POTUS Election thread

[Seamus Fermanagh]

What, an over inflated ego, pomposity and a tendancy for self aggrandizement isnt ringing any bells?

And in what way are these characteristics peculiar to the German National Socialist Workers Party?

I would challenge you to find virtually any cadre of political leaders throughout history without finding a good bit of this present.

[Kralizec]

It doesn't appear to be that way. Monica Lewinsky maintains that the relationship was consensual, but at the same time she says Clinton took advantage of her.

At best, it is actually performing in practice what Trump was talking about.

Some other cases are in the grey area. Paula Jones for instance, filed a lawsuit against Clinton for sexual harassment. Clintons made a deal with her to withdraw in exchange of 850,000$.

Of course, it is not impossible that some malicious women were trying to take advantage and make money, but there's too much there to be just that.

Paula Jones case dragged on for a while, but only because Clinton argued at first that the case couldn't be brought against a sitting president. When it went forward, it was dismissed very quickly. Clinton settled to prevent it from going through the appeal process, and according to Bill himself it was only to move on with his life. Considering that Paula Jones' lawsuit was the trigger for the Lewinsky scandal I tend to believe that explanation.

The most serious allegation levelled against Clinton was by Juanita Broaddrick, who was allegedly raped. Her case is full of holes: she became active as a political volunteer for Bill Clinton after he supposedly raped her, she kept quite about it for 20 years, denied in a court proceeding there was any truth to rumours of rape...before making a 180 degree turn, claiming it took her so long because she was emotionally distressed. Granted, that is possible, but nevertheless the whole story is fairly dubious- and the onus is on the accusing side.

I'm sure there are others, and it's universally accepted that Bill is/was promiscuous, but saying "well, there's a lot of smoke, so there probably is a fire of some sort..." isn't going to cut it. The problem with Trump's attacks isn't just that all of these allegations are unproven, but also that there's absolutely no indication that Hillary covered up for him or threatened these women in any way. This whole angle of attack is an excercise in stupidity, especially considering Trump's own record of marital infidelity.

So can we agree that this is now a choice between Göring and a female Himmler?

It sounds like you're the only one who has changed his opinion. Every sane person has known for months that Trump is a complete sack of shit, what took you so long?

Hillary would probably not be my first choice if I were an American either. She has popularity issues for a reason. And yet, somehow, the alternative the Republicans are pushing is *Trump*? Hillary can at least be counted on to govern rationally, and to pursue policies that are liked by US democrats and liberals.

[Greyblades]

This election feels like a choice between two who fit into my conceptions of goering and himmler. Why are you two being so confrontational.

Edit:by you two I dont mean krazelic, I dont need the displeasure of a hillary fan explained to me.

[Kralizec]

I agree, explanations are lost on you.

[Fragony]

I don't understand the choice of either party, out of so many decent and qualified people get to choose between a corrupt bitch and a vulgar brawler. Lots of eyes must be rolling.

[Greyblades]

I cant seem to remember what heinous thing I did to piss off krazelik and montmorency this way, unless they are somehow taking my distaste for hillary personally now.

[Sarmatian]

Paula Jones case dragged on for a while, but only because Clinton argued at first that the case couldn't be brought against a sitting president. When it went forward, it was dismissed very quickly. Clinton settled to prevent it from going through the appeal process, and according to Bill himself it was only to move on with his life. Considering that Paula Jones' lawsuit was the trigger for the Lewinsky scandal I tend to believe that explanation.

The only thing missing from that explanation is ponies and rainbows.

If it were the only one, I might have agreed with you.

The most serious allegation levelled against Clinton was by Juanita Broaddrick, who was allegedly raped. Her case is full of holes: she became active as a political volunteer for Bill Clinton after he supposedly raped her, she kept quite about it for 20 years, denied in a court proceeding there was any truth to rumours of rape...before making a 180 degree turn, claiming it took her so long because she was emotionally distressed. Granted, that is possible, but nevertheless the whole story is fairly dubious- and the onus is on the accusing side.

I'm sure there are others, and it's universally accepted that Bill is/was promiscuous, but saying "well, there's a lot of smoke, so there probably is a fire of some sort..." isn't going to cut it.

