With the broad spectrum of Republican candidates, how did we end up with Trump and Clinton?

Sat, 23 Jul 2016 18:39:32 -0400

There were over a dozen Republican candidates: Dr. Carson, Trump, Christie, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Carlie Fiorina, Gingrich and more. The Democratic Party may have had their process rigged but there was only two choices...
With the broad spectrum of Republican candidates, how in the wide, wide world of sports did we end up with Trump?

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jul 23 at 2016 6:48 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 18:48:21 -0400

It's those pesky voters that believe their vote counts and want change.

Response by SSgt W. Aaron Gregory made Jul 23 at 2016 6:50 PM

SSgt W. Aaron Gregory — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 18:50:32 -0400

By democratic process of voting in the Primary. A democratic tradition in our republic. Hopefully, those sworn to support and defend the Constitution will remember that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2016 6:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 18:53:53 -0400

I believe that Trump cornered the market on authoritarianism/populism while the remainder of the Republican electorate was split fairly equally between all the candidates. I'm not sure if it was through luck or skill, however Trump assessed the political market and became the candidate that could win. Soon we will discover if his assessment the American electorate is as accurate as his assessment of the Republican electorate.

Response by SFC Jerry Humphries made Jul 23 at 2016 7:41 PM

SFC Jerry Humphries — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 19:41:50 -0400

It's gotta be Karma, we must just getting what we deserve for not being more involved.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jul 23 at 2016 8:25 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 20:25:01 -0400

Why Trump out of the field of Republicans? Because when a culture values spectacle over substance they get what they deserve.

There are other options.
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/07/trump-vp-gary-johnson-bill-weld-libertarian-214069

The GOP Is a Dying Party. That’s Why I’m Running Against Trump.

My Libertarian Party running mate, Bill Weld, is also a vastly better choice than Mike Pence.

Response by SPC(P) Patrick Westbrook made Jul 23 at 2016 8:25 PM

SPC(P) Patrick Westbrook — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 20:25:37 -0400

Honestly. No one ever knows how we got trump. People can knock him. He's pretty observant and decent intelligence. He's gotten where he's at by gambling and winning more often than not. He did say that he had no intentions of ever running for president, but that if he did he would win. I think he has a good shot at winning, I don't hold too much stock in anyone actually changing anything. But if we need a reset from what we have had these past 20 years or so it would be him or a third party candidate. But with a third party they could ultimately only do executive orders, and even those can get over turned or defunded by 2/3 voting. Bring in an outsider and they will accomplish nothing, or things get butchered by these people who pass laws...I see a ton of people calling for term limits due to these career politicians. They will never let the system not let them play it continuously. Trumps really the only candidate that could effectively change...COULD, not that it would happen. But Clinton will not change anything to benefit anyone other than herself, and she's proven that with how she respected the system when she was SoS.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jul 23 at 2016 8:27 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 20:27:50 -0400

I'll tell you that Trump was not my pick in the primaries. In fact here in Ohio we voted in Kasich. Now i can't speak for all Ohioans but those I know who were open and discussing it voted for Kasich knowing that he couldn't win outside of Ohio. But we didn't want Trump to walk away with the election. By denying him Ohio he had to work for it. He worked pretty hard and got it. I'll support him thinking he'll appoint better judges, and he'l be easier to vote out in 4 years than Hillary would be. Should we need to that is....

Response by SGT David Commini made Jul 23 at 2016 8:28 PM

SGT David Commini — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 20:28:20 -0400

I think it's a mixture of what others have said. Trump has the right rhetoric for how many Americans feel right now. Many Americans are tired of always having to be politically correct, or having what they say critiqued down to the letter, and Trump's speeches were refreshingly against the status quo.

