US Politics

[eaglesdare]

I think this was the moment she lost the election. She was ask in a soft ball interview if she would change anything from the Biden administration and she replied not a thing.

This was a massive political error and unnecessary. The voters understand that the VP is a largely symbolic role and many previous ones have complained how they hardly ever saw their President and were not involved in the big decisions.

So she did not have to be linked to the failures (as seen by the public) of the Biden Presidency. She could have used a form of words that allowed her to distance herself. However by saying "not a thing" she was telling the public she did not recognise their concerns over the economy and other issues, why would you vote for her then.

It was this and she never properly articulated her plan for the economy that probably pushed undecided voters towards Trump.

It's such a contrast to what we are seeing now. It's almost like a tag team now with Vance and Trump.

 

[Stirlingsays]

It's such a contrast to what we are seeing now. It's almost like a tag team now with Vance and Trump.

I think the point you make strikes to the heart of the difference between his first administration and this one. Trump 1.0 didn't expect to win the White House and went in very reliant upon the default GOP, much of which didn't support him and indeed resented him. Consequently much of what he did in that first term was thwarted and stymied in a similar way to how the civil service and attendant bureaucracy works in our own country. This is highly undemocratic and is part of the realisation that real power isn't that interested in implementing democracy.

Trump 2.0 learnt from that experience and....with the help of the Democrat persecution of Trump.....enabled him to reframe the GOP as, 'if you aren't for Trump, you're for the Democrats' and thus get rid of any opposition to the America first agenda. I criticised this at the time as high risk and counter productive (again, it's this tendency to bet everything on red), as I myself wanted a younger generation of leaders not 'past their sale by daters' like Trump and Biden.

The kind of staff who were willing to stick with Trump had to endure persecution and attacks on their ability to make a living. Well, a consequence of that is that moderates are quickly removed and you are left with true believers.....many of whom Trump rewarded with jobs and real power.

Trump 2.0 is far happier to rely upon his administration and you get the impression that the administration is far more loyal to itself and more combative and less trusting....with good reason....towards outside input. For example, in the past, a pairing like Trump and Musk would have just never worked. However, the obvious attempts to cause problems just forges them together as they know that if they fall, everything falls.

Really, if the Democrats were bright, they would concentrate away from personal attacks and focus purely on policy and themselves.....but they can't do it....they would need to clear out a lot of their own power players and activists and Turkeys don't vote for Christmas.

So honestly, I see the Trump administration set good for a long time.....their biggest and most important work, alongside deportations, will be in voting reform to ensure that only those verified get to vote......If you have to turn up to vote in person then a Republican win is always far more likely.

 

[Forest Hillbilly]

It's such a contrast to what we are seeing now. It's almost like a tag team now with Vance and Trump.

Certainly Trump is using his team , rather than just himself. It's almost like he's paving the way for a smooth succession to President, after only a few months in office. James vance being allowed to speak to Zelensky the way he did, is an indication of how much slack Trump is giving him. And the inclusion of a journalist in the "war discussions", no heads rolled. they all closed rank and came down on the journalist.
I like the analogy of a Tag Team 🙂

 

[Badger11]

I think the point you make strikes to the heart of the difference between his first administration and this one. Trump 1.0 didn't expect to win the White House and went in very reliant upon the default GOP, much of which didn't support him and indeed resented him. Consequently much of what he did in that first term was thwarted and stymied in a similar way to how the civil service and attendant bureaucracy works in our own country. This is highly undemocratic and is part of the realisation that real power isn't that interested in implementing democracy.

Trump 2.0 learnt from that experience and....with the help of the Democrat persecution of Trump.....enabled him to reframe the GOP as, 'if you aren't for Trump, you're for the Democrats' and thus get rid of any opposition to the America first agenda. I criticised this at the time as high risk and counter productive (again, it's this tendency to bet everything on red), as I myself wanted a younger generation of leaders not 'past their sale by daters' like Trump and Biden.

The kind of staff who were willing to stick with Trump had to endure persecution and attacks on their ability to make a living. Well, a consequence of that is that moderates are quickly removed and you are left with true believers.....many of whom Trump rewarded with jobs and real power.

Trump 2.0 is far happier to rely upon his administration and you get the impression that the administration is far more loyal to itself and more combative and less trusting....with good reason....towards media input. For example, in the past, a pairing like Trump and Musk would have just never worked. However, the obvious attempts to cause problems just forges them together as they know that if they fall, everything falls.

Really, if the Democrats were bright, they would concentrate away from personal attacks and focus purely on policy and themselves.....but they can't do it....they would need to clear out a lot of their own power players and activists and Turkeys don't vote for Christmas.

So honestly, I see the Trump administration set good for a long time.....their biggest and most important work, alongside deportations, will be in voting reform to ensure that only those verified get to vote......If you have to turn up to vote in person then a Republican win is always far more likely.

Yup that is the logical way but they can't help themselves.

