Well, I was totally wrong about who would win the Republican nomination. Now let’s see how wrong I can be about who Trump will select as VP!
My guess is that Trump will choose FL Attorney General Pam Bondi. He has to win Florida to have a prayer of winning the election, and he has to do something about his abysmal ratings with women, or he’s toast. Bondi is a woman, and Trump is sexist knob enough to believe one vagina cancels out another, just as McCain thought La Palin would lure Hillary supporters.
Bondi was an early Trump endorser. She serves in the administration of Florida Governor Rick Scott, so she clearly doesn’t have any problem working with skeevy con men. She allegedly did Trump a solid by failing to prosecute Trump University for swindling gullible Floridians, and three days later, Trump cut a $25K check to Bondi’s reelection campaign, so they’ve already expressed a grift-affinity.
Before she went full-metal wingnut, Bondi was an assistant state attorney in Hillsborough County (home of Tampa), where she served as a spokeswoman for the office and was a media favorite. She’s good on TV, unlike Rick Scott, who is the worst retail campaigner, public speaker and debater I’ve ever personally seen.
Bondi would add some wingnut cred to the Trump campaign, but not too much. Like Trump, she’s had to straddle the line, appeasing the hardcore wingnut contingent in Florida on the one hand while not pursuing so-con issues so vigorously as to alienate the Club for Growth types. But in general, hardcore wingnuts like her.
It also doesn’t hurt that Bondi looks as if she could have been stamped from the Trump female entourage member mold, i.e., carved out of cream cheese with long blond hair. I’ll be surprised if he chooses someone else.
What say you?
msdc
This is the most compelling evidence in a good case.
Honestly, the biggest problem with your theory is that it makes too much sense and therefore is unlikely to occur to the Donald.
ruemara
Eh, I don’t care. My goal is to see Trump lose in bitter humiliation.
redshirt
Take LePage, please!
satby
Whoops, bigfoot post is gone and I just commented!
Bondi does sound like a Trump ready VP, but she’s pretty unknown outside of Florida. Of course, he’s totally well known, so that may not matter.
OT, just got my 600th sale! Yay!
bystander
@msdc:
I noticed today that Mary Matalin has converted to Libertarianism and wondered if she realized she would never be allowed in the same palace as the Sun King.
But let’s not discount Bondi’s third tier law school background as key. Trump is never going to surround himself with anyone who might outshine him except in the dyed blond hair department.
Gin & Tonic
@ruemara: This. I want my grandchildren comparing Trump with Goldwater or McGovern.
dr. bloor
Pam is too old for The Donald. She doesn’t have a daughter, does she?
kindness
I wouldn’t be shocked if Trump chose Palin again.
Mary
This actually makes the case somewhat compelling. I don’t really buy the idea that Trump would pick a woman just to cancel out HRC’s appeal among women, because his misogyny runs so deep that he doesn’t really think women voters matter at all. But, if he was going to pick a woman, it would have to be someone he could stand next to with a look of disgust on his face, which narrows the field considerably.
ETA – just read that Bondi is 50, though, which may make her too old for Trump, who of course judges all women first and foremost on their fuckability.
The Sheriff Endorses Baud 2016
Meanwhile, in the ongoing drama ‘Falling In Line,’ the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Tea Party advocate states he’s voting for Monty Brewster in November.
This is good news for John McCain.
JGabriel
Betty Cracker:
Maybe. You make a good case for Bondi, but I suspect the Donald will want someone with higher national name recognition – because that’s what impresses him.
I’m still thinking Christie will be his VP nom.
FlipYrWhig
Brilliant suggestion. It’d unleash another torrent of those REPUBLICAN CHICKS SO HAWT memes they love so much, too.
bystander
@ruemara: Personally, I would also enjoy watching Pammy become a footnote as quickly as possible. Paul Ryan is rotting from the feet up after his disaster on the Willard Express to the Trash Heap.
guachi
Blonde and reasonably attractive.
No surprise every other comment thinks it’s a good choice for those reasons.
NobodySpecial
I think whomever Trump selects will fall into three categories:
1) He has to excite the religious base, in order to see the possibility of a President Xtian in the near future.
2) He has to be at least a little bit reassuring to the old guard and the old money.
3) He can’t outshine the Donald.
My pick? Huckabee or Carson. I doubt he goes female, he knows he has zero shot without stabilizing the coalition.
Rolling Along
Paul LePage, another northeasterner who “tells it like it is” and isn’t afraid to be politically incorrect–an intriguing choice that could augment the Trump “brand”, similar to how none another than Bill Clinton picked Al Gore to augment his instead for the traditional “balancing” of the ticket. Very intriguing, indeed, he could put New England in play!
BTW, Trump is learning! He’s now courting the big donors and has hired a Goldman Sachs Hedge Fund Boy, he will even set up a Super PAC.
Maybe I was wrong. If Trump taps that donor base and wises up on entitlements and public employees he may be acceptable after all. He also needs a stronger more muscular foreign policy but it could come in time!
Hillary is one of the weakest nominees in modern times, remember, Dukakis and Carter led in the polls by bigger margins at this point!
“ON DEMAND” FUNDING/-Trump will take it if he’s smart.
guachi
Wait… perhaps if she were 40 and not 50. Fifty might be a bit old for Republicans.
