US Politics Thread |OT| THE DARKEST TIMELINE

[Steve Contra]

Was Romney ever doing as badly as Jeb?  I kind of remember him always being right around 2nd, whereas Jeb is just a terrible fucking candidate. 

[Great Rumbler]

Between August 2011 and February 2012, Romney was usually in second place behind whichever Tea Party favorite was currently peaking. His numbers stayed pretty decent, though, and trended upward throughout the whole process.

[Phoenix Dark]

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/republican_presidential_nomination-1452.html

Reset the graph for August 2011 to April 2012. Romney started out the clear frontrunner. While multiple candidates took the lead (Perry, Cain, Gingrich, Santorum) throughout the process, Romney never fell into the dumpster like Bush. Dude is bombing hard. He still has the money and name ID edge but I'm just not convinced he can win in this climate.

[Great Rumbler]

I really don't understand why the GOP establishment is pushing Jeb so hard. Hardly anybody wants a third Bush in the White House and Jeb as the nominee would put Dubya's legacy back in the limelight, which they've spent the last 6 years trying to erase from the public consciousness. I mean, I know there's a segment of the public that really hates Obama, but pretty much everybody hated Duby'a guts by the twilight of his Presidency, so if you're going to stack the two up in battle between Duby'a successor and the successor to both Obama and Bill Clinton, is it even a fair fight?

And this guy can't even properly answer the one question that he's known from the start that'd he get asked[Iraq invasion].

[Barry Egan]

If you were the GOP establishment, who of the current batch would you back? 

The Bush's at least have a winning track record (for elections...) to their name, and Jeb once had the reputation as being the "smart Bush". I remember Democrats lamenting that he hadn't run instead of W. during his reign.  Apparently no one knew how bad he was at this until a few months ago.

The only campaign that the establishment kind of likes and hasn't completely imploded is Rubio.  If Bush is abandoned I imagine support will move in his direction.

If Rubio face-plants though 

[Phoenix Dark]

As an example, Obama is at 46% right now (Gallup). At this point in Bush's presidency (August 2007) he was at 32%. Bush left office at like 24%.

Good luck Jeb.

[Kara]

If I were the GOP establishment I'd back whomever I could siphon the most off for my buddies and me in this indecorous age of Super PACs, et cetera.

Which is probably what they were planning on doing before El Don.

[Joe Molotov]

http://money.cnn.com/2015/08/25/media/fox-support-megyn-kelly-donald-trump/index.html

It just doesn't stop.

[Brehvolution]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-dark-side-gop

“Twenty-five percent of our party that probably thinks Obama was born in Kenya or wants to believe that. There’s 25 percent of our party wants him to be a Muslim because they hate him so much," Graham said. "So, there’s a dark side of politics that Mr. Trump is appealing to."

 

You mean the same idiots you try to appeal to, Mr. Graham?

[Brehvolution]

Ailes wants an apology from Trump. Hopefully, Trump tweets that Ailes worked for that failure Nixon and his "news" station is a front for the oligarchy.

[Brehvolution]

I've seen it said elsewhere that the main reason Trump has such a big lead is because republicans are sick of republican politicians.

[Great Rumbler]

I've seen it said elsewhere that the main reason Trump has such a big lead is because republicans are sick of republican politicians.

There is a bit of an anti-establishment strain that feels like it's gotten burned by Romney in 2012 and repeatedly by Congressional leadership in the Obamacare battle, I think it's likely there's where a huge chunk of Trump's support is coming from.

[Joe Molotov]

They want someone who can win, Romney choked like a dog (present company excepted).

[Samson Manhug]

I thought this Vox article made some good points in why Trump's popularity isn't so unusual:

http://www.vox.com/2015/8/25/9203405/trump-european-far-right

Trump's GOP is basically the US' answer to UKIP or the French FN—it's a nationalist populist movement. the article makes a good point in that the shaping/evolution of US political parties is only natural in our political institutions (whereas in Europe it makes more sense to form new parties.)

