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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, November 09, 2016

What's Your Reaction to the Election?

As I write this, Trump is up by 2,000 votes in Pa. and appears to have even won in Northampton County. He's head in Michigan and Wisconsin, and appears to be poised to win the Presidency. I'm too exhausted from a long day at the polls to watch to conclusion. Hillary was a lousy candidate, but I expected her to win. Even if she does pull it out, I think the message voters are sending is that they are tired of crony capitalism and insider establishment politics. But they elected a person who himself is a self-promoting con artist and who has historically been one of those establishment insiders. I do think the country will survive, but only barely.

81 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think Trump will direct "Law Enforcement Intelligence Units" to begin the liquidation of the ghetto's.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Ah the racism begins. What a wonderful message.

Anonymous said...

Nice try but, I wouldn't put nothing pass this man or his base.

Anonymous said...

"Dow futures plunge 750 points as Trump takes key battleground states"

Well I think we know what the markets think of our businessman president.

Robert Trotner said...

Two words: Comey and Giuliani. Dirty politics. The suburban independent vote deserted Hillary when Comey sent his letter to Jason Chaffetz without classifying it.

Anonymous said...



The Deplorable are victorious.

Anonymous said...

Hillary is going to pull another Gore. I'm not conceding.

Anonymous said...

We have learned that the Clinton campaign is corrupt beyond measure.

Now it is Hillary Clinton that is not going to accept the will of the people.

How Ironic, since it was Trump that was hounded if HE would accept the results. But the actuality is that it Hillary that now refuses to accept the will of the people.

Elitist arrogance.

Lock the criminal up.

Anonymous said...

Now that Hillary and Bill and Chelsea and Barack and Michele and Joe and Bruce and Bon Jovi and Katy Perry and Lady Gaga and Cher and every other scumbag celebrity is done looking down their nose at us, let me just say I'm deplorable and proud of it! Have fun in Canada!

Anonymous said...

Hillary is simply showing the country that she is EXACTLY what the deplorables said she was.

Anonymous said...


This is total Bull Shit. Hillary Clinton won't come out and concede but we're supposed to be the nice guys? Fuck that. Where was the acceptance and tolerance when Obama won?

We're shoving our ideals down your throats even worse than you guys did. We will lay down no more!!!!

Anonymous said...

This type of behavior is exactly why Congress and the Presidency now belong to the Republicans.

The old, drugged up HAG won't even come out and speak. She delegated it to her boy Podesta. She's probably throwing lamps, drunk and hysterical

... But it was MY TURN.. it was MY TURN.. WHY WHY WHY ?????

Lock her up

Anonymous said...

I wonder how long the Democrats are going to hold up the counts in Pennsylvania and Michigan ?

Anonymous said...

Maybe the bitch had a stroke and croaked and her syncopates don't know how to handle it ?

Anonymous said...

Now it will be Hillary that says the system is rigged

Anonymous said...

The people have spoken, fuk them!

Anonymous said...

Democracy is messy stuff. Emotion can and does win elections. Clinton era is now over and what are we left with? No crystal ball but we will see what this guy does with the reins. Did not vote for him but respect the fact that he was duly elected. We live to fight another day for another candidate who represents our cause and cares. I and many others misjudged the American electorate. Gonna be some soul searching after this loss by the Dem. party. Live and learn and make plans. I hope we all find a way to survive and remain hopeful for the future.

Anonymous said...

Open season on minorities, loss of foreign respect, adversarial nations bolstered, and the Constitution rewritten. Trump will have George W. Bush moving up a notch on "The Worst President" list.
America will survive, but it will be on life support after 4 years.

Anonymous said...

Well, he is pretty old, VERY obese and out of shape, and appears to be on drugs.

Hope!

Anonymous said...

Rather he is the President that Pence3. That guy is a stone age throwback.

Anonymous said...

My favorite election outcome is that the Canadian Immigration server crashed under heavy traffic last night.
Good lick to all of you migrants in the Great White North!

Anonymous said...