Amir Khalid
Trump knows jack about what a President does, and I’ll bet he hasn’t given a moment’s thought to what a Veep will do in his administration either. He values his unpredictability. He’s got Sleepy Ben Carson helping him pick a Veep. There is probably no one in the Republican party who could handle more than just staying out of Donald’s way. I have no idea who will get the nod, but I’m pretty sure it will be someone facepalm-worthy.
D58826
This guy is at it again – H. A. Goodman. He is confident that Bernie will be the next president.
To much wrong with the article but I will comment on this –
Ignoring the ‘fear’ factor there is a basic math problem here. The more likely outcome of Bernie running as a 3rd party candidate is he will split the EV three ways and no one will reach 270. Now in the event that no one reaches 270 there is a process in place that he might not be aware of. The election goes to the House and guess who controls the House? Hello President Trump (or maybe Ryan since the House can vote for any one). Of course in fantasy land Bernie’s coat tails may bring in a democratic house in 2017 but if I understand the process correctly it is the current house session that get to vote.
Tokyokie
I’m thinking that Jenny McCarthy combines the sort of nationally prominent ignorance with blond good looks that seems to appeal to Der Drumpf. But at 43, she may be too old for his tastes. (Threading the needle of someone constitutionally old enough to be vice president and still hawt by the short-fingered vulgarian’s standards will be his most difficult decision of the campaign.)
CONGRATULATIONS!
White male. Won’t and couldn’t be anything else.
El Caganer
Could be Rick Perry. Goodhair is reassuring to the old guard, and he’s demonstrated that he’s dumb as a bag of hammers.
dr. bloor
@Rolling Along:
Might work. He couldn’t deliver Maine, but most of the rest of his base would think he picked Joe Arpaio.
redshirt
@Rolling Along: So after much needed rest, you’ve decided to support Trump?
SHOCKED!!!
MattF
Well… Wikipedia says she’s been married and divorced twice so that’s a plus… but where’s her height and weight? Incomplete information!
dr. bloor
@D58826:
No, he splits the popular vote three ways within each state, handing the EVs necessary for the presidency to Trump.
Marmot
Ha! I said at one point that Trump had gone too far, and that his chances were DOOMED. Wow.
cokane
I agree it’s almost certain he picks a woman for VP, but who knows with this guy
CONGRATULATIONS!
@D58826: What are these imbeciles going to do when the FBI wraps up the investigation next week with no charges filed?
Betty Cracker
@D58826: I’m hoping this H.A. Goodman character has the decency to ritually disembowel himself after Bernie suspends his campaign and endorses Clinton. Metaphorically, of course!
Enhanced Voting Techinques
Solid reasoning on your part if Trump was a normal politican, but Trump is a reality TV star so he will go for a shocker and a cliff hanger. My bet is he will nominate Putin or Hulk Hogan as his VP
Mary
@D58826: Jesus, that reads like it was written by someone who either a) knows absolutely nothing about the American electoral process, or b) is rat-fucking like their life depends on it.
GregB
Any chance Good Dr. Ben Carson pulls a Dick Cheney and concludes he’s the most qualified to be Veep?
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@NobodySpecial: i hadn’t thought of Huckabee.. that’s interesting. Wasn’t he one of the first losers to back Trump? I think Perry or Christie would tick the boxes needed to give establishment R’s a public excuse to justify their vote. I think a Senator or prominent Cong-type would do that better, but I can’t think of one both dumb and desperate enough. Blackburn I think would be all over it, but I think even Trump would see what a lightweight she is. Sessions is too Confederate.
I’m surprised Bondi isn’t going for Li’l Marco’s Senate seat.
catclub
@guachi: I noticed two divorces. They don’t mind that for Trump, but I expect the double standard to apply to a woman.
ruemara
@D58826: H. A. Goodman is both incredibly stupid, has the intellectual heft of a cherry pit and is in the middle of a psychotic breakdown. No idea why he’s being given a platform except to copulate with random rattus rattus.
Germy Shoemangler
I did a quick wikipedia check of Bondi and it seems she was active in trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
So she’s got that going for her.
I can totally see him picking a female VP. I’m sure members of his team are pitching that scenario. Other members are probably advising someone like Rick Perry. Who knows who he’ll listen to? HIs gut is the ultimate decider.
Boots Day
If Trump can’t get anyone more prominent than a state attorney general to be his running mate, then he’s even more doomed than I thought.
gogol's wife
@CONGRATULATIONS!:
That’s what I think too. He’s not going to pick a woman.
But then I thought Jeb Bush was going to get the nomination.
elmo
I dunno. I think Ben Carson let slip the thinking that will lead to Jim Webb. Trump has no chance with women. None. There’s no point trying to shore up his standing with women by pretending to respect one, so why put himself through that exercise?
Trump’s only shot – and I think he’s smart enough to know this – is to bring out disaffected white male non-voters in the industrial Midwest and North. All the punditry saying he can’t do that because Romney already maxed those out and lost is focused on Romney’s 70% with actual voters. “Trump can’t beat Romney’s numbers among white males” is lazy analysis, because it just ignores people who have checked out and haven’t voted. It pretends they don’t exist, or that having failed to vote in 2008 and 2012, they will never vote.
So Trump will try to convince non-voting white men that he’s different. One way is by refusing to be focus-grouped, politically correct, or even polite. His people love that. Another way is to promise things that are ridiculous on their face to even marginally-informed people, but that sound great to the stupid and ignorant. (See “10-foot wall,” “Lower the debt by paying less,” “Shake down NATO for protection money,” and so on.)
