Gradieus
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In March I explained in-depth how Donald Trump had already won the Presidency by implementing almost every strategy found in 'The Art of War' during the Republican Primaries. You can see that post here:
http://imgur.com/gallery/HO5TT
Needless to say I was right. Hillary had no plan against Trump. She used the same attacks against Trump that his Republican rivals did: he's a bigot, a racist, a blah blah blah. That didn't work in the primaries and it didn't work in the general election.
As I stated back in March there is no political strategy to beat Trump. He's not playing by political rules, that's the whole point. I did see two paths to beating him, and neither was about Hillary: The first strategy was Bernie winning the Democratic Primaries. He had the swag, the charisma, the cuddly Grandpa mentality. His appeal was the same as that of Biden: Go-lucky, real, passionate. Unfortunately he was running against the Clinton Machine/DNC and he got churned out like a hunk of beef.
The second strategy was Bernie, yes THAT Bernie, again. He should have been the VP even though Hillary leans center way more than progressive. Her inability to negotiate was her undoing. It's not just about the Bernie voters that refused to vote Hillary, it was about their enthusiasm. Like it or not they were a ground-game unlike anything anyone's ever seen. The ridiculous amount of donations, the millions of phone calls, the millions of doors knocked. Their passion was most needed against Trump.
Yes, Bernie campaigned for Hillary during the general election, but it was no longer the same. Bernie used to be their guy, their champion that could fight against the 1%, for $15 minimum wage, free healthcare, and free tuition. He couldn't do that while campaigning for Hillary without being on the ballot because everyone knew she didn't really care about any of that.
So what was Hillary left with? No passion, no drive, no enthusiasm, no Bernie, no Presidency. She was too proud, and that, ladies and gents, is what Trump exposed to perfection. Yes folks, Trump is a master strategist, and he knew Hillary's weakness was her stoic character. During the campaign you often heard Hillary mention that the Republicans have been attacking her for 30 years and never found anything to hurt her. She wore that as a badge of honor, she thought that made her stronger. But, as Trump had done in the Republican Primaries, he took the quality his opponents covet most and he turned it on its head.
Crooked Hillary. Hillary Rotten Clinton. Drain the Swamp. Lock her up.
Much like Picasso's abstract paintings, Trump's brush strokes made little sense to most people. Yes, she's a political power house, yes she's a stalwart in her convictions. But that also makes her stiff in her beliefs. The world is ever-changing, how can someone maintain their convictions for 30+ years unless they're crooked and a cheat? How can they maintain power with the elites unless their entire cesspool of a swamp was also polluted? Lock her up.
Trump took her stoicism and grounded it into a pulp. His first attack on Hillary during the general election was that "If she wasn't playing the woman card she wouldn't even get 5% of the vote." BOOM, head shot. How did Hillary respond? "If fighting for women's rights and equal pay is playing the woman card, then deal. Me. IN!"
This played perfectly into Trump's hand. He knew she'd be defiant in being a woman and take that attack personally. He used her soundbites to wedge a gap between men and women voters. The male vote wasn't 2:1 for Trump because they were misogynists, it was because Hillary's words excluded their existence. Remember 'The Art of War'? It's all about divide and conquer. When did Hillary ever talk about men's issues? Never. While Hillary thought she was being stoic in protecting the woman card, Trump was actually playing the man card.
I could go on and on, but truth be told I haven't slept yet and I've written too much as is. If you're interested in reading more I'll post again tomorrow. There's plenty to talk about. How Trump had more Hispanic voters than any Republican in history, how Trump had more LGBT voters than any Republican in history (even though his VP is the biggest anti-LGBT in politics), or how Trump ended up with 48% of the woman vote even after those Access Hollywood tapes.
Regardless of how you feel about the election, it truly was a masterful performance by Donald Trump. One that will go down in history as not only the most shocking victory, but I would dare say the most expertly perfected victory in US political history.
VarS311
The only thing that I don't like about this is that you talk as if it was really Trump's master mind, I think most of the credit for 1/2
VarS311
the strategy goes to his campaign team, those anonymous bastards are the real experts in playing this game 2/2
Eelaine
Watching his campaign, he seemed to do worse when he was letting his team orchestrate his moves. They did best when handling details.
ThundaTundraRumbla
I can see this being a movie. Starring Alec Baldwin
KeekUras
*Arrec Bawwin
OlderWiser
One of the best things for me about Trump winning is Baldwin can suck it.
supervillin
"The Art of Wrong" coming this summer
CodeXCDM
Or Johnny Depp. Have you seen Funny or Die's "Art of the Deal" parody?
GitRightStik
Danny Devito, with orange hair.
strumfooligan
His hands are way too big.
Schmedes
Just a reminder to read things with a clear mind. Confirmation bias is a mother.
bladerdash
Damn I had to scroll way too far to find my people.
twozerooz
Its sad, isnt it? I think its really just an indication of the young average age on Imgur
eetsumkaus
exactly. That original post smacks of confirmation bias. I'll wait until 2018 when Trump-lites run for state positions to vindicate this
JetSetGo
By trump Trump-lites, do you mean people who have Trump's demeanor or people who use this supposed strategy?
eetsumkaus
if he's as smart as he is, then he'll disseminate his strategy to anyone who can benefit him yet pose no threat (state-level)
twozerooz
Yup. The complete lack of critical thought someone must have to actually believe all this is absolutely astounding, and frankly embarrassing
tresfab333
Well, a lack of critical thinking by an astounding percentage of our electorate is what has given us President Trump. The Bush years [1]
tresfab333
will look positively rosy in comparison, and he had the most disastrous presidency of the modern era. [2]
CyborgScribe
Having read the art of war I feel like the OP is really stretching it out of some sort of hero worship of Trump.
Grayle27
^ In order to pull of giving exact information at all those exact times, he'd need insane foresight that you just dont see when he speaks
LuckyLuke193
That, or he tries to rationalize the "baffling" outcome of the elections.
JetSetGo
Truth lies somewhere in the gray. Some of his actions were, in hindsight, well planned. But it's silly to say all of this was a master plan.
InternetGoodGuy
Yeah. His performance in the presidential debates definitely didn't seem rehearsed or part of a greater plan
FartedWhileMakingUpName
I'm of the assumption that he just surrounds himself with smart people.
[deleted]
[deleted]
NotMyCircusNotMyMonkeys
Sauce? (I'm actually interested in seeing that)
JetSetGo
TheCen
Agreed. Just go watch his youtube channel. There's no way he's a genius. I've yet to hear any real plans from him.
bladerdash
He's motivated, manipulative, and well connected. Not even close to smart.
TheDreadPirateJayneCobb
Cue Popular from Wicked.
Radicool21
Yep, the qualities needed to win a race are not the same ones needed to be a good president.
GiveMeCorndogOrGiveMeDeath
"Ponder and deliberate before you make a move" Sun Tzu..Trump is not this at all. Hold on,kids!
bkcantthinkofanythingclever
How do you know he didn't do that before he made his moves? He could have thought it out thoroughly before he mad any comments, etc, IJS
InternetGoodGuy
His debate performance and late night tweets didn't seem planned. Maybe I'm still naive on the majority of America to avoid manipulation
bkcantthinkofanythingclever
True and I guess I'm not saying that everything that came out of his mouth was well thought out (which seems obvious), but, just maybe 1/
bkcantthinkofanythingclever
His overall plan to act like he's been acting was well thought out? I'm not saying this a Trump supporter I really didn't like either 2/
bkcantthinkofanythingclever
candidate. And the Dems did not help HRC either 3/3
andaction
The Art of the Shill. Every successful person in sales knows it. Tell them whatever plays to their emotional bias to make the sale.
HeadoftheNSA
wtf the art of the shill? google says nothing about this...
CyborgScribe
This is more like it.
twitch760
Trump is a demagogue plain and simple. He told people what they wanted to hear and they ate it up. Corporations will be taking over America.
HamsterOnAGoat
I had classes in my MBA called "business acting" where we studied the art of war. "business acting" teaches you exactly what it says
moreliaviridis
Hillary (and every politician) did the same. She chose the wrong group to pander to.
ssjalhazred
She couldn't even do THAT right! She's shit at pandering! A shitton of the left wasn't buying it, how do you fuck up pandering?
twozerooz
Exactly. You could easily write a lengthy post explaining how Trumps "strategy" was not based off the Art of War at all, but rather
twozerooz
On successful salesmen tactics in a retail setting. Try hard enough, and you can draw parallels between anything
CherubCow
Yup! It's "synchronicity"; invent causal relationships through casual metaphors. Trump has a simple formula that does not need AoW reference
lordofthedice
All this proves is that he knows how to fool the masses. I'll reserve judgement until I see how well he runs a country.
tresfab333
"Reserving judgment" implies you think there's a decent chance he'll do a competent job...what on earth would make you believe that?
