2016 elections - because it's never too early

[Zanza]

Does Trump have a natural constituency in congress?

[jimmy olsen]

Does Trump have a natural constituency in congress?

Nope

[dps]

Does Trump have a natural constituency in congress?

Nope

Probably not, but I'm still amazed at the idea that he has a constituency among the voting public. 

Of course, no on has actually voted for him yet, but the polls certainly suggest that a considerable number of people will.

[alfred russel]

That is the frustrating part about Sanders.  He identifies the right problems, but falls back to solutions that have often proved to be self-defeating.

That and he has no natural constituency in congress.  One of the positives of political parties is they can enforce discipline and get things done.  However, since he has no real loyalty to the party, there is no reason to believe that Congressmen will have any real loyalty toward him.

The power of a president with members of his (or her) party in congress doesn't primarily come from the affinity congressmen have toward him (or her), it comes from the power he (or she) has with the base of the party. If democrats are fired up enough about Bernie Sanders to elect him president, he will do just fine with his party in congress because democratic politicians will not want to piss off the voters on which they depend.

[The Minsky Moment]

Speaking about protectionism in the presidential campaign:

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump warned that he would force Apple, the U.S.'s most profitable company, to manufacture all of its products in the U.S. if he is elected president in November 2016.

Technology blog Gizmodo reports that during a speech at Liberty University in Virginia late Monday, the frontrunner for the GOP ticket said, "We're going to get Apple to build their damn computers and things in this country instead of in other countries."

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/19/

[Eddie Teach]

I know it's very impractical, but I like it anyway. 

[DGuller]

To be devil's advocate, aren't Chinese using some strong-arm tactics to make sure stuff gets produced in their country?  It's not protectionism if you're responding to protectionism or retaliating.

[Jaron]

The media is afraid of Trump. I've read two articles now that grossly exaggerated reactions to him. One said he was boo'd for dissing Ted Cruz and the other said students were laughing at him (in a mocking way) at a university. I watched the videos and he was boo'd by two people and barely anyone laughed at him.

I think this will be an interesting election.

I think Trump's supporters will be very disappointed in his presidency. It is interesting that they say the corruption in Washington DC is the problem and think somehow Trump can "fire" them. If the politicians in DC are all slathered up in pork and catering to big business, what can Trump do to change it?

It is funny to me that they say Trump can't be bought and no one is pulling his strings but if you take any other political they hate and follow the strings to the puppet master then you find someone like Trump.

[Razgovory]

Does Trump have a natural constituency in congress?

  Of course not.  I think that's what's endear both Sanders and Trump to people, they are outsiders.  That and they promise the moon, they either don't know what the President can and can't do or that just don't give a fuck.  But even if they didn't promise the moon, and moderated their programs they couldn't get shit through.  Congress doesn't work well as it is, neither Trump or Sanders are likely to make things better.

[Phillip V]

John Kasich seems to be gaining momentum in New Hampshire.  I actually thought he did well in last week's debate; not a star, but sane and sensible.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/nh/new_hampshire_republican_presidential_primary-3350.html

[alfred russel]

John Kasich seems to be gaining momentum in New Hampshire.  I actually thought he did well in last week's debate; not a star, but sane and sensible.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/nh/new_hampshire_republican_presidential_primary-3350.html

Part of me wants to see Kasich do well because he seems reasonable, but I also want to see him do well because it is entertaining when a new threat arises on Trump's radar and he rips them a new asshole. Hey, maybe our country is collapsing, but at least it is entertaining.

[lustindarkness]

Sarah Palin endorses Trump. The Crazy ticket?

[Legbiter]

Does Trump have a natural constituency in congress?

  Of course not.  I think that's what's endear both Sanders and Trump to people, they are outsiders.

Trump vs. Sanders would be glorious. 

[garbon]

Sarah Palin endorses Trump. The Crazy ticket?

I like CNN going on about how great this is for him.

And really lends creedence to Trump just seeing how crazy he can get before people actually have had enough.

[Admiral Yi]

The governor of Iowa has asked people not to vote for Cruz, presumably because he opposes ethanol subsidies.