Do you think Trump is...

[Dwarven Dragon]

Let's see how this goes. I'm thinking the answer is A, but it could be B. Also option D should say "never does", not "ever does" at the end.

[IceSpear]

I think it was initially E, but once winning actually become plausible, he started to want it.

Trump just seems like the perfect parody of what a Democrat would create as the "stereotypical evil Republican." It's too convenient. Add in the fact that he has liberal views on many issues, donating to Hillary and complimenting her, Bill calling him the night before he launched his campaign, etc. and the pieces start to add together.

The only question would be why he didn't do it in 2012. Maybe he wanted to help Hillary more than he wanted to help Obama, though he certainly helped Obama as well by making Republicans look nutty with the birther stuff.

[zs4321]

A. I think trump really thinks he win now, and he wants to.

[Lief 🗽]

It's pretty obvious that Trump wants to win. He's a winner, he loves winning, and he's very, very good at it.

[DrScholl]

Initially it was probably a stunt for attention, but now that he actually has a chance he's serious.

[Kingpoleon]

Initially it was probably a stunt for attention, but now that he actually has a chance he's serious.

Just like Silver, Atlas is never wrong.

[GLPman]

Initially it was probably a stunt for attention, but now that he actually has a chance he's serious.

[andrew_c]

E when he first entered the race, A now.

[/]

A

[Wrong about 2024 Ghost]

I've no idea. While I get the appeal of his campaign, I don't understand Trump himself at all.

[BlueSwan]

A.

Option E is lunatic fake-the-moonlanding conspiracy nonsense. Atlasians should know better.

[Sir Mohamed]

Back in August I would have voted E; but I think that he really wants the job.

[publicunofficial]

Initially it was probably a stunt for attention, but now that he actually has a chance he's serious.

[Holmes]

I don't even know why he would enter the race as E and do the things he's done. It's damaged his brand too much, why would he do that on purpose? He was always a serious candidate.

[Sumner 1868]

A.

Option E is lunatic fake-the-moonlanding conspiracy nonsense. Atlasians should know better.

[Mr.Bakari-Sellers]

He wants to be president. But, wasnt satisfied with Jeb as the nominee of the party. Trump doesnt want another Bushie in the WH, and to the Dems advantage, rather Trump will be the nominee.

[defe07]

I think Trump is the eventual nominee of the GOP. Not being sarcastic at all, it's just my opinion. I mean, almost 2/3 of the recent vote for anti-establishment candidates? That's gotta spell trouble for the GOP beltway. Who will be the beltway golden boy? Jeb? Rubio? Kasich? Christie? Unless we see a permanent rise for Rubio, who I think can be the only establishment candidate with the best odds at stopping Trump, it's all over!

[dudeabides]

Donald Trump is a vile, disgusting, unpatriotic, stupid, racist person.

[IceSpear]

I don't even know why he would enter the race as E and do the things he's done. It's damaged his brand too much, why would he do that on purpose? He was always a serious candidate.

How has it damaged his brand? His favorability numbers were much worse before he entered the race. On top of that, he's now the de facto leader of a major political party with millions of minions who believe his every word.

[All Along The Watchtower]

Donald Trump is a vile, disgusting, unpatriotic, stupid, racist person.

And the Establishment Republican politicians (many of whom you seem to adore for some perplexing reason) who sowed the seeds of Trump 2016 by pandering to unapologetic racists, neo-Birchers, the "Tea Party", and other terribles for decades, only to compromise  their "principles" (lol) while in office (because they really do not care about those people - in fact, many among the GOP Establishment actively detest the rank-and-file, who tend to be poorer, less educated, and as a result, considerably less politically influential than the Establishment types)  are any better? Give me a break.

Trump may be a shameless opportunist, but at least he's honest about it. And he scares the sh*t out of the awful, cynical, hypocritical, and self-serving Republican Establishment, so kudos to him.

[OSR stands with Israel]

I think it was initially E, but once winning actually become plausible, he started to want it.

Trump just seems like the perfect parody of what a Democrat would create as the "stereotypical evil Republican." It's too convenient. Add in the fact that he has liberal views on many issues, donating to Hillary and complimenting her, Bill calling him the night before he launched his campaign, etc. and the pieces start to add together.

The only question would be why he didn't do it in 2012. Maybe he wanted to help Hillary more than he wanted to help Obama, though he certainly helped Obama as well by making Republicans look nutty with the birther stuff.

[Higgs]

Option A.

[SteveRogers]

When he teased running in 2012 he was straight-up trolling. Then when he saw how that nomination process played out he probably thought, "Holy ****, I could have actually won that." When he first started running this time around, it was probably mostly still just him seeking attention and having a good time. He could have backed out early on if it turned out to not be fun for him without losing any face. But now that he realizes what he's actually tapped into he's in it to win it.

[Maxwell]

Donald Trump is a vile, disgusting, unpatriotic, stupid, racist person.

And the Establishment Republican politicians (many of whom you seem to adore for some perplexing reason) who sowed the seeds of Trump 2016 by pandering to unapologetic racists, neo-Birchers, the "Tea Party", and other terribles for decades, only to compromise  their "principles" (lol) while in office (because they really do not care about those people - in fact, many among the GOP Establishment actively detest the rank-and-file, who tend to be poorer, less educated, and as a result, considerably less politically influential than the Establishment types)  are any better? Give me a break.

Trump may be a shameless opportunist, but at least he's honest about it. And he scares the sh*t out of the awful, cynical, hypocritical, and self-serving Republican Establishment, so kudos to him.

This post is so god damn accurate, god damn.

[wolfsblood07]

There should be an option for "running because he wants to prove he could be president, will drop out on his own terms and extract many concessions from the party in return for his support."