As for Clinton getting the nomination from her party, was there ever really any doubt the DNC would play dirty to make it happen? It's how the Clintons are, and it's how they always will be.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 23 at 2016 8:37 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 20:37:42 -0400

We the People chose them. It's really that simple. The choices have been getting worse and worse with every election since we adopted popular election of candidates. I'm beginning to pine for the good ole days when candidates were anointed in smoke-filled rooms

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2016 8:46 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 20:46:22 -0400

"clown to the left of me, jokers to the right! Here I am, stuck in the middle again..."

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jul 23 at 2016 9:10 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 21:10:24 -0400

I am thoroughly disgusted.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2016 9:48 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 21:48:31 -0400

How in the hell did we end up with these two, you ask?

https://youtu.be/UKRIUiyF0N4?t=7

Star Wars original opening crawl - 1977

This is the Original Version of Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope's Crawl.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2016 9:51 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 21:51:29 -0400

How in the hell did we end up with these two...well, here's how...

https://youtu.be/UKRIUiyF0N4

Star Wars original opening crawl - 1977

This is the Original Version of Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope's Crawl.

Response by SFC Richard Giles made Jul 23 at 2016 10:05 PM

SFC Richard Giles — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 22:05:15 -0400

Good Question Maj Blake and here's my opinion. I really think that the everyday American citizen is just fed up with all these career politicians, all the unfulfilled promises they make, all the back stabbing and Trump represented the 1st person to come along that wasn't a career politician Another thing I see happening, When Trump gets into the WH and let's say he does well I think you'll see a lot more of these non career politicians running for the next POTUS. Trump in my opinion represents something different, he's got on TV and said what the people wanted to hear, he's hit hard on the terrorist issue, the immigrant issue and Obamacare and a few other issues and I think, and this is only my opinion Trump himself thinks he can change somethings and get this country pointed in the right direction. Like I said it's only my opinion.

Response by LTC Greg Henning made Jul 23 at 2016 10:13 PM

LTC Greg Henning — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 22:13:33 -0400

The term is hyper polarization. Simply, either end of the political spectrum is extremely active in pushing their agenda. They are highly organized and will attack anyone that opposes their dogma. The middle where the majority of Americans fall into have no credible candidate to support. We are left to select the lesser of two evils. We are in for a real treat come November.

Response by SSgt W. Aaron Gregory made Jul 23 at 2016 10:13 PM

SSgt W. Aaron Gregory — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 22:13:39 -0400

For the record - Maj. Carl Ballinger blocked me from replying to his posts. I guess I was asking some hard questions. And FYI, I was not kicked out of the Corps. I was in the promotion zone for Gunnery Sergeant. I left because my additional last SNCO Technical MOS (EPLRS Master Station Maintenance Technician) doomed me permanently to two types of units.... One of three infantry divisions, which I had just finished serving with, and Navy LHDs - they carry around Marines. Our deployment and exercise schedule / rotation was getting crazy. I missed my son being born, and that was enough. I separated at end of service HONORABLY, and am (or was at least at the time) eligible to reenlist. Not because of a lack of pride - which I will never lose. I hope to God that the Marines are still handing that out.

Response by SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II made Jul 23 at 2016 11:36 PM

SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 23:36:22 -0400

He is the lesser of 3 evil that we have to choose from it is either a woman that let Benghazi and top secret emails go under the rug or a socialist that would make America like North Korea. The others just didn't plan their strategy the right way.

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made Jul 23 at 2016 11:40 PM

Col Rebecca Lorraine — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 23:40:40 -0400

Consider if the choices had been Carley, Rubio Cruz and Trump. Only 4. How would that have played out?

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Jul 23 at 2016 11:56 PM

Capt Michael Greene — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 23:56:09 -0400

It wasn't Trump's win. It was the GOP loss. 20 years ago, Reps thought they were in Reagan's party. Then the Tea Party took the right further right until Reagan couldn't even qualify to BE a Republican anymore. It got worse when the head of the "party of small government" decided to secretly eavesdrop on Americans. By 2008, even the GOP's leadership knew GWB had screwed up by starting the OIF war. Then, once BHO was elected, the GOP leadership abandoned all pretense at governing. They produced nearly no new legislation--the worst "do nothing" Congress in history. They were so focused on ensuring that the government of BHO would have no successes that they forgot to represent their own base. The leadership abandoned the base. The base needed a new party. They're all Trumpists, now.