LiterallyWorseThanHitler
He might have competent advisors and actually listen to them once he figures out he has no idea how to run a country?
tresfab333
No, he's surrounding himself with people who already screwed this country up or are dangerously right-wing. And if he relinquishes power [1]
tresfab333
to anyone it'll be to Pence, who's just about as evil. [2]
HitandRyan
It's gonna be shit
NotAnIroningBoard
I've seen people say democracy failed... but it didn't really, the people got what they voted for, democracy failed way before yesterday.
JetMarks
Except we aren't even a true democracy.
jegred2
We are a democratic republic. A true democracy wouldn't work in a country with 300+ million people.
blazera
the people voted for bernie, and then for hillary, electors and super delegates voted for who we got.
Smead
Bernie lost by over three million votes though. The people voted for her in the primaries too.
imagurian
*representative democracy
TacticalSpoon
“The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” -Winston Churchill
yetanotheraccountiwillonlyuseonce
No, we didn't. Hillary won the popular vote.
wobbu
Pretty shit that exactly 50% of the country is pretty pissed off about the election. yay 2 party system
prismaticcrow
That's actually a boon. If it were a 3-party system, then 66% of the country would be pissed. 4-party=75% pissed, etc.
Blecki
Nah, then 33% would be pissed and 33% would be ambivalent.
wobbu
If there were a middle ground between "everything is FREE" and "nuke the abortion clinics" people would accept a party they're not in.
maliciousGman
Democracy is the worst form of government, except all others that have been tried.
jegred2
Its a good thing we aren't a democracy, we are a democratic republic.
Luxvero
so you're saying democacry is the least bad form of government ever tried?.. Which is to say: its the best form of government ever tried?
Imgur2036
Bollocks, there's plenty that's never been tried.
Rawcal
North Korea has the leadership through divinity thing going on pretty well, don't you think?
xrufus7x
You mean Best Korea?
maliciousGman
I stand corrected.
Tanishh
Can't say I necessarily agree. This reminds me of the 'JarJar is a super genius sith' theory. COULD Trump be some master genius? Maybe.
Eelaine
The narrative that Trump isn't sharp is really odd: both that they went with this, and that so many actually bought it.
SCOTTSTERLINGthemanthemythandthelegend
Yeah I think this is more accurate. Trump's either the most genius genius to ever genius or an actual pompous blowhard. WHICH COULD IT BE???
Tanishh
Could he also just be a jackass who played into the worst of America and got a bunch of angry white people to back him simply for being
Tanishh
different and stoking the rage? Yup. We will see based on his presidency. I really think you give him waaaaay too much credit, though.
dewhicular
Who'd you vote for?
mechanicalchaos
Art of War? More like cheesy car salesman. He's just been around and knows how gullible people are. Old tactics like fear and lying work.
Thatoneguyjosh
Then Hillary should have won with all the fear mongering and lying she did. Plus cheating.
InternetGoodGuy
He told the right lies. People wanted to hear everything is terrible and it's someone else's fault and he'll make magic jobs appear
Vundergluber
Then why didn't Hillary win?
SomeCrazyNerd
Because Trumo promised crazy things. And because Trump voters were more active voters.
Camelspotting
Because Trump won the blaming match.
mechanicalchaos
Again, fear and lying works. It has nothing to do with genius war tactics. lol It's just the same old campaign promises and fear mongering.
Frederf
Integrity.
tresfab333
Compared to Trump, yeah. And that's a pretty scary thought.
Fennlt
People wanted change. Hillary was a shady 'elite' politician. Trump was a populist - a different outsider unafraid of speaking his mind.
mechanicalchaos
Also, Hillary is shit. This whole election summarized: http://www.lovethisgif.com/uploaded_images/14601-Days-After-Leg-Day-Bored-.gif
CherubCow
She limited the scope of her sales-style promises to the rational and possible. Trump did not.
vorduul
About as 'expertly thought out' as the acts of an 8th grade bully. The people are why he won. We lack empathy, education, and wisdom.
ydellden
...
Vegainthemirror
Yes, @op, please more. I haven't followed the whole thing closely, but it being real now makes me think it wasn't (just) luck on Trump's >>
mareli82
well he did win the right stats , that's all that maters in the usa , you can win the election by only sub 25% of the votes ....
Vegainthemirror
>>behalf. I'm intrigued on where this is going
SamaelTheVenomOfGod
It's the result of both establishment parties *severely* underestimating the disillusionment of their own constituency.
ZekeTheGoldKnight
It kind of was. But I agree with OP that Bernie getting screwed over by the Democrats helped Trump a lot more than Hillary.
Vegainthemirror
Yes, I got that much, but I'm mainly curious about op's implication of Trump using strategies out of the Art of War
Dekacube
Let's be real, his victory had nothing to do with the Art of War and everything to do with Hillary's shadiness.
dayMan2
Scott Adams has very insightful writings and interviews and Trump's purpose. Everything he did was with purpose, even if it didn't appear so
Camelspotting
Almost, it had everything to do with how Hillary's shadiness was portrayed and how she defended it, Trump is shadyer but kept up the attack.
mareli82
lets be more real he won du to a shitty election system , if it was a direct vote he lost
Eyesofaknee
That doesn't explain why he won the GOP nomination in the first place.
memento765
look up pied piper candidates
bananatoast
The pool of candidates was shit from the get go. I'm hoping 2020 will be much improved all around.
Eelaine
The front runners were equally shady, for the same reasons: globalist neconservatisim.
RyanAndTheQuestForWorldDomination
What? Marco Rubio was actually a potentially amazing candidate, nothing shady there at all.
xSquirrelly
No, America is an extremely reactionary country. The final FBI investigation had far more to do with this than anything. Microwave society
ratfaceddog
Do you mean reactive? Don't get me wrong, reactionaries certainly voted for Trump, but I'm not sure what that would have to do with the FBI.
xSquirrelly
Yes, I apologize, reactive. The FBI has a lot more to do with the election then anything else due to this nature. 12 point lead evaporated
Comet260
Microwave society?
xSquirrelly
We need everything now. Not a new term. As indicated by the advent of the 24/7 news cycle even without newsworthy information
Eelaine
Everyone in America is a racist bigot. Not an educated, morally superior guy like you.
xSquirrelly
Wild conclusion to draw off of what I said though
CyborgScribe
Not everyone but clearly a huge number based on the election results. That or sexist.
MrSmilingDeath
I hate to tell you, but you responded to a ridiculous sweeping generalization with a ridiculous sweeping generalization...
ShamelessOToole
It's a fact that white non college males were the only reason he won. Many in their 50s that have never voted, yet, know what's right for US
MrSmilingDeath
I would argue that I'm a white non-college male that didn't vote for Trump, but I didn't vote because I disliked both candidates.
ForReasonsOfScience
Are you sure 40 years of neoliberalism wasn't a major factor? The dems gravitating toward the banks, military industrial complex, and
ForReasonsOfScience
outsourcing trade deals like NAFTA and now TPP. Trump's closing argument ad details this well: https://youtu.be/vST61W4bGm8
ForReasonsOfScience
Americans' wages have been stagnant since the '80s and are begging for help. That's why they picked Trump, because at least he said
ForReasonsOfScience
he was going to help the American people. "Well so did Bernie" Yes, but unfortunately, Bernie was cheated out of victory.
GardenHoser
But seriously, if what you say is true, it actually gives me a little more respect for Trump. As unpopular an opinion as that is.
highpieinthesky
I don't like him in the slightest but I respect his strategic approach.
imooforyou
Its not. A guy "masterfully" pulling something off doesnt fuck up this much. This is just a popular gotcha moment being hyped.
ratfinkfuck
dude won the america competition. he can't be THAT unpopular
DarkUranium
Due to strategic voting and all that, he can.
DarthFutuza
He got almost nearly 50% of the popular vote, so...clearly not that unpopular.
HalloIamherenow
The man does show business for a living, and the election is a big show! Of course he would know how to make himself a likeable candidate...
