Who do you like for a presidential candidate and why?

[jerseywhitetails]

I like Trump because he speaks the truth however I'm not voting for anyone of them because the People's vote does not matter

[Almaink]

Trump, because he is not a career politician. The biggest problem I see is these people get elected then start working on getting reelected. Once and done unless your record shows you actually did something that benefited the America people in some way.

[bob kudile]

trump and he needs ohio gov as vp 

[Bucksnbows]

I'm looking for leadership qualities over just political ideology this time.  While I align with one Republican better than others on most issues, I happen not to like him or trust him, so I will likely choose one of the others.  But there is still time to sit back and listen and watch to figure out who the right person will be.  Either way, both parties need major overhauling and only severe term limits would begin to help.  But they will never vote to limit their own power, unfortunately.  Either way, I'll be voting in the primary and general elections as I have since I turned 18 some 32 years ago.    

[BowhunterNJ]

It's definitely a mess of a situation.

 

Even though it's a few years old, this video/rant from Dylan Ratigan explains how I feel best...

 

 

I feel like most of the current options (Cruz, Rubio, Clinton) are already entrenched in the current political system that is broken.

So the question becomes, what and who would potentially change that.

IMO the two most likely candidates for true "change" are (as not on the rug said) Trump and Bernie.

Whether that change will be good for the country or even worse than it currently is can be argued.

 

What I like about Trump is that he's a straight shooter, as is Bernie, but I believe Trump will say what's on his mind regardless of who it pisses off.

Bernie appeases to his party, doesn't want to mud sling, doesn't want to call his constituents out...but right now that is exactly what needs to be done.

 

I believe Trump is in this not just to say "Hey, I'm President" and be done there. The last thing he wants is for his legacy and his history as POTUS to be considered a failure. He doesn't want that mark of "Trump" on history IMO. But that is the crux of it, if I am wrong in that assumption, then perhaps he will not do all that he claims he will. Perhaps this is just an avenue for him to further strengthen his own empire, although even if you believed that...his power and influence are limited even as POTUS. So that works both ways and begs the question of how much can he really get done anyway. But I do believe, unlike Bernie, if something is preventing him from doing what needs to be done in his vision to correct the country, he will let the American people know about who is blocking his initiatives very clearly.

 

I also believe Trump is playing the game...he has a plan, and IMO it's a smart one. He's been left his entire career, which only goes to highlight that even the "Left" are in bed with proclaimed "Right" principles (capitalism, rich getting richer, etc). If that weren't the case, the Clinton Foundation wouldn't be rendering such a profit margin for the Clintons. Bill wouldn't be charging as much as he does to give speeches. They're in it for the money, everything else is secondary (again IMHO).

 

With that said, I believe Trump is entering this race on the right to garner the right vote. He gets the GOP nomination, and then he's secured the right line. Most republicans will vote their line regardless of the candidate. So once Trump has the GOP nom, he can circle back to center and even lean left to appeal to more voters. Running as a democrat puts him in a race trying to beat out Hillary and Bernie. He probably knew all along he could appeal to the right given his business background and the disgruntled nature of the middle class right. He's on track to do just that.

 

Now, who would I vote for...I have no idea, I just know NOT voting is essentially giving the winner a free uncontested vote.

If Hillary wins the democratic nomination, I'll vote for whoever is Republican. Hell, I'd vote for my neighbor's dog if it ran as an Independent.

If Trump wins the republican nomination, I'll quite possibly vote Trump.

If Bernie wins the democratic nomination but Trump doesn't win the republican nomination, I'll have to look long and hard between the nominees and decide...and it's only because I want some level of significant change in Washington.

 

Of course, all of this is subject to change depending on information I uncover as I research candidates, and as crazy as it sounds...Trump and Bernie despite being on opposite ends of the political camp have a lot of crossover in their vision (free trade and healthcare for example). I just feel like Trump has a better business mind that isn't necessarily corrupted by political influence. I believe he will replace all the inept, politically appointed hacks who are in important positions that influence the US and world economy but have NO idea WTF they are doing. He will put the right people in the right places to improve that economic landscape. Bernie has all public donations, but I just feel as if his ideals are too Utopian and unrealistic and it could very well cost Americans more than they'd get back...which honestly isn't much different than it is now, it's just a matter of how much worse he could make it.

 

So that's my .02 as of this moment, but I'm always up for insight that would change my mind.

[BowhunterNJ]

BTW perfect example of what I was talking about with Dems (Hillary) being "invested" in generally considered "Republican" businesses/companies

 

Hillary Clinton at the groundbreaking ceremony for Goldman Sachs world headquarters in 2005. Oh, and look who else is there who might enter the race as an Independent.

