Is any of this WORKING?

[auntpurl]

We've all been patting ourselves on the back about how great our convention is compared to the RNC - diverse, inclusive, uplifting - and it IS.

Trump has just made a TREASONOUS statement at a press conference.

We're running ads showing that Trump made fun of a disabled reporter, that Trump makes horrific comments about women and POC, that Trump is dangerously unqualified and unfit to be president.

Is it working? Is Joe Workingguy from Kansas listening? Does he care?

I just feel like I don't understand politics in this country anymore. How can he still even be a CANDIDATE for president, much less polling basically even with our candidate? What are those voters looking for? They can't ALL be racists. Trump has put NO jobs plan forward. An UNWORKABLE tax plan. NO plan for clean energy - he doesn't even believe in climate change. NO plan for education. NO plan for healthcare.

Isn't this the stuff the average voter votes for? Am I way off base here? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills! What is happening???

[MoonRiver]

1. Well, I live in Kansas, and I don't know anybody here who doesn't HATE Rump.

One could say it's the company I keep, but a lot of these people are just casual acquaintances.

[onecent]

3. Well everybody LOVE him that lives in Missouri, except I.

[MoonRiver]

5. Interesting, because I used to live in St. Louis. Moved a year after 9/11, so it's been awhile.

[auntpurl]

10. Yeah, nobody I know is supporting Trump either

but then most of my friends could give an impromptu robust 10 minute TED talk on intersectionality, so. Wrong crowd.

[TeamPooka]

2. Just because there's no response doesn't mean they aren't listening. nt

[auntpurl]

4. God I hope so nt

[Duckhunter935]

6. My neighbor has had a Trump sign

In his home window for months.

[Iliyah]

7. Yes, the GOPers are

squirming.

[auntpurl]

9. Ooh, I hope so.

I don't think I've ever NEEDED to win an election more. And despite the fact I am a MASSIVE Hillary supporter, I want to beat Trump even more than I want Hillary to win. He is just disgusting and dangerous.

[Blanks]

8. It has to look like a horse race...

Or nobody will turn on the TV.

That's one factor, the other is that we must encourage folks to not be complacent.

I'm sure it's not even close, but if they say that on TV, folks will find something else to do.

[auntpurl]

11. Yes. Yes, please let that be true.

Thanks.

[BobbyDrake]

12. Real polling on the effects of national events takes a few days.

It's not an internet insta-poll, you know.

[auntpurl]

14. I know, I know.

Sorry. Just had a moment of panic. Feeling better now.

[BobbyDrake]

18. Glad to hear it. Today, some major stuff happened. It will take time to get through

the media and for the public to become aware of it, but it will happen. Even the pro-Trumpiest of media outlets won't be able to ignore the Russia connection forever. Not after the intersections with his tax returns and security clearance access as a presidential candidate.

Hang in there!

[auntpurl]

20. I will!

Thanks.

The whole GOP, or at least the ones who've publicly declared for Trump, either need to rescind their endorsements or be taken down with him.

[Dem2]

13. I listen to these people at the local bar

Trump could cook and eat little children on stage and they would still not vote for Hillary.

[PasadenaTrudy]

36. This is true

I think that those who are voting for Trump truly hate Hillary and there's no changing their minds

[renie408]

15. Give it a minute Trump

Technically, the GE doesn't start until the Dem convention is over.

[auntpurl]

16. Yes, you're right.

Thanks.

[procon]

17. I watched an interview with a woman supporting Trump; they don't care.

Ask about some of Trump's crazy views, she laughed it off. She thought Trump was just being cute, it was funny and entertaining, but no, she didn't think he really meant anything he said. No, he really wouldn't do the insane things he talks about, that was just for show. He just talks that way because he knows that's how "real" Americans think.

It was a shocking thing to watch, but revealing in just how ignorant, disconnected and naive Trump's followers really are. They think this is Trump's reality TV show and it's just entertainment. There is no thought of the consequences, the fallout, the blowback, the real world impact of Trump's intemperate remarks as a candidate, let alone what would happen if he ever became president.

[auntpurl]

19. How many of them are there?

Can there be that many dangerously ignorant people in this country?

