"The Donald" says "millions of people" are waiting for his endorsement for US President! Who cares? Do YOU?
"The Donald" says "millions of people" are waiting for his endorsement for US President! Who cares? Do YOU?
Talk about EGO! I was stunned to read the Washington Post’s article with the lead, “To hear Donald Trump tell it, ‘millions of people’ are waiting for him to make an endorsement in the Republican presidential primary." I am NOT one of those “millions”! Are YOU?
The article continues, "...at some point, he says, he’ll likely grace a candidate with one — that is, unless he decides to run himself as an independent.”
I do understand that politicians do need to have very strong egos. (So do bloggers! HA!) What worries me is when the politician’s EGO soars to the point that it becomes the EGO of a “totalitarian” dictator, e.g., Benito Mussolini, Kim Jong-Il, Adolf Hitler. EGO can reflect the person’s personality which may exceed what is LEGALLY or POLITICALLY possible. I am becoming worried about “THE DONALD” – are YOU?
I believe it is valuable to become MORE aware of “THE DONALD” and recommend the Post’s article, “Political endorsements don’t mean a lot — unless you’re Donald Trump”!
I agree with the article’s assertion that political endorsements don’t mean a lot — unless you’re Donald Trump referring to Trump’s claim.
I agree with political scientist colleagues who say, “Trump’s outsized confidence in himself as both kingmaker and potential king should make any serious presidential candidate wary of being endorsed by him.”
The article continues, "Yet during the past few months, Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney have made the journey to Trump’s headquarters in New York to seek the The Donald’s blessing."
The article reminds readers of the fact that research shows most endorsements are of limited value to a candidate’s electoral fortunes and yet office seekers continue to chase them. Candidates tout them in campaign ads and show off their trophy backers at events and news conferences.
The very popular University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato is quoted, “the vast majority of individual endorsements are worth the vote of the endorser and, about half the time, the endorser’s spouse.” I agree – do YOU? Do “endorsements” have significant influence on your vote?
If you are interested in who has endorsed whom, read the article which catalogs endorsements for the GOP candidates.
Supporting its perspective that endorsements do NOT really have much influence, the article cites a Gallup poll, “In a 2007 Gallup poll, the latest numbers on the subject, 61 percent said endorsements from ‘prominent people’ are not important to their decisions, while 37 percent said they were important, including 16 percent who said they were very important. Democrats were somewhat more likely to say endorsements mattered.” Is the 2007 data outdated in 2011?
FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED! The article reports, “Late last week, Trump changed his party registration to unaffiliated.”
BELIEVE IT OR NOT: Michael D. Cohen, a spokesman for Trump announced yesterday explaining the change of registration by "The Donald," “Mr. Trump did this in order to preserve his right to run in the 2012 presidential race if he is not satisfied with who the Republican nominee is.” The spokesman claimed, “Trump will make decision his ‘sometime prior to the finale of “The Apprentice,” around the first week of June in 2012.’”
Talk about EGO! So, “The Donald” thinks that HE has the influence to “choose” the GOP candidate for US President in 2012? IF he does NOT “approve,” he will declare himself an INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE for US President! I would think Republicans throughout our USA would be OFFENDED.
"The Donald's" INDEPENDENT candidacy holds a fascinating potential dysfunctional dynamic for our American political system and the election of the President of our USA.
REALITY, “THE DONALD” would NOT be elected as an INDEPENDENT candidate. I assert that outcome with 99.44% certainty (apology to Ivory) knowing the value of the US Constitution’s principle of FEDERALISM protected by the ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
I believe the ELECTORAL COLLEGE is a KEY protector of the FEDERALISM of our US government and it is VERY IMPORTANT! You could use the links above to read more about “federalism” and/or “electoral college.”
I am somewhat relieved by the report of a Fox News poll last September, “71 percent of Republicans said it wouldn’t matter in their vote, 18 percent said it would make them less likely to support the candidate and 10 percent said they’d be more likely to vote for the endorsed candidate. Among the general public overall, Trump’s endorsement was seen as a net negative 31 percent to 6 percent, again with the overwhelming majority saying it made no difference (62 percent).”
