Trump Won't do Debate

[alicewonders]

Positively Reaganesque, isn't he? 

Really Andy?  Is that all you've got?

Again - Trump living rent-free in so many heads.  Just a few days before Iowa - is anyone talking about anyone but Trump?  The man knows human nature - that's a powerful skill to possess - I can't wait to see it played out on a global scale.

Time will tell if the silly charts and pictures will defeat him.  The only thing that can defeat him right now is himself, and so far he's doing pretty good.

[truth_seeker]

Not to shock anyone, but presidential campaigns employ strategic thinking. At the heart of that is the question, do debates make a difference?

Other candidates before have skipped debates. Some have even faired well despite their refusals to debate. Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter all had refused debate.

Ronald Reagan skipped the last debate before the Iowa caucuses in 1980. He lost Iowa to George HW Bush, but went on to win the primary and a general election landslide victory.

Perhaps Trump has reasoned he can take a page from Reagan's history and make it work for him.

I just noted something about those, that you say skipped debates: They went on to be elected President.

If Cruz has a pair, he will boycott this debate, and say that Trump is correct. That debate moderators use "gotcha" questions.

But Cruz will likely NOT do that. He needs Iowa badly. But the truth is, Iowa means very little.

Iowa voted for Obama twice, and the GOP caucus winner did not get the nomination. So Iowa had little to no value.

[Scottftlc]

What people need to understand on this comparison business (both ways) is that the times are different, the condition of the nation is different and the people themselves are very different people than those from nearly 4 decades ago.  It's like comparing Reagan to Franklin Roosevelt, or Franklin Roosevelt to Teddy Roosevelt.  The very nature of the nation changes over time and the people themselves who are voters change dramatically over time.  You can't use Franklin Roosevelt's methods in 1980, nor can you use Ronald Reagan as a guidepost in 2016.  You must capture the mien of the times you are living in at the moment.  After two disastrously failed presidencies that have covered the entire 21st century history of this nation and a seemingly endless economic malaise (after we were told in the 90's that America's economy was recession proof, let alone upheaval-proof!) and sinking status as a world leader, the countenance of the nation is very different than even during World War 2 or following the Nixon/Carter malaise of the 1970s.

[aligncare]

I just noted something about those, that you say skipped debates: They went on to be elected President.

If Cruz has a pair, he will boycott this debate, and say that Trump is correct. That debate moderators use "gotcha" questions.

But Cruz will likely NOT do that. He needs Iowa badly. But the truth is, Iowa means very little.

Iowa voted for Obama twice, and the GOP caucus winner did not get the nomination. So Iowa had little to no value.

Good analysis. Thank you for that.

[andy58-in-nh]

Really Andy?  Is that all you've got?

Hardly. But anyone who behaves the way this man does in public is an insufferable jackass, and that's just to begin with. The fact that he has absolutely no tangible policy ideas or plans and that he is demonstrably not a conservative positively disqualifies him in my mind.

[Bigun]

Hardly. But anyone who behaves the way this man does in public is an insufferable jackass, and that's just to begin with. The fact that he has absolutely no tangible policy ideas or plans and that he is demonstrably not a conservative positively disqualifies him in my mind.

 

[alicewonders]

Hardly. But anyone who behaves the way this man does in public is an insufferable jackass, and that's just to begin with. The fact that he has absolutely no tangible policy ideas or plans and that he is demonstrably not a conservative positively disqualifies him in my mind.

I can appreciate you sticking to your conservative principles.  A lot of people will be riding that horse off into the sunset - while a lot of us will be staying here and fighting for our homeland - fighting the long fight.

[aligncare]

Hardly. But anyone who behaves the way this man does in public is an insufferable jackass, and that's just to begin with. The fact that he has absolutely no tangible policy ideas or plans and that he is demonstrably not a conservative positively disqualifies him in my mind.

Quite a few Republicans referred to "Give'em Hell Harry" Truman as a jackass. He was soft-spoken, but one hell of a mean sonofabitch and political operator.

[katzenjammer]

Hardly. But anyone who behaves the way this man does in public is an insufferable jackass, and that's just to begin with. The fact that he has absolutely no tangible policy ideas or plans and that he is demonstrably not a conservative positively disqualifies him in my mind.

You've always been a reasonable and rational guy, Andy.  I can only assume that you have never seen the Trump Position Papers posted here several times.  They can be viewed at:

https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions

•     U.S.-China Trade Reform
•     Veterans Administration Reforms
•     Tax Reform
•     Second Amendment Rights
•     Immigration Reform

You may not agree with some aspects of his stated positions, or disagree with ALL of them!  But to say that he has no policy ideas is just not accurate.

