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[MIMIC]

As much as people think I despise Hillary, I am actively against Trump. I just spent the last 2 hours (in addition to the hours I spent over the last couple of days) trying to convince this person that of all of the candidates, Trump is by far the most revolting and unqualified.

BTW, this Trump voter is black.

I showed him Trump's PolitiFact file which detailed how Trump is just a raging liar. The response: Trump was just exaggerating. So my response was, "Is this the type of man you want as President? Someone who makes statements about important issues and isn't clear whether they're being serious or whether they're 'exaggerating?'" And for the claims where it was absolutely clear that Trump wasn't exaggerating (and was flat out lying). he deflected to Hillary (or Obama)....every single time.

(This was all after PolitiFact's credibility was brought into question -- which became an entirely separate argument)

I showed him Trump's racist history.....and even I didn't know some of these things before today. The response? "That was in the past." So I went into how these racist acts are indictments of your character, and how you can't dismiss something as serious as actively discriminating against black people. The response? Well....there was no response, just a lot of talking past the issue.

This all started when we were talking about the Mark Cuban thing. I joked about how this showed how fragile Trump is, and he started defending him. And what ensued was my indictment of Trump. But he just wouldn't accept how all of this pretty much makes Trump one of the worst, most unqualified candidates ever.

At least I got him to admit that Trump is unhinged *shrug*. But there is absolutely no convincing him that he shouldn't vote for Trump. He told me as much. Seems like it's more about "giving him a chance". But I explained how you don't look at a raging racist/liar and "give him a chance" to screw up when he has given every indication that he will....as if he's going to turn into Nelson Mandela once in the White House (I said this, lol)

But Trump said that he could shoot someone and people would still vote for him. He can do and say anything, and for some reason, his main core of supporters won't abandon him.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

I have friends who like his political stances and believe all of the downright racist ideas he has are entirely for show and to drum up votes. They think he'll drop off all of the racist shit once he wins

 

[Henkka]

It's incredibly hard to get people to change their minds about something, no matter the subject. Once you're committed, any criticism seemingly just strengthens those mental barriers.

 

[EdibleKnife]

LOL 'Unhinged' the exact qualities you want for commander in chief. In general, I think Trump supporters truly underestimate the position of president and I wish I wasn't serious. They really do think of the whole thing as a reality show and just choose the candidate who makes them chuckle the most. It's why they're willing to forgive so many deficiencies in his politics, his campaign, and the words right out of his mouth. Because this is all a sport. A multiple month diversion.

 

[Oblivion]

So he accepts that Trump is "unhinged" and still plans on voting for him anyway?

 

[NoblesseOblige]

He's a Trump supporter thus his support is one born of, and surrounded by, ignorance. Good luck trying to resolve that. It's like trying to teach physics to a kindergartner.

 

[AwesomeMeat]

For a lot of people this election is just about the SCOTUS.

 

[Veelk]

One thing I find kind of funny about Trump voters is that they actively imagine a different candidate than the one they have in front of them. If he says something insane, he's joking/exaggerating/not serious.

People actively rewrite the character of trump in their heads real time. It's weird.

 

[CygnusXS]

You gotta try the Socratic method next time.

 

[studyguy]

That's just how it goes. The diehards are gonna be just that, balls to the wall for Trump. They're not the target audience to swing. Sucks to be them living in their fantasy world but you can't stress about that level of ignorance.

 

[ezrarh]

It's like showing anti-vaccine people scientific data and they get even more anti-vaccine. It's not worth it.

 

[Astral Dog]

Some people just want to see the world burn

 

[A Human Becoming]

Anyone who supports Trump at this point isn't changing their mind. All you can do is convince people who haven't decided.

 

[Henkka]

He's a Trump supporter thus his support is one born of, and surrounded by, ignorance. Good luck trying to resolve that. It's like trying to teach physics to a kindergartener.

If the only problem was literal ignorance, that'd be easy to solve. I'd say the problem is more like a mental bias, which causes people to twist every damning fact about Trump into a minor issue. Likewise, every damning fact about Hillary is exaggerated.

 

[Biske]

My family defends supporting Trump cause they think the other candidate lies too much. Let that sink in for a moment, they support Trump and claim to care about lies.

In their case they are actual racists and love most his hate for refugees and immigrants. Its impressive to see them dance around it and try to find something to say good about Trump, they never do.

