OT: The next President of the United States: ★★★ Donald Trump ★★★

[jumpstart]

For the record, I decided to vote Johnson at the last minute. While I didn't agree with everything he said, he was closer to what I believe than either Trump or Clinton. Beyond that, it was my thought that if he could get to 5% and get the federal election funding, it would prove to be a long term change to the way our political system works. Given that he only needed 5%, I figured that my vote countered 19 votes for Hillary or Trump.

Obviously, that didn't work.

.......

http://www.eriecountypa.gov/county-services/elections-voting/current-election-results.aspx
http://www.politico.com/2012-election/results/president/pennsylvania/

I am originally from Erie. An old rust belt city that has voted democrat for ages. Depressed urban area with a relatively large african american community.

In 2012, Erie went for Obama by almost 20,000 votes and a near 20% margin. Last night, erie went for Trump by 2,000 votes. That is a MASSIVE swing in a very urban, pro-Obama area.

Are some of the people who voted for Trump in Erie racist xenophobes? Why of course. That isn't the story though. This area is racially open enough to go for Obama in a big way. This same story can be written about western NY, other areas in PA, Ohio, NC, Michigan and Wisconsin. This election swung on economics. Even those that were voting to shake things up were doing so fundamentally due to economic issues.

Obama has spent most of the last 8 years ignoring these people (note, he saved their asses in 2009 with the auto bailout but people have short memories). The lecturing about "guns and religion" certainly didn't help. Clinton ratcheted that up with her war on coal comments and calling these people "deplorable".

........

its going to be interesting going forward. Its my hope that Trump was a lot of bluster. That his speech last night was more of what we will really get. A long time ago, I heard the phrase that "only Nixon could go to China." IMO, Trump is in a unique position that he could push through a relatively moderate agenda of:
- Infrastructure projects (he mentioned it last night)
- Trade reform
- Immigration reform (given how hard line he has been, republicans would agree to anything he comes up with even if it has a path to citizenship)
etc.

So, today I sit here optimistic that we will see a best case scenario. I do have some pretty significant fears. Massive tax breaks leading to epic budget deficits. Temperamental and irresponsible behavior leading to trade wars. Use of the justice department to pursue personal grudges. Etc.

Flame away. I never have defended Trump but I have frequently defended many of his supporters. I hope that finally the US remembers them and helps them out.

well said Coldfish!

Agreed.

[jc23]

I hope people understand that this wasn't just due to racism, sure that played a part but there are a ton of factors that led the public to vote trump. And like someone said Hillary won the popular vote, the electoral college let the majority down again.

I want to point out some glass half full stuff, but I just feel gross to be an American today. I can only imagine how women and muslums feel. For those that dismiss the comments he made over the last year just replace whatever minority or woman with your family's last name and your mother, sister or daughter.

Like I said there are so many to blame from the media being ratings whores for trump, to the Democratic Party's shady work during the primaries. And about a gadzilion more inbetweeen. But I feel we can all agree Donald Drumpf is not one of our best and brightest, he is not someone who evokes hope or togetherness, he belongs in the movie idiocracy.

[Mech Engineer]

A couple more thoughts:

Trump did not get a significant increase in the white vote, which should diminish the racist talk (but it won't). It would be good for the country to assume good intent of those they disagree with. You should assume Trump voters want many of the same things you do (less war, less terrorism, more money spent in America instead of nation building, less corruption). I'm not saying he will accomplish this, but people have more that makes them the same than makes them different.

Trump also fought to have a gay businessman speak at the Republican National Convention. The establishment hated him, but the crowd gave that man a standing ovation. If you think Trump is anti-gay, then you've once again been living in your own echo chamber.

Trump is irrelevant. What matters is the vehicle/bulldozer that he chose to get into the White House.

There are a LOT of anti-minority folks on that ship that he's steering.

That's the point here. I didn't get upset at some of his comments because he was probably doing it for political purposes. But, his birther movement and sexual assault accusations from multiple women is what tells a lot about him. There is a difference between the comments like "Blacks are living in hell right now" and the birther movement. The first part might be well intended but badly put. The second part is a racist act.

The same way, comments in the Access Hollywood video is just horrible talk by a perverted mind but assault accusations is bad.

The bottom line is Trump himself in reality might not be such a bad person on how he operates. But, he has given voice to a lot of horrible people who will take his voice and manipulate it the bad way. The common man who is a minority will face those horrible people who are emboldened everyday and not Trump. That is the bad part about all this.

[SpinninHouse]

As a moderate conservative who leans left on social issues - I think every American is responsible for Trump winning. I was venomously opposed to both Hillary and Trump. I could not live with myself if I voted for either of them. I was just too disturbed by both and had to write somebody in. I just can't believe Trump and Clinton were the two candidates.

It sounds like Congress won't let Trump do much of anything, so I think his impact will mostly come down to global embarrassment. And he'll only be a one term President. But holy heavens - every American is responsible for this.

