DONALD TRUMP at CPAC? Contender for President?

[8537]

Why do you think he would go for a trade war? Is there no merit in his opinion that we currently are getting the short end of the stick when it comes to trade policy?

There is no merit to that opinion. The idea that the US - the largest, most diverse, most prosperous economy in the world - would sign an agreement that gets us the short end of a trade deal is ludicrous.

If we sign a trade agreement, it's because we're damn sure it will benefit us.

Let me play devil's advocate here a bit.

If we sign a trade agreement, is it because we're damn sure it will benefit us? Or is it because somebody THOUGHT it MIGHT benefit us?

Our economists are smarter than their economists.

Or is it just the best the negotiators were able to get?

Negotiators wouldn't sign an agreement if "the best we were able to get" makes us worse off.

Or is it so the politicians could brag they did something even though they knew it wasn't as good as they tell us it is?

That's actually an interesting thought. I'm sure some politics influences certain aspects of any deal, but the deals themselves are crafted by bureaucrats, not politicians.

For instance, do you think NAFTA has been a really good deal for the USA? Do you favor expanding it?

I think NAFTA has done more good than harm. We're better off with NAFTA than we would be without it. That doesn't excuse its deficiencies - and NAFTA is not a "free trade agreement" in any reasonable sense. It's a very complex set of rules to establish very un-free, restricted trade among three players.

Do you trust the politicians to always do what is right for us?

no.

 

[Foxfyre]

I have to unhappily agree: I don't think Trump could stand in front of a hostile, or even a critical audience.

If you watch that video though, he was getting a mostly hostile reception when he took on Ron Paul. But he didn't flinch. He moved right through that and soon had the entire audience applauding and cheering. You may be right as I have not seen him in front of a 'hostile' audience. But I wouldn't sell him short in the assumption that he couldn't handle it. He has certainly generated a lot of hostile press over his career and it just didn't seem to slow him down.

He basically said Ron Paul wouldn't be as good a candidate as himself, and the crowd applauded him.

You could be right: He may be able to endure a hostile audience without his head vaporizing into a pink cloud.....either way I'd like to see it.

No, he flat out said Ron Paul couldn't win. Ron Paul consistently scores very high at CPAC--he won the straw poll last year. And Trump did not get a friendly reception with that line. But he won over the crowd anyway.

And I wouldn't rule out Ron Paul being his choice for running mate.

 

[Sallow]

Donald Trump?

He'd be as good as George W. Bush at losing other people's money while make a tidy profit for himself.

The Conservative mantra: Do unto others. Then split.

 

[Foxfyre]

Setting aside the less-than-constructive ad hominem for a bit, Sallow, what money belonging to others has Trump lost?

 

[Samson]

Setting aside the less-than-constructive ad hominem for a bit, Sallow, what money belonging to others has Trump lost?

You're asking for an awful lot, Foxfyre: Objectivity?

 

[Sallow]

Setting aside the less-than-constructive ad hominem for a bit, Sallow, what money belonging to others has Trump lost?

You live where?

Trump sets up all sorts of investment vehicles and buys outfits like casinos and the like. They are constantly going bankrupt. He also buys New York Landmarks like the Plaza or Wohlman ring, completely destroys them in terms of asthetics and puts his name on them.

He's a self centered shyster.

 

[Foxfyre]

Setting aside the less-than-constructive ad hominem for a bit, Sallow, what money belonging to others has Trump lost?

You're asking for an awful lot, Foxfyre: Objectivity?

Perhaps. But taking a cue from the Trump playbook, he has amassed great fortunes by bringing out and expecting the best from people. He has stumbled along the way - a couple of Chapter 13 bankruptcies to reorganize - but he subsequently paid every dime he owed to anybody and rebuilt his fortunes.

You gotta at least appreciate a guy who knows how to get things done. If he is as good as his speech, I can see a real love/hate presidency similar to what Ronald Reagan had. People either loved Reagan or hated him. There was little middle ground there.

 

[Samson]

Setting aside the less-than-constructive ad hominem for a bit, Sallow, what money belonging to others has Trump lost?

You're asking for an awful lot, Foxfyre: Objectivity?