HalloIamherenow
... while making Hillary look like some sort of demon woman. People say he's an idiot but I would wager to say that he's much smarter...
HalloIamherenow
... than people give him credit for. The same thing happened in the election where JFK won The man had a charisma and showmanship about him
grovberg
Your arguments about how Hilary failed are very insightful. Your characterization of Trump as a master strategist are hilarious.
dayMan2
Everyone who predicted he would win from the primaries saw that everything he did had purpose. This didn't happen by accident, which is why
dayMan2
Many saw this coming, and you and the MSM did not.
LOlivingVE
I'm not positive he did this on purpose. But if he did, hope that means he's not a nutter.
Eelaine
You were as lied to about Trump's character as you were about the polling data. The entire media system is an echo chamber at this point.
CyborgScribe
No one had to lie to me. I watched some of his speeches. I watched him on TV for the last decade here and there. He's a bigot and a sexist.
CyborgScribe
He's baffoonish but possibly cunning underneath. He's a meglomaniac, a nationalist, and banks heavily on his cult of personality.
bodito
Trump doesn't do things on purpose. He lives in the moment. He sounds like a nutter cause he has no brain to mouth control.
11a11a2b
I've got to hand it to you, you know your stuff
2SpooookyCrisps
1/2 F this guy.Hate to hate but she didn't take it personally at the 5% vote/women.She rolled her eyes and thought 'ok how can I game this'
2SpooookyCrisps
2/2 her and her advisors played this wrong but if any more of this is about her 'poker face' failing.Wrong.F'ing wrong and that was her flaw
ASycophanticPropheticSocraticJunkieWannabe
watthefrak
Fucking. Perfect.
scienceprimo
Nice, Two jokes for the price of one!
ExtraUpvote
iluvbunbuns
Why is this only at 47 upvotes?
EClaire1073
Ooh, you almost had it. You gotta be quicker than that!
iluvbunbuns
LMAO, I don't know anyone else that loves that commercial. Thanks for the reference to it.
EClaire1073
thereisnoplaceforme
Yes, unlike the vast majority of voters and people talking about the election. Facts? Information? What's that?????
twozerooz
Im assuming you're being sarcastic since OP has zero facts/evidence, and instead just irrationally cherry picks evidence to fit his theory
RagePunch
If you think OP cherry picks his evidence, could you please make a post with evidence countering this post?
ProfessionalTurtle
Nah that stuff is boring. Especially when it's dry Hillary saying it. Trump wouldn't have ran if Hillary weren't the likely nominee.
weedgreedproceed
he ran in 2012, but bowed out when his support was lousy. Then, in 2016, Obama is a success, white conservatives are afraid, good time 2 run
Paramedia
It's almost like people don't give a shit about personal conduct. Have you ever watched reality tv?
PerseusofPeregrin
"Stalwart in her convictions" She changed some of her convictions several times this season
0RobbinHoods0
https://media2.giphy.com/media/9uoYC7cjcU6w8/200.gif#4
bixby66
Not really. Remember no one had any real investment in attacking Bernie during the primaries. Not saying he'd have done worse but better?
rossimus
He brought a degree of emotional that Hillary could never quite muster. Emotion won the day, and the democrats ceded that asset.
rdrake87
Well during the dem primary he did pole a lot stronger than hillary did against trump.
bixby66
The polls were so incredibly off though. Hillary polled great against Trump for the most part.
rdrake87
during the primaries, not that well, near an even split iirc
bixby66
Bernie polled about the same. Anyway it's not worth dividing the Dem party now over something that may have happened.
Eelaine
Bernie could have defeated Trump. He would have unified the black and white millennial vote. OP is 100% right.
bixby66
But as the election begun and he became the target of the GOP. Who knows? But with the write-ins and the disillusioned people-
bixby66
-I could easily argue that Bernie lost the election for Hillary. We can both beat each other to death with Bernie but that'd be pointless.
ProfessionalTurtle
This election wasn't about policy. It was about rallying pissed off Americans and giving them a cause to fight for. Trump and Bernie had it.
QuadrilateralEnix
That's what most elections are about.
ProfessionalTurtle
True. It's kind of sad. Voting by emotions, not reason. This is just a super extreme example.
TheUsernameIsSoLongThatYouCantActuallySeetheSpanishinquisition
In my country we had 1 coruppted canditade and he was in lead by 1million votes(population of 18million), a strong campain from youth
[deleted]
[deleted]
TheUsernameIsSoLongThatYouCantActuallySeetheSpanishinquisition
did a turnaround of 1,5million votes or more.. if Bernie would have been a choise i'm sure did would have happed in USA too
twozerooz
No he doesnt. He's like someone who randomly guessed the cubs were going to win, then describing in detail how he "knew". Its specious logic
twozerooz
Theres a hundred political analysts who understood why Bernie might have been a good Presidential candidate, yet not a good VP pick
AbhinavPrakash
U did not read his post from march
twentyfourcharacterslong
He made two. One for Trump and one for Hillary. He deleted his Hillary post before I could screen cap it. So yeah... you all are gullible.
twozerooz
Yeah lol Imgurians arent very smart. Even the reasoning of "I predicted this based on X, therefore X must be true" is hilariously irrational
dewhicular
Lol, did he really?
TigerThong
I believe you. This has the hallmark of taking a known end game and plopping overly complicatited rational into making it seem like a plan
ophirwaasdorp
Did HE delete it, or...?
MetalPsychologist
Nice
ILikeCharmanderOk
going to assume you're trolling unless you can supply evidence.
twozerooz
Not sure how he would supply evidence.
twentyfourcharacterslong
Wish I would have screened it. It was irritating because this is his second post on it and I remember seeing that and down voting.
chocolategorilla
He was later found in his apartment with three bullet wounds in the back of his head. Clearly be committed suicide.
Goochami
If that were true why would he post the it?
twentyfourcharacterslong
He post he it?
johnson21
What's he a it though?
twentyfourcharacterslong
Though an it he was he.
Bert95
he's not a strategist at all, he's a winger, people got enthralled in the idea that they were fighting the establishment. They sort of were.
Bert95
In all he was the best type of politician the one that gives everything they want, and what they wanted was end to corruption,
Bert95
so he ran with that to be elected for himself, but since people didn't want to hear nothing negative about him the dismissed it,
Bert95
Trump isn't a lefty or righty he is whatever the people want him to be and a person with no established thoughts he's the worst type of
Bert95
He will just be manipulated, by pence, the money that's already corrupted the Republicans and not change a thing because he's not capable
danishjuggler21
It would also help if people stopped voting against their own self-interest.
vauhtihirmu
A society would need good political education for that. Most countries lack it, sadly.
CrystalCoyote
It would also mean taking popular septic-spigots like Rush Limbaugh off the air. They're pretty powerful, so... that's not so easily done.
CrystalCoyote
Not to sound like a polarized jerk, but point is, you've gotta cut off the flow of super-bs before you can start to heal that divide. >_<
cptjackawesome
Comey's letter definitely played a role too. It erased every gaff, etc. leading up to its release and killed HRC's momentum.
Redeyer
The only momentum she's had was downhill
SomeCrazyNerd
Which is true but silly since they said the new emails had nothing.
cptjackawesome
It was released too close. No time for real coverage on it. Trump was even referencing Comeys 1st letter in ads the day before the election!
InternetGoodGuy
Were your expecting people to respond reasonably?
SomeCrazyNerd
No I knew it would ruin her.
TigerThong
The FBI elected Trump
ElectronicArtsOfficial
Clinton elected Trump.
BALKatalo
Even if she carried close states further, it wouldn't have changed the electoral vote in the rust belt. These are pissed off poor whites.
cptjackawesome
But the rust belt was a lost cause anyway. The Midwest (OH, MI, PA) are what sunk her. In my state, PA, pennsyltucky is what did us in.
BALKatalo
Yeah, I meant Great Lakes and NH/PA. All the places filled with unskilled labor and no more repetitive factory work.
Cheomesh
PA is part of the Rust Belt.
cptjackawesome
My mistake. I was thinking of the Bible belt.
Cheomesh
That's more the spirit!
WarpPig
https://i.sli.mg/qcs5uP.png
cptjackawesome
http://www.wgal.com/article/governor-issues-statement-about-racial-incident-at-york-county-school/8278822
cptjackawesome
Half my family is from the middle of PA, and I have spent a lot of time out there. I know what it's like, and I stand by my remarks.
