News Is Donald Trump Really Considering a Presidential Run in 2012?

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The discussion centers around the potential candidacy of Donald Trump for the presidency, with participants debating his viability as a candidate and the implications of his business background. Some argue that Trump's lack of political experience could hinder his chances, while others believe his outsider status and business acumen might appeal to voters dissatisfied with traditional politicians. Concerns are raised about Trump's history of bankruptcies and whether this would negatively impact his reputation as a businessman. The conversation also touches on the current political landscape, with predictions that the incumbent president may struggle for reelection if economic conditions do not improve. Participants express skepticism about Trump's ability to create jobs and question the effectiveness of his business strategies, while also discussing the broader implications of corporate influence in politics. Overall, the thread reflects a mix of skepticism and cautious optimism regarding Trump's potential run for office.
  • #101
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #102
MATLABdude said:
Apparently, it was started by his lawyer "unbeknownst to his boss"...

While that's possible, just that comment alone raises doubts of his and/or his team's integrity.
 
  • #103
mugaliens said:
While that's possible, just that comment alone raises doubts of his and/or his team's integrity.
Any Trump underling that does anything that could affect the Trump "brand" in the public eye is doing it with the Donald's full knowledge and approval. You can be sure of it.
 
  • #105
Greg Bernhardt said:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/02/10/trump.presidency/index.html?hpt=Sbin

The Donald would impose a 25% chinese tax. What do you think?

My first thought was, "How out to lunch is The Donald that he thinks the WTO would allow for protectionistic tariffs, or that withdrawal from the WTO would be a simple no-impact decision?"

Then I Googled, and it appears that there may be a loophole or few:
http://www.economicpopulist.org/con...ency-manipulation-amendment-senate-tax-bill-i
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-13/wto-rejects-chinese-complaint-against-u-s-s-anti-dumping-tariffs-on-tires.html

But across the board 25% hike, revocation of MFN status (which would probably have to occur for these measures to take place), or use of this as anything but another dog-whistle? I'll believe it when I see it.
 
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  • #106
speaking of winning pitching without stuff. have you ever watched tom glavine pitch?
 
  • #107
Greg Bernhardt said:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/02/10/trump.presidency/index.html?hpt=Sbin

The Donald would impose a 25% chinese tax. What do you think?

He's always been a negotiator - sometimes you need capture your rivals attention.

While he does have business experience (unlike the President) - he's more of a deal maker.

If the Congress becomes more accountable to the voters and reduces spending - Trump might be able to change the US mind-set from acceptance of the inevitability of a runaway welfare state and a bleak future to a revival of entrepreneurship (IMO).

Without a strong partnership with Congress (a clear Republican majority in House and Senate) - he'd be a trainwreck in another direction (again IMO).
 
  • #108
Wow, Trump comes up with possibly the nuttiest ideas we've heard from a Presidential "candidate" in a while, and people are actually taking him seriously??!
 
  • #109
Gokul43201 said:
Wow, Trump comes up with possibly the nuttiest ideas we've heard from a Presidential "candidate" in a while, and people are actually taking him seriously??!
Are you referring to his 25% Chinese tariff idea in particular? If so, what is your threshold of nuttiness for import tariffs? 20%? 5%? 1%?
 
  • #110
Not the number specifically. Just the ideas and their justifications.

For starters, on China: "I see them as the enemy. They want to take over this country economically."

And on the OPEC: Of course, there's nobody here that calls them and says, 'Fellows, you better not do it. "

Do these strike you as statements of wisdom?
 
  • #111
mheslep said:
Are you referring to his 25% Chinese tariff idea in particular? If so, what is your threshold of nuttiness for import tariffs? 20%? 5%? 1%?

How about 49%. That was the McKinley tariff in the 1890's. In the short term, it was good for labor (which Republicans appealed to back in that day), but it also raised prices, which devastated farmers. That was a different era when high tariffs weren't considered so unusual.

It only meets its goals if there are domestic manufacturers able to meet demand, but they're being denied a spot in the market because of foreign competition. The very fact that domestic manufactureres are being denied a spot in the market place because of low prices should make it clear that tariffs have to result in higher prices if they're going to achieve their goal.

Of course, if other countries respond by raising their tariffs, then domestic manufacturers are once again denied a spot in the market because the entire market has just gotten smaller. Tariffs work when you're building an economy in the first place - they don't work to sustain your economy.

It sounds nice as a campaign slogan, but they usually don't pan out very well when you're the number one economy in the world that everyone copies.

It winds up mirroring the debate about corporate taxes. Regardless of what the corporate tax rate is in the US, other countries will set theirs just a little lower within a few years so raising or lowering them winds up having little effect on US businesses in spite of it often being a hot campaign issue.
 
  • #112
BobG said:
How about 49%. That was the McKinley tariff in the 1890's. In the short term, it was good for labor (which Republicans appealed to back in that day), but it also raised prices, which devastated farmers. That was a different era when high tariffs weren't considered so unusual.