 

[Alucrid]

it sounds like you met your mimic

 

[Slayven]

Sometimes that R is all they need to see

 

[Manmademan]

trump supporters are voting based on emotional appeals. what they "feel" is true rather than what is empirically true based on logic.

you can't defeat an emotional argument with facts and rational arguments, you'll lose every time. There's an excellent mother jones article about Trump's base- nothing you can say about his business deals, his fabrications, or his generally being unqualified for office is going to make a dent in the support of a population that is scared to death of the possibility of white privilege going away.

http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2016/08/trump-white-blue-collar-supporters

 

[To Far Away Times]

Republicans are going to be swayed more by beliefs and Democrats more swayed by facts.

As a Democrat the rejection of fact for belief seems ludicrous to me, but it is what it is.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Sometimes that R is all they need to see

it really is as simple as that. Money rules.

If I ever saw a candidate that is fiscally a Republican but socially a democrat, or at least fairly close, AND actually had a chance to win that'd be my guy/gal.

 

[Yaboosh]

it really is as simple as that. Money rules.

If I ever saw a candidate that is fiscally a Republican but socially a democrat, or at least fairly close, AND actually had a chance to win that'd be my guy/gal.

What is it you think being fiscally Republican means?

 

[entremet]

If elections where based on logic reasonable people would be mostly in agreement.

They're not. Rationality is an actually a very small part of most elections.

 

[Lys Skygge]

I mean, most of his supporters are the same people who reject science backed by facts. They're a bunch of anti-intellectual, anti-progress buffoons.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

What is it you think being fiscally Republican means?

On a very simple broad stroke it'd be letting me keep as much of my money as possible. But I mean that very broad. I'd have to see the candidate's proposed plans to see if the pros outweigh the cons compared to others

 

[Burt]

Pretty much all Trump supporters, actually,

Spoiler

along with most people in general

 

[BoboBrazil]

They are just confused idiots that are easily misled by the likes of Fox News. Unfortunately there are a lot of dumb, uneducated, ignorant people in the US.

 

[j_k_redtail]

LOL 'Unhinged' the exact qualities you want for commander in chief. In general, I think Trump supporters truly underestimate the position of president and I wish I wasn't serious. They really do think of the whole thing as a reality show and just choose the candidate who makes them chuckle the most. It's why they're willing to forgive so many deficiencies in his politics, his campaign, and the words right out of his mouth. Because this is all a sport. A multiple month diversion.

I've come to the same conclusion, and it's not just Trump supporters. People literally have no idea what the job entails; they think the POTUS outsources all major decisions to advisers or subordinates.

 

[-sdp]

It's difficult to convince anyone against their political views no matter their political standing. Like religion there's a reason it's a controversial topic and not something you bring up to just anyone.

 

[geomon]

Modern American politics has basically become a spectator sport. My team versus your team. Doesn't matter if most Republicans can't stand Trump and disagree with him on just about everything, they'd still vote for him because he's part of the team now. Go team!

 

[Henkka]

Modern American politics has basically become a spectator sport. My team versus your team. Doesn't matter if most Republicans can't stand Trump and disagree with him on just about everything, they'd still vote for him because he's part of the team now. Go team!

Yup. Think about it: If I know your stance on abortion, I can probably predict your stance on climate change with reasonable accuracy. But that shouldn't be, because abortion and climate change have nothing to do with one another. Just so happens there's two parties, and they disagree on these topics. People pick a side, liberal or conservative, and then defend it to the death.

 

[GloveSlap]

Trump himself is the biggest argument against voting trump. If that didn't work nothing else is going to convnce them.

 

[soco]

this is generally true of almost everything. people are stubborn. who and what people support or believe is more an identity thing than an actual belief. even when they know better, they'll likely dig their feet in to protect what they see as their identity.

people now say that arguing on the internet is a waste of time, but this was the case in general long before. it's one of the many reasons why things like debates and such are a waste of time.

 

[smokeymicpot]

I know people like that. Media is bullshit, facts are wrong, and Obama was the worse ever.

 

[BreezyLimbo]

You gotta try the Socratic method next time.

Chain a trump supporter in a cave, make him stare at a wall with just shadows dancing in front of him, until he comes to the conclusion that the shadow world is the real world and they never want to leave the cave?

 

[rjinaz]

Yeah it's weird. Trump has this kind of "unconditional love" hold on his supporters. No idea what he has done to deserve it. Certainly not helping people.