WarpPig
I am from Berks County, bruh I know why you stand by your remarks, but you can stand by remarks and also my reply be true.
ICantFindTheRightUsername
I am still kinda waiting for someone to tell it was all a joke.
milanbergh
do you have any references to your statements about LGBT and Hispanic voters?
kiarasa
Here's what I found. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/08/us/politics/election-exit-polls.html?_r=0
kiarasa
Looks like 14% voted for Trump, with 10% more LGBT voting Democrat this year than in the previous election.
EveryDayisaGoodDay
Not sure about LGBTQ either, but found this article
EveryDayisaGoodDay
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/09/hillary-clinton-failed-to-win-over-black-hispanic-and-female-vot/
InternetGoodGuy
Interesting. I didn't think the female vote would be a wide margin but what reason could Hispanics have for voting trump?
bitemark
Dunno about LGBTQ #s, but I saw at cnn for black/hispanic voters he was like 1% more popular. So only 8% vs 7%, not enough to even be 1/
milanbergh
yeah, all the numbers i could find were saying he got significantly fewer LGBT votes than Romney (14% vs. 22%)
bitemark
statically significant, but you'd think it would be much worse, not similar (those are Trump/Clinton vs Obama/Romney numbers btw)
17arkOracle
It was 29% vs 31% for Hispanic voters with McCain, so Trump did worse then (though yeah you'd still think it'd be much worse).
pacodeth
Also this: http://www.newnownext.com/lgbt-vote-donald-trump/11/2016/
jdraitt
Delusion is his reference. Women polled way more for Hillary, only hispanics in Florida polled significantly higher. Anyone can look it up.
strawberrycocoa
I expected Hillary to win simply because I couldn't see someone as tactless as Trump being a diplomatic leader. Time will tell, I guess.
mareli82
by direct vote she did win , se got more votes just get the right states
bvtthole
If he fucking obliterated her this might have a little more credibility. But she won the popular vote.
ChromeEagle
There's a lot of people in New York.
falala78
But he still won and that's all that really matters.
yourmomsalurker
The electoral college is 100% necessary. I mean it's only 2016 and we hand count each vote and deliver results via pony express. Right?
dayMan2
No, because it shows his purposeful actions in campaigning the shit out of the swing states. He would've acted differently for the pop. vote
bvtthole
Yet another reason to get rid of the electoral college.
Thatoneguyjosh
By an incredibly small margin.
bvtthole
Over 200k votes is not small.
Thatoneguyjosh
Out of 318 million? Yeah it is. Plus it's been the closest margin in recent elections. Plus we just found out that over 3 million 1/2
Thatoneguyjosh
Illegals voted in this election and we can all be semi certain most of them voted for Secretary Clinton. 2/2
bitemark
Which means exactly nothing.
CyborgScribe
Other than that our system is flawed and the OP is on weak ground with his "Trump is supreme master of strategy" stance.
eliottsworld
If California and New York alone made all of the decisions for the other 48 states in every election, that system would be just as broken.
bitemark
Fair enough :) I'm not saying I agree with OP (or a Trump presidency) but clearly if running your goal is key states, not popular vote.
Desomega
It really does boggle my mind how people will literally say "just cause more people voted for her, doesn't mean she should win."
Desomega
It has only happened 4 other times in our history, and each time it was controversial. This time should be no different.
bvtthole
As CGP Grey said "You wouldn't tolerate a sport where 7% of the time, the winner loses"
Desomega
Has he posted a new video? I need to check it out, if so.
bvtthole
He updated one of his old ones. https://youtu.be/zcZTTB10_Vo
Vundergluber
Yes, because maybe a half dozen large cities should always determine the Presidency. Fuck the rest of the country, amirite?
Desomega
I didn't say that, though. I said it boggles my mind that a majority of the population's votes are dismissed. Like, it's weird to me.
Desomega
I also highly doubt it is half a dozen large cities that determine things, but whatever. Everyone's too angry to actually discuss things.
eliottsworld
CA, NY, and IL are three of the top 5 in population, and are staunch blue states. The other two are TX (red, but with growing urban areas 1/
Vundergluber
They're not dismissed. Their function is to determine how the electoral votes are apportioned. POTUS isn't a representative. We have the 1/2
Vundergluber
House of Representatives for that. 2/2
TigerThong
yeah this whole post wreaks of reconstructing an appearance of elaborate ruse after the fact. Apparently he had 2 posts 1 for each candidat
MADFOX
Ooo. Where is the one for Hillary.
Piornet
Let's not call Trump a genius - like every demagogue in history he told idiots what they wanted to hear and they believed him.
memento765
Someone said he's a used car sales man
WarpPig
https://i.sli.mg/qcs5uP.png
BeckyDurham
We're strong progressives who deserve pats on the head when/if we do what they command yet retarded rednecks if we don't...
everyoneiskungfufighting
This type of polarization, where anyone who disagrees with you is an idiot, is EXACTLY why he won. You did it to yourself.
everyoneiskungfufighting
This type of polarization, where anyone who disagrees with you is an idiot, is EXACTLY why he won. You did it to yourself.
whatisthiswholethingaboutlollol
What you are saying is one of the reasons hillary lost, if all you do is call anyone who opposes an idiot, you are going to lose
ratfaceddog
What do you suggest we call idiots, then?
SomeCrazyNerd
Not every Trump voters was an idiot of course. But he had a good swell of idiot support.
whatisthiswholethingaboutlollol
What do you consider an idiot, what made a large amount of them idiots?
SomeCrazyNerd
Trump had more uneducated conspiracy theorists than any ogher candidate. Anti-establishment would be good for America but his kind is a lie.
whatisthiswholethingaboutlollol
2/ personal feelings, rather than facts.
whatisthiswholethingaboutlollol
How do you actually measure that, because it really sounds like you are just trying to take digs at anybody who supports him based on your
DefinetlyNotARussianSpy
This type of polarization, where anyone who disagrees with you is an idiot, is EXACTLY why he won. You did it to yourself.
Camelspotting
You're right, people hate being called out for what they are but that's what the Democrats did.
everyoneiskungfufighting
This type of polarization, where anyone who disagrees with you is an idiot, is EXACTLY why he won. You did it to yourself.
ElectronicArtsOfficial
Piornet didn't say trump was an idiot, he said he's not necessarily a genius. You might want to take your own advice.
ElectronicArtsOfficial
Hell, you're looking so hard for people to disagree with that you're making up shit they didn't say so you can attack it.
everyoneiskungfufighting
Go back and read the comment, you will see that you are incorrect. He said "he told *idiots what they wanted to hear*".
majorballs
So right
CyborgScribe
You are making a critical error: you assume idiots don't exist. It's not pretty but the fact is they do. Plenty of people on both sides...
everyoneiskungfufighting
I'm not making any error at all. Disagreement does not equal idiocy. And I'm sure someone considers you an idiot, too.
CyborgScribe
...may be idiots but Trump directly appeals to them. It's a decent strategy. Small minds in large groups are very powerful.
Eelaine
Yep. The contempt Hillary and her supporters have for white working class people is what Trump appealed to. And it was genuine.
everyoneiskungfufighting
I'm not sure it was racial. There are working class people of all colors and creeds tired of being taxed to death and treated like shit.
damspam
Agreed. He rode the wave; he didn't create it.
ElectronicArtsOfficial
Ultranationalist sentiments have been rising in every western country for a while now, and have been accentuated by certain... events.
ShdwRrw
In other words he played the perfect politician without a single day in law school?
JustADumbRename
"Perfect" in what sense? He's terrible for the country.
Adman2099
Bloody well written and informative. It's a brilliant view point and well researched in it's comparison to The Art of War.
Chiickens
.
hanson28
I hate to be that guy (I really do), but... its* comparison
Adman2099
You don't have to be that guy. It's entirely your choice.
CirclejerqueDuSoleil
*its
CirclejerqueDuSoleil
I meant it should've said "in its comparison"
Adman2099
It's cool folks, Mister Fuck Face knew what was up. I mean, obviously I have no grip on the English language and must be taught in kind.
Azrael715
Its is for positions e.g "The cat's bowl = Its bowl." It's is for description e.g "It's a cat's bowl."
Nutric
MisterFuckFace probably meant the 'in it's comparison' part.
CirclejerqueDuSoleil
I did
bcc5094
No, it's. As in "it is".
