Let's look at this logically...

[Been Jammin]

Trump looked like a fool yesterday.

Some are suggesting that this may indicate that Russia really does have something on him, whether it be incriminating video, actual collusion, or something else. Due to Russia having the goods on him, he has no choice but to capitulate and kiss their/Putin's ass.

However, this line of thinking makes no sense.

Let's assume that he is somehow compromised by Russia. Would it be in Russia's best interest for him to alienate other GOP? Would it be in their best interest for talks of impeachment to ramp up? Or to do anything that would decrease his chance of reelection?

No. The play would be for him to publicly reprimand Russia, and paint the picture of a president who won't allow them to get away with anything, while bending over for them behind the scenes.

My take....

-He is a narcissist who can't stand the idea that Russia helped him win (true or not), and has to do everything he can to convince everyone that Russia did not influence the election in any way. Consequences be damned.

-He feels a deep need to convince everyone that he is the smartest man in the room. He can't accept the idea that he needs to lean on the intelligence agencies to help shape his decisions and strategies. He wants everyone to believe that he is making America great again, all on his own.

-He respects the heck out of Putin, because he is a strong leader, who does what he wants and doesn't put up with bullshit from anyone (Trump sets aside that fact that Putin murders those who cross him). He considers Putin as his equal, and as someone he can relate to.


I know, I know....this is the point where the sycophants respond with comments about 5-D chess and how I am way off base because he is so many steps ahead and this is all part of his master MAGA plan.

 

[CowboyPhil]

The first part of your post is something the Dem's don't think about, just "Russia, Russia, Russia" "Impeach, Impeach, Impeach". They really don't think about what impeachment would mean. It's almost like they think they'll get to pick the next president. When in reality they would get Pence.

Your second scenario is much more likely and probably happens more often than people might want to admit with Trump and not just with the Russia deal.

 

[wino]

They really don't think about what impeachment would mean. It's almost like they think they'll get to pick the next president. When in reality they would get Pence.

Or maybe they do think about this, and Pence, while politically less palatable to liberals on social issues than Trump, might still be better for the country.

 

[anon_xl72qcu5isp39]

Some are suggesting that this may indicate that Russia really does have something on him, whether it be incriminating video, actual collusion, or something else. Due to Russia having the goods on him, he has no choice but to capitulate and kiss their/Putin's ass.

However, this line of thinking makes no sense.

Let's assume that he is somehow compromised by Russia. Would it be in Russia's best interest for him to alienate other GOP? Would it be in their best interest for talks of impeachment to ramp up? Or to do anything that would decrease his chance of reelection?

No. The play would be for him to publicly reprimand Russia, and paint the picture of a president who won't allow them to get away with anything, while bending over for them behind the scenes.

1. Your theory makes lots of sense. I'm not discounting it, and if I was in Vegas it'd be an even prop with the russians having something on him.

2. However, I dont' discount that Putin has something on him. If he does, it won't be pretty, Russia WANTS maximum chaos, wants to split both parties, wants to undermine confidence and believability from every direction. Chaos and undermining western democracy's institutions and confidence is the goal. There's just so much "behind the scenes" stuff he can do with a non-compliant intel community, military and congress.

 

[trapped_in_tx]

Or maybe they do think about this, and Pence, while politically less palatable to liberals on social issues than Trump, might still be better for the country.

I very much like Pence as a person, just like I admire and respect Jimmy Carter as a person.

I fear that as the leader of the free world he would make Jimmy Carter look like Abraham Lincoln.

 

[wino]

I very much like Pence as a person, just like I admire and respect Jimmy Carter as a person.

I fear that as the leader of the free world he would make Jimmy Carter look like Abraham Lincoln.

I would worry about this scenario more if the current president didn't make Lane Kiffin look like Bill Belichick.

 

[AC_Exotic]

I very much like Pence as a person, just like I admire and respect Jimmy Carter as a person.

I fear that as the leader of the free world he would make Jimmy Carter look like Abraham Lincoln.

I disagree.

If Pence is incompetent, then what does this say about Trump's judgment

 

[trapped_in_tx]

I disagree.

Note that I said 'I fear' - I'm not certain he would be that bad; the point is I have no idea what to expect from him.

 

[wino]

I disagree.

If Pence is incompetent, then what does this say about Trump's judgment

This is probably a harsher indictment of Pence than the Carter/Lincoln comp.

 

[wino]

Note that I said 'I fear' - I'm not certain he would be that bad; the point is I have no idea what to expect from him.

