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Is John Kasich the only one going after Trump?

NeverTrump

NeverTrump

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I put this in the media section because there seems to be a real fear in the GOP to attack Trump. A let him play in the sandbox type attitude. However, Kasich seems to be the only Major Republican who consistently attacks and is spending money to defeat Trump!

He's spending $2.5 Million in Super Pac money to attack Trump which seems to be the only pathway to get under the Billionaire's Skin. We'll see if the ads work in the long run.

John Kasich 2016 Trump attack ad - POLITICO
John Kasich Refuses to Say if He Would Support Donald Trump as Republican Nominee - ABC News
John Kasich slams Donald Trump as divisive and insulting - POLITICO
Donald Trump Compared to Nazis in John Kasich’s Campaign Ad - Hollywood Reporter
 
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If I had to put on my political scientist hat, I would venture to say that this is a calculated play by Kasich to position himself as a viable VP nominee for Rubio or Bush, the potential establishment candidate. These are the two individuals that most threaten Trump or Cruz - both of whom I would classify as the non-establishment candidate. You could put Carson into the same camp as Trump or Cruz, but I just can't bring myself to think of Carson as a legitimate candidate.
 
ModerateGOP said:
I put this in the media section because there seems to be a real fear in the GOP to attack Trump. A let him play in the sandbox type attitude. However, Kasich seems to be the only Major Republican who consistently attacks and is spending money to defeat Trump!

He's spending $2.5 Million in Super Pac money to attack Trump which seems to be the only pathway to get under the Billionaire's Skin. We'll see if the ads work in the long run.

John Kasich 2016 Trump attack ad - POLITICO
John Kasich Refuses to Say if He Would Support Donald Trump as Republican Nominee - ABC News
John Kasich slams Donald Trump as divisive and insulting - POLITICO
Donald Trump Compared to Nazis in John Kasich’s Campaign Ad - Hollywood Reporter
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Nope, Bush is too but he is trying to do it more behind the scenes. Kasich is just plain pissed off. He probably thinks Trump is stealing his ratings.
 
MrT said:
If I had to put on my political scientist hat, I would venture to say that this is a calculated play by Kasich to position himself as a viable VP nominee for Rubio or Bush, the potential establishment candidate. These are the two individuals that most threaten Trump or Cruz - both of whom I would classify as the non-establishment candidate. You could put Carson into the same camp as Trump or Cruz, but I just can't bring myself to think of Carson as a legitimate candidate.
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Dayem MrT, that was excellent analysis IMO.

Or maybe it's not so excellent, but you just think like me! :mrgreen:
 
You don't want to go after Trump, because those that are either infatuated or sympathetic toward the non-politicians will rally to his defense and the other, serious-minded voters are going to be turned off by the sideshow. This was one of Bush's critical mistakes.
 
"Is John Kasich the only one going after Trump?"

I think the Clinton campaign is as well.
 
Kasich isn't even in the race, nor is Bush. The only serious candidates are Trump, Carson, Cruz and Rubio. The rest of the field is in very low single digits and the best that can be said for their chances is a VP nod.
 
clownboy said:
Kasich isn't even in the race, nor is Bush. The only serious candidates are Trump, Carson, Cruz and Rubio. The rest of the field is in very low single digits and the best that can be said for their chances is a VP nod.
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Yeah, while the rest of the candidates are pulling single digits it's important to point out that they still represent about 25% of the primary voters. After Iowa there will be a rapid drop out of the under-performing candidates and those votes will mostly go somewhere else. The goal of the top 4 will be in attracting those voters.

I think Carson may be out of it after Iowa as his numbers are falling rapidly as well and his heart doesn't seem like it is in it anymore, so Cruz or Rubio can overtake trump just by attracting anti-Trump voters. If they split the votes from Carson and the rest of the field between them then Trump falls to 3rd place behind Rubio and Cruz and we have an interesting fight between Rubio and Cruz for the top spot.

I won't rule out Trump making an Independent run if that happens, but by the time he's out of it it may be too late to mount an independent run, and I don't think he will have a very big impact anyway because the Demographics of a Cruz/Rubio ticket would likely compensate for the loss of Trump supporters even if he did manage to get on the ballot.
 
jmotivator said:
Yeah, while the rest of the candidates are pulling single digits it's important to point out that they still represent about 25% of the primary voters. After Iowa there will be a rapid drop out of the under-performing candidates and those votes will mostly go somewhere else. The goal of the top 4 will be in attracting those voters.