CirclejerqueDuSoleil
I meant that it should've said "in its comparison"
CyborgScribe
It's well worded. The OP is way off base comparing Trumps campaign to the art of war tho.
PatadoX
The Art of War is a survey of successful tactics, any successful campaign that doesn't resemble it would be news.
johnson21
It's such a tired cliché as well. As if no strategy books have been writen since ancient China
SPCFlack141
Play your enamies straights as weaknesses. Fall back and surround. He let her defeat herself.
eetsumkaus
Art of War applies to a lot of things, including Hillary's own failed campaign. I don't see how this is particularly insightful
RepostSadistic
Heh! You don't 'see' how this is insightful.
Elroydb
Curious - have you read it before?
gtmiller
It isn't particularly applicable here op is full of shit.
eetsumkaus
2/2 Sun Tzu just happened to be a guy whose work circulated it the furthest. It's probably meant more as poetry in its original Chinese
SuwinTzi
Having read the original Chinese, it dowsnt read anything like poetry. It reads like an instruction manual or textbook.
eetsumkaus
yeah actually. I just found it to be a collection of obvious platitudes that sound good as quotes, and passages that outline common sense1/2
Tkeleth
dude... Art of War is *the reason* everything in that book is a platitude now...
boomfelazi
So it's the theory of everything ?
eetsumkaus
that only makes my point stronger really. It's common strategy, you can tie it to just about every modern game plan
AwesomeName
*shrug* I think the male/female thing was not that big a thing to count as "divide and conquer".
Adman2099
This has genuinely changed my opinion on the whole event.
twozerooz
No offense, but then you lack critical thought. People voted Trump because Hilary was for womens rights? Seriously???
Adman2099
I love how people say "no offense" and then proceed to, ya know, be offensive.
twozerooz
Sounds like you dont understand what it means. Sometimes truth hurts and its helpful to point out your motivation isnt just to hurt them
twozerooz
Youre joking right? Like the one comparison to 'divide and conquer'? Do you think The Art of War just a couple pages long?
Gram2021
Did you even read the previous post he made and referenced?
twozerooz
Yes.
twozerooz
If you try hard enough, you can draw comparisons between anything. This post is really nothing more than "I told you the Cubs were going to
twozerooz
win! Now let me make up some really complex sounding details as to how I just "knew""
dropkicknanna
You do realize they wrote another post 7 months earlier with many more comparisons to "The Art Of War"? Maybe you should give it a read.
twozerooz
I did. You do realize its still completely illogical right? You can draw parallels between anything, and find any evidence to fit any theory
CherubCow
Exactly; it's chronological reversal; only 2 possible outcomes, allowing BS reasons for the outcome to "prove" themselves via that outcome.
postoys
You are super brittish
RepostSadistic
It is spelt British and pronounced Bwittish
386sx
Biggus Dickus.
fernandrugs
that's because she/he used "bloody" right? Ohh I get it, and i've actually learned something from my English class. noice.
PastureofMuppets
Lucky for you, my whole face is British
postoys
Mr. F!!!
Adman2099
Yes, yes I am.
TheUnsolicitedDuckPic
Hello. I'd like to apply to be a colony please.
Adman2099
We are not a wise nation. See Brexit. Though if you want to be part of the colonies I hear Canada is quite nice.
TheUnsolicitedDuckPic
Was purely joking. Was not suprised that Trump won. Very similar to the Brexit vote
ILikeCharmanderOk
You failed at spelling 'British', so I shall assume you are super American.
Tkeleth
savage AF
postoys
You can't spell Amuricah without 'U'
Hyippy
And you can't spell brittish without titty. . . . . Sorry I meant t-t
strcmdman
Murica'
CrazyExGirlfriend
I feel you are crediting him with much more intelligence than he deserves. It's not a strategy if you define it after the fact.
ztoundaa
I agree. While it turned out this way, I think it was more coincidence than intent by Trump.
hehihe
Actually, this was started in March, so it wasn't that obvious at at that time
CrazyExGirlfriend
I meant that I'm not convinced Trump had a rigorous plan of action rather than just winging it. And if he didn't plan it then it's not a 1/2
CrazyExGirlfriend
Strategy. The parallel with art of war fits and is interesting but it gives him too much credit as a strategist. 2/2
mineovermatter
Strategy is always more abstract-"punch at the emotional centers",tactics are more specific-"call illegals rapists,which will piss off dems"
BaronSimple
Yep. He did fire and higher multiple campaign strategists though out the campaign. Sounds disorganized
SPCFlack141
Can you define artwork before paint has hit the canvas?
twozerooz
Did this make sense in your head?
brrrackobama
He may be a "master strategist" in propaganda, but he knows nothing about civics, economics, history, or foreign relations. Good luck USA.
everyoneiskungfufighting
Thanks. We'll be just fine. If we're still around after Obama's shenanigans, Trump won't be any worse. And no, I didn't vote for Trump.
DjengisKhanye
This. Also, while OP has a keen eye, Hillary can make mistakes and lose without it being the product of Trumps "master plan".
lvsv
.
HamsterOnAGoat
(from someone who didn't vote for him) that's why he has advisers and a cabinet
jwbonus
The entire situation is pure comedy. I'm apathetic about Trump winning, but I seriously care about people eating their words.
everyoneiskungfufighting
Thanks. We'll be just fine. If we're still around after Obama's shenanigans, Trump won't be any worse. And no, I didn't vote for Trump.
burgerandy
"(...) He's not going to go into Ukraine, all right? You can mark it down. You can put it down. You can take it anywhere you want."
JD10001
But he didn't. He wen't into the Crimean Autonomous Region that Ukraine illegally annexed in 1997 through force. He'd be in Kiev otherwise.
Rifneno
He knows the nuclear launch codes though!
ElectronicArtsOfficial
Not yet.
thriftydonkey
There's protocols in place so he can't go all Willy nilly launching nukes at everyone.
Rifneno
Actually there really isn't. Sane officers will refuse the order to launch, but only POTUS has any official decision in using them.
thriftydonkey
Well it's good to know resetting my email password is harder than launching nukes
everyoneiskungfufighting
Thanks. We'll be just fine. If we're still around after Obama's shenanigans, Trump won't be any worse. And no, I didn't vote for Trump.
haveyouheardabouttheseinternetmemes
I'm really glad I got a chance to downvote this comment 3 times.
everyoneiskungfufighting
Good for you! I'm a farmer, our internet is less than optimal out here because we are usually out working and growing your food.
haveyouheardabouttheseinternetmemes
Is that supposed to make me feel some type of way? You do a job that is a part of our social system. Great, so do the rest of us.
everyoneiskungfufighting
Nope, just explaining why my comment showed up 3x. And I highly doubt you do anything but social media and video games.
SidneyHarbor
The cabinet and advisors and the actual government is what makes things happen. Appoint good people and you're golden.
rsahadi
Pence as VP got people to vote for him. They were impressed with him.
eagle193
Unless he stuffs his cabinet with stooges...
ClashMovator
Well he's bringing Palin in. If she got any stoogier they could give her a bowl cut and call her Moe.
aaront50
which he is not doing. trump is surrounding himself with some good people. I think everyone is going to be surprised. You heard it from me
aaront50
wow, turns out I was right after all...
crazyhornedlizardlady
And the head of the EPA is a good person? The climate change denier?
ThatEdward
Gingrich, Pence, that assclown heading the EPA, Christie, Palin has appeared more than once..
SidneyHarbor
Same thing everybody said about Obama - an even younger man who had almost no political experience.
SomeCrazyNerd
He was a senator for a number of years.
eagle193
Fair, but at least Obama had a partial term as Senator under his belt.
SidneyHarbor
Yeah it's still CRAZY that a man who's never been in office is about to be president. USA made it clear we hate politics as usual.
PassiveAggressiveHotdogVendor
This will be a true test for America. Perhaps it will go all to shit and they will see how voting in a man with lots of words and no 1/2
MrZacbot
Yes?
eetsumkaus
we did it once with Andrew Jackson. except for a genocide or two, it turned out pretty ok
ShdwRrw
Hell, that was the only time our economy was in the green.
ratfaceddog
In the green?
ShdwRrw
We weren't in debt.
PassiveAggressiveHotdogVendor
Ideas in spite will work out. His words on NATO and the UN are particularly scary. And tax and healthcare plans straight up ineffective. 2/2
TrentClarey
Define effective. ACA is the reason I voted for Trump. I don't like socialism especially if I'm paying for it.
