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What if Trump had run and won as a Democrat (not as crazy an idea as it sounds)
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:31 pm
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:31 pm
Not long ago, the writer Peter Beinart offered an interesting idea about our 45th president: “Someone should write a novel in which he runs and wins as a Democrat.” Underpinning this suggestion, of course, is the highly probable possibility that at one point or another the ideologically ambidextrous Donald Trump contemplated just such a scenario.
It’s a fascinating thought experiment: Could Trump have done to the Democrats in 2016 what he did to the Republicans? Why not? There, too, he would have challenged an overconfident, message-challenged establishment candidate (Hillary Clinton instead of Jeb Bush) and with an even smaller number of other competitors to dispatch. One could easily see him doing as well or better than Bernie Sanders—surprising Clinton in the Iowa caucuses, winning the New Hampshire primaries, and on and on. More to the point, many of Trump’s views—skepticism on trade, sympathetic to Planned Parenthood, opposition to the Iraq war, a focus on blue-collar workers in Rust Belt America—seemed to gel as well, if not better, with blue-state America than red. Think the Democrats wouldn’t tolerate misogynist rhetoric and boorish behavior from their leaders? Well, then you’ve forgotten about Woodrow Wilson and John F. Kennedy and LBJ and the last President Clinton.
There are, as with every what-if scenario, some flaws. Democrats would have deeply resented Trump’s ‘birther’ questioning of Barack Obama’s origins, and would have been highly skeptical of the former reality TV star’s political bona fides even if he hadn’t made a sharp turn to the right as he explored a presidential bid in the run up to the 2012 election. His comments on women and minorities would have exposed him to withering scrutiny among the left’s army of advocacy groups. Liberal donors would likely have banded together to strangle his candidacy in its cradle—if they weren’t laughing him off. But Republican elites tried both of these strategies in 2015, as well, and it manifestly didn’t work. What’s more, Trump did once hold a passel of progressive stances—and he had friendships all over the political map. As Bloomberg’s Josh Green notes, in his Apprentice days, Trump was even wildly popular among minorities. It’s not entirely crazy to imagine him outflanking a coronation-minded Hillary Clinton on the left and blitzing a weak Democratic field like General Sherman marching through Georgia. And besides, it’s fun to think about.
So how, in fact, might history have changed if Trump descended that infamous golden escalator and declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination? And how would it be (depressingly) the same? Below: a guess at some of key moments from the first six months of the presidency of Donald J. Trump, Democrat:
January 20, 2017
In a star-studded celebrity Inauguration, where attendees include Cher, Madonna, Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres, President Trump offers stirring praise to his predecessors. “We are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They have been magnificent,” he says—and with rhetoric that seem squarely aimed at the Republican leadership, slams “a small group in our nation’s capital that has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.” Republicans criticize the speech for its “angry, bitter tone.” Former President George W. Bush is heard remarking, “That was some weird shite,” a comment that MSNBC’s Chris Matthews calls “outrageous” and “disrespectful.”..........
LINK
It’s a fascinating thought experiment: Could Trump have done to the Democrats in 2016 what he did to the Republicans? Why not? There, too, he would have challenged an overconfident, message-challenged establishment candidate (Hillary Clinton instead of Jeb Bush) and with an even smaller number of other competitors to dispatch. One could easily see him doing as well or better than Bernie Sanders—surprising Clinton in the Iowa caucuses, winning the New Hampshire primaries, and on and on. More to the point, many of Trump’s views—skepticism on trade, sympathetic to Planned Parenthood, opposition to the Iraq war, a focus on blue-collar workers in Rust Belt America—seemed to gel as well, if not better, with blue-state America than red. Think the Democrats wouldn’t tolerate misogynist rhetoric and boorish behavior from their leaders? Well, then you’ve forgotten about Woodrow Wilson and John F. Kennedy and LBJ and the last President Clinton.
There are, as with every what-if scenario, some flaws. Democrats would have deeply resented Trump’s ‘birther’ questioning of Barack Obama’s origins, and would have been highly skeptical of the former reality TV star’s political bona fides even if he hadn’t made a sharp turn to the right as he explored a presidential bid in the run up to the 2012 election. His comments on women and minorities would have exposed him to withering scrutiny among the left’s army of advocacy groups. Liberal donors would likely have banded together to strangle his candidacy in its cradle—if they weren’t laughing him off. But Republican elites tried both of these strategies in 2015, as well, and it manifestly didn’t work. What’s more, Trump did once hold a passel of progressive stances—and he had friendships all over the political map. As Bloomberg’s Josh Green notes, in his Apprentice days, Trump was even wildly popular among minorities. It’s not entirely crazy to imagine him outflanking a coronation-minded Hillary Clinton on the left and blitzing a weak Democratic field like General Sherman marching through Georgia. And besides, it’s fun to think about.
