POTUS Election thread

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Threatening to wad it up and throw it away might work for his business deals, but international relations is a whole different ballgame that Trump doesnt have a clue what hes talking about. In the current NATO mission in Afghanistan, almost half of the forces in theater are European NATO allies or partner nations. The other half are US forces. NATO allies have lost over 1100 personnel in Afghanistan, with the Danes suffering the highest percentage of casualties of any ally, even the US. In Syria and Iraq, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom (and soon the Czechs) are flying anti-ISIS missions. On the ground with advisers & trainers in Iraq preparing Iraqi & Kurdish forces, you have Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and soon the Czechs as well. In the Libyan operation, it was NATO allies who were leading, not the US. Last I recall, the Danish actually flew more missions and dropped more ordnance than the US did. Yes, the US takes the lead in most of the NATO missions because we have the biggest military by far. But thinking that NATO allies dont do their part is just false.

Since 2014, NATO allies have agreed to halt defense cuts and now many NATO allies are in the process of rebuilding their defense budgets and forces, even the Germans (though apparently the Dutch have a ways to go). NATO is probably the most successful military alliance in history because there wasnt doubt about if allies would come to the aid of others allies when attacked. Threatening to walk because you dont get everything you want is not a recipe for a healthy alliance. Trump has said similar things about leaving the WTO which would also be disastrous.

Preacher, meet choir.


Trump, as most folks with business backgrounds, think that diplomacy as practiced is a silly waste of time and think they CAN do better deals by using the strategies known and familiar to them.

I said that was WHAT Trump was doing, not that it was a good idea.

[Greyblades]

[Hooahguy]

Preacher, meet choir.


Trump, as most folks with business backgrounds, think that diplomacy as practiced is a silly waste of time and think they CAN do better deals by using the strategies known and familiar to them.

I said that was WHAT Trump was doing, not that it was a good idea.

Sorry, couldnt tell what your position was...

[Xiahou]

Trump, as most folks with business backgrounds, think that diplomacy as practiced is a silly waste of time and think they CAN do better deals by using the strategies known and familiar to them.

I would just add that I really don't think Trump is anywhere near the successful business man he makes himself out to be. What he got was a big inheritance from his dad and what he is is a brand. He licenses his name to anyone who'll pay for it- that's basically his business model in a nutshell. His finances may be even worse that we think, considering his refusal to release tax returns.

Also, 'The Art of the Deal' was ghost written- Trump didn't write it.

[Fragony]

If he is succesful at being a brand he's a succesful businessman. It would be good to have an outsider for a change I think, I bet it makes a whole lot of people really nervous if someone relatively free of the interests of lobbyists gets a go.

[Husar]

Also here's a "Sure she's bad, but you have to vote for her or else Trump will win" for you.

[drone]

It would be good to have an outsider for a change I think, I bet it makes a whole lot of people really nervous [b]if someone relatively free of the interests of lobbyists[\b] gets a go.

The current speculations on Trump's connections/dependency to the Russian oligarchy makes this a questionable statement.

[Hooahguy]

The current speculations on Trump's connections/dependency to the Russian oligarchy makes this a questionable statement.

Indeed. Carter Page, one Trump's foreign policy advisers has deep connections with Gazprom (and his campaign manager also used to work for Viktor Yanukovych), so its a little suspicious how the Trump camp insisted on softening the language on Russia in the GOP platform. Plus his recent comment on ending US sanctions on Russia and recognizing Crimea as being a part of Russia.

[drone]

Indeed. Carter Page, one Trump's foreign policy advisers has deep connections with Gazprom (and his campaign manager also used to work for Viktor Yanukovych), so its a little suspicious how the Trump camp insisted on softening the language on Russia in the GOP platform. Plus his recent comment on ending US sanctions on Russia and recognizing Crimea as being a part of Russia.

Hopefully some journo is putting the finishing touches on a series that shows just how much of Trump's business financing is coming from Putin's cronies, since US banks won't lend to him any more.

[AE Bravo]

I dont understand why these third party candidates arent in the debates. It's one thing for them to be completely sidelined but not allowing them to see the light of day defeats the purpose of their existence altogether. Makes no sense.

Unfortunately that would give the two idiots that have a chance less time to talk.