In case you're wondering how so many people could like Trump...

[Poiuyt]

I was talking to an acquaintance today who said he believes that, if Republicans quit holding him back, Trump will go down as the greatest president in US history.

This, of course, is delusional is so many ways, but it highlights how some people think. This person is a very intelligent retired attorney. He's not a mouth breathing lowlife. There is no amount of evidence that will convince this person of the ineptitude or corruption of the Trump administration.

I've said before, and I'm more convinced than ever, that Trump is a cult leader and his followers think of him as some sort of religious figure. They ignore all evidence that might demean their leader or spin it in a way that puts him in a better light.

I don't for a minute think that Democrats are going to have an easy time in 2020. There are enough people who have been similarly brainwashed. It's more important than ever that we get behind the Democratic candidate (whoever it turns out to be) and not be upset if the candidate isn't as pure ideologically speaking as we would like. We must pledge to back the Democratic candidate 100% as this is the only way to prevent Trump and the Trumpists from dragging America down any further.

[MyOwnPeace]

1. We never thought........

that IQ45 had a chance, right?

No, we cannot take anything for granted. We must GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!! The numbers are there regarding people that care about doing the right thing - we just have to get them to the poles.

Yes, we do need a good, qualified candidate (we had just that in 2016!) and we must have complete support for the party's choice, but, we must.................

GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!!!

[keithbvadu2]

2. IQ45 was the only one in the primary melee who could lose to Hillary.

IQ45 was the only one in the primary melee who could lose to Hillary.

At least, that was the theory.

[donkeypoofed]

3. It's hard to move people from their first thought

We humans tend to stick to our first thoughts/opinion on anything and the Trumpers that stick by him aren't just being stubborn; they're being human.

After all the evidence that is about to come out actually does come out, most Trumpers will have to make the uncomfortable decision to change their mind. Having his voice on tape committing the treason we all know he's committed WILL turn Trumpers into Trumpers no-more. They will turn on him and turn on him HARD. Combine this with their 2018 tax returns being done in the same general time frame, and they're all gonna be in for a very hard awakening. I feel sorry for them.

Remember that tweet where the guy stated that Spanky "wasn't hurting the people he's supposed to be hurting ". This is the Trumpers' level of thinking. They wanted to throw a bomb into the system that has hurt them and Spanky was their bomb. They.made the wrong choice and soon, likely very soon, they will absolutely know it. What they really need are people like AOC who want to tax the rich the way they used to be; the way it was when the middle class was born back in the 50's. The middle class are.being squeezed into the lower class and we dont like it. Trumpers just need to learn, and since they don't listen, they will have to learn the hard way.

[lastlib]

14. If tRumpers could be reasoned with, they wouldn't be tRumpers.

I see a high correlation between strong religious identification and strong tRump support. The people who are susceptible to religious belief are also susceptible to the bullsh*t tRump and his cronies feed them.

I'd delve into it more but it's late and I'm tired right now.

[kwijybo]

4. Too true

I interact with some RWNJs online. They are currently calling for the Senate to start criminal investigations into various Democrats, to the point of faking evidence, blackmailing their assistants with 'perjury traps', and so on. "After all, the Democrats are doing it with their Meuller investigation"
I pointed out that it's not in the Senate's perview to do criminal investigations, and I got yelled at to prove it. Hey, maybe I'm wrong and we don't need an FBI any more.
These people are nuts. Cultists doesn't begin to label their insane buy in.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. I have to question how intelligent your retired attorney is

that he doesn't seem to be bothered at all that Trump lies about everything all the time.

In short, anyone who doesn't recognize that Trump lies constantly is delusional himself. And not at all good at understanding the difference between fantasy and reality. I bet he's the kind of person that thinks the "DaVinci Code" was a documentary.

[CatMor]

6. I agree with you...

I question the intelligence of that attorney.

[violetpastille]

9. +1

[Poiuyt]

10. There have been a number of psychological studies on this matter

People tend to ignore evidence that is counter to their preexisting views and cultural beliefs. There is even evidence of a backfire effect where one tends to hold on to existing beliefs even stronger when presented with conflicting evidence.

I've been reading lately about how the brains are wired differently between liberals and conservatives. Conservatives tend to have a larger amygdala. This translates to increased fear and anxiety. That makes sense as conservatives are always weary of a boogyman (e.g. Mexicans marauding across the border).