And then, following up on the Fox News poll, the Post had a phone interview with “The Donald” and reported, “Trump, of course, disagreed that his endorsement would be harmful. Those millions are waiting to know what he thinks. ‘We all know that,’ he said, ‘whether it’s my views on China and OPEC and the world ripping us off and other issues.’” Really? Do YOU agree with “The Donald”? I do NOT!
The interview concluded with “The Donald” asserting, “I will be probably making an endorsement and I’m not in a rush to do it.” Are YOU listening to have the advice of “The Donald”? I am NOT!
I myself think that this attitude toward WE THE PEOPLE of the US and our election system is offensive.
My career-long mission for democracy/civics education has been based on a conviction that Abraham Lincoln really did accurately define the government of our US, “government of the PEOPLE, by the PEOPLE, for the PEOPLE.” I like the interpretation that when he spoke at Gettysburg on Thursday, November 19, 1863 (148 years ago last month – I did discuss that anniversary on November 19, 2011 asking,
“Are we fulfilling Lincoln’s challenges in THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS?”) So, WE THE PEOPLE are the KEY to our republic = representative government! Elections are very significant.
ELECTIONS must be organized and protected for ACTUAL REFLECTION of WE THE PEOPLE. This requires that campaigns for elective office MUST be required to be HONEST/CANDID in terms of message/content - Yes, telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth even by “Eagle Scouts."
And, campaigns for elective office MUST be required to be TRANSPARENT in terms of money - Every red cent MUST be accounted for in terms of WHO gave the money and where is that source located geographically.
While I agree with those who are willing to allow UNlimited money contributions, I do believe that every red cent needs to be accurately/honestly IDENTIFIED as to its source – that means: real name of donor, real geographic location of donor (NATIONAL SOURCE: domestic – USA or foreign – outside USA; IF WITHIN USA, then STATE SOURCE: domestic – within the state (e.g., WI) or foreign – outside the state). WE THE PEOPLE need to KNOW where the MONEY comes from. What do YOU think?
We are approaching the dawn of New Year 2012 which is a major ELECTION YEAR in our USA, including election of US President. In spite of the fact that I am a “politics junkie” (I confess!), I am already “tired” of the campaign cycle. Are YOU?
Here we go…
Mr. E.
John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Feb 8, 2012 at 3:55 a.m.
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The "Donald" endorses Romney.
After the endorsement, Romney is SMASHED in CO, MN, & MO.
Can you you say the ANTI endorsement effect that someone here mentioned!
Dec 30, 2011 at 2:25 a.m.
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Best way to track a big political race is via Intrade.
www.intrade.com
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The professionals, like myself, who put REAL $$$ on these races, speak WAY louder then anyone just giving their 'opinion'...It's far different when one has real $$$, and a real track record of picking winners, then just giving an 'opinion'. Political 'investing' is literally THEE easiest thing to make very solid ROI on. especially in big hype races, like Presidential ones..It does not take much skill to figure a race as long as you can see a race objectively, which most cannot, because they have a dog in the fight.
Dec 29, 2011 at 5:40 a.m.
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I noted that the Post article cited LARRY J. SABATO. I read Sabato's widely read and cited "Sabato's Crystal Ball" regularly. I recommend his posts. The URL for access is: http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystal.... YOU are able to receive the daily e-mail FREE if you sign-up. Here we go... John W. Eyster
Dec 29, 2011 at 1:05 a.m.
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As some have posted..
The author is a GREAT example of an "anti" endorsement.
Seriously, if I knew nothing of a local or state race, and I saw the author of this blog put out an endorsement, all work would be done ahead of time for me...I would not need to do any of my own research! I'd simply vote the opposite way of the endorsement...
And NO, I am not being cynical, or sarcastic...MANY people vote like this...I was one of the very few poll analysts to pick up on this very real and unreported concept of the "anti" endorsement vote. It's a VERY prevalent thing!
Dec 29, 2011 at 12:54 a.m.
