Trump got no bounce from Mueller. That leaves him a narrow path to re-election

[mystery-ak]

Trump got no bounce from Mueller. That leaves him a narrow path to re-election
Analysis: The president's approval rating has been a flatline, which means he may need a rival as unpopular as Hillary Clinton in 2016 to pull off a second term.

April 4, 2019, 3:30 AM CDT
By Steve Kornacki

For President Donald Trump, it may prove to be the bounce that never comes.

On the afternoon of March 24, the news broke that special counsel Robert Mueller had found no collusion between Trump's campaign and the Russians — a moment for which the president and his allies had been waiting almost two years. But a week later, Trump's average approval rating, according to the Real Clear Politics tracker, had climbed a grand total of one-tenth of one percentage point — to 43.2 percent from 43.1 percent.

You could argue, of course, that Americans are reserving judgment.

The complete Mueller report has yet to be made public, and the summary from Attorney General William Barr did note that Trump had not been exonerated on the issue of obstruction of justice.

Plus, The New York Times reported Wednesday night that some Mueller team members may be dissatisfied with Barr's characterization of the report, and NBC News published a story on Thursday reporting that some members of Mueller's team believe "the evidence that Trump sought to impede the investigation is stronger than Barr suggested."

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https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-got-no-bounce-mueller-leaves-him-narrow-path-back-n990626

[Jazzhead]

Americans of all stripes remain rigid with respect to their views of the President.   His base remains loyal,  the haters remain haters.    He has been unable to grow his base of support notwithstanding a booming economy that typically helps an incumbent President.   On the other hand,  he's taken the monkey poo flung at him from all sides and his base has stuck with him.

What it all adds up to, for me,  is that Trump most likely will not be re-elected.    As in 2016,  the only path appears to be grudging support from those who fear the alternative even more.   In 2016,  that was Hillary,  the most notorious politician in America.   In 2020,  it may well be a neo-socialist and new face that the media can paint in the colors it likes. 

[Free Vulcan]

Trumps numbers have been decent last time I checked, so why does he need a bump.

Oh, that's right, another media article spinning up as down, black as white, and so on.

[Jazzhead]

Trumps numbers have been decent last time I checked, so why does he need a bump.

Oh, that's right, another media article spinning up as down, black as white, and so on.

Trump's poll numbers have remained remarkably stable.   His base remains loyal,  the haters still hate,  no matter the transient issues of the day.

The only President in recent times whose numbers were similarly stable is Obama.    I think this reflects the increasing polarization of America - we have divided into two tribes,  and dare not cross the aisle.

For almost 40 years now,  I've been a conservative Republican married to a liberal Democrat.   That combination forces each of us to listen, respectfully, to the other.   I doubt that, among the young, such mixed relationships exist anymore.   We are all Sharks vs. Jets now.   

[libertybele]

Trump's poll numbers have remained remarkably stable.   His base remains loyal,  the haters still hate,  no matter the transient issues of the day.

The only President in recent times whose numbers were similarly stable is Obama.    I think this reflects the increasing polarization of America - we have divided into two tribes,  and dare not cross the aisle.

For almost 40 years now,  I've been a conservative Republican married to a liberal Democrat.   That combination forces each of us to listen, respectfully, to the other.   I doubt that, among the young, such mixed relationships exist anymore.   We are all Sharks vs. Jets now.   

@Jazzhead unless I missed it you have not named who you think could take Trump's place if he were to step down.  Technically, if he were to step down then wouldn't that make Pence our next President?

Also, I think it may be unlikely that Trump will seek re-election.  Again, who do you think that GOP has that could win??  I don't see any of those who ran before seeking the nomination other than Mittens perhaps.  He is a losing prospect against a DEM.

[Jazzhead]

@Jazzhead unless I missed it you have not named who you think could take Trump's place if he were to step down.  Technically, if he were to step down then wouldn't that make Pence our next President?

Also, I think it may be unlikely that Trump will seek re-election.  Again, who do you think that GOP has that could win??  I don't see any of those who ran before seeking the nomination other than Mittens perhaps.  He is a losing prospect against a DEM.

I could easily support Mike Pence.   Ideally,  I'd prefer the candidate be one who has served the Trump administration;  a "never-Trump" candidate will tend to piss off Trump's base,  and the key to a successful candidacy is to retain and expand that base with a choice that will maintain the President's successful policies regarding taxation, deregulation and conservative judicial nominees (among others). 

