2016 Presidential Race

[mattman91]

So now, even Senator Jeff Sessions is saying the election is rigged.

What does that even mean? Are they saying there will be fraud and hijinks during the actual voting process or the count?

Or are they saying the media is attempting to hurl untruths so Trump will lose?

I'm really not sure what is specifically being charged.

Maybe something to do with the George Soros voting machine connection?

[BandAlum83]

Maybe something to do with the George Soros voting machine connection?

Is that like the Walden O'Dell, Diebold voting machine conspiracy of 2004?

Why doesn't he just say so, then?

[sagegrouse]

That's odd enough in and of itself, but particularly odd given that my first thought at the last debate was that he had been given a sedative. He looked droopy and unhealthy. My sister-in-law who is an immunotoxicologist and develops drugs for a living said she thought so too and even named the drug she thought he had taken (I don't recall).

Anyway, we are clearly in the realm of the fantastical now. I honestly have zero ideal what to expect the next few weeks. Early voting begins this coming Thursday, and I go on an extended vacation two days later where I hope to be mostly off the grid. I will return a few days before the election and check the state of affairs, but this day-to-day grind is wearing on my soul.

I expect Hillary to respond, "Donald is trying to change the subject from his treatment of women and his failure to release his tax returns." All she needs to say. And I can't believe that Trump blather like this is being picked up by the media -- it's the lead on NBCNews.com.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

I expect Hillary to respond, "Donald is trying to change the subject from his treatment of women and his failure to release his tax returns." All she needs to say. And I can't believe that Trump blather like this is being picked up by the media -- it's the lead on NBCNews.com.

The media fascination with Trump was largely what drove his success in the primaries. Now, that same fascination is turned on its head in a big way.

[sagegrouse]

Time for some levity. Anyone see Kellyanne Conway's tweet yesterday at 2:41 in response to another tweet that said "Trump supporter in the back shouting at the candidate, "Stay on the issues!""

Kellyanne: "That was me! I was there..."

https://twitter.com/KellyannePolls/s...45742900875265

LOL!!!! That poor woman. It is almost painful to watch her broadly smile as she defends him day after day. She does try very hard to shift focus. I wonder each day if it will be her last, but I've become convinced she's now in it for the long haul.

She knew what she was getting into. At this point, everyone on Team Trump has made a conscious decision, knowing exactly who Trump is (good and bad, to be fair) and has decided they want to be publicly tied to him. Fwiw, the same is true for Team Clinton.

Proper response by Kellyanne" "Ah, it's a living,..." She has kept her reputation intact; I don't think she'll have a problem getting future offers to be a campaign manager.

[OldPhiKap]

Proper response by Kellyanne" "Ah, it's a living,..." She has kept her reputation intact; I don't think she'll have a problem getting future offers to be a campaign manager.

Agreed, she has done a very good job with an historically undisciplined candidate.

[Wander]

Agreed, she has done a very good job with an historically undisciplined candidate.

I know this is the conventional wisdom, but I still don't buy it. I agree that Trump's descent in the polls isn't her fault, but that doesn't imply she's done anything great, either. What specifically has she done that was "very good"? To my eye, the race got close at one point because of a few missteps by Clinton (that are normal in any presidential campaign) and simply because it's hard to NOT have a close race in the current two-party system, not because of anything that Conway did.

[OldPhiKap]

I know this is the conventional wisdom, but I still don't buy it. I agree that Trump's descent in the polls isn't her fault, but that doesn't imply she's done anything great, either. What specifically has she done that was "very good"? To my eye, the race got close at one point because of a few missteps by Clinton (that are normal in any presidential campaign) and simply because it's hard to NOT have a close race in the current two-party system, not because of anything that Conway did.

I would say that she kept him on message for the longest period of the campaign, which is when he closed in the polls. She is a very effective advocate, in the face of some really otherwise indefensible problems for Trump.

