Tuesday, August 09, 2016

Republican Senator Susan Collins writes op-ed explaining why she cannot support Donald Trump. 50 top GOP security officials write a similar letter.


Here is a link to Senator Collins article over at the Washington Post:

I will not be voting for Donald Trump for president. This is not a decision I make lightly, for I am a lifelong Republican. But Donald Trump does not reflect historical Republican values nor the inclusive approach to governing that is critical to healing the divisions in our country. 

When the primary season started, it soon became apparent that, much like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mr. Trump was connecting with many Americans who felt that their voices were not being heard in Washington and who were tired of political correctness. But rejecting the conventions of political correctness is different from showing complete disregard for common decency. Mr. Trump did not stop with shedding the stilted campaign dialogue that often frustrates voters. Instead, he opted for a constant stream of denigrating comments, including demeaning Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) heroic military service and repeatedly insulting Fox News host Megyn Kelly. 

With the passage of time, I have become increasingly dismayed by his constant stream of cruel comments and his inability to admit error or apologize. But it was his attacks directed at people who could not respond on an equal footing — either because they do not share his power or stature or because professional responsibility precluded them from engaging at such a level — that revealed Mr. Trump as unworthy of being our president.

Now that is pretty bad for Donald Trump, as Susan Collins is a highly respected Senator, however perhaps this is even worse:

Fifty former top Republican national security officials have signed an open letter in The New York Times opposing Donald Trump's candidacy, warning that he would be "the most reckless president in American history."

Many of the officials served in the administration of former President George W. Bush, but some served other Republican administrations. 

"From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be president and commander-in-chief," the letter said. "Indeed, we are convinced that he would be a dangerous president and would put at risk our country's national security and well-being."

Yeah, that's worse.

And of course it is only now added to the long list of Republicans and donors who are publicly rejecting Trump as their candidate.

It is looking more and more likely that either Trump does not make it to the general election, or gets "schlonged" once he does.

46 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:42 AM

    Who cares? They're just a bunch of whiny, know-nothing losers. Donnie's got the best people, with the best words, YUUUUGE words, okay? Believe me, people are talking, I've read about it, and you can mark it down, okay, it's true. And he wasn't gonna hire them anyway, because Ivanka's got this.

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    1. Leland8:52 AM

      I have one of two things to say in response to your comet, 8:42. Take your pick accordingly.

      First, if you are being snarky, you may wish to be more clear about it.

      Second, if you are serious: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.... ad infinitum.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:01 AM

      I vote 4 the schlong.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous9:25 AM

      leland, most folks who read pol blogs know this is pure snark. i have seen the same on lots of left leaning blogs and it cracks me up every time. You might need to get out more...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous9:41 AM

      "Believe me, people are talking"
      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-many-people-are-saying_us_57a95219e4b06adc11f14357

      Delete
    5. Leland9:59 AM

      Ted, I'm sorry you believe that. I actually don't. There are far too many troll jackasses who post here. You did notice I gave him/her 2 chooses, right?

      People who post snarks without clarifying them as such have to accept what comes their way.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:59 AM

      #TrumpOlympics

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-polls-winning_us_57aa04a7e4b0db3be07bb84e?section=&&slideshow=true#gallery/57a25dc2e4b0104052a12a86/0

      Delete
    7. Leland 9:59 AM wrote: Ted, I'm sorry you believe that. I actually don't. …

      Usually I'm quite careful to identify exactly which comment (or the article) that I'm responding to, but when I posted my "!!!" above there were no responses to the OP—perhaps I had failed to refresh the page before hitting Reply. My intent was to express appreciation of the parody.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous1:49 PM

      You tell me.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous8:33 AM

      Ted secretly admires the Don.

      He has a shrine in his closet.

      Delete
  2. Hedgewytch8:52 AM

    The fact that the Republican party put this person into the primaries, much less than the Presidential ticket shows just how dangerous the party itself has become. Do they really want to place this dangerous man into the most powerful position in the world? The GOP has killed and left its stinking corpse to rot in the bright light of the world's stare.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous1:51 PM

      More like they have split.

      There will be the GOP and the Teabaggers. The 'baggers will be the "new" Republicans and the Grand Old Party will be the traditional Republicans.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous8:54 AM

    Trump's response was truly a sign of his mental illness - total lack of awareness, with claims that those who are critical of him are just doing so because he isn't going to them for advice. I won't breath easy until the day after the election ... well maybe not until after Hilary is sworn in - than maybe I can relax a bit - Trump's supporter frighten me more than he does - they will still be just as stupid and just as dangerous long after Trump fades from our tv sets and becomes a distant memory.

