Support NeoGAF

[LevelNth]

If they push him out and he runs 3rd party Hillary would also win in one of the biggest landslide victories in US history, too.

The only way to win is if he implodes by himself, really.

I agree, but the likelihood is less, so you really have to choose between the lesser of two evils. Moderate Republicans will never vote for Trump because when he gets to the big stage one-on-one with the Democratic candidate (Hilary), he is going to implode, and badly.

At the very least the GOP having their own gives them a shot to say to the RNC base that we're just like him without the crazy, so come on over to the good side.

It's slim, but it's better than nothing.

 

[Briarios]

If the GOP can't handle Trump, how can they handle Iran or North Korea ...

 

[Extra Sauce]

I can't believe anyone would show a lack of respect for Donald Trump.

 

[Burt]

Koch brothers about to write Trump a billion dollar check.

 

[Duane Cunningham]

Koch brothers about to write Trump a billion dollar check.

Hahaha... do it, boys!

 

[saelz8]

Koch brothers about to write Trump a billion dollar check.

Trump already has a billion dollar check.

You can't buy this dude off.

 

[TheUntamedLegend]

Not too familiar with Trump, why are people speculating that he may be a secret democrat? Jokingly or not.

To run as a third party in the United States almost always mean you are playing spoiler. If someone like Trump, whose entire support is coming from voters who would almost certainly vote Republican, ran as a third party, he would take those votes away from the eventual Republican nominee.

The reason you do not see failed primary candidates run as third party candidates is because A. they know they will lose and B. they are not willing to sabotage their own party. Trump does not care, and might be deluded enough to think he could actually win.

 

[Patryn]

Not too familiar with Trump, why are people speculating that he may be a secret democrat? Jokingly or not.

He's forcing the candidates to either take super crazy wingnut positions that will be poison in the general, or more moderate positions that will kill them in the primary, ensuring that an unelectable candidate will come out of the process.

 

[Gr1mLock]

i love this man

 

[PhoncipleBone]

It feels a bit too early to get excited about him going third party. I feel the train needs to get a bit further down the tracks and the GOP field more thinned out before Trump splitting off can do more damage.

 

[Jorok Goldblade]

1992 is coming back around. I look forward to the superhero cartoon Renaissance.


"Only Nineties Kids Will Get This Crazy Presidential Ballot"

 

[Patryn]

It feels a bit too early to get excited about him going third party. I feel the train needs to get a bit further down the tracks and the GOP field more thinned out before Trump splitting off can do more damage.

Yeah, I think he'll only do it if he's in the top 3 going into Super Tuesday at the very least.

He'll get discouraged if he gets knocked out too early. But if he manages to stay in until close to the end, I think he'll have the bravado to make a go of it.

 

[LucidMomentum]

Nothing trumps the Trump.

Man, I can not wait for the debates this year. The schadenfreude will be amazing.

 

[Grizzlyjin]

And I thought this was going to be a boring election like 1996 or 2000. Pretty sure the rumors were that RNC leadership spoke to Trump a few weeks ago and asked him to tone it down, and we can see how that worked.

He is basically sucking all the oxygen out of the room. It's quite fascinating. He doesn't leave any time to talk about the other candidates that entered the race. They get zero face time to gain with the public. It's already hard enough with such a large group. But Trump is making impossible for the smaller people to come up.

I guess the GOP wasn't going to shift itself until something dramatic happened. I figured they would take that on in the years between 2012 and now...but nothing changed. Now they have Frankenstein's monster telling them what the agenda will be.

 

[Frank Serpico]

Please God let him be a third party

 

[Africanus]

Not too familiar with Trump, why are people speculating that he may be a secret democrat? Jokingly or not.

Because he used to be a democrat, and is now running as a Republican in an already difficult election for Republicans. Now he threatens to go independent.
In most elections where a third party candidate has aligned with the interests of the two major parties of the day, the spoiler effect has occurred.
The first recorded one was James Birney for Henry Clay, allowing James K Polk to be elected.
More famously are William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt in fighting allowing Woodrow Wilson to win.
And in the recent past, Ross Perot for Bush Sr., and Nader for Gore.
These are not very isolated incidences, and the ramifications of the spoiler candidate have quite literally altered the course of history.
So why would Trump go ahead if not to sabotage the Republicans?

Spoiler

Narcissism. Therein lies the answer.

 

[Applesauce]

Trump = Ocelot / Liquid Snake
Hillary = Big Boss
Republicans = The Patriots

 

[Slayven]

And I thought this was going to be a boring election like 1996 or 2000. Pretty sure the rumors were that RNC leadership spoke to Trump a few weeks ago and asked him to tone it down, and we can see how that worked.

He is basically sucking all the oxygen out of the room. It's quite fascinating. He doesn't leave any time to talk about the other candidates that entered the race. They get zero face time to gain with the public. It's already hard enough with such a large group. But Trump is making impossible for the smaller people to come up.

