This is hardly surprising. I am happy to see that Jeb's numbers are dismally low, and it's just my own opinion, and therefore by no means a provable fact, but it rather seems to me that Mr. Jeb is the champion of those displacing us in our own country, and not our friend at all.

Correct me if I'm wrong...

Solar, well argued and fair enough.
A caveat for Ted Cruz. He needs to be aware that Trump's mean streak is always lurking . Consider the following. Cruz overtakes him in the national polls and Trump is at a campaign rally before his raucous followers asking;
"You're heard about that Texas Guy, Cruz?" Predictable hoots and shouts from the crowd. Next he asks;
"So who is the real anti-establishment candidate from day one?" More hoots, shouts and applause. Next he says;
"You know this Cruz guy has been in DC forever but he insists he's not part of the establishment.
Just who is he kidding." Next Trump tells the audience some tale, either made up or real, about Cruz making a deal to get some piece of legislation passed.
Ted Cruz needs to be ready for something like this because it's Trump at his most audacious.

Quote from: Walter Josh on December 08, 2015, 10:44:50 AM
Solar, well argued and fair enough.
A caveat for Ted Cruz. He needs to be aware that Trump's mean streak is always lurking . Consider the following. Cruz overtakes him in the national polls and Trump is at a campaign rally before his raucous followers asking;
"You're heard about that Texas Guy, Cruz?" Predictable hoots and shouts from the crowd. Next he asks;
"So who is the real anti-establishment candidate from day one?" More hoots, shouts and applause. Next he says;
"You know this Cruz guy has been in DC forever but he insists he's not part of the establishment.
Just who is he kidding." Next Trump tells the audience some tale, either made up or real, about Cruz making a deal to get some piece of legislation passed.
Ted Cruz needs to be ready for something like this because it's Trump at his most audacious.

Rhetoric. If Trump brings that up in a debate, Cruz will eat him alive, and here's why.

http://conservativepoliticalforum.com/political-discussion-and-debate/cruz-the-bipartisan-little-know-facts-about-cruz/msg269053/#msg269053

Quote from: Solar on December 08, 2015, 01:40:42 PM
Rhetoric. If Trump brings that up in a debate, Cruz will eat him alive, and here's why.

http://conservativepoliticalforum.com/political-discussion-and-debate/cruz-the-bipartisan-little-know-facts-about-cruz/msg269053/#msg269053

I believe every GOP candidate understands that taking Cruz on directly is a losing proposition. Trump is a clown, but he is no dummy. Dummies don't have their own 757's.

Quote from: supsalemgr on December 08, 2015, 01:48:19 PM
I believe every GOP candidate understands that taking Cruz on directly is a losing proposition. Trump is a clown, but he is no dummy. Dummies don't have their own 757's.

Yeah, that's why I say its just rhetoric.
Cruz record as a Conservative is near perfect, while Trump's is packed full of leftist donations.
In the end Trump will endorse Cruz, and here's why I believe this to be the case.

Trump for the first time in his life is admired for standing up for something, instead of always being seen as the bad guy (eg. Kelo).
To go on the attack at this stage of the game would start to erode his support, but to stay on Cruz's good side as Cruz inevitably rises in he polls and seizing the election, allows Trump to take the high road and keep all the good will he's garnered from his time on the campaign trail.

Has anybody investigated this 'billionaire', Mike Fernandez?

As far as I know, a private citizen can't propagate defamatory-ads against a candidate in various States.  That's Defamation Of Character.  A civil crime.  To avoid defamatory language, Fernandez can only say 'Don't Vote For Trump', basically.  That's stupid... and a stupid waste of money for full-page ads. 

or
Don't vote for Trump or you'll make me angry.
Don't vote for Trump or you'll make me vote for Hillary.

Hey, Mike... tell your ego that Goodyear called.  They want their blimp back.

Even in The Miami Herald's article, they provide the incident of Fernandez withdrawing (donor) support from Rick Scott because Scott-staffers made a joke using Latino-accents.  That's pretty thin-skinned. 

Fernandez is shaping-up to be a self-appointed king-maker, dangling a cash-roll on a fishing-pole in front potential suckers.

His auto-biography is titled:  I Want To Be Remembered For What I've Given...  Really, Mike?  How subtle.

