02.24.2016 10:17 AM

Perspective is everything

43 Comments

  1. davie says:

    Mr Hyde is gaining strength.

  2. Matt says:

    Question:

    Who in the hell will Trump pick as his running mate?

    And if Clinton wins, do you think she’d pick Sanders? Would Sanders pick Clinton if he wins?

  3. jon says:

    Oh man, it is funny as hell watching the left twist their brains into pretzels trying to explain the Trump phenomenon. Just as a majority of Canadians had HAD IT with Harper, so too are American sick of the Democrats and the Republican establishments.

  4. Peter says:

    Pundits are both appalled and fascinated and Republicans/conservatives are in panic mode. Together they’ve spawned a whole cottage industry of op-eds trying to figure this out. The common theme is that lots of folks are angry, which is fine insofar as it just objectively describes the mood of the electorate, but it’s often also code for parking one’s critical faculties and surrendering to a kind of visceral misanthropy (at least for angry whites–angry blacks demonstrate a perfectly reasonable righteous rage). So far, no one seems to be linking his popularity to the persona he projected every week for years into millions of American homes. If your ideal “presidential character” is a no-nonsense, hard-ass (with a very occasional touch of humanity) who owes nobody, isn’t afraid to make tough decisions and can see through brownnosers, slackers and me-first careerists, your attraction to him may be perfectly rational, especially if you have come to see Washington as a hive of corruption, hypocritical bafflegab and back-scratching. The image of him addressing Congress and telling them all “You’re fired!” must be irresistible for many. Of course, you would also have to completely ignore policy or think it doesn’t matter, but haven’t we discussed before about how John and Jane Frontporch vote largely on character?

    Americans are fond of boasting that anyone can become President, but these days they may need a reality TV show first.

  5. Mike Smith says:

    It appears Warren is not sold on Trump’s platform of replacing all government programs with something terrific, building walls (Paid by Mexico), and cutting deals that allow for a perpetual state of Winning…

  6. Al in Cranbrook says:

    Over the years I’ve seen a couple observations from credible people that Stephen Harper, by American standards, would be considered to the left Bill Clinton.

    One thing I will say is…

    The level of willingness to speak freely, but more to the point, to allow people to speak freely, in American politics is certainly refreshing compared to what it’s become up here.

    In Canada, if a candidate, f’rinstance, mentioned his devotion to God, or his pro-life beliefs, or his belief in second amendment type rights, or that climate change is garbage, the left would have apoplectic fits of rage in the streets! And said politician would relegated by the MSM to the lunatic fringe post haste!

    Harper finishes a speech with “God bless Canada”, in essence is a three word prayer for the nation, and the PC obsessed left head for the washrooms to change their underwear!

    It’s not because our politics are somehow more civilized. It’s because, in general, Canadians are pinched to the point of chronic numbness.

    • davie says:

      2nd amendment rights?
      Have we amended the Charter?

      • Al in Cranbrook says:

        No, no. I said “second amendment TYPE rights”.

        In any event, I’m one of those who thinks rights are God given, as opposed to bestowed by governments, inspired by their latest ideology du jour, upon the unwashed masses.

        • Al in Cranbrook says:

          You know, kinda like…

          Telling people they have a right to defend themselves and their freedom, but not the right to the means to do it (often with the same means being used against them, be it criminals or their own government.)

          Which is, arguably, akin to telling people they have a right to their religion, but not the right to mention “God” in public.

          …if you get my drift.

  7. doconnor says:

    I’m not sure about “Satanist”. Harper is probably more religious then Trump.

    Trump does belie the claim that Harper was a Fascist.

  8. Al in Cranbrook says:

    This is interesting…

    http://media.wix.com/ugd/3bebb2_df82cdf7f0414137bbc532fd0b0caaa7.pdf

    Trump, Cruz and Rubio in a virtual 3 way tie in Texas poll.

    Are Cruz supporters reading the writing on the wall, and breaking for Rubio?

  9. Tim White says:

    It will be interesting and maybe scary to see how Trump intends to modify his message if and when he is the presumptive nominee.

    He just wants to win and he’ll say whatever it takes. He’s the wrong man for the job but that doesn’t mean he won’t win.

  10. Ridiculosity says:

    Trump summed it up best last night in his Nevada winner’s speech when he said: “I love poorly educated people!”

    • MikeTO says:

      When you flush your toilet, turn on the power, throw your garbage in the trash that gets emptied every week, then drive on a paved road to work in some place that has a roof, perhaps you too should consider if some love is due to “poorly educated people” – they make much of your soft life possible.

      • Yukon Cornelius says:

        As a farm kid with a law degree, I really like your comment. My dad has a grade 8 education (his parents made him quit school to get a job and help the family) and the most thoughtful person I’ve known quit school in grade 10 and drives an 18-wheeler (there is lots of time to think in the cab of a truck). Being poorly educated isn’t equal to being stupid – people often forget that.

        • Yukon Cornelius says:

          Which is not to say that I’m a fan of Trump – the man is a buffoon. God help us if he is elected.

          • doconnor says:

            Poll data shows Trump is more popular with people with less education.

            There is also the fact that his policies (and most of the sentences) are incoherent, impossibly vague, blatantly unconstitutional and the antithesis of wise.

  11. Geoff says:

    See, i knew you would eventually warm up to Harper.

  12. Ronald O'Dowd says:

    Al,

    It’s over after Super Tuesday…Trump has got this in the bag.

  13. Marc-André Chiasson says:

    “Donald Trump is the World’s Most Dangerous Man”, an article from the Spiegel Online. Very long but most informative analysis. I strongly recommend that you take a few minutes to read it:

    http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/donald-trump-is-the-most-dangerous-man-in-the-world-a-1075060.html

  14. doconnor says:

    I’ve read both articles. The Rolling Store one just describes his campaign and the reasons for its success but doesn’t explore the issue of what he really thinks and believes.

    The Spiegel article suggests he combines the intelligence of Rob Ford, the vindictiveness of Richard Nixon and the superiority complex of Adolf Hitler.

    His plan to gain absolute power may not be shrewd, but he wouldn’t hesitate in implementing it. The Constitution makes it the voter’s job to stop him.

  15. e.a.f. says:

    good line, ,made me laugh.

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