Next Pub presidential debate tonight, 10/28/15

[KingOrfeo]

The next Republican presidential debate for the 2016 election, at the University of Colorado in Boulder, hosted by CNBC, will begin tonight, Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time.

"The event will be divided into two parts," according to CNBC. "One grouping will include candidates with an average of three percent (or more) in a specified group of national polls."

That debate, featuring Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, Chris Christie, John Kasich and Rand Paul, starts at 7 p.m. Central. It will last two hours.

According to AJC.com, Trump will stand center-stage for the debate next to Carson. To Trump's right will be Rubio, Bush, Huckabee and Kasich. To Carson's left will be Fiorina, Cruz, Christie and Paul.

"The other grouping will include candidates who meet the minimum threshold of one percent in any one of the specified group of national polls."

Those candidates, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, George Pataki, and Lindsey Graham, will take the stage at 5 p.m. Central.

CNBC's Carl Quintanilla, Becky Quick and John Harwood will moderate the debate, which will focus on jobs, taxes and the deficit; the health of the economy, and "your financial freedom."

So, apparently this one will be narrowly focused on the economy and won't touch (directly) on foreign policy, military policy, immigration or social/cultural issues.

Floor now open for predictions, expectations, proposed drinking-game rules, etc.

 

[sr71plt]

At some point, one of these should start talking like a real presidential contender rather than a fringe nut job. The economy is as good a place from something real to start to be shown as any other topic.

 

[KingOrfeo]

At some point, one of these should start talking like a real presidential contender rather than a fringe nut job.

What, and eliminate himself from the race?!

 

[KingOrfeo]

How the f*** did we get here?! Why Trump & Carson have demolished all comers—and why you should keep an eye on Rubio & Cruz.

Heading into tonight's debate, the GOP primary has confounded all conventional wisdom. Here's what we've learned

Heather Digby Parton

One of the more entertaining aspects of this political season so far has been watching the political professionals cycle through the ups and downs of the Republican presidential field. They have been completely flummoxed by the Trump and Carson phenomenons, as the two quirky outsiders knock down one establishment heartthrob after another. As we await the third debate tonight, let’s briefly recap where we’ve been and the state of play at this moment.

Nobody was too surprised to see Texas Governor Rick Perry take the fall; he had been badly damaged by his terrible debate performance in 2012. (A cautionary tale for all those on stage tonight no doubt.) But Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker dropping out was a shocker to virtually everyone in the political profession despite the fact that he was clearly overrated and a bit of a dolt. And there was the time when everyone thought Senator Rand Paul had a real shot, leading his army of libertarian millennial Republicans demanding an end to all government regulation and imperial ambition? Unfortunately, his soldiers seem to have deserted. Today he is reduced to threatening to filibuster bills that really can’t be filibustered in a desperate bid for attention.

The list goes on: Carly Fiorina briefly soared after describing bloody mayhem in dramatic detail in the last debate, but as much as Republicans love that sort of thing, for some reason her popularity didn’t last. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was the designated rude-bro until Trump trumped him. Kooky Ohio Governor John Kasich decided to demonstrate his craziness by calling all the other candidates (and by implication their supporters) crazy. And Iowans obviously figure that previous winners Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum failed to make the most of their opportunities so the two are getting no love this time. And Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal and George Pataki? Never mind.

But nobody has stunned the establishment more than Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, whom all the smart money assumed would be the man to beat. Why they all thought this remains something of a mystery, since his father and brother both left office with damning disapproval ratings and a country mired in deep recession, but there you are. Poor Jeb is now cutting staff and wistfully telling voters that he’s got lots of cooler things to do than deal with nutballs like Donald Trump. He’s fading like an old black-and-white polaroid while the ever more vivid and colorful “outsiders” continue to dominate the spotlight.

I have written here for months that Marco Rubio makes the most sense on paper. Considering the very real demographic challenges in the GOP, if one were to conjure up a candidate to face the older white candidates being offered up on the Democratic side one, could hardly come up with a more perfect counterpoint than he. Many people have attested to his talent as a speaker and a retail politician, the big money boys love him, and he’s from Florida to boot. So far he has not lived up to that reputation; and he’s teetering dangerously toward Scott Walker territory, with these lame excuses for failing to turn up for work at the U.S. Senate, and his less than compelling campaign appearances. Still, there’s been a tiny Rubio boomlet over the past few weeks and some ripples in the polls that suggest he’s still a top potential establishment candidate.

