|
|
Post by Chesapeake on Nov 10, 2016 19:08:21 GMT -5
So far, the man claiming to be Donald Trump has been acting pretty impressively, at least by Washington standards. He graciously congratulated his vanquished opponent on a hard-fought campaign when she called him to concede. Now he's behaved with grace and generosity during his first meeting with Obama, the one concerning the transition. I listened real careful, and I'm pretty sure I heard him say that Obama is "a good man."
One of his old business chums in New York says he puts on and takes off the crazy face all the time, depending on what he thinks he needs to project at the moment. I've also heard it observed that since Trump is not a doctrinaire conservative, like some of the true-believers on Capitol Hill (Paul Ryan for example, and for that matter Mike Pence), and because he has a strong pragmatic streak when it comes to giving up what he needs to in order to get a deal, he just might grow into an effective legislative player. Various progressive Democrats, like Al Franken, have even spoken in reasonably friendly (though guarded) terms, for example praising his commitment to launching infrastructure programs.
Could it be that he really does know how to act presidential? That the whole campaign was all about the game face, and that now that's over and it's time to be a grown-up?
Or has he in fact fallen victim to a body-snatcher?
|
|
|
|
Post by patrick on Nov 10, 2016 19:34:24 GMT -5
Its impressive only by comparison with the spoiled child we've grown used to for the last 15 months. Its otherwise standard behavior if you look back at other such first Presidential meetings.
It is going to be interesting to watch how the Rs deal with Trump. He was a Democrat for decades before suddenly switching to R. His first two legislative acts are likely to be a massive expensive infrastructure project and getting rid of the carried interest deduction for hedge fund managers.
I'm dubious the Rs will actually repeal Obamacare, it would dump about 20 million people off insurance, a large number of whom are probably their supporters and will be hoppin' ass mad in two years. And many of those are on Medicaid. Will he leave the state officials twisting in the wind to either take the heat for dumping those people, or having to raise state taxes to cover the money they are no longer getting from the Federal government?
I give him about 6 months before the Tea Party nuts start screaming RINO.
And they will be right.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2016 19:35:01 GMT -5
Well shoot. All that's left is for him to ditch the comb over and go full bald!
|
|
|
|
Post by Lonnie on Nov 10, 2016 19:39:52 GMT -5
If it was all a con job to get the office, then he scares me even more. If he follows through on what his more blood thirsty constituents elected him for, it's gonna be bad enough in America. If he doesn't follow through, those same gun toting, mouth breathing morons might just raise a bit of a ruckus. No matter which way Trump turns, I think we have some ugly days coming up.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2016 19:55:03 GMT -5
Are they taking lessons from New York and California, Lonnie, or from these guys?  |
|
|
|
Post by Village Idiot on Nov 10, 2016 20:29:30 GMT -5
I seem to remember, even though it seems like many many years ago, people talking about how subdued Trump was after he won the Republican nomination. About how maybe that now that he had the nomination, he might be more in control. I also remember how that lasted about a week.
|
|
|
|
Post by coachdoc on Nov 10, 2016 20:37:17 GMT -5
I think I heard fear in his voice. Speaking to Obama he said 'I hope we will be talking many many times,' and I mean counsel.'
|
|
|
|
Post by aquaduct on Nov 10, 2016 21:15:36 GMT -5
It's the art of the deal. The election was all about crushing Obama and fawning morons that ate a mile of his shit to kiss his ass. Now that he's obliterated those idiots there's no purpose in humiliating them further. Let them save some face (if they want) and get down to the job of fixing things.
A corporate attorney I once knew used to say pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. Obama never understood that and severely overplayed his hand and that's what got Trump elected.
I seriously doubt Trump's that stupid.
|
|
|
|
Post by fauxmaha on Nov 10, 2016 21:18:12 GMT -5
Consider what he had accomplished in the last year.
Love him or hate him, you have to agree that was among the most impressive political campaigns ever.
