I would love to see Bumbles as the Demodonkey front runner.

She'd say he is a classic american big mouth, that the rest of world calls the "ugly American" that has enough money to not give a crap about whatever the gang has to say.

I agree with the 'warrior'....

"2016 is all about the national debt and protecting the value of the "American" brand that has been lost to complete political stupidity for the last 16 years. Actually, the last 32 years. It will take more than one term to fix everything and playing nice from the White House just won't get the job done. For me its either Trump or something involving the Second Amendment. But something really radical has to happen to earn my support of the United States political system once again. "

Unfortunately, I don't think it will matter much if any politician or business person gets "exposed" for cronyism. Most Americans simply don't care about that (despite the phony anger Democrats conjure up once in a while about Republicans doing it).

From there it's only a small step to the banana-republic view of not caring that you have to bribe cops and bureaucrats all the time, routinely -- and as soon as the public accepts that, we ARE a banana republic.

Philosophy-wise he is a Hank Reardon type. A great man, but flawed. True, Reardon's flaws and Trump's are different, but in the end the results are similar. When he speaks extemporaneously you can't help but like the guy. Plus, he is very smart and if elected would likely learn and grow into the job. I think Rand would prefer him to at the very least, 10 or 11 of the gang running for the nomination. Also, there is no doubt she would go for Carly Fiorina. (What a pair Trump & Fiorina would make!).She often saw greatness in people others saw as unworthy. Case in point her defense of Marilyn Monroe upon her death.

Trump is pretty much the only possibly electable less bad choice out there this election. As president he could only really expose governmental stupidities. He can only pass or veto things already approved by congress.

I'm sure she would realize Trump is a facade and narcissist, not a man of conviction.

The people supporting him are casino-going, Walmarters, who watch reality TV for news.

One benefit he has provided is to expose Walker as another flip-flopper, now running to the right to seek votes in the primary at the expense of the general election...the main reason republicans struggle to win.

I think Biden will unseat Hillary when he announced in about a month. He has Obama support; Hillary has Obama hatred.
Delete gate is going to be her final legacy. She really hadn't done anything memorable otherwise

At least he is up front about it. If it's lawful, he uses it. No other candidate actually admits to buying favors from career politicians. We should have a one term limit to help discourage this

There are so many issues where government is violation our rights that it's unlikely we would see a big rollback because of this election.
BUT- so much of this is hidden in crony capitalistic laws and politicians that what we need is full disclosure of what's going on.
If trump did just THAT and tell us when the emperor has no clothes, he has my vote. He is rich and old enough to just admit what he does and tell us like it is.
As to crony capitalism, he admits openly expecting favors from politicians- something that is very common but is hidden from view. I think he wants it stopped by law, as it should be.
I say if the democrats find some real dirt on him, he will just admit it and move on- unlike Hillary who would deny and evade.

national debt? Trump has gone through bankruptcy 4 times. I am not against bankruptcy, but I do not think a Trump is a book balancer through any means the kitchen table budget works :)

I think she would like Trump's sense of life, but I think she would oppose his crony capitalism. As with the murderer with whom she was fascinated, she understood that sense of personal power, of ability, of confidence, can be misapplied to evil ends. Trumps bravado shows a non-tragic view of human existence, which she would argue is necessary for humans to reach their fullest potential, but it is not sufficient by itself. It must be coupled with a valid philosophy of life...or it is self-defeating. A murderer is wrong. A murderer with a strong ego and non-tragic sense of life is still wrong, though certain traits might be admirable. Adopt the admirable, despise the despicable.

Rand did not support Reagan, but she did support Nixon both times because of what she regarded as the much worse alternatives. If she were alive today she might support Trump if the major-party alternative was Hillary or Bernie Sanders.

I believe she would never support him because of his mixed premises and her personal knowledge of him as the head of the anti communist film group she belonged to. Ayn Rand's support was only won by meeting her standards. Reagan was American in essence and she was in principle. He broadcast baseball and she never attended a game. She saw us as we ought to be and he saw us as we are.

Dangerous pragmatic jackass who cannot integrate any two or more ideas coherently. Make him commander in chief and its chaos. Note that he has many behind him but none as allies standing beside him.

I've been picking up on snippets that indicate that Trump and Cruz have had chats and have respect for each other.
Old Dino smells a Trump - Cruz ticket in the making.
Rush predicts that the Broom Hillary campaign will cook up scandals against The Donald to divert attention from out-and out criminal conduct of The Hag.
Old Dino predicts it will all get very ugly.

Absolutely!!

He is worse than using eminent domain for his own private acquisitions at least twice. He openly lauded the expansion of the power to seize private property in the Kelo decision.

I was giving some thought to your comments as I was working through the rest of my day. When one looks at the people Rand admired such as Carnegie, Rockefeller etc these men were far from nice guys and did not follow Objective concepts but rather their own self interests. Along those lines I question whether Rand might like Trump. Rand was a Democrat once to and evolved. As a businessman Trump seems to use the laws available "such as Eminent Domain" to his advantage. I am not aware of areas where he has done things illegally, We will never know the answer to my initial question but it is fun to think and compare.

Clearly, at least so far the dynamics of this election are changing and at a much earlier point in the election cycle that we have seen in many years. I believe the dialog is good for our country and long overdue. Trumps exploits here will only encourage the other candidates to get out of their safe zone and start thinking of more bold ideas. To that extend Trump is doing a huge service to the process.....so far. This election will be fun to watch. I think Paul and Cruz will bring out even more issues with the public that will only enhance some of the views we in the Gulch share. Lets face it they already are talking about things that have not been discussed in previous cycles. We need a strong leader to emerge that can shift the dialog of our country.

She did not support him initially but died before the fall of communism and other parts of his legacy could were formed. It would be interesting to see if her opinion of him would have changed in anyway had she not died.

Ayn Rand did not support Ronald Reagan. She certainly would not have supported Donald Trump.

I'm with you on Trump. Although I understand K's reluctance. I think Ayn Rand would like Trump. Paul and Cruz might make nice VP type people in the 2016 election, they just don't have enough in the tank to get through this toxic Washington environment. To get the clock set correctly, I think they will be needed in 2024. 2016 is all about the national debt and protecting the value of the "American" brand that has been lost to complete political stupidity for the last 16 years. Actually, the last 32 years. It will take more than one term to fix everything and playing nice from the White House just won't get the job done. For me its either Trump or something involving the Second Amendment. But something really radical has to happen to earn my support of the United States political system once again.

they only stand a shot if people get behind them as serious candidates. I think the democrat primary season is in shambles. there is no way a Bernie Sanders can take the general. I think it is a good election to exploit the other side's weakness in getting ready to lose Hilary. One question I have-is the media going cooperate and showcase some of these candidates.

Do you think the "race" for the GOP nomination is up to the voters? Not a chance.
Look at facts and actions, not empty promises.
There will not be a GOP nominee that will represent the sovereign people against the state.
The GOP has been against liberty since 1860 (with an arguable glimmer of liberty light in 1980-1984.)
Will Trump expose the many faults of the existing one party system and move enough people to vote for a third party in congressional and POTUS races? I wish it could happen, but since Trump is part of the elite who believe that they should rule the sovereign people, it is not in his interest, and Donny only does what he believes is best for Donny, with no consideration for any constituional, fiduciary, or public service responsibility.