PassiveAggressiveHotdogVendor
As in by the end of his term 15 million more Americans will be uninsured and deficits like those of Bush and Reagan. Plus what scares me 1/2
PassiveAggressiveHotdogVendor
even more is how many Americans talk about how great their nation is yet have no compassion for their fellow Americans. 2/2
TigerThong
this post is utter bullshit to get the gullible voters of trump to upvote his 20/20 hindsight reconstruction of bullshit.
incitefulcomment
It's not hindsight if he wrote it before, genius.
ChewyVuitton
As long as we're on good grounds with Russia, we don't need to worry about getting vaporised by A-bombs so that's a plus
SurroundedByAPileOfCats
Obama was elected twice with only a single term in the senate and basically zero private sector experience.
everyoneiskungfufighting
Thanks. We'll be just fine. If we're still around after Obama's shenanigans, Trump won't be any worse. And no, I didn't vote for Trump.
BirbJammin
Literally, the whole post is about how nobody knows the real Trump, all we know is that he can't be as stupid as he presented himself.
JD10001
Pretending to be stupid is literally a cliche trick. "Uncle Joe" did it well, and "goofy dad" Tim Kaine tried to pull it off too.
TheLighthouseSavage
Commenting to return later for actual research purposes.
beanersweiners
.
DrSherlockPotter
Absolutely agree
Zellare
.
Septcanmat
"Research"?
BruunHero
I heard "Access Hollywood", that sounds kinda dirty.
4cqker
.
1bun
.
afakeregillatabanlakozo
.
waitdoyounot
Damn our Trump.
ASDFFDSAASDFASDF
you're....going to masturbate to this?
theeggmanANDthewalrus
That's not a bad idea.
Vote4Bern
.
tyhold
.
argodian
.
trustystranger
Dotty Mcdotface
Dunesandeserts
.
nooneaskedyoupatrice
.
CloysterOysterX3
Auto dots roll out
shouser50
.
purrgatorio
.
lesbehonester
I just want to see what else you have to say.
Adunn1994
.
powderballs
Read this when sober
superman1697
.
nothighatall
.
HidetoshiHasagawa
.
adragonridingaunicorn
.
hiyesthisissatan
( . )( . )
liljustice
.
knockoutbigfoot
.
Naheulfan
.
putthatinyoursmipeandpokeit
.
dildoshwaggins42
.
TheCyberkilla
.
muffgabbage
As am I
Blondike
.
Bitorez
Same
iAmJoshuaJ
.
SwarlosCast
.
HalphPint
.
supercalafrajalisticespialadocious
.
Utterbadassery
.
bkeljda
Agreed
koolaid540
.
Chomplified
.
Hollabackgoat
.
ScotTradamus
..
Viktor74
.
Arrogonios
.
ShaggmsontheMuffins
.
TehStoner
This a dot. Dot.
RealNormMacDonald
Yeah dawg
lapmore
.
iNETglow
.
boingclashboom
.
laurafrancesca
This would be a very interesting topic for a research paper.
DockTore
.
InternetStrangersLie
.
KeeleonOhms
Historians do typically like to write papers about failed civilizations.
badacha
Who histories the historians?
yarow12
Who watches the Watchmen?
noctynight
Who avenges the Avengers?
MrNotAnonymous
The same old chap
TheMonsterologist
.
Pangwyn
.
idontgiveafuckaboutyouoryourworthlessopinion
.
Tykku
.
reposthaterdeluxe
. ;)
NotAGroceryBag
.
LostMyMuchness
.
TennyBird
:0
LoodGookin
I am doing the same
TheGhostOfHarambe
.
Leonardomp
also .
trooperAlex
Now I feel informed
olks13
-
SanKa13
You should make a career out of this. It's kind of easier to swallow this pill after knowing that Trump is not a complete idiot
twozerooz
And thats what you want to believe, so you believe it. This, despite the fact this post is fundamentally illogical and simply isnt true
avatarphen
that cognitive dissonance though
catsonmeth
Wasn't registered, so I can't complain. Manipulative mastermind does have a better sound than the idiots' idiot.
ThatDudeOverThereYeahHimNoNotHimTheOtherOneYesThatOne
True, the dems shold be looking for new blood, well here's your chance
cheeseriot
He is a monster.
yash97sriv
Id take madman over evil mastermind any day homie
HitandRyan
Idiot or no, he doesn't know jack shit about the issues
ZoidbergIsGreat
Is it? The policies he's said that he'll put in place are monstrous regardless of whether he's a genius or a moron.
ShdwRrw
Only if you believe he will actually put them into effect. Talking big talk is one thing, but how many of Obama's promises happened?
helpidontknowmyname
Obama had no Congress/Senate to move things. We have a fully Republican government now. RIP public lands, climate, education, altruism.
Kougeru
That was because of Republican opposition. Now they hold everything. He can do a lot...
vauhtihirmu
GOP really dislikes him though, I understand. They may hinder many of Trump's plans.
TheCen
Love how people bash Obama for the "do nothing" congress. They literally stone walled everything.
ZekeTheGoldKnight
He played some of the right cards but other factors helped him as well, such as Democrats screwing Bernie over(1/2)
ZekeTheGoldKnight
(2/2) and how surprisingly well his supporters resonated with his buzzwords. Plus the whole divide and conquer based on sex, income and race
SylvanaDarkmyst
Let's be honest. Trump is a moron, his aids and the people actually running the campaign are the smart ones. He just did what he was told.
TheComradeStalin
Nah man, I don't think so. Not this time
CenturianImgurian
aides* Sorry.
EternalSunshineOfTheSpotlessMind
Except Trump fired multiple people from his campaign staff, including, at one point, his campaign manager. He was in control.
SylvanaDarkmyst
So he fired all of these people? https://ballotpedia.org/Donald_Trump_presidential_campaign_key_staff_and_advisors,_2016
SCOTTSTERLINGthemanthemythandthelegend
Genuine question then, were all of his misinformed "facts" and disproven claims all part of his plan during the debates?
thecheerfulpessimist
Gonna go with yes. Most people don't care about policies, they care about emotional appeal. His claims got emotional buy-in from listeners.
YoSoyArmandoAlvarez
Yes. Once he claims something the general public will believe it. It's easy to disprove but less people are listening for that.
whitewater0034
Under no circumstances should Trump be considered an idiot, that is foolish and dangerous in the extreme! This man is very very smart!!
iamjackscompletelackofcompassion
Actually it makes it a lot scarier... like he's an evil genius and any means to an end.
kuhraezah
Close to genius? Yes. Evil? I don't think so.
catsonmeth
Let's hope the ends that he advertised were only strategy.
Romale
met him at fundraiser, he isn't brash, and he isn't dumb, he's quiet spoken, remembered everyone's names and thanked everyone personally.
SirusKing
He is pretty stupid though, due to his anti-science beliefs.
Axelord
the fuck
SirusKing
Anyone who actively disbeliefs in modern science despite evidence is a moron. Objectively.
Axelord
Can I actually get a source on that?
Acornlad
That was what stunned me watching him thank his staff. He had everyone's name known and was very humble. That makes all the difference.
queenfirst
Oh, he's polite to his close circle of supporters. I guess that makes everything--the racism, sexism, sexual assault, child rape, lies--OK.
MrSmilingDeath
The reason people say he's brash is because people don't really think about his actions off-screen. The same with any politician really.
hibsta
He says brash things, but in the back of his mind he's playing the field and playing to win
Karilyn
I've been arguing for months that what was going to win Trump the election was everyone thinking he was an idiot, when he was a strategist.
twozerooz
But he isnt. This post is irrational. OP cherry picks evidence to fit his theory, instead of developing a theory to fit the evidence.
twozerooz
As others have pointed out, people have a NEED to believe something like this, and so theyll make sure it makes sense to them
ssjalhazred
He's a shitty businessman because being a shitty businessman benefits him more than being a good one would.
kuhraezah
Thank you for that.
Mrziffle
Strategy, bah, just be lucky enough to have an opponent who people dislike more than you.
bushidopirate
I'm just concerned that his skills as a strategist may not translate well to skills as a politician and a world leader
Nobody7713
He's sure as hell not a statesman.
Karilyn
(2/2) Realistically the only predictable thing is that he'll probably use his position to improve his business dealings.