His political enemies would do well not to underestimate him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lonnie on Nov 10, 2016 21:33:35 GMT -5
Are they taking lessons from New York and California, Lonnie, or from these guys? Oh, believe me, the left has its share of mouth breathing morons as well. That is one area Trump does not have exclusive claim to. |
|
|
|
Post by majorminor on Nov 10, 2016 21:50:45 GMT -5
Consider what he had accomplished in the last year. Love him or hate him, you have to agree that was among the most impressive political campaigns ever. His political enemies would do well not to underestimate him. He beat Hillary, Obama, all the primary Repub candidates, the Republican party, the press, the pundits, Fox News, and every one here but Doug. Not bad. |
|
|
|
Post by Doug on Nov 10, 2016 21:56:27 GMT -5
Looks like the financial world has decide Trump"s not so bad. I think that is the silliest thing to have the financial world make massive shifts depending on some election some where. It was silly when the markets went down over Trump, and it's just as silly when the markets are going up over Trump. Same thing with Brexit. Some sectors are effected by that stuff but over all the financial part of the world keeps turning.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lonnie on Nov 10, 2016 22:01:57 GMT -5
There are hundreds, possibly thousands of protestors blocking I-94 in Minneapolis as I type this. Protests such as this are preaching to the choir... well, part of the choir. I don't understand the purpose, not one mind will change, not one thing will be accomplished except to piss off many people, both those with skin in the game and those without. I'm as saddened and angered as anyone about Trump's victory, but blocking the freeway sure as hell ain't gonna undo it. It's a bit like calling up Domino's for pizza because your kitchen stove is on fire.
|
|
|
|
Post by Village Idiot on Nov 10, 2016 22:06:43 GMT -5
It's the art of the deal. The election was all about crushing Obama and fawning morons that ate a mile of his shit to kiss his ass. Now that he's obliterated those idiots there's no purpose in humiliating them further. Let them save some face (if they want) and get down to the job of fixing things. Shifting personalities based on the situation isn't a good thing. I think he's shocked that he won. Watch his body language. He's talking like someone is ready to put a hand over his mouth. |
|
|
|
Post by james on Nov 10, 2016 22:12:07 GMT -5
During Trump's acceptance speech, one of his supporters yelled "kill Obama", his ten year old son looked shocked, it would have been a good thing for Trump to mention that, on balance, it wasn't a nice thing for the guy to call for the assassination of the President or maybe just frown a little at him. Something.
|
|
|
|
Post by Doug on Nov 10, 2016 22:17:54 GMT -5
It's the art of the deal. The election was all about crushing Obama and fawning morons that ate a mile of his shit to kiss his ass. Now that he's obliterated those idiots there's no purpose in humiliating them further. Let them save some face (if they want) and get down to the job of fixing things. I think he's shocked that he won. Watch his body language. He's talking like someone is ready to put a hand over his mouth. That's a requirement of a leader. Churchill, FDR, Washington, some bad guys too, ever leader of every kind (scout masters, teachers, QBs, etc) has it to some extent. I think you may be right about him being shocked. |
|
|
|
Post by aquaduct on Nov 10, 2016 22:46:57 GMT -5
During Trump's acceptance speech, one of his supporters yelled "kill Obama", his ten year old son looked shocked, it would have been a good thing for Trump to mention that, on balance, it wasn't a nice thing for the guy to call for the assassination of the President or maybe just frown a little at him. Something. Like liberals have any room to complain at this point. |
|
|
|
Post by aquaduct on Nov 10, 2016 22:50:42 GMT -5
It's the art of the deal. The election was all about crushing Obama and fawning morons that ate a mile of his shit to kiss his ass. Now that he's obliterated those idiots there's no purpose in humiliating them further. Let them save some face (if they want) and get down to the job of fixing things. Shifting personalities based on the situation isn't a good thing. I think he's shocked that he won. Watch his body language. He's talking like someone is ready to put a hand over his mouth. If you want to win you've got to give as good as you get. That's how you engineer an ass kicking. |
|
|
|
Post by Chesapeake on Nov 10, 2016 23:04:58 GMT -5
I'm going to stick my chin out here and say there are some things on which I agree with Trump. We do need to get a better handle on illegal immigration. (Please note the modifier.) After decades of bad luck trying to overthrow leaders of governments who aren't attacking us, we need to step back from that. Also, I'm not in favor of draining countries of their populations, especially military-age men, because they don't like the way their governments are being run. Let them fix their problems the old-fashioned way: stay home and overthrow their oppressors, like we did. (Well, maybe get a little help from the French navy.)
|
|
|
|
Post by frazer on Nov 10, 2016 23:36:51 GMT -5
Wouldn't you have loved to be a fly on the wall during that 90 minutes he spent with the President?
He certainly appeared subdued and uncomfortable afterwards.
I like to think it was because the President had just told him all about Area 51 - "Donald, you can piss off half the electorate, but for all of our sakes, don't piss off the Greys!"
|
|