And then there’s the dark horse, Senator Ted Cruz. I have been tracking his campaign here for some time as well and have been impressed with how methodically and strategically he’s gone about it. Yesterday, Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post took note as well. He pointed out that Cruz announced before everyone else and that he made his announcement at Liberty University, showing his social conservative credentials up front and proudly. (It was an effective announcement, too, although at the time the pundits dismissed him as a joke, which, considering what has since unfolded with Trump and Carson, was actually a joke on them.)

Cillizza also points out that Cruz has handled Trump very deftly, placing himself as the natural heir to those supporters when he flames out. He’s collected more money than anyone but Bush ($64 million!) and he hasn’t been blowing through it like a teenager at Hot Topic, as Walker did. And then there’s this, which I think is more important than people realize:

[Cruz’s] message is pitch-perfect. No one, not even Trump, in the GOP field can deliver the Washington-is-broken-and-they-don’t even-get-it message better than Cruz. Trump’s problem is that he veers WAY off message every few minutes. Cruz is much more disciplined, finding ways to bring virtually any question he is asked back to how terrible the “Washington Cartel” is. Cruz has one other thing that Trump lacks: A track record of sticking it to the party establishment …[And] as the field starts to shrink, Cruz’s skills as a nationally recognized debate champ will shine through — and get more positive attention.

Cruz is the guy who has the message that the Trump and Carson followers want to hear, but he can deliver it in a polished, professional manner. The establishment hates him as much as he hates them, but whatever you think of his policies and his tactics, he’s a serious politician and they may have no choice but to accept him. If he does win the nomination, He’s more likely to be Barry Goldwater rather than Ronald Reagan, but you just never know. Either way he’s formidable.

So as we all play the debate drinking game tonight, taxing our poor livers every time the candidates robotically decry “political correctness” and promise to repeal Obamacare, we might want to keep an eye on Rubio and Cruz. If the GOP has any savvy (or any luck) they should want these two candidates to end up being the insider vs the outsider down the stretch.

As Al Hunt from Bloomberg observed, these two are both 44 year old sons of Cuban immigrants who beat an establishment Republican. And they both have some very wealthy donors bankrolling their campaigns. But they have very different styles, with Cruz being the hard-charging doctrinaire conservative and Rubio being more of a standard conciliator. Hunt describes the exceptionally accomplished Cruz as smarter and Rubio as smoother which seems right. But those are not the only differences:

Both hew a hard conservative line on most domestic issues, though Cruz is a bit more to the right. The Floridian favors a sharp cut in income taxes, especially for upper incomes, and Cruz talks favorably of a flat tax, without providing specifics. They don’t have many differences on social issues, though Cruz has shown a greater willingness to shut down the government to get his way on issues such as defunding Planned Parenthood.

In any showdown, the Texas senator would make a big deal of immigration, specifically Rubio’s key role in Senate passage of a reform measure that would have offered a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers. That is anathema to rank-and-file conservative voters. Rubio has now changed his position.

On national security, the roles would be reversed, with Rubio taking the harder line. He has embraced Dick Cheney’s interventionist posture and has taken on advisers such as Eric Edelman, a Cheney protégé, and the neoconservative favorite Elliott Abrams. Rubio has left open the possibility of sending more U.S. forces to combat the so-called Islamic State.

If those two were the last candidates standing it would make for a very interesting race — two youthful, conservative Latino Senators representing the outsider and insider strains in the GOP. Considering the primary race so far, the better bet at the moment would seem to be Cruz. His strategy is more sophisticated and he better reflects the anti-establishment zeitgeist in the party. But he is a very hardcore Tea Party conservative and has little ability to appeal to moderates or independents. Rubio is a much more congenial politician who could conceivably draw a broader segment of the electorate — if the GOP base ever sobers up enough to care about that.