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As I noted in some other thread, the "ANTI" endorsement is FAR more a factor then an actual endorsement. When the Hollywood cook crowd comes out in mass to endorse someone, it often will do FAR more harm then good. It simply makes people vote the other way, knowing that person is an extreme nut.
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Having done some polling work many years ago, I can tell you that most endorsements mean absolutely nothing. Many are far more damaging then good. In RARE cases they do good. Best example was in 2008...Obama getting the Oprah Wimphry endorsement was HUGE, because she has a LARGE cult type following, and very few 'anti' constitutes..
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Trump might have some sway, but not much. My guess is that he will not endorse, and simply run as an independent. Which is something Eyster, and all you on the left, should be IN FAVOR OF! Because it will pretty much GUARANTEE an Obama victory, even if he only gets 40 some % of the vote... Much the way H Ross Perot's candidacy guaranteed a Clinton win in both 92 and 96.
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I guess the one thing some of you big lefties have to worry about is Trump actually winning as a 3rd party candidate. Very unlikely, but you never know. If people have such bad taste for both parties, he could gain a ton of momentum amongst independents and cross over voters.. While if he was to take his native states of NY and NJ, then at worse you'd likely have a 3 way split electoral college. Much the same as the very infamous 1824 election that was electorally split between Andrew Jackson, JQ Adams, William Crawford, and Hernry Clay. A result that was far more controversial, and insidious, then anything you saw in 2000.
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:24 p.m.
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Doctor: "Good morning, Whiner. What seems to be the problem?"
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Whiner: "Well, Doc, there's this blog on the Gazette site. Every time I read it my blood pressure increases, my pulse quickens, I start itching all over and I become extremely agitated. What should I do?"
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Doctor: "Quit reading it."
Dec 28, 2011 at 8:50 p.m.
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Gazette: Please continue this blog. Those who find a blog that they feel is not worth reading may simply avoid clicking on the link to it and not read it.
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John, I couldn't care less what Donald Trump thinks, says or does.
Dec 28, 2011 at 6:10 p.m.
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I'm about as interested in what "The Donald" has to say as I am in your uninteresting liberal diatribes.
Dec 28, 2011 at 6:04 p.m.
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Every time Eyster posts an article I will post this to the Gazette: GET RID OF THIS BLOG!
Dec 28, 2011 at 6:02 p.m.
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An independent run by Trump
could very well guarantee
a win for Obama.
Dec 28, 2011 at 3:06 p.m.
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The bigmouthed egomaniac Trump is not relavant to anything and he needs to go away. However, he might do well to run as an independant candidate for President. This could serve to split the Republican vote a bit. That could be entertaining.
Dec 28, 2011 at 2:34 p.m.
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Yo, Eyster...I would put up a Mitt Romney size wager that millions more people care about Trump's endorsement than yours.
And this is rich: "What worries me is when the politician’s EGO soars to the point that it becomes the EGO of a “totalitarian” dictator, e.g."
You mean like our current "leader" and his minions who rammed through extremely unpopular legislation under the cover of darkness on a weekend night, justifying its passage by the rationale that the lumpen masses were just too dumb to understand it?
Dec 28, 2011 at 2:12 p.m.
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If YOU are against than him I am for him.
Dec 28, 2011 at 1:33 p.m.
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I have decided I will post this message every time the Gazette post one of Eyster's blogs.
GAZETTE: Please DISCONTINUE this blog.
Hopefully others will post the same thing and the Gazette will get the message.
Dec 28, 2011 at 1:20 p.m.
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I have decided I will post this message every time the Gazette post one of Eyster's blogs.
GAZETTE: Please DISCONTINUE this blog.
Hopefully others will post the same thing and the Gazette will get the message.
Dec 28, 2011 at 12:50 p.m.
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John, You forgot the key name in your list of "totalitarian dictators", BARAK HUSSEIN OBAMA. I don't care who the republican candidate is, so long as he ousts this clown.
Dec 28, 2011 at 12:22 p.m.
