Who's the challenger?

Originally posted by: O2bnVegas

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Kevin, in response to your last paragraph, I'd suggest Adolph Hitler.  His 'admirers' were helpless in a sense (and ill-informed, politically captive, etc.).  And he was able to mount and film those parades, children and adults cheering and saluting, which I think there is some terminology that describes this type of thing, when people blindlessly go with 'the group' out of fear of being singled out, punished in some way, etc.  I was going to say 'group think', but I don't think that's it.  Anyway, you probably get where I'm going.  

 

Candy

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Originally posted by: Vegas Todd

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The only sane , real conservative Republican is Asa Huchinson.

But the Republican Party has been taken over by the tRump cult.

And their "agenda" for America is to make tRump a dictator.

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Originally posted by: O2bnVegas

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Kevin, I think I actually participated in such a Solomon Asch type experiment:  In about 1966 or '67 I was taking courses at XXX University (later named University of XXX) as part of my Nursing education.  One course was Psychology 101.  One day the instructor (I think he was a TA) announced the opportunity for anyone to earn a few credits by taking part in an activity (can't recall if he called it an experiment or study or what).  I was always open to gaining credits for little effort on my part so of course I signed on.  Was told to report to a classroom at such and such day and time.

 

Got there, and there two guys and myself.  Wish I could recall the details better, but the 'activity' consisted of the three of us being shown statements or something, with which we either agreed or disagreed, or said this or that to be true.  Seems like we wore earphones and pushed buttons, but I may be making that up.  Anyway, nothing complex, or difficult, nothing to do with the psychology course curriculum.  Somehow we knew how each other answered.  The order of us answering had something to do with it, I'm pretty sure. 

 

So began the test.  As we responded, I detected quiet 'snickering' by the other two.  Did it affect me?  YES!  I second guessed some answers based on theirs, at first.  I remember at some point realizing that this was a set up of some sort, and I started sticking with my answers.  But I remember feeling kind of embarrassed or shameful or something.  

 

I don't remember any informed consent; we were given no debriefing, just "thanks and credits will be added to your grades" something like that.  I realized later the other two were probably confederates of the instructor with me as the subject to study 'conformity.'  Have no idea what was done with the data.  Grrr.  It had to be highly unethically done in several ways, which is why I didn't name the University here.  Decades later I had some classes in ethics, served on the hospital ethics committee, etc., so I know a lot more now than I did then, times 100%.  But I've never heard of Solomon Asch etc., so thanks for that.  Very interesting.  And to think, I was a lab rat!

 

Candy

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Originally posted by: Charles Higgins

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Desantis and Ramaswamy are the two current Trump challengers based on the numbers, which is why you mentioned them. Those are the two I'm watching ( for myself). Ramaswamy ain't no dummy ( leave the R vs D ideology out of it)..but he's barely old enough to run for prez (38) and has zero foreign policy experience. The younger, new blood aspect might be an appealing aspect for the party..who knows? I don't know about the rap talent he's displayed on the campaign trail... or how much that'll increase his appeal..if at all *l*. I don't think either Biden or Trump can compete in that area, FWIW ( little to none). We'll see.

 

1,2,3 GO!

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Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis

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I have nothing but contempt for Mommy Swami because of all the people on earth he could have chosen to imitate, he chose...ewwwwwww.

 

Trump can indeed compete with Swami, because the 75 million find his smarmy tone and infantile gestures endlessly riveting. And he knows full well that that's his performance art.

 

If any challenger does get within striking distance of the Turd, he'll deploy his full-blown nasty flamethrower and call him every name under the sun, speculate on his parentage, etc. etc. The same grossbuckets third grade recess shit we saw in 2015/16. Whoever is looking to assume the Turd Throne HAS to be aware of that. So any challenger with a chance will have to have a thicker skin than a battle tank.

 

I fear we're headed for a new low in politics.

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Originally posted by: Charles Higgins

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Once again, you made it all about Trump. That wasn't the impetus of your question in the OP; you asked about alternatives vs Trump. I'll admit it's doubtful any of these challengers can threaten him much based on what we know today. The unknowns may be important over time, though; eg is he gonna be there to cast a vote for in the primaries and general election (all the legal hurdles); will Biden be there to vote for as well? We can all speculate and express opinion, but none of us knows the answers to those and other questions yet. The candidates and the generally pissed off electorate on both sides have to navigate the debate schedule, the state primaries, the RNC and DNC conventions / nominations, and subsequently the general election. 

 

I don't know, but Ramaswamy may have hitched his wagon to the Trump support facet as a political move, due entirely to Trump's current poll popularity. Fight him later vs now, etc. Maybe he wants to be his Vice Presidential running mate. I don't know what his real motivation is for voicing support for Trump. If you despise him for that it's your prerogative.

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Originally posted by: O2bnVegas

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So, two 'votes' for Asa, mine and Todd's.  I'm impressed!   

 

Candy

 

 

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