I'm just trying to keep up with all the Trumpist deflection tactics to avoid arguing with facts. Lol.

"Proven Warrior!"
"Try harder!"
Laugh/cry emoji

Funky Winkerbean said:

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Thinking as a strategist, it makes sense for him.

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Unfortunately agreed. Same reason he isn't back on twitter. The more they can keep his idiocy confined to truth social and his rallies the less the general public will be exposed to it and the more he can coast on name recognition alone.

Funky Winkerbean said:

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Thinking as a strategist, it makes sense for him.

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I disagree. It would work for him if he can keep his mouth shut and not respond to other candidates baiting him about why he's not participating, but we both know that Trump will not be able to resist that temptation. He will lash out which will only work against him.

Daddy said:

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LMCane said:

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POLITICS DeSantis had $150 million announced in second quarter

Inside Ron DeSantis' Donations That Crushed Donald Trump's
BY NICK REYNOLDS ON 7/6/23 AT 6:02 PM EDT NEWSWEEK

Ron DeSantis might still be lagging behind Donald Trump in the polls. His fundraising, however, is another story.

According to numbers first shared with Fox News Thursday, the DeSantis campaign reported raising a massive $150 million haul between his campaign and his affiliated Never Back Down political action committee, far exceeding the $35 million reported by the Trump campaign earlier in the week.

Though DeSantis still lags in most national polls, that sum, Never Back Down CEO Chris Jankowski said in a statement after the release, "shows what a formidable movement is behind Governor DeSantis," demonstrating that the "future of the Republican Party is Governor Ron DeSantis."

For comparison, Vivek Ramaswamyanother candidate in the raceseeded his campaign with $10 million of his own money, while figures like Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy reported raising just $6 million in second quarter fundraising numbers shared with the press after the Federal Elections Commission's June 30th close of books deadline.

Meanwhile, Tim Scott, one of the strongest fundraisers in the U.S. Senate, reported a total of $21.9 million in its account as of March 31, raising just $2 million in his campaign's first 24 hours after launching in May.

However, DeSantis' fundraising volume, while impressive, comes with an asterisk.

Of the $150 million raised, $130 million reportedly came from Never Back Downan organization that already reportedly had $500,000 in the bank prior to DeSantis' decision to enter the race. Of that $130 million, some $82.5 million of the organization's account balance came directly from a controversial funds transfer from an account DeSantis previously used to finance his gubernatorial bids in Florida.

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Whenever someone gives you that kind of money they're expecting a return on their investment
Nobody loves the country that much to just give money without some benefit.

I don't feel this makes the desantis stronger I think it makes him weaker. Because we all know he's being enslaved to the establishment

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You may want to read the entire quote you posted; most of the money came from Desantis's campaign.

The MAGA PAC spent more against Desantis already than it did the entire 2022 midterm cycle supporting republican candidates. Let that sink in.

Rebel Yell said:

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I hate these arguments because they lead to infighting and entrenchment.

It is simple, if you are a conservative vote however you want in the primary. Then get behind whoever the nominee is in the general.

I am a Desantis guy, but I would crawl through glass to vote for either one.

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This. Anyone saying anything else about not voting for Desantis or trump in the general is a raging dumbass.

akm91 said:

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The MAGA PAC spent more against Desantis already than it did the entire 2022 midterm cycle supporting republican candidates. Let that sink in.

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And it will spend more on Trump's legal fees than the mid-term candidates or any stop the steal lawsuits.

Definitely Not A Cop said:

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Funky Winkerbean said:

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Thinking as a strategist, it makes sense for him.

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I disagree. It would work for him if he can keep his mouth shut and not respond to other candidates baiting him about why he's not participating, but we both know that Trump will not be able to resist that temptation. He will lash out which will only work against him.

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How many minds on this thread do you think he's going to change?

Funky Winkerbean said:

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Definitely Not A Cop said:

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Funky Winkerbean said:

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Thinking as a strategist, it makes sense for him.

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I disagree. It would work for him if he can keep his mouth shut and not respond to other candidates baiting him about why he's not participating, but we both know that Trump will not be able to resist that temptation. He will lash out which will only work against him.

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How many minds on this thread do you think he's going to change?

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If he participates, he loses votes like the last debate with Biden.

If he doesn't participate and doesn't comment, he doesn't lose votes.

If he doesn't participate and comments like he usually does, he loses votes.

Option B is the best case scenario for him, but we both know his personality. He might as well go on so that he at least has a chance to defend himself in person, not just inane Truth posts from his bedroom. At least that way we can get to se him making fun of Chris Christie on national television again.