[PasadenaTrudy]

41. Oh yeah...

Nothing surprises me anymore. A lot of people seem to take pride in their ignorance these days.

[Orsino]

21. Well, that's where we come in.

Conventions are fun, but winning elections comes down to turnout.

[auntpurl]

22. Yeah.

And as pointed out above, this hasn't filtered through the national consciousness yet. Let's see where we are in a week.

[duncang]

23. Have a full blown trump nut

as a old time friend. He moved to another city but still email back and forth. He gets his news by email, the chain emails what say if you love America you will forward this to everyone you know. I'm sure at most he may watch fox for news, but more likely just the reality shows thinking just because they are called reality shows they are real. I have seen some of the bullying done to people who don't go red meat right. A lot of people cave, they want that acceptance. So it is a scary thought, but I am sure/hoping America will see what he is.

[LoverOfLiberty]

24. My partner's brother is visiting

from Wisconsin. We've had a few cordial political discussions. He's a Trump supporter. He knows that he doesn't have any realistic policy positions, he knows he's probably a bad person, he doesn't particularly admire his business acumen.

What he likes about Trump is that "he's not a politician" and he "tells it like it is".

And last night, he also admitted that he is concerned about a woman running the country.

I don't think that people like this pay attention to the issues that we care about. They are just sick of politics as usual and are willing to let a more or less madman come in and shake things up.

[auntpurl]

25. Are they patriotic? Will they be bothered by the Russian connection?

[LoverOfLiberty]

26. He's like a lot of others who have commented

He doesn't really believe that Trump's bombast is real.

I don't know if there is any way to reach people like this.

And Wisconsin is f'ing important this year!

[auntpurl]

27. This is what I'm wondering.

How do we reach these people? What are they passionate about, politically speaking?

[LoverOfLiberty]

28. Also, don't miss the line about being afraid

of a woman president. I think a lot of the other reasons are excuses to cover up for this.

[auntpurl]

29. Right. Yes.

Well, maybe nothing we can do about it then.

Women and POC will save us this election.

[workinclasszero]

44. "Women and POC will save us this election"

Just like the last eight years, God bless them!

[Avalux]

30. It's easy to manipulate people with fear when they're ignorant and uneducated.

There's a large segment of our population at a 4th grade reading level - they don't understand anything beyond that, so there's a reason Trump talks as he does. Those are his supporters.

They are ignorant to history, to how government works...they've been told everyone's trying to hurt them or take something from them and they believe it. So when Trump opens his fat mouth and says outrageous things they love it. When he tells them he's going to make their troubles go away they believe it.

This is what happens in a society that doesn't educate and take care of its children and families.

[auntpurl]

35. Very true.

Another reason we absolutely MUST win this election - education!

[Avalux]

48. Absolutely.

Interesting story - I have a Chinese co-worker who grew up there, has lived here for 20 years. She told me that when she was young, the government had a slogan "Knowledge makes a person evil". So in order to NOT be evil, they were encouraged to give up school and go work in the fields; they believed it so that's what they did.

We simply must invest in educating our young; not just in the three Rs, but in many other things too. They're our future.

[prarie deem]

31. Sadly - there are plenty of them.

Some woman out of the clear blue at the hair dressers today started telling me how Hillary was going to have to answer to God for killing those men in Bengazi. I didn't feel like arguing - so I just told her I preferred that stupid people stick their heads up their asses rather than bother me. Central Illinois is a Republican bastion - so Trumpers abound in my area. One reason I am so very frightened. (and this is not scare trolling, I promise. I am just new to the group but a died in the wool, $ contributing Dem).

Hubs and are operating under the fearful, very real possibility that the Orange Peril could be our next President. God help us.

[auntpurl]

34. It must be very hard keeping the faith in such a red area!

But I think women and POC will save us in this election.

Welcome to DU!

[prarie deem]

68. Thank you so much.

I am counting on that. I am so glad to be able to discuss politics and the election in a place with like minded people!

[Beantighe]

73. I feel your pain, prarie deem

I am also in horrifically red area, but in Missouri. I have yet to muster the courage to put out a yard sign. No bumper stickers, either. No way! BUT there are treasures hidden amongst all these gun-totin', Trump-lovin' fools; those older women who are thrilled to vote for Hillary, but won't tell the other locals. They rock!