So how, in fact, might history have changed if Trump descended that infamous golden escalator and declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination? And how would it be (depressingly) the same? Below: a guess at some of key moments from the first six months of the presidency of Donald J. Trump, Democrat:
January 20, 2017
In a star-studded celebrity Inauguration, where attendees include Cher, Madonna, Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres, President Trump offers stirring praise to his predecessors. “We are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They have been magnificent,” he says—and with rhetoric that seem squarely aimed at the Republican leadership, slams “a small group in our nation’s capital that has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.” Republicans criticize the speech for its “angry, bitter tone.” Former President George W. Bush is heard remarking, “That was some weird shite,” a comment that MSNBC’s Chris Matthews calls “outrageous” and “disrespectful.”..........
LINK
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:33 pm to Eurocat
quote:
(Hillary Clinton instead of Jeb Bush)
All that dies right here. Not at all in the same orbit.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:34 pm to Eurocat
Trump is not ideological, but, the Democratic Party has jettisoned decency and rationality. That's why Trump couldn't run as one -- he's a rational man and a decent one.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:34 pm to Eurocat
quote:
What if Trump had run and won as a Democrat (not as crazy an idea as it sounds)
It's absolutely not crazy.
That's why watching the left portray him as somewhere to the right of every human that has ever lived is comical.
It's pretty much lock solid proof that all of the rhetoric for the last 30 years about how they would consider Republicans if only they would nominate people who were more "moderate" was so much bull shite.
These people propped up McCain as a moderate........right up until he got nominated.
Then, they ran around calling Romney a moderate.......right up until he got nominated.
Then, Repubs nominate someone that actually IS even more left than both of those guys and, the left loses its collective shite.
No one over the age of 30 believes that shite AT ALL anymore.
This post was edited on 7/8/17 at 6:35 pm
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:35 pm to Eurocat
Eurocat, didn't read, voted down
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:36 pm to ShortyRob
^
|
What Shorty Rob says up there.
|
What Shorty Rob says up there.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:37 pm to ShortyRob
quote:
That's why watching the left portray him as somewhere to the right of every human that has ever lived is comical.
It's pretty much lock solid proof that all of the rhetoric for the last 30 years about how they would consider Republicans if only they would nominate people who were more "moderate" was so much bull shite.
These people propped up McCain as a moderate........right up until he got nominated.
Then, they ran around calling Romney a moderate.......right up until he got nominated.
Then, Repubs nominate someone that actually IS even more left than both of those guys and, the left loses its collective shite.
No one over the age of 30 believes that shite AT ALL anymore.
It's why Toddy is such a shitty poster. Trump is the most pro gay GOP candidate ever. He is more pro gay than Obama or Hillary were
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:37 pm to Eurocat
quote:
What if Trump had run and won as a Democrat
Eorocrat dreams...
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:38 pm to Champagne
quote:
What Shorty Rob says up there.
Thanks.
I mean, all you can do now when some liberal tells you that Republicans "keep nominating radical right wingers" is laugh in their face.
Republicans haven't nominated a radical right winger in my adult lifetime and their last three nominees have been barely conservative at all in the grand scheme of things.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:39 pm to Wild Thang
quote:Trump is the first guy to ENTER office openly gay marriage which might seem opportunistic except he's ALWAYS been gay friendly.
It's why Toddy is such a shitty poster. Trump is the most pro gay GOP candidate ever. He is more pro gay than Obama or Hillary were
You'd be hard pressed to find another 72 year old non-gay politician on either side who has a longer record of being fine with the gay community.
It's really hilarious.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:40 pm to Eurocat
After his "birther" thing with Obama he had no chance.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:41 pm to Eurocat
The DNC nomination process' use of superdelegates would've severely wounded his chances. And the large field of GOP candidates definitely helped Trump win - he was one of the few candidates that stood out in anyway with the rest splitting votes. He was able to win or place highly in early primaries with relatively small numbers of votes.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:42 pm to Champagne
quote:
Trump is not ideological, but, the Democratic Party has jettisoned decency and rationality. That's why Trump couldn't run as one -- he's a rational man and a decent one.
Not sure he's as principled as you think he is, but I agree that he wouldn't fall in line and support the DEMe sjw issues lockstep.
Dissent is not tolerated.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:42 pm to Eurocat
I mean, it's sort of an interesting question. I'm gonna have to contemplate whether or not it's too fanciful to warrant a response, but I won't slam you from the getgo for throwing it out there.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:42 pm to Eurocat
What if we just gave Eastern Europe to Putin....
What if...
What if...
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:44 pm to Y.A. Tittle
Hell, have an upvote while I ponder it.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:44 pm to ShortyRob
quote:
Trump is the first guy to ENTER office openly gay marriage which might seem opportunistic except he's ALWAYS been gay friendly.
You'd be hard pressed to find another 72 year old non-gay politician on either side who has a longer record of being fine with the gay community.
It's really hilarious.
Exactly.
These liberal groups have lost their minds. It is astonishing to see.
It will be an amazing 8 years
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:46 pm to Y.A. Tittle
Well thank you sir!
This post was edited on 7/8/17 at 6:48 pm
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:47 pm to Eurocat
Whats really going to blow your mind is that if Trump ran as a Democrat, he would have won Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and North Carolina in addition to every Liberal leaning state in the country.
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