And I think he will double down on that strategy by picking a:
Nominal Democrat
White male
With military credentials
And the same kind of aggressive self-righteous blowhardism that appeals so much to people who want a caudillo, not a President.
Message: We are going to go in there and break the system that has fucked you over for thirty years and allowed women, Negroes, and wetbacks to believe they’re better than you.
Think Huck Finn’s father for the archetype.
Germy
@ruemara: Goodman is a former Rand/Ron Paul supporter. I’ve always suspected him of being a mole.
Amir Khalid
@D58826:
I liked this particular claim from Haha Godman:
Then why isn’t Bernie running as an independent now?
gogol's wife
@Enhanced Voting Techinques:
Putin! Great idea! Then after 4 years they can do a рокировка, and Putin becomes President while Trump becomes Vice President. Just the threat of a “Tea Party Russian style” should do the trick.
Keith P.
Marsha Blackburn
dedc79
He’ll want someone who is a big enough deal that he can brag about having that person on his team, but not a big enough deal to steal any of the limelight from him. Bondi passes the latter part of the test, but not the former.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
OT: Erick Erikscon is calling on Republicans to apologize to Clinton for impeaching him over adultery now that they’re all lining up behind Trump
ETA: I realize HaHa is so far out there he might as well be a fictional character, but isn’t too late for Bernie to get on any or most ballots as an indie? That’s been the line I’ve been seeing about Rs
Chyron HR
@Rolling Along:
What’s it like to have no self-respect whatsoever?
catclub
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
I disagree. If Sessions took it, that would give Trump a lot of cred with politicians.
Huckabee is a real thumb in the eye to Club for Growth republicans, so I can see it. An Arkansas newcomer to DC would work well. ;)
Except for his reputation (well earned!) for stupidity, Rick Perry would be good for Trump.
Betty Cracker
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: I think that would’ve be the smart move for Bondi. She might have her eye on the governorship, but she’ll have to wait her turn when Scott apparates back to Malfoy Manor in 2018 because long-time FL pol/grifter Adam Putnam will almost certainly run, and the Democrats will probably put someone lame up against him, ensuring another loss. Le sigh.
MattF
@GregB: There’s another question– Rumor has it that Cheney took the opportunity of leading W’s VP search committee to collect information on a large number of Republican wannabes. Carson probably isn’t evil enough to really get excited by that level of information access, but Der Trump himself might be.
Germy
If Trump picks Chris Christie, all the “democrat party” will need to do is run ads 24/7 showing Christie hugging Obama. The effect on republican voters will be like waving a crucifix in front of vampires.
Eric U.
I don’t think Bondi is tall enough or skinny enough for Trump. I’m not a misogynist, but I did sleep in a holiday Inn Express last night
Just One More Canuck
@Betty Cracker: metaphorically or not, either way is fine with me
D58826
@dr. bloor: Either way, the song played when the President enters a room will now be ‘Trumpland Uber Alles’!i
different-church-lady
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Is Erickkkk on the edge of a spite conversion?
Rolling Along
@Chyron HR:
#StrictlyNeutral
Don’t really favor Trump but he’s making smart moves and Hillary still (!) can’t lock up her nomination.
Just being a political observer.
Hoodie
Don’t know Bondi, but she seems too obscure. I’ll say the pig castrator. Ernst remained officially neutral in Iowa but sort of “supported” Rubio, but that was eons ago in political time. Renee Ellmers from NC is another possibility. She was an early supporter.
Germy
What sort of madman would put Ben Carson in charge of choosing a VP?
catclub
@cokane:
Yes! Maybe! No!
Germy
@Hoodie: Ahh, the pig castrator. Hadn’t thought of that.
Gin & Tonic
@elmo: I think getting those guys who haven’t voted in 10 or more years to get their butt off the barstool and go down to the polling place takes more work than Il Donaldo has demonstrated an affinity for.
Chris
@NobodySpecial:
Trump himself is doing a pretty fine job of turning out evangelicals (and their ur-region, the South, is one he won handily in the primaries). I think his biggest concern will be appeasing the money and elites, that’s where the heart of the opposition to him has come from. Though I could also see him doubling down on someone who’ll offend them just to say “fuck you, I didn’t need you in the primary and I don’t need you now.”
Joel
@Gin & Tonic: Fuck that. Alf Landon.
Germy
“Yes, no, maybe. Can you repeat the question?”
– they might be giants, “You’re Not The Boss of Me”
Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class
Beautiful day in San Miniato outside Firenze, out truffle hunting.
We were with a truffle hunter, his son the interpreter, and his truffle hunting dog. In one hour, we found four black truffles, each larger than a golf ball, total value about $180 US. We then went to his house, where his daughter prepared an amazing farm to table meal of four courses, each with truffles and paired with local wines.
The dog went nuts every time he found one – funny as hell.
We then went to a tiny vineyard, and bought amazing wine for not a lot of money before hopping a socialist subsidized train back to Firenze.
redshirt
@Germy: It’s madmen all the way down.
JPL
My guess is he’ll choose Mia Love, in an attempt to excite females and blacks.
Gin & Tonic
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
Well, the filing deadline in Texas is this coming Monday, and requires 80k signatures. That’s the first one I’m aware of.
