The Art of the Donald Trumpocalypse

[Holman]

Rip is deep into the Trumpian "rubber-n-glue" defense: because Trump so obviously knows so little about so much, he insists that Clinton must be getting her smart answers fed to her from someone else.

[El Guapo]

<please don't say keistered it, please don't say keistered it, please don't say keistered it>

Keistered it!

[hepcat]

God DAMN it, now I won't get that image out of my head for the next week. Thanks...thanks internet guy.

[Archinerd]

God DAMN it, now I won't get that image out of my head for the next week. Thanks...thanks internet guy.

Could have been worse. For instance, he could have suggested that only someone with very tiny hands would be able to get it out.

[Zarathud]

When you only have two shitty choices ending up with a shitty result is the only option. The only debate is whose baby has the shittiest diaper.

No, the answer is to stop playing in the shit, and learn to change a diaper.

There is no debate about which of Hillary or Trump is going to shit the bed with more dire consequences. Trump spews shit from all his holes, then takes it to Twitter.

[hepcat]

God DAMN it, now I won't get that image out of my head for the next week. Thanks...thanks internet guy.

Could have been worse. For instance, he could have suggested that only someone with very tiny hands would be able to get it out.

Death, where is thy sweet embrace.

[tjg_marantz]

God DAMN it, now I won't get that image out of my head for the next week. Thanks...thanks internet guy.

The vagina monologue?

[El Guapo]

God DAMN it, now I won't get that image out of my head for the next week. Thanks...thanks internet guy.

The vagina monologue?

Nice.

[Carpet_pissr]

You're assuming that's an earpiece, then assuming people are feeding her answers, while simultaneously ignoring years of her answering questions by herself.

I think the implication, based on the Epipen stuck into her neck in that image, is that she is now just a walking zombie, being propped up by drugs and secret service guys, unable to form thoughts on her own. When left alone, she stares dully at the wall, mouth slack, drooling because she is brain-dead.

[hepcat]

God DAMN it, now I won't get that image out of my head for the next week. Thanks...thanks internet guy.

The vagina monologue?

[Default]

You're assuming that's an earpiece, then assuming people are feeding her answers, while simultaneously ignoring years of her answering questions by herself.

I think the implication, based on the Epipen stuck into her neck in that image, is that she is now just a walking zombie, being propped up by drugs and secret service guys, unable to form thoughts on her own. When left alone, she stares dully at the wall, mouth slack, drooling because she is brain-dead.

And still the obvious choice.

[tgb]

Why are you guys feeding the troll? I'm 2 posts away from putting him on ignore.

[El Guapo]

One upshot to the Lauer clusterfudge is that given the near universal condemnation of his Trump interview, I suspect that future Trump interviewers are going to take it as a cautionary tale and adjust accordingly.

[Skinypupy]

One upshot to the Lauer clusterfudge is that given the near universal condemnation of his Trump interview, I suspect that future Trump interviewers are going to take it as a cautionary tale and adjust accordingly.

And I think you give future interviewers far too much credit. After all, everyone is talking about Matt Lauer today.

[El Guapo]

One upshot to the Lauer clusterfudge is that given the near universal condemnation of his Trump interview, I suspect that future Trump interviewers are going to take it as a cautionary tale and adjust accordingly.

And I think you give future interviewers far too much credit. After all, everyone is talking about Matt Lauer today.

You make a good point. Still, wouldn't Lauer prefer that all the talk today be "wow, Lauer was sharp and tough last night!"?

[milo]

Well at least he didn't need an earpiece so someone could coach him through what to say.

That's not an earpiece. It's a reflection from the stage lights. Trump's ear probably looks the same way; I've heard people asking if he was wearing an earpiece.

It's much more obvious in this video clip.

[GreenGoo]

Man, it is true, you guys would defend pretty much anything she does. If only people were so understanding of Nixon.

I'm not. But I'd need some sort of proof that she's being fed information before I'll criticize, but if she's standing up there, versus Drumpf no less, and someone is providing her with responses/information/reminding her because her memory is failing , then I have a problem with that. So far all I've seen is a blurry pic with some arrows, and maybe something suspiciously reflective (or simply edited to look that way).

But as others have said, I have a problem with that because I hold her to a pretty high standard and that falls below it. Drumpf could have someone's (Putin?) hand up his ass and use him like a puppet and I'd just mumble obscenities to myself because he's a shitheel conman pathological liar and I expect nothing and receive nothing from him.