The nationalist populist approach has gained a lot of traction in Europe as their own baby boomers age, economies slow, immigration continues, and the welfare state is tested. It almost seems inevitable in hindsight that the US electorate would also respond to this sort of candidate considering we are facing a lot of the same problems.

TL;DR: White people are scared and think getting rid of the Mexicans will save social security (it won't.)

[TakingBackSunday]

Are we at the point where we all honestly think Donald Trump could win the presidency?

[Joe Molotov]

No.

[Kara]

Are we at the point where we all honestly think Donald Trump could win the presidency?

Pretty much the only thing keeping me from Diablosing rn is that there are some pretty high Electoral College hurdles to jump. Even then I remind myself that half the country doesn't vote for ambiguous reasons and my blood pressure rises.

[Samson Manhug]

I'm with PD that it just doesn't make sense in a national election to alienate the Hispanic vote in a gamble to capture the silent majority racist electorate. They all voted against Obama in 2008 and 2012 and he still won. i just don't think they're that useful unless you are are also courting some other very significant demographics.

[Phoenix Dark]

Trump won't get the nom but if he did he'd have no shot against Hillary or Biden. You can't become president of the United States while getting 20% of the Hispanic vote, which is what Trump would get (at best).

iirc it's nigh impossible to get to 270 EC without 43% of the Hispanic vote.

[Phoenix Dark]

https://twitter.com/CNNSitRoom/status/636310210257121280

yea...this is all over Hispanic news right now.

[Mandark]

Pretty much the only thing keeping me from Diablosing rn is that there are some pretty high Electoral College hurdles to jump. Even then I remind myself that half the country doesn't vote for ambiguous reasons and my blood pressure rises.

I've seen you make the comparison to the Governator before, but don't sweat it.  The staggered primary system is way more effective at weeding out atypical candidates than statewide elections.  Also, Schwarzenegger was pretty widely supported by the California GOP, no?  He might have been as unqualified as Trump, but he had spent years campaigning for Republicans and building ties within the party, and his campaign speeches were positive, vague, and inoffensive.

Trump is actively looking for bridges to burn.  Eventually support will coalesce around Bush/Walker/Rubio/whomever and we'll have a nominee who's terrible in the accepted, respectable way.

[Kara]

Read that Vox article, don't really disagree with it other than that the labeling of those parties as far-right has more to do with the fact that there is no material economic right/left divide in Western politics anymore than some kind oversight in classification. Stank of that libertarian quadrant thing.

[Human Snorenado]

The only reason Trump is leading right now is that there are 16 other idiots running. Not Trump is more popular with the GOP primary electorate than Trump; the problem is that Not Trump is splitting it's vote between Rubio/Bush/Walker etc (Cruz voters are Trump voters, so tack another 7% or whatever onto the Donald's tally.)

As the field thins, Trump will "lose steam;" well, the idiot media will sell it that way. He actually probably won't lose any steam, he just maxed out and his max is less than 50% +1, which is what he needs to win.

[Van Cruncheon]

They want someone who can win, Romney choked like a Huckabee dog (present company excepted).

ftfy

[Himu]

There are protests in LA, DC, and other places protesting for the trans women murdered this year and the absolute silence from those in power. DTLA has police in riot gear.

A lot of these people are actually cis. They are also BLM sponsored.

A lot of these women completely passed and they were still murdered. Goes to show that if you turn on the wrong man (or group of men) they will try to end your life when they find out you're trans because their manhood can't take it. Completely turns the "if you pass, you should be fine" line of defense in trans circles on its head. Doesn't matter, you'll still be a target.

[Himu]

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/08/anti-lgbt-group-running-ad-calling-trans-women-in-womens-bathrooms-filthy-disgusting-and-unsafe/

Ever notice it's always about "men in women's bathrooms" and not "women in men's bathrooms?"

Sure would love to have this fella in the women's restroom.



Htown got em mad.

[Kara]

Be an adult and GAF about who uses what bathroom brehs.

