What candidate are you going to vote for in the Republican Primary

[tpfkaw]

Trump.  We can go down crying, or laughing.

[Fuzzy Bear Loves Christian Missionaries]

Donald Trump.  I'm kind of a Pat Buchanan Republican, politically, and the issue positions Trump advocates are the closest to mine, especially on Free Trade.

If Trump fades, I may switch my party registration and vote for Sanders in the Democratic Primary, due to my opposition to Free Trade.  I like Bernie personally; there's a lot that I disagree with him, however.

I liked Rand Paul (I'm a RON Paul fan.) until he bashed Christie for hugging Obama.  Christie did the right thing in that situation; he was Governor of New Jersey and doing his best to cooperate with his state's source of assistance.  Rand, IMO, has made too many concessions to the GOP establishment, concessions would never make.  Still, he's the most anti-war of the pack.  (I'd still rather have RON Paul!)

What if the election ended up between Hillary and an establishment Republican (Bush, Rubio, Kasich, Christie, etc.)

A fair question.

I would not vote for Rubio, Walker, or Christie under any circumstances.  I am a registered Republican and a social conservative, but I am also a public employee (won't say what I do online) and part of a labor union, and I will not vote for any Republican who has tried to scapegoat public employees in any way.  Rubio, Christie, and Walker all fall in that category.  As I am an anti-war Republican, I will not vote for Lindsey Graham under any circumstances.  He's a warmonger, period.  And I will not vote for Jeb Bush, period.  I consider the Bush Family's involvement in national politics to be something harmful to America, and I won't vote for it to continue.

I would probably vote for Kasich, in that I think he's the most prepared of the lot to actually be President.  I would probably vote for Fiorina.  As I said, I'd vote for Rand Paul and I might vote for Ted Cruz.  I can't think of anyone else who really has a chance to be nominated, other than Trump, who I've covered.

The issue for me with Rubio, Christie, and Walker is their scapegoating of public employees.  I'm not rewarding folks who try to blame public employees for all that is wrong with their states and balance budgets on their backs.  And don't tell me about "everyone has to tighten their belts a bit".  The only way EVERYONE tightens their belts is with a TAX INCREASE; anything else is devastating one small group so that the bulk of folks don't have to sacrifice at all.  (Think about it; you'll see the logic.)  If it's one of those folks, or if it's Rick Perry, I will vote for Hillary Clinton.  I will support the candidates I mentioned, but I will not support folks who scapegoat me and would willingly devastate me and my family for their own political gain.

[dudeabides]

Donald Trump.  I'm kind of a Pat Buchanan Republican, politically, and the issue positions Trump advocates are the closest to mine, especially on Free Trade.

If Trump fades, I may switch my party registration and vote for Sanders in the Democratic Primary, due to my opposition to Free Trade.  I like Bernie personally; there's a lot that I disagree with him, however.

I liked Rand Paul (I'm a RON Paul fan.) until he bashed Christie for hugging Obama.  Christie did the right thing in that situation; he was Governor of New Jersey and doing his best to cooperate with his state's source of assistance.  Rand, IMO, has made too many concessions to the GOP establishment, concessions would never make.  Still, he's the most anti-war of the pack.  (I'd still rather have RON Paul!)

What if the election ended up between Hillary and an establishment Republican (Bush, Rubio, Kasich, Christie, etc.)

A fair question.

I would not vote for Rubio, Walker, or Christie under any circumstances.  I am a registered Republican and a social conservative, but I am also a public employee (won't say what I do online) and part of a labor union, and I will not vote for any Republican who has tried to scapegoat public employees in any way.  Rubio, Christie, and Walker all fall in that category.  As I am an anti-war Republican, I will not vote for Lindsey Graham under any circumstances.  He's a warmonger, period.  And I will not vote for Jeb Bush, period.  I consider the Bush Family's involvement in national politics to be something harmful to America, and I won't vote for it to continue.

I would probably vote for Kasich, in that I think he's the most prepared of the lot to actually be President.  I would probably vote for Fiorina.  As I said, I'd vote for Rand Paul and I might vote for Ted Cruz.  I can't think of anyone else who really has a chance to be nominated, other than Trump, who I've covered.