The bar is currently pretty low.

 

[trapped_in_tx]

The bar is currently pretty low.

In regards to behavior, certainly. Pence would easily exceed Trump's boorish behavior without trying.

Problem is, the electorate voted for the boorish jackass - I even held my nose and voted for him by convincing myself that I was voting for SC justices.

The electorate didn't vote for any of the 'respectable' candidates. Pence is not re-electable IMHO.

Either way, I'm pretty sure we don't get to find out unless some nut job tries to assassinate him. The likelihood that he committed crimes that justify impeachment and could be sufficiently proven to force his removal from office seems remote to me.

 

[wino]

In regards to behavior, certainly. Pence would easily exceed Trump's boorish behavior without trying.

Problem is, the electorate voted for the boorish jackass

"The electorate" prefers Idol & Grey's over Breaking Bad & Thrones.

Still, I agree, he was duly elected by the people. But so was Carter.

I thought your post was about hoping the leader of the free world didn't habitually look like an ineffectual boob for all to see.

I would concur that Pence *won't* replace him. Whether we'd be better off if he did is apparently a side topic.

 

[Ostatedchi]

As long as Trump continues to appoint good Supreme Court Justices; I'm okay with the rest. I knew going in that he was never going to be polished and I don't ever expect him to be.

It would be great if he was. But I'm not hinging my support of him based on polish.

 

[trapped_in_tx]

As long as Trump continues to appoint good Supreme Court Justices; I'm okay with the rest. I knew going in that he was never going to be polished and I don't ever expect him to be.

It would be great if he was. But I'm not hinging my support of him based on polish.

This is very similar to where I'm at. I can't get all that upset by the dumb things he says because I knew that's what I was getting going into this deal.

I think yesterday was a big miscalculation on his part. Frankly though, the omnibus spending bill bugs me way, way more than the bad behavior and ill-conceived public comments.

It would be nice to have the better behavior of Pence but my concern is that some of the decision making, deal making, and manipulation that Trump does a decent job at would be lost.

 

[Alpha Poke]

I put in one of these with our tax cuts, change the color and replace batters box with a lacrosse circle for a goal...

I’m not really concerned how he looked on TV yesterday.

 

[07pilt]

I disagree.

If Pence is incompetent, then what does this say about Trump's judgment

This instance points to his judgement being wise.

 

[GunsOfFrankEaton]

Trump looked like a fool yesterday.

Some are suggesting that this may indicate that Russia really does have something on him, whether it be incriminating video, actual collusion, or something else. Due to Russia having the goods on him, he has no choice but to capitulate and kiss their/Putin's ass.

However, this line of thinking makes no sense.

Let's assume that he is somehow compromised by Russia. Would it be in Russia's best interest for him to alienate other GOP? Would it be in their best interest for talks of impeachment to ramp up? Or to do anything that would decrease his chance of reelection?

No. The play would be for him to publicly reprimand Russia, and paint the picture of a president who won't allow them to get away with anything, while bending over for them behind the scenes.

My take....

-He is a narcissist who can't stand the idea that Russia helped him win (true or not), and has to do everything he can to convince everyone that Russia did not influence the election in any way. Consequences be damned.

-He feels a deep need to convince everyone that he is the smartest man in the room. He can't accept the idea that he needs to lean on the intelligence agencies to help shape his decisions and strategies. He wants everyone to believe that he is making America great again, all on his own.

-He respects the heck out of Putin, because he is a strong leader, who does what he wants and doesn't put up with bullshit from anyone (Trump sets aside that fact that Putin murders those who cross him). He considers Putin as his equal, and as someone he can relate to.


I know, I know....this is the point where the sycophants respond with comments about 5-D chess and how I am way off base because he is so many steps ahead and this is all part of his master MAGA plan.

The only people looking like fools are you and your ilk. Just pretend Russia is still communist, still flies the hammer and sickle and still owns half of Eastern Europe and is looking for more. See, don't you feel better now? What a laugh.

 

[07pilt]

The real fools are the people who say "ilk" unironically.

 

[SoonerRedYukon101]

The real fools are the people who say "ilk" unironically.

Wasn't the Deep State dossier created by the Russians themselves to take down Trump?

Yes, I do believe it was.

You robots of the deep state...

Truly. Are. Stupid.

 

[07pilt]

Wasn't the Deep State dossier created by the Russians themselves to take down Trump?

Yes, I do believe it was.

You robots of the deep state...

Truly. Are. Stupid.