Trump won the women's vote and he got more minority votes than MCain and Romney did. The democrats need to look in the mirror and see the role they played in this. When Wikileeks revealed that the party conspired to have Clinton beat Sanders, so many people were just too out raged. How liberals didn't vote for her because of this? Plus her use of private server, Benghazi, Clinton Foundation, etc. It was just too much.

But Trump as President? How on earth did we get here? And now look at us. We were given two awful candidates and the more unqualified, outwardly offensive one won. Democratic party couldn't get out their own way.

Every one should look in the mirror. We all have blood on our hands.

[Rerisen]

But you chose "neither" candidate, si? Bad traffic to the polling place.

My preferred candidate was defeated in the primary. But getting to the heart of the post you first responded to, it was a rant for fairness and objectivity in the media and pollsters, not a hidden vote for trump.

I don't think its healthy for a democracy when the so called 4th estate throws in with one side or the other, regardless even if it were a side I supported.

The demonization of the other side increases every election and creates such division where no one will work together or get anything done. If Hillary had won, I would argue, like Trump, she is also more centrist than she is painted (and paints herself at times to gain on the far left).

[Mech Engineer]

Just as so many predicted the stock market is tanking and it's the end of the World......... errrr, I mean the market is rallying hard since the open and the sun even came up!

Even though I put the prayer sign for my 401k, I understand what you mean. But, you also have to know he is a big unknown for the stock market. And, unfortunately, a majority of the US population rely on the stock market for their retirement accounts.

We don't know the long term effect.

[chifan1798]

Engaged in a democratic process illustrating to ourselves and the world what we stand for as a majority.

Grotesque as it is. The people have spoken. I guess this is the true us. We are all to blame for what a bag of dicks we are.

Eh, I guess so. But America engaging in the democratic process sure does feel like an unprecedented kick in the nuts.

So deflated right now, and I'm not even a US citizen. Damn embarrassed to be a white person right now. Those stupid frat boy looking **** celebrating his victory, what asshats.

Don't be ashamed by the color your skin. White guilt is offensive. There is nothing wrong with being white. Be proud.

Trump also won the popular vote. Meaning all skin tones voted for him.

Doesn't really mean all skin tones voted for him. He still likely had a significant minority in that regard. If those miniscule amount of minority voters had all gone to Hillary and absolutely zero of those minority votes gone to Trump, we'd probably still have the same outcome. What probably hurt is that maybe minorities didn't come out enough to vote for her like they did for Obama. Haven't seen all of the maps since early last night, but most of the major cities were blue.....it was the rural areas that pulled him through....many of which don't have as much diversity as a Detroit, Miami, Tampa, Chicago, Philly, etc. There were an awful lot of silent supporters out there it seems. I literally can't think of anyone from best friends, to barely associates who wanted Trump in office except for 3 people, so it's amazing that there are definitely far more people out there that were in support of him.

[Ctownbulls]

Our first Black president is being replaced by the man who started the racist birther movement against him. Let that settle in.

[Bascitball]

A couple more thoughts:

Trump did not get a significant increase in the white vote, which should diminish the racist talk (but it won't). It would be good for the country to assume good intent of those they disagree with. You should assume Trump voters want many of the same things you do (less war, less terrorism, more money spent in America instead of nation building, less corruption). I'm not saying he will accomplish this, but people have more that makes them the same than makes them different.

Trump also fought to have a gay businessman speak at the Republican National Convention. The establishment hated him, but the crowd gave that man a standing ovation. If you think Trump is anti-gay, then you've once again been living in your own echo chamber.

Trump is irrelevant. What matters is the vehicle/bulldozer that he chose to get into the White House.

There are a LOT of anti-minority folks on that ship that he's steering.

That's the point here. I didn't get upset at some of his comments because he was probably doing it for political purposes. But, his birther movement and sexual assault accusations from multiple women is what tells a lot about him. There is a difference between the comments like "Blacks are living in hell right now" and the birther movement. The first part might be well intended but badly put. The second part is a racist act.

The same way, comments in the Access Hollywood video is just horrible talk by a perverted mind but assault accusations is bad.

The bottom line is Trump himself in reality might not be such a bad person on how he operates. But, he has given voice to a lot of horrible people who will take his voice and manipulate it the bad way. The common man who is a minority will face those horrible people who are emboldened everyday and not Trump. That is the bad part about all this.

I respect that many feel the way you do. If you feel that way, then it's a valid concern. I sincerely hope (and believe) that the vast majority of Trump voters (largely anti-Hillary, not pro-Trump) are decent human beings in real life. Most people I meet in the real world are nothing like what you find online, or like the boogymen that are created by campaigns to stir fear.

After listening to Trump, Clinton, and Obama's speeches in the last 12 hours I think it's fair to say that they've all been unfairly demonized to varying degrees (by the media, campaigns, and by the respective echo chambers online). And honestly, Clinton and Obama's speeches were spot on amazing. I have new respect for both of them.