D58826
@CONGRATULATIONS!: Well there is a rumor that she forgot to put enough postage on an envelope once. f Surely Trey, HaHA and the rest can find something there to investigate. I’ll bet Judicial Watch already has FOIA requests typed up and ready to go.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@cokane: That’s the thing, that weird mixture of canniness, arrogance, insecurity (when he insists on his intelligence, “I went to the best schools!”) and a couple more things besides… I could see him picking anyone
ETA: @JPL: word is the Mormons hate him deeply and sincerely, but I haven’t talked to all of them. Also the risk of career suicide for someone who sees up close the withering husk that is Orrin Hatch on a fairly regular basis.
NotMax
@D58826
Pipe dream.
Been said before, and worth repeating, that it is too late.
Two words: filing deadlines.
Mike J
Rommie
Trump will not pick a female VP because he’ll look weak – he might have to listen to the (insert one of the myriad of descriptions Herr T is capable of saying out loud)
My bet is on the White Power Bro Couple. But it’s a small bet, as his Loose Cannon persona dictates.
catclub
@Chris:
Repeating from the recent thread:
? Martin
@NobodySpecial:
1) Isn’t important. The god-botherers were only there as a signaling mechanism for someone who would keep women and minorities in their place. Trump has made it fashionable again to just be a straight-up bigot without the Bible excuse. If you want to know what a old-school conservative is, it’s Trump. He won the majority of the evangelical community even against Cruz. They aren’t looking for a President Xtian.
Michelle Fiore would be a potential alternative to Bondi. So would Ann Coulter. Remember, Trump is also running an anti-establishment campaign, and will continue to do so against very-establishment Clinton. Pulling an anti-establishment VP would make sense. It’ll either be someone out of government, or someone not at the federal level. Fiore and Bondi both fit. Could be a governor, so maybe Fallin. Hayley isn’t dumb enough to sign on. He’ll push hard for a woman. Carson was chosen to lead up the effort so that nobody pushes back too hard.
Unrelated, here’s a non-both-sides-do-it article. Not sure if its the start of a trend or the token one for this cycle.
Germy
Whoever he chooses, I’m expecting to see mighty voter suppression efforts this year. Five-hour lines around the block, polling stations switched at the last minute, all sorts of monkey-business incorrect information sent out to those voters.
If the ratfuckers can’t win it outright I have no doubt they’ll try to steal it again.
raven
@Gin & Tonic: McGovern was a bomber pilot in WW 2, there is no comparison.
JPL
@catclub: That was certainly a misstep and he will deny ever saying it.
schrodinger's cat
Stanley Mcrystal or David Petraeus would be my guess.
? Martin
@catclub:
With who? This is the problem Puerto Rico is in. The borrowers are the voters. What deal are you going to make with Social Security?
catclub
@Germy: Someone who SAYS Carson is in charge when Paul Manafort is actually in charge.
Window dressing.
Germy
@JPL: Trump/Love 2016. It has a certain ring to it, but won’t it piss off a certain segment of his… uh… base?
the Conster, la Citoyenne
Trump isn’t going to try to do the demographic balance thing at all – he doesn’t want to be overshadowed in any way. It will be an anodyne white male – – someone who has accepted his humiliation at the tiny little hands of Trump. Someone like Kasich, who would put OH in play, and who would get the press to pretend that Trump is actually serious about governing.
catclub
@? Martin: You don’t need to point out to me that this is insane, I know that Trump said it.
? Martin
@Amir Khalid:
You don’t know the half of it.
He’s wrapping up the nomination and doesn’t even understand how the election works.
NotMax
@the Conster, la Citoyenne
Boehner is rested and ready. And he and Trump could use those 2-for-1 coupons at the tanning salon!
;)
schrodinger's cat
@catclub: He doesn’t understand economics, he doesn’t understand foreign policy. He is an uninformed bully who doesn’t even know what he doesn’t know. Stupid and evil, just like the base.
Germy
@catclub: Ahh, I see. Use Carson’s outrageous charisma; the excitement he generates. Then have Paul quietly do the real work backstage.
I wonder if Ben understand how he’s being used, or if he knows and just doesn’t care?
Germy
@? Martin: Everyone gets one vote. You either use it during the primary or during the general election. I thought everyone knew that?
We need to start teaching civics again.
D58826
@NotMax: You just don’t get it. ‘Filing deadlines’ like voter registration deadlines are simply another dirty democratic establishment trick to deprives Bernie of the crown that he so obviously and rightly deserves.
And I will leave it to the other BJ wags and jokesters to hit the hanging curve of ‘crown that he so obviously and rightly deserves’.
schrodinger's cat
Wasn’t there a DougJ thread after this one, or did I hallucinate?
catclub
@? Martin:
Party Building! His GOTV apparatus will be amazing!
Soylent Green
Trump could overlook Bondi not being tall enough if she has good boobs. Does she have good boobs?
WarMunchkin
@? Martin: … this lends more credence to the Trump Campaign as one giant call for help…
Joel
Steven Seagal. Maybe he could wear a keffiyeh as a way of normalizing relationships with the Muslims.
Gin & Tonic
@raven: I know, I just meant in terms of electoral outcome.
catclub
@schrodinger’s cat: I bookmarked the article up at Vox that says: “Reporting every day that Trump is unqualified and unfit to be President is boring. So the press will do anything except that to make the election interesting.”
I plan to re-read it every two weeks.