[brush]

32. Once the Dem convention is over and Trump's mini-bump from his convention recedes . . .

We'll get back to the more realistic poll numbers that were out before the repug convention.

Hillary was polling in the high single figure to low double figure leads over Trump.

Look for those to return and go higher as Trump has now ventured into sedition, or maybe even treason, by calling on Russia to hack Hillary's emails.

That act there probably lost Trump the election right there, even though he was already going to lose.

[auntpurl]

33. Yes, the polls in a week should be more enlightening!

Thanks.

[ancianita]

37. I'd say it needs about the 100 days ahead to work, but it will work. And may this never happen again

[auntpurl]

39. Amen!

[texstad79]

38. Kansas is irrelevant!

The election will be decided by the turnout of the Democratic base of minorities and women in the large urban centers of swing states.

Trump could eat a baby on national TV and still carry Kansas.

[auntpurl]

40. I will get down on my knees and thank women and POC

for saving us from this dangerous demagogue.

[workinclasszero]

42. Some republicans I work with hate Trump

But come election day, what will they do?

I have no idea.

[auntpurl]

43. Suggest they vote for Gary Johnson.

Tell them he's the real Republican in the race - after all, he used to be GOP.

[workinclasszero]

45. That's a dang good idea auntpurl!

I like the way you think, thanks!

[skylucy]

46. My husband has started doing this at our local public golf course whenever he encounters a

Trump supporter: He asks them where their polling place is. Actually, because they might not even know what he means by "polling place", he asks them where they go to vote. You would be surprised how many cannot tell him. Ya know why? Because they are not even registered voters! And they don't even have the voting-smarts to fake it and say they vote by mail. They are just ignorant, angry, bigoted old white guys who have never voted and won't be voting this time either. They just like to spout off about the rich white guy with the hot wife and put down the woman who has the nerve to run for President. And of course they also are pissed off at the black guy who also had the nerve become President. Warning: Some right-wing blowhards don't take it well when you embarrass them.

[auntpurl]

47. Interesting!

Of course, he did get votes in the primaries, but you need a hell of a lot more in the GE!

PS. Don't tell them where the polling place is!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

49. It's not going to work on...

... hard-core Trump supporters. As Trump said in typical hyperbolic fashion, he could shoot somebody and wouldn't lose voters. What's sad is that his statement was partly true.

I think Trump is the result of "The Fairness Doctrine" being repealed back in the 80's under Reagan. TV and radio used to be required to provide a counterpoint to political opinions. Not long after that requirement was scrapped, a few wealthy people gave us imbalanced all-conservative talk radio to attack people who promoted the use of government to regulate and tax them. Since liberals/Democrats are more likely to see government as a necessary restraint on powerful corporations and individuals, they were the primary targets.

Wealthy individuals like Richard Mellon Scaife and others funded research to dig up muck on their most feared Democratic nemeses such as the Clintons, usually resulting in all kinds of innuendo that trickled to the conservative propagandists like Rush Limbaugh.

There's some young voters who have heard these conservative, anti-government kooks their entire lives. Since the messages are usually full of hate, it can be appealing to some people who are dissatisfied with their lives (even if the principles spouted go against their own self interests).

[auntpurl]

52. Great history, thank you. nt

[Turin_C3PO]

50. Auntpurl,

I'm perplexed also. How can this sexist, xenophobic, incurious, treasonous, blustering, narcissistic BUFFOON even be polling over 25%?? It's bizarre and disheartening. It's making me lose what faith I had in my fellow Americans.

[auntpurl]

53. One of the things I notice about living in the UK

is that it is not cool to be deliberately, proudly ignorant. The American redneck attitude of "We don't know much about your books and such, liberal elitist" just doesn't exist here. There are stupid people here of course, but they're not proud of it. I don't miss that about the US.

[emulatorloo]

51. Answer is GOTV!

[auntpurl]

54. YOU BET!

[azmom]

55. Republicans are also voting for what they see as the lesser

of two evils. They are sticking with the party. In a two party system, they have no other choice.