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    1. Anonymous10:08 AM

      I agree entirely, these are perilous times and that last person we need as president is Donald Trump. He is terrifying. As to his supporters? They are bullies who have just found a voice in Trump.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:20 AM

      on cnn this morn, it was said that some on the list of 50go back forty years and trump simply has no idea who they are and he doesn't care to learn. no sense of self-awareness, as you say, and he's got no interest in learning anything. it was often said that w lacked intellectual curiosity, but i think trump's worse.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:34 AM

      10:20 -
      While I think it's clear that W was dumber than a box of rocks, at least he didn't have a delusional sense of his own intelligence, and he was willing to listen to advisers. It was unfortunate for all of us that Darth Cheney happened to be the one whispering in his ear, but that's another story.

      The scariest part about Trump (okay, ONE of the scariest things because it's such an extensive list!) is that he's convinced he's the smartest person in the world and he refuses to listen to anyone other than the voices in his head. He's admitted that his foreign policy adviser is himself "because I have a very good brain and I’ve said a lot of things."

      He knows more about ISIS than the generals, more about foreign policy than President Obama, and more about business and the economy than anyone. Just ask him!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous1:53 PM

      Maybe he can go sit next to Mel Gibson and they can compare notes as to where they went wrong.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous9:08 AM

    Future News Feb 2017:

    Today Sen Collins said she will not vote for President Clinton's pick for the Supreme Court since Mrs Clinton is a lame duck President. Sen Collins said she will wait until President Nugent makes his court picks in 2021.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous9:09 AM

    It is bold and courageous of Collins to write in details why Trump should not be president.

    I think Trump is done. A minority will fall for his sales pitch he is an outsider who alone can fix everything.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous1:55 PM

      I think the nail might be the 50 GOP national security people.

      It's the result of Republican fear mongering. They've made security such a big deal and now their own people are telling them if they want to be safe, don't vote for Trump.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous9:27 AM

    OT? WoW
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZQ2RUFd54o

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous10:17 AM

      just watched. very cool message. thanks!

      Delete
  7. Anonymous9:46 AM

    When will people stop bullying women/moms? Just overheard some asshole say moms who don't cook are awful. Dear assholes of the world, my mom has never turned on a stove and she's literally the best mom on the planet. Stop abusing women.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous1:57 PM

      My sister is an OK cook, but she works full time. Her husband is on disability and both her boys, in their 20s live at home. So when she finally gets home from her full time job supporting the family, one of the boys has dinner on the table for her.

      Her situation isn't unusual.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous10:06 AM

    Trump’s response is beyond the pale dangerous. He is appealing to the armchair security experts, the very idiots who think they can “fix" the world in about the same time as a crappy Chuck Norris movie. It astounds me they can’t accept the reality that the shit storm left by George Bush had deleterious consequences that will be with all of us for a long, long while. Donald Trump is looking for a job that is way beyond his abilities.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous10:34 AM

    Okay, so they won't vote for Herr dRUMPf. They know a wannabe fuhrer when they see one.

    So, who will they vote for? Will they throw their vote away on a third party candidate? Or will they put on their big kid pants and vote for the woman most qualified to be president?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous10:56 AM

      At this point in time, as long as they aren't voting for trump is good for me. Since we have a secret ballot system, I'm sure some or most of them will vote for Hillary since they know she is the best choice.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1:59 PM

      Doesn't matter as long as Trump doesn't get the vote.

      The downside is that they'll vote for all of the Republicans down the ticket and that means Hillary may not get majorities in the senate and house.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous10:35 AM

    What an ass. Trump, that is. Today he's saying that he never would have asked any of the 50 to be involved in his campaign, as if that is what they're all about--these are people with serious careers (or are retired) who would ever have interest in being on the campaign trail for Trump or for anyone else. But Trump always has to hit back by saying that he has no interest in them.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous11:52 AM

      He's just like a small, spoiled child who's mad because he wasn't invited to a birthday party.

      "Well, I didn't WANT to go to that dumb, stupid party anyway!!!" *sticks his tongue out*

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:00 PM

      Trump is all about sour grapes.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous10:39 AM

    One thing I'm sick and tired of is the asking by reporters and anchors if so-and-so will vote for Hillary since s/he's not going to vote for Trump. And they don't just ask once but keep pushing. There's no reason why a Repub has to vote for Hillary if not voting for Trump, but the news people just push and push, even to the point, today, of a scenario in which if all of Maine had voted and somehow the difference between Trump or Hillary winning was a single vote, and that vote was Susan Collins' vote, would Collins now vote for Hillary, the anchor wondered? OMG, it went on and on.

