was responding to a couple of comments, including yours. Sorry about that.

You wrote WAS the worst scandal? Is that a typo?

Probably. I meant worst as in “lamest”

146 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:46:11am

re: #142 Simply Sarah

I’d be careful in saying things like “the GOP has always been massively racist”, since that’s not really true. Certainly, it has taken on a lot of the racists in the last few decades, but for a long time before the civil rights era, it was the Democratic Party that was full of the most hardcore racists.

The Racist democrats of the South decame the racist Republicans of the South. LBJ wrote the memo on it.

147 hugh59  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:46:18am

I understand the liberal point of view well enough to convincingly make the arguments myself. I agree with many of them. However, I am doubtful of the ability of government to provide the services that many liberals want it to perform.

Trump, if elected president, would end up being an LBJ type of President…and old man in a hurry. He would probably be very liberal, but not in a wise way. He would become the worst kind of wasteful liberal.

148 hugh59  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:46:57am

re: #145 RogueOne

Probably. I meant worst as in “lamest”

If that is what you meant, I agree, it was probably the lamest scandal ever.

149 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:47:18am

re: #147 hugh59

There is no such thing as ‘the liberal point of view’.

Um, why do you think Trump would be ‘very liberal’, exactly?

150 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:48:08am

re: #147 hugh59

I understand the liberal point of view well enough to convincingly make the arguments myself. I agree with many of them. However, I am doubtful of the ability of government to provide the services that many liberals want it to perform.

Trump, if elected president, would end up being an LBJ type of President…and old man in a hurry. He would probably be very liberal, but not in a wise way. He would become the worst kind of wasteful liberal.

Trump would likely be socially liberal - but i fear for regulations on business and market oversight which i think would probably be shredded.

151 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:48:14am

re: #147 hugh59

I understand the liberal point of view well enough to convincingly make the arguments myself. I agree with many of them. However, I am doubtful of the ability of government to provide the services that many liberals want it to perform.

Trump, if elected president, would end up being an LBJ type of President…and old man in a hurry. He would probably be very liberal, but not in a wise way. He would become the worst kind of wasteful liberal.

I don’t think that Chump has given any thought as to what he would do if (G-D forbid) he was elected President. He has no plans other than to announce to Obama, “you’re fired!”

152 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:48:14am

GOP efforts in 2012 hinges first and foremost on the economy failing to recover. If high energy prices continue to sap growth and unemployment remains higher than the average seen in the past decade, then Obama is vulnerable.

Secondly, their efforts depend on the possibility of another major terror attack or the failure of the government to deal with a Katrina-type natural disaster.

As to Trump, he’s not above playing 3d rail and splitting the vote to enable Obama to win.

Mr. Trump’s candidacy would complicate matters for the GOP as it looks to front someone who can unite the fractious party and mount a serious challenge to President Obama’s reelection bid. A recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll recently found Mr. Trump tied for second place with former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee among likely voters in a GOP primary. Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who moved a step closer to formally declaring his own candidacy Monday, is still the frontrunner, though not by a wide margin.

“I think the Republicans are very concerned that I [may] run as an independent,” Mr. Trump said. His support is highest among the conservative wing of the party, not least because he is among the so-called “birthers” who doubt that President Obama in fact was born in the U.S. “It’s a very important issue,” Mr. Trump said of demanding that President Obama show his birth certificate, which has separately been reviewed by the media and deemed legitimate. “I’m not ashamed of having raised that issue.”

“I am very conservative,” said Mr. Trump. “The concern is if I don’t win [the GOP primary] will I run as an independent, and I think the answer is probably yes.” Mr. Trump said he thought he “could possibly win as an independent,” adding, “I’m not doing it for any other reason. I like winning.”

As for foreign policy, Mr. Trump said he is “only interested in Libya if we take the oil,” and that if he were President, “I would not leave Iraq and let Iran take over the oil.” He remains sharply critical of the Chinese, asserting that as President, “I would tell China that you’re either going to shape up, or I’m going to tax you at 25% for all the products you send into this country.”

It’s little wonder that Trump is spending so much time talking about Birtherism. He’s got no understanding of foreign policy, and for a businessman, he’s got incredibly stupid business sense.

153 Fozzie Bear  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:48:49am

re: #142 Simply Sarah

I’d be careful in saying things like “the GOP has always been massively racist”, since that’s not really true. Certainly, it has taken on a lot of the racists in the last few decades, but for a long time before the civil rights era, it was the Democratic Party that was full of the most hardcore racists.

Certainly, it is true that the DNC was once the more or less official party of institutionalized racism. That changed with the civil rights movement, and the racists realigned themselves with the political party that represented their views.