The issue for me with Rubio, Christie, and Walker is their scapegoating of public employees.  I'm not rewarding folks who try to blame public employees for all that is wrong with their states and balance budgets on their backs.  And don't tell me about "everyone has to tighten their belts a bit".  The only way EVERYONE tightens their belts is with a TAX INCREASE; anything else is devastating one small group so that the bulk of folks don't have to sacrifice at all.  (Think about it; you'll see the logic.)  If it's one of those folks, or if it's Rick Perry, I will vote for Hillary Clinton.  I will support the candidates I mentioned, but I will not support folks who scapegoat me and would willingly devastate me and my family for their own political gain.

I actually have no issues with private sector unions. In fact, I am a pro-union Republican. But, I am for right to work because I don't believe anyone should be forced into a union. Here's the truth. The truth is, in many states, the pension and benefits enjoyed by public sector workers are far more generous than that of their private sector counterparts. In New Jersey, we have a dysfunctional pension system. We have a defined benefit system when we really should have a defined contribution system. I actually disagreed with Chris Christie when he delayed making part of the pension payments, I believe that to be fiscally irresponsible, unconstitutional, and betraying those public employees who work hard and play by the rules. When unions, specifically the education unions, are unwilling to recognize the fiscal and economic realities of our era, sometimes decisions need to be made without them. I give you credit for being in the public sector and I do believe you should have certain benefits, but I don't believe that it is right for taxpayers to have to foot the bill not only of the private sector reducing their contributions towards health benefits, but also having to pay higher taxes as public sector workers are hardly asked to pay just a little more for their health benefits.

I'll be honest with you, I think it is completely unfair for you to assume that Jeb Bush is a carbon copy of his brother and father. In fact, Jeb Bush has already taken different positions than both on a host of issues. George W. Bush called for the federal government to play a larger role in education and medicare, Jeb Bush is calling for the federal government to stay out of education entirely.

Now, you and I have spent a lot of time exchanging our views about the Bushes and Trump. You are saying that if it is Bush Vs. Clinton, you would support Clinton. Okay. But then I would think it would only be fair for you to associate Hillary with Bill since you associate Jeb with George and George W.

You talk about your opposition to NAFTA. George Bush signed NAFTA into law, but Bill Clinton implemented it. Wages stagnated under George Bush, they also stagnated under Bill Clinton. You like to blame the financial crisis of 2008 on George W. Bush. Bill Clinton created Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which was a part of why the financial collapse happened. George W. Bush warned about the need to reform them as early as 2005, congress did nothing. Let's also remember that the 2001 recession was a result of an internet bubble created under Bill Clinton. I don't blame Clinton for the internet bubble, but if you are going to blame Bush for 2008, then logically you must blame Bill Clinton for the recession of 2001.

Also, you claim to be an "anti-war Republican." Okay. Had Bill Clinton actually caught Bin Laden, which he had the opportunity to do, 9/11 may very well have been avoided and we wouldn't have gone to war. Had Bill Clinton actually taken out Saddam Hussein's WMD program, we would not have invaded Iraq.

Also, I think it should be stated that Saddam Hussein choose war, W didn't want to go to war but we had to.

Finally, are you really better off today than you were in January 2009? Most Americans are not better off, and many are worse off. Hillary Clinton would be more of the same.

[Vern]

At the moment, it's a coin toss for Rubio or Kasich.

[Fuzzy Bear Loves Christian Missionaries]

Donald Trump.  I'm kind of a Pat Buchanan Republican, politically, and the issue positions Trump advocates are the closest to mine, especially on Free Trade.

If Trump fades, I may switch my party registration and vote for Sanders in the Democratic Primary, due to my opposition to Free Trade.  I like Bernie personally; there's a lot that I disagree with him, however.

I liked Rand Paul (I'm a RON Paul fan.) until he bashed Christie for hugging Obama.  Christie did the right thing in that situation; he was Governor of New Jersey and doing his best to cooperate with his state's source of assistance.  Rand, IMO, has made too many concessions to the GOP establishment, concessions would never make.  Still, he's the most anti-war of the pack.  (I'd still rather have RON Paul!)

What if the election ended up between Hillary and an establishment Republican (Bush, Rubio, Kasich, Christie, etc.)

A fair question.

I would not vote for Rubio, Walker, or Christie under any circumstances.  I am a registered Republican and a social conservative, but I am also a public employee (won't say what I do online) and part of a labor union, and I will not vote for any Republican who has tried to scapegoat public employees in any way.  Rubio, Christie, and Walker all fall in that category.  As I am an anti-war Republican, I will not vote for Lindsey Graham under any circumstances.  He's a warmonger, period.  And I will not vote for Jeb Bush, period.  I consider the Bush Family's involvement in national politics to be something harmful to America, and I won't vote for it to continue.