Perhaps. But taking a cue from the Trump playbook, he has amassed great fortunes by bringing out and expecting the best from people. He has stumbled along the way - a couple of Chapter 13 bankruptcies to reorganize - but he subsequently paid every dime he owed to anybody and rebuilt his fortunes.

You gotta at least appreciate a guy who knows how to get things done. If he is as good as his speech, I can see a real love/hate presidency similar to what Ronald Reagan had. People either loved Reagan or hated him. There was little middle ground there.

He'd make a good Governor of CA, or NY....then if he could clean up their Administrative Nightmares, I think he'd be a successful candidate for President....Hell, even Obama spent a couple of years in the US Senate (apparenetly the minimum standard).

 

[Foxfyre]

Setting aside the less-than-constructive ad hominem for a bit, Sallow, what money belonging to others has Trump lost?

You live where?

Trump sets up all sorts of investment vehicles and buys outfits like casinos and the like. They are constantly going bankrupt. He also buys New York Landmarks like the Plaza or Wohlman ring, completely destroys them in terms of asthetics and puts his name on them.

He's a self centered shyster.

I accept that as your opinion. Is it based on anything of substance you can point to? Or is it just opinion?

 

[whitehall]

LGS, I agree he hit on some themes a lot of us have been really hungering to hear. And I was interested in how quickly he hooked the CPAC crowd even after sort of dissing (in a friendly way) their #1 darling, Ron Paul. Not sure how the straw poll will turn out but I bet he gets votes.

Whitehall, I know about the baggage, but this is Trump. He's already been through the wringer and then some on negative publicity and he keeps climbing back to the top. His ex wives all seem to respect him and speak well of him. His kids obviously adore him. I think he might be one that could effectively give as good as he gets and might not be so vulnerable to the negatives. I don't know.

Oddball, I didn't hear any Smoot Hawley in the speech, but splain please.

Who knows if Trump "keeps climbing back to the top"? He is a pop-celebrity. That's a lot different from running for the highest office in the land. Once the dirty campaigning starts Trump will be toast. When you see lefties promote Trump watch out. They would rather have a weak candidate than a strong politician.

 

[Foxfyre]

You're asking for an awful lot, Foxfyre: Objectivity?

Perhaps. But taking a cue from the Trump playbook, he has amassed great fortunes by bringing out and expecting the best from people. He has stumbled along the way - a couple of Chapter 13 bankruptcies to reorganize - but he subsequently paid every dime he owed to anybody and rebuilt his fortunes.

You gotta at least appreciate a guy who knows how to get things done. If he is as good as his speech, I can see a real love/hate presidency similar to what Ronald Reagan had. People either loved Reagan or hated him. There was little middle ground there.

He'd make a good Governor of CA, or NY....then if he could clean up their Administrative Nightmares, I think he'd be a successful candidate for President....Hell, even Obama spent a couple of years in the US Senate (apparenetly the minimum standard).

Here I think you do have a point that should be seriously considered. Is running a multi-billion dollar financial empire the equivalent of running a state government or serving in a national elected office? Does it require the same skill sets? Knowhow. Inside information? Knowledge of international issues and relationships?

 

[Samson]

Perhaps. But taking a cue from the Trump playbook, he has amassed great fortunes by bringing out and expecting the best from people. He has stumbled along the way - a couple of Chapter 13 bankruptcies to reorganize - but he subsequently paid every dime he owed to anybody and rebuilt his fortunes.

You gotta at least appreciate a guy who knows how to get things done. If he is as good as his speech, I can see a real love/hate presidency similar to what Ronald Reagan had. People either loved Reagan or hated him. There was little middle ground there.

He'd make a good Governor of CA, or NY....then if he could clean up their Administrative Nightmares, I think he'd be a successful candidate for President....Hell, even Obama spent a couple of years in the US Senate (apparenetly the minimum standard).

Here I think you do have a point that should be seriously considered. Is running a multi-billion dollar financial empire the equivalent of running a state government or serving in a national elected office? Does it require the same skill sets? Knowhow. Inside information? Knowledge of international issues and relationships?

I think you answered your own question:

Empire =/= US Government

 

[Sallow]

Setting aside the less-than-constructive ad hominem for a bit, Sallow, what money belonging to others has Trump lost?

You live where?