The problem isn’t the creation of either political party. The problem is simply that a large number of Americans, roughly a quarter to a third of the country, clings to a virulent mistrust and even hatred of minorities, and it drives the political process of any party that hints at providing them representation.

The GOP doesn’t keep reviving the southern strategy because they hate blacks or something, they do it because it is effective, and it wins elections. They do it because it works, and it works because there are huge numbers of people with whom it resonates.

154 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:49:36am

re: #139 Obdicut

Most republicans are ill-informed, or something. Most Republicans don’t believe AGW is happening. Most Republicans are birthers.

I don’t find it useful to just use insults, but there is something very deeply wrong in the GOP voting population. I think it comes mostly from the right-wing propaganda that bombards them daily, but I can’t really absolve them from all responsibility, either.

In North Korea and China, people are forced to put up with propaganda, and denied access to opposing viewpoints. Not so in America. Here, the brainwashing is entirely by choice.

Pathetic beyond words.

155 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:49:48am

re: #152 lawhawk

GOP efforts in 2012 hinges first and foremost on the economy failing to recover. If high energy prices continue to sap growth and unemployment remains higher than the average seen in the past decade, then Obama is vulnerable.

Secondly, their efforts depend on the possibility of another major terror attack or the failure of the government to deal with a Katrina-type natural disaster.

As to Trump, he’s not above playing 3d rail and splitting the vote to enable Obama to win.

It’s little wonder that Trump is spending so much time talking about Birtherism. He’s got no understanding of foreign policy, and for a businessman, he’s got incredibly stupid business sense.

For a business man, his business model was to throw a bunch of money at a project, if it succeeded, yay me, if not, declare bankruptcy.

156 Fozzie Bear  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:49:54am

re: #147 hugh59

I understand the liberal point of view well enough to convincingly make the arguments myself. I agree with many of them. However, I am doubtful of the ability of government to provide the services that many liberals want it to perform.

Trump, if elected president, would end up being an LBJ type of President…and old man in a hurry. He would probably be very liberal, but not in a wise way. He would become the worst kind of wasteful liberal.

I love how so many conservatives redefine liberal to mean whatever it is they don’t like. When the goalpost is on wheels, you can move it wherever you need it to be.

157 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:50:02am

re: #149 Obdicut

There is no such thing as ‘the liberal point of view’.

Um, why do you think Trump would be ‘very liberal’, exactly?

Disagree. See the food police to start. Trying to force others to adapt a certain diet, etc.

158 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:50:44am

re: #153 Fozzie Bear

Certainly, it is true that the DNC was once the more or less official party of institutionalized racism. That changed with the civil rights movement, and the racists realigned themselves with the political party that represented their views.

The problem isn’t the creation of either political party. The problem is simply that a large number of Americans, roughly a quarter to a third of the country, clings to a virulent mistrust and even hatred of minorities, and it drives the political process of any party that hints at providing them representation.

The GOP doesn’t keep reviving the southern strategy because they hate blacks or something, they do it because it is effective, and it wins elections. They do it because it works, and it works because there are huge numbers of people with whom it resonates.

Oh, I completely agree. I just think that it’s important not to tie racism to any one party due to that very reason. Even if you could shut down the GOP tomorrow, there would still be a ton of racists around looking to vote for whomever would listen to them.

159 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:51:27am

re: #151 Alouette

I don’t think that Chump has given any thought as to what he would do if (G-D forbid) he was elected President. He has no plans other than to announce to Obama, “you’re fired!”

Just when you think our politics can’t look any more like a TV show…

160 hugh59  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:51:30am

I have little respect for anyone who makes the “birther” argument. I have shocked some of my liberal friends when they see how firmly I argue with anyone who questions the President’s birth records.

Sorry, world travel was not easy in 1960. There is no way an 8 month plus pregnant woman was going to travel from Hawaii to Kenya. Maybe there are some irregularities with his birth records. But there are irregularities in many public records. Irregularities are not a sign of falsity or conspiracy.

161 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:51:38am

re: #157 Cannadian Club Akbar

Disagree. See the food police to start. Trying to force others to adapt a certain diet, etc.

That’s not ‘the liberal point of view’. That’s an authoritarian point of view.

162 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:51:51am

re: #152 lawhawk

GOP efforts in 2012 hinges first and foremost on the economy failing to recover. If high energy prices continue to sap growth and unemployment remains higher than the average seen in the past decade, then Obama is vulnerable.

Secondly, their efforts depend on the possibility of another major terror attack or the failure of the government to deal with a Katrina-type natural disaster.

