PP: "As to the Scalia question, it was a gotcha type question. One had to know exactly what Scalia said and how it was referenced. And unless one saw a few specific sites that covered it, a person would not know the full context of the statement. Maybe Trump should not have responded without knowing the full sound bite, but this is not a big deal."
Interesting take. He was happy to open mouth first and check facts second? Then where did he tweet his correction; he said he would tell us when he is wrong.
When I think Scalia is wrong about something or hasn't fully thought it through, I KNOW to take a closer look.
What it shows is that Trump either doesn't take these things seriously, constitutional law, or he is on the other team, which also means he doesn't take these things seriously. Like answering the objection to Kelo, how would you stop the abuse of that wrongful government power even if you could point to one example of where good seem to come from it?
Equal Protection is not a big deal? Kelo is not a big deal? Or is a good thing? Supreme Court issues and picks not a big deal? Or power grabbing Justices are fine? Sandra Day O'Connor opinion in U of Mich affirmative action case made sense; she is smarter than the Founders? We can change constitution by interpreting it as we wish instead of AMENDING it? And Rubio is the one pretending to be conservative? Good luck with that.
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PP: I bet you did not even listen to the speech and interview where this was said. Well, I did:
The maniac portion was actually in reference to Cruz and what he has done in the Senate. Cruz has done his filibustering, which is fine. but Cruz has alienated all the Senate as well. To show how bad it is, on a "second" procedural type vote yesterday, Cruz wanted to have a "second" vote. The entire Senate, both sides, completely rebuked him.
The point isn't that he is wrong on Cruz. The reason that quote is so laughable is that is exactly what Trump is doing, for example on the debate stage or even in that comment, sabotaging his own possibility of picking even his closest ally in the entire field for VP. Carly also, great VP choice is you want to beat Hillary - sabotaged.
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"The GOP deserves to go the way of the Whigs."
These are the people he needs to unite with to win the general election. He needs to win them over just to win the nomination, but who cares about that...
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Loser Law in several states (44 states?), you can't run in the primary in one party and be on the general election ballot of another. Trump's threat to run as an independent is coming to a head shortly.
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"Monmouth showing Trump at 41%. Cruz at 14%."
- Outlier poll. His ceiling seems to be 35%. But let's call it 41% with rounding.
"Cruz cannot win the national election. He will be hammered with Tea Party attacks and his religious/conservative positions. Plus, he will not have any crossover appeal. And crossovers will be the key to winning the election."
- Agree. Unless he has some magical, Reagan like ability to reach people and change them and he doesn't.
"If/when Trump hits 51%, what happens?"
- He built his own disapproval and strong disapproval to prevent that from happening.
The most obvious, cynical, conspiratorial view of all this is not the GOPe plot theory since they don't even have a horse left to bet on, it is that Trump did this whole thing as a Hillary plant. Trump gains a lot of self promotion, has a ball, turned the whole GOP race upside down and into a circus and a distraction. Did so well even he forgot it was just a prank. When was the last time you heard about her missing emails or a thousand and counting classified ones sent and received unsecured? But if/when Trump loses or quits, a far right tea party Senator like Rubio or even Cruz looks like a responsible choice.