[Bigun]

You've always been a reasonable and rational guy, Andy.  I can only assume that you have never seen the Trump Position Papers posted here several times.  They can be viewed at:

https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions

•     U.S.-China Trade Reform
•     Veterans Administration Reforms
•     Tax Reform
•     Second Amendment Rights
•     Immigration Reform

You may not agree with some aspects of his stated positions, or disagree with ALL of them!  But to say that he has no policy ideas is just not accurate.

I have no real problems with those positions but lack any evidence - not even a trace - that Trump will actually follow through on any of them!

(Actually I do have a quibble or two with the tax reform position but will save that for another time and place.)

[DCPatriot]

Don't you know? Hating Fox is one of the standard "true conservative" positions, along with not watching television, not going to movies, several brand boycotts, etc.

I love FOXNEWS.   If it's news I have on, it's FOX.  Period.

I love Ms. Kelly too.

But I side with him here....naturally.   

[ABX]

A person, many here would consider a great man, once said the following of a Presidential candidate skipping a debate.

...when (Candidate) didn't do the Newsmax debate it showed great disloyalty and people rejected (Candidate)....More debate is always better.

[aligncare]

I have no real problems with those positions but lack any evidence - not even a trace - that Trump will actually follow through on any of them!

(Actually I do have a quibble or two with the tax reform position but will save that for another time and place.)

Yes, you're right Bigun. Donald Trump's career is a lie. He never followed through with any of the building projects he proposed. He never redesigned and then built the Jacob Javits convention center in the heart of New York City. He never took over the completion of the Wollman skating rink in Central Park--under budget and under six months, after the city government botched the refurbishing of that skating rink for TWO YEARS.

You know, I don't have time to list the hundreds of projects that Donald J Trump follow through to completion. When he says something, he means it, he does it, and the record shows he did. Shame on you if you haven't taken five minutes to read a wiki article on Donald Trump's accomplishments.

[katzenjammer]

I have no real problems with those positions but lack any evidence - not even a trace - that Trump will actually follow through on any of them!

(Actually I do have a quibble or two with the tax reform position but will save that for another time and place.)

You know that I am with you 100% on the FairTax!   

[ABX]

Yes, you're right Bigun. Donald Trump's career is a lie. He never followed through with any of the building projects he proposed. He never redesigned and then built the Jacob Javits convention center in the heart of New York City. He never took over the completion of the Wollman skating rink in Central Park--under budget and under six months, after the city government botched the refurbishing of that skating rink for TWO YEARS.

You know, I don't have time to list the hundreds of projects that Donald J Trump follow through to completion. When he says something, he means it, he does it, and the record shows he did. Shame on you if you haven't taken five minutes to read a wiki article on Donald Trump's accomplishments.

Actually, you really should look into his history. Not following through on projects he ran is a pretty major factor. Yes, he has had some successes, but most projects you think are his are actually just where he licensed his name to groups like Wynn Properties- he didn't actually run or manage anything. Most of his pet projects though he folded shortly after opening.
Let's look at some of the deals-

Trump Water (Trump Ice)- Failed
Trump Steaks- Failed
Trump Steakhouse- Closed for health violations, sold out and is now Roberts Steakhouse
The Trump Entrepreneur Initiative- Failed
Trump Financial & Trump Mortgage- Failed
Trump the Game- Failed
Trump Airlines- Failed
Trump Vodka- Failed
GoTrump.com- Failed
Trump Magazine- Failed
New Jersey Generals- Failed
United States Football League- Failed
Share of the WWE- Had to sell out after investor pressure
Trump Wineries- On verge of bankruptcy when he handed ownership over to Eric.
Trump Clothing- Cut from most stores except for discount outlets, close to failure.
Trump Hotels and Resorts (four main bankruptcies plus many failed projects like Trump Towers Tampa or the Trump Ocean Resort Baja Mexico that didn't even get proper approvals after properties were sold and the project collapsed resulting in many investors out in the cold.)
Trump Tower Philadelphia- Currently under foreclosure.
Trump University- Currently under fraud investigation
Allii Diet Pills- Failed

A vast majority of projects (the hundreds of projects) you think are Trump successes are only successes in selling out his name- not actually developing or building like I see many people claim he is a master at. At that, a vast majority of properties with his name on, he doesn't actually own, operate, nor build. What he did was license his name to it- that's all. Most of 'his' properties are all licensed under the Trump brand but are owned/managed/built by other companies (Fortress investments, Wynn properties (most Casinos), Cappelli Properties (most NYC properties), Dezer Properties (Florida properties), Kushner Properties and the The KABR Group, etc, etc, etc....