Response by LTJG Edward Bangor Jr made Jul 24 at 2016 12:18 AM

LTJG Edward Bangor Jr — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 00:18:41 -0400

The extreme right of the GOP base has grown increasingly vocal and energized in recent years (cases like Citizen's United aside), which has pushed the primary campaigning in their direction. In districts typically locked solidly in the red, incumbents now have to worry about not being "Republican enough" to survive primary season. The result is that during general elections, the comparison bwteen the Democratic and Republican candidates becomes quite jarring.
As a side not, I think Rubio was probably the most electable candidate the GOP had this cycle, but the right-shift of the base compromised his chances. He didn't fit the new standard Republican mold and thus didn't have a snowball's chance in hell.

Response by Capt Chris McVeigh made Jul 24 at 2016 4:03 AM

Capt Chris McVeigh — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 04:03:14 -0400

Because the Republican party has been pandering for years to the far right fringe that Trump appeals to. They essentially brought it on themselves. See the rise of the Tea Party section, pandering to those voters and those beliefs is what enabled Trump to be anything more than a laughing stock candidate.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 24 at 2016 7:24 AM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 07:24:01 -0400

My opinion is that President Obama, allied with the mainstream media, the entertainment industry, and liberal academia played their cards really well. They were able to falsely re-brand the GOP. Then the GOP misread the national mood on social issues that are not our core issues. (see post- script), and played our cards really poorly. Then we stepped right into the false re-brand.

Now you have centrist America feeling cut out. We're pissed and unfortunately we're more interested in how pissed our candidate is than how much he actually represents us on our core issues.

post script - I believe most "everyday Joe" Republican's care a hell of a lot more about the Federal government's footprint, energy, national security, law and order, and the economy; than is it warmer than last year, who are you sleeping with, where you going to the bathroom, and are you going to jail for smoking pot. But we stepped into the tar pit willingly. Shame on us.

Response by CMSgt Mike Esser made Jul 25 at 2016 3:05 PM

CMSgt Mike Esser — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 15:05:15 -0400

A vote for anything BUT the status quo. People are disgusted and fed up. Real clear politics shows 24% of the country thinks we are on the wrong track.
https://theintercept.com/2015/05/07/congress-argues-cant-investigated-insider-trading/

Congress Tells Court That Congress Can’t Be Investigated for Insider Trading

After taking a victory lap for passing a bill meant to curb insider trading, the House declares itself immune from insider-trading investigations.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 26 at 2016 2:19 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 02:19:00 -0400

One of the main reasons was he used his own money in the primary. The rest didn't/couldn't afford to do so. People know one thing, it's about the money. That's how we got Trump

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Jul 26 at 2016 6:37 AM

MSgt Wayne Morris — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 06:37:24 -0400

Well, after the little email bit we know how we ended up with Hillbillary on the "D" side since it was pretty much cooked and as far as the Trump, there was really no pre favorite and way too many up on the stage who all were pretty much drowned out by his maverick approach that many Americans found refreshing and was saying what they thought. Unlike decades ago, the best and the brightest do not enter government to serve the nation but instead the carnival shills and those looking to line their own pockets the easy way.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 9:16 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 09:16:36 -0400

This one is easy.

The Establishment GOP misunderstood the anger directed towards them and their lack of movement on any issue of substance. That anger resulted in Trump winning. It was a rebuke of the GOP.

Hillary won because the DNC willed it. That much has been proven through the wiki leaks.

So basically, Trump won because the establishment did not care about its constituents' concerns.
Hillary won because the establishment did not care about its constituents, period.