I would probably vote for Kasich, in that I think he's the most prepared of the lot to actually be President.  I would probably vote for Fiorina.  As I said, I'd vote for Rand Paul and I might vote for Ted Cruz.  I can't think of anyone else who really has a chance to be nominated, other than Trump, who I've covered.

The issue for me with Rubio, Christie, and Walker is their scapegoating of public employees.  I'm not rewarding folks who try to blame public employees for all that is wrong with their states and balance budgets on their backs.  And don't tell me about "everyone has to tighten their belts a bit".  The only way EVERYONE tightens their belts is with a TAX INCREASE; anything else is devastating one small group so that the bulk of folks don't have to sacrifice at all.  (Think about it; you'll see the logic.)  If it's one of those folks, or if it's Rick Perry, I will vote for Hillary Clinton.  I will support the candidates I mentioned, but I will not support folks who scapegoat me and would willingly devastate me and my family for their own political gain.

I actually have no issues with private sector unions. In fact, I am a pro-union Republican. But, I am for right to work because I don't believe anyone should be forced into a union. Here's the truth. The truth is, in many states, the pension and benefits enjoyed by public sector workers are far more generous than that of their private sector counterparts. In New Jersey, we have a dysfunctional pension system. We have a defined benefit system when we really should have a defined contribution system. I actually disagreed with Chris Christie when he delayed making part of the pension payments, I believe that to be fiscally irresponsible, unconstitutional, and betraying those public employees who work hard and play by the rules. When unions, specifically the education unions, are unwilling to recognize the fiscal and economic realities of our era, sometimes decisions need to be made without them. I give you credit for being in the public sector and I do believe you should have certain benefits, but I don't believe that it is right for taxpayers to have to foot the bill not only of the private sector reducing their contributions towards health benefits, but also having to pay higher taxes as public sector workers are hardly asked to pay just a little more for their health benefits.

I'll be honest with you, I think it is completely unfair for you to assume that Jeb Bush is a carbon copy of his brother and father. In fact, Jeb Bush has already taken different positions than both on a host of issues. George W. Bush called for the federal government to play a larger role in education and medicare, Jeb Bush is calling for the federal government to stay out of education entirely.

Now, you and I have spent a lot of time exchanging our views about the Bushes and Trump. You are saying that if it is Bush Vs. Clinton, you would support Clinton. Okay. But then I would think it would only be fair for you to associate Hillary with Bill since you associate Jeb with George and George W.

You talk about your opposition to NAFTA. George Bush signed NAFTA into law, but Bill Clinton implemented it. Wages stagnated under George Bush, they also stagnated under Bill Clinton. You like to blame the financial crisis of 2008 on George W. Bush. Bill Clinton created Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which was a part of why the financial collapse happened. George W. Bush warned about the need to reform them as early as 2005, congress did nothing. Let's also remember that the 2001 recession was a result of an internet bubble created under Bill Clinton. I don't blame Clinton for the internet bubble, but if you are going to blame Bush for 2008, then logically you must blame Bill Clinton for the recession of 2001.

Also, you claim to be an "anti-war Republican." Okay. Had Bill Clinton actually caught Bin Laden, which he had the opportunity to do, 9/11 may very well have been avoided and we wouldn't have gone to war. Had Bill Clinton actually taken out Saddam Hussein's WMD program, we would not have invaded Iraq.

Finally, are you really better off today than you were in January 2009? Most Americans are not better off, and many are worse off. Hillary Clinton would be more of the same.

Why is it not right that I receive a defined benefit retirement?  That was the deal I was offered, and I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now if I didn't have that.

I also have not had a raise since 2006, except for a $900 raise 2 years ago.  

What I make is the deal I was offered when I started working.  What people want is to renege on a deal, which involved giving up a certain amount of raises and salary for a degree of security.  Folks like you lecture folks like me about when we point out the disparity of wealth in America, but because I have a retirement (for a job which I must remain honest and trustworthy at a level beyond which most citizens are required), you "aren't OK" with it.  What you want is for me to work at slightly above the poverty level with minimal benefits so you can have more for yourself.