[Throd]

70. There it is.

[redstatebluegirl]

56. Kansas has seen up close and personal what a crazy Republican can do.

My guess is they have learned their lesson.

[ailsagirl]

57. That *thing* can't open his ugly mouth without something loathesome, treasonous...

or just plain wacko coming out

[maxsolomon]

58. No, it's not working

Trump isn't Teflon, he's Jell-O. You cannot nail him down, because he does nothing but lie.

Today he says he never met Putin, but he'd said he had. A lie! No, the lie was when he said he met Putin. Does lie + lie = truth? Who knows, I'm angry at Liberals because they think they're smart!

None of his supporters take anything he says as anything but off-the-cuff bombast, exaggerations to make a point and confirm their biases. He's treating the election as a joke. They don't care; they were already voting for the GOP, and that party is filled with clowns.

I'm starting to think his Waterloo will be the debates, when his clowning and misogyny will generate sympathy and respect for Clinton. I'm praying it will be.

[pansypoo53219]

59. we need to GO LEFT. EXCLAIM MORE CHANGE. more of the SAME will NOT WORK.

[GoCubsGo]

60. I don't know what to make of it all, either.

I live in one of the redder parts of South Carolina, which is one of the most Republican states in the country. I see more bumper stickers for Hillary than I do for Trump. I don't know what that means, exactly. But, I'm kind of hoping it's an indication that the state is gaining a purple tinge, at least as far as the presidential race goes.

[bklyncowgirl]

61. Peoples' opinions on Hillary Clinton are set in concrete.

Many love her. Many, perhaps more. hate her or at the very least distrust her. Bottom line, Her negatives are very high and pretending this is not the case is not helpful. Whether it's a prolonged Republican campaign against her, the media out to get her or her own actions, or and this is my own own opinion, all of the above, this is a fact. Whining about it may. make some people feel good but it does not help defeat Trump.

This is something the candidate herself is going to have to do. Only she can restore confidence in her honestly and judgment. What's frustrating is that so far I dont see it happening.

[bigwillq]

63. Great post.

[bklyncowgirl]

66. I'm expecting I'll need my asbestos underwear. nt

[bigwillq]

67. I already have on two pair

[runaway hero]

62. Not as well as it should.

[unitedwethrive]

64. We love it but the repubs are just going to focus

on the discord and infighting.

[Andrew73]

65. It won't work with some

The hard line right wingers are all in on Trump, regardless of his incompetency. Decades of the talk radio echo chamber has zombified that segment of the voter base.

[prarie deem]

69. I had a little victory yesterday -

A large group of people from my high school discuss politics on facebook. One in particular, a very bright man who is a socialist democrat and supported Bernie. He has maintained an intense dislike for Hillary and we have been sparring back and forth since she clinched the nomination because he was committed to voting the Green Party. My position was a protest vote is fine but not when it contributes to a Trump presidency.

I refuse to let false statements go unchallenged in this group and last night I had a long interaction with a couple of right wing mouth breathers refuting everything they posted with the actual facts of the situation. After this particularly long interchange - the bright guy weighed in and said because of this conversation, I am going to vote for Hillary. He said "Lynn is right, the Trump supporters are immune to fact or reason and we must band together to stop this maniac. " Yahoo

It was extremely empowering because at times I begin to feel I am just viewed as that liberal big mouth who won't shut up - but I got a tiny victory last night. One more for our side.

[BlueStateLib]

71. I don't think Joe Workingguy are reachable or persuadable

[Arazi]

72. People here have never fully comprehended how much she's detested

The thought that once people knew her and her record that they would magically love or respect her has been a constant meme here.

Even as those of us with diverse groups of friends have been warning of the level of hatred, how folks will "crawl over broken glass " to vote against her.

She has stunningly.high disapproval levels which has been consistently dismissed every time it's been raised.

Fear of Trump isn't a persuasive argument with these folks. They fear and hate her as a president much more.

These aren't new points. You've been here thru the primary. Not sure how you missed this and are now shocked and dismayed.

[prarie deem]

74. I sadly agree

I talk to people all of the time who despise her. They cannot explain why because they are usually political morons. But they all plan on voting.