Conversly, liberals tend to have a larger anterior cingulate cortex, which gives us a higher tolerance of uncertainty.

Interesting, and it makes me try to be more accepting of those with differing political viewpoints.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_and_political_orientation

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

17. I am glad you are more accepting.

I am not. I have zero patience with people who deny reality.

I do understand that we are ALL subject to confirmation bias. I generally will not be bothered to read things that clash with my beliefs, and I realize that I'm not necessarily doing the right thing here.

But it's not as though liking Trump or thinking he's a great President is a matter of opinion, such as do you prefer Coke or Pepsi. It's grounded in real world facts. Trump has almost no connection to the world of truth and facts. He says whatever comes into his head, with absolutely no regard to what's true out there. Anyone who doesn't get that is himself willfully ignorant, and I won't give any respect to willful ignorance.

[smirkymonkey]

19. +1000

Anyone who thinks that Trump is great or intelligent is a complete imbecile.

I don't care what kind of job they have or how they present themselves. They are fucking stupid. It just blows my mind how anyone can think that man has any redeemable qualities at all. Least of all greatness or intelligence. He is anything but those things.

[Mr.Bill]

20. Here's what I think of attorneys...

At every trial, 50% of the attorneys were wrong. 100% wrong.

[JI7]

7. white people who want to believe they are superior

they can't accept the fact obama was so great and trash like trump is such a failure.

[rusty quoin]

8. Trump is the quintessential crooked used car salesman.

I cannot understand how a guy who will tell you anything to get a sale has fooled so many people, and at the same time, most or many of those same people would not be fooled by a crooked car salesman.

[jcgoldie]

11. They already bought the car and they REALLY want to believe it isn't a lemon

...despite all evidence to the contrary because that would expose them as the suckers they are.

[pangaia]

24. Well put.

[Mr. Quackers]

28. I lost a lifelong friend

when I basically told him he simply got "took," and that I couldn't have intellectual respect for someone who admires trump. What does that say about their character?

My "buddy" chose trump.

[world wide wally]

12. There are more of us than there is of them

Fucking VOTE!

[PatrickforO]

13. Ah, you're suggesting the Democrats not do the 'circular firing squad' thing

in 2020.

Agreed.

There will be plenty of attempts to get us to do so, though.

[Iggo]

15. No mystery. He tells them he hates the people they hate. (n/t)

[GulfCoast66]

16. I totally agree that 2020 will be dicey.

Americans are very religious. And religious folks, with some exceptions love hard rules, condemning others and generally like the idea of following someone who will fuck them over if they do the wrong thing. And I say this as an ex-Evangelical. They are conditioned for it.

Throw in the racism and even more insidious, the idea republicans give provential Americans that we are just better than anyone else and it is a powerful stew of self justification. Especially as it becomes obvious that we are in fact not better of than others. Confirmation bias is powerful.

I have no doubt that the actual vote will favor the Democratic candidate. But the electoral college is hugely in favor of trump.

[Awsi Dooger]

25. Anyone who thinks 2020 is easy should attend church or a golf tournament

Every time I am at either one of those I know I am looking at nothing but Trump supporters. It is indeed cult-like and in full denial. And they will vote.

In 2030 the math would be completely different because the Silent Generation would be less of a factor and younger blue generations much more of a factor. But Trump in 2020 still has major opportunity to win a squeaker if everything breaks well for him.

The adjustment here is taken in the wrong direction. That's the crux of it. Everyone looks at Trump's 40ish approval rating and assumes it can't possibly be that high, given what a liar and cheat he is. They'll use Rasmussen as comfy rationalization. Meanwhile the truth is that his approval is already actually higher than we prefer to believe in ballot box terms, and an incumbent almost always moves upward during that re-election year. The out party invariably is drawn into overconfidence based on the first midterm, which has no relationship to the re-election cycle two years later.

IMO, voter registration on college campuses should be our priority each and every day. That would be a win right now, with Trump stuck at 40% approval. We'd lock up Democrats for life.

2020 itself is very close to a 50/50 proposition.

[GulfCoast66]

26. Agree. I have nothing to add.

[bullwinkle428]

27. How many times have we seen threads at DU stating "TRUMP'S APPROVAL IS PLUMMETING!!"

Yet, over the long term, it continues to hover in the low to mid-40s. This, in spite of the almost never-ending efforts by him and his crew to set a new low bar almost every day. Every slam-dunk prediction of victory in 2020 tells me that I'm dealing with someone living in a bit of a bubble.