As to Trump, he’s not above playing 3d rail and splitting the vote to enable Obama to win.

It’s little wonder that Trump is spending so much time talking about Birtherism. He’s got no understanding of foreign policy, and for a businessman, he’s got incredibly stupid business sense.

I’m pretty sure several states forbid someone from running as an independent if they try but fail to win a major party nomination.

163 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:52:22am

re: #157 Cannadian Club Akbar

Disagree. See the food police to start. Trying to force others to adapt a certain diet, etc.

A “certain diet” = one that doesn’t require massive healthcare spends over and above just about every other developed nation on the grounds of preventable diseases like heart problems and diabetes.

164 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:52:24am

re: #161 Obdicut

That’s not ‘the liberal point of view’. That’s an authoritarian point of view.

Pushed by liberals.

165 RogueOne  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:52:35am

re: #152 lawhawk

I wonder if he’s just flapping his gums or if he’s really willing to waste millions running and losing as an independent. Are campaign ads tax deductible?

166 okonkolo  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:52:57am

I can’t believe Trump will open his finances for scrutiny to declare candidacy. He doing what he always does, selling himself and his brand, stoking his ego, talking and posturing about making a run (which he’s done before), getting millions of dollars of free publicity and playing the public for suckers. He’s got so much public history for the pickings he’d be a huge target as well. But again, if he exits after having pushed the crazy to crazier levels, other candidates will be left holding that position in the spotlight.

This also shows just how unappealing the current GOP choices are. when polls compare Obama to a generic republican candidate, that candidate does well. When they compare Obama to specific candidates, generally Obama wins.

The only silver lining with Trump’s rise is knowing that it must be killing Newt who thought he had staked out the birther/serious territory.

167 recusancy  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:53:09am

re: #83 ralphieboy

Good for the goose, good for the gander: how ‘bout a bit of Trig Palin birtherism? Is he really Bristol’s baby?

[Link: www.salon.com…]

I don’t really buy any such theories, nor do I rightly care, but what the heck, if they wanna beat on that drum, let them beat back…

Don’t hold the left responsible for the rants of one British conservative nut.

168 Cannadian Club Akbar  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:54:15am

re: #163 wozzablog

A “certain diet” = one that doesn’t require massive healthcare spends over and above just about every other developed nation on the grounds of preventable diseases like heart problems and diabetes.

The gubment has no place in my kitchen.

169 hugh59  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:54:40am

re: #156 Fozzie Bear

I love how so many conservatives redefine liberal to mean whatever it is they don’t like. When the goalpost is on wheels, you can move it wherever you need it to be.

Except that I do not define “liberal” to mean “that which I don’t like.” I agree with many liberal positions. I support many liberal goals. Guess what, so do a lot of conservatives. And, I find that many liberals agree with many conservative positions. I think many of you would be surprised just how close American conservatives and liberals are to one another. Problem is, the two sides assume the worst about each other and don’t try to seriously understand each other.

170 recusancy  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:55:07am

re: #157 Cannadian Club Akbar

Disagree. See the food police to start. Trying to force others to adapt a certain diet, etc.

huh???

171 Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:55:12am

re: #164 Cannadian Club Akbar

Pushed by liberals.

Okay. Not by all liberals, by any means. So that is exactly what I mean. It is not ‘the liberal point of view’. It is a point of view held by some liberals.

172 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:55:35am

re: #168 Cannadian Club Akbar

The gubment has no place in my kitchen.

They aren’t in your kitchen - afaik - apart from drinking water regulations and safe growing for fruits and vegetables.

173 Fozzie Bear  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:57:10am

re: #168 Cannadian Club Akbar

The gubment has no place in my kitchen.

The government has a huge role to play in the supply chain that feeds our hundreds of millions of people.re: #172 wozzablog

They aren’t in your kitchen - afaik - apart from drinking water regulations and safe growing for fruits and vegetables.

They can pry my acute case of mercury poisoning from my cold, dead hands. /

174 wrenchwench  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:57:57am

re: #169 hugh59

Problem is, the two sides assume the worst about each other and don’t try to seriously understand each other.

I tried. Nothing happened.

175 William Barnett-Lewis  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:58:49am

re: #112 Charles

I will be voting for Barack Obama in 2012. At this point, I seriously doubt that I’ll ever vote for a Republican again. The party is hopelessly corrupt, hopelessly anti-science, and completely controlled by religious fanatics.

I can dig it. I’ll probably vote for whoever the candidate run by the Socialist Party is though. I’ll enjoy telling the Republicans I run into that I voted for the real socialist :) I really doubt I’ll need to worry about wasting my vote this time.