Actually,  I have identified my preferred candidate several times on this board:  Nikki Haley.    She checks all the boxes, as far as I'm concerned:   She served the President loyally and well, she has extensive executive experience,  she's an inspiring speaker and writer,  she's a woman and a minority in an age when such things seem to matter with the electorate,  and she's a conservative on most issues, certainly on the ones that matter to me.       

[libertybele]

I could easily support Mike Pence.   Ideally,  I'd prefer the candidate be one who has served the Trump administration;  a "never-Trump" candidate will tend to piss off Trump's base,  and the key to a successful candidacy is to retain and expand that base with a choice that will maintain the President's successful policies regarding taxation, deregulation and conservative judicial nominees (among others). 

Actually,  I have identified my preferred candidate several times on this board:  Nikki Haley.    She checks all the boxes, as far as I'm concerned:   She served the President loyally and well, she has extensive executive experience,  she's an inspiring speaker and writer,  she's a woman and a minority in an age when such things seem to matter with the electorate,  and she's a conservative on most issues, certainly on the ones that matter to me.     

Sorry, I missed your mention of Haley. Provided that she is pro secure borders and anti-illegal immigration, I think she'd be a very good choice.  Female, minority and experienced is a plus!

[Jazzhead]

Sorry, I missed your mention of Haley. Provided that she is pro secure borders and anti-illegal immigration, I think she'd be a very good choice.  Female, minority and experienced is a plus!

I have no idea of Haley's views on border security and immigration.   As you know,  I am "old school" Republican on those issues, so while I support border security,  I'm in favor of amnesty for illegals who've obeyed the law while here and increased legal immigration to support economic growth.    But I can support a candidate with views on such matters that differ from my own,  since my priorities lie elsewhere.   And issue number #1 for me is making sure our next President isn't some identity politics-obsessed socialist! 

[mrclose]

So, We are supposed to lend credence to an article by NBC which quotes the NYT's? LOL

Trump will run again and with all of the Democrat Idiots on display for all the world  to see ... The missing ingredient in all of this is The Independent Voter!

 

[Dexter]

On the other hand,  he's taken the monkey poo flung at him from all sides and his base has stuck with him.

What do they plan on hitting him with in 2020? Stormy Daniels again? The investigation that went nowhere? Immigration (his winning issue)? I think it's looking good for the orange man.

[Dexter]

@Jazzhead unless I missed it you have not named who you think could take Trump's place if he were to step down.  Technically, if he were to step down then wouldn't that make Pence our next President?

Also, I think it may be unlikely that Trump will seek re-election.  Again, who do you think that GOP has that could win??  I don't see any of those who ran before seeking the nomination other than Mittens perhaps.  He is a losing prospect against a DEM.

If Trump steps down the Democrats will win in 2020 I think.

[Fishrrman]

There's but one "bounce" that will absolutely ensure a Trump victory in 2020:

Build the wall, using whatever it takes, troops on the border for enforcement, as many as needed.

Stop making threats, and just do it.
Don't be intimidated by the democrat-communists.
Get construction underway and troops in place.
Let 'em sue all they want to remove 'em, but leave them there and keep building.

Do this, and it's a cakewalk to victory in 2020.
DON'T do it, and the election will be up-for-grabs.

[Absalom]

In 2016 few knew Trump but many more knew Hilarity and the result was predictable.
In 2020 many more will know Trump and far less, any D's newcomer; a very serious problem.
His inability to judge character is alarming, his lack of decisiveness (Venezuela, Syria, South Korea)
is telling and his lack of restraint (tweets, yip-yap) confirms him as undisciplined and reckless.

[TomSea]

Everyone knew who Trump was, he's done very well on about everything but the wall. I never saw the wall as the perfect secure measure but have wanted the border in general to be much more secured.

I saw someone from MSNBC btw, saying how Trump's popularity per poll figures has dropped in PA and WI, so the MSNBC hack was trying to indicate things are close.

I don't find Trump as lying, I do find it seems to be his "spin" though.

[Frandia]

I have no idea of Haley's views on border security and immigration.   As you know,  I am "old school" Republican on those issues, so while I support border security,  I'm in favor of amnesty for illegals who've obeyed the law while here and increased legal immigration to support economic growth.    But I can support a candidate with views on such matters that differ from my own,  since my priorities lie elsewhere.   And issue number #1 for me is making sure our next President isn't some identity politics-obsessed socialist!