[JHB]

18. It's not education or profession or background that makes these people stupid...

They can, on any number of subjects, or in raw terms, be very intelligent.

But they have a love for despising the things they like to despise, for telling themselves the stories they like to hear.

The act of embracing that makes the stupid as all hell.

[marble falls]

21. I've found when you ask Trumpistas how he would make the US better they can't ...

a program of how he'd do that. Nor can they say exactly how the GOP has any control on him, either.

[StarryNite]

22. An Analysis of Trump Supporters Has Identified 5 Key Traits

This is an interesting article well worth the few minutes it takes to read to get a better understanding of just who the tRump supporters are. As many have pointed out, they are not necessarily stupid people, it goes much deeper than ones intelligence.

An Analysis of Trump Supporters Has Identified 5 Key Traits
A new report sheds light on the psychological basis for Trump's support.
Posted Dec 31, 2017


1. Authoritarian Personality Syndrome

2. Social dominance orientation

3. Prejudice

4. Intergroup contact

5. Relative deprivation

[link:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-in-the-machine/201712/analysis-trump-supporters-has-identified-5-key-traits|

[pangaia]

23. " This person is a very intelligent retired attorney"

Uh, he may be an attorney, but he sure ain't very intelligent.

[radical noodle]

30. Even intelligent people can be gullible

There are people with multiple university degrees who have no common sense, are gullible, or are easily led down the wrong path. Jim Jones, David Koresh, Marshall Applewhite... all cult leaders who drew in not only the stupid but also the intelligent because there was something a little weak in them that the cult leader satisfied or placated. Trump is more like that to many of his "followers" than just a politician. I have acquaintances who are totally immersed in believing in him. Believing. Think of that. No matter what he does, it must be right because he is the leader. It's evident in the things we see in them.

To me, it's a bit like those parents whose children misbehave. They know it, they see it, but because someone else says "your kid is a brat" they will defend the child to the death.

[pangaia]

31. Which, to my view is a lacking of a certain kind of intelligence.

As there is more than one kind of intelligence.

[radical noodle]

34. I look at it as more of a personality defect

but you're right... there is more than one definition of intelligence.

[Aussie105]

29. Intelligence?

I might be strange . . . .

But I develop some superficial concepts on how the world around me works, then - often subconsciously - collect information on how well those concepts play out in real life.

If there is sufficient evidence that my internal concepts need fine tuning, I do so.

I do NOT:

1. Feel I need to stick to my original conceptualisation or the world will end. Or the promised positive implications will vanish into thin air.
2. Feel I need to shout loudly to convince myself and others I'm right and they are wrong.
3. Listen to people who promise me things. I just go . . . why would you do that?
4. Support any individual or organisation that relies on dumping on other groups as inferior and the source of problems.

I DO:
1. Avoid all forms of organised groups that rely on me accepting certain unsubstantiated truths.

How hard is it to say to yourself . . . I voted for Trump because of his potential to make things better, and the promises he made.
BUT they seem to be not in evidence, and after 2+ years, they should be. Maybe I was wrong?

I am of European descent. We are generally an inquisitive and suspicious lot. But that is way better than being gullible.

Or is it just a matter of intelligence, or lack thereof?

[Duppers]

33. +1000 !!

And another 1,000!

"Avoid all forms of organised groups that rely on me accepting certain unsubstantiated truths."

Should be everyone motto. People are so intellectually lazy though.

[bluestarone]

32. SIMPLE answer (in my way of thinking is)

RELIGIOUS RT. want the end of the world!! RAPTURE! RAPTURE! RAPTURE! THAT"S their thinking. Cannot change their mind! HOW they picked RUMP i have NO idea but they did!!!!! I DO NOT think it's because they are stupid, it's much deeper and weirder than that. Somehow it is installed in them the RUMP is GODS chosen. (Maybe PUTINS way of attacking this country?) I DON'T KNOW!!!

[ecstatic]

35. What specifically does he like about him? The lies?

The incompetence? The revolving door of cabinet members and appointees?

[spanone]

36. K&R...👍🏼👍🏼

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

37. Wait a minute!! You're saying this person is a lawyer but somehow not a

"mouth breathing low life"! How can both be true?

[Poiuyt]

38. I said he wasn't a mouth breathing lowlife...

I didn't say that he wasn't a slime sucking eel. Two different things.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

39. .

Touché!