[WideRight05]

Actually that was Chris Matthews. And the reason Trump answered as he did was because he was responding to a specific question, and one that was pointed and pressed home over and over. I'd say Trump decided to do more than lay his answer cleverly between the lines like the polished politicians of the preferred establishment ilk would have done. What would you have him say about it? At least he isn't glossing over the real problem which is sexual promiscuity on the part of women. Right? If he were to launch out into some preachy condemnation the media would eat him alive even though that is the true source of authority on the matter. We live in strange days. Murder and abortion are immoral and willful actions which will be punished by God, but we're not allowed to say that. The guile filled notion of the separation of Church and State has succeeded in thoroughly gutting the US legal system. And secular humanism, a debate based rationale based on current fads, has supplanted the law of God in the minds of our legislators.

But I have not heard Cruz or Rubio go into the matter with any degree of depth, where did you hear them do that?

On the media deal, main stream anchors first began what I would term suggestive news reporting, back during the late 60's early 70's, when they could not contain their contempt for our role in the Viet Nam conflict. After that things morphed continually more despicable until now, we see there is no longer any attempt at pretense. Republicans are routinely berated and Democrats are routinely given a free pass as we have seen with regard to the numerous scandals of the past 7 plus years. Today, the conservative media lacks the foundation of experience. Most are too young to remember the times before the days when liberals and media blamed everything on Republicans, when in fact, it was thanks to Reagan that the economy they grew up under even existed. Frankly, we've come to the point where true conservative media types are only to be had on an individual basis. One can certainly find a majority of liberal media on FOX for example. and they supposedly a right leaning outlet.

I agree with you. The election should be called down the middle, but then the Megyn Kelly's and the Charlie Gasparino's of this world would have to keep their narrow views to themselves. Which brings us to the point that offends me the most about the media. They see themselves more as pied pipers than reporters. You hear them say it all the time, so and so did thus and such and "we'll be right back to tell what that means to you." The believe they are supposed to tell us what to think, which makes them feel superior and gifted. They are not about to just let the people vote their consciences, no they'll tell them who they should vote for. And thus we see the huge stink they have stirred up in opposing Trump. You have to understand, this guy might be the one we need no matter what the oppositionists are saying. And which is why I have posted the following quote by George Washington: "If in the opinion of the people the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this in one instance may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed."

In my view, the media, be they conservative or liberal, are playing the role of the usurper, stirring up emotionalism in order to foment support for their intents to disenfranchise the voter. And you know that I predicted the present chaos and irrational mayhem.

All I can say about Trump supporters is you don't see them going around trying to shut down roads leading to political rallies, or disrupting political rallies and etc. and etc..

Relating to your first paragraph, I really didn’t mind the answer he gave about punishing women who have an abortion. My issue on Trump relating to abortion is his inability to put together a strong defense when attacked by the media on it. Most of the time he just answers that he is pro-life, same as Reagan. The other, is that I don’t think it’s a very big issue of importance to him. His main issue is the economy and immigration. While both are certainly high on the list, the slaughter of millions of unborn babies, which you and I both heavily agree on, it’s an absolute must for it to come to a stop. I believe that Trump is taking it on just enough so that he doesn’t lose the votes from the pro-life groups.

Trump doesn’t have to go in-depth about the topic, but he should at least be able to give a consistent answer and get past the first couple of lines. There is a recent interview with Howard Stern that he did where Stern presses him in contending that he’s a social liberal. Trump doesn’t attempt to defend himself, he just keeps repeating that he’s pro-life and for traditional marriage. When you get outside of immigration and the economy, he honestly hasn’t put together very many good arguments for other issues. And again, I don’t expect him to go out and be a complete world beater. He’s nearly 70 years old and running on 3-4 hours sleep a night. But I do think he should be able to provide a solid defense.

You’re more wise and experienced than I am, and one way I’m sure you’ve seen in the past is a “pro-life” politician betray the voters in office. Take West Virginia, for example. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin ran as a pro-life candidate and was even endorsed by West Virginians for Life because of his record in the state legislature. He remained silent on the issue, mostly, when running. However, he got into office and did a complete reversal. He vetoed a 20 week ban as well as a dismemberment bill. While both were overrode by the state legislature, I learned from watching that scenario unfold. Tomblin will usually use “constitutionality” or “privacy” as an excuse. I fear a similar type situation with Trump.

The one thing with Cruz and Rubio is that they have been consistent and they have been passionate about doing what they can both through their voice and their vote to protect the unborn. Both were out front and center in the attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. When heckled about it by the media, they are instantly able to utilize their playbook and defend the pro-life movement. Rubio had an excellent response when being criticized by the media for being pro-life In cases of rape and incest, for example. He asked why the media didn’t question Hillary Clinton for being pro-choice in the case of partial-birth abortion.

Both Cruz and Rubio cover abortion heavily on their websites. The list examples of where they stood for life, they include videos showing where they stood for life, and they even include an op-ed or two where they have fought for defending the unborn or taking funds away from planned parenthood. The issue is not covered on Donald Trump's website.

You mentioned predicting the present chaos and irrational mayhem, I remember some of those posts and am honestly surprised you haven’t brought some of those posts from 2012 back yet. I never thought I would see people disrespecting our police officers or really, each other to the extent they are now. The divide is deep, but never did I think it would reach the conservative end. Never did I think you and Hoot Gibson would be fighting like this despite having peacefully debated drugs, etc. in prior years on this forum. I think it just goes to show how deep of a divide the Republican party is in right now. The sad thing is, this will probably be a picnic compared to the general election.

Regarding Trump’s supporters – yes, they have been pinned by the media as these backwoods racist, redneck bigots that you and I are supporting with our dollars. I do understand that this is certainly not reality with Trump’s supporters and that their major concern is (1) they feel betrayed by the Republican party, and (2) national security. They’re not going to political rallies and causing trouble, instead that mostly comes from Sanders’ or Clinton’s supporters. There is a video on YouTube of an African-American police officer describing his experience attending a Trump rally in Arizona. He described the experience in positive terms, but said that there were protesters for Sanders/Clinton attempting to stir trouble at the event.

Where I fault some of Trump’s supporters, is that they hold him in too high of orbit compared and are unwilling to admit any kind of fault that he has. I guess you could say, Ron Paul’s supporters on steroids. It’s Trump, only Trump, and Trump is the one and only answer in this election. When Trump mentions he could shoot someone and his supporters still have his back, he knows he has many of them in their back pocket. Look at how DeMarcus Ware responded to my posts, TRT. He couldn’t answer one single question I asked him and often dodged everything I mentioned. I like DMW – I really do – but that just goes to show the rationale of many Trump supporters which I think is going to come back to bite us.

I hope you don’t think I’m talking about you when I describe this scenario. I’m not.

And believe me, TRT, I try to avoid getting attached to the candidates and if I see something from Ted Cruz that strikes me in the wrong way, I’m done with him. If it actually is proven that he had an affair, I’m going third party. We saw how dangerous it was to have a bow to the master mentality with Barack Obama, and it will come back to bite both our party and our country if we do the same thing.

Like last time, I just don’t have time to edit. Big deadline coming up in a few days.