I think Carson may be out of it after Iowa as his numbers are falling rapidly as well and his heart doesn't seem like it is in it anymore, so Cruz or Rubio can overtake trump just by attracting anti-Trump voters. If they split the votes from Carson and the rest of the field between them then Trump falls to 3rd place behind Rubio and Cruz and we have an interesting fight between Rubio and Cruz for the top spot.

I won't rule out Trump making an Independent run if that happens, but by the time he's out of it it may be too late to mount an independent run, and I don't think he will have a very big impact anyway because the Demographics of a Cruz/Rubio ticket would likely compensate for the loss of Trump supporters even if he did manage to get on the ballot.
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That's a fair assessment I think, as to the top runners at this point. However, I believe when Carson drops out he'll throw his support to Trump. Also, you're downplaying Trump's lead, it's become of Hillary proportions and is no longer just 25%. I don't think Rubio has a chance, but Cruz may be a dark horse. He's the one who will take it if Trump drops the ball somehow. Barring that, Trump has it.
 
clownboy said:
That's a fair assessment I think, as to the top runners at this point. However, I believe when Carson drops out he'll throw his support to Trump. Also, you're downplaying Trump's lead, it's become of Hillary proportions and is no longer just 25%. I don't think Rubio has a chance, but Cruz may be a dark horse. He's the one who will take it if Trump drops the ball somehow. Barring that, Trump has it.
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His % hasn't changed all that much. The primary movement in the GOP primary is in the slots under Trump. Trumps movement has been mostly within a standard deviation of 25% since August. I don't see him as really gaining a lead as much as just hovering around 25% with the deviation almost entirely reliant on the news cycle. I expect there to be a rush to Rubio or Cruz as soon at they are established contenders.
 
Kasich used to be my man but he is in panic mode, flailing around like a fish out of water, grasping at anything, anything, which can get him out of the quicksand. What most don't realize is that the more Trump is attacked the more it shows that he is an outsider and an outsider is exactly what the people want as their choice. In 2008 Obama lied to everyone saying that he wanted to change the way Washington works. After being elected the Independents and moderates who voted him in realized that what Obama really meant was getting rid of the Republicans and replacing them with Democrats, not really changing the way Washington works at all. People in general are sick of the way Washington works and they have a high degree of trust that Trump really will change the way Washington works. The more Trump is attacked by the establishment the more people are reassured that Trump really will turn Washington upside down.
 
Moderate Right said:
Kasich used to be my man but he is in panic mode, flailing around like a fish out of water, grasping at anything, anything, which can get him out of the quicksand. What most don't realize is that the more Trump is attacked the more it shows that he is an outsider and an outsider is exactly what the people want as their choice. In 2008 Obama lied to everyone saying that he wanted to change the way Washington works. After being elected the Independents and moderates who voted him in realized that what Obama really meant was getting rid of the Republicans and replacing them with Democrats, not really changing the way Washington works at all. People in general are sick of the way Washington works and they have a high degree of trust that Trump really will change the way Washington works. The more Trump is attacked by the establishment the more people are reassured that Trump really will turn Washington upside down.
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I think he has arrived at the realization that he isn't going to get the nomination. I don't think he had a chance from the beginning. He isn't particularly conservative and doesn't have the moxie of Trump, who isn't particularly conservative either.
 
fmw said:
I think he has arrived at the realization that he isn't going to get the nomination. I don't think he had a chance from the beginning. He isn't particularly conservative and doesn't have the moxie of Trump, who isn't particularly conservative either.
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McCain and Romney weren't particularly conservative either but the Republican primary voters made them both nominees. I think it is a mistake to think those same voters want someone who is far right because they aren't far right themselves, that's why they chose the last two nominees like they did. Other than the immigration and foreign policy issues, Trump isn't far right either and I think that's one reason he is out in front in the polls. I think the primary voters like the fact that he could care less about the left or the far right.
 
I think a lot of people like myself are tired of politically correct party puppets that say one thing and after getting elected forget what they promised such as the last 2 POTUS we have had to endure. Another thing is a lot of us are looking for someone that will stand up for our rights instead of trying to restrict or take them away like the current POS. I think people will be surprised when Trump continues to maintain a strong following of people that are tired of watching our country circle the drain due to the lack of a strong leader. I don't see anyone else that is a strong leader in either party.

I am still undecided other than the fear this country and our rights will go down the drain with the likes of Hillary. I am really disappointed we have no choice in the Democratic party other than her. REAL SAD.

I can only hope and pray something emerges in the Republican Party. I am still not sure who I will get behind at this point.
 
