Donald Trump on 60 Minutes was exactly the catastrophe you’d expect it to be

[UCmeNdc]

Donald Trump appeared on 60 Minutes last night to talk the campaign, the Islamic State and, perhaps most significantly, his soon-to-be unveiled tax plan. True to form for the man who somehow still leads Republican primary polling (although his lead is shrinking), he was utterly incoherent — a fact made plainer by the dry, erudite setting of a 60 Minutes interview.

Over the course of the 15 minute segment, Trump committed to the following:

Cutting taxes for pretty much everyone, but raising them for bad people

Getting our jobs back with “leadership,” and a trade war with China

“Rounding [the illegals] up,” but humanely

Beating the Islamic State with military force, and also by doing nothing

Repealing Obamacare and replacing it with Obamacare

Here is the segment:

http://americablog.com/2015/09/donald-trump-on-60-minutes-was-exactly-the-catastrophe-youd-expect-it-to-be.html

[pampango]

1. Notice Trump never suggests negotiating anything with anyone. It's all unilateral American action.

For instance, when Trump promised to bring American jobs back, Pelley interjected with, “But how do you get them back?” All Trump had by way of answer was “By taking them away from other countries” and not allowing China to devalue their currency. As if no one else had ever thought of that.

When Pelley pointed out that “you’re not going to be able to prevent the devaluation of their currency,” Trump simply said “sure you are,” threatening tariffs on Chinese imports if they don’t “behave.” When Pelley (correctly) noted that Trump was calling for a trade war with one of our largest trading partners, Trump didn’t really object, simply saying that he preferred the term “fair war.”

Trump also promised to violate the terms of NAFTA and tax cars made by Ford in Mexico. When Pelley objected that, as president, he would have to live with existing treaties and agreements, Trump simply said “We will either renegotiate it, or we will break it.” Which sounds great, until you sit down to negotiate your next international agreement and no one believes the terms you’re offering.

Trump will solve the problem of "no one believing the terms we are offering" by simply not negotiating anything with other countries. He will decide what the US will do and tell other countries what we are doing -“By taking them away from other countries”. Asking for permission or input on decisions is definitely not his style.

I suspect the republican base will eat this up even though it all seems so disjointed and egocentric to the rest of us.

[whatthehey]

2. He sounds very DUish on tariffs to be honest

Can't remember a thread on trade here where the same idea wasn't passionately espoused.

[snooper2]

3. he also said healthcare for everyone- universal, No taxes for the lowest earners

Get rid of unfair deductions for rich Wall Streeter's paying nothing-

He has some talking points that a vast majority will agree with- dismiss at your own peril!

[Oneironaut]

7. He sounds like a protectionist.

Protectionism in the current world's state would be a total failure. His ideas seemed too short-sighted and simple, which I believe is the point.

[SeenFromHere]

10. What is DUish?

If you mean Trump's tariff ideas align with the Democratic underground will you be more specific? Trump's wide bombastic net is appealing at times, but that's true for most con-men/persons and seducers. If he tries to push China or any country around rather than negotiate what will the repercussions be? Trump is the kind of guy who could bankrupt the country or create a war and have strong reasons why it's someone else's fault. I'd like to hear some serious detailed debate or discussions on these issues.

It would be great if China would harness N Korea for instance. But it serves China for N Korea to make the USA uncomfortable. He talks like he has China by the short hairs...or he's such a magic negotiator they'll want to deal. It would be great if Syria's A... would take control or cripple Isis. I'm sure Obama would love that too. What are your offers Donald? What are you going to give China? Or what are you going to use to hold a line with them...what leverage?

[whatthehey]

12. I explained it already

Every single DU thread on global trade is saturated with support for high tariffs, macroeconomics experts (even DU darlings like Krugman) be damned.

[global1]

4. I Said In Another Post Here That Trump Talked In His Usual Gibberish - But .....

a lot of what he says resonates with the American People that are fed up with the status quo. He says the things that a lot of the American Public are thinking and saying among themselves - but don't have a forum to say them like Trump does.

Trump put all the rest of the candidates on the defensive with his tax plan much like he did with immigration. Now all the other candidates will have to address taxes - which is something I'm sure that they would have rather not have to do.

It will be interesting to hear all the other candidates reaction to Trump's tax plan.

Everyday - I'm thinking more and more that Trump is becoming a real contender for the Repug nomination. This is getting to be a lot of fun watching this as it plays out.

I think we here at DU need to think of Trump as a serious candidate before he sneaks up on us.

[WestSeattle2]

5. I was happy to see Scott Pelley call him on the BS

What about NAFTA? What about contracts? "As president you can't do the things you're stating unilaterally."

Trump is an ass. But plenty of fools blindly believe his pablum. What's truly annoying however, is the number of "journalists" who allow him to control interviews. It's like the interviewers cower in his presence. The only ones who don't are Andrew Cuomo, O'Reilly, and now Pelley.

[Oneironaut]

6. Trump is a generality machine.

He never actually said how he plans to do anything, even when asked. He just says, "we're going to." It was ridiculous.

[localroger]

8. A lot of people like this about Trump

He is certain about everything. He says he won't take action. No whining about how so-and-so won't let him, he'll just charge in there and take the bull by the horns and get 'er done. No confusing "explanations" about why this and that can't be done. Just like Saint Ronnie, he'll make everyone respect us again and make them do what we want, both inside and outside of the great U.S. of A. He says what people have been thinking for years without all the evasion and weasel words. It only sounds ridiculous to us because we're intellectual weenies too hung up on "math" and "analysis" to go outside and get 'er done.

Don't kid yourself that this rodeo clown can't get the Republican nomination. He knows exactly what his appeal is and he's not afraid to put it out there.

[spanone]

9. mr. trump proves once again that talk is cheap. real cheap.

[TexasBushwhacker]

11. 60 Minutes gift to Donald Trump