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[Ace 8095]

Numerous experts have described Donald Trump’s “quixotic” presidential candidacy as a gift to Hillary Clinton. His hateful remarks about immigration, his disparaging of John McCain’s military service and his disrespectful comments about women who breast-feed have put the Republican Party on the defensive.
...
If Hillary Clinton had secretly schemed with Mr. Trump to mount his bizarre campaign, embarrass the Republican Party and confound both the pundits and the pollsters, she could not have designed a more diabolical plan.
...
But what if this is exactly what she did? What if Mr. Trump’s unorthodox campaign is not the brainchild of a brazen, self-indulgent, narcissistic billionaire—the tired old story line the gullible press has been peddling—but a Machiavellian, cunningly orchestrated, byzantinely subtle plot concocted by Mrs. Clinton, her husband Bill and other strategists inside the Democratic Party? What if Mr. Trump is not a freewheeling, gun-slinging maverick, but a Trojan Horse deliberately planted inside the Republican Party? What if Mr. Trump is not a wild man, a crazy, a clown, but a saboteur, an agent provocateur, a mole?
...
The arguments for such a theory are compelling. Until recently, Mr. Trump has been associated much more closely with the Democratic Party than with the Republican Party. Until 2009 he was registered as a Democrat. He has a long history of contributing to Democratic candidates, including Mrs. Clinton in 2008. He has often attended social functions at which the Clintons were present, and both were guests at his last wedding in 2005. These folks are tight. So tight, in fact, that Donald J. Trump is listed on the Clinton Foundation website as donating “$100,001 to $250,000” to the organization.
...
The plot thickens when we learn that in 2010 Mr. Trump contributed $50,000 to the Chicago mayoral campaign of Rahm Emanuel. Mr. Emanuel was chief of staff in the first Obama administration and is a close friend of Hillary Clinton. A close, close friend of Hillary Clinton. Starting to connect the dots?

http://www.wsj.com/articles/clearly-the-donald-works-for-hillary-1438382894

Google search "Clearly, the Donald Works for Hillary" to read the entire piece.

 

[The Technomancer]

Jet fuel can't melt Trump's hair

 

[Fugu]

Not that I believe any of this, but I've always thought it very interesting that Donald Trump ran as a Republican (in 2008 and again now) since he was long associated with the Democrats.

 

[The Technomancer]

Not that I believe any of this, but I've always thought it very interesting that Donald Trump ran as a Republican (in 2008 and again now) since he was long associated with the Democrats.

Trump cares about Trump. He's running as a Republican because he thinks it gets the most attention and, surprisingly enough, maybe even seriously wants to be President

Maybe

 

[kirblar]

Trump cares about Trump. He's running as a Republican because he thinks it gets the most attention and, surprisingly enough, maybe even seriously wants to be President

Maybe

Pretty much. It's his chance at success. And if he gets to take a dump on the GOP in the process? He's pretty ok with that too.

 

[border]

Dumb theory. He's an opportunist who will run with whichever party gives him the most support and where the field is the most open.

 

[zeemumu]

Trump cares about Trump. He's running as a Republican because he thinks it gets the most attention and, surprisingly enough, maybe even seriously wants to be President

Maybe

I'm curious how being president will coincide with his regular business interests. I mean, yeah, he could use the presidential power to aid his investments, but then he'd probably get fired unless he has a semi decent recent.

 

[speculawyer]

They are trying everything they can to stop him.


But nothing stops the Trump train.

 

[mcarlie]

Trump has always been a dumb person. He's getting all of this attention because his remarks make for good headlines and he's also low hanging fruit that can be used to discredit his party.

This attention has actually gotten him some support from voters. It seems like americans are more influenced by publicity whether it be good or bad and name recognition (hence Bush and Clinton being top candidates). Maybe he sees this and is intentionally trying to create controversy.

 

[harmonize]

hmm, seems more likely than the theory that the corrosive right-wing rhetoric employed by the far right for the past several years has come back in the form of a toupee-wearing asshole to bite them in the ass at the most inopportune time.

 

[akira28]

Dumb theory. He's an opportunist who will run with whichever party gives him the most support and where the field is the most open.

Plus he's not stupid enough to think Democrats would support him. But he does think Republicans are stupid enough to support him.

 

[entremet]

WSJ editorial continues to slide to stupidity.

 

[kirblar]

Dumb theory. He's an opportunist who will run with whichever party gives him the most support and where the field is the most open.

He's most definitely an opportunist. Plan A = Trump as President! What could be better than that? But if he fails, he then sets up his preferred party for success.