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    1. Anonymous10:59 AM

      Most news reporters keep pushing to try to make a big story. If Collins or any of the others would say they will vote for Hillary, the next question for the media is: will you endorse her or campaign for her? Other than Citizens United, the 24/7 news is one of our biggest problems.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:05 PM

      I was watching my local news last night and one anchor was talking about Trump's economic plan, called it a return to trickle down and in all seriousness said "well, it worked before".

      I'm not sure what qualifications they have for news people any more. Attractive and able to read without stumbling? They don't appear to be "journalists".

      Delete
  12. Anonymous11:09 AM

    Don the Con wants to debate the debates LOL says he will only do the debates IF he gets his way and likes the moderators - what an idiot

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-clinton-debates_us_57aa0df8e4b06e52746dcff9

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous11:20 AM

      He's so not ready for prime time. The fall debates are so different and he will lose it when the audience has to remain quiet and the debates are handled much better.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:07 PM

      You're surprised?

      He's pulling a Palin.

      He knows in a straight out debate Clinton will wipe the floor with him. He will never put himself in the position to look like a fool. This is totally different than the "debates" he had in the primaries. He can't pull that same shit with Clinton and he knows it.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous11:22 AM

    OH no poor wittle Don the Con says - "I want to debate very badly"

    don't worry donnie boy - you will indeed "debate very badly" LOL LOL LOL (unless of course he chickens out)

    hashtag #chickentrump let's DARE him to debate - that way his ego won't let him not show up

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous11:31 AM

    Good for Susan.
    The Modesto Bee recently did an op-ed calling out Jeff Denham (Repub Rep) for refusing to say whether he supports Trump or not. Denham sent a strong reply - and while not actually saying so - it sounded like he will vote for Trump.

    Pat Padrnos

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous12:30 PM

    and as Donald is not high in the polls, the Right is crawling back into the dark hole. They are trying to say he said some bad things about people who couldn't answer for themselves. Well, the Republican party would know about that. They have been speaking for people who don't want their voice since forever. Health care. People need that. Republicans on the gun to take that out. Education always gets slashed by Republicans. The list is long. So now, Donny boy is speaking for them, and about to take American Republicans where they always wanted to be, Fascist Nervana, and because the rest of us are still awake to their lies they have to slink, slither, slime back into their hole. America, when we have candidates like Palin and Trump, we have lotsa work yet to do on ourselves, or this could go all the way.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous1:20 PM

    OT Will Melania be stripped?

    I'm not talking about for her pictures she did for those nasty magazines. You guys get your minds out of the gutter. In order to stay in America, a Slovenian girl gotta to do what a Slovenian girl gotta do until she bags herself an American and that includes rubbing her nasty against another nude girl's nasty if she has to.


    Not only is visa fraud a federal offense, but a fraudulent visa claim can undermine someone’s eventual eligibility for a green card — and even for citizenship. So if Melania is guilty of visa fraud, the US government could, if it really wanted to, try to strip her citizenship from her, by arguing she was never really a citizen at all.

    Restrictions on work are a huge problem for many immigrants
    Melania Trump issued a statement Wednesday morning asserting, “I have at all times been in full compliance with the immigration laws of this country. Period.”

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  17. Anonymous1:47 PM

    I knew it would snowball. It's getting momentum faster than I predicted.

    Will it impact his hard core supporters? No. Nothing would. No, not even murdering some on broad daylight in the middle of 5th Ave.

    But there are plenty of non-partisan, unaffiliated and independent voters who have not yet made up their minds. There are even some ethical Republicans that cannot bring themselves to vote for Trump. These statements will have an impact on those voters. The more statements, the more on the fence voters will be swayed away from Trump. Whether they vote for Hillary or not is another thing. But if they don't vote for Trump, that will impact him.

    The Republicans may vote for Hillary and then go back to vote for all of the Republicans farther down the ticket, but at least they won't be voting for Trump.

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    1. Anonymous2:41 PM

      @1:47 "Will it impact his hard core supporters? No. Nothing would. No, not even murdering some on(e in) broad daylight in the middle of 5th Ave. ".
      Except if it is HRC? Would that do it?? He wants to try.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous2:27 PM

    Hello Lisa M.? When will you stand up for Alaskan women and all the women in the USA? Get Real and get on board for the future you hypocrite. FUCK the GOP, WALK AWAY...

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anita Winecooler6:45 PM

    Way to go Donald, now you got them where you want them!! Hillary says keep up the good work!! Melania, poor thing, has a look on her face like she don't know nothing. She's probably going through cases of eye drops searching Flotus's speeches for some to call her own.

    ReplyDelete

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