So sure, I'll "defend" her when her opponent might be the lowest class swindler ever to get within reach of the White House.

It'd be pretty embarrassing to go up against Drumpf and think you need help. He's a walking forum troll post, but not as coherent. He's got nothing but some weird appeal that defies rationality. That's a great qualification for the presidency.

[GreenGoo]

This election isn't about picking the best candidate, that ship has sailed.

I don't agree with this, but I know many do on both sides. All I'll say is that voting for a man-child who throws a tantrum anytime his delusions do not align with reality is not the answer.

But electing someone who can't even answer half a dozens questions by themselves is?

This is nutty. Drumpf can't do this. Maybe he should get an earpiece and someone competent. When you can't even compete with an automaton voicing someone else's opinions (which is obviously not the case), your options are limited.

[GreenGoo]

And now having watched the video I'm that I even responded at all.

Geezus Rip, have you given up all pretense of not being a raving lunatic? Stuff like this is far worse than birther stuff, which Drumpf was an avid proponent of!

I don't care if Clinton raped your dog and killed your mom. She's still the better choice. Only hatred so large it's irrational could someone look at Drumpf and see him as presidential materal.

And that's what politics have become, it just took putting a painted clown up for it to be this clearly illustrated. My team, no matter what. Ideas and thoughts are just camouflage for pretending this is anything other than "them versus us".

[Covenant72]

[Alefroth]

Well at least he didn't need an earpiece so someone could coach him through what to say.

Yes, he really did.

[Covenant72]

[Blackhawk]

I actually think its hilarious how the anti-Clintites went from looking for serious problems to criticizing something like wearing an earpiece (which many people wear on stage - it's a debate, not a spelling bee - or could just be a way for security to stay in contact with her) and "neener neener" criticisms. "She's crooked!", "She's a big liar!", "She forgot a word, so she's got dementia!"

Is that really the best they can come up with? No real criticisms, just name calling an Birther crap?

[Combustible Lemur]

I actually think its hilarious how the anti-Clintites went from looking for serious problems to criticizing something like wearing an earpiece (which many people wear on stage - it's a debate, not a spelling bee - or could just be a way for security to stay in contact with her) and "neener neener" criticisms. "She's crooked!", "She's a big liar!", "She forgot a word, so she's got dementia!"

Is that really the best they can come up with? No real criticisms, just name calling an Birther crap?

For real, a president should have an earpiece. When the gotcha media asks an ambush question the team can zip the accurate facts out for a double gotcha bonus play.

[Kraken]

Interesting rundown of the battleground states by The Hill. I only included the ones where ad spending and/or field office numbers were listed. Clearly if the election ultimately comes down to campaign fundamentals, Hillary should walk away with this one.

Ohio

Ad spending: Hillary $22 million, Trump $2 million
Field offices: Hillary 36, Trump 16

Florida

Ad spending: Hillary 34 million, Trump No Data
Field offices: Hillary 34, Trump 1

North Carolina

Ad spending: Hillary 16 million, Trump 1 million
Field offices: Hillary 30, Trump 0

Pennsylvania

Ad spending: Hillary 18 million, Trump 1 million

Michigan

Field offices: Hillary 23, Trump 0

Nevada

Field offices: Hillary 6, Trump 6

New Hampshire

Ad spending: Hillary 7 million, Trump 0
Field offices: Hillary 17, Trump 1

This only shows that the election is rigged in Hillary's favor. He doesn't need volunteers, ads, or field offices. People will just vote for him.

Trump dominates the news cycle day after day while Clinton has been avoiding reporters (up until this week). Free media > paid media. Clinton's machine will probably prove decisive in the end, but the fact that it's still a horse race despite those lopsided numbers says a lot.

[YellowKing]

Can you imagine the total conniption fit the Republicans would have had if Obama had told the media while running in 2008 that Vladimir Putin was a better leader than George W. Bush? Oh my God.

I don't care what your politics are, for a candidate to say Putin is a better leader than a *sitting President* is just beyond reprehensible. For a party that prides itself on its patriotism, that's about the most unpatriotic thing any candidate could say.

I hope I'm never so consumed by partisanship that I put the leader of a rival superpower - a leader with a, shall we say, less than stellar record on corruption and human rights - above my own President.