Tonight’s debate is likely going to be a slugfest between Tump, Carson and Bush with the rest trying desperately to make some kind of an impression. But I would keep my eyes on the Senators from Texas and Florida. In the unlikely event that Republican voters realize that they actually have to nominate something other than a sideshow act, these are the two freshest acts in the game. Their politics and policies may be appallingly out of step with the majority of the country but the juxtaposition with the older Sanders and Clinton on the other side could be a powerful symbolic image. And after what Trump and Carson and the rest of the clown car have done these last few months, the Republican image needs all the help it can get.

 

[BotanyBoy]

I think Trump's going to push everyone's shit in and not give a fuck while doing it because winning.

Failarina is the only one in the group who might have something of value to contribute to that topic. She's been management but as far as I know she's no bidnizz mogul/tycoon.

The rest of them are going to blow lots of hot air telling us how they have an 8 point plan (totally not telling use what the hell that even means) to make the economy perfect again and how it starts with repealing Obamacare!!

Because they don't know how to make money....they think making money means hosting fundraisers and writing laws to take from one and give to another so they hand you kickbacks next fundraiser. They are career pols and that what they do.

Trump wants to go economically crucify everyone who's fuckiing us....and I think he's going to get a lot of support to do exactly that. If you agree or not (I know KO doesn't) that is his appeal to that crowd and that's appeal he's going to have where it really counts, all the fence riders.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Because they don't know how to make money....

Did FDR know how to make money? It didn't matter, he knew how to fix the economy. Government ain't business.

Trump wants to go economically crucify everyone who's fuckiing us....

He wants to crucify the 1%? News to me.

Trump on the economy:

Economy

Trump wants to eliminate taxes on corporations.[158] He also supports reduced taxation on U.S. workers and business and supports reduced business regulations (including reduced environmental regulation and employee protections).[158] Trump has proposed a 1–5–10–15 income tax plan in order to simplify the tax code, where incomes of up to US$30,000 would pay 1%, incomes of US$30,000 to US$100,000 would pay 5%, incomes of US$100,000 to US$1 million would pay 10%, incomes of US$1 million and up would pay 15%.[158] Further, his plan would eliminate the inheritance tax, lower the capital gains tax, and instead apply a 20% import tariff and a 15% tax on outsourcing to foreign countries.[158] Trump favors stronger trade negotiations with nations such as China, with a more level playing field on trade, to restore American jobs applying tariffs when necessary.[15][39] In the June 16, 2015 announcement of his candidacy, Trump claimed his proven-skills and talent as negotiator in his private business activities, will enhance his ability to negotiate better international trade deals as President.[46]

"[America] used to have victories, but we don’t have them. When was the last time anybody saw us beating, let’s say, China in a trade deal? They kill us. I beat China all the time. All the time."

— Trump, June 16, 2015, announcement of his candidacy

Trump has stated he wants to simplify the tax code, lower taxes for middle and working class people, and increase taxes on wealthy private equity and hedge fund managers, who Trump says currently pay next to nothing.[159][160] Trump favors a free market energy policy and opposes cap and trade.[15] Trump supports improving America's infrastructure.[153]

 

[BotanyBoy]

Did FDR know how to make money? It didn't matter, he knew how to fix the economy. Government ain't business.

Is FDR running for POTUS?

What time are they expecting him on the air tonight??

Government might not be business but it is intertwined with and choking the fucking piss out of most of it currently.

He wants to crucify the 1%? News to me.

Just because you don't agree with him doesn't mean that's not going to be his major appeal.....

Jesus Christ hysterical libhural much?

And he's right about taxing individual wealth, not businesses. When you tax a business you only tax the consumer which fucks poor folks considerably harder than the rich. Need to get CEO's 400mil dollar Christmas bonus, if your individual net worth is over a certain mega millions? Tax that ....ease the fuck up off everyone making less than 100k a year/wage slaves.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Government might not be business but it is intertwined with and choking the fucking piss out of most of it currently.

If anything is holding back American biz, it ain't taxes, it ain't overregulation, it ain't government.

Just because you don't agree with him doesn't mean that's not going to be his major appeal.....