Well, statistics tell us that only 2% of rapes are falsely reported and in many cases victims don't report it for a very long time, if ever. So, the odds of several women falsely accusing Bill Clinton are minute.

Is he a rapist in the true sense of the word? Maybe, I don't know, but he is definitely a scumbag who disrespected, objectified and sexualized women, and in that sense, he is at least as bad as Trump.

[Montmorency]

Well, statistics tell us that only 2% of rapes are falsely reported and in many cases victims don't report it for a very long time, if ever.

This argument is a non-starter. There is no reliable way to calculate a false-report rate. There isn't even a way to calculate a report rate.

[Kralizec]

Well, statistics tell us that only 2% of rapes are falsely reported and in many cases victims don't report it for a very long time, if ever. So, the odds of several women falsely accusing Bill Clinton are minute.

Is he a rapist in the true sense of the word? Maybe, I don't know, but he is definitely a scumbag who disrespected, objectified and sexualized women, and in that sense, he is at least as bad as Trump.

I'm not sure that there are other rape allegations against Bill except the Broadrick case. There are multiple stories of sexual harassment, though.

I can agree on Bill being a sexist pig.

[Fragony]

Forget about Bill Clinton being a sex-addict, let's talk about Hillary intimidating his victims instead. There is so much wrong with this woman, she is relentless, any humanity is completily lost to her. Why can't people see what kind of person she is. I only need a second

[rory_20_uk]

I don't want to marry the bint or even have a conversation with her. Right about now the bar is set at "not Trump".

Even if one of her hobbies was driving around DC with an assault rifle picking off the passers by she's still be on balance a better candidate.

[Fragony]

She probably has a much better crew, but I'm not sure what they are good at

[Husar]

She probably has a much better crew, but I'm not sure what they are good at

Now we're discussing politics with the lingo used in rap battles and gang wars.
Thanks, Obama.

[Fragony]

Now we're discussing politics with the lingo used in rap battles and gang wars.
Thanks, Obama.

I don't understand?

[Montmorency]

Now we're discussing politics with the lingo used in rap battles and gang wars.

No - pirates.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Now we're discussing politics with the lingo used in rap battles and gang wars.
Thanks, Obama.

"Will you never cease prating of laws to us that have swords by our sides?"
-- Gnaeus Pompeius "Magnus"


Madison cribbed quite a bit off the Romaoi.

[HopAlongBunny]

Quick over-view from FiveThirtyEight:

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/...e-needed-help/

Best line: Or was the whole business a sort of confidence trick, which was bound to implode once people began to lose faith in it?

Mixed results from tape:

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/...om-trump-tape/

[Gilrandir]

I cant seem to remember what heinous thing I did to piss off krazelik

For once, you can't spell his nickname properly.

As for the discussion, I don't understand what personal sexual inclinations have to do with performing one's duties as POTUS. Let him/her be a good president from 9 to 5, and do whatever pleases him/her (staying within the law) in his/her spare time.

[rory_20_uk]

For once, you can't spell his nickname properly.

As for the discussion, I don't understand what personal sexual inclinations have to do with performing one's duties as POTUS. Let him/her be a good president from 9 to 5, and do whatever pleases him/her (staying within the law) in his/her spare time.

The head of state is the chief salesperson of the country. So being a letch in one's spare time does impact on the day job - like it or not, world leaders are humans and will respond to the person as well as the message.

[Husar]

The head of state is the chief salesperson of the country. So being a letch in one's spare time does impact on the day job - like it or not, world leaders are humans and will respond to the person as well as the message.

Given that they're most likely psychopaths of a similar kind, you could say that makes it a plus.

[Sigurd]

Excuse my ignorance of politics, its rules and the game around it.
But isn't there any openings that can be employed if the american people suddenly realized that they either have to vote for Hitler or Stalin? Can the republicans throw in a candidate at this point that the republican voters will flock en-mass to? Is there any rule-book that can be thrown into the ring at this point?

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Excuse my ignorance of politics, its rules and the game around it.
But isn't there any openings that can be employed if the american people suddenly realized that they either have to vote for Hitler or Stalin? Can the republicans throw in a candidate at this point that the republican voters will flock en-mass to? Is there any rule-book that can be thrown into the ring at this point?

