After watching last nights debate, yeah I saw it as I like to watch car crashes. This guy comes off, as he's the smartest guy in the room. In my view full of shit...but people are buying him.
So whats the deal? Is he a serious player in the republican party.
I honestly felt bad for Haley, he went after her, in a prick ass way

He is just crazy. lol. The lane he is drafting in, and I think it's a smart one politically, is to be Trumps replacement if Trump falls, gets convicted, has a medical issue, etc. No one else on that stage last night would get the bulk of the Trumpettes vote other than him, imo. Personally him calling Haley a Nazi made him look bad, not her. Haley isnt my ideal for a president but she certainly isn't a Nazi. He isnt a serious player unless Trump has a major fall then he might be the front runner, believe it or not, especially if Trump endorses him.

He's an annoying, snotty twerp. Unlikeable as TheDolt.
He should be gone.

Good analysis.  If Trump ever did drop out, Vivek would surge.

Trump is the firewall blocking the uniparty establishment Republicans. If Trump can't run, the establishment has the resources to force their client. It wouldn't be Vivek. Probably resurrect DeSantis or Haley.

Currently Trump is getting about 62% of the Republican vote. Vivek about 5%. Add  that up and you have 67%. Ok, so not every Trump supporter will vote for Vivek but he wouldn't need all of them. If he got just 75% of them Vivek would win the nomination. DeSantis and Haley COMBINED are getting 24% of the vote. Toss in Chris Christies 3% to the establishment side and they are up to a measly 27%. Even if you give every single "other"  vote to the establishment they STILL come up short. See the problem?

Florida Republicans liked DeSantis.  But they are overwhelmingly for Trump.  As Bill Burr said, the Democrats have made Trump a martyr.  If Trump can't run, the machine takes over.  Looks like some of the money has moved from DeSantis to Haley.  It's also unlikely that a Republican other than Trump can win.  The Democrats know this, that's why they are trying to throw him in jail before the election.  They are desperate.

Then the machine might die. Just saying.

But it would require Trump to throw in the towel, and I don’t see him doing that.

First, let's be honest..Vivek isn't one of them. They'll sit out the election and hope for a coup. Trumps supporters are all in on trump, hell or high water there is NO ONE else.
If trump loses this election, the trump machine will be over.
Who can get the "Apprentice" vote??

I think you underestimate his gripe on those people my friend. Remember, I am going with the hypothetical of Trump stepping down for something out of his control and him then loudly and frequently endorsing Vivek. Unlikely scenario, yes, but possible.  
The Trumpettes would then LOVE to stick it to the establishment in that very specific case. They are not the type to stay home on Election Day. They are the type to attack and enter the Capitol remember.  
Need more proof? just look at CKS response to my point. He also believes Vivek would be a very serious challenger for the R nomination (again, under those very specific details I laid out.)  
What does that tell you?

He could tell them to jump off a bridge, they'd do it but I feel they won't cast their vote for Vivek. Some might but as a whole..I don't see it.
Look at his midterms endorsements. 2018, 2020, 2022 most lost. If it's not him, he just doesn't have the juice for others. see Kari Lake

Have to agree with Robert on this one. If Trump endorsed Vivek, his support would surge.

Trump's endorsements only work in the hyper partisan atmosphere of a primary, NOT in the general. In the general, Trump is the kiss of death.

If trump isn't on any ballot do you really believe that this guy will vote for anyone other then trump...really now.
There's supporters that have their houses drape in trump shit, 365/24/7 since 2016.trump supporters aren't political and they're not ideological.They're the culture of only trump.
Trump telling them to vote for someone else won't resonate, they'll attach some weird ass comspricey to it like "Trump fell into the deep state" or "it's the system being rigged again"...and the usual blah blah blah will follow. Shit they'll blame vivek.
I get how you and Robert want to come as as reasonable but these trump supporters are FUBAR...Read the room

Trump has displayed a major influence over Republican primaries when he’s not on the ballot, and has shown he’s the dominant force in this primary.

1. Trump years were good years under him till Covid.

Trump was lucky the economy was strong because the only thing he did for it was pass a HUGE tax boondoggle for his rich pals that fucked YOU and every other penny ante Republican lackey.
Tulsi Gabbard was a pretty, brainless nothing who wasn't going anywhere EVER.
Funniest of all is your wet dream the dollar has been "diluted to absolute hell." In fact, the dollar is stronger than ever.
Read on, nitwit...

You seem to gravitate to me...odd...no?
Well, during the trump years, I did "Ok"...any tariff passed to to me, I just passed them to my customers.
But I was doing a whole lot better under Biden his first 2 plus years, but things have slowed...
And I know you'll hate this, but trump was given the keys to a Ferrari and what did he do, crashed it just like all his prior businesses.
But tell me one thing, what did trump do that actually help the people. He didn't pass anything except his massive tax cut to the rich, which now the middle class is paying for.
We can go on and on...but trump was a disaster, here and on the world stage.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!  
I wholeheartedly agree with you, cks.  Trump has had a major influence on Republican primaries...a major NEGATIVE influence!  Herschel Walker LOST, Memet Oz LOST, Doug Mastriano LOST, Kari Lake LOST.

Never seen BigP so happy to help me make my point. LOL

So tell me...what Republican majority court agreed to that wild and crazed conspiracy theory? You have been hanging out with Willy again, haven't you? lol

This guy is an only trump guy, he ain’t NEVER voting for anyone other then Trump, no mater what Trump says.  
But it’s only hypothetical…

We’ve seen what impact Trump endorsements have in primaries. You’re choosing an odd hill to die on with this argument.

But I’m surprised that you know know Trump supporters.

It’s not necessary to “know Trump supporters” to look at past results of Trump endorsements. Is there a minority who you have deigned to be “Trump only” voters? Possibly.

Trump is not on it. You actually think that the enthusiasm will be there for anyone other then Trump if he’s not on the ballot. And that they’ll rally around said person ? The air will be out of their tires if trump isn’t on the ballot,  
Think real hard on this, and it’s still hypocritical.
Trump supporters are delusional… it’s Trump or no one  
Here’s something to consider…
Georgia gave Trump 2.4M votes on 2020
Georgia gave Walker 1.7M votes on 2022 .And Walker was STRONGLY endorsed by Trump.
So to your way of thinking 700K didn’t follow Trump endorsement.
There’s more but you’see where I’m going with this

-- Modified on 12/14/2023 10:48:29 PM

What I do see is you trying to move the goalposts.

So you’re going with your gut. Nothing hard to back it up.
Luckily it’s all hypothetical cause we’ll never know.