Insofar as the Tea Party base has any economic politics, it is not a politics sympathetic to big biz. Paleoconservative economic populists hate Wall Street as much as Washington. They are very favorable to Main-Street small-biz -- but, really, what does Trump have to offer that sector?

And he's right about taxing individual wealth . . .

What, a tax on assets as distinct from income? A federal wealth tax would be a good idea indeed -- but I don't see it on Trump's agenda.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Please, John Kasich, Make This Debate Matter by Calling Out Trump and Carson.

The Ohio governor should answer his fellow contenders by saying: “You ever heard of anything so crazy?”

By John Nichols

The third Republican debate would draw a lot more viewers if CNBC had selected Mad Money host and Squawk on the Street co-host Jim Cramer as a moderator. He could have shouted, “Risky!” “Don’t Buy!” and “Sell!” in response to each and every absurd answer.

But viewership will still be strong, as the candidates have created plenty of their own drama.

Dr. Ben Carson has displaced billionaire Donald Trump in several polls, and Trump is hopping mad about that. He’s already talking about Carson’s religion—once more crossing lines of political propriety.

Carson arrives on the debate stage with a claim on more of the spotlight and, presumably, the prospect of more scrutiny regarding his most outrageous positions and statements (he proposes to abolish Medicare and says a Muslim president would “have to reject the tenets of Islam”).

Then there is Jeb Bush, the former front-runner who is now is such dire straits that his campaign is cutting salaries and cutting back its focus to critical first-caucus and -primary states. If Bush does not deliver the performance of his life tonight, this could be his last debate—or, at the least, his last debate on the main stage rather than at the kids’ table to which credible-but-not-gonna-happen candidates such as Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, find themselves relegated. (Of the undercard experience, Graham says, “I think it sucks.”)

For the most part, however, Trump, Carson, and Bush will be playing politics as usual—trying to deliver memorable lines, zinging opponents, delivering canned speeches in the time allotted and hoping to keep or gain traction.

The best prospect for a genuine break from routine is that Ohio Governor John Kasich might do what Democrats, independents, and reasonable Republicans think should have been done long ago: call his fellow Republicans out.

Before the debate, at a rally in Ohio, Kasich declared, “I’ve about had it with these people.”

The governor, an arch conservative who ought not be confused with a moderate on economic or social issues, then proceeded to explain how his fellow Republicans had gone off the deep end.

Kasich did not name names. But he left nothing to the imagination.

Clearly speaking of Carson, Kasich said, “We got one candidate that says we ought to abolish Medicaid and Medicare. You ever heard of anything so crazy as that? Telling our people in this country who are seniors, who are about to be seniors that we’re going to abolish Medicaid and Medicare?”

Clearly speaking of Trump, Kasich said, “We got one person saying we ought to have a 10 percent flat tax that will drive up the deficit in this country by trillions of dollars.” He also ripped the billionaire’s harsh immigration stances, noting that there’s a Republican contender who “says we ought to take 10 or 11 [million] people and pick them up—I don’t know where we’re going to go, their homes, their apartments—we’re going to pick them up and scream at them to get out of our country. That’s crazy. That is just crazy.”

Very clearly speaking of Bush, a fellow contender for so-called “establishment” support, Kasich said, “One of the candidates said he’s known as Veto Corleone. He’s so proud of the fact that he vetoes everything, you know what vetoes are? Vetoes are a sign you can’t get what you want.”

Referring to the front runners and the rest of the field, Kasich said, “We got people proposing healthcare reform that’s going to leave, I believe, millions of people without adequate health insurance. What has happened to our party? What has happened to the conservative movement?”

Kasich is right.

There really is a difference between a very conservative Republican and an off-the-rails Republican making proposals that would have startled Ronald Reagan. Truthfully, Kasich has taken stands, especially on labor rights and education funding, that would have rattled mainstream Republicans of the past—those who once identified with Dwight Eisenhower’s “modern Republicanism.” So there is no sense in portraying him as the reincarnation of former Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, former president George H.W. Bush or former governor Mitt Romney (when he was the healthcare reforming governor of Massachusetts).