They point the finger at Trump's obvious flaws but the OTT personal attacks show that they are no better. The statesman plays the ball not the man.

 

[mezzer]

Certainly Trump is using his team , rather than just himself. It's almost like he's paving the way for a smooth succession to President, after only a few months in office. James vance being allowed to speak to Zelensky the way he did, is an indication of how much slack Trump is giving him. And the inclusion of a journalist in the "war discussions", no heads rolled. they all closed rank and came down on the journalist.
I like the analogy of a Tag Team 🙂

It's like watching an actual episode of The Apprentice.

This week, your task is to stop the war in Ukraine. You will only be allowed to do so from the Oval Office but I've set up some global leaders who you can talk to.

In next week's episode..... "Your task is to bring me Greenland" . A plane will be waiting for you outside in 20 minutes.....

 

[Badger11]

It's such a contrast to what we are seeing now. It's almost like a tag team now with Vance and Trump.

Yup I hadn't thought about that but you are correct, Vance seems to be far more involved, than most previous VP's, who normally spending their time attending schools and hospitals.

I guess Trump feels he can allow this as he will not re-run so Vance is not a threat.

 

[becky]

Yup I hadn't thought about that but you are correct, Vance seems to be far more involved, than most previous VP's, who normally spending their time attending schools and hospitals.

I guess Trump feels he can allow this as he will not re-run so Vance is not a threat.

Also, there's the horrible reality that if anything should happen to the President (it may not be just the ear next time), you would have a VP who is totally up to speed with what's going on.......Trump is no doubt covering all eventualities.

 

[DanH]

Look at you all pretending that it's anything other than him not being arsed to go himself.

He only keeps himself to the White House or the golf course.

 

[Hrolf The Ganger]

Yup. I wonder how much criticism Starmer would get on here if he set up something similar.
Any criticism of the Trumper, though, is invalid because, of course, it's all about "You lefties".

Hours of comedic fun on here, you know.

Perhaps criticism of Trump would be more credible if criticizing Trump wasn't the default position of the vast majority of the media and the indoctrinated liberal/left deluded didn't believe all of it.

 

[ASCPFC]

Look at you all pretending that it's anything other than him not being arsed to go himself.

He only keeps himself to the White House or the golf course.

He's actually a hologram and is stuck to certain areas. A bit like Rimmer in Red Dwarf.

 

[Glazier#1]

Perhaps criticism of Trump would be more credible if criticizing Trump wasn't the default position of the vast majority of the media and the indoctrinated liberal/left deluded didn't believe all of it.

What a negative standpoint to take: not admitting fault simply not to be seen as having any opinion that might be shared by ‘Lefties’. Blinkered and craven.
What about sometimes agreeing with something without fear of what your bellow righties will think of you.

 

[Hrolf The Ganger]

What a negative standpoint to take: not admitting fault simply not to be seen as having any opinion that might be shared by ‘Lefties’. Blinkered and craven.
What about sometimes agreeing with something without fear of what your bellow righties will think of you.

I say it as I see it. I'm not a sheep.

I'd judge Trump on results, not what he says, but there is no doubt that when there is a clear anti Trump agenda in the media and establishment, it's a lot easier to support him and tolerate his shortcomings.

 

[eaglesdare]

Look at you all pretending that it's anything other than him not being arsed to go himself.

He only keeps himself to the White House or the golf course.

 

[DanH]

From late January 2025. Conveniently halfway between DC and Mar-a-Lago too.

 

[eaglesdare]

From late January 2025. Conveniently halfway between DC and Mar-a-Lago too.

You said and I quote "He only keeps himself to the White House or the golf course"

So clearly this was misinformation.

 

[eaglesdare]

A full list from wokepdia on President Trump's presidential visits in only 3 months of a 4 year term.

List of presidential trips made by Donald Trump (2025) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[DanH]

You said and I quote "He only keeps himself to the White House or the golf course"

So clearly this was misinformation.

It was also clearly tongue in cheek.

 

[Glazier#1]

I say it as I see it. I'm not a sheep.

I'd judge Trump on results, not what he says, but there is no doubt that when there is a clear anti Trump agenda in the media and establishment, it's a lot easier to support him and tolerate his shortcomings.

And what would you say are his shortcomings, in your opinion?

 

[Hrolf The Ganger]

And what would you are are his shortcomings, in your opinion?

His background. He was never a politician, making him vulnerable to easy attacks.
However, he is gaining experience, and oddly enough, his direct and undiplomatic approach makes him a refreshing change from the usual slippery, mealy mouthed types.

 

[DanH]

A full list from wokepdia on President Trump's presidential visits in only 3 months of a 4 year term.

List of presidential trips made by Donald Trump (2025) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

He's also visited Florida as many times as all other States combined, and not travelled outside the US yet.

What a trooper.

Edit: One of these trips was also to the Super Bowl. I hope he paid for his own ticket otherwise those on the Rachel Reeves thread are going to be fuming.