[Phoenix Dark]

Dudes taking pics of other people the bathroom 

[ToxicAdam]

I think Trump's popularity is due to the fact that he gets to say what he wants without worrying about the ramifications. More and more people feel like they have to watch what they say 100% of the time in fear of reprisal.  So, they respond to this person who seems to have no constraints on his speech (even if some of it is nonsense or distasteful).

I don't  think there could ever be a "lefty Trump" though. Their constituents are too prickly on language or perceived intent.

[Joe Molotov]

Be an adult and GAF about who uses what bathroom brehs.

Don't women's restrooms have stalls? Or do they just all do their business in an open hole in the middle of the room while staring at each other's hoohas?

[studyguy]

https://twitter.com/CNNSitRoom/status/636310210257121280

yea...this is all over Hispanic news right now.

That was playing nonstop all yesterday and this morning.
If you thought -51 was bad, this might have just doubled it.

[Phoenix Dark]

Colorado will not vote for a Republican candidate for president at its 2016 caucus after party leaders approved a little-noticed shift that may diminish the state's clout in the most open nomination contest in the modern era.

The GOP executive committee has voted to cancel the traditional presidential preference poll after the national party changed its rules to require a state's delegates to support the candidate that wins the caucus vote.

The move makes Colorado the only state so far to forfeit a role in the early nomination process, according to political experts, but other caucus states are still considering how to adapt to the new rule.

"It takes Colorado completely off the map" in the primary season, said Ryan Call, a former state GOP chairman.

Republicans still will hold precinct caucus meetings in early 2016 to begin the process of selecting delegates for the national convention — but the 37 delegates are not pledged to any specific candidate.

hmmm I wonder why they -

   

    HomeDenver and the WestStory

Denver and the West
Colorado Republicans cancel presidential vote at 2016 caucus
Move makes Colorado only state to date to opt out of early nomination process
By John Frank
The Denver Post
Posted:   08/25/2015 02:06:20 PM MDT | Updated:   about 5 hours ago

Colorado GOP chairman Steve House
Colorado GOP chairman Steve House (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

    Aug 26:
    Trump has Univision anchor removed from news conference
    Bush hit from both sides on birthright citizenship
    Aug 25:
    Bush calls Aurora VA hospital a "disaster," but argues for completion
    Jeb Bush holds veterans' town hall in Colorado
    Aug 11:
    Can super PAC support save cash-strapped Perry bid?
    Trump says he'll release policy specifics soon

Colorado will not vote for a Republican candidate for president at its 2016 caucus after party leaders approved a little-noticed shift that may diminish the state's clout in the most open nomination contest in the modern era.

The GOP executive committee has voted to cancel the traditional presidential preference poll after the national party changed its rules to require a state's delegates to support the candidate that wins the caucus vote.

The move makes Colorado the only state so far to forfeit a role in the early nomination process, according to political experts, but other caucus states are still considering how to adapt to the new rule.

"It takes Colorado completely off the map" in the primary season, said Ryan Call, a former state GOP chairman.

Republicans still will hold precinct caucus meetings in early 2016 to begin the process of selecting delegates for the national convention — but the 37 delegates are not pledged to any specific candidate.

The Democratic Party still will hold a presidential straw poll March 1 — a Super Tuesday vote in a key swing state that is attracting attention from top-tier candidates.

For Republicans, no declared winner means the caucus will lack much of its hype. The presidential campaigns still may try to win delegate slots for their supporters, but experts say the move makes it less likely that candidates will visit Colorado to court voters.

The Colorado system often favors anti-establishment candidates who draw a dedicated following among activists — as evidenced by Rick Santorum's victory in 2012 caucus. So the party's move may hurt GOP contenders such as Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Rand Paul, who would have received a boost if they won the state.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28700919/colorado-republicans-cancel-2016-presidential-caucus-vote

the fix is in 

[Joe Molotov]

[studyguy]

To further add fuel to that flame when Ramos gets booted out of the room, if you guys hadn't heard.
Cause it's all I've been hearing on spanish news.



