Now back to the gaining of supporters question

But should we be able to take the words of the President of the United States at face value?

How many left wingers would support him if he walked back his comments this one time?

The battle will be won with moderates ....

none lol

If we can't, then there will inevitably be confusion

And with the President, confusion can lead to war

The reality of politics is that once you get into office no words you can say will win you support

Is it really a good thing to insult our allies? What happens when we need them?

only lose

<:dabraka:430185887255494656>

At best they will invigorate your supporters, but they will only lose you support

Actions are what matter in terms of gaining additional support

... what ally was it we supposedly needed? The US has a military that's larger than the 5 next largest militaries on the planet combined.

Well, interesting discussion .... got to go now ... we shall see how this develops, but advantage Democrats for the day/week. Bye.

The US disengaged from the world before both world wars. If we learned anything it's that US engagement is critical for world peace.

while i agree that US engagement is essential, I disagree that anything Trump is doing is intended to disengage the US.

he is negotiating.

Threatening to leave NATO?

it's about time we needed a big war anyways

if you pay attention, trump always negotiates the way way

>trump made mean comments
>democrats scared about the bluewave failing
yeap, thats advantage democrats alright

Insulting the leaders of our allies?

X is TERRIBLE. X is a raw deal! We're getting taken advantage of by X. I'm going to CANCEL X

@DrYuriMom In other words... the US is so badass that all the other countries on the planet are desperately in need of us and should be grovelling at our feet and kissing the very ground we walk on, in desperate fear that we don't abandon them again...

But you expect us to be the ones who're acting nice and pleading with them for... the right to help them?

Europeans have to fight every 70 years or else they start going crazy

then he'll say something like "If X did this, then maybe we could make a deal, but right now we're getting screwed!"

I don't get how those actions could possibly be making the world safer or America better positioned.

What actions specifically?

Then X, wanting a deal, makes some concession, then Trump is all smiles and sunshine, and a new better deal is negotiated.

The first step from Trump is always to shit on whoever he wants to make a deal with.

And it's been working really well if you're honest about it.

New NAFTA, new trade deal with EU, NATO agreed to increase spending, peace talks with NK,

@JustTom , I think all nations expect to be treated with respect. We certainly appreciated their support after 9/11.

Remember the only nation to invoke Article 5 of NATO is the US

Bush Sr and Jr showed how diplomacy works for the US

Reagan solidified a world order that has helped us

Why are we flushing all their work down the toilet now?

we're not

you are just incapable of realizing what negotiation looks like from a position of strength.

Leaving NATO should never even be an option