It only meets its goals if there are domestic manufacturers able to meet demand, but they're being denied a spot in the market because of foreign competition. The very fact that domestic manufactureres are being denied a spot in the market place because of low prices should make it clear that tariffs have to result in higher prices if they're going to achieve their goal.

Of course, if other countries respond by raising their tariffs, then domestic manufacturers are once again denied a spot in the market because the entire market has just gotten smaller. Tariffs work when you're building an economy in the first place - they don't work to sustain your economy...
So on that basis you argue against tariffs for today's US?
 
  • #113
Gokul43201 said:
Not the number specifically. Just the ideas and their justifications.

For starters, on China: "I see them as the enemy. They want to take over this country economically."

And on the OPEC: Of course, there's nobody here that calls them and says, 'Fellows, you better not do it. "

Do these strike you as statements of wisdom?
No I don't think that's sound, though I reserve further comment without seeing the context. I've not see/heard those comments by Trump.
 
  • #114
They're from the CNN article posted upthread (the one that mentions the 25% tariff).
 
  • #115
Nothing personal to the OP, but my reaction to Trump running is paroxysmal laughter.
 
  • #116
my ideal republican ticket: sarah palin for pres and donald trump for vp. the sad part is i am not sure they would not win.
 
  • #117
In all honesty I wouldn't mind seeing a pop star as the president that way I can not be doubted when I say that one movie idiocracy or what ever was not a joke.
 
  • #118
Gokul43201 said:
Wow, Trump comes up with possibly the nuttiest ideas we've heard from a Presidential "candidate" in a while, and people are actually taking him seriously??!

My confidence in Trump's ability to be President is lower than the frequency of a sinusoidal curve of infinate wavelength.
 
  • #119
mugaliens said:
My confidence in Trump's ability to be President is lower than the frequency of a sinusoidal curve of infinate wavelength.

:smile: (and the following is a compliment)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gZEdDMQZaCU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hmmm... I can't seem to embedd the video. :sad:
 
  • #120
I think it would be great fun to watch Trump debate Obama.
 
  • #121
WhoWee said:
I think it would be great fun to watch Trump debate Obama.

That could be, but first he'll have to debate Ron Paul, and others. I'm REALLY looking forward to that... thank god for egomania.
 
  • #122
NO! I refuse to support Trump.

1) He is a scam artist who sells books such as "How To Be Rich" and "We Want You To Be Rich"

2) He went from Republican, to Reform, to Independent, to Democrat, to Republican. He is not a true consistent conservative; he is just shifting his sails for an opportunity to increase his fame.

I know he's a household name, and that appeals to apathetic voters, but there is no good reason to vote for him.
 
  • #123
jduster said:
NO! I refuse to support Trump.

1) He is a scam artist who sells books such as "How To Be Rich" and "We Want You To Be Rich"

2) He went from Republican, to Reform, to Independent, to Democrat, to Republican. He is not a true consistent conservative; he is just shifting his sails for an opportunity to increase his fame.

I know he's a household name, and that appeals to apathetic voters, but there is no good reason to vote for him.

Yep, and he's also got a history of bankrupting himself, then clawing back out... then seemingly making the same errors. Besides... we don't want the White House made over to look like one of Saddam's bathrooms.
 
  • #124
nismaratwork said:
:smile: (and the following is a compliment)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZEdDMQZaCU

Hmmm... I can't seem to embedd the video. :sad:

you only use the part of the URL that identifies which video
 
  • #125
My guess is that Trump's got the hairdresser, business reality show buff, economic self help book buff, multi-level marketing, and gambler votes at the outset. That's a lot of votes.

He could skew the primary results.
 
  • #126
Thanks Proton, I've since learned that in the 'Best Songs' threads

@ThomasT: I'd love to see him debate Sarah Palin. :biggrin:
 
  • #127
nismaratwork said:
@ThomasT: I'd love to see him debate Sarah Palin. :biggrin:
How about a tag team death cage ladder match: Trump and a beauty contestant of his choice vs Rosie O'Donnell and Palin.
 
  • #128
I could see implementing a tariff on China to counter their artificially devaluing their currency. Other tariffs I think are a bad idea.
 
  • #129
mheslep said:
So on that basis you argue against tariffs for today's US?

You think tariffs for the U.S. would be a good thing?
 
  • #130
Gokul43201 said:
Not the number specifically. Just the ideas and their justifications.

For starters, on China: "I see them as the enemy. They want to take over this country economically."

I think they do want to overtake us economically.

And on the OPEC: Of course, there's nobody here that calls them and says, 'Fellows, you better not do it. "

Do these strike you as statements of wisdom?

Not that one.

The statement he continually makes that bugs me is when he says, "This country doesn't make anything anymore" which is not true.
 
  • #131
History has proven protectionism wrong.
 
  • #132
CAC1001 said:
The statement he continually makes that bugs me is when he says, "This country doesn't make anything anymore" which is not true.