 

[Himu]

I think Trump's popularity is due to the fact that he gets to say what he wants without worrying about the ramifications. More and more people feel like they have to watch what they say 100% of the time in fear of reprisal.  So, they respond to this person who seems to have no constraints on his speech (even if some of it is nonsense or distasteful).

I don't  think there could ever be a "lefty Trump" though. Their constituents are too prickly on language or perceived intent.

Some political theorists are saying that Sanders is a left version of Trump in that he's breeding a populist movement.

[ToxicAdam]

Bernie isn't quite bombastic enough. You would need someone with Bernie's record, but Alan Grayson or Michael Moore's mouth.


Actually, thinking about it, Alan Grayson probably IS the Donald Trump of the left. He's just lacking the Q rating and billions of dollars.

 

[Phoenix Dark]

Donald Trump is not a populist.

[Himu]

Donald Trump is not a populist.

Naw, he is. He's a nationalistic populist. Speaking for "ordinary, common Americans" is Trump's schtick because he says "things no one else will say!" He's a populist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism

Populism is a political doctrine that appeals to the interests and conceptions (such as hopes and fears) of the general population, especially when contrasting any new collective consciousness push against the prevailing status quo interests of any predominant political sector.

 

[Shadow Mod]

It feels weird to label Trump as anything but a giant troll.

[recursivelyenumerable]

I think Trump's popularity is due to the fact that he gets to say what he wants without worrying about the ramifications. More and more people feel like they have to watch what they say 100% of the time in fear of reprisal.  So, they respond to this person who seems to have no constraints on his speech (even if some of it is nonsense or distasteful).

I don't  think there could ever be a "lefty Trump" though. Their constituents are too prickly on language or perceived intent.

this is similar to my thread starting habits so maybe i should run for president on a new model platform?!?

[Phoenix Dark]

Donald Trump is not a populist.

Naw, he is. He's a nationalistic populist. Speaking for "ordinary, common Americans" is Trump's schtick because he says "things no one else will say!" He's a populist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism

Populism is a political doctrine that appeals to the interests and conceptions (such as hopes and fears) of the general population, especially when contrasting any new collective consciousness push against the prevailing status quo interests of any predominant political sector.

 

ok
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/122590/donald-trump-not-populist-hes-voice-aggrieved-privilege

[benjipwns]

Donald Trump is a populist.

It's just that populism is basically a meaningless adjective in American politics. Obama, Sarah Palin, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Paul, The Tea Party, Mitt Romney, Occupy Wall Street, Bill de Blaiso, Hillary Clinton, Debbie Spenditnow, etc. have all been labeled at one time or another in the last decade as populist or having "taken a populist turn" or "sounded a populist message."

A populist in American mainstream political language just means that the person is not acting like a "traditional" candidate (aka Thomas Dewey) or is talking about "unique" issues or some horseshit. Or that the person writing about them likes them. Or they say a lot of impolitic things.

When George Wallace ran in 1968 as an independent he was a populist! When he ran in 1964 and 1972 within the Democratic primaries with basically the same exact platform he was an out of touch reactionary!

Populism as an unique trait is pretty useless in a democracy where everyone is bragging about how much they're "FIGHTING" for the people against this set of the non-people or that set of the non-people.

[brawndolicious]

I don't think the populist/maverick image is anything other than a tool for him to get elected and have more fame and boost his ego. That's probably all he wants. I don't think he cares at all about the political power of the position honestly, just having his picture in every government office.

His way of talking to people makes me think that in his private negotiations, he either pisses off everybody or quietly capitulates because he knows he sounds dumb. Neither is great for leading a country.

[Kara]

Why do we care if Trump plays Populous in his spare time. It's a free country and that video game is like 20 years old.

[Himu]

Donald Trump is not a populist.

Naw, he is. He's a nationalistic populist. Speaking for "ordinary, common Americans" is Trump's schtick because he says "things no one else will say!" He's a populist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism

Populism is a political doctrine that appeals to the interests and conceptions (such as hopes and fears) of the general population, especially when contrasting any new collective consciousness push against the prevailing status quo interests of any predominant political sector.