Marijuana wins big on election night, voters in California, Massachusetts and Nevada approved recreational marijuana initiatives Tuesday night. When is it going to be our turn here in Pennsylvania?

Anonymous said...

onymous said...
Now that Hillary and Bill and Chelsea and Barack and Michele and Joe and Bruce and Bon Jovi and Katy Perry and Lady Gaga and Cher and every other scumbag celebrity is done looking down their nose at us, let me just say I'm deplorable and proud of it! Have fun in Canada!

November 9, 2016 at 2:13 AM

The arrogance of these and other celebrities to announce they're moving to Canada. Oh really. Let's follow up in a few months and see how many for sale signs on those multi-million dollar Malibu abodes.

Anonymous said...

Can he be any worse than George Bush?

Anonymous said...

People of this country have had enough of progressive liberalism. The voters have spoken. With Republican control of the House, Senate and Presidency... America will be great again in good ways. Build the wall, repeal and replace Obamacare, reopen the email case against Clinton, continue to investigate the foundation, curb back the EPA and other so called rogue government agencies, FIX THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CODE! All things that the right has complained about can now be fixed. Wondering which celebrity will be the first to renounce his or her citizenship and move out?

Anonymous said...

The same folks who are celebrating this morning, were convinced the world was ending back in 2008 and 2012. It didn't. Life goes on.

While he certainly does not possess the requisite wisdom/experience to serve in this office, hopefully he will choose he cabinet wisely to keep him on the rails.

One can dream...

Anonymous said...

My last hope is the R's and D's will finally start working together in order to keep a check and balance on this loose cannon. It would keep him from imposing the nutty proposals and actually get something accomplished. The crazy things he said during his run would need the approval of the Legislative Branch to enact. Perhaps the needed middle ground on issues such as immigration reform, rather than "mass deportation."

Anonymous said...

I was surprised that white, college educated women actually voted for him. I must now be a Trump supporter, because that tidbit of information has me respecting them a whole lot less than I used to. If they don't respect themselves why should I?

Anonymous said...

Don't feel sorry for the destitute HRC. Her and hubby can go back to the foundation, charge astronomical speaking rates, and survive on peanuts. They now can play up to the dictators, despots and slave owners they once cherished. They might have to cut their expenses while they live on their meager incomes, but they will survive. Now she once again can lie with impunity; deny everything; and can act above the law. Good riddance! You, slick Willie, Podesta, Huma, can walk into the sunset and hopefully rise no more.

Anonymous said...

Still have some faith in the USA. It would appear that Democracy won out over Liberalism this time around.

Anonymous said...

Best thing to happen. Now the Demo's and Republicans must work together in the Senate and House to keep the president in check. The Supreme Court should be safe for the next 4 years.

Ron Beitler said...

Damon Linker pretty much summed it up. This was about the hubris of the Democratic party. Large amounts of Americans didn't vote for someone, but rather against someone else. The Democratic kingmakers should be totally humiliated. Hillary was the result of the establishment of the Democratic Party completely ignoring their base but instead rallying around and nominating a totally flawed candidate. This result is their comeuppance. For a dumbass decision to nominate a Clinton instead of any other candidate who could have easily defeated Trump.

On the R end Trump also with all his severe flaws mostly of the character kind was the result of a populist frustration in part the result of the Democratic parties doubling down on identity politics. So Trump responded with his own brand. But he did it better. Trumps populism is also identity politics but more effective. Trump above all else is a marketer.

In self creating "candidate trump" (and it is a creation, a marketing creation), Trump triangulated his brand perfectly. It's what trump does. He licenses his name recognition to market products. In this case a President. Saw the opening and jumped through. Heavy dose of populism. Things like a (job killing) federal min wage, wall etc. With just enough actual conservative ideas - not many, but just enough and also perfectly calculated in terms of the most important. All wrapped up in vague policy statements. Enough to effectively maintain and energize a fanatic base. SCOTUS was his trump card. Now we see if he delivers. Obamacares nearing catastrophic failures was another.

