Do you think Donald Trump pays people off who report poll results to show him leading?

Never underestimate the stupidity and vileness of the human masses.
Civilisation, humane values, “enlightenment”, they are all just a facade that crumbles away at the first sign of trouble.

Polling is kind of tricky right now. The use of cell phones (over landlines) means that pollsters have difficulty making sure that they are getting a real slice of the electorate (actual voters).

Trump is leading Republican candidates but losing handily to anyone the Democrats puts up against him.

He can easily afford to do that (and would not hesitate to so do when it matters) but this is not the right time. He is already getting enough press for free by keeping his face and outrageous antics in the public eye.

No, a lot of Americans are genuinely that fucking stupid.

^ Amen!

Come to the “modern South” there are people in the South that think he is the best thing ever.

Others in the South think is as NOT strong enough in his anti-Mexican or anti-Muslim stand. Some think that ALL Muslims/Mexicans should be sent back (don’t know how) or at least wear a badge like the Jews during Hitler’s reign. Sounds like Trump !

I do not think there is anyone more surprised by the poll numbers than Mr. Trump himself with a close second is Bernie Sanders. Both are championing the near identical anti-establishment message. One caters to the conservatives the other caters to the libs and in the end both segments are clearly disenfranchised, pissed at the establishment and ready for real change. So you have Trump, Sanders and the main stream media all on their heels making rapid adjustments to this wholly unexpected direction the primary polls has taken. It will all come down to who can firmly grab the campaign reins and cross the finish line first.

If he does, where do I sign up for some of that cash?

I’ve been busting my ass for the last 25 years. Getting paid to lie would be the easiest money I ever made.

Trump might get within spitting distance of the nomination but will ultimately be denied. The Establishment will see to that.

it saddens me that the same thing will happen to bernie for the same reasons

Trump attracts the astute and intelligent people who know what’s up.

It’s the rest of you who are stupid.

Trump 2016

I wouldn’t put ANY dirty tactic past this megalomaniac, or for that matter, any other Dem or Republican candidate.

Nah.
When polling, it’s easy enough to ask the question in such a way that you elicit the desired answer. Trump’s sold more news than all the other candidates combined.

I don’t he’s had to actually pay supporters since he stocked the room with actors for his initial Presidential announcement.

You would get more money from breaking the story that Trump is paying to manipulate polls.

You should get out more then.

Seriously though, there are a lot of people who think all sorts of wacky things. If that were not true, then the Republican Party would still be the same as it was 50 years ago instead of a hotbed of lunacy.

@Kropotkin You forgot the ~

@Blondesjon Hard to say really. Many Vermonters though the same thing when he went for his first term in the US House, especially since he ran as Socialist rather than Independent. Then they thought he wouldn’t get re-elected. By his third term though, people kind of went by his record rather than his party affiliation (or lack thereof), and he had >70% approval rating when he decided to take Jefford’s Senate seat instead of go for a ninth term in the House.
Sanders is an old man in a position where most people (or at least their careers) die young. And given the issues Hillary Clinton and Debbie Wasserman Schultz are having, I think that “The Establishment” will break if they take too many more swings at Bernie. (Not that Schultz’s antics should be a surprise; that’s how they roll in Florida.)

@Cruiser True, as far as you go. The difference being that the anti-establishment liberals have someone with a decades long track record of ideological consistency whereas Trump is a true wildcard. Didn’t he run as a Democrat? But regardless of which side of the aisle one is on, the “Outsider” card plays well, which is why Trump, Carson, and Sanders have all done better than Jeb. And the only reason Hillary is even doing marginally well is a combination of name recognition and DNC cronyism.

@jerv . . . Sanders is where my vote is going so I’m hoping it works out in his favor. If it does I’ll lead the very first chorus of hallelujahs and high-fives.

Until then I’m going to stay under my protective cloak grouchiness and apathetic cynicism. It makes shit easier to swallow when the world doesn’t agree with what I want.

Nope.

I can’t help but hear this song in my head when I see Sanders at the podium…

What do you mean, “I don’t believe in God”?
I talk to him every day.
What do you mean, “I don’t support your system”?
I go to court when I have to.
What do you mean, “I can’t get to work on time”?
I got nothing better to do
And, what do you mean, “I don’t pay my bills”?
Why do you think I’m broke? Huh?
If there’s a new way,
I’ll be the first in line.
But, it better work this time.

Then when Trump is at the podium…

What do you mean, “I hurt your feelings”?
I didn’t know you had any feelings.
What do you mean, “I ain’t kind”?
I’m just not your kind.
What do you mean, “I couldn’t be the president of the United States of America”?
Tell me something, it’s still “We the people”, right?
If there’s a new way
I’ll be the first in line,
But, it better work this time.
Can you put a price on peace?

I am very afraid.