Why do you Support Trump?

[KeithE]

For those of you who support Trump, what positive do you see in him or his program.

I have asked a couple this question and will ask it more.

1. One widow, bridge player, ex- teacher in rural Alabama said “we should support the President whoever it is”.
2. A recently retired Corp of Engineer executive, a good friend (church, golf, many lunches, Emmaus cohort) says "he is getting rid of regulations that are choking us”.

Please add your thoughts and ask others if you would.

[Dave Roberts]

Last week, I heard this from a Virginian with links to mining. "He is bringing king coal back to the throne."

[William Thornton]

In a sense, the bridge club widow is right, though support is not absolute. The problem with the trumphaters is that they want to overturn a legitimately elected president. I have no problem with disagreements on policy.

I generally agree with the engineer, at least the perception is present on that subject, and the general economic improvement, consumer attitudes, etc.

Depends on whose running in 2020.

The problem you have, Keith, is that you come across as asking legit questions but underneath it is utter contempt for anyone who would do anything but lynch Trump. 'How could all these rednecks and rubes elect this guy', is the approach.

It's all on display here...daily. I wouldn't have voted for Obama in a millenium but didn't spend all my waking hours trashing him.

[Sandy]

In a sense, the bridge club widow is right, though support is not absolute. The problem with the trumphaters is that they want to overturn a legitimately elected president.

Nope. If he were legitimately elected, I'd suffer through the incompetence and immorality, as long as the behavior didn't cross the same line the Republicans once thought Clinton did. As you said you had to suffer through the Obama administration, if this president were legitimate, I'd do the same, criticizing every lie, incompetent act or inept behavior along the way. I suffered through eight years of incompetence and incompetence during the Bush administration, and never advocated for impeachment, though there were questions about the legitimacy of his election, too. But legitimacy is a constitutionally defined term, and aside from the crimes he's already committed that make him illegitimate and disqualified to serve, there is the looming question of what has been established by substantial evidence that he was not legitimately elected, whether he was involved with the Russians in that operation or not.

[KeithE]

The problem you have, Keith, is that you come across as asking legit questions but underneath it is utter contempt for anyone who would do anything but lynch Trump. 'How could all these rednecks and rubes elect this guy', is the approach.

You totally misread me. I'm legitimately asking why do supporters support this guy especially after all the criminal misdeeds he has done, the lying he practices, and the ugly talk he displays. If we understood why all that is forgiven among his supporters (40%ers), maybe the misplaced hopes and dreams of Trump voters could be filled with positive themes (perhaps “pocketbook" related, perhaps "patriotism right or wrong”) by someone else. Just trying to understand.

Not showing “utter contempt” towards these people; that I reserve for Trump and those people who ignore DATA

So, here is your chance, William. Although you have seconded persons 1. and 2. thoughts, you may have a thought yourself.

BTW, those two people remain friends and neither are “rednecks" or “rubes". Both rather sophisticated actually as is my usual bridge partner who was a Trump voter but has grown to dislike his “crudeness”. If I have a chance when I play with him this week, I'll ask him the question directly:

"what positive do you see in Trump or his program”

We generally eschew politic talk because we know we disagree and spend much time together (e.g at tournaments)

It's all on display here...daily. I wouldn't have voted for Obama in a millenium but didn't spend all my waking hours trashing him.

If you think I spend all my waking hours trashing Trump you are badly mistaken. I would guess you have not disparaged Obama as much as I have Trump - but I’d have to review your posts during Obama’s time to be sure. But then again, Obama did not do all the truly despicable/non-classy things Trump has done in office or prior to being in office. McCain had it right that Obama was an honorable, non-Arab, America citizen.

---- as a matter of record --------
I had hopes that Trump would turn out well in some ways soon after the election. I heartily approved of his $1T infrastructure plan which could still really help the middle/lower classes with construction jobs and help the economy (if those jobs are in the $15-$30/hour “livable” range). As I stated in a Nov 19, 2016 10:02 am post:

But will that translate into a good Presidency? I am still hopeful for economic benefits to the lower/middle class with a purported $1T over 10 years infrastructure program. I am waiting to see details, particularly if the workers wages will be increased or if the CEOs will pull in the majority of the new government bucks (the economic multiplier is much higher with lower/middle class increases - they tend to spend it supporting economic growth/tax revenues, not hoard it).

And I loved Trump's promise to get us out the Middle East. As stated in a Nov 24, 2016 10:01 am post:

I have some hopes that Trump will recall the majority of these troops to a more noble purpose that does not inflame greater hatred of the US. Time will tell.

To date, Trump has only helped himself (first and foremost), rich people like himself, and corporations. Of course he is spending most of his time watching Fox News, defending himself and playing golf.

[Joseph Patrick]

From Gerry Milligan...

William, you said, "It's all on display here...daily. I wouldn't have voted for Obama in a millenium (sic) but didn't spend all my waking hours trashing him." While I appreciate what you said about not trashing President Obama, why would you not ever vote for him? Is it because of LBJ getting the voting rights passed (as many, even LBJ, acknowledging the losing of the South?) Or does the answer reside in Michael Emerson's publication, "Divided by Faith, Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race? To quote you "Inquiring minds want to know."

[William Thornton]

From Gerry Milligan...

William, you said, "It's all on display here...daily. I wouldn't have voted for Obama in a millenium (sic) but didn't spend all my waking hours trashing him." While I appreciate what you said about not trashing President Obama, why would you not ever vote for him? Is it because of LBJ getting the voting rights passed (as many, even LBJ, acknowledging the losing of the South?) Or does the answer reside in Michael Emerson's publication, "Divided by Faith, Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race? To quote you "Inquiring minds want to know."