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cholon14, Jr. was a minor player compared to Sr., but he certainly learned at his father's knee. I'll never forget Sr.'s response when he was caught bribing the State Insurance Board Licensing Director for passing Jr. test for certification (when he had failed the state test). Sr. said something to the effect, "It's a sad day in America when a father can't help his son." Nothing about being sorry for being a crook and being caught red-handed for bribing an official.
Dec 28, 2011 at 12:16 p.m.
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Hey to all those who don't like Eysters Blog here's an idea, don't read it. Wow what babies, I don't like it so censor it. Better yet write your own blog. Hey Scott, how do you sign up to write a blog? I would Love to read the ramblings of some of these yahoo's commenting here. Obviously they have the 'correct' opinion.
Dec 28, 2011 at 12:15 p.m.
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Please take the color button, the caps button away from this guy. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
Do I care? NO!
Dec 28, 2011 at 12:08 p.m.
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Seriously funny Mayor Daily Sr was as corupt as his son was. Chicago had to put up with those two for many years. Both were behind the back-----.
Dec 28, 2011 at 10:31 a.m.
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Mean-spirited AND funny!
You guys make my day.
Keep up the good work!
Dec 28, 2011 at 10:20 a.m.
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While you are up there on that Ivory Tower, be sure you hold your own political party and President to your high "ethical" standards.
Dec 28, 2011 at 10:17 a.m.
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I have decided I will post this message every time the Gazette post one of Eyster's blogs.
GAZETTE: Please DISCONTINUE this blog.
Hopefully others will post the same thing and the Gazette will get the message.
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:50 a.m.
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I can hardly wait for Donald Trump
to tell me who to vote for.
I am sure that millions of people
are waiting for Donald Trump
to tell them who to vote for.
Who will it be?
Will it be Donald Trump?
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:49 a.m.
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Anyone who watches or does the background on Donald Trump would not make the mistake to dismiss as egotistical etc. To say who cares what Donald Trump thinks is to say lets put on blinders and disregard all democratic affairs. Its great to post and I give everyone there point of view. But dumb negative post by probably someone with no political views are disregarded as ------. Just by watching tv and everything Donald says makes no one able to give a correct opion of him. You must read articles,look at his agenda etc. Donald Trump for president is not far fetched.
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:41 a.m.
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John, I am not a fan of "the Donald." I think he's an interesting character, but hardly a "king maker." I would be more interested in your opinion of the late Richard Daley, Sr.'s long-time role in Democratic politics, and particularly his role at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. Now, HE was a king maker. And as corrupt as the day is long. Would you have been as disturbed about his sway over the electorate and his party? With the clarity of hindsight, and the incestuous relationship his Chicago Machine had with Big Unions, do those relationships give you any cause for concern about the current Administration and their close relationship with Andy Stern--reportedly the most frequent visitor to the White House since this President took office? Should we question whether the Chicago Way has moved to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Here we go...
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:39 a.m.
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Donald Trump for president. He understands China and foreign countries sticking it to us. He can deligate authoity for many other parts of goverment.
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:34 a.m.
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Who cares what "The Donald" thinks?
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:32 a.m.
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Donald Trump is way too much into himself. I for one do not care who he endorses for President. And I certainly would never vote for him if he decided to run. Talk about someone out of touch with the country.
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:08 a.m.
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Given time, THE DONALD'S ego may become as large as THE EYESTER'S.
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:03 a.m.
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There definitely needs to be a "Suggest removal" button for John Eyster's blog. Especially when he's comparing people to Hitler.
Dec 28, 2011 at 8:46 a.m.
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I have decided I will post this message every time the Gazette post one of Eyster's blogs.
GAZETTE: Please DISCONTINUE this blog.
Hopefully others will post the same thing and the Gazette will get the message.
Dec 28, 2011 at 7:16 a.m.
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"ELECTIONS must be organized and protected for ACTUAL REFLECTION of WE THE PEOPLE".
The only true way to do that is to get rid of the electoral collage and let the actual voting people elect the actual president.
I do have to give you credit on one thing eyester. admitting that you have a big ego!
Dec 28, 2011 at 6:08 a.m.
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The don is a dip
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