Are Trump's chances better if he switches to Independent?

2015-07-25T09:37:51-04:00

If Trump slides during the GOP initial debates, would he improve his longevity and chances in the POTUS race if he switches to Independent?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 25 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-07-25T09:38:58-04:00

I think Hillary's chances are better, but I don't think Donald's chances are any better.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jul 25 at 2015 9:45 AM

2015-07-25T09:45:38-04:00

Frankly, I wouldn't vote for any candidate that changes party mid election race. I would see it as undecisiveness and wavering.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 9:45 AM

2015-07-25T09:45:39-04:00

No, that would only show that he is a turncoat and take votes from the republican pool. If he is a true republican, he would rather lose than politically strengthen the democrats. BTW I don't associate with either party.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 25 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-07-25T09:46:46-04:00

I think he is another Spoiler for the Republican Party whichever way he decides to go but then again with such a large group running it is hard to blame anyone for tearing the Republican Party apart. He is just going out of his way to make sure everyone knows just how Xenophobic he really is and making it impossible to walk back anything he says after the Primaries. Hard to Portray yourself as a Reich Wing Turd for the Primaries and then Pretend to be a Moderate come the General Election.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 9:48 AM

2015-07-25T09:48:50-04:00

It will only Hurt his chances. It will turn the election into a three party race, splitting the votes. Running as an independent will only help Hillary.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 25 at 2015 9:54 AM

2015-07-25T09:54:43-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver Only if the GOP continues to stiff arm him and he shows he tried to play by the rules, then goes independent. I understand his appeal, I don't like him as a candidate. I don't see him capable of establishing a majority block of the population.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 25 at 2015 10:09 AM

2015-07-25T10:09:21-04:00

No. He will split the republican vote and we end up with another Clinton.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 25 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-07-25T10:18:44-04:00

Trump is a consummate showman, interested only in his own, as yet unstated, agenda, IMHO.

In the past he has supported the Democrats more than the GOP, and the Clintons in particular. He has supported universal healthcare and abortion on demand, but now would have us believe that he is a serious conservative.

This isn't Trump's first run at the GOP nomination; it is just the first time that he has been serious enough to declare his net worth before dropping out of the race.

It is not clear to me that he is not simply acting as a spoiler to split the GOP and elect Hillary; running as an independent while mouthing conservative populism principles will do that as effectively as getting the nomination and running off the true conservative base voters.

Whatever he does, it will be to profit Trump, not the nation.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 11:01 AM

2015-07-25T11:01:35-04:00

I think staying aligned with a party gives him the best chance for success. The question is whether his polarizing personality can make it through the race.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 25 at 2015 12:39 PM

2015-07-25T12:39:06-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver. Remember Ross Perot's impact on the 1992 election which helped secure Bill Clinton's election to President. Donald Trump may be able to mount a nation-wide campaign that could become a spoiler. He would siphon off some of the blue dog democratic vote from the Democratic presidential nominee and some fiscal conservatives from the Republican presidential nominee. Like Perot he is very rich and a maverick.
It is highly unlikely that his independent run would result in his election to President; however, he could leverage his run into a political deal maker something I thin k he would relish.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-07-25T13:11:48-04:00

Donald Trump, running as an Independent, as every likelihood of causing an exact duplication of a 1992 "Ross Perot" and pulling enough votes away from the GOP to guarantee the Democrats the presidential win.

Response by Sgt Joe LaBranche made Jul 26 at 2015 12:12 AM

2015-07-26T00:12:32-04:00

That would not more harm than good for replacing the democrats in the White House.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 11:16 PM

2015-07-26T23:16:44-04:00

People should vote for the candidate that best represents them. An independent candidacy on the right would probably encourage the same on the left from Bernie Sanders. Anything that weakens the two dominant parties is a good thing.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Aug 8 at 2015 2:09 PM

2015-08-08T14:09:42-04:00

I really wonder how much of this Independent run was planned all along. It's a huge media circus at this point.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-08-20T14:21:38-04:00

"Deez Nuts" Has a better chance of winning the presidency then Donald or Hilary http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/20/deez-nuts-independent-2016-candidate

Donald Trump beware: apprentice Deez Nuts is top-polling independent

Meet the high schooler posting impressive polling figures in three states as his ‘hilarious’ candidacy turns in numbers that look like more than just a joke

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 21 at 2019 6:55 PM

2019-02-21T18:55:16-05:00

He should have, the Republicans certainly don’t t support him!