 

ok
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/122590/donald-trump-not-populist-hes-voice-aggrieved-privilege

This is why you don't know the definition to atheist.

[benjipwns]

ok
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/122590/donald-trump-not-populist-hes-voice-aggrieved-privilege

Prior to Hofstadter, American historians tended to have a positive view of the original populists—the agrarian movement that emerged in the 1880s in the form of the People’s Party and other groups, and which eventually shaped, in attenuated form, the agenda of the Democratic Party of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. These original populists where radical small-d democrats who had a sweeping critique of the inequality of Gilded Age America, which saw the rise of giant corporations ruled by robber barons. They demanded government ownership of utilities like railroads, telephones, and telegraphs as well as a progressive income tax and democratic reforms like the direct election of senators and female suffrage.

In his 1955 Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Age of Reform, Hofstadter painted a much different picture of the original populists than had previously existed, arguing they were conspiracy-minded nativists and anti-Semites. For Hofstadter, populists were forerunners not of modern liberalism but of right-wing movements like McCarthyism.

This is attempting to define populist and populism as the platform of the People's Party/Populist Party which the author likes. The Progressives of the era regularly derided Populism as a political movement and its silly notions that "the people" should have any say in anything. The common man is an imbecile after all.

Even better the Populist/Greenback movement itself threw out the entire Omaha Platform to hook onto Bryan an election later just because he was for free silver and more likely to win.

The Republican, Free Soil, Anti-Mason and American Parties have just as valid claims on the "first populist parties" by our standard non-definition.

The Farmer's Alliance wasn't very open to immigrants or blacks and it's not like any of these movements had much nice to say about Jews. So I don't know why you'd try to make a defense of that.

More importantly from the related articles: What If Stalin Had Computers?

[benjipwns]

Why do we care if Trump plays Populous in his spare time. It's a free country and that video game is like 20 years old.

Because EA gave it away for free on Origin. I need to know if Trump is a Steam, Origin or uPlay man.

[Phoenix Dark]

Origin is doing very very poorly.

[benjipwns]

Now I'm imagining Trump relaxing by firing up the Sim City 2000 Urban Renewal Kit and painstakingly editing all the building sprites so they have "TRUMP" on them.

[benjipwns]

http://www.salon.com/2015/08/26/the_empire_strikes_back_the_media_political_elites_campaign_to_destroy_bernie_and_trump_and_restore_order/

The empire strikes back: The media-political elite’s campaign to destroy Bernie (and Trump) and restore order
Last week's Sanders snark-down in the Times is just the tip of the iceberg: The oligarchy wants its politics back

Last week the New York Times deigned to notice that Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is running for president – have you heard about this? – and even by the Gray Lady’s usual standard of treating everyone to the left of the Obama-Clinton Democratic center as a two-headed, kazoo-playing talking dog, it was quite a piece of work. Times reporter Jason Horowitz’s dispatch from a recent Sanders rally in Dubuque, Iowa, barely even pretended to be a news article. It emanated tangible hostility from beginning to end – sometimes veering toward distaste, sometimes toward mockery — and was loaded with scare quotes and attack adjectives. Sanders was described as grumpy, angry, disengaged, uncharismatic, judgmental and suspicious “of all things ‘feel good,’” yet also, despite those unappealing qualities, as a cult figure surrounded by a “circle of believers.”

Sanders’ references to the “corporate media” were enclosed in ironical quotes – what a ridiculous thing to say about the New York Times! – and his refusal to engage with questions about Hillary Clinton’s perceived political liabilities was described, twice within two paragraphs, as disdainful. Toward the end of the article, Horowitz finally expends a single paragraph outlining Sanders’ proposals for single-payer health care, expanded Social Security, free college tuition and breaking up the banking cartel. Without quoting anyone or citing any sources, Horowitz then introduces “the critique that none of these proposals is remotely plausible given the political realities in Washington,” and describes the political future envisioned by the Sanders campaign as a “fantasy scenario.”