Of course, we are comparing her to Paul Manifort, Steve Brannon and Corey Lewandowski. Not Karl Rove, David Axelrod or The Cajun Sketator.

I think that she has made a name for herself beyond just as a pollster (where she is already highly regarded), and Trump won't be held against her. I agree with a post above that FoxNews may be in her future.

[YmoBeThere]

I cannot promise, but I will try to refrain from posting in it anymore.

The Trump phenomenon is extremely distasteful to me.

I posted over there, I'm so ashamed.

[Bostondevil]

But what about the other side?

At least the wikileaks have been very entertaining, and with more to come every day up until the election. Supposedly some very damning stuff.

Wait...we are supposed to be talking about Poptarts in here.

Until Wikileaks goes after Trump with the same gusto - I cannot view them as a "pro-transparency" organization. Wikileaks is just another thing run by a rich white guy that has a shady past when it comes to sexual assault. Julian Assange is extremely distasteful to me too.

Plus - I won't believe that any of the leaked emails are genuine until I've made the risotto for myself.

[Bostondevil]

What on earth???

Trump calls for drug test ahead of next debate, says Clinton was 'pumped up'

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/15/politi...-+Top+Stories)

Do drug tests pick up Viagra? How about Rogaine?

[Indoor66]

Do drug tests pick up Viagra? How about Rogaine?

How about steroids & amphetimines?

[DukeandMdFan]

Do drug tests pick up Viagra? How about Rogaine?

How great that would be!!

[gurufrisbee]

I don't know much about drugs, but wouldn't the guy who keeps saying insane things and spends his time in every debate constantly sniffing be the one who seems more like the drug user?

[Tripping William]

Do drug tests pick up Viagra? How about Rogaine?

Do those drugs make you extra-sniffy during a nationally televised debate? That would explain some things...

[Oops. gurufrusbee beat me to it.]

[El_Diablo]

Trump's Ohio campaign severs ties with the head of the Ohio GOP:

"I spoke with Mr. Trump on Thursday and he is very disappointed in Matt's duplicity," Trump Ohio Director Bob Paduchik wrote in a letter to members of the state GOP central committee, which elects the chairman.

"Mr. Trump told me, 'This is why people have lost faith in the establishment and party leaders.' I have to agree with him. Too often some leaders of our party have been quick to bail on candidates and principles —it's why our nation is on the wrong track," Paduchik wrote.

The letter was distributed with a packet of clips from interviews Borges conducted this week, some in which the chairman questioned whether he could continue to support the nominee.

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016...airman-n666916

[JasonEvans]

Trump's Ohio campaign severs ties with the head of the Ohio GOP:

That's ok. I don't think Ohio is an important state this election.

[BandAlum83]

I was polled today on my landline. I only have it for my alarm system at this point. I saw on the caller ID that it was a research firm so I picked up. I normally don't answer. I told the truth throughout.

It asked about the presidential election and the Georgia senate race. They wanted demographic info.

They wanted age, race, income level, who I voted for in 2012 and dem/repub/independent.

They couldn't say who it was being done on behalf of. At the end, a supervisor got on to confirm I planned to vote. I do.

Early voting begins Monday in Georgia. I will vote this week.

[Furniture]

I was polled today on my landline. I only have it for my alarm system at this point. I saw on the caller ID that it was a research firm so I picked up. I normally don't answer. I told the truth throughout.

It asked about the presidential election and the Georgia senate race. They wanted demographic info.

They wanted age, race, income level, who I voted for in 2012 and dem/repub/independent.

They couldn't say who it was being done on behalf of. At the end, a supervisor got on to confirm I planned to vote. I do.

Early voting begins Monday in Georgia. I will vote this week.

You are scaring me BandAlum!

[BandAlum83]

You are scaring me BandAlum!

Scared that I wanted to participate in a poll?

I always see polls of all kinds and always think to myself "who are the idiots that answer these things? The. Results never seem to match the way I think.

Well now, at least I know my choices will be reflected.