Like I said, it's all about money first and everything else second (regardless of what they preach on a podium).

[Bucksnbows]

Bernie doesn't have a 30% chance of winning POTUS as a socialist.  I see a dark horse emerging to run for the Dems once Hillary snatches defeat from the jaws of victory for her last attempt at President which IMO is just a matter of time.  But don't expect that person - whomever he is - to gain much traction.  Meanwhile, as the field continues to narrow for the Rs, let's see who's voice(s) resonates with those who were behind some of the recent dropouts as they now must move on to other candidates still in the race.   

[BowhunterNJ]

Well first things first for Bernie. I think he has a very real chance of winning the democratic nomination. And I do agree, if the picture starts to look like a loss for Hillary (or even better yet, the FBI indicts her)...someone will emerge (likely Biden or Bloomberg) to take her place and try to grab the nom from Bernie.

 

I am curious though to see what happens with Bernie's potential votes based on the GOP nominee...assuming Bernie wins the dem nom.

 

It's an interesting landscape, and certainly on the GOP side...as candidates drop out, I'm curious to see where their votes go (Cruz, Rubio, or Trump).

[JHbowhunter]

Still waiting for the next Ronald Reagan.... Probably not in my lifetime... I am not a big fan of anyone running on the "right" (or what is really the "middle") and I will never vote for a Democrat and the values they stand for, so I will vote for whoever wins the Republican primary and hold my nose.

 

I want basic things:

 

Preserve our constitution and all the amendments.

 

 

Strong National Defense so nobody will ever think to F with us

 

Equal taxation - everyone pays the same percent (not the same amount). Flat Tax perhaps?. STOP THE WAR AGAINST THE MIDDLE CLASS.

 

Reduction of the welfare state

 

Closed borders and the strongest immigration control

 

The strongest stance against radical Islam - this is one area where I would forego the constitution for national security in fighting religious zealots... Spy on them. Profile them. Bug the mosques. ALSO - anyone "Muslim" caught committing acts of terrorism or crimes against non-muslims, should also be charged with HATE CRIMES.

 

Stop the war against business - make it desirable to produce in the US, remove restrictions, lower taxes, relax regulation (where it makes sense) - CREATE AMERICAN JOBS THAT FUEL THE ECONOMY.

 

MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TAX INHERITANCE, OR REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS. When we die, or move - the government should have no hand in our pockets. Whatever I own should 100% go to whoever is in my will.

Edited February 4, 2016 by JHbowhunter

[smoking gun]

As long as you have unions,corporations,and lobbyist involved in elections nothing will change.the Amt of money spent by the candidates in campaigning is insane the rubbish spewed the fake promises and blind faith and hope they preach to people and some people actually buy it.thats the scary part

Edited February 4, 2016 by smoking gun

[_X7]

We are being played by the powers that be. We were played with 8 years of Obama. Do you think for one minute that Carson or Trump will be allowed to win the nomination? The chickens are sleeping with the wolves and have been for a very long time. Why was Kennedy shot? Why was Nixon Impeached. One word, corruption, at every turn in government with a complicit media. I'll vote when they sort all of the BS and see who is left standing. Unfortunately, there are 9 months to go before I can do that. In the meantime the assholes in charge will manipulate the populace as they sees fit while the masses are blindsided by all the hype and BS of an election for another puppet..

Edited February 4, 2016 by _X7

[Haskell_Hunter]

It's time for "we the people" to rise up and liquidate this government.  It's written right in the US Constitution--the government serves and only exists through the will of the people.  If it stops serving the will of the people, and they do not wish it to continue, it shall not.

Edited February 4, 2016 by Haskell_Hunter

[3Blade]

^TRUMP!

[buckhound]

I am tired of career politicians so trump is my vote I think he  honestly wants to get america back on track..  But the billion $$$ question is could he play with all the career politicians!!!!!

Edited February 5, 2016 by buckhound

[Haskell_Hunter]

The interesting thing about Trump isn't Trump.  He's the face of his business and creates an image of being a shrewd businessman.  But it's just an image.

 

Trump is a good manager, and he has surrounded himself with a team that is incredibly effective.  It's his ability to build a team of lieutenants and his obsession with accountability that is his differentiator.

 

What does this mean if he becomes president?  Lots.  He will generate a ton of media air time and the people he brings unto the government will create a set of accountability expectations that will be unheard of in the history of government.  Government employees will no longer get promoted if they lose $50B or be able to retire if they use the IRS as a weapon.

 

It's that paradigm that the establishment is afraid of--being held accountable.  And that's what Trump may bring to the table by hiring lieutenants who are ruthless business people with an obsessive drive toward accountability.

 

I still won't vote for a Republican or Democrat.