A general thread to discuss Trump

[KidKruger]

On a more serious note, I have been following the COB news and narrative regarding the US election for some months now until the wee early hours (as one has to, to catch the live info).

I am horrified at the current President and his behaviours, dialogue and disregard.

It's utterly shocking. And so is that of his advisors, family and supporters (or a great number of them at least).

We all know how he got into power, hopefully never to be repeated, but additional controls need to be put in place to ensure this mockery of the position doesn't occur again.

[Blah Blah]

There is a great documentary series on channel five catch up here....

https://www.my5.tv/america-s-great-divide-from-obama-to-trump

It is a reminder of how Trump was helped into power by many dynamics that he does not have the benefit of this time round, and the dangerous game played by Fox News and Brietbart, who pretty much set America on itself to get him there.

It is also interesting to note that Trump is going about his rallies with exactly the same combative narrative he used against Hilary. Very little on policy, but plenty on the mud slinging and acerbic tone. I suspect that what many people want now is actual policy and a vision for America's future. They won't get that from Trump.

One note of caution though. While Trump is behind in the polling, Biden is doing very little actual traveling and campaigning. Last time round, Hilary lost in places she should have won, but didn't go to on the campaign trail. Once again, Trump is doing the travelling, doing the rallies. In America, that matters. If Biden stands back too much, it might cost the Democrats again.

[KidKruger]

Yes I watched the PresDeb last night.

As you say, mudslinging instead of policy.

There was a stark contrast between the measured, clear, policy statements from one candidate and the deep insults, flagrant disinterest in key issues and blatant lies of the other.

I think this was the first time I?ve seen Trump unable to shout down his opponent at will. The effect for me was that he was floundering and is clearly ill-equipped to be even near Government. Exposed as the fake.

You have to wonder about the mentality of those who vote for Trump after the last few weeks, and fear for the Country as a whole.

[JohnL]

Trinnydad Wrote:

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> On the plus side, The Donald's unpredictability

> has got the Russians & Chinese worried.

>

> Just keep him away from the big red button and all

> will be OK.

He'll never find it.

More likely he'll sit on it.

[Alan Medic]

He's proven he could remember the code though, if he did find it.....woman,man,camera...and some others for bonus points and getting them in order.

[diable rouge]

A Dutch journalist got into his Twitter account by guessing the password was MAGA2020... :)

[Blah Blah]

It was an interesting debate if only for that reason, Trump being unable to bully his way through, shouting down any attempt from his rival to counter punch. Trump was unable to let go though until he had said everything he felt he needed to say, which for the most part was the mud slinging. The other difference is that this time round, Trump is not the incumbent, so trying to argue that Biden did nothing in the past as though Trump has done everything he promised he would do, is hollow. As for those who voted for Trump, a good number of them won't be doing so this time (including lifelong Republicans). That is why he is so behind in the polling in some key states. We shall see.

[Blah Blah]

diable rouge Wrote:

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> A Dutch journalist got into his Twitter account by

> guessing the password was MAGA2020... :)

Really? lol

[diable rouge]

I saw it on a Twitter feed, I see the Guardian are reporting it, it's not been confirmed by Twitter, but the same guy got into Trump's account in 2016, I'm guessing then the password was MAGA2016...:)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/22/trump-twitter-hacked-dutch-researcher-password

[JohnL]

diable rouge Wrote:

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> A Dutch journalist got into his Twitter account by

> guessing the password was MAGA2020... :)

I saw that but it means he changes it every year so he has some security regime

[Blah Blah]

That is so funny. But also not surprising. Trump is a narcissistic populist after all :D

[Sue]

The 2016 password was "yourefired" and the 2020 one has an exclamation mark 🤣

https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/22/dutch-hacker-trump-twitter-account-password/

"They" are now belatedly making sure Trump has double level security to get into Twitter (something like a number sequence texted to his mobile, I presume).

[diable rouge]

Could be a record-breaking turnout, huge polling queues, might as well enjoy the wait...:)

 

[Blah Blah]

A higher than average turnout is always bad for the Republicans.

[JohnL]

I love how they have Anthony Scaramucci as a regular on Sky News and he hates Trump. Better as an occasional political commentator than in government.

[Blah Blah]

Agreed. He seems far more rational as a commentator than he ever did as a politician. He seems to have found the road to Damascus too.

[diable rouge]

Trump wouldn't have got away with what he has without the complicity and duplicity of the Republican Party. If Trump loses they've all got some serious soul-searching to do...

[KidKruger]

Just gotta count those postal votes.

Gonna get messy perhaps.

[JohnL]

CNN just don't stop - what are they on.

[JohnL]

Trump has performed well here obviously, better than the polls - but there was always going to be a red mirage

is it a mirage :).

[TheCat]

Win or lose, what is clear here is that 2016 was not just a 'fluke' or a knee-jerk against Clinton.

Trump's broad appeal with people other than 'angry white man' belie the narrative in much of the broadcast and print media (well, at least the liberal media sources) it would appear.

From my relatively uniformed perspective sitting in London, it seems that for many its a case of 'yes, he's a loudmouth buffoon, but he's OUR loudmouth buffoon'....

[TheCat]

Anyway...the collective EDF should stop worrying about people voting for Trump.....so far 60,000 americans have voted for Kanye West....

[JohnL]

The CNN lead presenter keeps turning to camera and making moral speeches (about a divided country and democracy) :)

[legalalien]

there seems to be a bit of a toxic relationship:

(I) trump loves winding the media up and making grandiose statements that are open to a wide range of interpretations, i think deliberately, and then each side reads into them what they want to

(ii) the media is a bit hysterical and Trump may have a bit of a point when he says they don't always give the full picture.

Take Trump's speech this morning and the bit about the Supreme Court. My first thought was that there probably isn't a way to go directly to the Supreme Court, there would have to be some lower level court proceedings first - so google and you find (in less than 5 mins) this helpful Guardian article from last week which describes the recent wranglings whereby the Democrat controlled State supreme court in Pennsylvania has authorised a change to state law permitting a three day extension post election day for postal votes; republicans appealed to the US supreme court for an emergency decision on this pre election but were denied in a 4-4 split, and the case still potentially remains to be heard. The votes concerned are being kept separate from the other votes in case this goes to court / is decided in favour of the republicans. I gather there's a constitutional issue as to whether state courts should be able to override state legislatures around voting rules.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/28/pennsylvania-elections-ballot-extension-supreme-court

All the reporting makes it sound as though Trump just wants to put peoples votes in the bin for no reason, but surely some of the reporters must know about this background? Trump could have been more specific and avoiding the ensuing media storm - he no doubt has his own reasons for that.

The polarisation of everything is just exhausting.

[JohnL]

Biden won't want it to go to Pennsylvania - Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin and Michigan might do it.