Looks like the orange liar's plan to have a special master backfired.

Kevin..OK. Did you vote in the recent midterms, and if so how many of those were R's? Yeah, there's millions of Trump supporters still out there..why wouldn't I acknowledge that fact? I just don't happen to believe he can win if he weathers the assorted storms and is in fact nominated. Big difference in your charges there, and I've already admitted that I may be delusional  in adhering to that belief. Somebody's got to do it...I'll take that bullet.

Hunter's laptop issues are mystical ( specifically including the issues related to governmental influence peddling)? You might need to dig more deeply into the truth..the facts. I'd never term said info as being THE most important issue every individual American faces, and we don't have the filtered truth about it all yet either. I personally consider the border problems to be among the top concerns ( but that's just one opinion..but it's mine; you can't reduce or remove it *l*).

What proportion of R voters are gullible and stupid? You have stats on that to share, and what is / are your info sources? Your product of that equation is going to differ significantly from mine..we can agree on that I think. And likely little else..but that's OK. Yes, R's and D's are going to blame their opponents for every perceived sin since the inception of time ...particularly during the next two years..nothin new there or unanticipated, really.

Ok, just watch out for holes when walking and chewing gum.

Yeah..there are a few trap doors around here. Are you insinuating how smart / unaware I'm not, etc? Or was it more shallow than that, per chance?

Probably as many as the Democrats you voted for. But I don't vote party line by any means, and for what it's worth, where I live, whatever Republicans run for office are usually NOT batshit crazy. So, they're usually worthy of consideration.

We could argue relentlessly about whether Trump can be nominated and win, but the only real difference in our opinions seems to be that you think it's impossible and I think it's unlikely...because I view the idiot gang of brainwashed MAGA nimrods as more influential than you do. Fine...we'll see. I hope you're right; I don't think the electorate has gotten any smarter, though, the pleasant surprises of last month notwithstanding.

Hunter's laptop is nothing more than a McGuffin for an idiot conspiracy theory. Just as Hunter himself is some kind of RepubliQ-constructed straw man, in his persona of Bond-villain evil billionaire bwa ha ha. I don't know much about it, for the same reason that I don't know about the giant herd of purple giraffes that lives on the far side of the moon.

I wonder why the "border issue" twists so many conservitard panties. Is it simply racism? Do you guys realize that if we turned the border with Mexico into the border between North and South Korea, our economy would sicken and die? Does the specter of some poor slob coming here and operating a taco truck--ILLLLLLEEEEEGALLLLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!--really bug you that much?!

What proportion...well, what proportion voted for Trump? Easy measuring stick there. Idiots all.

I don't think Trump's  nomination and eventual win is impossible..just very unlikely, as I see it. I actually voted for a couple 'old school' Democrat state appellate court justices this mid-term. Old school Democrats are a ton different than mainstream Democrats these days, though. Even you might agree with that.

My border issue position is nowhere near racist..that shallow reference has nothing to do with it. It's about old corny but useful laws as I see it, but I won't try and convince you of that. I have no problem with any immigrant regardless of ethnicity running a taco stand, a taco truck, or providing any sort of upgrade to their personal and/or family situation. In fact, I admire and encourage it. Where I draw the line is the screening / vetting process and following long-prescribed laws prior to legal entry. And, imo, the latter processes are not being remotely enforced and followed at our border presently. That's it.

And regarding your 'what proportion voted for Trump' as a metric, that proportion will likely be less than it was in either '16 or '20, imo. So, come up with some different formulas for that type of  medicine. Just my opinion, and I can recall several instances where I've been wrong on a number of issues ( my wife will sign an affidavit attesting to that fact).

"Not being remotely enforced"? You obviously have no knowledge or experience in this regard. In fact, border crossing enforcement, as measured by arrests and deportations, is at an all-time high. Obviously, the system can get overwhelmed at times, but that just leads to longer wait times for those attempting to cross legally. And insofar as vetting those who wish to enter--the process is long and complicated. Conservitards love to bleat that we don't enforce our own border laws. Nothing could be further from the truth. Have we set up machine gun towers every fifty yards to gun down anyone trying to swim the Rio Grande? No.

Trump's chances of actually getting nominated and subsequently winning aren't really an issue for the RepubliQ. It's his potential for setting fire to the whole process that worries the crap out of them. What would happen if Trump peeled off, say, 5%, who either stayed home rather than vote for DeSantis or cast their ballots for the Orange Orangutan Party? A Democratic landslide.

Again, we view most of the assorted issue landscapes through differing and opposing lenses. You believe you're right on border situation analysis..I think you're wrong..and in some state of denial on the facts. And vice versa. Time for football..real entertainment. I'll give you 10 points and the Colts.

I think its pretty clear unless Republicans make an honest about face on their discourse.    Republicans are struggling to win their primaries with sane candidates.   I sincerely hope that changes.    Aside from Trump, who are the most popular contenders right now?  DeSantis. Tom Cotton, Josh Hawley?   Those are Trump copycats with no platform aside from "owning the libs".

I wouldnt vote for  Jeb Bush/ Mitt Romney/ John Kasich for ideological reasons.  But those are good AMericans who actually have ideas and are willing to COMPROMISE with people on the other side of the aisle to move the country forward.    Compromise has been a four letter word to Republicans ever since John Boehner made it one on 60 minutes 10 years ago.   

Show me a popular  Republican candidate who actually has ideas and a friendly discourse towards Democrats.   Can you name one?   I cant.    

As alluded to in previous threads regarding a necessity for congressional / candidate compromize between R's and D's, I agree with your general premise here. Presently, the odds of it happening ( on the hard issues) are extremely poor. The psychological/ attitudinal landscape of the electorate and the candidates / elected members in general is "Whom can I piss off and fight hardest against today?" Subsequently, the grand majority of the electorate additionally wants / needs something to raise hell about and falls in line like a covey of quail regardless of party / ideological affiliation. Those facts don't mean we should stop trying to board  the " get along and get something accomplished" train. I  think widespread and tentacled Covid experiences screwed up the country's mentality in a bunch of ways..or maybe that's just the reason I occasionally employ to cover all the insane DC and national calamity stuff.

The Trump clone / copycat inference is misguided imo, particularly on the behavioral front. That premise assumes he is clonable...he likely isn't on a grand scale. He defies any precast mold..or template. He represents the antithesis of compromize, which just might be a partial reason millions originally and currently support him. As stated before here, I personally supported several of his POLICY stances ( mostly fiscal issues..and, sure I benefitted from the tax cuts..at the time). I aborted my support for him with his behavioral stuff surrounding Jan. 6th. All archaic and somewhat boring news.

If he runs, I'll support DeSantis as stated here previously. I'd vehemently disagree that he's a Trump clone, too.

So, there's some more tree bark for you to gnaw on if you so choose. 

Whom would you support from the D side? Give me some of that reciprocal bark to chew on.

"State of denial"? Are you implying that I have some reason to distort the reality of the situation? Is it...because I like tacos? FYI, I've crossed the border dozens of times...and I've observed a rigorous and orderly process. I've never observed mobs of howling Messkins flooding across the border.

Thanks for the offer to give me the Colts, but football players eat a lot and I don't have much food in the house.