176 recusancy  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:58:52am

re: #171 Obdicut

Okay. Not by all liberals, by any means. So that is exactly what I mean. It is not ‘the liberal point of view’. It is a point of view held by some liberals.

I’m a liberal and my point of view is that the Tigers should win the world series. I don’t want a law demanding it happen though. My point of view is that people should eat well and eat less meat. I also don’t think there should be a law demanding it. It seems a lot of conservatives can’t decipher the nuance in those statements.

177 Four More Tears  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 10:59:44am

Little did we know that the men in the black helicopters were coming to take our mayonnaise away from us.

178 jamesfirecat  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:03:55am

re: #147 hugh59

I understand the liberal point of view well enough to convincingly make the arguments myself. I agree with many of them. However, I am doubtful of the ability of government to provide the services that many liberals want it to perform.

Trump, if elected president, would end up being an LBJ type of President…and old man in a hurry. He would probably be very liberal, but not in a wise way. He would become the worst kind of wasteful liberal.

LBJ for all his faults got the civil rights amendment passed.

What could/would Trump do that would be equally valuable for America?

179 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:05:00am

re: #178 jamesfirecat

LBJ for all his faults got the civil rights amendment passed.

What could/would Trump do that would be equally valuable for America?

YEah, but seriously - how can you even measure the CRA on the Nielson scale?

180 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:05:39am

re: #83 ralphieboy

Good for the goose, good for the gander: how ‘bout a bit of Trig Palin birtherism? Is he really Bristol’s baby?

[Link: www.salon.com…]

I don’t really buy any such theories, nor do I rightly care, but what the heck, if they wanna beat on that drum, let them beat back…

You won’t catch me giving any approval to such crap. It’s moronic.

Hey, folks:

1. NONE OF OUR BUSINESS.

2. Consider a girl in her teens and woman in her forties. Which of them is more likely to have a baby with Down syndrome? If you don’t know, please take a correspondence course in basic reproductive biology and get back to me.

3. NONE OF OUR GODDAMN BUSINESS.

4. Is it really so amazing to think that a woman with four children might have a fifth that a conspiracy theory must be created around it?

5. DID I MENTION THAT IT’S NONE OF OUR FUCKING BUSINESS?

6. Unless you have reason to think that Trig Palin was stolen from outside the A&P in Wasilla, and his parents are frantically searching for him, just shut up.

That said, I haven’t noticed any major contenders for elected office carrying on like that. If you do, please let me know so I can scratch them off my ‘votable’ list.

181 windsword  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:08:20am

Something weird I picked up from the CNN poll: [Link: i2.cdn.turner.com…]

On page 5 and 6, they break down who voted for who by demographic, and it seems to suggest the people who support Trump are not who you think they’d be.

In general 19% want Trump to win. However:
Southerners (18%) and Tea Party Supporters (17%) are LESS Likely to support Trump. But the weirdest comes from the ideologies section. Independents are MUCH more likely to support Trump (24%) than Republicans (15%) and conservatives (18%). (As for what Independents are doing on a survey of Republicans, your guess is as good as mine)

As crazy as it sounds, it seems like Trump is actually more popular among moderate Republicans than far-right ones. Of course, anyway you spin it, you still end up with almost a fifth of Republicans saying they’ll vote for Trump.

182 Petero1818  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:08:32am

Trump and Palin are cut from the same cloth. They are media and publicity whores who are using the GOP primary process and the run up to it to push their own pocketbook agendas. I don’t believe either has any intention of running. In the case of Trump I don’t believe he ever did. In the case of Palin, I don’t believe she has seriously contemplated it since before her television show. She would never have done the show otherwise. The political system will be further tarnished by this overt misuse of the process. Palin and Trump are forever richer for it, the rest of America is certainly poorer for it, and the GOP I think has lost most of its credibility for being along for the ride.

183 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:08:40am

re: #130 hugh59

Insulting the opposition is useless. Most Republicans and not stupid, evil, or crazy. If you keep insulting them and refuse to understand them, you will end up missing out on the part of their message that is valuable.

At this point, I have to tell you, the part of the message that is valuable is being drowned out by the screaming insanity.

184 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:09:58am

re: #143 JasonA

He should read one of those many bibles he’s collected and see if he can find the “negative vibe” in there…

Don’t make me pull out my list of reasons why the words of the text only matter in one case and not the other.

//

185 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:11:10am

re: #157 Cannadian Club Akbar

Disagree. See the food police to start. Trying to force others to adapt a certain diet, etc.

You think that the liberal point of view is to make others eat in a certain way?

Interesting.

186 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:12:11am

re: #170 recusancy

huh???