Of note, and this is important Clinton suffered her biggest losses in the places where Obama was strongest among white voters. So this isn't easily dismissed as a racism story. Though trump does play footsies with that element. He's not a racist but he knows what he needed to do to win. This is a clinton was an awful candidate story, and trump was an effective populist and panderer story.

Ovem Lupo Commitere said...

This is my 9th presidential election, and in all except 1992 when Perot capture approx 20% of the popular vote, who I thought would win did, regardless of how I personally voted for. Last night did not surprise me in the least. I jokingly chalk up my gut feelings and observations to originally being from Ohio, a bell weather state, even though I've lived the majority of my life in PA.

Anonymous said...

I'm not surprised at all with the results . I am however disapointed with hose stupid lawyer written questions, that were very very confusing!

JoAnnKennedy said...

The next time the angry people speak out with frustration with the system, I certainly hope that change is forthcoming. The DNC had a wonderful candidate, albeit, an Independent - and he got panned. Bernie got shown the exit door, even though I believe he would have given a good run. This is a wake up call for all you Democrats out there -- (and Republicans as well) If you don't start listening to the people WE will replace you, we, the people have done it before (2004) we will do it again. In the words of our President -elect YOU'RE Fired !!!

JoAnnKennedy said...

I would have loved to see A Sanders/Warren ticket but hind sight is the best experience

Anonymous said...

Extremely happy with the entire outcome. The Silent Majority isn't silent anymore. This demographic was strongly over looked by both parties.

Ray Nemeth Sr said...

Give thanks to god and the determined steadfast voters of the nation. Amen

Anonymous said...

wHY THE PRESENCE OF ARMED SHERIFF DEPUTIES POSTED WITHIN 100 FEET OF THE POLLING BOOTHS AT GRACEDALE DESPITE NO SOCIAL UNREST OR DISTURBANCE OF PEACE. VOTER REGISTRATION TOLD ME THEY WERE AT GRACEDALE TO DIRECT TRAFFIC, BUT CANT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY WERE PERFORMING THIS DUTY OUTSIDE THE POLLING ROOM DOOR IN THE CAFETERIA. BLATANT DISREGARD FOR PA ELECTION LAW. CAN YOU GET AN ANSWER.

Anonymous said...

It's now time for all of Obama's Executive orders to be unceremoniously disposed of quickly. The legacy Obama was so concerned with is about to go into the dustbin of History where it belongs.

The Supreme Court is safe. That is what is really important.

Anonymous said...

U-Haul is standing by with a fleet of trucks for all of those who said they would leave the country if Trump was elected.

If you can't pack it up yourselves, Bekins or Mayflower are standing by to help you.

Hasta La Vista, baby

Anonymous said...

It is being reported that Hillary had a transition meeting with Obama scheduled for tomorrow.

She's going to need to re-arrange her calendar. Some real FBI agents want to talk to her now. It's time to face some real justice, her time is coming fast.

When the skin begins to be peeled off the Obama regime, the number of crimes that will be uncovered will be overwhelming in both numbers and scope..

Anonymous said...

Norco is red. Lehigh is blue. That's a complete realignment of the valley in my lifetime.

Anonymous said...

Trumps election is concrete proof there is no God.

Wehr's Dam said...

I'm saved ! Thank's y'all and to mr save the dam Molovinsky.

Anonymous said...

Definitely surprised at the result based on what "the polls said", but MMQBing, the trend was flowing in Trump's direction.

Worst choice in the history of Presidential elections with two badly flawed and uninspiring candidates. Republicans should be happy and proud of their efforts across the board, but nobody should delude themselves over any sort of "Majority has spoken" rhetoric. Its a majority in definition only, but the % is miniscule when you look at the big picture. This country is divided more or less in half.

If either party had put up a moderate/centrist they would have crushed either Clinton or Trump. I said it last week and prior, either one was going to be a one term President.

That said, I am curious to see if and how the message of anger and disgust will be received by the DC establishment and if any real change occurs. I'm not getting my hopes up considering how many incumbents were reelected...