I don't know many "old school" Republicans who support amnesty for illegals breaking into a country. Increasing legal immigration?  You may want to check out why real conservatives oppose that as well. There is an acronym for conservatives who think like that. It's called a RINO.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I don't know many "old school" Republicans who support amnesty for illegals breaking into a country. Increasing legal immigration?  You may want to check out why real conservatives oppose that as well. There is an acronym for conservatives who think like that. It's called a RINO.

 

[The_Reader_David]

It's fairly clear that Trump can't win reelection.  The Democrats, however, can lose their attempt to replace him, and from all indications coming from the "Clown Car" primary they are going to have, are definitely on track to do just that. 

[Jazzhead]

In 2016 few knew Trump but many more knew Hilarity and the result was predictable.
In 2020 many more will know Trump and far less, any D's newcomer; a very serious problem.
His inability to judge character is alarming, his lack of decisiveness (Venezuela, Syria, South Korea)
is telling and his lack of restraint (tweets, yip-yap) confirms him as undisciplined and reckless.

Good points.   Just as in 2016,  voters will be voting for the devil they don't know rather than the one they know all too well.

[Dexter]

he's done very well on about everything but the wall.

What should he have done that he didn't attempt to do? At the end of the day the president isn't a dictator. He can't just snap his fingers and see it done. Half the country is set on doing anything and everything to stop him from achieving his goal.

[skeeter]

What should he have done that he didn't attempt to do? At the end of the day the president isn't a dictator. He can't just snap his fingers are see it done. Half the country is set on doing anything and everything to stop him from achieving his goal.

On any other issue I would be sympathetic. But this border situation screams for a solution right now.

You are right he's trying harder than anyone else has in 60 years under the current climate to stop the flow. But he's the only person in a position to do something and he needs to go nuclear soon or we are finished.

[Frandia]

On any other issue I would be sympathetic. But this border situation screams for a solution right now.

You are right he's trying harder than anyone else has in 60 years under the current climate to stop the flow. But he's the only person in a position to do something and he needs to go nuclear soon or we are finished.

He may have been finished before he started because everyone but the administration seemed to know what McConnell was about and that he was not going to help.

[Fishrrman]

skeeter wrote:
"You are right he's trying harder than anyone else has in 60 years under the current climate to stop the flow. But he's the only person in a position to do something and he needs to go nuclear soon or we are finished."

You done pretty much said it all.

Of course, the democrat-communists are the enemy. Not "the other side", but:  THE ENEMY.

But Mr. Trump can expect to receive next-to-no help from the Republicans in Congress either.

And most of the bureaucracy will remain against him.

So... he got to pretty much go it alone, with the possible exception of the Supreme Court (and lower federal courts).
And he still has his position as commander in chief of the military.

That's why I believe and assert that he must act unilaterally, without regard for or consent of the Congress. He must go "up against" the entire Congress (Republicans included) with the hope and expectation that the response from the American people will ultimately back up his actions. Remember how "comprehensive immigration reform" was twice defeated in the past?

Mr. Trump has already declared an emergency at the border under his (Congressionally-approved) legal authority to do so, and Congress failed to overturn that.

So, the next step is to ACT in response to the emergency.
Send the troops and order construction of the barrier to begin.
Worry about "funding" later. Use whatever $$$$ can be scrounged up.
If private contractors can't respond quickly enough, use the military Corps of Engineers to design and execute the construction. JUST GET GOING on this.

Let the Congress fume -- both the democrat-communists and the idiot Republicans.

But get going, get to work.
Time's running out.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

On any other issue I would be sympathetic. But this border situation screams for a solution right now.

You are right he's trying harder than anyone else has in 60 years under the current climate to stop the flow. But he's the only person in a position to do something and he needs to go nuclear soon or we are finished.

He instructed his agencies to find unused money that could be applied and DoD found something like $12B IIRC.   Maybe he is doing something and it just doesn't happen as quickly as we'd all like?

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

Just when you thought this place was safe to take the women and kids to for Sunday Brunch, like Chick Fil A, here come The

 "I will hate Trump and talk trash aboubt him no matter Where he rises in the mornings, Dexter, Jazzhead, ETC, and despite his obviously Already Hammered Poles.

You people really Do take yourselves and your opinions seriously, don't you?

[truth_seeker]

If Trump wins the same states again he wins again.

His supporters are very loyal.

Meanwhile his detractors and their media partners have new stories every day.