My Prediction on Donald Trump...

[Ghost in the Machine]

I live in a deep red area of East Tennessee, and I have not not come across ONE PERSON in real life who wants to see him as President. Even a few weeks ago, at the doctor's office in Knoxville, the question came up and NO ONE would voice support for him. Period. They all think that he is a clown, idiot, etc. I don't know *where* these people are coming from putting him at the top of the polls. That being said, here is my prediction:

Donald Trump isn't even going to make it to the Primaries. I have a feeling that sometime soon we are going to hear about a scandal involving him and a contestant from the Miss America Pageant, or an employee somewhere, about unwanted sexual advances. I don't think this is a bad prediction, given what he has said about his own daughter. He seems to think that he is gawds gift to women, and that every woman in the world wants him because of his money and power. He is a walking disaster to begin with, and his over-blown sense of self importance, along with the inability to even censor himself, will be his downfall.

***Note to Hosts.. and alerters*** I posted this here in GD instead of GDP because it's not really even Primary season and I don't think he will last. If anyone thinks this should be moved, just say so and I will self delete, or move, to save a lock. I poked my head into GDP last night... and that place is BRUTAL!

Peace,

Ghost

[DJ13]

1. You are probably right, but I hope you're wrong

His entry in the GOP primaries is a gift to our party. He divides their loyalties (and votes) and prevents any of the few "serious" candidates from gaining traction. Okay, they really dont HAVE any "serious" candidates outside of another Bush, but still, lets enjoy the show as long as possible.

[world wide wally]

2. Don't ask me why, but any other Republican candidate will be a let down for them.

Their excitement will wane quickly.

[alphafemale]

3. He's peaked at about the Palin Zone.

Yes. Roughly 32 percent of Republicans are racist, loudmouth idiots.

[Major Hogwash]

4. Chump's next move -- to initiate Plan 9 From Outer Space, for reals.

He intends to raise dead vampires and turn people into zombies in order to win the GOP nomination.
So far, in Iowa it looks like he is succeeding.
Just the other day, I even saw that Michelle Bachman had endorsed him.

Run for your lives, Michelle Bachman is loose!!

[PJMcK]

5. Agree with your prediction

You make some very good points, Ghost. Donald Trump is such a conflagration of irrationality that as soon as he's put under serious review, his candidacy will collapse for the Potemkin illusion that it is. Aside from the personal problems you cite, shallowness of his policy positions, when exposed, will open the door for a more serious Republican candidate, if there is one.

Consider several of his pronouncements: he wants to deport 11 million illegal immigrants in two years and then build a wall, sealing the US/Mexican border. As another poster elsewhere calculated, to transport that many people would require repatriating 15,000 people a day, every day for two years. How would he do that? Would it be through legislation or by Executive Order? He hasn't told us. And how would he pay for it? The astronomic cost would include the enforcement, administration, legal (both prosecution and defense), housing and care (during the deportation process) and then the transportation of all those people. Additionally, I'm sure there would be constitutional challenges to this proposal which would be an enormous legal proceeding. Oh, and then he'd build a nearly 2,000 mile impenetrable wall. The entire idea is ludicrous.

Next, he belittles all other politicians' ability to negotiate with foreign governments. And yet, what experience of his own can he cite? Mr. Trump frequently mentions China where his clothing line was made. The reason for this international business arrangement was to take advantage of the vastly lower wages available in China. With his name prominently attached, Mr. Trump would then sell the clothing primarily in the United States. Therefore, Mr. Trump's foreign negotiation was to bypass American workers in order to maximize the profits from his clothing company. That doesn't sound patriotic. He's also said that he has a secret plan on how to deal with ISIS but he won't disclose it unless he becomes president because he doesn't want to give away his strategy. Aside from its vacuousness, this is childishness and demonstrates a lack of seriousness.

Third, Mr. Trump does not have a core conviction other than his ego. He's had opposite positions on nearly every major issue. He's supported politician's of all stripes. He's made so many insulting comments about so many groups of people that it'll be impossible for him to rebuild those bridges, if they ever existed. And his very real baggage, both professional and personal, exponentially exceeds anything the vast, right-wing conspiracies have ever falsely created for the Clintons or the Obamas.

It's embarrassingly fun to watch, though!

[LuvNewcastle]

8. I agree with all of those reasons.

As you said, he isn't a serious person. I know that a lot of people have diminished expectations of a President due to all the events we've seen since Nixon, but a lot of people still either respect the office or they want to respect it. We're accustomed to seeing Trump get involved in disputes with Rosie O'Donnell and other lesser-known stars, and sooner or later, people are going to be asking themselves if this is really the person who we want to represent us. Because that is what the President does, in the end. He or she is the face that we show to the world. The President should be a person who keeps his personal life tidy and his mouth in check. When people truly start looking for a candidate to support, Trump is going to get thrown out like bad fish. The funny thing is, I don't think he even takes himself seriously.

[Vinca]

6. I tend to disagree.

When you look at the consistency of polls and the percentage that is "mainstream" Republican and "b*tshit crazy" Republican, the end numbers are pretty good for Trump. Like you, I always inquire about candidates and I haven't been able to find anyone not supporting Bernie which I'm sure is unrealistic.

[1939]

11. Who was the lady

who said she didn't understand how Nixon had won in 1972 "when no one I know voted for him"?

[oberliner]

7. He doesn't want to be POTUS

He just wants to raise his brand profile, which he has done incredibly successfully.

I agree that he will withdraw early.

[Maeve]

9. Something will indeed bring him down

Altho it may be him claiming some threat to his family or a sudden need to take care of a financial emergency...he's into the real campaigning, repeating the same tired lines and the boring crap like that and I don't see it holding his interest long. and the skeletons can't stay in that closet forever, no matter how roomy it is!

[MohRokTah]

10. GD is the right place for this.

GDP is ONLY for Democratic Primary posts, so anything to do with the Republican primaries belongs in GD.