NotMax
@catclub
Ain’t a-gonna happen, sadly, but wouldn’t it be a hoot and a half if enough of his supporters take his advice to heart and stay home that Trump loses the primary?
catclub
@Soylent Green: Isn’t there a three hour session of Trump with Howard Stern saying this?
msdc
@bystander:
This theory is looking better and better.
Germy
The theme song/album for Trump:
Hello Hooray
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpgD_tecTGg&list=PLND-YBfq8s5l3Ta0VvKIRdNQmheYl2LjV
From “Billion Dollar Babies”
Ryan
Oh, she’d be perfect! Robert Palmer here we come!
Trabb's Boy
I’m betting Sessions. Trump needs to reach the people who worry that he is unqualified and the people who worry that he’s not conservative enough. He will pick someone who knows how Washington works, appeals to the hard right and won’t ever outshine him on stage.
A woman would be a smart move, but I don’t know if there are any Tea Party women in Washington with any name recognition. Michelle Bachman?
I'mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet
@satby: Yay you! :-)
I agree that Betty made a good case. It’ll be interesting to see if he picks her. I also think that he has to be thinking along those lines (woman, Florida, politician, easily malleable yet supported by the Teabaggers, etc.).
Speaking of Trump, Donkey Hotay has bunch of Trump Tweets posted in Drum’s Taco Salad thread (scroll down to ~ 10 hours ago (at the moment)). Trump is going to be crushed…
Go Team D!
Cheers,
Scott.
NotMax
Robert Ryan day every Friday this month on TCM.
A fine actor and maestro of tension, toting a simmering volcano around inside him which might erupt at any moment, whatever the role.
pseudonymous in nc
@Germy:
The institutional tools of voter suppression are held by true-blue children of ALEC. I’m not sure Kris Kobach is a full-on Trumpador, so it’ll be there mostly for the down-ballot races.
However, I can well imagine lots of self-appointed open-carrying Election Integrity Protection squads for Trump. Maybe they can even wear armbands.
Germy
“Elected” works just as well for Trump:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_qtQ52eFB0&list=PLND-YBfq8s5l3Ta0VvKIRdNQmheYl2LjV&index=3
Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class
So this is what we did.
Truly amazing experience, tromping the hills of Tuscany…
gogol's wife
@Mike J:
Perfect! I hadn’t thought of that one.
rp
[deleted comment]
I'mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet
@CONGRATULATIONS!: But Derek McGinty was concern trolling on the Diane Rehm show this morning that she was going to have to testify in court about the “scandal”!!11 It might hurt her!!11
:-/
These press people are going to be the death of the Republic.
:-(
Cheers,
Scott.
The Sheriff Endorses Baud 2016
@D58826: Haw-Haw Goodman is a Paulbot, with all the detachment from reality one would expect from such.
O. Felix Culpa
@Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class: You are duly hated, you pinko-commie fungus fop! You probably eat arugula salads too! Have you no shame, sir?
bemused senior
@Germy: Your post gave me an idea. What organization is doing the best job of fighting back on the ground against vote suppression? Could it be helpful to orchestrate a nationwide database of precinct level info showing latest info about efforts like these, together with legal efforts and social media information spreading to try to get the word out to people affected by this? Like you, I am very worried that voter suppression will be the default effort to minimize the Trump disadvantage in November.
The Sheriff Endorses Baud 2016
@I’mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet: Well, it’ll hurt for someone, but I won’t guarantee its the Republic.
Trump’s driving himself and the GOP into a ditch, with the traditional media riding shotgun the whole way.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@rp: I don’t doubt that Trump would want someone like Petraeus or McChrystal, but (not knowing much–anything– about McC beyond that Rolling Stone interview that got him fired, and that I only vaguely remember), I’d say it’s a longshot, just statistically, that he’s dumb and crazy enough to hitch his wagon to Trump. Somebody like Christie or Perry is a pure political animal arrogant enough to think he can be the political mastermind and puppet master of the Trump White House. Who knows is McC thinks that way, it’s one more personality trait to add to stupid and crazy. IMHO.
rdldot
@satby: can you post your link for us? I know you did before but I lost it.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@bemused senior: I’ve been thinking along the same lines, what can we do, who can we work with? The ACLU? local Dem parties?
the Conster, la Citoyenne
@D58826:
haha Goodman and Shaun King are the two most delusional Berniebros out there right now. Shaun King’s Bernie slobbering is embarrassing to witness – I don’t know how he can stand himself. Today he’s off and running about how Bernie is the anti-Trump, except of course for all of the similarities between them and their supporters. SMH.
O. Felix Culpa
@rdldot:
As I learned from Ms. Cracker after asking the same question, just click on satby’s name in one of her comments. The hyperlink will take you to her wonderful Skinluvvers products on Etsy.
NotMax
@Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class
If in Florence, tickets for the Uffizi Gallery are a must.
Also, the Boboli gardens behind the Palazzo Pitti ought to be in early bloom.
Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class
@O. Felix Culpa:
Not only do I eat arugula, I disdain iceberg lettuce.
Matt McIrvin
I was thinking he picks Jim Webb, to solidify his hold on the more-in-sorrow-than-in-anger vote of white Democratic guys who are sublimating their racism/sexism by insisting on Hillary Clinton’s burning lifelong hatred of white working-class Scots-Irish bubbas from Arkansas who are kind of horny and like Big Macs.