Has nothing to do with LBJ. Has nothing to do with race. You're so far afield I doubt we could even have the conversation.

[Joseph Patrick]

From Gerry Milligan...

William, you said, "It's all on display here...daily. I wouldn't have voted for Obama in a millenium (sic) but didn't spend all my waking hours trashing him." While I appreciate what you said about not trashing President Obama, why would you not ever vote for him? Is it because of LBJ getting the voting rights passed (as many, even LBJ, acknowledging the losing of the South?) Or does the answer reside in Michael Emerson's publication, "Divided by Faith, Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race? To quote you "Inquiring minds want to know."

Has nothing to do with LBJ. Has nothing to do with race. You're so far afield I doubt we could even have the conversation.

So, that is your answer? Ducking?

[Neil Heath]

William, I didn't read Keith's question as being biased. I took it as a genuine desire to understand.

Now if he had asked, "Why do you still support Trump?" I would see that as betraying a bias.

[William Thornton]

From Gerry Milligan...

William, you said, "It's all on display here...daily. I wouldn't have voted for Obama in a millenium (sic) but didn't spend all my waking hours trashing him." While I appreciate what you said about not trashing President Obama, why would you not ever vote for him? Is it because of LBJ getting the voting rights passed (as many, even LBJ, acknowledging the losing of the South?) Or does the answer reside in Michael Emerson's publication, "Divided by Faith, Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race? To quote you "Inquiring minds want to know."

Has nothing to do with LBJ. Has nothing to do with race. You're so far afield I doubt we could even have the conversation.

So, that is your answer? Ducking?

Why presume race? That's a sure way to show you have more interest in your wild conjectures than what my views might be.

[Joseph Patrick]

From Gerry Milligan...

William, honestly I was not accusing you of racism, but both examples that I cited have to do with racism in the south. I am actually interested as to why you would never vote for him. That was the question, you read more into it than was intended. But, I notice you still have not justified your comment.

[William Thornton]

But you implied that racism was the reason and it was specifically directed at me. You are smart enough to understand that.

I wouldn't vote for hil in 10,000 years. Am I sexist as well?

[Joseph Patrick]

But you implied that racism was the reason and it was specifically directed at me. You are smart enough to understand that.

I wouldn't vote for hil in 10,000 years. Am I sexist as well?

William, my two examples are valid. But were NOT directed at you specifically, but remain facts that are well known and verified. The reason my question was directed specifically at you was that YOU are the one who said you would not vote for Obama in a thousand years. As you will not (or is that cannot) answer a simple question, what are we left to think? And, given the Southern Baptist stance on a woman's place in church life, at first blush I would probably answer your last question as "yes."

[William Thornton]

But you implied that racism was the reason and it was specifically directed at me. You are smart enough to understand that.

I wouldn't vote for hil in 10,000 years. Am I sexist as well?

William, my two examples are valid. But were NOT directed at you specifically, but remain facts that are well known and verified. The reason my question was directed specifically at you was that YOU are the one who said you would not vote for Obama in a thousand years. As you will not (or is that cannot) answer a simple question, what are we left to think? And, given the Southern Baptist stance on a woman's place in church life, at first blush I would probably answer your last question as "yes."

Then, never mind. Apparently, you know all you need to know. Good luck.

[KeithE]

Asked my bridge partner (Jim) and he supports Trump primarily due to “Trump’s better climate for business”* which he regards as very important for people as well as the companies. Like the Corps of Engineers guy he likes the "relaxation of regulations". In addition he likes the cuts in business tax rates, and Trump’s stronger American stance on international trade (and is quite knowledgeable about that - told me several stories about China’s protectionist stances).

But he does not like how Trump has “conducted himself” - his "tactics at his rallies", his lack of hard work (always golfing, listening to news, tweeting), and treatment of immigrants (we need to let them in because "they help business" is his attitude).

Like me he could not vote for Hillary because of her laxness in handling classified material - “we’d be in jail if we did tenth of what she did”.

He is open on whether he would vote again for Trump (depends on who else is running and the Mueller investigation which will “very likely will end with Russian collusion of some sort"). He does not care about Trump’s previous business or sex life - “does not matter on his function as President".

Jim is a good guy - retired 71 year old, elder at his Presbyterian (PC-USA) church, was always a very good supervisor, and one of the best trajectory analysts literally in the world (the code he managed and used -STAMP- is the most used internationally). He is conservative in most of what he does (personal spending, politics, investing, bridge bidding, but not religiously). He lives in the most prestigious area in Huntsville - the Ledges. He worked for me for several years.

* quotes are his words as best I can remember.

[Joseph Patrick]

But you implied that racism was the reason and it was specifically directed at me. You are smart enough to understand that.

I wouldn't vote for hil in 10,000 years. Am I sexist as well?

William, my two examples are valid. But were NOT directed at you specifically, but remain facts that are well known and verified. The reason my question was directed specifically at you was that YOU are the one who said you would not vote for Obama in a thousand years. As you will not (or is that cannot) answer a simple question, what are we left to think? And, given the Southern Baptist stance on a woman's place in church life, at first blush I would probably answer your last question as "yes."

Then, never mind. Apparently, you know all you need to know. Good luck.

From Gerry Milligan...I do not think that I will ever know all that I need to know. If you do, more power to you. I will enjoy my life, I hope that you too might enjoy yours.