Here's today's Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/elections-2016/article48446165.html

   

Quote from: Solar on December 08, 2015, 02:10:12 PM
Yeah, that's why I say its just rhetoric.
Cruz record as a Conservative is near perfect, while Trump's is packed full of leftist donations.
In the end Trump will endorse Cruz, and here's why I believe this to be the case.

Trump for the first time in his life is admired for standing up for something, instead of always being seen as the bad guy (eg. Kelo).
To go on the attack at this stage of the game would start to erode his support, but to stay on Cruz's good side as Cruz inevitably rises in he polls and seizing the election, allows Trump to take the high road and keep all the good will he's garnered from his time on the campaign trail.

I am afraid the GOP is on the verge of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory again. They need to back off of the criticism of Trump. I understand the opposition to Trump's blanket no Muslim declaration, but don't attack him so directly. Their worst nightmare is Trump going independent. He has enough loyal supporters and their defection from the GOP would be a gift to Hillary. I have faith the electorate will eventually take care of Trump.

Quote from: supsalemgr on December 09, 2015, 04:44:06 AM
I am afraid the GOP is on the verge of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory again. They need to back off of the criticism of Trump. I understand the opposition to Trump's blanket no Muslim declaration, but don't attack him so directly. Their worst nightmare is Trump going independent. He has enough loyal supporters and their defection from the GOP would be a gift to Hillary. I have faith the electorate will eventually take care of Trump.

Nah, let Trump run 3rd party. His so called base (roughly half) is only there for retribution for what the Establishment did, but they aren't willing to punish America just to make a point.
I think Trump's base is a real mix of America, mostly LIV, a lot of libs a goodly chunk of voters that vowed to never vote GOP again.
But all that would change on a dime if he claimed 3rd party status. Everyone with 10% working brain recognizes that as a sign of failure, taking ones ball and leaving the game.

Yeah, for Trump to pull such a spoiled brat move, would literally send half his support running to Cruz in a flash, the rest weren't ever going to vote GOP anyway.
Trump can bluster and threaten all he likes, but in the end he'll come off as a traitor for attempting to throw the ticket to another Marxist.
Nah, Trump wants to leave this election like that of a beloved King, to do otherwise, would be a death sentence to his business and reputation.

Quote from: kit saginaw on December 08, 2015, 03:24:16 PM
As far as I know, a private citizen can't propagate defamatory-ads against a candidate in various States.  That's Defamation Of Character.  A civil crime.  To avoid defamatory language, Fernandez can only say 'Don't Vote For Trump', basically.  That's stupid... and a stupid waste of money for full-page ads. 

Sure they can.  Public figures up for election get a lot less protection against slander because the other side of that is protected political speech.

Assuming he set up a pac or superpac, it'll even be a tax write off.

Quote from: Solar on December 09, 2015, 05:08:42 AM
Nah, let Trump run 3rd party. His so called base (roughly half) is only there for retribution for what the Establishment did, but they aren't willing to punish America just to make a point.
I think Trump's base is a real mix of America, mostly LIV, a lot of libs a goodly chunk of voters that vowed to never vote GOP again.
But all that would change on a dime if he claimed 3rd party status. Everyone with 10% working brain recognizes that as a sign of failure, taking ones ball and leaving the game.

Completely agree.  Think about who is in that 68% that said they would still vote for him.  Right now, they are ardent Trump supporters.  Of course they will say anything to help him when talking to a pollster.  I'm sure many would actually bail on election day if he went third party.


Whenever you see Trump in the news, just remember that his whole gimmic is being in the spotlight.  It's nearly a political super power that he has mastered.  He is absolutely brilliant at saying things that will put him on the front page. 

Quote from: mhughes on December 09, 2015, 05:24:52 AM

Whenever you see Trump in the news, just remember that his whole gimmic is being in the spotlight.  It's nearly a political super power that he has mastered.  He is absolutely brilliant at saying things that will put him on the front page.

Yep, and if one steps back and takes in all of Trump, they quickly realize, that's all he is, pure showman and all rhetoric.
Truth is, Trump has zero substance.

Quote from: Solar on December 09, 2015, 05:40:43 AM
Yep, and if one steps back and takes in all of Trump, they quickly realize, that's all he is, pure showman and all rhetoric.
Truth is, Trump has zero substance.