This guy definitely says ilk

 

[CowboyJD]

The only people looking like fools are you and your ilk. Just pretend Russia is still communist, still flies the hammer and sickle and still owns half of Eastern Europe and is looking for more. See, don't you feel better now? What a laugh.

I’m convinced.

Putin and Russia are no threat at all.

They’ll definitely stop with Crimea.

 

[GunsOfFrankEaton]

I’m convinced.

Putin and Russia are no threat at all.

They’ll definitely stop with Crimea.

Haha. Not even a good try.

 

[CowboyJD]

Haha. Not even a good try.

It was if that’s all you have in reply.

 

[GunsOfFrankEaton]

Would Chamberlain be for selling Russia 20% of our uranium?. You tell me. Don't really see you have a point.

 

[osu_orangestreak]

Would Chamberlain be for selling Russia 20% of our uranium?. You tell me. Don't really see you have a point.

What does that have to do with the subject at hand?

deflect and blame!!

"but the other kids were smoking"

 

[GunsOfFrankEaton]

What does that have to do with the subject at hand?

deflect and blame!!

"but the other kids were smoking"

Maybe Chamberlain would be ok with the Hillary campaign accepting $140 million in campaign contributions from Russia?

 

[07pilt]

Maybe Chamberlain would be ok with the Hillary campaign accepting $140 million in campaign contributions from Russia?

made up

 

[wino]

This instance points to his judgement being wise.

Or that a broken clock is right twice a day.

 

[wino]

Would Chamberlain be for selling Russia 20% of our uranium?. You tell me. Don't really see you have a point.

Neither do you. Well, not a factual one anyway.

 

[Been Jammin]

The only people looking like fools are you and your ilk. What a laugh.

I'm surprised you weren't getting a stiffy over my original post. Maybe you didn't get past the first sentence.

I will summarize. One of the primary points was that it makes no sense that Trump actually colluded or that the Russians have leverage against him (based on yesterday's dog and pony show). You've been screaming that exact same thing for over a year now.

 

[GunsOfFrankEaton]

You wish. I've just been laughing my ass off at you and others on this board who bought into such nonsense.

 

[Medic007]

I will summarize. One of the primary points was that it makes no sense that Trump actually colluded or that the Russians have leverage against him (based on yesterday's dog and pony show).

Have you been reading Fox News? Not precisely what you posted, but definitely within the realm of possible and reasonable.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...ant-as-warning-to-clinton-former-ag-says.html

 

[Been Jammin]

Have you been reading Fox News? Not precisely what you posted, but definitely within the realm of possible and reasonable.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...ant-as-warning-to-clinton-former-ag-says.html

No, I haven't. I came to my conclusions all on my own (by applying basic logic). Unlike some around here, I don't need someone else to tell me what I should think/believe.

 

[Medic007]

No, I haven't. I came to my conclusions all on my own (by applying basic logic). Unlike some around here, I don't need someone else to tell me what I should think/believe.

Geez dude, I wasn't implying that you lifted your ideas from Fox. Just throwing out another example that doesn't fall in line with the current narratives, just like your original post doesn't.

 

[Been Jammin]

Geez dude, I wasn't implying that you lifted your ideas from Fox. Just throwing out another example that doesn't fall in line with the current narratives, just like your original post doesn't.

I get it. Didn't mean to get snarky with you. Comment was directed at other individuals. This is why I need to not spend so much time here. Not good for my aura.

 

[HighStickHarry]

I get it. Didn't mean to get snarky with you. Comment was directed at other individuals. This is why I need to not spend so much time here. Not good for my aura.

Lighten the hell up. Get some medical marijuana and enjoy the debate here. Challenge us. Be challenged. Don’t get your feelers hurt and leave.

Don’t leave us alone with sys and toon and Jd as our only liberal perspective.

 

[Medic007]

I get it. Didn't mean to get snarky with you. Comment was directed at other individuals. This is why I need to not spend so much time here. Not good for my aura.

Right on. All good. But stick around or I might show up at your practice with a pregnant horse ready to deliver twins.

 

[SMemmett]

@GunsOfFrankEaton has there been anything Trump has done that you dislike? If he called to suspend the 2020 election would you support it?

 

[HighStickHarry]

@GunsOfFrankEaton has there been anything Trump has done that you dislike? If he called to suspend the 2020 election would you support it?

I would. He could get a lot more done without congress too.

 

[SMemmett]

I would. He could get a lot more done without congress too.

I knew you would. You’re consistent! That’s why I like you.