Scott of Nazareth

Anonymous said...

It's clear from the Wikileaks revelations that Hillary Clinton had fixed the Democratic Primaries. No other Democrat had a chance, but even then, she had tremendous difficulty with Senator Sanders. But in the end, the fix was in and he really had no chance at all.

The Republicans had a wide variety of canidates during the primaries. Jeb Bush, in paticular had a ton of money backing him. Carson, Huckabee were also moderate choices. But Trump defeated them all.

Trump won in the primaries because he knew what the voters wanted in a candidate. He's not the polished politician; he's a businessman, and a successful one. Trump won in the primaries by winning the votes of the people of the party.

You write that if the Republicans had selected a moderate. That had been tried with Romney and was not successful. That was not the will of the rank-and-file of the party, and as we've seen now, Trump won by the will of the people of the United States. He was the correct candidate and the correct time.

That is the bottom line.

Anonymous said...

Look, Trump won because when he spoke throughout the campaign, he spoke like everyday AMERICANS in their homes, and at their jobs (if they have one). He went to the poorest of AMERICA, listened to their concerns, pledged to work on their behalf and asked for their vote.

They said, YES.

Anonymous said...

The most wonderful thing about this election and these results is it shows the candidate with the MOST VOTES LOST....again. And nobody is talking about the system being RIGGED.

If you could give America an enema it would disappear.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Damon Linker pretty much summed it up. This was about the hubris of the Democratic party. Large amounts of Americans didn't vote for someone, but rather against someone else. The Democratic kingmakers should be totally humiliated. Hillary was the result of the establishment of the Democratic Party completely ignoring their base but instead rallying around and nominating a totally flawed candidate. This result is their comeuppance. For a dumbass decision to nominate a Clinton instead of any other candidate who could have easily defeated Trump."

This is the point Rick Orloski kept making.

Bernie O'Hare said...

10:00, I was given the same explanation as you.they were there for traffic. If they were outside the polling room door, that is clearly a mistake unless the elections judge asked for them.

Anonymous said...

I predict that Trump will be an FDR in a bigot's clothing. Massive government spending on infrastructure but since its all mean to keep the undesirables out the working class republicans will endorse the whole thing.

Anonymous said...

Blame the corrupt corporate stinking DNC.

Anonymous said...

Democratic hubris made over 200,000 votes not count. Yea right.

A rigged political system plain and simple discounted 200,000 votes, not Kingmakers of any stripe.

We either count the votes, or we don't, and we don't, everything else is applesauce and you all know it.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a Great Wall is in our future.
Millions of Americans will have jobs when all the illegal immigrants are deported.
All our steel mills,mines,garment factories,shoe factories,etc,etc are going to be back in business every thing will be made in the USA.
It will be great!
He will bomb the shit out of all our enemies
and all our veterans will have everything.
No taxes,
health care for only those who can afford it!

it's going to be great and by the way
I am selling the Brooklyn Bridge if any one is interested

Anonymous said...

My concern is what has the Democrats learned form this, if anything. Today many are still lamenting how Hilary Clinton could lose. All you have to do is look at the primary. Look at Wasserman-Schultz.

As a Democrat I saw the populist support of Sanders and the visceral hate of all things Clinton. She was a terrible candidate. Résumé don't win elections people do and she is not a winner. The Democratic googoo folks never accepted the fact that people don't like her. they don't trust her and they actually hate her.

So the Party will either accept the reality in front of them or continue to pick candidates with their party allegiance and no connection to the people.

Anonymous said...

Vote tallies are still coming in. But it looks like what lost this for clinton..... (based on pure numbers) is that she failed to get as many votes as obama. She lots huge chunks of the obama coalition. Large %'s didn't necessarily go to Trump. They stayed home. In fact it looks like she will get many millions less votes than Obama.

As of right now Trump does not have as many votes as Romney got. Now, as totals come in that could change the final tally. But it won't be a groundswell of new Republican voters for Trump vs. Romney's total. Trump for all his hoopla will end up treading water with Romney.

