US Presidential Election 2016 official thread

Weird to think that in 2012 I was terrified of the prospect of Romney getting in, thinking he was a far right Nutjob.

Now I'd be glad to have him if it meant no trump.

You were clearly not that acquainted with the term far-right in 2012, then. He was a moderate even by the Republican standards of the time -- he was running against people like Huckabee and Santorum.

Weird to think that in 2012 I was terrified of the prospect of Romney getting in, thinking he was a far right Nutjob.

Now I'd be glad to have him if it meant no trump.

You were clearly not that acquainted with the term far-right in 2012, then. He was a moderate even by the Republican standards of the time -- he was running against people like Huckabee and Santorum.

It is just a typical symptom of many people with strong liberal tendencies. They can't even conceive that any ideology other than their own has any merit at all. So they actually believe that someone who severely differs is a "Nutjob". Conservatives tend to disagree with the opposition. Liberals tend to disdain the opposition.

I think trump will win the primaries for republicans.
If Hilary wins for democrats, welcome president trump.
If Bernie wins for democrats, welcome socialism.

Yes, it's odd how moderate and sensible Romney now seems in interviews.

He probably is relatively moderate actually, he ran to the right during his primaries to ensure he got selected. Arguably, Trump is doing the same thing, but he's so erratic, it's difficult to know what we will get once he actually has the nomination.

You were clearly not that acquainted with the term far-right in 2012, then. He was a moderate even by the Republican standards of the time -- he was running against people like Huckabee and Santorum.

In America at least I would say that both sides disdain each other. I mean at least from what I have gathered from my recent interest in the us elections (I assume the rhetoric calms down when the election finishes)

That could be though because of demographics though. There is seemingly less overlap between party identity than ever before.

http://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/congress-more-polarized/

http://www.gallup.com/poll/183386/social-ideology-left-catches-right.aspx

I guess I didn't take relativity into account back then. Even a moderate republican would be far to the right of the Tory party. Even the moderates seems to oppose abortion, gay marriage, universal healthcare, any sort of gun control etc etc.

It is just a typical symptom of many people with strong liberal tendencies. They can't even conceive that any ideology other than their own has any merit at all. So they actually believe that someone who severely differs is a "Nutjob". Conservatives tend to disagree with the opposition. Liberals tend to disdain the opposition.

Amongst the candidates and talking heads that is certainly true. At least that is how it plays out with the campaigns and political process in general. Character attacks are not uncommon from both sides. I was referring to my interactions and observations with ideologues in general. The extremist right wing types certainly exude contempt of left wing ideas. However, the extremist left wing types seem to genuinely believe that conservatives are terrible people. That is Just my personal experience though.

Amongst the candidates and talking heads that is certainly true. At least that is how it plays out with the campaigns and political process in general. Character attacks are not uncommon from both sides. I was referring to my interactions and observations with ideologues in general. The extremist right wing types certainly exude contempt of left wing ideas. However, the extremist left wing types seem to genuinely believe that conservatives are terrible people. That is Just my personal experience though.

Right. So calling Obama a "socialist and communist" and "the worst president in the history of United States" who is a "Jihadist enabling Muslim in disguise" is just disagreement then? Not disdain at all.

In fact, the Republican Congress' constant "compromises" with Obama is disdain.

Bernie sanders isn't a socialist, not by any definition of the word. In America the term socialist seems to have become like our version of facist (though they have that too). They just mean somebody on the left who they disagree with. Sanders has in no part endorsed government ownership of the means of products.

To quote him giving a speech at Georgetown university

I don’t believe government should take over the grocery store down the street or own the means of production.”

Bernie sanders

Lol, it's the absolute reverse.

Right wing Bible Belt and libertarian conservatives are absolutely obsessed with 'evil-painting' agendas. It isn't the Left who run hate radio stations that pour out 24/7 conspiracy theories, character attacks and deranged poison against right wing politicians, it's the other way around ffs.

There is no organised left wing hate of the right, but on the US right, it's a major industry with big funding and a large machine ready to crank up at a moment's notice.

I owe you an apology!

Calling Obama a socialists, communist, or bad president are all forms of disagreement. Calling Bush a murderer, tyrant, and liar are attacks on morality. Here is another way of putting it. Conservatives think liberal policies are unfair and liberals think conservative beliefs are immoral.

Amongst the candidates and talking heads that is certainly true. At least that is how it plays out with the campaigns and political process in general. Character attacks are not uncommon from both sides. I was referring to my interactions and observations with ideologues in general. The extremist right wing types certainly exude contempt of left wing ideas. However, the extremist left wing types seem to genuinely believe that conservatives are terrible people. That is Just my personal experience though.

Calling Obama a socialists, communist, or bad president are all forms of disagreement. Calling Bush a murderer, tyrant, and liar are attacks on morality. Here is another way of putting it. Conservatives think liberal policies are unfair and liberals think conservative beliefs are immoral.