Trump sets up all sorts of investment vehicles and buys outfits like casinos and the like. They are constantly going bankrupt. He also buys New York Landmarks like the Plaza or Wohlman ring, completely destroys them in terms of asthetics and puts his name on them.

He's a self centered shyster.

I accept that as your opinion. Is it based on anything of substance you can point to? Or is it just opinion?

Sorry?

Google works for you.

Trump inherited his money..he didn't make it. He's used his name to invest in properties in the tri-state area. I first became acquainted with the name as a mover. He used to buy buildings...kick out the tenants, who were up to date on paying rent, and turn them co-op or condo. He did this by constantly harrassing the people living there. Over and over again he would do stuff like ask for records of rent from some obscure month several years in the past.

But his bankrupcies are well known. And if you like the glitzy gold, white and red styles that he adorned the Plaza in..then heck..maybe it's just your speed..I dunno.

I generally look upon people putting their names on each and every one of their properties with a little disdain.

 

[Foxfyre]

You live where?

Trump sets up all sorts of investment vehicles and buys outfits like casinos and the like. They are constantly going bankrupt. He also buys New York Landmarks like the Plaza or Wohlman ring, completely destroys them in terms of asthetics and puts his name on them.

He's a self centered shyster.

I accept that as your opinion. Is it based on anything of substance you can point to? Or is it just opinion?

Sorry?

Google works for you.

Trump inherited his money..he didn't make it. He's used his name to invest in properties in the tri-state area. I first became acquainted with the name as a mover. He used to buy buildings...kick out the tenants, who were up to date on paying rent, and turn them co-op or condo. He did this by constantly harrassing the people living there. Over and over again he would do stuff like ask for records of rent from some obscure month several years in the past.

But his bankrupcies are well known. And if you like the glitzy gold, white and red styles that he adorned the Plaza in..then heck..maybe it's just your speed..I dunno.

I generally look upon people putting their names on each and every one of their properties with a little disdain.

Well he is a polarizing figure for sure. I guess we can put you down as one who won't be rooting for him or voting for him.

 

[JimH52]

The Donald is just another thorn in the side of the GOP brain trust. Between Sarah, Batcrazy Bachmann, and the Donald, the GOP will be jumping from bush to bush as they try to hide from these "characters." It is very funny!

 

[Samson]

I generally look upon people putting their names on each and every one of their properties with a little disdain.

You mean like.....WASHINGTON?

 

[Sallow]

I accept that as your opinion. Is it based on anything of substance you can point to? Or is it just opinion?

Sorry?

Google works for you.

Trump inherited his money..he didn't make it. He's used his name to invest in properties in the tri-state area. I first became acquainted with the name as a mover. He used to buy buildings...kick out the tenants, who were up to date on paying rent, and turn them co-op or condo. He did this by constantly harrassing the people living there. Over and over again he would do stuff like ask for records of rent from some obscure month several years in the past.

But his bankrupcies are well known. And if you like the glitzy gold, white and red styles that he adorned the Plaza in..then heck..maybe it's just your speed..I dunno.

I generally look upon people putting their names on each and every one of their properties with a little disdain.

Well he is a polarizing figure for sure. I guess we can put you down as one who won't be rooting for him or voting for him.

Um..yeah.

But if he did win you as President you can look forward to "Trump's United States of America".

Comb overs and wife upgrades would be the new thing for American Males!

 

[Foxfyre]

The Donald is just another thorn in the side of the GOP brain trust. Between Sarah, Batcrazy Bachmann, and the Donald, the GOP will be jumping from bush to bush as they try to hide from these "characters." It is very funny!

Okay you disrespect the GOP. So you would describe yourself as a Democrat favoring leftist? Donald Trump certainly wouldn't be your man though he has been courted now and then by the Democrats too. Anybody with the donation power of a Donald Trump is going to be pretty much everybody's friend during elections.

So what did you think of the speech?

 

[Sallow]

I generally look upon people putting their names on each and every one of their properties with a little disdain.

You mean like.....WASHINGTON?

What are you talking about?

 

[Samson]

I generally look upon people putting their names on each and every one of their properties with a little disdain.

You mean like.....WASHINGTON?

What are you talking about?

I'm confident it will eventually get through.