Make no mistake, I believe that Donald Trump is going to lose.

But I, along with, well everyone else have scratched our heads at how this could possibly be as close as it is.
Trump demonstrates complete ignorance of the issues, yet he does not collapse. His policies are vague and contradictory, yet he does not collapse. Trump is a serial liar, and yet he does not collapse. He insults a decorated war veteran, insults Mexican Americans, encourages racism, fat shames, brags about assaulting women,, seems unfamiliar with how government works,,, hides his tax returns,,,, uses a "charitable" foundation for his own gain, cheats those "regular folks" who have done business with him,,,,yada yada yada, yet his campaign does not collapse.

Why?
1. Clinton. She is very well qualified, yet an uninspiring campaigner with lots of personal baggage.
2. Partisanship. Trump will benefit from millions who simply cannot support a candidate who doesn't have an R behind his name. If either party were to nominate a yellow dog, it would poll at about 40% the next day.
3. Unhinged Clinton haters egged on by cable, talk radio and House republican conspiracy theories.
4. A desire for change rather than a third Democratic term
5. Economic angst. The 21st century has produced economic winners and losers. The losers understandably don't want to continue on the same path. Rather than look to themselves,,,,,,,,

6. The "deplorables". 
Trump's brand is a--hole. His speech is hate. His promise is ignorance. And that plays to a group of people. They are working class, white. And they remember with longing an easier time. They remember an era of economic and cultural dominance over other groups. "Making America Great Again" is a dog whistle term.

To them, this election isn't about greatness, the future, or even Donald Trump. It's about defiance. Trump is merely a vehicle. To his supporters, a vote for Trump is a way to flip the middle finger to the system, the media, the elite, the liberals, the know-it-alls and the people who pretend they're better than "us."
Every dangerous and disgusting thing Trump says proves he's not fit -- and that's the point. He's not fit for the current "system."  And THAT is exactly his appeal. Trump could quite literally shoot someone, and these people aren't going to bolt.
Obama won his first election thanks to the emotions of hope and optimism.
Trump is going to see how fair he can get by flipping the coin, and running on the emotions of frustration and resentment.

Trump will - God willing - lose this election.
But, the fact that this thing is close should scare the hell out of us, and cause us to get America moving again. We need to break the partisan divide. We need to destroy the paradigm whereby collaboration and compromise are disdained, and mindless confrontation is extolled.
We need true statesmen to speak truths to the American people.
For we have seen that, when the eagles are silent, the parrots jabber.
 

Last edited by Goose (10/10/2016 6:10 am)