But picking Bondi would be closer to Trump’s id while also helping to legitimate him a little as a conservative.
shomi
Only thing is she seems to have a bit of a weight problem. If she can keep that under control I’ll bet this will be the pick as well. She meets the physical appearance test (except maybe for her weight) which seems to be the most important thing with Republicans and probably a lot smarter than Palin so it is probably a done deal. You can’t deny that Palin did shake up the race and probably made it a bit closer than it would have otherwise been. All just because of her looks.
Also Drumpf needs a woman to fill in the noticeable gap from the lack of appearances by his trophy wife.
bemused senior
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: This org looks interesting. I’m going to look at it more closely and maybe volunteer.
Chris
@? Martin:
This.
So many people were bewildered when so many evangelicals turned out for Trump. I’ve been saying for years that every time you see the word “evangelical,” you need to just mentally replace it with “segregationist.” Do that and the voting patterns make perfect sense.
Matt McIrvin
@Chris: What I think is fascinating is that while evangelicals don’t really hate Trump, Mormons do. You could probably write a thesis on the difference there.
Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class
@NotMax:
We’ve got about 4 more days here before moving on to Siena and Cinque a Terre, then we return for a couple before Rome. I think we see the Uffizi Saturday or Sunday. I definitely want to make mass here in the Basilica de Maria di Santa Novella ((I like attending liturgy in ancient European cathedrals – it makes me feel great continuity with the past).
NotMax
@shomi
Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha.
Wrong way shomi (formerly pink-something, formerly other nyms) strikes out yet again.
O. Felix Culpa
@Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class: Insufferable food snob! :) By the way, try some Vermentino wine if you have a chance (and haven’t already). Although the varietal is primarily grown in Sardinia, we had some in Tuscany. A taste revelation: light, crisp,and yet flavorful, along the line of Sauvignon Blanc. Also sampled Vermentino gelato in San Gimignano, which was beyond wonderful. The gelato, I mean, although the town was also lovely.
PaulWartenberg2016
thing against Bondi is her relative lack of name recognition. Trump is gonna want to get somebody who already has their names macro’ed into the newspaper column writing.
also, Bondi makes Sarah Palin closer to Elizabeth Warren in terms of the gravitas and brains factors.
I’d normally argue that Trump should go get a Veep who has actual federal-level experience – like a Senator or Congresscritter – to assuage the fears of the Far Right punditry, but Trump has proven that “experience” is THE four-letter word among the Far Right VOTERS, so he’s likely going to get the biggest, prettiest amateur clown he can find.
catclub
@bemused senior:
In a perfect world ACORN. But ACORN is no more. I think there is a successor organization, but I do not know its name.
PaulWartenberg2016
@satby:
yay. …what are you selling again?
Cajptain C
@? Martin: How is that not an Onion piece?!?
PaulWartenberg2016
@catclub: the Democrats have hidden the name to avoid any more ambush videos by the Breitbart crew.
chopper
@Chyron HR:
catclub
@I’mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet: But forgetting the suit that is actually going to court in the Trump University scam.
O. Felix Culpa
@catclub:
Although they might appear staid and from yesteryear, the League of Women Voters is dedicated to registering and educating/empowering voters. Men can also be members now, I’m told.
Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class
@O. Felix Culpa:
I’m going to be a raging drunk when I return, given that I have loved literally EVERY BOTTLE OF WINE I’ve tried. There is nothing bad here.
Plus, I’m gonna lie like a motherfucker on my inbound customs declaration, as I’m gonna throw away clothes in order to create room for wine inmy luggage…
NotMax
@Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class
A quiet respite is available in the Uffizi Library. Other impressive libraries off the normal tourist track are the Laurentian (designed by Michaelangelo) and the Riccardian.
patroclus
I don’t care who Trump picks as a VP nominee nor who won the London election. I want Boaty McBoatface as the name of that vessel!
MattF
@shomi: Well, I’ll deny it. Apart from raising a transient “Who is Sarah Palin” question, naming Palin as his running mate reinforced the suspicion that McCain is careless, rash, and error-prone. And there’s also the joke that McCain actually followed Bill Kristol’s advice, but that’s a joke for political junkies. In any case, not good qualities for a Presidential candidate.
PaulWartenberg2016
There’s a Vox Veep Simulator now. http://www.vox.com/2016/5/5/11598834/vp-generator-shortlist#graphic
We can use the options to narrow Trump’s VP choices to… to… Mia Love, Utah.
Or Martha Roby.
O. Felix Culpa
@Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class: Eating and drinking your way through Italy is the right thing to do. The art and landscapes are nice too. If you’re going to Cinque Terre, I recommend Trattoria dal Billy (aka, Billy’s) in Manarola. It’s a hike up to the restaurant, but the food and views (try to get a table overlooking the ocean) will amply repay your efforts! We had the lobster pasta and literally licked the plates to get the final molecules of sauce. Let no amazing deliciousness go to waste!
Chris
@Matt McIrvin:
I didn’t know that.
Maybe it’s because Trump’s personality is the antithesis of the one Mormons are raised to adopt. Or maybe it’s because Trump’s racist/exclusivist rhetoric still strikes an uncomfortable chord with a group that was historically an unpopular minority.
Gin & Tonic
@Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class: That’s kinda how I felt in Mendoza (Argentina) when I was there last year. Given the conditions of the Argentine economy then, none of the good stuff was exported. In fact, the really good stuff doesn’t even get to Buenos Aires. But you can’t exactly fit two cases of wine in your suitcase.
