What does the future hold for Donald Trump? - threadbans in OP

He did have that whole Reform Party campaign in 2000. I'm sure that taught him all he needed to know about running for a third party and what a waste of time it was.

It's really saying something when Irish politicians appear to be the most professional players on the field, at least when compared to the other two nations you mentioned.

Having said that, I do believe as if the Trump phenomenon and the dearth of global political talent are related. Politics, whether on a domestic or international level, tend to be messy, ugly and complex at the best of times, and it requires a lot of time, effort and energy to really stay informed about the myriad of issues and the attitudes of the numerous political players towards them. It appears to me as if more and more people just don't want to invest this time and energy anymore and will either gravitate towards those that offer seemingly simple solutions or those that find a convenient scapegoat for all issues, which feeds into the increasingly tribalist nature of politics we tend to see on the rise.

I dont think Irish politicians are at all professional, they are just extremely cautious and the country is essentially run by the highest civil servants.

US corporations are keeping the country afloat. If they have a downturn, which seems to be starting things will get very messy.

Ireland despite having the youngest population in Europe, one of the lowest population densities and being an island had the longest lockdown in the developed world.

There was very little logic or strategy as to procedures to beat Covid because our health service is of third world level.

We now have the 3rd highest national debt per capita in the world.

FF and FG are utterly incompetent and there is no alternative , SF would bankrupt the country with their lala land policies.

I haven't posted here in ages 'cos I felt it got quite toxic on both sides.

But yeah, I think that's a fair statement. And, in fairness, GOP previously too. I think trump was (rightly or wrongly) an attempt to try something different. I mean, had Hilary won then you would have had the following:

• 1988-1992: Bush (George HW)
• 1992:1996: Clinton (Bill)
• 1996-2000: Clinton (Bill)
• 2000-2004: Bush (George W)
• 2004-2008: Bush (George W)
• 2008-2012: Obama (Barak)
• 2012-2016: Obama (Barak)
• 2016-2020: Clinton (Hilary)
• 2020-2024: Potentially Clinton (Hilary) or another Bush

Or Michelle Obama. Partisanship-aside you potentially had two families as president for almost 30 of the last 40 years!!!

It's not often I agree with MisterAnarchy 😀 but he's right, the money involved in running a campaign limits the playingfield and results (Generally) in "safe" candidates.

I have always separated trump and the GQP from the GOP and it will be interesting to see where the GOP goes from here. They are obviously hitching their star on Santos. He is certainly towing the GOP and GQP lines (Although his speech about Florida being the one voice of sanity in the world ACTUALLY made me laugh out loud - There's a reason why "Florida Man" is a meme, dude). Do I agree with his politics? Absolutely not. I think he's just a cleverer trump. And he is certainly attempting to steal trump's... fans. But it will be interesting to see what the GOP does now. They have made their bed and had ample opportunities to distance themselves from the GQP with minimal impact to core voters.

Everybody's on about 2024... But what about 2028? What about 2032? What will the GOP be then? Will Jnr continue to ride his father's coattails?