After watching the debacle that was the presidential debate Monday night, I find myself almost hoping Trump wins. I hope Trump wins so that the progressive base will be fired up in four years after the disaster that will most assuredly be his presidency. I hope Trump wins so that more young voters will come of age, having seen the regression of rights, more tax cuts for the wealthy, and attempts to strip away health care from people who desperately need it.
But most of all, I really want to see Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard win the Democratic nomination in 2020, so I can watch her rip Trump apart after he tells her, “You’re a good-looking girl. But I don’t think you have the stamina to be president.”
The Inquisitr writer Caitlin Johnstone wrote up a compelling op-ed detailing why she hopes Jill Stein costs Hillary Clinton the election.
“Who do you think is supporting Donald? It’s not the Bushes and the Koch brothers; no, it’s by and large the poor and disenfranchised who’ve been exploited and degraded by the status quo.”
It’s a sentiment I fully agree with because the Democrats chose a weak candidate. They nominated someone who believes it’s “her turn” to be president, as if the office were hereditary and not based on the will of the people.
And then there is the argument of backlash against Democrats that would open the door for an even more ultra right-wing conservative presidential candidate like Ted Cruz to win the White House in 2020. Even now, Bloomberg reports that Cruz is gearing up for a run in 2020.
And this all comes back to why this Bernie Sanders supporter will not feel bad for Hillary if Trump wins in November.
Think about the debates Tulsi Gabbard — or even Zephyr Teachout, as some have suggested — could have against Trump. An Iraq war veteran, as her website states, who has spent most of her adult life in public service, would have a field day against Trump. As president, Trump will do his best to pass tax cut legislation favorable to himself and to his wealthy friends (including the Clintons).
Trump may also cave to his alt-right supporters to advance policies that ultimately hurt minorities, women, immigrants, and the poor. He’ll try to loosen environmental standards, which are already way too friendly to ecologically hostile corporations.
As I wrote earlier, Clinton would most likely drag the United States into a major war — possibly of nuclear proportions — with Russia, and even China. And yet her supporters claim any anti-Clinton sentiments must surely mean we actively support Trump.
No. We don’t. Let’s just clear the air right now. We don’t like either candidate. We don’t think either Trump or Clinton deserved to be on that stage Monday night. But given a choice, some of us are looking at the long-term chess move of a Trump presidency.
And really, who wouldn’t love to watch Tulsi Gabbard take on the bloviating Trump? I can just hear the conversation now.
Trump : I like you, Tulsi, you’re a good-looking girl, but I just don’t think you have what it takes to be president. Not enough stamina.
Gabbard : With all due respect, Mr. President, I don’t see how my looks have anything to do with my ability to serve, howev–
Trump : Stamina!
Gabbard : Well, Mr. President, I served two tours in Iraq in a field medical unit, and I’m currently a Major in the Army National Guard. I’m also a damn good surfer . How do you define stamina?
Trump : Well, OK, maybe you have stamina. But I have tremendous policies. Plus, I’m older. I don’t know, I don’t think you’re even old enough to run.
Gabbard : Sir, I’m 39 years old. I could have run in 2016.
Trump : See? You’re young. you don’t have the experience I have to be president. I have experience. The best experience.
Gabbard : I’ve been in public service for 18 years. I’ve been a member of the House of Representatives since 2013. I voted against your tax cuts for the wealthy that ultimately led to a complete economic meltd–
Trump : No stamina!
Gabbard : Meltdown and forced even more people out of their homes and onto the streets. Small business has suffered. Banks have collapsed. Under your leadership, we’ve have zero environmental protect–
Trump : Stamina!
Gabbard : Alright, Mr. President. I’ll take the bait. I challenge you to see who can do 25 pushups. You and I. Right here, right now.
Trump : (Adjusting tie uncomfortably) I could do 25. I could 50. I could do 100. I’d impress everyone with how many pushups I could do.
Gabbard : OK. Let’s see those pushups.
Trump : How many again?
Gabbard : Twenty-five.
Trump : No. You said five.
Gabbard : Did I stutter?
Trump : (Points to Gabbard) She has no stamina!
[Featured Image by Scott Applewhite/AP Images]