The Briefing Room

General Category => Politics/Government => Topic started by: libertybele on May 11, 2016, 10:46:06 pm

Title: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: libertybele on May 11, 2016, 10:46:06 pm
So tell me.  How is this election any different than the past several presidential elections; W. Bush was the lesser evil of Gore, W. Bush was the lesser evil of Kerry, McCain was the lesser evil of Obama, Romney was the lesser evil of Obama.  As for this election, I really don't care who the lesser evil is between Trump and Hillary as I don't plan on voting for either one!  Why should I vote for evil??  Seriously?

Lesser-of-two-evils election? Trump, Clinton make play for crossover votes

The outcome of the 2016 White House race could come down to which candidate successfully appeals to voters as the lesser of two evils – and not just who does the better job of driving party faithful to the polls.

There’s little argument over the deep voter distaste for Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump -- with polls essentially showing them the most unpopular presidential candidates in modern U.S. history.

The RealClearPolitics.com polling average pegs Trump’s unfavorability rating at roughly 65 percent, and Clinton’s at about 55 percent. A fresh Quinnipiac poll shows voters in key swing states have sour feelings toward both candidates. In Tuesday's Nebraska GOP primary, four in 10 voters still chose someone other than the party's presumptive nominee. And in West Virginia, exit polls showed a third of Democratic primary voters vowing they'd vote for Trump over Clinton.

But in those numbers may lie a unique opportunity: a chance for the likely general election foes to poach disenchanted voters from each other’s party. This raises the possibility of a frenzied scramble for crossover votes going into the fall -- as Trump appeals to Democrats to vote against Clinton, Clinton appeals to Republicans to vote against Trump, and both play big to independents.

Republican strategist Rob Burgess pointed to a long history of Americans “claiming to vote for the [lesser] of two evils.” However, he says such lore could be reality in 2016, especially if Trump continues to harp on Clinton’s legacy of “shady record-keeping.”

“As long as Secretary Clinton is being investigated for the improper handling of our country's classified documents, voters will pause before casting a vote for her," he said.

Clinton has struggled with voters who question her trustworthiness amid an FBI investigation into her use of private emails while secretary of state and other controversies.

Likewise, Trump’s controversial comments and views on everything from Muslims to women to illegal immigrants – and fluid positions on a range of key issues -- have made him plenty of foes on the Republican side.

There already are signs Clinton’s team wants to peel off disaffected Republicans – and GOP donors. The day after Trump won a landslide victory last week in Indiana, a top Clinton fundraiser reached out to a Republican fundraiser with an email, obtained by FoxNews.com, that included the subject line: “We want you on the Hillary team!!!”

“Definitely let me know if there's even a slight chance of getting you on our team,” the email read. “Trump will be a disaster for the country if he wins the presidency.”

Trump has an uncanny appeal for many voters, which helped him vanquish 16 GOP rivals and increase party turnout “by millions and millions” compared with 2012, as he frequently boasts.

Still, some party elders and leaders are reluctant to get behind him, including House Speaker Paul Ryan. Former Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush also have no plans to endorse Trump, though no prominent Republican has publicly vowed to instead vote for Clinton.

Perhaps the most high-profile defector to Clinton is Mark Salter -- a former, long-time adviser to 2012 GOP presidential nominee John McCain.

“I’m with her,” he tweeted after Trump attacked then-primary rival Texas Sen. Ted Cruz based off a National Enquirer story....

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/05/11/lesser-two-evils-election-trump-clinton-make-play-for-crossover-votes.html?intcmp=hplnws
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: Timber Rattler on May 11, 2016, 10:49:17 pm
I don't vote for evil, period.
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: Silver Pines on May 11, 2016, 10:52:49 pm
"Of two evils, choose neither."

Charles Spurgeon
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: Oceander on May 11, 2016, 10:54:01 pm
Neither is the lesser; that's the problem. 
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: ABX on May 11, 2016, 11:02:07 pm
(https://collapseofindustrialcivilization.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/db795362b1c911e1af7612313813f8e8_6.jpg)
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: kjam22 on May 11, 2016, 11:09:06 pm
I really don't care who the lesser evil is between Trump and Hillary as I don't plan on voting for either one!  Why should I vote for evil??  Seriously?

Lesser-of-two-evils election? Trump, Clinton make play for crossover votes

Agree..... I won't vote for either of them.  Not going to happen....
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: Jewbacca on May 11, 2016, 11:15:03 pm
I probably can't bring myself to vote for Trump.  I'll probably vote for the libertarian, even though he is a nut.

I cast my vote in NY, though, so it doesn't matter.

Hillary will beat Trump in NY like a orange-headed step child.
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: ConstitutionRose on May 11, 2016, 11:17:56 pm
(https://collapseofindustrialcivilization.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/db795362b1c911e1af7612313813f8e8_6.jpg)

Good articulation of what I've been thinking. 
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: INVAR on May 11, 2016, 11:20:42 pm
Hmmmm the lesser of two evils…..

Progressive Populist Fascism

Or

Marxist Communism

Statism and tyranny with different heads but still a dictatorship nonetheless.

No thanks.  I choose not to play their shell game.

I'm making other arrangements for the consequences that they will bring.
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: geronl on May 11, 2016, 11:26:52 pm
There is no lesser evil this time around
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: Fantom on May 11, 2016, 11:30:29 pm


Personally I consider it a choice 'Twixt the "lessor" of two weasels.

And , sad too say...Hilary is a lessor weasel than trump.

Not that I will vote for either one.
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: Fantom on May 11, 2016, 11:31:19 pm
 
There is no lesser evil this time around


Yep...  :beer:
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: Fantom on May 11, 2016, 11:34:03 pm
Good articulation of what I've been thinking.

Yep.. embrace the suck... it will get darker before the Dawn... Cruz.. or Sasse in 2020.
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: RetBobbyMI on May 11, 2016, 11:35:32 pm
if Hillary is to the left of the left side and Trump is to the far left of the right side, I wonder where crossover votes come from, or go?  Neither will get the right of the right.
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: Fantom on May 11, 2016, 11:47:03 pm
if Hillary is to the left of the left side and Trump is to the right side, I wonder where crossover votes come from, or go?  Neither will get the right of the right.

That kind of circular logic is worth a bisection.. or a colonoscopy.. take your pick.

But I thought trump was left of Hillary these days.. well maybe Scam Wow farted and Hilly moved downwind.
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: libertybele on May 11, 2016, 11:59:17 pm
Anyone still think that this isn't a hostile take over of the GOP by Clinton/DEMS/Trump?  I believe this has been in the works for quite sometime. I wouldn't be surprised if members of the GOPe like McConnell are involved.
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: RetBobbyMI on May 12, 2016, 12:04:17 am
Anyone still think that this isn't a hostile take over of the GOP by Clinton/DEMS/Trump?  I believe this has been in the works for quite sometime. I wouldn't be surprised if members of the GOPe like McConnell are involved.
Something to be said about all of Trumps contributions to the Dems, Clintons, etc.  Pay to Play?  Pay to get their help?
Title: Re: Lesser of Two Evils Election?
Post by: Right_in_Virginia on May 12, 2016, 01:06:15 am
Anyone still think that this isn't a hostile take over of the GOP by Clinton/DEMS/Trump?

Yes.  This is a shareholder revolt from the GOP grassroots up.