Clinton however will probably end up with millions of votes less than obama. This election was about #neverhillary. Not people excited for trump. That is beyond his extremely galvanized (almost to a creepy extent) base.

2008
Obama 69,498,516
McCain 59,948,323

2012
Obama 65,915,795
Romney 60,933,504

2016 (prelim)
Clinton 59,646,983
Trump 59,436,953

Again, trump is likely to lose the popular and also not far outpace Romney and McCains vote totals. Romney and McCAin lost because Barack Obama was a juggernaut. Trump won because Clinton was an extremely terrible candidate in a race of two extremely terrible candidates.

Anonymous said...

Maybe we can get the blast furnaces over on Southside Bethlehem fired up again with al this new steel we will need. what an attraction for Musikfest and Artquest

Anonymous said...

This election had a new twist. It has shown us we can no longer rely on polls. People are not honest with them. I spoke to many people that said they were called and said they were voting for Hillary but had no intention of doing so because they were a Dem. and didn't want to say they were voting for Trump. Many were fed up with all her attack adds. They all said she never put out her message on what she was going to change to make America better. America is at a very low point so I hope Trump will surround himself with good people and get us back to where we once again can stand tall in our great Country.

Anonymous said...

well for starters the Democrats can now hold president elect pussy-grabber to his words.
He claims to remove illegals on day one well on day two if he does not accomplish that he must be lying.
he can tell Mexico to cough up money for the wall he wants to build. expect the foundation for the wall by feb 1st--all along the border or he is lying again.
he can shake down our allies for protection money.
as to Obamacare well his replacement making health insurance better and cheaper he can have that in place by Feb 1st.
he can tell the IRS to hurry up on his audit so everyone can see how little he paid in taxes.
if he fails to do that then he simply lied to all of his supporters.
time will tell if he can walk the walk

Anonymous said...

@2:17
Those numbers are the best explanation I've seen to explain the goofy result. I never bought into the "groundswell" claim or believed that people turned Trumpkins. I did read somewhere that the black vote didn't turn out as they had for Obama, as well.
I think Trump's grand promises will turn out to be little more than bullshit, but I can wait four years for the Trumpkins to realize it. It only took me two years to realize my vote for George W. was a huge mistake.
I'd like to believe that Trump may have an epiphany when he realizes that being President is a whole lot different than running for President. Maybe he will grow up and mature quickly, but at his age I hold out little hope that he can have the needed psychological change that would make him a better human being.

Anonymous said...

The "national" popular vote means NOTHING, and the pols know it. The popular vote in each state determines the electors from the winning party who will attend the Electoral College and cast their vote. I've heard this same argument in 2000, 2004, and now 2016. But everything was OK in 2008 and 2012.

The electoral system makes it difficult to tactically pack the polling places with repeat and illegal voters because for any race there is no way to know which of the states may be the one that pushes the winning candidate over 270.

Think of the Electoral College like this: Gravity is a wonderful force that provides useful utility. But when you fall and skin your knee you cannot suddenly proclaim that gravity is bad. If you skin your knee (or your party loses an election) pick yourself up, and continue on.

But now that the election is over and it looks like Trump issued a grade A trouncing, we're going to need a bigger basket.

With love, a Trumpkin Tea-hadist.

Anonymous said...

South Park had the best take on the election. Suffice it to say that of two deplorable candidates Trump won.

Peter J.Cochran said...

Deplorable peter ask did you delete my post or did I not do something correct Bernie.

Anonymous said...

"Trump won because Clinton was an extremely terrible candidate in a race of two extremely terrible candidates."

WRONG, WRONG ,WRONG !!!

Trump won because some peoples vote DID NOT COUNT.

Why is it so hard for people to understand! The system is rigged in such a way that the winner, lost.

You can put a name on it or try to explain it's flaws one way or another. BUT the simple fact is, in this democracy some peoples votes do not count and as far as the POLITICAL process they might as well be Chinese where there vote also does not count.