It's not only off the mark, it's 180 degrees in the opposite direction of reality. Articles:

http://moneywatch.bnet.com/economic...se-the-us-still-leads-in-making-things/2134/"- CBS MoneyWatch

http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20110220/BIZ01/302200016/Manufacturing-jobs-rise"- Cincinnati.com

Google turned up tons of similar articles, and I've read several along these lines in the Wall Street Journal

So, when Trump makes statements like "This country doesn't make anything anymore," what does that tell you about how badly out of touch with reality he really is?
 
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  • #133
ThomasT said:
How about a tag team death cage ladder match: Trump and a beauty contestant of his choice vs Rosie O'Donnell and Palin.

I'd pay PPV for that!
 
  • #134
It's going to be harder to sell the "death to economy" line too, when we just dropped below 9% unemployment.
 
  • #135
What if Trump were to change his hair style to, say, a very short crewcut requiring little or no maintenance? To some, this might represent a willingness and ability to change, and perhaps the promise of frugalness if elected. To others, flipfloppiness.

How might core components of his base constituency, eg., the hairdresser and comedy lobbies, react?
 
  • #136
ThomasT said:
What if Trump were to change his hair style to, say, a very short crewcut requiring little or no maintenance? To some, this might represent a willingness and ability to change, and perhaps the promise of frugalness if elected. To others, flipfloppiness.

How might core components of his base constituency, eg., the hairdresser and comedy lobbies, react?

I'd be more impressed if he didn't seem to think that "Saddam Chic" is still in, which is a better reflection in my view of him, than his hair. We're all subject to issues around the body... gilding your... EVERYTHING is usually a bad sign... like the MacDonald Triad. :smile:
 
  • #137
nismaratwork said:
I'd be more impressed if he didn't seem to think that "Saddam Chic" is still in, which is a better reflection in my view of him, than his hair. We're all subject to issues around the body... gilding your... EVERYTHING is usually a bad sign... like the MacDonald Triad. :smile:
Indeed. One must concur.:smile:
 
  • #141
WhoWee said:
Here's a phone interview with Trump - he discusses birth certificate and China.

http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/donald-trump-birther-obama/2011/03/24/id/390681

"“It’s a very simple situation,” Trump says in regard to the birth certificate issue. “I’d just like to see his birth certificate. "

I'd like to see his scalp without that blond racoon he has swirled over it, and find out how he lost in the CASINO business. :biggrin:
 
  • #142
nismaratwork said:
I'd like to see his scalp without that blond racoon he has swirled over it, and find out how he lost in the CASINO business. :biggrin:

I prefer not to see his scalp. As for the casino - junk bonds can be expensive.

I think he's going to dig in on this birth certificate issue. If you listen to the interview - he's also challenging the "transparency" with regards to transcripts.

Trump makes a reasonable argument. My 16 year old needed to show Dairy Queen her birth certificate - what is the big deal?
 
  • #143
WhoWee said:
I prefer not to see his scalp. As for the casino - junk bonds can be expensive.

I think he's going to dig in on this birth certificate issue. If you listen to the interview - he's also challenging the "transparency" with regards to transcripts.

Trump makes a reasonable argument. My 16 year old needed to show Dairy Queen her birth certificate - what is the big deal?

Heh, yeah junk bonds... good thing daddy had some $$$ to bail him in and out, in and out.

As for the birth certificate, I just can't take that seriously anymore... it's orders of magnitude less useful than speculating as to how W. might have stolen elections. Still... I was under the impression that he had sufficient proof of live birth.

Why not go further?... Well what's out there is enough IMO to convince a reasonable person, and those who are not reasonable could hardly be impressed by a piece of paper. Something tells me that conspiracy nuts have higher standards of proof than Dairy Queen...

...btw, if your daughter had a full driver's license, no need for the BC. A passport would work too... anyway...

... I get it, he's black, he's half Kenyan, and people are generally more biased and xenophobic than they realize. We've gone from a 2 term president that was as bad as any we've ever had, and more polarizing than any I can think of since Lincoln... to a young black man. Our economy has been in the dumpster, the world is changing, revolutions and war and natural disasters.

People are scared; some decide that the world is ending, and others are less exotic in their fear-fallout. Still, this is one result; it's not rational, not necessarily open to rational discourse, and inevitable. That an egotistical failure of human being like Trump could be anything except a cautionary tale and national joke is a bad sign of the times, and the degree to which the critical thinking of Americans has been compromised.
 
  • #144
nismaratwork said:
Something tells me that conspiracy nuts have higher standards of proof than Dairy Queen...

...btw, if your daughter had a full driver's license, no need for the BC. A passport would work too... anyway...

Employment related document requirements could have their own thread.
 
  • #145
Of course, Trump wasn't born in the US either
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20048318-503544.html?tag=pop

To be honest, none of my classmates from high school remember Trump. They all remember me, but none of them remember Trump. Except for that reality TV show, but do we even know that was filmed in the US?
 
  • #146
Office_Shredder said:
Of course, Trump wasn't born in the US either
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20048318-503544.html?tag=pop

To be honest, none of my classmates from high school remember Trump. They all remember me, but none of them remember Trump. Except for that reality TV show, but do we even know that was filmed in the US?

hmmmm...and on what continent was your school located?:biggrin:
 

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