Response by Marjorie Bellows made Jul 26 at 2016 9:43 AM

Marjorie Bellows — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 09:43:24 -0400

How can anyone take Clinton seriously and how she got as far as she had is the real question. Even the liberals that I met don't support her.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jul 26 at 2016 1:04 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 13:04:54 -0400

Trump found a way to appeal to the masses by turning them against the so called "establishment". Cruz never really had a chance outside of the evangelical states because he was too far to the religious right. While there is still a strong evangelical element to the GOP, it is a turn off to the masses that Trump was able to appeal to and get to the polls. I also think there was a "train wreck" mentality that got him votes, people wanted to see what would happen next. Rubio just didn't have any charisma to make a spark, and Kasich was too obscure and could never get traction.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 3:27 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 15:27:50 -0400

The simple answer is that those who voted said that is who they wanted.

Response by SSgt Clare May made Jul 26 at 2016 4:05 PM

SSgt Clare May — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 16:05:07 -0400

Name recognization.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 26 at 2016 4:52 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 16:52:45 -0400

Trump voiced the temper of We the People. The others didn't

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 4:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 16:53:44 -0400

There wasn't a broad spectrum. There was Donald Trump, and the others were exactly the same. They were career, establishment politicians. We were ready for something fresh.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 12:09 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:09:35 -0400

Clinton is many things, but she is not an Elephant. On second thought...

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jul 27 at 2016 12:13 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:13:58 -0400

Apathy

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 27 at 2016 9:50 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 09:50:22 -0400

I wanted Kasich to be the Republican candidate and Bernie to be the Democrat's choice....didn't work out though.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2016 5:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 17:15:50 -0400

There is a strong contingent of the Republican party that are not conservative. They are authoritarian. This means essentially that they fear the outsider and fear change to the social order, and want a strong leader to take the reigns and punish wrong doers. Trump fits the bill for them. We'll see if they can get traditional conservatives to agree with them by November.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Aug 26 at 2016 3:39 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 03:39:31 -0400

Well, I live in Texas and every election for Governor the Democrats seem to push someone they think can win over someone that is probably the best fit. I usually vote Republican but I would have voted for Dallas Mayor Laura Miller (Democrat) if she ran for Governor.....she didn't though. I see it over and over again in Texas, the Democrats always push the Houston Mayor and try to get him or her elected. That will never work. They need to source from Dallas or San Antonio where the political views are more middle of the road. Republicans? They never should have let Trump run on the Republican ticket period. Now that the damage is done, I think we need to ride it out and let him lose on his own vs trying to stop him from winning. No better lesson than a political loss of your own making. As far as Hillary is concerned, I don't know what to say other than I don't think we have seen our last scandal.

Response by 1stSgt Nelson Kerr made Oct 19 at 2016 11:09 PM

1stSgt Nelson Kerr — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 23:09:24 -0400

The base has been prodded into madness intentionality they though they could control the creature that they created and failed, the re result is Trump as a nominee and very probably President Clinton

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Oct 30 at 2017 6:09 PM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 18:09:47 -0400

Clinton secured the nomination during fmr Pres Obama's first campaign. When it became evident that he would get the nomination, in my opinion, a deal was done, Clinton throws her support behind him, gets a prominent position in the Administration, and his backing for her candidacy when he leaves office. Pres Trump... a different case altogether. By all accounts he should not have got the nomination, and, again in my opinion, nobody, including Pres Trump, thought he'd get the nomination, his rhetoric, as un-political as it was at times, simply overpowered his opponents. As seasoned politicians they should have easily countered him, but in many of the debates I watched his fellow candidates looked weak and unsure. An electorate tired of the same old political banality gave him the nod.

Response by PO2 Don Schwebel made May 10 at 2019 7:44 AM

PO2 Don Schwebel — Fri, 10 May 2019 07:44:19 -0400

He was the best