2024 Presidential Race

[rekinhavoc]

Mortgage demand nosedives as interest rates cross back over 7%

A key measure of home-purchase application plummeted more than 10% last week as mortgage interest rates marched to the highest level since early December.

www.foxbusiness.com

 

[midnight orange]

^^^^ This sums up Donald Trump's foreign policy in a nutshell. Russia can "do whatever the hell they want," if our NATO allies fall behind on membership fees. I'm not making this up. Donald Trump recently said so himself, and he hasn't walked it back, despite having chances to do so.

Okay

 

[rekinhavoc]

Next up in the bullpen.....

Only Gavin Newsom Could Turn a $97 Billion Record Surplus Into a $73 Billion Deficit in Under Two Years

redstate.com

 

[BowlBrother85]

Okay

I have yet to see a coherent defense of the incredibly stupid things that Donald Trump said during that campaign speech in South Carolina ..... and Trump's apologists still want to believe that Democrats are just imagining things, when it comes to Trump's bizarre affinity for Russia.

Why did Trump have to mention Russia at all? A Democrat didn't make him do that. He brought it on himself. Why say that? It's weird.

 

[midnight orange]

I have yet to see a coherent defense of the incredibly stupid things that Donald Trump said during that campaign speech in South Carolina ..... and Trump's apologists still want to believe that Democrats are just imagining things, when it comes to Trump's bizarre affinity for Russia.

Why did Trump have to mention Russia at all? A Democrat didn't make him do that. He brought it on himself. Why say that? It's weird.

I can believe two things at the same time. Trump says stupid sh!t all the time and democrats are deluded regarding him.

 

[BowlBrother85]

I can believe two things at the same time. Trump says stupid sh!t all the time and democrats are deluded regarding him.

The affinity Trump has shown, and continues to show, for Putin and Russia is real. Trump's apologists never explain it, other than to insist that it's just a byproduct of the Democrat's "TDS."

That speech in South Carolina was bizarre .... but the problem is with Democrats, right? LOL.

 

[midnight orange]

The affinity Trump has shown, and continues to show, for Putin and Russia is real. Trump's apologists never explain it, other than to insist that it's just "TDS" or that, basically, Democrats are just imagining things.

That speech in South Carolina was bizarre .... but the problem is with Democrats, right? LOL.

I rest my case.

 

[BowlBrother85]

I rest my case.

You don't have a case to rest.

You don't have an explanation for why Donald Trump said that Russia could do whatever the hell they wanted to a NATO ally, following an invasion ..... if the NATO member was delinquent on membership fees.

You also can't explain why Donald Trump has always publicly sided with Vladimir Putin's denials of Russian involvement in cyber-attacks against the United States, even when that contradicts the assessment of his own Secretary of State.

 

[midnight orange]

You don't have a case to rest.

You don't have an explanation for why Donald Trump said that Russia could do whatever the hell they wanted to a NATO ally, following an invasion ..... if the NATO member was delinquent on membership fees.

You also can't explain why Donald Trump has always publicly sided with Vladimir Putin's denials of Russian involvement in cyber-attacks against the United States, even when that contradicts the assessment of his own Secretary of State.

Okay

Jen Psaki and Nancy Pelosi believe a conspiracy theory about Trump and Putin

Where are the fact-checkers and misinformation cops?

reason.com

“Is it fair to criticize Trump for failing to forthrightly condemn the apparent assassination of Putin's chief rival? Of course. But it's easy to do so without falling prey to what is, at this point, a conspiracy theory. Over the course of the many years that journalists, political operatives, and special investigators doggedly pursued this matter, they turned up no evidence whatsoever that there are hidden motivations explaining Trump's seeming affection for Putin. Yet Democratic pundits and congressional leaders continue to portray a rhetorical and political disagreement—they are more anti-Russia, Trump is less anti-Russia—as evidence Trump is a Manchurian candidate.