 

[border]

Oh I forgot that this is from the Wall Street Journal, an incredibly right-leaning newspaper.

I guess they think is their best bet to turn their crazy right-wing constituents away from Trump -- start some kind of disinformation campaign about Trump's secret ties to demoness Hilary Clinton. Just like how Obama was a Muslim, and probably not a US citizen.

 

[The Technomancer]

Trump has always been a dumb person. He's getting all of this attention because his remarks make for good headlines and he's also low hanging fruit that can be used to discredit his party.

This attention has actually gotten him some support from voters. It seems like americans are more influenced by publicity whether it be good or bad and name recognition (hence Bush and Clinton being top candidates). Maybe he sees this and is intentionally trying to create controversy.

He's dumb but in a fascinating way. He's running as a Republican, but his attack vector on Scott Walker was criticizing how Walker's Wisconsin has "terrible roads, schools and hospitals". I guarantee you no other serious GOP candidate would dare attack Walker that way because it raises too many uncomfortable connections to the slash and burn strategy they all endorse.

 

[Purkake4]

No love for the most cost-effective screentime theory?

 

[titiklabingapat]

Clinton didn't plan for Trump to enter, but she is more than happy to let him continue his run.

Everything else after that is Trump's ego.

 

[Bellamin]

Clintons at Trump's 2005 wedding. Doubtful it's true, but nothing would surprise me.

 

[Savitar]

They far underestimate Trumps ego.

 

[jtb]

Dumb is not how I would describe Trump. He's played this all incredibly well. Opportunistic, cynical, a fucking blowhard... sure. But a clever blowhard.

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

Clintons at Trump's 2005 wedding. Doubtful it's true, but nothing would surprise me.

I don't get why this pic is being used against Trump. Have Republicans never come in contact with Democrats before this or something? It's total hypocrisy.

 

[titiklabingapat]

I'm curious how being president will coincide with his regular business interests. I mean, yeah, he could use the presidential power to aid his investments, but then he'd probably get fired unless he has a semi decent recent.

Trump is very easy to read and understand: he is running to stroke his own ego.

 

[PantherLotus]

I'm starting to believe the meta-media theories with Hillary Clinton in that nothing is so absurd as to be unbelievable. They used the word DIABOLICAL with a straight face, like she's a cartoon character or something. smh

 

[Joni]

It is probably more likely the Clintons tricked him into running than as an actual strategy.

 

[jtb]

Trump is very easy to read and understand: he is running to stroke his own ego.

Eh, he can hold the entire Republican Party hostage by threatening to run as a third party—and I'm sure that kind of power to singlehandedly ruin your chances at a general election is worth a few pricey concessions from the party/eventual nominee. It's about ego, but it's not just about ego.

 

[injurai]

Jet fuel can't melt Trump's hair

Feel the Bern

 

[entremet]

Clintons at Trump's 2005 wedding. Doubtful it's true, but nothing would surprise me.

People in power are usually cordial and friendly.

Nothing really big here.

This was also during Hillary's Senatorial tenure.

 

[titiklabingapat]

Eh, he can hold the entire Republican Party hostage by threatening to run as a third party—and I'm sure that kind of power to singlehandedly ruin your chances at a general election is worth a few pricey concessions from the party/eventual nominee. It's about ego, but it's not just about ego.

He already has more than enough money and him losing all those business deals tells me it's all about his ego, primarily.

 

[HariKari]

What if Mr. Trump’s unorthodox campaign is not the brainchild of a brazen, self-indulgent, narcissistic billionaire—the tired old story line the gullible press has been peddling—but a Machiavellian, cunningly orchestrated, byzantinely subtle plot concocted by Mrs. Clinton, her husband Bill and other strategists inside the Democratic Party?

Anyone familiar with the man knows it's 100% the former. Doing the latter would be giving him way too much credit. He knows he has the GOP in a bind by threatening a 3rd party run, so he's just living it up right now.

 

[WedgeX]

No. He's working to promote himself while making the rest of the GOP field look less crazy and thus appeal more to centrists.

Ultimately hurting the democrats.

 

[pgtl_10]

This sounds like Donald Trump hit piece.

 

[chuckddd]

More ridiculous republican conspiracy theories. Shocking.

 

[Escape Goat]

This is my new favorite conspiracy theory.

 

[speculawyer]

I don't get why this pic is being used against Trump. Have Republicans never come in contact with Democrats before this or something? It's total hypocrisy.

Democrats are evil Muslim atheist gay baby-killers that you cannot associate with.