...

But that sneering Sanders character assassination in the Times, which sought not just to demean the candidate but his supporters and the entire American progressive tradition he represents, went far beyond that kind of conventional horse-race analysis. It felt less like an effort to report the news than an effort to shape the news. I’m not saying that Horowitz was sent to Dubuque with specific instructions to rip Sanders apart with his glittering aperçus — in the print edition, the article’s pull quote read “A call for an uprising comes with little belief that it will occur” (oh, SNAP) – because that wasn’t necessary. Those instructions were undetectably but unmistakably present in the oxygen of the Times newsroom.

One might argue that this season of topsy-turvy, through-the-looking-glass politics, which continues to defy conventional expectations and deliver unexpected twists and turns, offers the political and media establishment a chance for some badly needed reflection and humility. I mean, none of us saw this coming, pretty much. It’s a moment to listen and learn, no? No one predicted that Donald Trump would surge to the front of the Republican field and stay there; no one predicted that a socialist septuagenarian from one of the smallest and whitest states in the nation would galvanize college-age crowds from coast to coast and emerge as a credible alternative to the Clinton coronation. Across the pond, almost nobody noticed when 66-year-old left-wing renegade Jeremy Corbyn threw his hat into the British Labour Party’s leadership race, in defiance of the apparent consensus that the party needed to tack rightward after its recent electoral defeat. Barring some unforeseen and nearly unimaginable turn of events, it now appears that Corbyn will take the reins as leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition on Sept. 12, despite overwhelming opposition from Labour insiders and elected officials.

[benjipwns]

Re: Thread Title

[studyguy]

US is really behind on their political hat game.
I mean we're at least 2 or 3 presidential cycles away from catching up to Japan for instance.

The fruity fashion did backfire once when Tomoyuki Hosoya, a vice-governor, faced widespread criticism when he turned up for an international conference on anti-disaster measures wearing a giant cherry hat.

This could be us one day.

[Atramental]

I hope Trump gets the nom so we can get a non-Hillary democrat to win the general.

There's just no fucking way Trump will ever get the hispanic vote needed to win the general election. Even if he somehow makes amends, the democrats can just run the 'mexicans are rapists' clip a bazillion times in political ads weeks before the election, and it's game over.

As others have pointed out, that makes it unlikely Trump will get the nomination. But if not Trump, then who? Jeb Bush is clumsy as hell.

https://www.facebook.com/everythingisterrible/videos/10155831394760517/

[benjipwns]

Me and PD have been telling you guys for years! His key attribute: Last Acceptable Man Standing!

That video just proves it to me. He's got that attribute in spades.

[Mandark]

I appreciate everyone trying to place Trump's campaign in a larger context or analyze his peculiar appeal.

But he's a white guy in America capitalizing on a distrust of brown people.  We sure we're not overthinking this?

[benjipwns]

I've been trying to tell people for the last two years that hating brown people was going to be the only important issue of the GOP primary. I'll admit I didn't see Trump being the standard bearer, I was imagining some kind of neo-Tancredo getting outsized support and everyone in the bubble being like HUH?!? It being Trump, and Trump actually running, is just the gravy on the train.

BUILD THE DANG FENCE.

[Kara]

http://www.salon.com/2015/08/26/the_empire_strikes_back_the_media_political_elites_campaign_to_destroy_bernie_and_trump_and_restore_order/

The empire strikes back: The media-political elite’s campaign to destroy Bernie (and Trump) and restore order

"Hey this sounds a lot like an Andrew O'Hehir headline." *click* *shakes head*

[benjipwns]

Al Sharpton is leaving MSNBC's weekday dayside lineup, and moving to Sunday mornings.

Sharpton's last weekday "PoliticsNation" will be Sept. 4. He moves to Sundays a month later on Oct. 4, according to a memo sent to MSNBC staff by the channel's president Phil Griffin Wednesday evening.