Only a massive write-in campaign could alter things at this point. The various state ballots have been locked.

[Pannonian]

Harding, Kennedy, Johnson, and Clinton were all notorious womanizers.
F. Roosevelt, while not notorious, had a mistress during his tenure and more or less died in her arms.
Fidelity, per se, is not a relevant concern to the office.

None of the aforementioned ever got themselves recorded bragging about it like a 16-year old high school footballer in a locker room d*** measuring discussion.

Man's got multiple billion dollars from an amazing business career and celebrity status to boot and feels he has to do that kind of locker-room bragging to impress....Billy Bush?

NOT a level of maturity I feel should be associated with the office.



22 Declared candidates among the two major parties and more than a $100m dollars spent and THESE TWO are the choices we are left with? [I would insert a 'screaming vomit' smiley here if we had one]

We've got a "big government cures all" self-serving liar whose BEST leadership characteristic is her Machiavellianism and an insecure narcissistic rich guy who demagogues for the benefit of the LOWEST common denominator while bragging about his penis.


I am voting for my wife. I will still be getting f**ked by the person for whom I a voting -- just like the rest of the country -- but unlike the other choices I actually respect her.

We have a government proposing fascist policies, while our leader of the opposition is a communist (and his chief of staff is someone whom even the Communists considered an extremist nutter). Are things worse on your side of the water?

[Gilrandir]

The head of state is the chief salesperson of the country. So being a letch in one's spare time does impact on the day job - like it or not, world leaders are humans and will respond to the person as well as the message.

So world leaders won't speak to a POTUS who is notorious for his heartbreaking skills?

World leaders don't vote POTUS in. And here we have voters discussing whether it is appropriate for an official to be a lady's man in his spare time. Let him rule gloriously and indulge in whatever legal pastime he fancies.

[Fragony]

So world leaders won't speak to a POTUS who is notorious for his heartbreaking skills?

World leaders don't vote POTUS in. And here we have voters discussing whether it is appropriate for an official to be a lady's man in his spare time. Let him rule gloriously and indulge in whatever legal pastime he fancies.

I agree with that but who am I. How it should be isn't always how things are.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

We have a government proposing fascist policies, while our leader of the opposition is a communist (and his chief of staff is someone whom even the Communists considered an extremist nutter). Are things worse on your side of the water?

Worse, no. But I am not sure they are substantively better. The functional major party has a significant portion of their followership who want to repeat -- more or less completely -- the policies and approach to governance and society that is working so "well" for Sweden right now. The dysfunctional party has a candidate who is too narcissistic to be a fascist and the party has at least three major sub-components, maybe 4, none of whom are willing to comfortably hang out under that proverbial "big tent."

Our two-party system has been a source of stability since early in the Republic. Of course, the last time one of the two went belly up, we had a Civil War going within 5 years.

The GOP is living in "interesting times." [Chinese curse definition of that phrase]

[Husar]

So world leaders won't speak to a POTUS who is notorious for his heartbreaking skills?

World leaders don't vote POTUS in. And here we have voters discussing whether it is appropriate for an official to be a lady's man in his spare time. Let him rule gloriously and indulge in whatever legal pastime he fancies.

And here we have a foreigner telling voters how to choose their candidate?

[a completely inoffensive name]

Our two-party system has been a source of stability since early in the Republic. Of course, the last time one of the two went belly up, we had a Civil War going within 5 years.

And the first time one went belly up, we had the Era of Good Feelings. So your mileage may vary.

[Gilrandir]

And here we have a foreigner telling voters how to choose their candidate?

This forum is all about giving foreigners a piece of one's mind, isn't it?

But getting personal, why were you not shy to tell a foreigner what lamps he should use? Perhaps because you deemed it universal truth?

[Husar]

This forum is all about giving foreigners a piece of one's mind, isn't it?

But getting personal, why were you not shy to tell a foreigner what lamps he should use? Perhaps because you deemed it universal truth?

Fellow EU citizens are not foreigners.
Once we are all United Earth citizens, you can tell those from the US-district how to choose their governor.