News Donald Trump's Popularity To Date

[scout86]

JMO, there's a lot about American politics that's pretty cult-like. You can find it on all sides. The whole "my country right or wrong" notion is rather cult-like. It seems like a lot of people would prefer to have a "leader" do their thinking for them so they don't ask too many questions. And (again, my opinion) our educational system is designed to foster compliance, not deep questioning.

You know the world is in a strange place when your T starts a session with, "well, what did we learn about narcissism THIS week?" And he's talking about the news.
Yesterday, I realized that something is true this year that I never expected to happen. If Trump gets elected president, he's not going to be MY president. I refuse. There have been quite a few presidents in my lifetime that I haven't been too impressed with. A number up strongly disagreed with. But none I ever felt I'd have to refuse to follow. Until now. He's not even evil. Evil stands for something. This guy is simply amoral. And he won't be MY president. I deserve to be on his enemies list and I'll be disappointed if I don't earn a spot there. (And I'm 100% sure there will BE an enemies list, there probably already is.

 

[Justmehere]

I went to the DNC and there was a cult like following for Obama.

It's a bit more widespread for Trump, and combined with some violent rehortic that wasn't happening on suchawide scale in 2008.

But Americans have been looking for a savior like figure in politics for while - I personally find it to be a bit creepy too.

It's also not a uniquely American thing, but happens in other countries too.

It is one of the reasons I lean libertarian, because they are so anti strongmen and pro saving ourselves.... but I won't even sign up for believing that party or person to save us all either.

We are a nation founded on the idea that we the people have the right and responsibility to run our country and in every democracy people get tired of that responsibility and eventually cry out for one person to do it all.

I am less and less scared. Maybe a year of being active in politics to try and stop Trump has numbed me... but I'm actually not scared or worried anymore.

It's partly because there are strong efforts building already to impeach Trump (he is already on trial for fraud charges) but it's also partly because through the muck and mire of this ridiculous election cycle, I have met so many good people who are beginning to pull together.

The whole nation might fall apart, this is true, but there are almost always people out there to link arms with and work with to get through whatever comes.

And I'm right in the middle of it running a polling center on a college campus. Voters come in every day and tell us if all kinds of stuff. Many have stopped trusting their vote matters (thanks Trump) but I keep softly directing them to come learn about nonviolent communication techniques at the university in addition to excerising their important right to vote. So many are signing up...

 

[Abstract]

I am more and more scared. I wish I wasn't. I also am not at all surprised about all the sexual assault and poor boundary type behaviour and proof thereof. There was something saying to me that its what he was and from the start. The only good part of that is that astonishingly enough my Potential Predator alert device seems to be functioning at last in my life. It took 47 odd years but it seems to be happening more and more. Very surprising and astonishingly. Yay me. I wish it gave me more complete satisfaction.

I wish I trusted the sense/sight of the general population but don't. And I've realised that I find people not seeing the truth about potential "abusers" affecting. It hits me hard. Rolf Harris is within my circle of friends although I never met him the continued denial of any wrong doing just about topples me. I won't go into the rest.

I suspect some people won't admit to supporting him. It happened here with Brexit in that people misread the mood (not in any way at ALL the same thing of course- in other words it is VERY big and important but we didn't have a personality with this level of pathology potentially lined up to lead the nation and I don't believe Brexit is the end of the world and things will balance out). Honestly I worry about the outcome and the effect on the world if he is what I think he is. He may just be narcissistic, a bit of a loose cannon and a bigot. He may just possibly (is screaming the warning signs) be a potential dictator, a corrupt power hungry megalomaniac, unstable, egotistical and generally unsafe pair of hands. With worrying connections.

I wish I trusted in the sense and site of the general public.

When it comes to so called cult reactions: I guess my main concern is when "charisma (how?!) out ways apparent character and substance. If there is enough character and substance to balance out the cult type adoration I am less concerned. Someone who is amoral and charismatic (how?!) is a big potential problem. We of course never know anyone but some people give us a head start.

 

[hodge]

You and me both, Abstract. There is no question that Trump is very dangerous. I'm doing all I can to encourage friends and family in battleground states to vote for Hillary. I live in Minnesota which is a solidly blue state, meaning it's going to go for Hillary. But I have friends back in Michigan where I'm from and am trying to persuade my black friends to at least vote because that's a potentially crucial state in this election (they are strong people of faith with basically one foot in this world and one foot in the next and are not political). I have cousins in North Carolina, but they are too far gone off the deep end and do not listen to reason. There's no point in pushing them.

Just please know a lot of us Americans are doing whatever we can do to protect our country and thus our role in the world and our precious relationships with our allies, @Abstract. I think some of us are going to be on here on election night and will scream for joy whenever Trump loses a state (and maybe even do a shot whenever Trump loses a state, lol!). I hope you join in. I'll probably start an election night thread if no one else does.

 

[Justmehere]

I can absolutely validate there are many silent Trump supporters. I know a few personally who said no to pollsters but told me yes and will likely vote for him.

