Not even a remote Republican, just a former sales person. When someone keeps responding, you can still communicate, and if you can communicate, you can convince. Sales 101: Keep communications open. If you say something is non-negotiable, then stop responding on that subject. Or you might find yourself walking out of a place of business with a TV you didn't want to buy.
And that's fair enough. But you're giving me the distinct impression that you're one of the lovely autistic, atheist neckbeards that give people that just don't believe in god a bad name, who are a vocal minority even within the Atheist community. America has bigger problems to solve than Donald Trump wanting to say, "Merry Christmas" and pandering to the massive religious majority.
If Hillary's the candidate, Trump wins. There's too much ammunition for him. Most polls are showing this currently, and unless something drastic happens, by the time the GE rolls around, Trump will flank Shillary on some key liberal issues.
Also, I'm not your buddy, guy.