Trump

[KlaxonCow]

He can't dismiss it - the Pope is after all (as I understand it) God's voice on earth and as such if the Pope says that Trump isn't a Christian, then that's pretty much God's opinion too, no?

If you're a Catholic.

Protestants, Mormons, etc. have no obligation to pay any attention to the Pope whatsoever.

But, still, yeah, that's got to be a big knock to the Catholic vote - which about 23.9%, or some 72 million, of the American population, so that is a significant demographic here - and though other Christians ain't obliged to listen to a word he says on a religious footing, this is still the most prominent Christian leader on the planet, grabbing the entire world's headlines, by saying "thou hypocrite!" and making the point that any Christian ought to agree with, that Christianity is, indeed, supposed to be about building bridges and love and charity, not erecting fences, being racist and telling needy people to fuck off.

[PFVA]

Trump's supporters think this Pope is a communist.

Now he wants people to boycott Apple over the thing with the FBI.

He sure has a way to get in conflict with everybody.

[Darkflame]

Now he wants people to boycott Apple over the thing with the FBI.

Apparently he tweated it from his iPhone.

[Little stoned kiwi]

[Portland]

Wankpuffin

[pogo]

Now he wants people to boycott Apple over the thing with the FBI.

Apparently he tweated it from his iPhone.

He’s threatened to switch to Samsung, so supporting Korean jobs instead of American ones.

South Carolina today (for the Republicans – Democrats have Nevada) and could be Jeb Bush’s last state. If he does not improve now then he really is stuffed, next up is a bunch of Southern states that will favour him even less. Kasich too, although he seems to have carved out more of a niche for himself and may be prepared to wait until they leave the South.

This could cause problems for Trump as his 35% or so support looks much better with six candidates than with only three or four. Cruz and Rubio in particular are more conservative than Trump so will hope to do better in Southern states. By the time they are over in a little over a week it could be much clearer who can challenge Trump, still with almost all of the delegates to play for.

[pogo]

Bernie Sanders in 1963: he’s the one being accompanied by two policemen. Great photo but it also highlights his age. How many of us were born in 1963?

[Baggypants]

Because old people are unfit for whatever?

[pogo]

He is very old for a presidential candidate. They are choosing someone to serve for four or ideally eight years, which means he should be fit to serve until 2025, when he will be 83. Even Reagan, who was and still is the oldest person to become president, was only 69. Sanders will be six years older. Many people thought that age was getting to Reagan by his second term, although nothing was confirmed. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s only after leaving office.

Age makes the choice of VP much more critical. The post is normally entirely ceremonial and the VP candidate can be unexceptional. Think e.g. Sarah Palin, or even Dan Quayle. But an old president shortens the odds the VP will need to assume command, so they are examined much more closely and critically.

[pogo]

Unsurprisingly Bush has called it a day. Not even his brother showing up could help him, it only made the contrast between them clearer.

[gravy]

A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not of building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel.

That’s going to be hard for Trump to dismiss

He can't dismiss it - the Pope is after all (as I understand it) God's voice on earth and as such if the Pope says that Trump isn't a Christian, then that's pretty much God's opinion too, no?

No. He has to be speaking ex cathedra to invoke papal infallibility and that's pretty rare. Even so, it doesn't help Trump's campaign for sure. Which he's very aware of

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/19/polit ... e-francis/

[gravy]

He is very old for a presidential candidate. They are choosing someone to serve for four or ideally eight years, which means he should be fit to serve until 2025, when he will be 83

Trump is only five years younger and will be the oldest elected president if he gets into office. By that logic it's an issue for Trump too. Which it isn't.



Trump in 1963. Attended a military academy, supported the war in Vietnam but applied for and got four deferments for the draft.

And later lied about why he did not serve "I got lucky! I had a high lottery draft number!"

[Darkflame]

He also claimed he got better military experience from not actually going to war....somehow.

[gravy]

He also claimed he got better military experience from not actually going to war....somehow.

He also claimed John McCain isn't a war hero because he was captured and tortured by the Vietcong. This is some world class fucknuttery.

[KlaxonCow]

This is the Bush "village idiot effect" all over again, isn't it?

Basically, if someone is a serious and intelligent candidate, then they're held rightly accountable for what they say and do.

But if you're a bit of an idiot who says stupid shit all the time then, weirdly, your very stupidity acts as a shield.

"Aww, the poor village idiot. Pity him. He can't help being thick as shit. Stop picking on him. All these people questioning his record, they're just bullies picking on the weak and defenceless idiot. Yes, yes, he's said something idiotic again. But doesn't he always? It's all very funny. So funny that I forget that this guy is actually supposed to be a serious candidate for an important job. But, hey, he makes me laugh."

Basically, it's the political equivalent of getting some "pity sex" from a beautiful woman.