UKC

... but not as bonkers as we thought, or so it seems. Is common sense - for the Republicans- and genuine consideration of a left wing agenda - for the Democrats - breaking out after all?

In reply to Rob Exile Ward:

I was reading that Trump shouldn't have been remotely competitive in Iowa, and the fact that he came a close second is worrying (if you are not a fan). I can't add any opinion as I know very little about this side of US politics

In reply to Rob Exile Ward:

I would be more concerned by Cruz winning than Trump. Cruz is an ultra right idealogue, Trump a populist bufoon.

In reply to Rob Exile Ward:

I'd rather have a Trump than a Cruz.

Hopefully we'll end up with a Clinton.

In reply to Rob Exile Ward:

Anyone else see signs that Sanders may be about to do to US politics what Corbyn has done in the UK?

In reply to john arran:

I hope not, it'd be a disaster if the Democrats became unelectable as well.

I'm not sure we should be celebrating a Cruz victory, he's every bit as objectionable as Trump

In reply to MG:


Yeah I think it shows how Crazy Trump is that Cruz is seen as sensible.

I'm sort of hoping for Rubio, my worry is he could win and get the Republicans in.

I'd go Cruz over Trump, I think Trump is very dangerous and nasty.

In reply to Tyler:

That's my worry. I think Hilary is more electable.

I don't think she will win NH, but she probably won this and they thought she may lose the first two but when they move south I think Sanders will struggle.

We need to see what happens now. The republicans will coalesce, run for VP's and join forces and we'll see less and less. Christie may jump soon (I've not checked the news so maybe he has), Fiorina etc may start to bow out and try for a VP ticket.

I think Trump may hit his limit at 30-40% of the vote, many others are just appalled at his attitude.

In reply to bouldery bits:

>

Highly unlikey if you look at the trend. Very few Democrat candidates get elected after 2 terms of a Democrat President.

In reply to john arran:


Make the left unelectable?

In reply to Removed User:


I think you're probably right

In reply to Removed User:

But times are changing and the Republican candidates are far more polarising than previously so. If ever there was a possiblity for a 3rd term democrat this might be it.

I'd like to see Sanders as pres but I think its too soon for the US for anything vaguely as radical (i.e. center-left) as he is. Clinton on the other hand is like an ideal Republican. Her Israel policy is enough to make me despise her, but perhaps if elected she may bring Sanders on to her team and moderate some of her viewpoints.

In reply to David Martin:


Sanders seems to be the only one who dares to criticise Israel, I was surprised by Hillary's stance, considering some of the things Bill said about Israel ("who's the f*cking superpower here" being on of my favourites), but when you look at where her money comes from is not surprising.

Cruz seems as nutty as Trump for my money, god and guns, but America seems to lap this shit up, I'm glad I don't have to pick one, "a choice between a bullet and poison" was a quote I've read recently.

In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
I'm now fairly convinced that Trump is a troll. However he's made idiots like Cruz look rational and measured

On the other hand, Bernie's strong showing gives me hope.

In reply to Roadrunner5:

Sanders running Clinton close won´t help him alot, he needs to win. Clinton´s perceived advantages in the South aside, only a fraction (two thirds?) of all party representatives that will eventually decide on the presidential candidate are selected by caucuses/primaries. The remainder is made up from party officials and elected representatives, where Clinton is thought to have a solid majority.

CB

In reply to Rob Exile Ward:

I think Cruz is a bnasty piece of work and a far worse prospect than Trump which is saying something. Of the three republicans realistically left only Rubio is electable - Trump and Cruz are depsised by too many people.

Bernie Sanders isn't electable. Ultimately the democrats will pick Hillary - the next state will be Sanders highpoint, but it's good he's running as he's a breath of fresh air (in his 70's!)

In reply to wbo:

Did you read about Cruz telling people Carson has dropped out of the race and they should vote for him? He's disgusting.

I think Rubio will end up winning the nomination.

Although they do normally pick change after 8 years, the U.S. is getting more Hispanic and they tend to vote democrats, so do the young.. I think and hope the democrats win.

In reply to wbo:

Isn't electable by who? Considering where his funds come from there's quite a few people who are glad he's running.

In reply to krikoman:

It's 60 million with the average donation of something like 20 dollars isn't it? So 3 million? I think they were the figures but don't have time to source it.

It's a lot but he needs a lot lot more to vote.

He comes across as a very decent guy, I think much stronger and pragmatic than corbyn.

In reply to krikoman: I really don't think he's electable by the bulk US population, if only by the use of the word socialist. I don't think there's anything at all wrong with him, and I don't think he's politically extreme but a battle between him and Rubio, will be low turnout and Republivan win.

If there's a battle between Bernie and Cruz then you will see some really low rhetoric . Cruz has some very extreme viiews, and being poor in america would be a bad place to be.

Not sure where you get your analysis but NPR is to be recommended - Morning edition and'all things considered' have good coverage though being pretty neutral they appear like a cesspool of trotskyism

In reply to wbo:


It's excellent. I spent three months last autumn driving around in the US. NPR was an oasis of sanity in a mad world of right wing ranting and evangelical bollocks. A sort of low budget Radio 4 (in fact they even put the BBC World Service on at night).

In reply to Robert Durran:


I quite enjoy the right wing ranters, much to my wife's disgust. It's like a comedy show, savage nation is a good one, just full on insults and anti-Obama rants. We just don't have those sorts of shows in the UK, for the best admittedly.

In reply to MG:


Did Helen Mirren make you aware of this?

In reply to Roadrunner5:


I know its dialed down from the full on crazy but I do have a tendency when getting home semi pissed of watching fox news for a while on satellite. Makes a shed load more sense when drunk.