Trump crushes his Republican rivals in the Iowa caucus!

I think you're being obtuse.

The World is not led by Trump.
The World is not led by Trump.
The World is not led by Trump.

That isn't an opinion, it's a fact.

And I think you are extremely rude, MzFitz

American friends and family really don't like Biden and Harris. We in the UK don't see the full picture.

What don’t they like?

I don’t support Trump but I had a bet on him winning the 2016 election and I’ve bet on him this time.
Nothing personal.

Germanshepherdsmum

What don’t they like?

I really don't know the details.
All I know is that they were happy under Obama and Trump but not now.
I think it's down to changes in everyday stuff rather than something big.
If the few people I know reflect the thoughts of many then I won't be surprised if Trump wins.

Perhaps, as here, the man in charge is blamed for global increases in fuel and food prices and the aftermath of covid (which of course to Trump was just a cold).

Because the church is a multi million (if not billion) pound /dollar industry in the US. They have absolute power/coercion over literally everything. Education, healthcare, politics, the justice system. Between the church and the NRA there can be little expectation for change.

Oh yes, the NRA!
And the Bible Belt.

Say no more.

Oreo

Whitewavemark2 he actually did bring the troops home from Afghanistan.
Am no Donald supporter but give him credit for that at least.

And look at the state that country is now in. Girls and women forced to wear black all over apart from the slit for the eyes. Girls are being whipped if they refuse.

What about him calling girls "pussy" and the rest of his misogynistic behaviour. ?

Here's a link to the withdrawal timeline. The withdrawal didn't quite work out as Trump hoped.

www.factcheck.org/2021/08/timeline-of-u-s-withdrawal-from-afghanistan/

Siope

^HE IS NOT LEADING THE WORLD. America is not the World^

On the same principle, the USA is not America. It’s not even North America.

nit picking I think.

The withdrawal from Afghanistan was nothing to be proud of, it was chaotic and shocking.

Dinahmo

Oreo

Whitewavemark2 he actually did bring the troops home from Afghanistan.
Am no Donald supporter but give him credit for that at least.

And look at the state that country is now in. Girls and women forced to wear black all over apart from the slit for the eyes. Girls are being whipped if they refuse.

What about him calling girls "pussy" and the rest of his misogynistic behaviour. ?

Here's a link to the withdrawal timeline. The withdrawal didn't quite work out as Trump hoped.

www.factcheck.org/2021/08/timeline-of-u-s-withdrawal-from-afghanistan/

Whoever is responsible it’s disgraceful what we did to Afghanistan and its people. And some of them are the ones risking their lives trying to get here on boats. Trump is on trial for defamation in a sexual assault case tomorrow. How can this man be standing for president.

As Dinahmo says the country has been left in a worse state than before the west were involved and it must be like salt in the wound that they have experienced a better life fir 20 years only to have it taken away . We are involved with helping a group of people living in hiding from the taliban , having expected to be given safe passage to the west.

silverlining48

As Dinahmo says the country has been left in a worse state than before the west were involved and it must be like salt in the wound that they have experienced a better life fir 20 years only to have it taken away . We are involved with helping a group of people living in hiding from the taliban , having expected to be given safe passage to the west.

My heart goes out to those people. Thank you for helping them.

Yes if I was a gambling person I would take that bet too Petra.

Iowa was merely the prequel. It's not over till the fat lady sings.

I am videoing a television programme about Trump tonight on ITV - might be worth a look.

With the vote being in Iowa I keep thinking about Bill Bryson’s ‘ The Lost Continent’. ‘I come from Des Moines. Somebody had to. When you come from Des Moines you either accept the fact without question and settle down with a local girl named Bobbi and get a job at the Firestone factory and live there forever and ever, or you spend your adolescence moaning at length about what a dump it is and how you can't wait to get out, and then you settle down with a local girl named Bobbi and get a job at the Firestone factory and live there forever and ever.

Hardly anyone ever leaves. This is because Des Moines is the most powerful hypnotic known to man. Outside town there is a big sign that says, WELCOME TO DES MOINES. THIS IS WHAT DEATH IS LIKE. There isn't really. I just made that up. But the place does get a grip on you. People who have nothing to do with Des Moines drive in off the interstate, looking for gas or hamburgers, and stay forever. There's a New Jersey couple up the street from my parents' house whom you see wandering around from time to time looking faintly puzzled’.
I can’t help but wonder what Bill thinks about his former homeland.

Pittcity

American friends and family really don't like Biden and Harris. We in the UK don't see the full picture.

Well Pitt city : No one in my family can stand Trump. I do believe most Americans would like younger candidates . That’s not what we have . Biden is competent and experienced . It’s only a certain demographic that likes Trump . Iowa is a very conservative farming community . So let’s not make a big deal of Trump getting a majority there .

Grantanow

Iowa was merely the prequel. It's not over till the fat lady sings.

Have we got to put up with this until November? 😲

😴

Maybee the only one thing I remember about Des Moines is that Bill Bryson comes from there!

I should think Putin & similar aggressors are rubbing their hands with glee, Trump will cease to help Ukraine with weapons and Putin's job will be complete.

Some interesting analysis of the Iowa caucus votes in the Washington which suggest that Trump did better in the religious counties than in counties which more widely reflect the USA.

There’s a history for this, with those counties ensuring caucus victories for a number an evangelical candidates (Huckabee, Santorum, Cruz) who have not gone on to win the republican nomination.

There’s a strong educational divide, and that’s widened massively since 2016. In 2016, he got 29 percent of the vote in the parts of the state with the lowest levels of college education and 22 percent in the counties with the highest levels.
In 2024, that spread more than doubled to 18 percentage points. He did particularly badly in university towns (one of which a few of my family live in, so they will be pleased).

Income was another key factor; he did better in the counties with the lowest median household income.

It will be interesting to see the Democrat caucus results.

PS: as I write, Trump is in court glowering at potential jurors in the defamation case brought by E Jean Carroll, the woman he raped.

In the Washington Post, that should read.

Much of the media, the metropolitan bubble, a large portion of our politicians, institutions etc etc. regard Trump as some demon who’s only interest is himself and his mantra Make America Great Again. Well it's about time the West woke up and realised that without a great and powerful America we are all ‘up the creek without a paddle’. Just who do we think is going to protect our freedom, our way of life, our democracy from the gathering forces moving to destroy us from within and without. We certainly don't currently have the means or the will to defend ourselves. Trump may well not be to everyone's taste but the sneering of those that oppose him is not doing the free world any good.