Karilyn
I don't suspect it will, it's two very different skillsets. At least it means he probably will be more moderate than he campaigned.
yarow12
Did you hear his acceptance speech? Dude humbled himself. Pulled a complete 180. I said it last year and I'll say again: He's a great actor.
pain938
He really didn't humble himself at all. I just read the transcript. It was him thanking people he had to, and then saying he was great.
MajorLeagueFister
Donald Trump did not get to where he is by being an idiot. He's a smart man, in certain fields, and is excellent at leveraging opportunity
cam020
Nah, im pretty sure his father got him where he is.
Karilyn
① So many of the things people were assuming him an idiot over were probably deliberate strategy, such as his vagueness on all his issues.
Karilyn
② With a direct target of one of the most disenfranchised groups in the country, under-educated blue-collar workers, going into extensive
Acornlad
Been saying that Trump is smarter than most people think on this website for awhile. Glad to see its not being downvoted for once.
Karilyn
③ detail as to his plans for trade or the economy would've only confused and muddled the issue among his core base, diluting it's effect.
CziltangBrone
Now the question is, what does he really want to do?
Karilyn
I have absolutely no idea, and TBH nobody does. AFAIK over the past 3 decades, he has donated equally to Reps and Dems. He's an opportunist.
ChewyVuitton
That was my thinking. Blue collar only want the short and sweet stuff. 'Build a wall' 'Make America great again' .
ChewyVuitton
They're not interested in any complex economic policies or foreign policies
arguingwharf
But the real question is how did you get those circled numbers?
FrigginCornflakes
Copy-paste from any other website that has them. They're just unicode characters. http://xahlee.info/comp/unicode_circled_numbers.html
theflyingfrenchman
America deserves to know
strcmdman
Trump has never been wildly successful in any of his adventures that tells me he lacks a certain skill set. Expect policies to come 1/2
strcmdman
from outside influences such as his cabinet or other political heads. His skill set predominantly remains in getting office and staff.
MajorLeagueFister
Oh don't get me wrong, I think his skills are purely based on personal advancement, and I doubt they'll translate well to politics
strcmdman
Don't get me wrong i totally agree with you. He is exactly as you said he is. I warned of underestimating him when Bernie was removed.
baldewok
I think Wikileaks did more to stop Hillary than Trump ever did.
theyar
Sorry, I just don't think that some IT scandal that never amounted to anything was actually ever much of a factor.
NotFarEnough
Outside some of the DNC leaks from earlier in the year, I don't think they moved the needle as much as the FBI Investigation issues did
ZtZebaztian
Let's also not discount Project Veritas videos coming out.
BlankhasdiedofDysentery
Wiki leaks didn't write those emails, the authors of them did more to stop Hillary than trump.
JustADumbRename
No, morons and Bernie did. Everyone wanted stop badly to believe that something was "rigged" but there's nothing at all in those DNC emails.
shodrane
Anyone ever find that guy yet??
ACanadianPerson
He's on holiday in Ecuador.
VultureTX
The WL emails showed that Trump's accusations over months had actual foundation in the DEMs own messages.
pilates4hotties
And they had actual foundation because he had the emails before WL posted them.
VultureTX
If so I'm totally sure it was an anonymous source that gave them to Trump, same as the NYT got Trumps tax return.
Weentit
You mean the truth was exposed?
DownvoteMeMore
I can imagine someone posting this as an unpopular opinion puffin, when it's not that unpopular
TigerThong
guy just wants upvotes he's bullshitting everyone and they are taking the bait.
thisisnothealthy
Yah, this is a great analysis but I think it's giving trump way too much credit.
blufly
all the buffoonery is the smokescreen, fanned by flames of media. only the simple believe and protest, swayed by irrelevance.
PatadoX
One compounded the other. Just the leaks would have been dismissed, then the FBI talked & in the court of perception that was proof enough.
Ayzay
Yep, Hillary had quite a lead before those Weiner emails came along. Then she dropped in the polls.
NotFarEnough
Those had nothing to do with Wikileaks though, that was the FBI case
YoureTheBIGmarriageExpertOhIMsorryiForgotYourWifeIsDead
The polls clearly didn't know shit though. They were all wrong and that industry is gonna go out of business.
Ayzay
Yep, maybe you're right, no point in complaining now.
Comet260
I hope it does go out of business.
YoureTheBIGmarriageExpertOhIMsorryiForgotYourWifeIsDead
Me too.
BeerIsProofThatGodLovesUsAndWantsUsToBeHappy
The polls gave Trump anywhere from a 5% to a 25% chance as of yesterday morning. The polls were not indicative of actual voters.
JustADumbRename
Yes, they were. Pools were neck and neck day of. Combo of FBI and Republicans that hate Trump biting the bullet.
dayMan2
Those polls were so wrong even going back to the primaries. Spirit-cooking actually had a bigger impact than the FBI inv. in the 'polls'
laurafrancesca
I think there were a LOT of Trump voters that stayed quite as well
circlebreaker
tee-hee Weiner
adventuresofgooglyeyes
So, a BJ ended Bill and a Wiener ended Hillary?
stupidandre
+1
zerothoughtgiven
https://img.pandawhale.com/109742-we-have-no-response-that-was-p-lAQX.gif
TheFinalDoctor
Comey's timing certainly didn't help her either.
ZombieZooZombieZoo
Yup, I think that was the nail in the coffin. It was already close, and that was the tipping point for swing states that she needed to win.
optisomnia
Paul combetta
TheFinalDoctor
thanks for the info
TheFinalDoctor
just to clarify, ^^^ was not a sarcastic comment. I looked up Combetta and found out more info on the issue
damspam
Honest question: If that never happened, could she have won? Or was her defeat inevitable?
xrufus7x
She lost by a few percent in some major battleground states so yes, it is completely feasible that the FBI gave the election to Trump.
CLOWNSHOOS
Many rubles yo you comrade Comey. Many rubles from Mother Russia.
ireadthatassomethingelse
If she never did really evil and awful things then yes, she would have won the presidency. But she is evil and deserves to go to jail.
Xdeddc
She didn't. Get fucked. Please go away.
ireadthatassomethingelse
You're so fucking stupid if you really don't think she did anything wrong. You should pull your stupid head out of your stupid ass!
TigerThong
she had a dbl digit lead until then. I think that f'd her cause the average american deemed her a criminal again with out understanding
Comet260
The problem is the two-minute attention span in this nation. The mainstream media knows how to manipulate that shit like nobody's business.
TigerThong
and they believe ANYTHING. lets make america great again... We have 300% gain in stock market 8 years of job growth... Whats wrong where?
Khaotix11
It's true, but info like that shouldn't be withheld.
TheFinalDoctor
agreed
Morladim
You mean nothing? Because that was what was in the emails
SamaelTheVenomOfGod
It's not the action, it's the timing. He should be fired for that.
Spongybunny
There was no info to withhold. Nothing new, nothing about Hillary, nothing at all, but he announced it like "she's guilty of something".
ashmenon
It also shouldn't be prematurely announced. That you MIGHT have something is not worthy of announcement.
Khaotix11
Yes but we're talking about someone who put government emails on a private server, and then destroyed it all when people found out.
ashmenon
A matter that the FBI had already thoroughly investigated based on due process. And they were right for that part, yes.
ZtZebaztian
All of that alone was enough to convict her - the FBI did her a huge favor by not pursuing charges. They made up for it, I feel.
xSquirrelly
You misspelled final FBI investigation right before the election.
CirclejerqueDuSoleil
(which, by the way, found nothing incriminating on her (unless you count her apparent inability to use a printer))
xSquirrelly
They already had all the emails, but it didn't matter. The American public only hears the charges and makes their own judgements immediately
Leithoa
If you read the statement from the original investigation, she's guilty, they deliberately chose not to prosecute.
CirclejerqueDuSoleil
"None of the remaining emails rose to a level that would cause agents to reconsider whether Clinton or her aides had knowingly (1/2)
Leithoa
110 e-mails in 52 e-mail chains have been determined by the owning agency to contain classified information at the time they were sent.
CirclejerqueDuSoleil
mishandled classified information." —Federal law enforcement official (2/2)
Leithoa
9)& been prosecuted for less. Even if they were all personnel, having lawyers delete emails to prevent investigation is obstruction
Leithoa
7)violate laws governing the handling of classified information, there is evidence that they were extremely careless
Leithoa
3)36 chains contained Secret information at the time; and eight contained Confidential information, which is the lowest level ...