At that, one thing that jumps out is that if Trump negotiates and runs the project himself, it more often than not fails. If he simply licenses his name and lets someone else actually runs it, that's when it succeeds. You can count on both hands the number of projects he was successful at that he actually ran and managed. His success is just selling out his name.


In other words, this 'master business man' really masters in selling out his name. He isn't a master developer or deal maker. He is a master in creating a gold plated name. How would that translate at all to being Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces?

[Bigun]

You know that I am with you 100% on the FairTax!   

  

[Meshuge Mikey]

Excellent synopsis! I concur!

Donna Twump is The Honey Boo Boo- Americans Candidate

[aligncare]

Actually, you really should look into his history. Not following through on projects he ran is a pretty major factor. Yes, he has had some successes, but most projects you think are his are actually just where he licensed his name to groups like Wynn Properties- he didn't actually run or manage anything. Most of his pet projects though he folded shortly after opening.
Let's look at some of the deals-

Trump Water (Trump Ice)- Failed
Trump Steaks- Failed
Trump Steakhouse- Closed for health violations, sold out and is now Roberts Steakhouse
The Trump Entrepreneur Initiative- Failed
Trump Financial & Trump Mortgage- Failed
Trump the Game- Failed
Trump Airlines- Failed
Trump Vodka- Failed
GoTrump.com- Failed
Trump Magazine- Failed
New Jersey Generals- Failed
United States Football League- Failed
Share of the WWE- Had to sell out after investor pressure
Trump Wineries- On verge of bankruptcy when he handed ownership over to Eric.
Trump Clothing- Cut from most stores except for discount outlets, close to failure.
Trump Hotels and Resorts (four main bankruptcies plus many failed projects like Trump Towers Tampa or the Trump Ocean Resort Baja Mexico that didn't even get proper approvals after properties were sold and the project collapsed resulting in many investors out in the cold.)
Trump Tower Philadelphia- Currently under foreclosure.
Trump University- Currently under fraud investigation
Allii Diet Pills- Failed

A vast majority of projects (the hundreds of projects) you think are Trump successes are only successes in selling out his name- not actually developing or building like I see many people claim he is a master at. At that, a vast majority of properties with his name on, he doesn't actually own, operate, nor build. What he did was license his name to it- that's all. Most of 'his' properties are all licensed under the Trump brand but are owned/managed/built by other companies (Fortress investments, Wynn properties (most Casinos), Cappelli Properties (most NYC properties), Dezer Properties (Florida properties), Kushner Properties and the The KABR Group, etc, etc, etc....

At that, one thing that jumps out is that if Trump negotiates and runs the project himself, it more often than not fails. If he simply licenses his name and lets someone else actually runs it, that's when it succeeds. You can count on both hands the number of projects he was successful at that he actually ran and managed. His success is just selling out his name.


In other words, this 'master business man' really masters in selling out his name. He isn't a master developer or deal maker. He is a master in creating a gold plated name. How would that translate at all to being Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces?

I have looked into his history.

As a businessman, if you haven't had any failures in your background, then you haven't tried to do anything of consequence.

Jack Welsh, Lee Iacocca, Steve Jobs, Microsoft, Google, every successful businessman or company has failure in their history.

Thank you for that list, though. You obviously had that prepared ahead of time. Kudos to you.

From that list, one would suspect poor Donald Trump must be dead broke by now, and figured he'd give this politician thingy a shot before applying for unemployment insurance.

[Meshuge Mikey]

Actually, you really should look into his history. Not following through on projects he ran is a pretty major factor. Yes, he has had some successes, but most projects you think are his are actually just where he licensed his name to groups like Wynn Properties- he didn't actually run or manage anything. Most of his pet projects though he folded shortly after opening.
Let's look at some of the deals-

Trump Water (Trump Ice)- Failed
Trump Steaks- Failed
Trump Steakhouse- Closed for health violations, sold out and is now Roberts Steakhouse
The Trump Entrepreneur Initiative- Failed
Trump Financial & Trump Mortgage- Failed
Trump the Game- Failed
Trump Airlines- Failed
Trump Vodka- Failed
GoTrump.com- Failed
Trump Magazine- Failed
New Jersey Generals- Failed
United States Football League- Failed
Share of the WWE- Had to sell out after investor pressure
Trump Wineries- On verge of bankruptcy when he handed ownership over to Eric.
Trump Clothing- Cut from most stores except for discount outlets, close to failure.
Trump Hotels and Resorts (four main bankruptcies plus many failed projects like Trump Towers Tampa or the Trump Ocean Resort Baja Mexico that didn't even get proper approvals after properties were sold and the project collapsed resulting in many investors out in the cold.)
Trump Tower Philadelphia- Currently under foreclosure.
Trump University- Currently under fraud investigation
Allii Diet Pills- Failed

