is it really possible that Donald trump could be president?????

[Bishopsbuddy]

I have zero understanding of American politics and wondered could some one give me an idiots explanation pls. Could trump really win???

Yes. But he'd be unlikely to get any of his ridiculous ideas past Congress, so I doubt many of his insane promises would actually happen if he did get elected. They have to vote on anything that he proposes, he can't just implement things without approval.

I'm really pleased to see that Bernie Sanders is gaining traction and support. I hope he wins.

No. Republicans didn't even vote McCain in because that would put Sarah Palin within reach of the White House. Trump is far nuttier than Sarah Palin and if he becomes the Republican candidate, that will just mean another Democrat president, whoever that might be.

And what about Hilary Clinton? When
Do they announce the actual presidential candidates?

Yes, I think he will be President.

I think the official nominees may have to wait until the Republican Convention on Jull 18 (when the GOP Establishment might use a brokered convention to take it away from Trump) and until the Democrat Convention which is on Jul 25 depending on whether Hillary gets indicted or not.

Why is Hilary being indited?

Yes, it is possible.

I am praying with every fiber of my being that Americans see sense and stop supporting him. The results in New Hampshire is a sad testament to the current political climate in America. I dread to think of America with that racist, pompous ass at the helm.

'Why is Hilary being indited?'

She hasn't been indicted yet but she is under investigation from the FBI over having a private server on which she had emails that were classified. Huge political story. Rumours that leaks about it may be coming from Obama's camp and that Obama doesn't like her, rumours that the FBI may recommend indictment and then it will be up to Obama's Justice Dpt about what to do about it. All sorts of arm-twisting probably going on. Talk of Biden possibly having to step in and that the Democratic Convention may possibly anoint him as the nominee using the Establishment super delegate system etc. The story has a long way to run.

Really hope that Trump does not become president. Grrrrr.

OMG! It's as sordid and crummy as the dramas on TV. I think it's so frightening that someone like trump who has openly been racist and said idiotic things is still in the running. He's have been ousted by now if he was in GB!

'He's have been ousted by now if he was in GB!'

Yes, but America is an open society and although the Republican Establishment are doing their utmost to try and oust him, they have to play by the rules.

'It's as sordid and crummy as the dramas on TV'

That is how the world really works. The dramas are based on real life and fact is stranger than fiction. We only see a fraction of what goes on behind the scenes but the insiders see most of it. It is the same in Europe, but we don't get to see much of it as the media hushes it up more than in America.

After Iowa I was thinking and hoping no but he's done well in New Hampshire now so God help America and the world

I fucking hope not. Racist, sexist cock of the first order

Eachleech. Someone is voting for him! Just trying to think who our British equivalent would be?

'Just trying to think who our British equivalent would be?'

The nearest thing we have got is Farage, but Farage does not have the courage or the money of Trump. We have no one like Trump and I doubt we ever will. He is unique.

It will be very interesting if Mike Bloomberg joins in. One incredibly successful businessman against the other.

However, one has established something that is incredibly useful and world leading whilst the other has fitted out a couple of buildings in white and gold.

var123, Bloomberg won't stand a hope against Trump. Bloomberg is not a good speaker and won't have the appeal and popularity of Trump. Bloomberg is Establishment, nanny state, regulating how big your coke can be etc - Jamie Oliver on steroids.

Bloomberg will take leftish Democrat votes, not conservative votes. But Bloomberg may act as a spoiler to prevent Trump getting the necessary 270 delegates and that would mean that the House would have to vote on who the President is and it is then possible that the Establishment would stop Trump in that way.

Trump has built buildings and owns golf course, hotels, vineyards etc. He was interviewed about Bloomberg's wealth and said he didn't believe the figures and said that Bloomberg's wealth was about a "machine" and that someone else could quite easily invent a better machine and he wondered why they hadn't.

Bloomberg's wealth is based on trading system. Market news of every form faster than any other way and much accurate and much more comprehensive and much more easy to actually use. Trump can say what he likes but I can't think of anything better than Bloomberg for being genuinely better and consistently miles in front of the competition.

He may not be so well known in the Uk, but Americans know him as one of their great success stories and as former Mayor of New York. He was the one who put NY back together after 9/11.

I know about Trump's empire. It may have been built on credit, but it is impressive nonetheless. I know that there is a faction who think Sarah Palin is credible, and they are just the type to rate Trump. However, he must surely be the most unappealing politician ever and I cannot see how he will ever get the people who aren't registered republicans to vote for him.

He could win the Republican nomination, though this isn't set in stone because he is only getting about one third of the republican vote - he is mainly benefitting from the fact that there are too many candidates and none of them is universally popular.

Winning a presidential election is a big ask though. US demographics are making it gradually more difficult for the Republican Party to win, and particularly for a Trump-style candidate to win (Trump appeals to voters who are older, less educated and whiter than the average US voter; this is not a growing demographic).

US elections are mainly decided by a minority of independent voters in a few key states - Trump is really rather unpopular with independent voters, so I'm inclined to think that if he wins the nomination and if he runs against Clinton, he has almost zero chance.

It gets more interesting if Sanders wins the Dem nomination and Michael Bloomberg carries through with his threat to run as an independent. (I don't think either of these things will happen but neither is impossible).

Trump = Richard Branson x10 without the social conscience (if that's what RB has).

I do not believe for one second he will be President.

I am rooting for Bernie!

Also, I think Trump's nearest political analogue is Putin - they are both rich, amoral demogogues with huge egos. But Trump is a lot less intelligent, less strategic, and less politically ruthless than Putin.

Bloomberg is thinking of running as an independent?! I only saw the headline and thought he must surely be planning on running as a Democrat.

Trump's success and potential reminds me of Corbyn in the Labour leadership last summer. He stood out against a sea of blandness.

The Times (behind pay wall) had Sanders 48%, Trump 40.3% in a Presidential election poll.
Add Bloomberg and it is 35%, 34% and 12% for Bloomberg.
Food for thought....