These claims go all the way back to the 2016 election, in which Trump's surprise victory was attributed to Russian influence. Years later, the idea that Russia was the "decisive" factor per The New Yorker's Jane Mayer has been repeatedly debunked, but the notion that Trump's purported appeasement of Putin is a campaign kickback still has palpable sway over the Democratic Party and progressive media. As Reason's Jesse Walkerput it: "While Trump can't get over 2020, the leading Democrats are stuck in an endless loop of 2016."

 

[hUTch2002]

Supply chain disruptions were also a big factor. It was a perfect storm of things.

And these idiot politicians point fingers at each other when in reality they’re all to blame.

 

[BowlBrother85]

Okay

Jen Psaki and Nancy Pelosi believe a conspiracy theory about Trump and Putin

Where are the fact-checkers and misinformation cops?

reason.com

“Is it fair to criticize Trump for failing to forthrightly condemn the apparent assassination of Putin's chief rival? Of course. But it's easy to do so without falling prey to what is, at this point, a conspiracy theory. Over the course of the many years that journalists, political operatives, and special investigators doggedly pursued this matter, they turned up no evidence whatsoever that there are hidden motivations explaining Trump's seeming affection for Putin. Yet Democratic pundits and congressional leaders continue to portray a rhetorical and political disagreement—they are more anti-Russia, Trump is less anti-Russia—as evidence Trump is a Manchurian candidate.


These claims go all the way back to the 2016 election, in which Trump's surprise victory was attributed to Russian influence. Years later, the idea that Russia was the "decisive" factor per The New Yorker's Jane Mayer has been repeatedly debunked, but the notion that Trump's purported appeasement of Putin is a campaign kickback still has palpable sway over the Democratic Party and progressive media. As Reason's Jesse Walkerput it: "While Trump can't get over 2020, the leading Democrats are stuck in an endless loop of 2016."

I actually agree with a lot of this. It has nothing to do with lingering bitterness over the 2016 Presidential Election, however.

I'm asking you to explain why Trump seems to have affection for Putin and Russia, because I don't know. I can only speculate. The one thing that isn't speculation, however, is that this "seeming affection" does exist. It's real and it doesn't make any sense. It doesn't have anything to do with the 2016 election either. The affection is as recent as his speech in South Carolina two weeks ago. It's as hard to understand now, as it was when Trump sided with Putin's denial of involvement in the SolarWinds breach in December of 2020.

 

[RavinDave]

During a recent campaign rally in South Carolina, Donald Trump described a conversation that he had with the President of a NATO ally, in which he said that if this President's (unspecified) country went delinquent on NATO membership fees, Trump would not protect them against a Russian invasion and he would also encourage Russia to "do whatever the hell they want," following this hypothetical invasion .....

How much of a deterrent against military aggression do you think that sent to Vladimir Putin?

I'm not defending Joe Biden's weakness at all, but the MAGA crowd shows no sense of self-awareness concerning the weakness of their own candidate. MAGA also pretends that Donald Trump's deference towards Vladimir Putin is just a figment of the Democrat's imagination, when Democrats have dumb comments like the one from the recent campaign rally in South Carolina to point to.

It is also true, that whenever Russia has been credibly accused of a cyber-attack against American interests, Donald Trump has always taken sides with Vladimir Putin's denials. In one such instance, the SolarWinds breach, this was even done against the publicly stated conclusion of Donald Trump's own hand-picked Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

Why would Donald Trump publicly side with Vladimir Putin over Mike Pompeo? It makes no sense, and that definitely won't deter future acts of cyber-aggression against the United States on the part of Russia, if Donald Trump (heaven forbid) returns to office.

I’m more of a lurker with an occasional pithy comment, than an engager in political discourse.

But let me ask you, where did I say anything positive about Trump?

Have you considered seeking treatment for your TDS? I mean, other than from the bottle.

 

[McDad]

I’m more of a lurker with an occasional pithy comment, than an engager in political discourse.

But let me ask you, where did I say anything positive about Trump?

Have you considered seeking treatment for your TDS? I mean, other than from the bottle.

That's about as aggressive as I've seen you, Dave.

Protip: don't forklift angry.

 

[BowlBrother85]

I’m more of a lurker with an occasional pithy comment, than an engager in political discourse.