A vast majority of projects (the hundreds of projects) you think are Trump successes are only successes in selling out his name- not actually developing or building like I see many people claim he is a master at. At that, a vast majority of properties with his name on, he doesn't actually own, operate, nor build. What he did was license his name to it- that's all. Most of 'his' properties are all licensed under the Trump brand but are owned/managed/built by other companies (Fortress investments, Wynn properties (most Casinos), Cappelli Properties (most NYC properties), Dezer Properties (Florida properties), Kushner Properties and the The KABR Group, etc, etc, etc....

At that, one thing that jumps out is that if Trump negotiates and runs the project himself, it more often than not fails. If he simply licenses his name and lets someone else actually runs it, that's when it succeeds. You can count on both hands the number of projects he was successful at that he actually ran and managed. His success is just selling out his name.


In other words, this 'master business man' really masters in selling out his name. He isn't a master developer or deal maker. He is a master in creating a gold plated name. How would that translate at all to being Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces?

Donna Twumps Brand is headed for the Bargain Basement!!

[ABX]

I have looked into his history.

As a businessman, if you haven't had any failures in your background, then you haven't tried to do anything of consequence.

Jack Welsh, Lee Iacocca, Steve Jobs, Microsoft, Google, every successful businessman or company has failure in their history.

Thank you for that list, though. You obviously had that prepared ahead of time. Kudos to you.

From that list, one would suspect poor Donald Trump must be dead broke by now, and figured he'd give this politician thingy a shot before applying for unemployment insurance.

It isn't that he has failures, it is that he lies about and everyone has a false glowing picture of his success. His success isn't because he is some great developer or deal maker. His success is because he is a self-promoter. The highest paid carnival barker in the country mixed with a corrupt cronyism. Trump that everyone is going gaga now is a myth. Hell, read The Art of the Deal. He brags about his strategy of lying to get the deal. The Art of the Deal isn't a guide to ethical business, just the opposite, it is a guide for used car salesmen to part you from your money through creative exaggeration.

To put it in baseball terms, it would be like if Babe Ruth made a couple of home runs, but most he is credited towards he just paid Ty Cobb to hit for him and put his name on it.

And if Trump didn't keep getting corporate welfare or bailed out from the likes of the Saudis, Wall Street, or Soros, he probably would be broke. According to many analysis, he would have actually had a better return if he just stuck his money in an index fund and left it alone- ie his 'deals' yielded less of a return than the market. http://www.onthemoneyradio.org/sp-500-trumps-the-donald/

[NavyCanDo]

Are any of you Trump Supporters willing to sign your name to this?   Anyone?

Mr. Trump, we understand that the “Shooting people on 5th Avenue” comment was meant to be a joke and not to be taken literally, and what was really meant by it, is that we your supporters will stick with you no matter what you say or do.   
NO Mr. Trump we will not.
• We will hold you to your campaign promises, just like anyone else we send to Washington.
• We will hold your feet to the fire that you will support and defend Constitution and the Bill of Rights, just l we would with anyone we send to Washington.
• And we will hold  your feet to the fire that you will not stray  to the LEFT on issues that matter so much to us  Conservatives .

No Mr. Trump, we are intelligent Americans who will give this election a lot of thought before casting our final vote.  Not mindless  minions that will follow any charismatic leader no matter what. 

Signed Trump Supporter………………………………………………………

[aligncare]

I've been to Trump Plaza. Drop a gum wrapper in the lobby and count 10. Out of nowhere three attendants pop in to pick up and even sweep where you walked in. Now that's excellence.

Skyscrapers across the globe emblazoned with Trump. What's a guy got to do to get some respect around here?

[Vulcan]

[musiclady]

I've been to Trump Plaza. Drop a gum wrapper in the lobby and count 10. Out of nowhere three attendants pop in to pick up and even sweep where you walked in. Now that's excellence.

Skyscrapers across the globe emblazoned with Trump. What's a guy got to do to get some respect around here?

Respect the Constitution and the law of the land.

[Scottftlc]

Respect the Constitution and the law of the land.

Now musiclady, you do not respect Roe v. Wade do you?

It IS the law of the land, as many who oppose it have found out to very negative consequences.