Anonymous said...

@5:55 what a whole bunch of nonsense.

Anonymous said...

@ 5:58pm

That's so funny!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Peter, I did not delete you. Could be your comment got caught in my spam folder and I will check when I get home.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Just checked my spam folder and there are no comments from you,Peter.

Anonymous said...

We do not live in a democracy regardless of how many times it is repeated. In a democracy citizens vote directly on laws. Here, we elect people to represent us. We are a republic.

Remember the pledge of allegiance; and to the republic for which it stands.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Actually, it is a form of democratic republic. In a republic, not all citizens are entitled to vote.

Anonymous said...

Call it whatever you like... The Peoples Democratic Republic of the Electoral College of the Articles of confederation. Use what ever noise you like to make with your mouth.

I call it "bullshit" that's the sound that comes out of my mouth.

$59,646,983
$59,436,953

Everyone knows which is more money.

Anonymous said...

I had all this in my quiver fully expecting Hilary to beat Trump and thinking Trump had the popular vote.

It works either way and is to good to waste when calling bullshit out.

I enjoy reading others trying to explain it away while wallowing in the stench of it.

Not all citizens are entitled to have their vote not counted. Big wiff ahh the smell of it.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, it is unfortunate that so many folks feel so bad that protests have broken out across the country and Californians' want to secede from the union. Having said that it is not super surprising that protests occur. Common in the 60's.

That said it is funny to read that Facebook rants of some of the right wingers. These are the people that would constantly repost right wing sites like, "I will not accept Hillary Clinton as my President" before the election. Now these same folks are calling these protestors bums for following there lead.

Hypocrite much!

Anonymous said...

10:22pm
Excellent point....

Peter J.Cochran said...

OK Bernie ,I'm off the tracks --Thanks.This blog is the most useful information highway here in this part of valley. Without your contributors [not me]I mean the smart ones, we would have no Idea or thought about county and state issues for the most part. I will hope that we are all civil and work for the betterment of government. Have a good veterans day and we'll think about your father and others that had a bad time while holding an ID card,along with their sacrifices that had endured. 17.5 Million people wore a U.S.Uniform during WW11.

Anonymous said...

This guy is another joke just as the past few presidents have been start brushing up on the Russian language folks. You might need it.

Anonymous said...

@10:17am

Learning Russian might not be so bad.

RT news is absolutely more informative than the crap that we call news.

Russians were very good allies during WW11, tearing the guts out of the German army while we burn down the civilians. It made it much easier for the US to roll through the oldmen/child-soldier army that remained to take credit for it all.

And Russians are white, unlike the Mexicans some of us seem to not like picking our pumpkins.

I think Russia and America would make good allies against the remains of the ottoman empire we have spent the last 100years degrading into a gas station.

Anonymous said...

A voter told me about his elderly aunt's Trump yard signs being taken from her lawn for several days leading up to the election and when he finally caught the culprit red handed, it turned out to be Ken Kraft, a County Council member! Kraft's wife became foul mouthed and the nephew insisted Kraft get the crumpled signs out of the back of his car, straighten them so he could put them back in the yard. I told the nephew to notify the police as this is illegal but the nephew was too nice to do that. In addition, I and my neighbors had our Trump signs taken twice, even to the point of trespass. It's rare for Republicans to do such things but apparently just fine for Democrats.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Can you email me at bohare5948@aol.com. I cannot believe you if you do not ID yourself, but will track this down.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I have just spoken to Ken Kraft and you are full of shit. An old neighbor of Ken told him she wanted no signs in her yard and ken removed them for her. He also has shoveled her snow and sprayed her property for weeds over the past five years. On election day, those signs re-appeared and ken's wife removed them as asked. The elderly neighbor's name is Tootsie. Then Ann McHale's son-in-law popped up and accused them of stealing signs. He also told Ken's wife to suck Hillary's ass. Very classy. he probably failed to go to the police because he put signs where he had no permission to do so.