Moderate Right said:
Kasich used to be my man but he is in panic mode, flailing around like a fish out of water, grasping at anything, anything, which can get him out of the quicksand. What most don't realize is that the more Trump is attacked the more it shows that he is an outsider and an outsider is exactly what the people want as their choice. In 2008 Obama lied to everyone saying that he wanted to change the way Washington works. After being elected the Independents and moderates who voted him in realized that what Obama really meant was getting rid of the Republicans and replacing them with Democrats, not really changing the way Washington works at all. People in general are sick of the way Washington works and they have a high degree of trust that Trump really will change the way Washington works. The more Trump is attacked by the establishment the more people are reassured that Trump really will turn Washington upside down.
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Watch the video of the last debates and notice the expressions and lip movements of Kasich. The guy has some real anger working inside his head.
 
NonoBadDog said:
Watch the video of the last debates and notice the expressions and lip movements of Kasich. The guy has some real anger working inside his head.
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Looking at some of the candidates I can only commend him for remaining calm.
Lots of moderate Conservatives out there that like him.
 
NonoBadDog said:
Watch the video of the last debates and notice the expressions and lip movements of Kasich. The guy has some real anger working inside his head.
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Greetings, NonoBadDog. :2wave:

I heard Kasich being interviewed on one of the channels, can't recall which one but it was probably Fox, since he hosted some shows for them in the past. He said the atmosphere was like that at a "demolition derby" and he was angry that it wasn't more professional, since the people on stage were running as a candidate for President, not a dogcatcher's job.

Speaking now for myself, I've heard him speak many times, both from clips shown as he is on the road, and as Governor of Ohio, and he is an outstanding speaker in outlining his plans in a clear and reasoned manner to his audience. Beefs with each other at the debates was not the reason they were there, but that got the most time. The problem with the last debates is that the moderators didn't appear to be in control, but why can't there be automatic "shutoffs" on the candidates' microphones when their allotted time to speak has expired, since a lot of the shouting to answer a question or voice a response to something an earlier candidate stated could be avoided. Kasich was one of the most qualified candidates on stage, but Trump stole the show away from the other candidates by being a "showman," much as BHO did eight years ago. Is that the criteria we're expected to use now to pick a POTUS? Someone currently performing on Dancing with the stars should consider running if that's the case. The media tells us that Trump is just airing the complaints that the ordinary voter has, but has he a workable plan to handle those complaints? I haven't heard it if he has. It's early yet, and time will tell, and the field is slowly shrinking because of those dropping out, but this country needs a true leader, not a smooth talker, IMO.
 
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polgara said:
Greetings, NonoBadDog. :2wave:

I heard Kasich being interviewed on one of the channels, can't recall which one but it was probably Fox, since he hosted some shows for them in the past. He said the atmosphere was like that at a "demolition derby" and he was angry that it wasn't more professional, since the people on stage were running as a candidate for President, not a dogcatcher's job.

Speaking now for myself, I've heard him speak many times, both from clips shown as he is on the road, and as Governor of Ohio, and he is an outstanding speaker in outlining his plans in a clear and reasoned manner to his audience. Beefs with each other at the debates was not the reason they were there, but that got the most time. The problem with the last debates is that the moderators didn't appear to be in control, but why can't there be automatic "shutoffs" on the candidates' microphones when their allotted time to speak has expired, since a lot of the shouting to answer a question or voice a response to something an earlier candidate stated could be avoided. Kasich was one of the most qualified candidates on stage, but Trump stole the show away from the other candidates by being a "showman," much as BHO did eight years ago. Is that the criteria we're expected to use now to pick a POTUS? Someone currently performing on Dancing with the stars should consider running if that's the case. The media tells us that Trump is just airing the complaints that the ordinary voter has, but has he a workable plan to handle those complaints? I haven't heard it if he has. It's early yet, and time will tell, and the field is slowly shrinking because of those dropping out, but this country needs a true leader, not a smooth talker, IMO.
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I still think that quivering lip thing was pretty weird.
 
NonoBadDog said:
I still think that quivering lip thing was pretty weird.
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I got some phone calls during the last debate, but I did tell people I was watching the debate and probably sounded rude, but I couldn't help it - I was irritated. I must have missed what you are referring to, but do you recall what precipitated the quivering lip? Was he explaining something personal, or looking like he was feeling sorry for himself, or something like that? Anything is possible, but I missed whatever it was, damn it! :thumbdown:
 
polgara said:
I got some phone calls during the last debate, but I did tell people I was watching the debate and probably sounded rude, but I couldn't help it - I was irritated. I must have missed what you are referring to, but do you recall what precipitated the quivering lip? Was he explaining something personal, or looking like he was feeling sorry for himself, or something like that? Anything is possible, but I missed whatever it was, damn it! :thumbdown:
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It looked like he was extremely angry and frustrated through the whole thing. It was more than his lip. It was his whole chin.
 
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