Is the problem with Trump or with Trump supporters?

[kentuck]

He says he could stand in the middle of Times Square and shoot someone and his supporters would still be with him. Is that true?

It has become more obvious that Donald Trump is not going to change. Is it possible to change his supporters?

The Republican Party, through years of lying and deceit, have created a monster, over which they have no control. It appears that this monster is now in control of the Republican Party?

Is there anything that would turn them away from their support of Donald Trump? So far, we have seen nothing.

[Protalker]

2. Tapestry of America

I went to the Hillary stop in Columbus yesterday. The crowd was diverse. Think of how monolithic the Republicans were.

[uponit7771]

5. +1, that monolithic world allows for a stronger bubble too... few realities get passed them

[uponit7771]

3. The bigger problem is people on DU are willing to look at FAUX news for an hour to hear what wingers

... have to say or at least for oppo research.

The issues with people who are fearful is their need to confirm their fears or unease by any means necessary and winger hate media does that for them

[Arkansas Granny]

4. He wouldn't be where he is without his supporters.

I think they gravitate to him because he says all the hsteful , ugly things they are afraid to say.

[kentuck]

6. What are Trump's positions on religion, gays, and abortion?

If they ignore those, there is little hope that many will change, in my opinion.

[geek tragedy]

7. the reason some people don't embrace populism as a per se good thing is that

it can be incredibly destructive and dangerous. Trump is a rightwing populist.

And sometimes vast swaths of the population are willing, almost eager, to embrace fascism.

[kentuck]

8. I think populism can come in different shades...

There can be a populism of hate and assorted phobias and there can be a populism for equality and justice.

[geek tragedy]

9. indeed. Populism is a style of rhetoric, not ideology or policy nt

[Odin2005]

13. "Light side" populists like Bernie versus "dark side" populists like Drumpf.

Light side populists appeal to our ideals and dreams of a better world. Dark side populists appeal to fear and hate, claiming that they will protect us from our worst nightmares.

[kentuck]

14. True.

Not all populism is the same. Some can be a force for good, in my opinion.

[Vinca]

10. The problem is with both, but since Trump doesn't seem to have any values at all, it's clear

he has molded himself into the hero of a bunch of hate-mongering dimwits. I would hope some would come to their senses, but we could be in a Brexit situation come November: Trump wins and the dimwits say they wish they could take their votes back.

[Odin2005]

11. He's pandering to the Fascist fucks, telling them what they want to hear.

Don The Con is the master of pandering to all sorts of deep-seated and barely suppressed frustration and rage and also of whipping up media attention, that is how he has gotten as far as he has.

It is important to note that the white working class votes for the GOP almost solely because of social conservatism, xenophobia, and racism, not because of Republican economic policy. Drumpf's "genius" was to merge the social conservatism, xenophobia, and racism with an populist-sounding economic message, to the horror of the GOP party establishment, who want nothing to do with that "populism".

I think we are seeing the start of a political realignment in this election, with the Dems becoming the (small L) libertarian and pluralistic party (thanks to Wall Street Republicans fleeing Drumpf) and the GOP the authoritarian nationalist party.

[kentuck]

12. I think you may be right about the political realignment...

Both Parties are going thru dramatic changes.

[duncang]

15. Yes

No matter who he shot by some it would be considered justified. If it was someone from a different background then the supporter some would support it. Even if it were law enforcement some would still support him. There are different groups of sovereigns with different beliefs. Most believe the federal government has no right to enforce laws. But as a example some of the sovereign supporters believe the only law enforcement group that has a right to enforce the law is the county sheriff. Federal, state, or city doesn't have any right to. There by they aren't bound to federal, state or city laws.

[jcgoldie]

16. Its the oldest question...

chicken or egg?