POLITICAL JUNKIES

Such an interesting viewpoint, Ruthbru. I can think of many reasons to condemn Trump, but honestly, I do feel his wife is off-limits.

For perspective on a president who comes from wealth, FDR and JFK both did. As did George Washington (though he was not at Trump levels for his time).

Where are you giving your talk, Ruthbru?

Hm...Melania age 45, attracted to Donald age 69 for who he is or his money? (24 year age difference) As stated in my above post, I know we vote for the president. But the whole family takes center stage when the president is in office. Yes, we can mention First Ladies of another era, but modern day First Ladies since Jaqueline Kennedy have been right there beside the president doing their part, enhancing and advising . Of course, it would remain to be seen what Yougoslavian born Melania Knauss would bring to the table were she to become FL. I don't feel I am attacking Melania, i am looking at the whole picture. A lot of people don't do that, then when the reality is different than the expectation, they are the first to say, wait a minute, this isn't what I thought it was gonna be.

Also in regards to presidential nominees, once they've become the nominated candidate of their party, they all use their spouses to campaign for them. If the spouse is liked by the public, all the better for the nominee. You really can't separate them. Campaign advisors are thrilled when a spouse is well received by the public.Just as people loved Jackie's pillbox hat and restoration of the White House, Betty Ford's outspoken, modern day views, Barbara Bush's pearls and matronly appearance and the classiness of Michele Obama, they are going to look at the next First Lady to see what she.....he.....will bring to the table. And for Melania, it may be that $150-an-ounce caviar-infused moisturizer she markets under her name.....

Oh my:

Sarah Palin took to the stump Friday in Wisconsin in support of Republican front-runner Donald Trump and had heads turning when she spoke of "seducing" illegal immigrants with gift baskets.

The remark was directed at Trump rival Ted Cruz, who joined with Glenn Beck in July 2014 to hand out care packages with soccer balls, teddy bears, and other items to illegal immigrant children at the border. The move was reportedly intended to be a statement against President Obama's non-enforcement of immigration laws.

"What the heck are you thinking, candidates?" Palin asked Friday while speaking at a Milwaukee County Republican dinner. "What the heck are you thinking when you're actually asking for more immigrants — even illegal immigrants, welcoming them in."

"Even inducing and seducing them with gift baskets: 'Come on over the border and here's a gift basket of teddy bears and soccer balls,'" she added.

Based on the reaction on social media, Palin's speech was "awkward" at best, with the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate not receiving the welcome she was accustomed to just a few short years ago. Then again, it wasn't really a Trump crowd.

"At least they didn't boo," Palin said afterwards, according to NBC News.

btw, Ruth, I wish I could come see your Front Porch Chat and I think your First Lady talk will be well received.

I think Melania Trump is the least of our woes if that man becomes POTUS. After all, Bill Clinton had an affair IN the oval office and then said "I did not have sex with that woman" claiming that only intercourse is sex? Ummm, not exactly First Man classy (and that is putting aside that he was POTUS at the time!!!) and yet, I am thrilled to vote for Hillary (because she will likely be the nominee) due to HER views on the issues. Bill can handle his duties as First Man and will likely be very involved in President HRC's decisions regarding matters of State that she could share with him legally.

FWIW, I also agree about the ridiculousness of trying to beat the Benghazi/e-mail dead horse again and again. It is not going to net any results that have not already been discussed so let it go already. The money spent on this is out of control.

Yes Ruth, the circus is in town this week in advance of the primary Tuesday. They're all here.

Headline in today's Wisconsin State Journal: Pro-Cruz crowd icy toward Palin. Story says she was met with tepid applause and stone-faced silence Friday night at a Milwaukee County Republican gathering. Meanwhile, Gov. Walker is "all-in" for Cruz. I am not a fan of our Gov but won't cloud this discussion with that topic. I will say, though, he's probably kicking himself for dropping out of the race. In this field, he might have had a chance.

Politifact deems Trump to be low on the Truth-O-Meter, but high in the polls. My BIL voted absentee for Trump. I asked him why. He shrugged and said, "I don't know." Geez!

I have continued to read, with interest, the posts on this thread. At this point, I cannot support any of the candidates from either party and am disappointed, that in order to vote in November, I may have to choose from the "least of the worst." I pray that by the time the November election rolls around, we will have a consensus candidate and not all out rioting!!

As I have commented before, I am neither Dem or Rep but hope I make my choice on the trustworthiness and accomplishments of the candidates.

It grieves me to see so much of our political process deteriorate to fighting, arguing, and name calling on both sides. I always felt confident that being a liberal meant that people are open to new ideas and willing to listen to all sides, but the reverse is becoming the norm. Students on college campuses call for bans on speakers who don't agree with their "liberal" view instead of listening to, learning from, and respectfully debating them--even labeling signs supporting another candidate as hate speech. Candidate rallies have turned into pep rallies for violence, and the name calling is worst than childish--we teach our children not to name call and be respectful. What became of actual debates on the issues instead of labeling the other guy as "wrong" if we disagree? While I may not want to sit through the many hours of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, isn't that far better than the Burr-Hamilton duel?