But let me ask you, where did I say anything positive about Trump?

Have you considered seeking treatment for your TDS? I mean, other than from the bottle.

This is always the only thing the MAGA crowd has to contribute. It's old, stupid, tired, and boring .... and in perpetual denial of what Trump has said and done regarding Russia.

..... but then again, old, stupid, tired and boring pretty much sums up the MAGA crowd, anyway.

 

[midnight orange]

I actually agree with a lot of this. It has nothing to do with lingering bitterness over the 2016 Presidential Election, however.

I'm asking you to explain why Trump seems to have affection for Putin and Russia, because I don't know. I can only speculate. The one thing that isn't speculation, however, is that this "seeming affection" does exist. It's real and it doesn't make any sense. It doesn't have anything to do with the 2016 election either. The affection is as recent as his speech in South Carolina two weeks ago. It's as hard to understand now, as it was when Trump sided with Putin's denial of involvement in the SolarWinds breach in December of 2020.

I do not try to explain Trump. Trump says and does stupid sh!t all the time. There is however no evidence that he colludes with Putin and think it’s delusional to keep cow towing to politicians and media pushing this line of thinking. I get it from a politician’s perspective though. Their job is to demonize the opposition and win at all costs. This is not relegated to one side or one party.

 

[BowlBrother85]

I do not try to explain Trump. Trump says and does stupid sh!t all the time. There is however no evidence that he colludes with Putin and think it’s delusional to keep cow towing to politicians and media pushing this line of thinking. I get it from a politician’s perspective though. Their job is to demonize the opposition and win at all costs. This is not relegated to one side or one party.

I'm not saying that Donald Trump does collude with Russia.

I'm asking you to explain why Donald Trump always sides with Vladimir Putin's denials of Russian involvement in cyber-attacks against American interests?

Specifically, the SolarWinds breach which was made public in December of 2020. Once again, Donald Trump took Vladimir Putin's side, and did not even want to see the evidence pointing towards the culpability of Russian-based actors. Donald Trump went against the stated conclusion of Mike Pompeo, who was Trump's own hand-picked Secretary of State.

The SolarWinds breach was a big deal. It did a great deal of damage. Donald Trump would not even consider the possibility that Russia was in any way involved. But why?

This has nothing to do with your stupid "TDS" .... I simply want an explanation for why Donald Trump sided with Vladimir Putin's denial of Russian involvement in the SolarWinds breach, over the publicly stated conclusion of Mike Pompeo - who had always been such a loyal Trump ally?

 

[BreatheUT]

Former POTUS and future candidate Donald Trump speaks to core base in Nashville Thursday night to a raucous environment at Nashville's largest hotel.

Trump vows to support Christians during Nashville speech: 'Bring back our religion’​

Trump vows to support Christians during Nashville speech: 'Bring back our religion’

Former President Donald Trump spoke in Nashville on Thursday night at the National Religious Broadcasters conference.

www.tennessean.com

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

Trump’s spending definitely had an impact but a bigger impact was the shutdowns that somehow turned into massive wage increases in lower level employees. McDonalds can’t go from paying $8 an hour starting to $12+ and not increase prices. That’s far from the only reason though. For example, the cost of operating a trucking company has gone through the roof between driver pay and insurance cost alone. Those costs get passed to anyone using their services. Point being, it’s far more complicated than reckless spending by any potus.

Trump did sign the enhanced unemployment bill that caused the huge payroll increases....

Of course, Biden signed same bill and added much more spending when literally every economic signal screamed STOP!

 

[Sea Ray]

I have yet to see a coherent defense of the incredibly stupid things that Donald Trump said during that campaign speech in South Carolina ..... and Trump's apologists still want to believe that Democrats are just imagining things, when it comes to Trump's bizarre affinity for Russia.

Why did Trump have to mention Russia at all? A Democrat didn't make him do that. He brought it on himself. Why say that? It's weird.