 

[Man-is-Obsolete]

Chain a trump supporter in a cave, make him stare at a wall with just shadows dancing in front of him, until he comes to the conclusion that the shadow world is the real world and they never want to leave the cave?

That's Pluto? Right?

Anyway, trying to paint Trump as a liar and a racist won't work it seems. People have bought into it being jokes and others being too PC. I think people's best bet is to call into question his multiple bankruptcies and tax evasion by using his charity. The latter could even disqualify him for president as he would be convicted of a felony.

 

[Kthulhu]

If someone won't listen to facts when they are shown to their face you might as well give up on them.

I'm just glad that the election is before Thanksgiving so that I don't have to see the racist side of my family until they hype and anger have died down. Hopefully they will avoid political discussion, but of course they never do.

 

[CygnusXS]

Chain a trump supporter in a cave, make him stare at a wall with just shadows dancing in front of him, until he comes to the conclusion that the shadow world is the real world and they never want to leave the cave?

It's worth a try

 

[Kthulhu]

That's Pluto? Right?

Anyway, trying to paint Trump as a liar and a racist won't work it seems. People have bought into it being jokes and others being too PC. I think people's best bet is to call into question his multiple bankruptcies and tax evasion by using his charity. The latter could even disqualify him for president as he would be convicted of a felony.

I think you mean Plato.

 

[EdibleKnife]

Yeah it's weird. Trump has this kind of "unconditional love" hold on his supporters. No idea what he has done to deserve it. Certainly not helping people.

And you think that'd be what people would want right? They criticize Hilary but Trump has zero redeeming qualities. He's not kind, benevolent, humble, honest. He's not well spoken or ethical. It's like what would even a Christian see in him? Someone who claims to expect virtues out of leaders

 

[Log4Girlz]

Trump is a perfectly fine candidate as long as you ignore his words and actions.

 

[FZZ]

I have friends who like his political stances and believe all of the downright racist ideas he has are entirely for show and to drum up votes. They think he'll drop off all of the racist shit once he wins

Had people in the same boat

Cut them out of my life

 

[Azzanadra]

What I have discovered debating Trump supporters that his actual demogaugery or anything related will never convine them, in fact it only deepens their convictions. What has worked is calling into question his qualifications, I usually ask to take partisanship out of it and look and at who objectively is fit to be commander and chief. Also, since a lot of Trump supporters I know are of the younger generation, I usually point to some video game or movie or celebrity the person likes as a case against Trump. Might not convinced them, but it's fun to watch the mental gymnastics required to support Trump.

 

[darkace]

Nobody changes their minds on issues when argued with if they haven't actively taught themselves critical thinking skills, it's hardly unique to Trump. Trump is just such a raging loony it makes the lack of thought all the more jarring.

 

[Supermanisdead]

You know botty in real life?

 

[Man-is-Obsolete]

I think you mean Plato.

Lol. Knew something didn't sound right. Yea. Plato. It's late.

It is getting pretty sad that I am seeing more and more Trump Pence signs popping lately. I don't I have seen a single Hilary sign. I can't wrap my head around what is happening. If you told me a year ago people would unironically vote for trump I would have called you crazy. But here we are.

 

[Bleepey]

it really is as simple as that. Money rules.

If I ever saw a candidate that is fiscally a Republican but socially a democrat, or at least fairly close, AND actually had a chance to win that'd be my guy/gal.

You want a guy that spends irresponsibly but is socially liberal? I was gonna say I am joking but no, no I am not. Republicans would often rather starve the beast to the detriment of society than given properly. I am looking at you Kentucky.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

That's Pluto? Right?

Pluto, the most well known philosopher of the milky way solar system.

 

[Kthulhu]

And you think that'd be what people would want right? They criticize Hilary but Trump has zero redeeming qualities. He's not kind, benevolent, humble, honest. He's not well spoken or ethical. It's like what would even a Christian see in him? Someone who claims to expect virtues out of leaders

My guess is that it's a combination of star power, being rich, authoritarianism, not being PC, and being overtly racist, sexist, etc. Plus the 20 year campaign to make Hillary Clinton look like the devil is a reason I see get brought up a lot.

Hell, if Hillary was guilty for all the stuff she's been accused of, I might vote for Trump too.

 

[FeenixRising]

Your friend is a Coli Higher Learning poster ain't he?