[RedBulls23]

Honestly, as a minority in this country, who grew up Islamic (I don't practice, but my family does), I have never felt this betrayed by my country.

I was upset when Bush won, but never feared anything. I hope that I'm wrong in how I feel, but who Trump has surrounded himself with (and may continue to do so) makes me feel like I'm not.

[KissedByaRose1]

What will be curious with Trump, is how much (if?) he tries to get back to the center. Some people believe this guy believes every crazy position he has taken. But this is someone who was once a Democrat and has self admitted 'NY Values'. Which obviously puts him quite a ways apart from say a Ted Cruz. Trump is a guy holding up a LBGT flag at a rally and getting the GOP convention to cheer for their rights.

It seems rational to see 100 days before hyperventilating into Hitler scenarios. Politics is a game of persuasion and every election each side is stoked into believing they are stopping absolute evil. Reagan was called a crazy cowboy who was going to start WW3. While some may still have never liked his politics, the hyperbole turned out silly.

But you chose "neither" candidate, si? Bad traffic to the polling place.

are you just looking to pick a fight right now because you're upset lol?

For the record, voted Republican in the last two elections, voted for Hilary in this one. I wanted nothing at all to do with that nut job and frankly am still a little shook up and frankly scared. I'm trying to find the positives in this right now and as someone wisely posted earlier our best bet is he's just a massive liar and now that he has power will try to do the right thing.

What would he need to do in his first 100 days to get you off the ledge?

[MisterRoy]

HEY! CUBS WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!

[biggestbullsfan]

Honestly, as a minority in this country, who grew up Islamic (I don't practice, but my family does), I have never felt this betrayed by my country.

I was upset when Bush won, but never feared anything. I hope that I'm wrong in how I feel, but who Trump has surrounded himself with (and may continue to do so) makes me feel like I'm not.

The fear and anger he inspired will definitely give courage to a scary demographic of America.

Lets just pray for civility and peace.

[BloodyQ]

Honestly, as a minority in this country, who grew up Islamic (I don't practice, but my family does), I have never felt this betrayed by my country.

I was upset when Bush won, but never feared anything. I hope that I'm wrong in how I feel, but who Trump has surrounded himself with (and may continue to do so) makes me feel like I'm not.

Best thing to hope for is that no muslim attacks happen in this country while he's president....if there's even 1 incident it could set off something serious.

[jc23]

HEY! CUBS WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!

So is trump the apocalypse they foretold?

[biggestbullsfan]

I would hope his governing style is a lot closer to the way he acts after he defeats his opponents rather than when he is competing against them.

I hope trump is the best version of himself. I pray he has wise counsel and takes their opinions seriously.

[jc23]

Trump has always been about the betterment of trump, not sure how non millionaires saw him as one of their own. All politicians are shady, but at least they are groomed to understand the way politics work. Donald stays up late at night to have twitter wars.

[Jeffster81]

Our first Black president is being replaced by the man who started the racist birther movement against him. Let that settle in.

Our first Black president not only exploited racial tensions, he encouraged the racial tensions. Let that settle in.

This was a terrible election with terrible people headlining the their respective tickets. Clinton won the popular vote, votes that has absolutely no value at all. So she is a popular loser today.

With that said, I voted for a third party as I wanted nothing to do with either Clinton or Trump. But it is fun seeing the democrats losing their minds over something they could have prevented by not holding onto a promise they made to Hilary 8 years ago. She wasn't good enough to be the ever crap Barack Obama 8 years ago, so they thought she was good enough today?

Democrats having lose the Senate, the House, and White House should not feel bitter, or anger, but pure embarrassment. They freaking lost to a Reality TV Star. If Donald Trump is the answer, then I fear what the question is. But the dems lost to Trump. I at the Democratic party today but at Americans thinking Trump is the answer.

[Flopper]

HEY! CUBS WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!

Read on Twitter

[Ctownbulls]

Our first Black president is being replaced by the man who started the racist birther movement against him. Let that settle in.

Our first Black president not only exploited racial tensions, he encouraged the racial tensions. Let that settle in.

This was a terrible election with terrible people headlining the their respective tickets. Clinton won the popular vote, votes that has absolutely no value at all. So she is a popular loser today.

With that said, I voted for a third party as I wanted nothing to do with either Clinton or Trump. But it is fun seeing the democrats losing their minds over something they could have prevented by not holding onto a promise they made to Hilary 8 years ago. She wasn't good enough to be the ever crap Barack Obama 8 years ago, so they thought she was good enough today?

Democrats having lose the Senate, the House, and White House should not feel bitter, or anger, but pure embarrassment. They freaking lost to a Reality TV Star. If Donald Trump is the answer, then I fear what the question is. But the dems lost to Trump. I at the Democratic party today but at Americans thinking Trump is the answer.

Well, we apparently have different opinions on Obama.