Trump’s point in that speech was to pressure NATO nations into paying their dues. If you pay your membership dues, you’re a part of the club with full benefits which include American protection. That point was ignored by the media. This is a common principle in private clubs everywhere. Americans are pleased to have a President that would hold NATO nations feet to the fire on this

 

[BowlBrother85]

Former POTUS and future candidate Donald Trump speaks to core base in Nashville Thursday night to a raucous environment at Nashville's largest hotel.

Trump vows to support Christians during Nashville speech: 'Bring back our religion’​

Trump vows to support Christians during Nashville speech: 'Bring back our religion’

Former President Donald Trump spoke in Nashville on Thursday night at the National Religious Broadcasters conference.

www.tennessean.com

Mr. Grab 'em By The * can pander to special interest like no politician ever has.

If paying hush money to a stripper/porn star doesn't scream Christian values .... what does?

 

[midnight orange]

I'm not saying that Donald Trump does collude with Russia.

I'm asking you to explain why Donald Trump always sides with Vladimir Putin's denials of Russian involvement in cyber-attacks against American interests?

Specifically, the SolarWinds breach which was made public in December of 2020. Once again, Donald Trump took Vladimir Putin's side, and did not even want to see the evidence pointing towards the culpability of Russian-based actors. Donald Trump went against the stated conclusion of Mike Pompeo, who was Trump's own hand-picked Secretary of State.

The SolarWinds breach was a big deal. It did a great deal of damage. Donald Trump would not even consider the possibility that Russia was in any way involved. But why?

This has nothing to do with your stupid "TDS" .... I simply want an explanation for why Donald Trump sided with Vladimir Putin's denial of Russian involvement in the SolarWinds breach, over the publicly stated conclusion of Mike Pompeo - who had always been such a loyal Trump ally?

I wouldn’t trust Mike Pompeo as far as I could throw him for starters. Secondly, you keep wanting me to say that there is Russian collusion despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Not going to happen.

 

[BowlBrother85]

Trump’s point in that speech was to pressure NATO nations into paying their dues. If you pay your membership dues, you’re a part of the club with full benefits which include American protection. That point was ignored by the media. This is a common principle in private clubs everywhere. Americans are pleased to have a President that would hold NATO nations feet to the fire on this

The problem is that he said much more than that .... and even included a threat in the process.

Why did he need to mention Russia?

Why did he need to say that he would tell Russia to "do whatever the hell they want," to an American ally following this hypothetical invasion?

His point was drowned out by his own stupid rhetoric. He has nobody to blame for that but himself. Americans would be pleased to have a competent and rational thinking President, who doesn't give in to an impulsive nature.

 

[BowlBrother85]

I wouldn’t trust Mike Pompeo as far as I could throw him for starters. Secondly, you keep wanting me to say that there is Russian collusion despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Not going to happen.

Listen to your stupid logic :

You can't trust Mike Pompeo .... so, you will just trust Vladimir Putin instead? Think about that for a second.

.... and Mike Pompeo was Donald Trump's own hand-picked Secretary of State. Hell yes, he should trust him over the denial of an authoritarian ruler.

I don't want you to say that there is collusion between Trump and Russia. I simply want an explanation for why Trump would side with Vladimir Putin over his own Secretary of State? That was ridiculous and poor leadership.

 

[Sea Ray]

The problem is that he said much more than that .... and even included a threat in the process.

Why did he need to mention Russia?

Why did he need to say that he would tell Russia to "do whatever the hell they want," to an American ally following this hypothetical invasion?

His point was drowned out by his own stupid rhetoric. He has nobody to blame for that but himself. Americans would be pleased to have a competent and rational thinking President, who doesn't give in to an impulsive nature.

Because the obvious threat is Russia. Hard to talk NATO without mentioning Russia. It’s not a tough concept

 

[BowlBrother85]

Because the obvious threat is Russia. Hard to talk NATO without mentioning Russia. It’s not a tough concept

That is ridiculous. If the point was simply to insist that NATO members pay their membership fees, that can be done without making threats or mentioning Russia.

Trump simply did not have to say that he would encourage Russia to "do whatever the hell they want," to a strategic American ally, following a hypothetical invasion, simply because of delinquent fees. That was impulsive and irrational of Trump.