For the record, I'm well over 55, and my wife and I are raising our 10 year old grandson whom we've adopted.  My college-educated wife makes very little money and is subject to age discrimination in the workplace, but I work a 2nd job so I can maintain something of a middle-class lifestyle.  We have also been supporting two (2) family members, one of whom has been injured and not compensated for injuries, and the other significantly disabled.  I don't live lavishly at all, and I don't complain about what I don't have, but when folks begrudge me my retirement, which was the primary incentive for me to do what I do now, when it was specifically offered to me as an incentive to do what I do, then you become an enemy of me and my family, because you don't wish for me to have the fruit of what I've earned.

This is beyond trolling.  You wish for me to have less then what I was promised so "taxpayers" can have more?  If my defined-benefit retirement plan ended today, believe me, I wouldn't get a raise to compensate for the loss.  But you don't care; I'm just a parasite to you.  I get it now.  

[dudeabides]

Donald Trump.  I'm kind of a Pat Buchanan Republican, politically, and the issue positions Trump advocates are the closest to mine, especially on Free Trade.

If Trump fades, I may switch my party registration and vote for Sanders in the Democratic Primary, due to my opposition to Free Trade.  I like Bernie personally; there's a lot that I disagree with him, however.

I liked Rand Paul (I'm a RON Paul fan.) until he bashed Christie for hugging Obama.  Christie did the right thing in that situation; he was Governor of New Jersey and doing his best to cooperate with his state's source of assistance.  Rand, IMO, has made too many concessions to the GOP establishment, concessions would never make.  Still, he's the most anti-war of the pack.  (I'd still rather have RON Paul!)

What if the election ended up between Hillary and an establishment Republican (Bush, Rubio, Kasich, Christie, etc.)

A fair question.

I would not vote for Rubio, Walker, or Christie under any circumstances.  I am a registered Republican and a social conservative, but I am also a public employee (won't say what I do online) and part of a labor union, and I will not vote for any Republican who has tried to scapegoat public employees in any way.  Rubio, Christie, and Walker all fall in that category.  As I am an anti-war Republican, I will not vote for Lindsey Graham under any circumstances.  He's a warmonger, period.  And I will not vote for Jeb Bush, period.  I consider the Bush Family's involvement in national politics to be something harmful to America, and I won't vote for it to continue.

I would probably vote for Kasich, in that I think he's the most prepared of the lot to actually be President.  I would probably vote for Fiorina.  As I said, I'd vote for Rand Paul and I might vote for Ted Cruz.  I can't think of anyone else who really has a chance to be nominated, other than Trump, who I've covered.

The issue for me with Rubio, Christie, and Walker is their scapegoating of public employees.  I'm not rewarding folks who try to blame public employees for all that is wrong with their states and balance budgets on their backs.  And don't tell me about "everyone has to tighten their belts a bit".  The only way EVERYONE tightens their belts is with a TAX INCREASE; anything else is devastating one small group so that the bulk of folks don't have to sacrifice at all.  (Think about it; you'll see the logic.)  If it's one of those folks, or if it's Rick Perry, I will vote for Hillary Clinton.  I will support the candidates I mentioned, but I will not support folks who scapegoat me and would willingly devastate me and my family for their own political gain.

I actually have no issues with private sector unions. In fact, I am a pro-union Republican. But, I am for right to work because I don't believe anyone should be forced into a union. Here's the truth. The truth is, in many states, the pension and benefits enjoyed by public sector workers are far more generous than that of their private sector counterparts. In New Jersey, we have a dysfunctional pension system. We have a defined benefit system when we really should have a defined contribution system. I actually disagreed with Chris Christie when he delayed making part of the pension payments, I believe that to be fiscally irresponsible, unconstitutional, and betraying those public employees who work hard and play by the rules. When unions, specifically the education unions, are unwilling to recognize the fiscal and economic realities of our era, sometimes decisions need to be made without them. I give you credit for being in the public sector and I do believe you should have certain benefits, but I don't believe that it is right for taxpayers to have to foot the bill not only of the private sector reducing their contributions towards health benefits, but also having to pay higher taxes as public sector workers are hardly asked to pay just a little more for their health benefits.

I'll be honest with you, I think it is completely unfair for you to assume that Jeb Bush is a carbon copy of his brother and father. In fact, Jeb Bush has already taken different positions than both on a host of issues. George W. Bush called for the federal government to play a larger role in education and medicare, Jeb Bush is calling for the federal government to stay out of education entirely.