But if Kasich were to call Carson, Trump, Bush and, yes, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and former CEO Carly Fiorina and the rest, out for their extreme stances, if he were to say bluntly and without apology that what the other contenders propose is bad craziness, he would not just help his own candidacy.

He would restore a measure of common sense to a race for the Republican nomination that does indeed raise the questions: “What has happened to our party? What has happened to the conservative movement?”

 

[BotanyBoy]

If anything is holding back American biz, it ain't taxes, it ain't overregulation, it ain't government.

You say that because you either you were handed a business by a libhurhul hook up or you've never had to grow your own business.

When I get taxed and 'regulated' (taxed more) I HAVE to pass that cost on to my consumers...they are the ONLY people who give me money. I don't get a check from anyone, as such my customers pay 100% of the taxes/permitting/regulations the various government entities impose on me.

So to stay competitive with uber mega farms I have to crunch my profits (and I'm still expensive as fuck)...that means less money for me and all my consumers (the 99%) to go put out into the economy. SAME permits fees and licencing mega farm has to get. But guess who it hurts more? Independent farmer (main st. biz/mom pop) or Monsanto/Wal Mart?

If you're not big enough or the nature of your business does not allow you to export your labor to China/India or other shit hole, taxes and a very large portion of 'regulation' make it very difficult for anyone but uber corp to exist in the USA. The uber corporations are the only ones who can competitively absorb that much arbitrary bullshit cost incursion. American liberalism and democrats are absolutely hostile to the independent business owner. No one hates a mom and pop store like a liburhul.

Insofar as the Tea Party base has any economic politics, it is not a politics sympathetic to big biz. Paleoconservative economic populists hate Wall Street as much as Washington. They are very favorable to Main-Street small-biz -- but, really, what does Trump have to offer that sector?

Economy
Trump wants to eliminate taxes on corporations
he wants to stop taxing the consumer so much, and I can't really disagree I think it's a poor method of taxation that has led to the 1% becoming what they are..

Trump has proposed a 1–5–10–15 income tax plan in order to simplify the tax code, where incomes of up to US$30,000 would pay 1%, incomes of US$30,000 to US$100,000 would pay 5%, this alone would be worth it. That would be the fuckin' bomb right there man, quit fucking the wage slave so hard.

apply a 20% import tariff and a 15% tax on outsourcing to foreign countries.[158] Trump favors stronger trade negotiations with nations such as China, with a more level playing field on trade, This would be AWESOME for everyone not top 10% including Main St. bidnizz

In the June 16, 2015 announcement of his candidacy, Trump claimed his proven-skills and talent as negotiator in his private business activities, will enhance his ability to negotiate better international trade deals as President.[46]
I would be shocked if he wasn't a far cry better at it it than any of the fuckin' clowns we've had in a very, very long time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_presidential_campaign,_2016#Economy

What, a tax on assets as distinct from income? A federal wealth tax would be a good idea indeed -- but I don't see it on Trump's agenda.

If you're not taxing corporations (consumers) you have to tax the individuals. I think trumps idea of 15% on income is a little low of course but the structure itself would be a huge upgrade over the current cluster fuck tax laws that are very obviously leaving the tax burden with everyone not rich enough to own a herd of politicians.

Inheritance tax should go, dying shouldn't be an invitation for the gov to come fuck the survivors in the ass. If anything it's just fuckin' rude. Besides people with anything worth shit don't own anything, their trust does and trusts don't die. In the grand scheme of things this is largely a law that fucks those not privileged enough to have a 1,000/hr lawyer on hand telling them how to not fuck themselves out of their money. Generally speaking the 95~%.

 

[aqwertyuiop]

I like Trumps' in-your-face message, but it is starting to sound hollow.

He needs to stop tell us about his Polls and start telling us about his policies, or he is going to fade away.

 

[JackLuis]

GOP campaigns whine about debate green rooms

But it's the scene backstage that's riling up several lower-polling GOP campaigns. According to a Politico report, staffers for Chris Christie and Rand Paul are disgruntled about the state of their candidates' green room spaces at the Coors Event Center in Boulder, Colorado, where the early debate is scheduled to begin on Wednesday evening.