Quote:

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Whenever someone gives you that kind of money they're expecting a return on their investment
Nobody loves the country that much to just give money without some benefit.

I don't feel this makes the desantis stronger I think it makes him weaker. Because we all know he's being enslaved to the establishment

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GTFOH...
The money Trump raises is ok, but other candidates are weaker for raising it... LMAO

Old May Banker said:

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Quote:

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Whenever someone gives you that kind of money they're expecting a return on their investment
Nobody loves the country that much to just give money without some benefit.

I don't feel this makes the desantis stronger I think it makes him weaker. Because we all know he's being enslaved to the establishment

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GTFOH...
The money Trump raises is ok, but other candidates are weaker for raising it... LMAO

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Not what he said, but you do you.

I doubt he needs you white Knighting for him, but it seems to be very much what he is insinuating and believes based on his posting history.

But you do you.

Funky Winkerbean said:

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Definitely Not A Cop said:

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Funky Winkerbean said:

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Thinking as a strategist, it makes sense for him.

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I disagree. It would work for him if he can keep his mouth shut and not respond to other candidates baiting him about why he's not participating, but we both know that Trump will not be able to resist that temptation. He will lash out which will only work against him.

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How many minds on this thread do you think he's going to change?

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If he wants supporters back whom he has lost because of his antics since he lost the last election, he needs to do it. He has to be seen as maybe not as disconnected from reality as it seems from some of his one on one interviews and his social media comments. If he can interact with people talking about actual policy issues without being a d-bag, he can bring some of those back.

As I step back and look how this thread has gone for the past 3 days, its starting to remind me of the Hillary/Obama fiasco of 2008. I only hope that when the dust settles, conservatives will stick together and do what's best for the country

Phatbob said:

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Funky Winkerbean said:

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Definitely Not A Cop said:

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Funky Winkerbean said:

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Thinking as a strategist, it makes sense for him.

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I disagree. It would work for him if he can keep his mouth shut and not respond to other candidates baiting him about why he's not participating, but we both know that Trump will not be able to resist that temptation. He will lash out which will only work against him.

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How many minds on this thread do you think he's going to change?

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If he wants supporters back whom he has lost because of his antics since he lost the last election, he needs to do it. He has to be seen as maybe not as disconnected from reality as it seems from some of his one on one interviews and his social media comments. If he can interact with people talking about actual policy issues without being a d-bag, he can bring some of those back.

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Yep, at this point Trump is only going to permanently LOSE his previous supporters (like me). He isn't going to gain support from those who were already against him.

DeSantis on the other hand is still relatively unknown, so he can still win over a lot of support.

J. Walter Weatherman said:

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Funky Winkerbean said:

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Thinking as a strategist, it makes sense for him.

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Unfortunately agreed. Same reason he isn't back on twitter. The more they can keep his idiocy confined to truth social and his rallies the less the general public will be exposed to it and the more he can coast on name recognition alone.

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He stands a better chance of winning the primary by staying away from the primary debates, but he hurts his chances in the general. He needs to get the ones he's lost. He doesn't do that by hunkering down.

Phatbob said:

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J. Walter Weatherman said:

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Funky Winkerbean said:

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Thinking as a strategist, it makes sense for him.

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Unfortunately agreed. Same reason he isn't back on twitter. The more they can keep his idiocy confined to truth social and his rallies the less the general public will be exposed to it and the more he can coast on name recognition alone.

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He stands a better chance of winning the primary by staying away from the primary debates, but he hurts his chances in the general. He needs to get the ones he's lost. He doesn't do that by hunkering down.

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Except winning the general doesn't even seem to be the goal anymore.

It is simply about winning the primary and destroying DeSantis forever.

Another made up assertion.

Rebel Yell said:

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I hate these arguments because they lead to infighting and entrenchment.

It is simple, if you are a conservative vote however you want in the primary. Then get behind whoever the nominee is in the general.

I am a Desantis guy, but I would crawl through glass to vote for either one.

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Amen…I'm right there with you, but admit I am leaning DeSantis in the primary…

Funky Winkerbean said:

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Another made up assertion.