I watch the polling, I don't trust it.

I can also say that the #neverTrump activists are already planning what we will do, peacefully, if Trump wins. (Maybe there will be a time for armed resistance but I think we are still a long ways away from that.)

The RNC is pulling back from Trump more and more. I know this seems like it's too damn late for that at this point, but it gives good signs that efforts to impeach Trump will prevail.

We have so many checks and balances and we the people will keep fighting for them...

There are so many who will never stop.

I am concerned that if Trump gets elected many in the GOP will run to support him more out of a desire for power.... but the democracts and neverTrump GOPers don't exactly give up easily either.

As someone once said to me, "it will be ok in the end, and if it's not ok, it's not the end...."

 

[DharmaGirl]

I still don't understand why a self-confessed sexual predator is allowed to keep running. I still remember the Bill Clinton scandal - it's about character. Where is that now? I'm saddened that so many people are secretly bigoted and are using Trump to back up their feelings of being better.

 

[Abstract]

Exactly. I have to add though that someone who is sexually promiscuous (Clinton) and had an affair is not the end all for me. That is a billion light years away from someone saying they assault woman. Consent you know. And being shown (proof) to be verbally sexually inappropriate with underage girls. A ten year old for goodness sake. What is wrong with the world.

 

[scout86]

I still don't understand why a self-confessed sexual predator is allowed to keep running.

The simple answer is because there's no good procedure for stopping him. He hasn't been convicted of anything that disqualifies him from running. By the time the video came out, he was already the nominee. Replacing the nominee is complicated. It was close to the election.....

What I find harder to understand is that it seems to be so easy for a lot of people to blow that off. Not only because it was wrong. Because it speaks to his values. Not just his attitude about women and girls. That, in his world, the only thing that matters is what HE wants in the moment he wants it. That character trait is pretty much inevitably going to come back to bite people.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Because it speaks to his values.

Yes, that was the point I was trying to make, but it didn't come through that way, lol. A little foggy today.

I was actually taught as a young southern girl that rich and powerful men have affairs, and that is their reward for being rich and powerful. If you marry one, you must expect this, and always act with grace.

Isn't that sick?

 

[joeylittle]

I still don't understand why a self-confessed sexual predator is allowed to keep running.

Well, to be honest, I don't see how that is materially different from a secretary of state losing control of what should have been confidential information.

I don't think Bill Clinton is the comparison point. I think Donald and Hillary both have done wrong things, and they've done them under the guise of 'that's just common in our area'.

It's a question of how your personal ethical/moral scale ranks these things. Personally, I am bothered more by sexual assault and xenophobia/bigotry than I am bothered by manipulation of raised funds and crimes against the state. And, I could go into why, but it doesn't really matter - that's just where I'm at. I worry more about one being an ongoing behavior than the other. People who are against Hillary and pro-Trump are also more worried about one than the other.

I find that all the thinking in the world can't give this an objective measure, and it's better to go ahead and admit there is no objective measure - but, you are an individual with a moral compass, and you can use your down ethics as your guide. It's part of what makes this election so historic (to me) - it's become almost entirely about character. Even policy discussions become character discussions.

 

[The Albatross]

Whatchu want more an accused sexual predator or a liar/irresponsible/negligent woman with a documented husband who's a predator? Jeeze, can it get this simple, yes it can... just ask the maid who was printing out Hil's emails (case sensitive) without a security clearance... But hey, the FBI didn't interview her maid as released by the state department... really? Sheesh.

 

[Abstract]

I do agree that it depends on someones personal code of ethics Joeylittle. I'm with you and a self confessed sexual predator and obvious bigot beats dishonesty any day and anywhere for me personally. I do feel for people needing to choose when neither is ideal. I do find the dishonesty accusations only being aimed towards Hilary a bit confusing when every second thing that comes out of Trumps mouth is a contradiction or outright fabrication. With not a jot of shame or regret being shown about it. I'd feel better if there was an attempt to hide it or if there was some sign of regret. Caring about public opinion is at least a form of potential containment to my mind and shame at least shows someone understands right from wrong. People bizarrely seem to equate controversial non PC behaviour as automatically honest. Really confusing. As far as I am aware no one has accused Hilary of sexual predatory behaviour and I certainly haven't heard her displaying it verbally or visually. Unless there has been a court-case I trust what I see and hear first.

Its also particularly that combination of the ability to stir people and lack of morality that concerns me. I can't ever see Hilary having the ability to sweep people away from reason or more. "Leaders" and dictators that have caused the most damage in the past have this quality. The ability to sweep a large enough group of people away from reason and play to their fears or prejudices.

I have lived in countries where these factors have played out and I am wary of how things can change as a result. It can seem like democracy is so solidly entrenched that nothing can shake it significantly but I have seen how that isn't true. At the very least I would guess Hilary would care about what the world would think of her actions and that in itself would potentially create a certain amount of containment with bigger and more obvious acts.