"I want to congratulate Al and his team. For four years they have done a terrific job bringing his voice and a big spotlight to issues of justice, civil rights and equality. And as many of you know, The Rev never missed a show," Griffin wrote in the email. "I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with a Sunday morning newsmaker program."

The 6 pm hour will temporarily be filled by "MSNBC Live," the channel's weekday news program. A permanent replacement will be named "soon after" Sharpton moves, per Griffin.

Sharpton broke the news of his new timeslot to the Daily News.

“I never wanted to be a weeknight pundit. I wanted to be a Sunday morning newsmaker," he told the News. "I wanted to be Dr. Martin Luther King, not Larry King.”

[OnlyRegret]

Man, one thing I like about Trump's popularity is how it made whoever the GOP farts are flounder in grooming and nominating their pet.
That wasted vote shit where people try to force you to vote for the groomed candidate.

Same shit democrat side. Have to vote for the established typical politician, gotta fearmonger votes away from Berns one way or another.

[benjipwns]

Quinnipac:
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/images/polling/us/us08272015_Ueg38d.pdf

Vice President Joseph Biden runs slightly better than former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton against leading Republican contenders in the 2016 presidential sweepstakes, and has the best favorability rating among top Republican and Democratic candidates, according to a Quinnipiac University National poll released today.

Donald Trump leads the crowded Republican pack with 28 percent, up from 20 percent in a July 30 national survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. This is the highest tally and widest margin for any Republican so far in this election. Ben Carson has 12 percent, with 7 percent each for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. No other Republican tops 6 percent and 11 percent are undecided.

Trump also tops the “no way” list as 26 percent of Republican voters say they would definitely not support him. Bush is next with 18 percent.

Clinton leads the Democratic field with 45 percent, down from 55 percent July 30, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont at 22 percent and Biden at 18 percent. No other candidate tops 1 percent with 11 percent undecided. This is Sanders’ highest tally and closest margin.

Clinton tops the Democrats’ “no way” list with 11 percent.

“Liar” is the first word that comes to mind more than others in an open-ended question when voters think of Clinton. “Arrogant” is the word for Trump and voters say “Bush” when they think of Bush.

Biden tops Trump 48 – 40 percent. He beats Bush 45 – 39 percent and gets 44 percent to Rubio’s
41 percent.
Clinton edges Trump 45 – 41 percent. She gets 42 percent to Bush’s 40 percent and gets 44 percent
to Rubio’s 43 percent.
 Sanders edges Trump 44 – 41 percent and edges Bush 43 – 39 percent. Rubio gets 41
percent to Sanders’ 40 percent.

If Trump runs as a third party candidate, Clinton gets 40 percent, with 24 percent each for Bush and Trump.

Jeb Bush has a negative 32 – 41 percent favorability rating among all voters, with Clinton getting a negative 39 – 51 percent score, her worst ever. Ratings for other top contenders are:
48 – 39 percent for Biden;
Negative 36 – 54 percent for Trump;
41 – 27 percent for Rubio;
32 – 28 percent for Sanders.

Trump and Clinton have the worst scores among top candidates on honesty:
Clinton is not honest and trustworthy, voters say 61 – 34 percent, her lowest score ever;
Trump is not honest and trustworthy, voters say 54 – 38 percent.

Also, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/26/morrissey-on-how-obama-has-meant-nothing-and-trump-can-t-be-allowed-to-represent-america.html

Last week on Larry King Now, Morrissey sealed his place as one of popdom’s most incendiary cultural critics by dropping unfiltered, unapologetic, and eloquently devastating truth bombs in the face of contemporary America—and he isn’t done critiquing everyone from President Obama to 2016 GOP hopeful Donald Trump.

...

“Obama, is he white inside? That’s a very logical question—but I think he probably is,” Morrissey pondered aloud last week to a smitten Larry King in a rare televised conversation in which he also addressed suicide, his cancer scare, and his notorious butt-groping at the fingers of the TSA.