 

[gutter_trash]

Dumb theory. He's an opportunist who will run with whichever party gives him the most support and where the field is the most open.

Pretty much this

 

[mattiewheels]

$50k to Rahm Emmanuel's Chicago campaign? Does he have business reasons for doing that, I guess?

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Murdoch empire upset they can't control the story with Trump so they throw out a ridiculous conspiracy theory.

I don't particularly care much for Trump, but I will say his run for president is interesting as outlets that are usually so used to controlling the narrative don't know how to deal with him because they can't get their hooks into him and control him with promises of funding.

 

[unholyrevenger72]

He pulling an FDR, win the presidency under the Big Money party then turn around and stab them in the back with socialist policies.

 

[dramatis]

I discussed this with my brother and we concluded that it would make a great premise for a movie, and that it would be great if Nicolas Cage plays the part of Donald Trump (for no particular reason).

 

[speculawyer]

$50k to Rahm Emmanuel's Chicago campaign? Does he have business reasons for doing that, I guess?

By what I understand, commercial real estate is an industry filled with corruption on the local level. So donating to local politicians is a big part of getting your development plans approved.

 

[Escape Goat]

I used to think Trumps popularity would crater when he had to discuss policy. But the people who like him do so in spite of not having specifics. Mexicans are rapists? Fuck yeah they are! Build a 2,000 mile wall to patrol? Totally doable! Youve got my vote.

 

[The Technomancer]

I used to think Trumps popularity would crater when he had to discuss policy. But the people who like him do so in spite of not having specifics. Mexicans are rapists? Fuck yeah they are! Build a 2,000 mile wall to patrol? Totally doable! Youve got my vote.

Romney made it to 47% of the national vote while managing to dodge getting into policy specifics left and right.

 

[Koomaster]

Where's that conspiracy theory thread?

Connect the dots... follow the clues... do you see?!?!?!

Lulz.

 

[riskVSreward]

I discussed this with my brother and we concluded that it would make a great premise for a movie, and that it would be great if Nicolas Cage plays the part of Donald Trump (his hair is a bird).

Fixed the reasoning Kappa

 

[GaimeGuy]

He's dumb but in a fascinating way. He's running as a Republican, but his attack vector on Scott Walker was criticizing how Walker's Wisconsin has "terrible roads, schools and hospitals". I guarantee you no other serious GOP candidate would dare attack Walker that way because it raises too many uncomfortable connections to the slash and burn strategy they all endorse.

"Your state is a pile of shit." is exactly the kind of criticism everyone should be leveling towards Walker. Minnesota and Wisconsin are not all that different demographically or culturally. They're two of the most similar states in the country to be honest. Yet Minnesota is doing well while Wisconsin has done nothing but flounder under Walker's leadership. The political contrast between the two states is like night and day. It's clear that Walker is a terrible governor, so why the hell should he be given the national equivalent of that state position?

I'm amazed more Republicans DON'T bring this up

 

[jgwhiteus]

I love that this piece completely misses the point. Any candidate can make obnoxious, insensitive, idiotic statements - plenty of candidates do! And most would be ridiculed or otherwise completely ignored, as most assumed Trump would be (and he was ignored up until about a month or two ago).

The problem for the GOP is that when Trump makes those statements and panders to the more extreme elements of their voter base, his support seems to go up rather than down, making him a contender in the primaries and a threat to their chances in the general election. As in - the problem isn't Trump, it's the crazy base voters who've unexpectedly taken a shining to Trump and are driving up his chances in the polls.

So the WSJ should really be asking if the GOP base voters are working for Hillary rather than Trump, because they're the ones who are screwing up the GOP's chances in the general election.

 

[watershed]

Stupid premise for a stupid article. Trump has donated to both dems and republicans and had identified as both at different times in his life. He has also said Hillary would be a terrible present because she can't get the job done and isn't very smart. He's not running for anyone else but himself.

 

[Oppo]

but a Machiavellian, cunningly orchestrated, byzantinely subtle plot

i love seeing "byzantine" appear in articles ever since that thread where people got super crusty over the use of "byzantine", and said no one ever uses that word anywhere.

 

[David Incorporated Esq.]

It's a fun theory, especially since there's not a bone in my body that believes Trump actually wants to be president.

 

[BIONIC-ARRRMMM!!]

I discussed this with my brother and we concluded that it would make a great premise for a movie, and that it would be great if Nicolas Cage plays the part of Donald Trump (for no particular reason).

Lord Baby Jesus this needs to happen right now.