Mustang Bobby
If it means a swift and brutal end to Ms. Bondi’s career in public office, I’m all in favor of it.
I'mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet
@O. Felix Culpa: http://lwv.org is good, as is http://www.voteriders.org I donate to both.
Cheers,
Scott.
Forked Tongue
I must be alone in thinking Gingrich. Experienced in Washington, but still dripping enough with hatred to present himself as an outsider. Acceptable to the old guard and big money boys, but as much a demagogue as Trump. And no political future to worry about.
ruemara
@? Martin: he & Shaun King/H.A. Goodman all skipped civics.
D58826
@The Sheriff Endorses Baud 2016: Didn’t know he was a Paulist but it’s been obvious for a while that he is several alternate universes away from reality.
MattF
@Forked Tongue: Not a bad thought, but he’s kinda old (72).
O. Felix Culpa
@I’mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet:
Thanks for the links! I had never heard of Voteriders before. Glad to be able to support another organization that’s fighting voter suppression.
Culture of Truth
I said Jeff Sessions a while ago, so I’ll stick with it, but yes, a woman or minority or both would make more sense.
Gin & Tonic
@Forked Tongue: Two philandering, thrice-married angry egotistical old blowhards. What could possibly go wrong?
Matt McIrvin
@Chris: The weird thing to me is, Mormonism was itself historically super-racist. There was that whole “curse of Ham” business. One of my most alarming childhood encounters with racism was a long conversation I had with a peculiar Mormon friend of mine who insisted that black people were no good and you always saw them at “mob scenes”. It was the first time I got an inkling that racism could be an ideology and not just a personal animus.
But today, Utah Mormons (which my friend was not–this was in Virginia) seem to rate very low for racial animus in social-science studies. Maybe it was just a different kind of racism: Utah is not the most lily-white state in the union, but it’s got very few African-Americans, so animus against them specifically was always kind of theoretical. And Mormons on mission often make social contact with people in other countries, so they’re not naturally xenophobic.
Also, I think Mormons walk the walk when it comes to squeaky-clean personal behavior to a much greater degree than, say, Southern Baptists do. They’re just as patriarchal-authoritarian as Southern white evangelicals, but there’s not as much of a sense that it’s really OK for good old boys to go around drinking and swearing in private as long as they ask Jesus to forgive them. Trump’s vulgar personal behavior deeply horrifies them.
YellowDog314
Bondi has the wingnut credentials–sued to overturn the ACA, challenged same-sex marriage, supported Arizona’s anti-immigration legislation. But she has major personal baggage that would not appeal to the family-values crowd. They can ignore The Donald’s two divorces and his “serial philandering,” but line up her two divorces and “other living arrangements” with his and they will become known as Sodom and Gomorrah.
http://republicinsanity.tumblr.com/post/121583671683/pam-bondi
http://www.gossipextra.com/2015/05/19/florida-attorney-general-pam-bondi-breaks-up-boyfriend-4822/
The Ancient Randonneur
I’m kinda hoping he picks Omarosa.
Adam L Silverman
It won’t be Bondi. Trump hates fat women. Bondi, as I’ve remarked a couple of times has, like all of us, put on weight as she’s gotten older. He won’t pick her because she’s no longer what he considers attractive. Here’s a picture from March’s Orlando Sentinel:
http://www.trbimg.com/img-56eb2845/turbine/os-florida-attorney-general-pam-bondi-says-she-s-not-running-for-governor-20160317
She no longer looks like this:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia1.fdncms.com%2Forlando%2Fimager%2Fhappytown-pam-bondi-exposed%2Fu%2Foriginal%2F2326730%2F1440147.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecoli.com%2Fthreads%2Fmiami-herald-fl-ag-pam-bondi-endorsed-trump-because-he-paid-her-not-to-prosecute-trump-university.409984%2F&docid=0pQWEk_n0GxaDM&tbnid=Kue9u9jqsPr-TM%3A&w=640&h=957&bih=678&biw=1280&ved=0ahUKEwi9lNrJ68XMAhXIQyYKHeNsB4wQxiAIAg&iact=c&ictx=1
Ella in New Mexico
Read this in the ABQ Journal today and laughed my ass off:
1. Not only has Governor Peet-zah been desperately selling her body to the Republicans as a potential VP or Cabinet pick, she’s just incredibly unqualified to even be our governor, much less anything actually involving a brain…She’s basically just Sarah Palin with an Hispanic last name.
2. Donald Trump and his campaign have pretty much put it out there that they need a VP who will be the real President because Dumold has absolutely NO FUCKING IDEA WHAT HE’S DOING.
Who they pick for VP for Trump will not be like campaigns past, where they’ll try to balance out a ticket by race or gender or give paybacks to old friends. It’s gonna be about finding someone to play Dickie Cheney.
Betty Cracker
@Adam L Silverman: I see your point — she’s a total fucking cow. [insert rolling eyes emoji here]
@Ella in New Mexico: Well, if it’s true he’s looking for DC/FP experience, Bondi ain’t got it.
Surreal American
@Rolling Along:
You’re at the bargaining stage, aren’t you?
O. Felix Culpa
@Ella in New Mexico: On this point we most definitely agree! I will be glad when our Governor Peet-zah, aka Southwest Snooki, is retired from office.