I guess the GOP wasn't going to shift itself until something dramatic happened. I figured they would take that on in the years between 2012 and now...but nothing changed. Now they have Frankenstein's monster telling them what the agenda will be.

This might be a good thing for the GOP, make them take hard look at where they are at, and make some changes.

 

[Principate]

Trump already has a billion dollar check.

You can't buy this dude off.

He is literally the Joker of our times.

 

[danthefan]

Is this some sort of stunt or is he actually running?

 

[NeoXChaos]

This might be a good thing for the GOP, make them take hard look at where they are at, and make some changes.

they will blame it on Bush if that happens. They need Walker to lose for true reflection since he would be their "true conservative".

 

[Veritigo_X]

Is this some sort of stunt or is he actually running?

He's actually running. That doesn't mean it's not a stunt though. Like 90% of the GOP candidates are running as a publicity stunt.

 

[User 463088]

Oh, for the love of every god, goddess, deity and Giant Spaghetti Monster out there, run as a 3rd party candidate, Trump.

I'll volunteer for you. I'll canvass for you. Pleeeeease do it. Because you are the man we need on the ballot.

Spoiler

Because you'll make it so much easier for my girl to walk into the White House unchallenged

At first, I thought Trump was creating a reality show. Now, I think the entire thing is performance art. He's created a caricature of the troll brain wing of the GOP. He's become the personification of anger, resentment and bad hair that makes up a huge swath of the Republican Party...or maybe he's just an egotistical idiot, but then I repeat myself....

 

[Acorn]

Fair haired boy lol

 

[Team Alucard]

I guess the GOP wasn't going to shift itself until something dramatic happened.

Why would they shift when they control both branches of congress, not to mention a huge majority of governorships and state legislatures? Add that to the fact that the democrats are a party with almost no back-bone, and the GOP can get most of what they want without holding the executive branch.

People need to stop kidding themselves and realize that a large, large percentage of the electorate supports and believes in even the most abhorrent aspects of the GOP's platform, and that a GOP presidency is a lot more likely than the democrats somehow reversing the GOP's grip on the house, the senate, and state governments.

 

[Patryn]

Is this some sort of stunt or is he actually running?

He's currently the leading candidate for the Republican nomination.

This is not him saying that he'd run 3rd Party, just that if he doesn't win the Republican nom, he'd consider it.

 

[Ziltoidia 9]

This isn't a stunt. He stands to benefit highly financially if he wins. It might not be during his office years or what not, but he will make a lot in the long run from it.

 

[NerdEyeBlind]

YESSSSSSSSSSS

Do it, Don. DO IT!

 

[Principate]

Because he used to be a democrat, and is now running as a Republican in an already difficult election for Republicans. Now he threatens to go independent.
In most elections where a third party candidate has aligned with the interests of the two major parties of the day, the spoiler effect has occurred.
The first recorded one was James Birney for Henry Clay, allowing James K Polk to be elected.
More famously are William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt in fighting allowing Woodrow Wilson to win.
And in the recent past, Ross Perot for Bush Sr., and Nader for Gore.
These are not very isolated incidences, and the ramifications of the spoiler candidate have quite literally altered the course of history.
So why would Trump go ahead if not to sabotage the Republicans?

Spoiler

Narcissism. Therein lies the answer.

I laughed at this at first I'm now convinced this is the truth

Obama: Targeting Hispanics won't get them back in office. I knew the republicans wouldn't go down without a fight, but this is different. They crossed the line.

Biden: You crossed the line first, sir. You squeezed and hammered them to the point of desperation. And in their desperation they turned to a man they didn't fully understand.

Obama: Politicians aren't complicated, Joe. We just need to figure out what he's after.

Biden: With respect, Mr. President, perhaps this is a man that you don't fully understand either. A long time ago, I watched Trump tour the cable news circuit and speak on various social issues. Here was an obviously wealthy individual going on about a mother's right to choose, common sense gun control and healthcare availability for all. This man flew in the face of the lies the right had been trying to sell since Reagan.

Obama: Then why run as a Republican?

Biden: Well, because he thinks it good sport. Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.

I'm convinced he has no real goals in this election, he really is just attempting to burn the chances of winning this to the ground.

 

[ryseing]

That extension that adds quotes whenever Donald Trump is mentioned is making this thread 100x better.

 

[Zoe]

He's basically the new Ross Perot, isn't he?

I was too young to remember his platform, but I do remember everyone treating him as a huge joke but with enough clout to remain in focus.

 

[RDreamer]

Why would they shift when they control both branches of congress, not to mention a huge majority of governorships and state legislatures? Add that to the fact that the democrats are a party with almost no back-bone, and the GOP can get most of what they want without holding the executive branch.

People need to stop kidding themselves and realize that a large, large percentage of the electorate supports and believes in even the most abhorrent aspects of the GOP's platform, and that a GOP presidency is a lot more likely than the democrats somehow reversing the GOP's grip on the house, the senate, and state governments.

