Trump takes a step back from threat to close southern border

[Sanguine]

Then the GOP,  and anyone else who doesn't want this nation to descend into a socialist, identity-obsessed swamp, is screwed. 

Trump can and must be persuaded to step aside.    His vindication by the Mueller report should, I think,  make this necessary task easier.

What?  Because Trump was vindicated he will be more willing to step aside?  What is that even supposed to mean?

[libertybele]

Actually, I avoid produce from Mexico.  Too many stories of tainted lettuce and other vegetables or fruit.  Whatever I buy, I look for the "Grown in the USA" label or something similar. 

Of course, now with so many Mexican illegals in this country, God only knows what they do to our produce.  US produce might not be safe either.

Now my brother, who has been to Chile several times, says grapes and other produce grown in Chile are safe.  He says Chile, unlike Mexico, understands the concepts of good hygiene and sanitation.

Avocados are the only produce that I buy from Mexico.  I only started to buy them the past couple of months because the taste is so much better.  All other produce I buy from the U.S. and I too also refuse to buy from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, etc.

[Frandia]

Again, who does the GOP have to replace Trump???  IF Trump does NOT do something to resolve the current border crisis and the continual influx of illegals, we lose this Republic.  Pure and simple.  The other problem @Jazzhead  is the issue needs to be resolved now. We're out of time and Trump is who we have.  The crisis at the border isn't fictional.  The fact that they are overwhelmed at the border and our border agents are letting them in without vetting is a fact.  If we remain on our current course, how long do you think it will be before we are another Europe?? IMHO, at best, a year.

You raise an even better question come 2024. Who does the G.O.P. have? This is the most critical election in our lifetime, We've heard that before but never have the socialists been so emboldened and out in the open. That said, I don't see another Trump on the horizon. He may not be loved by all but he keeps the hot-button issues in the forefront and considering the odds stacked against him, is making the effort. I think he sincerely loves this country and wants it to succeed, but more importantly, continue. Socialism is not the answer.

Oh, I agree with everything else you said.

[Jazzhead]

What?  Because Trump was vindicated he will be more willing to step aside?  What is that even supposed to mean?

Because Trump campaigned as a citizen, not as a politician.   He took time from his family and  businesses to try to drain the swamp.   He can therefore say he's accomplished what he's set out to do,  and get back to his other interests.  Complicating all that,  of course, was the false charge that he was no citizen-patriot at all, but rather a tool of the Kremlin.   Now that that charge has been definitively quashed,  Trump can hold his head high, claim victory and his legacy, and walk away.   

[Frandia]

Because Trump campaigned as a citizen, not as a politician.   He took time from his family and  businesses to try to drain the swamp.   He can therefore say he's accomplished what he's set out to do,  and get back to his other interests.  Complicating all that,  of course, was the false charge that he was no citizen-patriot at all, but rather a tool of the Kremlin.   Now that that charge has been definitively quashed,  Trump can hold his head high, claim victory and his legacy, and walk away.   

He's had the taste of power and victory. He will never walk away.

[Jazzhead]

Again, who does the GOP have to replace Trump???  IF Trump does NOT do something to resolve the current border crisis and the continual influx of illegals, we lose this Republic.  Pure and simple.  The other problem @Jazzhead  is the issue needs to be resolved now. We're out of time and Trump is who we have.  The crisis at the border isn't fictional.  The fact that they are overwhelmed at the border and our border agents are letting them in without vetting is a fact.  If we remain on our current course, how long do you think it will be before we are another Europe?? IMHO, at best, a year.

There are plenty of good Republicans who could replace Trump.   However,  the dynamic is that Trump would need to voluntarily step aside;  he won't be effectively challenged in the primaries if he insists on running for re-election.   If he does and wins,  I fear, given his age, that he will never return to private life.  But more to the point, I fear he cannot win.

 I am in the camp that believes he viewed his own election as a shock and a mixed blessing.  One term is enough for a citizen-politician who is sure of his legacy - and he has genuine accomplishments to tout.   Let him retire to his family and his businesses.   If he does,  I will hail him as a great American.   

Now I disagree with most here about the border issue.   I don't view it as an existential crisis.   But be that as it may,  the question is whether the causes of immigration reform and border security will be helped or hurt by a 2020 Trump candidacy.    I simply don't think he can win,  and fear that his re-nomination will pave the way for a radicalized Dem party that will put the kibosh on conservatives and their priorities.  THAT is the existential crisis.

We need to think strategically,  and make the rejection of socialism and tribalism - the Dems' two great obsessions - the front and center issues of this campaign.   That cannot be done with Trump as the nominee.   Simply and charitably put, he is a distraction.   

[Jazzhead]

He's had the taste of power and victory. He will never walk away.

You don't know that, and neither do I.   But unless he does,  my fear is that come 2020,  a radicalized Dem party will hold all the cards.   

[libertybele]

There are plenty of good Republicans who could replace Trump.  

Now I disagree with most here about the border issue.   I don't view it as an existential crisis.   

Please name the Republicans that you feel that could replace Trump and actually stand a chance of winning.

I know you and I don't agree on the border crisis.  I believe that those coming in will vote liberal and will overwhelmingly outnumber the GOP base to a point that there won't be another GOP ever seated again; including members of Congress and our state legislators ... it's just a matter of time.

[Frandia]

You don't know that, and neither do I.   But unless he does,  my fear is that come 2020,  a radicalized Dem party will hold all the cards.   

You make a fair point but you need to give a hint at who other than Trump should run in 2020.

[Free Vulcan]

Dammit.

Dammit indeed. Don't put out the claim and then back away, it smells like the bad old Obama days.

The only time you'd do that is to get them to drop their guard before you drop the hammer. However you play it, you need to follow thru, and fast.

He's made some tactical mistakes here and there, but this is a bad strategic move.

[libertybele]

You don't know that, and neither do I.   But unless he does,  my fear is that come 2020,  a radicalized Dem party will hold all the cards.   

IMHO, Trump and the GOP have already lost.  He is now stated that he is given Mexico a year to get things under control!  A year is a tremendous amount of time, when you are facing an invasion.

We become another Europe (and we are quickly heading in that direction) and we lose our country.  At that point, nothing really matters.  The DEMS will overwhelmingly hold the majority.  The western hemisphere will be borderless, just as Hillary wanted.

[Frandia]

IMHO, Trump and the GOP have already lost.  He is now stated that he is given Mexico a year to get things under control! A year is a tremendous amount of time, when you are facing an invasion.

We become another Europe (and we are quickly heading in that direction) and we lose our country.  At that point, nothing really matters.  The DEMS will overwhelmingly hold the majority.  The western hemisphere will be borderless, just as Hillary wanted.

He doesn't make it easy for one to remain loyal to him when he pulls stunts like this. There is some merit to the narrative that he just blurts out what he feels like with no regard if it's possible. This would be one example.

[libertybele]

He doesn't make it easy for one to remain loyal to him when he pulls stunts like this. There is some merit to the narrative that he just blurts out what he feels like with no regard if it's possible. This would be one example.

Stunt??  I see it as he completely back pedaled on securing our border.  This isn't just some narrative that he just blurted out. He's been backpedaling on this issue for months.  This is the final straw. 

[Frandia]

Stunt??  I see it as he completely back pedaled on securing our border.  This isn't just some narrative that he just blurted out. He's been backpedaling on this issue for months.  This is the final straw.

I realize that you don't know me but in that context, you are preaching to the choir.