Trump has frightening substance!  When you look back at his headline grabbing statements they show him to be a "shoot from the hip" blowhard.  There is no telling what he will actually DO if elected.  He is totally untrustworthy and will say whatever it takes to get elected.  If elected he will likely change his tune on a lot of things and weasel out of most promises that people are voting for!  He is a complete blowhard!

Understand the dislike many express for Trump which has been well earned by him, given the numerous inflammatory statements he has made. Nevertheless, the sage counsel of two very wise men is appropriate.
*Sun Tzu asserted that knowing your enemy is mandatory in order to be victorious. How many know Trump rather than knowing about Trump from the gossip, hearsay and rumor that passes for information across our corrupt and desiccated media? For starters, one does not become wealthy by luck. Additionally, a key prerequisite for entrepreneurial success is the wisdom to be able to discern character and competence when choosing subordinates.
*Machiavelli asked, "Is it better the leader be loved or feared?" The Romans answered that question for all time. How many think Trump cares squat whether he is loved or even liked? He is an agent of change that has terrified the establishment, hence their visceral contempt and loathing. Observation here is that, despite his many warts, Trump has galvanized the electorate. As such, he ain't going away anytime soon, particularly given his so called competition.
 

Quote from: Walter Josh on December 09, 2015, 05:47:57 PM
Understand the dislike many express for Trump which has been well earned by him, given the numerous inflammatory statements he has made. Nevertheless, the sage counsel of two very wise men is appropriate.
*Sun Tzu asserted that knowing your enemy is mandatory in order to be victorious. How many know Trump rather than knowing about Trump from the gossip, hearsay and rumor that passes for information across our corrupt and desiccated media? For starters, one does not become wealthy by luck. Additionally, a key prerequisite for entrepreneurial success is the wisdom to be able to discern character and competence when choosing subordinates.
*Machiavelli asked, "Is it better the leader be loved or feared?" The Romans answered that question for all time. How many think Trump cares squat whether he is loved or even liked? He is an agent of change that has terrified the establishment, hence their visceral contempt and loathing. Observation here is that, despite his many warts, Trump has galvanized the electorate. As such, he ain't going away anytime soon, particularly given his so called competition.

Walter, it's blatantly obvious you know next to nothing about Trump, the guy that inherited his first fortune, as well as business contacts, the guy that only recently became a Pub just to run for office.
The same guy that claims to be for the little guy willing to fight oppressive govt, tried to use Kelo to strong arm private land from a widow.
Or how about how he simply changes his stance to fit what his flock demands in the way of policy?

I'm "fine" with affirmative action, for now. (Oct 2015)
After Supreme Court vote, gay marriage is a reality. (Aug 2015)
Same-sex marriage is a state issue. (Jun 2015)
No gay marriage; no same-sex partner benefits. (Mar 2011)
Tolerate diversity; prosecute hate crimes against gays. (Jul 2000)

Capital punishment isn't uncivilized; murderers living is. (Jul 2000)
Death penalty deters like violent TV leads kids astray. (Jul 2000)

Study legalization, but don't legalize now. (Nov 2015)
Yes to medical marijuana; otherwise, decide state by state. (Oct 2015)

I'm not accepting any money from anybody. (Sep 2015)
Between July 1 and Sept. 30, Trump's campaign says it received 73,942 unsolicited donations, pumping $3.8 million into his campaign coffers.
Are you starting to see a pattern yet?

The founder of the Trump real estate enterprise was Fredrick, a Bronx boy and his heir apparent was his son Robert, who died early and prematurely. During the transition, the Trump estate was managed by Donald and his sisters, which was the source of his early wealth; some $75,000,000. Decades later that figure is some $7,500,000,000, a hundred fold increase; all due to miraculous good luck no doubt. For the record, I personally have known both Ivana and her daughter Ivanka, for more than 15 years.

Quote from: Walter Josh on December 09, 2015, 08:15:22 PM
The founder of the Trump real estate enterprise was Fredrick, a Bronx boy and his heir apparent was his son Robert, who died early and prematurely. During the transition, the Trump estate was managed by Donald and his sisters, which was the source of his early wealth; some $75,000,000. Decades later that figure is some $7,500,000,000, a hundred fold increase; all due to miraculous good luck no doubt. For the record, I personally have known both Ivana and her daughter Ivanka, for more than 15 years.

That's still unproven, as I understand it.