The candidates got their first peek at their backstage quarters on Tuesday afternoon. Carly Fiorina’s green room comes equipped with an actual Jacuzzi, while Paul's room more closely resembles a closet:

 

[sr71plt]

I like Trumps' in-your-face message, but it is starting to sound hollow.

He needs to stop tell us about his Polls and start telling us about his policies, or he is going to fade away.

You want your president to deliver "in-your-face" messages--mostly crazy ones--left and right? Wow.

 

[JackLuis]

Ben Carson’s budget plan makes absolutely no sense

Prominent Florida newspaper calls on Marco Rubio to resign because he’s not doing his job

‘People don’t care about him’ — here’s why Jeb Bush is struggling

WATCH: Ohio’s John Kasich indicates his GOP rivals Trump and Carson are crazy

Clown Car special, on the track!

 

[BotanyBoy]

You want your president to deliver "in-your-face" messages--mostly crazy ones--left and right? Wow.

What exactly has he said that's so crazy?

 

[NOIRTRASH]

As BOTANYBOY sez, Trump will threaten China and the other nations who fuck us, and America will eat it up. The others will clear their throats and cough and promise to appoint committees to look at things after we elect them. Theyre scared rabbits.

If Trump is smart he'll say something like, ONCE I PUT EVERYONE BACK TO WORK ALL THE FINANCIAL CRAP WILL GO AWAY OVER NITE. Its true. He may say, IF THEY SELL THEIR STUFF IN AMERICA THEYRE GONNA MAKE THEIR STUFF IN AMERICA.

Maybe this... MINIMUM WAGE IS FOR CHUMPS. IF A WORKER MAKES MONEY FOR HIS COMPANY WHO CARES HOW HIGH HIS PAY GOES UP! MY JOB IS TO MAKE IT EASY FOR BIZNESS AND WORKERS TO MAKE MONEY. SO EPA AND OSHA AND THE OTHERS CAN EXPECT SOME CHANGES.

 

[sr71plt]

What exactly has he said that's so crazy?

Probably not much, in your thinking--which is why I'm not going to bother creating a list for you.

 

[sr71plt]

As BOTANYBOY sez, Trump will threaten China and the other nations who fuck us, and America will eat it up. The others will clear their throats and cough and promise to appoint committees to look at things after we elect them. Theyre scared rabbits.

And the Chinese will foreclose on the loans. Great "keep the nation open" thinkers you and BB aren't.

 

[KingOrfeo]

And the Chinese will foreclose on the loans.

You can't "foreclose" on T-bills.

 

[KingOrfeo]

What exactly has he said that's so crazy?

Trump?! Are you serious?!

 

[BotanyBoy]

Probably not much, in your thinking--which is why I'm not going to bother creating a list for you.

You're not bothering because he hasn't said anything that crazy...the border wall is about as close as it gets. And even then if it pumps the economy up then it ain't that fuckin' crazy.

And the Chinese will foreclose on the loans. Great "keep the nation open" thinkers you and BB aren't.

The Chinese foreclose on the loans we cross our arms and they fucking STARVE TO DEATH.

China is NOT in control here unless we allow them to be.

 

[KingOrfeo]

You're not bothering because he hasn't said anything that crazy...

Some things:

"Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president I mean, she's a woman, and I'm not s'posedta say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?" –Donald Trump on Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina

"You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes.

"Blood coming out of her wherever." –Donald Trump, insulting Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly over questions she asked during the first Republican primary debate

"I will be the greatest jobs president that God ever created." –Donald Trump, announcing his campaign for president

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're sending people that have lots of problems...they're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime. They're rapists." –Donald Trump

"He’s not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured." –Donald Trump on John McCain

"When was the last time anybody saw us beating, let’s say, China in a trade deal? They kill us. I beat China all the time." –Donald Trump, on his diplomacy skills

"Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." –Donald Trump

"We need a leader that wrote The Art of the Deal." –Donald Trump, plugging his book in his presidential campaign announcement

"I have people that have been studying [Obama's birth certificate] and they cannot believe what they're finding...