Something about salt in NYC.

187 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:13:46am

re: #186 SanFranciscoZionist

Something about salt in NYC.

A city wide trans-fats ban if i remember.

188 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:14:00am

re: #187 wozzablog

A city wide trans-fats ban if i remember.

Did it pass?

189 Robert O.  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:17:38am

I am surprised more people haven’t thrown their names into the GOP hat for President. The criteria are so simple:

- Say out loud Barack *HUSSEIN* Obama was not born in the US
- Repeat Barack *HUSSEIN* Obama is a socialist / communist / closet Muslim whose intent is to destroy America
- Publicly flaunt your Christian faith; you could be a complete hypocrite but it doesn’t matter because it is all for show, see the Pharisees etc.
- Pledge to cut taxes
- Pledge to end abortion
- Pledge you are in favor of free-for-all gun rights with absolutely no restrictions
- Deny global warming as a hoax and a socialist conspiracy
- Deny evolution and pledge to introduce creationism in the curriculum
- Pledge to repealing DADT, and say you are against gay marriages and gay lifestyles
- Keep talking about the deficit, but don’t let anyone ask you whether you have a credible plan for reducing it
- Bash unions

It is so easy! I could be a Republican!

190 Wozza Matter?  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:18:46am

re: #188 SanFranciscoZionist

Did it pass?

BOARD OF HEALTH VOTES TO PHASE OUT ARTIFICIAL TRANS FAT FROM NEW YORK CITY’S RESTAURANTS

Health Department Facilitates Restaurant Implementation, Ensures Phased Removal of Artificial Trans Fat from Restaurants by July 1, 2008

[Link: www.nyc.gov…]

191 blueraven  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:23:34am

re: #96 The Yankee

President Obama has had stupid luck when it comes to elections. Even with McCain comments about not knowing much about the economy and then the economic crash. All his opponents shoot them selves in the foot look up how he won the democrat domination and then beat the Republican for the Senate seat.

Right…and that really long, hard fought, Democratic party nomination battle against Hillary that went down to the wire. That was all luck too I suppose.

192 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:29:20am

re: #167 recusancy

Don’t hold the left responsible for the rants of one British conservative nut.


I am not. Nor do I really care who the kid’s mother is. I am just mildly amused that the same mindless vitriol is spewing back in her face

193 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 11:41:54am

re: #101 RogueOne

Worst sex scandal of all time. If I were sleeping with Jeri Ryan I’d want people to watch too//. Crap, I’d demand time on my local cable access show.

Forwarded on to @JerryLRyan for your convenience.

Not really. Yet.

194 leftynyc  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 12:27:49pm

re: #18 Varek Raith

I think the only chance for the GOP to cleanse itself of the crazy is to hit rock bottom and spend some time in the political wilderness.
Even then, I’m not too sure it’ll figure it out…

Nah - everytime they lose they claim it’s because they weren’t conservative enough. There is no reasoning with them.

195 leftynyc  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 12:39:45pm

re: #78 Alouette

My feet hurt really bad and I can’t get my pain meds refilled until Thursday.

You should call your doctor. He/She probably doesn’t think it’s a good idea for you to be in pain for the next few days.

196 simoom  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 3:00:05pm

re: #93 Charles

OK, so let’s take a look at a few other recent polls:

One more, from today:
[Link: politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com…]
[Link: i2.cdn.turner.com…]

When asked the reason behind the Civil War, whether it was fought over slavery or states’ rights, 52 percent of all Americas said the leaders of the Confederacy seceded to keep slavery legal in their state, but a sizeable 42 percent minority said slavery was not the main reason why those states seceded.

“The results of that question show that there are still racial, political and geographic divisions over the Civil War that still exists a century and a half later,” CNN Polling Director Holland Keating said.

When broken down by political party, most Democrats said southern states seceded over slavery, independents were split and most Republicans said slavery was not the main reason that Confederate states left the Union.

Republicans were also most likely to say they admired the leaders of the southern states during the Civil War, with eight in 10 Republicans expressing admiration for the leaders in the South, virtually identical to the 79 percent of Republicans who admired the northern leaders during the Civil War.

197 Rabbitrunner  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 7:16:41pm

You’d think he would play the middle and split off as many Dems as possible. But if this is the best he can come up with, screw him. I never, ever liked the man and now even less

198 RabbitRunner  Tue, Apr 12, 2011 8:34:20pm

re: #196 simoom

You’d think the Republicans would be totally down on the South and know slavery was the root issue, I mean why was the GOP formed to begin with?
Yet they are the same types who trudge out the old Dixiecrat history lesson when they start to pretend they are the party of liberty.


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