[malchior]

Lets face it. Shit is beyond broken. We can't compare this election to any other. The fourth estate is broken. The electorate appears to be apathetic or willing to "protest" by electing the most unqualified person by far in American history. It is hard to put this in perspective because we are likely in the middle of a disaster that we cant see the edges of yet. It is pretty horrifying.

[Zaxxon]

I don't care what your politics are, for a candidate to say Putin is a better leader than a *sitting President* is just beyond reprehensible. For a party that prides itself on its patriotism, that's about the most unpatriotic thing any candidate could say.

Don't worry--he wears a flag pin; he's patriotic!

We're a few days past this one...

...but it just cracks me up. If you're going to boast about another candidate's ignorance, best to first ensure you are not also ignorant of the exact same thing. Sad!

[Fretmute]

Lets face it. Shit is beyond broken. We can't compare this election to any other. The fourth estate is broken. The electorate appears to be apathetic or willing to "protest" by electing the most unqualified person by far in American history. It is hard to put this in perspective because we are likely in the middle of a disaster that we cant see the edges of yet. It is pretty horrifying.

The whole thing does seem vaguely like the flashback at the beginning of a post-apocalyptic thriller.

[Smoove_B]

The whole thing does seem vaguely like the flashback at the beginning of a post-apocalyptic thriller.

There's no good outcome here. If he's actually elected, it will have unfathomable consequences. If he's not elected, the group of voters he's whipped up into a frenzy are going to continue to be disruptive with all their seemingly validated nonsense. Trump will claim the system is corrupt and his voting base was cheated or disenfranchised (somehow). No matter what happens in November, there isn't going to be a "clean break" where we just all collectively move forward and get back to normal. "Normal" has apparently been adjusted.

[Isgrimnur]

There is no 'normal'. The sooner you come to terms with it, the better off you'll be.

[GreenGoo]

There is no 'normal'. The sooner you come to terms with it, the better off you'll be. And since I've got you here, give me your wallet

ftfy

Welcome to the new normal.

[Smoove_B]

Normal is probably the wrong word. Things aren't going to go back to the way they were before Trump ran a campaign and was officially nominated as the GOP candidate. We are through the looking glass.

[Archinerd]

The whole thing does seem vaguely like the flashback at the beginning of a post-apocalyptic thriller.

There's no good outcome here. If he's actually elected, it will have unfathomable consequences. ...and supporting argument.

This is the main reason I don't buy the argument that he's a Clinton plant. If Clinton was savvy/corrupt enough to get a puppet to run against she'd also be smart enough to pick a puppet that wouldn't cause so much collateral damage.

Also, it's just absurd.

[hepcat]

I may be naive, but I still think we have enough safeguards in place that Trumputin will ultimately just be another Carter and nothing will happen. He'll piss off a bunch of world leaders, sure. But that will be forgotten the moment the country wakes up 4 years later, looks at the president in bed next to them and realizes they made a yuuuuge mistake. The next president will be goddamn Gandhi next to this train wreck of an individual, and we'll get most of our good will back.

[tgb]

I wish I shared your optimism.

[malchior]

I can't see the comparison to Jimmy Carter holding. He is like a wrecking ball to good governance and decency. A particularly dangerous concoction.

[Holman]

A Trump victory means the GOP pivots to being Trump's party, plain and simple. Congress (and a Trump victory certainly means GOP control of it all) will trade Trump what he wants in return for everything they want.

Democrats will be a powerless minority, and what Republicans will stand up to him? Certainly not the ones who can barely bring themselves to stand up to him now.

The last remnants of the old Republicans will be swept away.

[YellowKing]

I wish I could share your optimism, hepcat, but I'm really concerned that his responses to ISIS/Muslim policy could have a really destructive effect. It would not be difficult for him to exacerbate our problems for years by playing right into their hands - particularly if they were able to pull off another spectacular attack and he got the American people behind him ala George W's post-9/11 invasion of Iraq. Terrorism is one war you absolutely DON'T want fought by a hothead, as their entire strategy relies on provocation.

It would also mean four years of Putin having carte blanche to do whatever he wanted.

[El Guapo]

It would also mean four years of Putin having carte blanche to do whatever he wanted.

Until Putin says something mean about Trump, at which point we would have nuclear war.