Leithoa
2)or received. Eight of those chains contained information that was Top Secret at the time they were sent;
Leithoa
5)and that are now gone because they deleted all e-mails they did not return to State, and the lawyers cleaned
Leithoa
4)It is also likely that there are other work-related e-mails that they did not produce to State and that we did not find elsewhere...
Leithoa
8)in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information. - FBI Director Comey. Many people have lost their clearance & been
Leithoa
6)their devices in such a way as to preclude complete forensic recovery....Although we did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or
TigerThong
The FBI clearly fucked her with announcing the wiener incident. Clearly partisan politics in the FBI. She had a dbl digit lead until then
blufly
you don't get it. the polls were faked. she never had a lead. just close contention.
TigerThong
the polls were with in the margin of error. The double digit lead was legit
dayMan2
Those polls were so wrong even throughout the primaries. Spirit-cooking showed a bigger difference in the 'polls' than the FBI announcement
TigerThong
the polls were with in the margin of error. soooo go on
LeroyShabazAli
I had a wiener incident myself recently.
LeftHandPanda
This is really well written. Makes change from seeing "The world is fucked" everywhere.
FazeRitz
Right! I'd let this man run my country.
IceBankMiceElf69
It's nice to see some analysis as opposed to pure panic.
TheInternetIsSeriousBusiness
Pseudo-analysis, but entertaining nonetheless.
ResistanceIsFutile
Yes, pure panic for families affected by this decision. I want to jump ship and leave the country, weʻre looking at an increase in violence.
ResistanceIsFutile
Trumpʻs anti-acknowledgement of climate change makes me fear the damage heʻll do by motivating his following to do the opposite of nothing.
beeratius
Oh I got some, here: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trump-picks-top-climate-skeptic-to-lead-epa-transition/
derppnukem
Here comes bush 2.0
LondonSing
My entire facebook feed is full of people cursing white people and talking about how we're now essentially the third reich. It's retarded.
Lebiram
Same, I'm not going to bother with Facebook with the next few days.
IceBankMiceElf69
Username very relevant. But agreed. And meanwhile they wonder why white people voted against the one calling them racist.
ProfessionalTurtle
Trump had a variety of different points to attract frustrated Americans. Race relations was just one of them.
POWAAAAAAAAAAAAR
Then wouldn't we be the Fourth Reich tho? I mean contrary to your username, we can't be the best Reich again.
Tators11
Yeah and I got called a racist, sexist, homophobe by my "friends" for voting for him... How "tolerant" of them.
cepacolusmaximus
So, you support a racist misogynist homophobe for president, and expect people to just say "that's nice?"
Remne
You're not necessarily any of the three but I can't possibly fathom the reasoning behind voting for Trump. Could you explain?
Tators11
Thats fine, I can understand not voting for him either, he really is a terrible person... But most of his economic plans seem good (1)
Soundoftesticles
Thanks. Very interesting to read. Well written and simple
zoolian
If you're interested in similar thoughts to OP's about how Trump went about winning, look up Scott Adams' blog; he goes in depth on this
hehihe
Your're perfectly right. Not many people can think like this, and write it so nicely. Oh man! This world is fucked...
cepacolusmaximus
But the world IS still fucked.
Azrael715
I'll be honest, this is coming from an outsider (UK) and I never cared about either Trump or Hillary, but I don't think it'll be as bad 1/2
Momsteroftwo
I have a quick ? For you. I read everywhere that Europe was very against Trump. Have you found this to be true?
Azrael715
Well, I have a very small outlook on the world (still at school) but, I've never really heard anyone talk about him, it was mainly 1/2
Azrael715
16-17 year olds talking about the election, everyone else didn't seem to care too much about who won. We were busy with Brexit
Azrael715
As everyone thinks, as he won't be able to just say that there is going to be a wall around America, and it'll just happen, right? 2/2
cepacolusmaximus
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trump-picks-top-climate-skeptic-to-lead-epa-transition
vauhtihirmu
I understand he could do some serious damage to US climate policy, which could screw the world.
JebediahJones
All I could think about near the end there was "Trump played the man card and banished Hillary to the shadow realm"
rando84
Trump is the Joker to Hillary's Batman. Paul Ryan can't fill that role and Obama is leaving for retirement...in the absence of powerful 1/2
rando84
enemies to rail against, he'll be judged on the substance of his policies & economic results, which does not bode well for him. 2/2
IAmNotAShoe
ITS TIME TO DU-DU-DU-DUAL!
JesusHorsedickChrist
Duel*
maroar
http://i66.tinypic.com/ohkd51.jpg
phdinhorribleness
Does anyone have Swords of Revealing Light to freeze everything for the next 4 years?
HungryPumpkn
YOU'LL NEVER GET MY REPUBLICAN PUZZLE!
DeathStarTechSupport
Bernie had a blue eyes white dragon. Missed opportunity.
greekolives
Bernie was never seriously vetted, that's a silly thing to say.
basilpesto69
Pretty much
Commanderdrag
*Kitchen realm
SheWhoRunsWithRaptors
It's more like the purple realm
lostnortherner
Can we get Eleven back out of the vale of shadows so she can fight the trumpagorgon
ComradePutinCCCP1917
Does that mean Trump is Arceus
Gonz000
https://youtu.be/8qIQbydyHwc
JesseSlayer
YOU ACTIVATED MY TRUMP CARD!
Tkeleth
hey you double-dipping motherfucker, this comment was actually so clever I'll updoot this one too. lol
JebediahJones
You only get one upvote and I already gave it to the other one.
epom
I voted Trump for same reasons as post and don't like seeing nasty people being salty but a good joke +1 Trump bot gif was great too.
Jusmar
You have lost due to the effects of "Tump the Forbidden One"
ZoneAdAstra
Good ol Dornald Tump
Jusmar
Erh mah gerd Dornald Tump
dogsi
No. The problem is that Hillary's only car was the woman card and that wasn't enough to carry her. Trump played the white card and won.
odraencoded
"I'll play the man card which allows me to draw 2:1 votes."
NotoriousDoubleDipper
Should have been 1:0.77 votes.
williteverstop
Yet she won the popular....
THExPILLOx
you don't understand american politics very well, do you?
greekolives
I think the implication is, the claim that one candidate had more enthusiasm + was better ring hollow when that candidate got fewer votes.
williteverstop
No, I do. I was commenting on the 2:1 votes. 228:279 is not 2:1, so they must be referring to the popular vote, which she won.
williteverstop
My understanding of how our President is elected, is fine. American politics, not many truly understand it, so I am not alone in that.
JesseSlayer
YOU ACTIVATED MY TRUMP CARD!
Ryebread91
Not so fast! I activate monster reborn and bring back my Bernie Sanders!
MOTHERFUCKINGBIRDJESUS
I PLAY MY POT OF GREED CARD
JesseSlayer
UH? WHAT DOES POT OF GREED DO? WE HAVEN'T EXPLAINED IT 5 TIMES THIS EPISODE!
MOTHERFUCKINGBIRDJESUS
IT ALLOWS ME TO DRAW 2 CARDS FROM MY DECK AND END MY TURN!
MettalViking
Oh my god. That's the most powerful card in the entire game!
ThatsAnUnusualImage
But that card doesn't end the turn...
happyadams
I would've just once like to see someone draw three cards, like what could you do against that? Yugi has literally battled GODS before(1)
Tkeleth
this comment is under-appreciated, needs updoots
SuckItBlue
Well you just activated my ALUCARD.
kuriosly
Dandy Man plays Aircraft Carrier: It's super effective
alucardhellsing
Did someone say my name?
fe1od1or
TheGuyWhoBeatsHisMeat
IncreasingChaos
Hellsing abridged is the best
SuckItBlue
#fuckmotheringvampire2016
TacoRising
Yeeaaahhhh! THE CRIMSON FUCKER!
Bobbyr
#bitcheslovecannons
GrandmasterAtArms
Hey Dandy Man....
[deleted]
[deleted]
GrandmasterAtArms
Oh, you are just a treat.
fe1od1or
*muffled grunt of terror*
SuckItBlue
You lost.
stephron
Didn't he call him Dandy Dick?
SuckItBlue
He called him dandy man right after he beat him, right before he drank all of his blood.
SuckItBlue
"Hey dandy man." "Uhh?" "You lost" "uh huh" "and now I have to read your mind" "uhhh??" "By drinking all of your blood!"