Mostly true.

Also, the republican surge came at the absolute most perfect time for them. 2010 they got to redistrict everything right after the surge. Good luck gaining back a lot of the states because of that!

 

[A Link to the Past]

Oh gosh, how amazing would it be if Trump commanded the awful far-right extremist vote? I mean it doesn't win elections anymore, but it definitely fucks the Republicans if they don't get it. I don't imagine it'd be any big command anyway though, since people are very attached to the Republican party, but I imagine some people will be swayed to go with Trump.

 

[Slayven]

He's basically the new Ross Perot, isn't he?

I was too young to remember his platform, but I do remember everyone treating him as a huge joke but with enough clout to remain in focus.

god I feel old, i remember the Ross Perot jokes

 

[Pop-O-Matic]

He's basically the new Ross Perot, isn't he?

I was too young to remember his platform, but I do remember everyone treating him as a huge joke but with enough clout to remain in focus.

All I remember about Perot was that All That sketch...

 

[RDreamer]

He's currently the leading candidate for the Republican nomination.

This is not him saying that he'd run 3rd Party, just that if he doesn't win the Republican nom, he'd consider it.

He's not saying that.

He's saying if the republican party doesn't treat him fairly he'll possibly run 3rd party. In other words if they do things to block his message or try and push him out. I think he's touching on the fact that the RNC has already talked to him to try and get him to tone it down a bit.

 

[Ziltoidia 9]

If he does run as third candidate and gets into debates, say hello to president Clinton. ...unless Sanders can continue his rise. He just needs to be more rounded on more issues.

 

[EatinOlives]

And there it is.

I, for one, welcome our next Democrat POTUS.

 

[Aaron Strife]

Not that President Clinton wasn't already the likeliest outcome of the 2016 elections but this would certainly seal the deal.

 

[Goro Majima]

As previously said, this would be fantastic for everyone.

Republicans 100% need to reevaluate what it is that they stand for and I would hope this would bring them more to the left back to the Nixon era.

I think Sanders could win in a Sanders vs Bush vs Trump situation.

 

[Grizzlyjin]

He's not saying that.

He's saying if the republican party doesn't treat him fairly he'll possibly run 3rd party. In other words if they do things to block his message or try and push him out. I think he's touching on the fact that the RNC has already talked to him to try and get him to tone it down a bit.

Exactly, Trump doesn't feel like they are embracing him like they should be considering he is the front runner. Problem is, can they? I get why people find him refreshing. But the GOP does not want to get into bed with such an X factor. Trump obviously does not take advice from others, he says what is on his mind. In the general election every single phrase is scrutinized. Trump could derail a bid in one sound byte.

 

[User 463088]

.

Republicans 100% need to reevaluate what it is that they stand for and I would hope this would bring them more to the left back to the Nixon era.

.

When people long for Nixon, you know your political party has a few issues.

 

[Chris R]

If they push him out and he runs 3rd party Hillary would also win in one of the biggest landslide victories in US history, too.

No way. Trump would at least win a bunch of red states, making it much closer than 1984's election.

Spoiler

Only counting electoral votes, because popular vote doesn't matter

 

[Link]

"Yes sir, I understand. The surveillance will continue. Yes, yes. Thank you. Goodbye, Mr. President."

 

[Dishwalla]

Has this guy ever properly matured? Every time he talks there is two common traits, that some one has been mean to him, then some flippant insult towards said party.

 

[Kusagari]

Have Bernie run as an independent and end up with a Hillary, Bernie, Jeb, Trump election.

 

[JDSN]

Im really gonna love it when Trump pretends to be playing the long con all these years and becoming a racist piece of shit to take down the GOP.

 

[Eidan]

Good God, what further proof do you need that Trump is an agent for the DNC?

 

[HylianTom]

And I thought this was going to be a boring election like 1996 or 2000. Pretty sure the rumors were that RNC leadership spoke to Trump a few weeks ago and asked him to tone it down, and we can see how that worked.

He is basically sucking all the oxygen out of the room. It's quite fascinating. He doesn't leave any time to talk about the other candidates that entered the race. They get zero face time to gain with the public. It's already hard enough with such a large group. But Trump is making impossible for the smaller people to come up.

I guess the GOP wasn't going to shift itself until something dramatic happened. I figured they would take that on in the years between 2012 and now...but nothing changed. Now they have Frankenstein's monster telling them what the agenda will be.

I thought 1996's GOP a primary was more interesting than the general, save for a few Bob Dole comedy moments.

Trump is demonstrating that he is a master of media manipulation:
- do something goofy on Monday
- revel in media reaction on Monday, Tuesday, announce appearance on Wednesday
- do something again on Thursday to get you into the weekend

He's been playing this really well. Strongest GOP primary campaign rollout all year.

...

General comment:
I love how stubborn Hillary's voters are in those polls. 46% in a three-way-race? HA!

 

[Sickboy007]