I would like to have him show his birth certificate, and can I be honest with you, I hope he can. Because if he can't, if he can't, if he wasn't born in this country, which is a real possibility…then he has pulled one of the great cons in the history of politics." –Donald Trump, three weeks before Obama released his long-form birth certificate in 2011

"Let me tell you, I'm a really smart guy."

"I was a really good student at the best school in the country. The reason I have a little doubt, just a little, is because he grew up and nobody knew him." –Donald Trump, on why he thought Obama wasn't born in the United States

"I am really honored frankly to have played such a big role in hopefully, hopefully, getting rid of this issue. We have to look at it, we have to see is it real, is it proper, what's on it, but I hope it checks out beautifully. I am really proud, I am really honored." –Donald Trump, on President Obama releasing his long-form birth certificate

"It's like in golf. A lot of people — I don't want this to sound trivial — but a lot of people are switching to these really long putters, very unattractive. It’s weird. You see these great players with these really long putters, because they can't sink three-footers anymore. And, I hate it. I am a traditionalist. I have so many fabulous friends who happen to be gay, but I am a traditionalist." - Donald Trump telling the New York Times why he opposes gay marriage

"I have a great relationship with the blacks." –Donald Trump

"When it comes time to default, they’re not going to remember any of the Republicans’ names. They are going to remember in history books one name, and that's Obama." –Donald Trump, urging Republicans to force a default on America's debt so that Obama wouldn't be reelected

"I don't like the crying." –Donald Trump, on House Speaker John Boehner

"These are stupid people that say, `Oh didn't Trump declare bankruptcy? Didn't he go bankrupt?' I didn't go bankrupt." –Donald Trump, on filing for bankruptcy on parts of his various businesses

"The man that wrote the second book ... didn't write the first book. The difference was like chicken salad and chicken s**t." -Donald Trump, on President Obama's books

"I will build you ... one of the great ballrooms of the world." –Donald Trump, on building a $100 million ballroom at the White House

"I think the only difference between me and the other candidates is that I'm more honest and my women are more beautiful." –Donald Trump, while teasing a presidential run in 2000

"In life you have to rely on the past, and that's called history." –Donald Trump, on Celebrity Apprentice

"I'll tell you, it's Big Business. If there is one word to describe Atlantic City, it's Big Business. Or two words – Big Business." –Donald Trump

"You know, it really doesn`t matter what [the media] write as long as you`ve got a young and beautiful piece of ass." –Donald Trump

"All of the women on 'The Apprentice' flirted with me -- consciously or unconsciously. That's to be expected." –Donald Trump

"I don't think Ivanka would do that, although she does have a very nice figure. I've said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her." –Donald Trump, when asked how he would react if Ivanka posed for Playboy

"She really has become a monster ... I mean monster in the most positive way." –Donald Trump, on his pregnant wife Melania

"You know the funny thing, I don't get along with rich people. I get along with the middle class and the poor people better than I get along with the rich people." –Donald Trump

"My fingers are long and beautiful, as, it has been well been documented, are various other parts of my body." –Donald Trump

"I'm not a schmuck. Even if the world goes to hell in a handbasket, I won't lose a penny." –Donald Trump

"Let me tell you, I'm a really smart guy." –Donald Trump, on his intelligence

"The beauty of me is that I'm very rich." –Donald Trump

 

[sr71plt]

You can't "foreclose" on T-bills.

Politically you can. Nations have a lot more options than private business does.

The function of a successful president is to unify and not alienate. It's not to divide, ridicule, and make flamboyant, outrageous comments. Let's get real.

 

[BotanyBoy]

Some things:

"Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president I mean, she's a woman, and I'm not s'posedta say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?" –Donald Trump on Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina

Rude and arrogant isn't crazy nor is the honesty....really the only thing you got on him is he was/is maybe still a birther. That's a little crazy.....

.

 

[BotanyBoy]

Politically you can. Nations have a lot more options than private business does.

No they don't...private business doesn't exist. The black market and craigslist are about as close as it gets.

The function of a successful president is to unify and not alienate. It's not to divide, ridicule, and make flamboyant, outrageous comments. Let's get real.

To the economic detriment of his people? LOL SINCE WHEN???