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Trump dgaf about the Republican Party

DeSantis is in his way and Trump first instinct is to go Scorched Earth to everybody in his way

Finally IMO Trump should have been raising and spending money to help get R's elected &
Should be doing everything he can to Help DeSantis win because a new AG and full pardon is what is best for Trump

🇺🇲 2024 GE: NEVADA (with leaners)

(R) DeSantis: 46% (+2)
(D) Biden: 44%
.
(D) Biden: 47% (+4)
(R) Trump: 43%

⦿ Commissioned by Pro-Desantis PAC
⦿ @POStrategies (B+) | RVs | 07/05-06https://t.co/2LBK3SnKer pic.twitter.com/ADoen1YDGl

— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) July 7, 2023

TRM said:

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🇺🇲 2024 GE: NEVADA (with leaners)

(R) DeSantis: 46% (+2)
(D) Biden: 44%
.
(D) Biden: 47% (+4)
(R) Trump: 43%

⦿ Commissioned by Pro-Desantis PAC
⦿ @POStrategies (B+) | RVs | 07/05-06https://t.co/2LBK3SnKer pic.twitter.com/ADoen1YDGl

— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) July 7, 2023

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Will be dismissed by Cult45 because it was commissioned by the DeSantis PAC.

But polls not connected to any candidate have shown similar results.

The only polls showing Trump ahead of Biden are from unknown polling entities (so likely Trump paid for polls) or the one by Harvard-Harris which is a full on Democrat pollster and used to be the official pollster for the Hillary campaign.

Ethanol is trash.

TRUMP TARGETS DESANTIS ON ETHANOL: Former President Trump plans to headline his largest Iowa campaign event in nearly four months with a speech to thousands at an arena in the western part of the state. https://t.co/eA3kasABLx

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) July 7, 2023

Is Trump really pro-ethanol?

If so, i'd really like to hear somebody defend that argument.

Zarathustra said:

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Is Trump really pro-ethanol?

If so, i'd really like to hear somebody defend that argument.

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It gets midwestern votes. That's it. Ethanol is terrible and should go away immediately

Zarathustra said:

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Is Trump really pro-ethanol?

If so, i'd really like to hear somebody defend that argument.

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Trump is a populist and pro Trump. He says whatever he thinks will garner the most votes from his audience.

Interested to see math denier twist herself into pretzel knots explaining how ethanol mandates and government subsidies are good, conservative platforms.

For all the anti Trump folks on here; which one of Trump's policies while he was president made your life worse?

MagnumLoad said:

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For all the anti Trump folks on here; which one of Trump's policies while he was president made your life worse?

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2020

Zarathustra said:

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Is Trump really pro-ethanol?

If so, i'd really like to hear somebody defend that argument.

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Iirc Cruz won the IA Caucus mainly because Trump avoided commenting on Ethanol on 2016
As president Trump did make it easier for refineries to get waivers and make ethanol free gas

Which is why you can buy it at Buccees

MagnumLoad said:

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For all the anti Trump folks on here; which one of Trump's policies while he was president made your life worse?

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Massive overspending - Contributes to inflation

MagnumLoad said:

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For all the anti Trump folks on here; which one of Trump's policies while he was president made your life worse?

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Backed off on repealing Obamacare

MagnumLoad said:

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For all the anti Trump folks on here; which one of Trump's policies while he was president made your life worse?

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Not anti-Trump, but I do think he struggled with hiring folks who truly shared his vision versus hiring folks who could say the right things to get the job…a lot of his advisers turned out to be not so great, and that is on him ultimately…

I think the hardest part of his presidency for me was the handling of Covid…he was reactionary and let Birx and Fauci control the narrative and response….

To be fair, though, I'm not sure anyone could have done much better given the "pandemic" pandemonium that gripped the world, but I wish he would have listened more to both side of the argument and the science…and I think he started to realize that mistake…

MagnumLoad said:

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For all the anti Trump folks on here; which one of Trump's policies while he was president made your life worse?

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Over spending
His 2A approach is awful
His inability to pass meaningful legislation because he doesn't understand leadership
His societal division amongst decent conservatives
His attack on illegal immigration - with nothing more than EOs - has created an even bigger problem today
Going along with fauci on the covid BS

Sq 17 said:

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Zarathustra said:

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Is Trump really pro-ethanol?

If so, i'd really like to hear somebody defend that argument.

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Iirc Cruz won the IA Caucus mainly because Trump avoided commenting on Ethanol on 2016
As president Trump did make it easier for refineries to get waivers and make ethanol free gas

Which is why you can buy it at Buccees

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Nope.

He lost because his team had NO IDEA wtf they were doing and how Iowa's caucus system works. I was living there and caucused for Cruz. The sheer amount of dumb****ery-on-display by Trump and team was breathtaking.