Now, you and I have spent a lot of time exchanging our views about the Bushes and Trump. You are saying that if it is Bush Vs. Clinton, you would support Clinton. Okay. But then I would think it would only be fair for you to associate Hillary with Bill since you associate Jeb with George and George W.

You talk about your opposition to NAFTA. George Bush signed NAFTA into law, but Bill Clinton implemented it. Wages stagnated under George Bush, they also stagnated under Bill Clinton. You like to blame the financial crisis of 2008 on George W. Bush. Bill Clinton created Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which was a part of why the financial collapse happened. George W. Bush warned about the need to reform them as early as 2005, congress did nothing. Let's also remember that the 2001 recession was a result of an internet bubble created under Bill Clinton. I don't blame Clinton for the internet bubble, but if you are going to blame Bush for 2008, then logically you must blame Bill Clinton for the recession of 2001.

Also, you claim to be an "anti-war Republican." Okay. Had Bill Clinton actually caught Bin Laden, which he had the opportunity to do, 9/11 may very well have been avoided and we wouldn't have gone to war. Had Bill Clinton actually taken out Saddam Hussein's WMD program, we would not have invaded Iraq.

Finally, are you really better off today than you were in January 2009? Most Americans are not better off, and many are worse off. Hillary Clinton would be more of the same.

Why is it not right that I receive a defined benefit retirement?  That was the deal I was offered, and I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now if I didn't have that.

I also have not had a raise since 2006, except for a $900 raise 2 years ago.  

What I make is the deal I was offered when I started working.  What people want is to renege on a deal, which involved giving up a certain amount of raises and salary for a degree of security.  Folks like you lecture folks like me about when we point out the disparity of wealth in America, but because I have a retirement (for a job which I must remain honest and trustworthy at a level beyond which most citizens are required), you "aren't OK" with it.  What you want is for me to work at slightly above the poverty level with minimal benefits so you can have more for yourself.

For the record, I'm well over 55, and my wife and I are raising our 10 year old grandson whom we've adopted.  My college-educated wife makes very little money and is subject to age discrimination in the workplace, but I work a 2nd job so I can maintain something of a middle-class lifestyle.  We have also been supporting two (2) family members, one of whom has been injured and not compensated for injuries, and the other significantly disabled.  I don't live lavishly at all, and I don't complain about what I don't have, but when folks begrudge me my retirement, which was the primary incentive for me to do what I do now, when it was specifically offered to me as an incentive to do what I do, then you become an enemy of me and my family, because you don't wish for me to have the fruit of what I've earned.

This is beyond trolling.  You wish for me to have less then what I was promised so "taxpayers" can have more?  If my defined-benefit retirement plan ended today, believe me, I wouldn't get a raise to compensate for the loss.  But you don't care; I'm just a parasite to you.  I get it now.  

First of all, I apologize for not stating this earlier. I believe that you deserve and are entitled to what you were promised. I want to see states move towards a defined contribution retirement model for FUTURE generations. It would not be right, and in many cases even legal, to change the deal for you at the last minute.

Secondly, in my prior comments I defended public sector workers. I said you should have good benefits. I just wish those benefits were more in line with your private sector counterparts, but I oppose any changes taking place for those who are in a position such as yours, being close to retirement. Any changes should take place for future retirees. Also, you said you are in a labor union, I specifically said especially teacher's unions are guilty of being out of touch with the realities of our economy and fiscal situations.

God bless you. You and I have some political disagreements, but I'm going to end this constant fighting right here and now. I apologize for anything I have said that has been offensive. I got carried away with some of my anti-Trump bashing, I won't make this personal anymore.

For the record, I would not wish for you to have less than taxpayers because I know you are a hard working person. I don't view you as "parasite" and I haven't been trolling you. Scott Walker, in my judgement, has spent too much time bashing unions without praising the hard work of public sector workers who work hard and play by the rules. I refuse to make that mistake.

[Adriano Chiká]

If I could vote in the Republican primary:

1. Trump
2. Kasich
3. Fiorina
4. Huckabee
5. Bush

[Tender Branson]

I'm a non-American and a non-Republican.

But if I had to vote, I'd vote for Kasich - because a Kasich/Sanders match would be easily preferable to the incestuous Clinton/Bush match ...