How did the phrases "liberal democrat" and "conservative Christian" even come about? I know many people who don't fit either category who are respectful liberal Christians or conservative democrats. I detest labels and their over-generalizations, and to me, party platforms should be things of the past like deals made in smoky back rooms. Each candidate should stand and be heard and not shouted down or denied free speech. If each candidate would comment about specifics and their ideology, and commit to their views, it would be invaluable to every voter. I can make a choice based on their views, but cannot make a choice when everyone is calling each other names.

When we label all people who might disagree with our choice as too "liberal" or too "conservative" or "lying" or "wrong," it tells me that our society in general is in trouble. There have always been three sides to every story--yours, mine, and the facts. Most "facts" theses days seem debatable because they become fuel for the "me first" reporting so common these days. When comments are expressed before the details have even been uncovered, that is opinion, not fact. When first hand accounts are dismissed because they disagree with a third hand opinion, that is bias.

I respectfully submit my thoughts to you. Peace.

I was in Boston last fall & I spent part of a day at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum. In part of their coverage of the 1960 campaign, you could sit and watch the Nixon/Kennedy Debates. What struck me so much then, and even more so now, is that you had two grown up men having a civilized debate on issues. There was no name calling, yelling, interrupting; just a thoughtful discussion of issues (and sometimes even agreeing). The tone could not have been more different that what we see today (between people of the SAME party and are presumably on the same side!). I know things were going on behind the scenes in that (and every) campaign that weren't so above-board (on both sides), but the face both Nixon and Kennedy wanted to portray to the nation was that of dignity and intelligence (as would befit the highest office of the land, IMO).

Ruth, a very telling comparison of those Nixon-Kennedy debates to the ones today.It is somewhat tragic that the respectfulness towards other candidates has crumbled. Now it seems like a gladiator sport, the more crap you can throw and get to stick on your competitor, the better. It's simply awful. I've seen a little of the CNN show "Race for the White House" (loses my interest with far too many commercials), but it tells how Mike Dukakis apologized for attacks on Joe Biden and how Bush Senior didn't want to run attack ads. Sadly, manners are a thing of the past apparently.

Kay, with all that lying Trump does on the spot, it makes me feel like he is making a mockery of the voting public. It's as if he thinks to himself, these dummies will believe absolutely anything I tell them. It feels to me that he thinks because he is rich and surrounded by all the symbols of success, that's all that matters for "greatness". I wonder if people actually think some of his wealth is going to rub off on them if he is elected.

So very true about Megan Kelly and Trump's view of her and women

Ha!

Meow, no we didn't get to Hyannis....ran out of time to do everything we wanted. But we did to the JFK birthplace in Brookline, which I loved most of all. It is just a normal house in a residential neighborhood. The family bought it back after he died and furnished it with original furniture, and period pieces (supervised by Rose,so pretty accurate) and donated it back to the National Park Services (so it is free to tour). The basement has a small gift shop & theater where they show the film the family made for Rose's 100 birthday. Very moving and well worth the stop, but check ahead for times they are open if you go (And give me about Hyannis!).

It is always fun to hang around people who THINK (whether you agree with their conclusions or not)!

Last night, Saturday Night Live's opening skit was a news woman interviewing one of Trump's supporters (a Trump-ette). You can access the video scrolling to the bottom of this article:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/04/03/snl-ope...

The memories these posts are bringing back! I was in 3rd grade when President Kennedy was assassinated and I remember all of the teachers crying and that started all of us kids bawling. I went home and my Dad had come home from work because his boss told everyone they could leave. He was crying. My mom came home a bit later and she was crying. I remember the funeral on television and what that was like. Very emotional time in my house filled with staunch democrats for sure.

As for Nixon, I was in a mall when he resigned and the one store that sold television sets was packed and we watched his speech. I remember feeling sorry for him too even though I knew he was guilty of so many wrong doings.

Trip down memory lane. I also remember my father watching the Nixon/Kennedy debates on t.v. Nixon was sweating bullets and my Dad said he looked like a convicted felon! LOL

My dad has passed but he would be very amused by what is going on these days I am sure. He always thought Trump was a self-serving jerk though.

If you are in Boston & go to the JFK Museum, there is an absolutely fascinating exhibit (downstairs, so I don't know if it a permanent or rotating exhibit). All the discussions during the Cuban Missile Crisis were taped. So you go to Day 1, and there are pictures & descriptions of each person whose voice you will hear: Robert Kennedy, Attorney General of the United States etc. When they are talking on the tape, their face lights up. so you can follow right along. They also have maps, models etc. You really get a sense of how close we were to all-out war.