Adam L Silverman
@Betty Cracker: I don’t think she’s a cow, nor do I think she’s unattractive. But I’m also not Donald Trump and I’m not a misogynist with a very shallow concept of attractiveness.
NobodySpecial
@gogol’s wife: Hotline:Miami called, they want their plot back.
Germy
Scott Brown for Trump’s VP?
He was an early supporter. He could spend the entire campaign attacking Elizabeth Warren instead of HRC.
Because it’s personal with him.
FlipYrWhig
@Ella in New Mexico:
It could be Dickie Cheney himself, if not for Trump’s (fraudulent but so far successful) distancing himself from the Iraq War.
John Bolton? Frank Gaffney?
craigie
Nice try, but he’s obviously going to choose the most awesome possible candidate as VP – himself!
Twice the Trump must be four times as good, or something.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Mike Pence? ex-Critter and current Governor, culture warrior and ally of McCain/Graham (to placate Andrea Mitchell’)
imonlylurking
@satby: Was it for the charcoal face soap? If so-that was my roommate!
NotMax
@Germy
That’s who my
moneybitcoins are on. Drawback is the “loser” stink.Also don’t discount Scott Walker. Or Pence from Indiana.
MomSense
@Rolling Along:
I love the idea of Trump LePage ticket!
Please proceed, Republicans. Pretty please proceed.
tybee
@Germy:
a better choice from alice would be “i want to be elected”
West of the Rockies (been a while)
@Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class:
You do know everyone here hates you, yes? ; )
tybee
@Germy:
damn you.
Soylent Green
The smart move for the establishment GOP is to get Trump to pick one of their guys for veep, then rally behind Trump to get him elected (which also helps their downticket races), then impeach and remove him from office (if anyone will give them solid grounds to do so, Trump will). They will even get good bipartisan support.
machine
Megan Kelly, with strident cries about yooge reconciliation and a tweet stating “I love the split-tails!”
Matt McIrvin
@Soylent Green: I don’t know, impeachment seems like a lot of trouble. It’d be more fun to play some solitaire. Why don’t you play a little solitaire, right now?
…I’ll wait…
Do you see the red queen?
Matt McIrvin
@Rolling Along:
This is the funniest thing you’ve ever posted.
Uncle Cosmo
@Botsplainer, Cryptofascist Tool of the Oppressor Class:
The biggest obstacle you’re likely to face is the limitations imposed, not by the US government, but by the state you’re returning to. Check with them on how much you can bring in.
According to this page, there is no limit to the amount of wine you can bring in for personal use. Have a look in Chapter 22 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Duty for wine coming into the USA is at most $1.59 per liter. Pay it, fer cripesake. If you can’t afford $19.08 extra for a dozen liters of the stuff, how the hell did you manage Yerpean travel in the first place?
(NB I saw there is a 100% duty in place for some items coming from Europe. I think these are mostly edibles, cheeses & the like, plus Italian mineral water…)
Matt
My money’s on Tom Cotton.
Ken
@Rolling Along: Obama couldn’t lock up the nomination until June. What’s your point?
piratedan
I was thinking Michelle Bachmann would be a perfect choice…
1) has wingnut cred
2) is a known christofascist
3) is decent enough looking that Trump would do her on the plane (in his mind)
4) plays in the Midwest
5) and she’s totally batshit cray cray
John D
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Nope, plenty of time.
Sanders himself says he is not running and (I), and I believe him, but ballot access deadlines are not why he won’t.
El Kabong
Vince McMahon.
BruceFromOhio
I see that vpilf.com has already been bought, possibly a holdover from ‘aught-twelve. vpilf.net is still available for the entrepreneur looking to fleece the grifter class.
Matt McIrvin
@John D: He couldn’t wait to get started until after the convention, though. Getting signatures takes time. (Unless he took the option of becoming the Green Party candidate.)
Ella in New Mexico
@FlipYrWhig:
Jesus you’re frigging clairvoyant: they just announced on CNN that “He of the Secret Cloven Hooves Stuffed in His Cowboy Boots” has endorsed Trump.
When I think of how many awesomely good people out there die every single day because they didn’t come up with the Golden Ticket on the Transplant Donor List…
Ella in New Mexico
@Rolling Along:
An exclamation point at the end of every sentence! You must be Donald Himself! Or his cheap-suit troll!
Ella in New Mexico
@O. Felix Culpa: You’re a Democrat from New Mexico? Then I’m sure we agree on A LOT! :-)
satby
@imonlylurking: yes!
David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch
Twofer – He’ll pick Miss Panama (photo)
the hispanics and women love him.
jonas
@elmo:
Sure, but is he that self-aware? Or willing to listen to anyone who tells him so? “I’m great with women! Tell’em, Melania! See? She said ‘yes, dear.’ There you go! I’m great. I’m gonna be great with women. Look at my wife. She’s amazing. Admit it, you were fantasizing about her tits just now, weren’t you? You see? I should kick your ass. I would kick your ass, but I would understand. She’s fucking amazing. That’s why I’m gonna win.”
jonas
If Trump were free to be Trump in this matter, his short list would be:
1. Ted Nugent
2. Dennis Rodman
3. Vince McMahon
4. John Rocker
Mary in Ohio
I am putting all my money on Ivanka who will turn 35 just before the election. After all he loved to use his children on the Apprentice as his second in command.