2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Post removed [View all]PufPuf23
(8,774 posts)I have voted straight Democratic tickets in every election since 1972 (except for a vote in the GOP primary 1980 for John Anderson to slow Reagan).
I do think the following is a valid pattern of thought and this troubles me.
Trump is a loose cannon, egomaniac, and bigot and an incompetent as a political leader; he may turn out to be a fascist if allowed. He is cunning instinctively like a fox and a spellbinder. Trump is in it for vanity not attention nor wealth nor want of power. Trump is unlikely to champion any major legislation except taking things apart. The leaders of other nations see Trump as buffoon and think what is it with the USA?
The GOP establishment is not that fond of Trump and likely would nip Trump in the bud if Trump goes too far off the rails. The GOP majorities in Congress, courts, and generals likely would keep Trump in bounds.
If Trump crashes, the GOP would readily impeach and convict the man.
Trump is likely to only want or politically survive 1 term.
Hillary Clinton is extremely smart and clever sneaky. Clinton has a large political machine at beck and call. Clinton seems to have a pathological problem regards being consistent or speaking the truth and this makes her appear worse than she probably is in fact. Clinton has a history of bad decisions, at first proud of then minimizing her role when things go south. Clinton knows the system and how to work the system.
Hillary Clinton is not that charismatic with the public or that good a communicator. Clinton does best in championing individual identity groups when dealing with the general public. Evidently Clinton has some gravitas behind closed doors with other politicians, bankers, CEOs, etc. The leaders of other nations are wary of Clinton.
I see more chance of a major hot war breaking out under Clinton than Trump. Clinton has history with Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Honduras and strong rhetoric regards Iran and Russia. Folk don't mention Colombia / Latin America and Ukraine / Baltic and former USSR border republics where Clinton was also involved and was a major influence on the neo-conservative project.
Clinton because of her intelligence is more likely than Trump to either get us into hot war or, like Bill Clinton, champion neo-liberal legislation where the impacts are not at first evident.
We have observed that Hillary Clinton could figuratively eat babies on the 6 PM news and still have unquestioned support. This troubles me. Reminds of how far off the rails GWB took the USA and many folks still defend the rat.
So how does one compare 8 years of a highly intelligent and effective POTUS with the potential to make a scary mess where there will be very little will to keep Hillary Clinton in check or to actually remove compared to 4 years of a buffoon that the GOP is likely to do the dirty work of removal should conditions go very bad?