Posted on 05/02/2011 3:35:48 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Now that Donald Trump appears on the verge of launching a presidential campaign, it is worth reflecting on the meaning of this low moment in American political history. Trump is a clown and a buffoon, and the odds of him winning even one Republican caucus or primary appear slim. But there is no denying that Trump has managed to tap into something genuinely worrisome in American politics. Democrats may be tempted to take pleasure in the fact that Trump will likely push the GOP presidential field to the right, and thereby help Obama in 2012. But this would be sheer myopia, and any delight over Trump’s arrival on the political scene is entirely misplaced. The Trump ascendancy calls not for glee, but for serious concern about the state of our country. It’s true that the media erred in awarding Trump such a large spotlight—did all the cable news networks really have to cover his press conference on Wednesday?—but, at this point, the Trump phenomenon does not seem to be a mere media creation. His popularity (he currently leads in several polls) can no longer be denied. So what is Trump’s appeal? Why do his message and vulgar personality resonate with such a significant percentage of Americans? Trump’s embrace of birtherism has been the most widely discussed aspect of his rise. But this only scratches the surface of the Trump phenomenon.
What Trump actually stands for is an exaggerated sense of victimhood. This is the theme that unites his personal style with the political views he has thus far expressed. Are you tired of being pushed around? Are you tired of our country being pushed around? Trump’s political acuity lies in his ability to take these grievances and turn them into politics. His foreign policy views in essence consist of a pledge to bully other nations. China is “decimating our country.” OPEC is imperiling the economy. And ungrateful Libyans and Iraqis are trying to build a society from oil that is rightfully ours. (“We won the war. We take over the oil fields. We use the oil.”) When Bill O’Reilly, in an interview with Trump, seemed taken aback by the idea that we could simply force OPEC or China to do our bidding, Trump appeared surprised that anyone could view international relations as anything more than a contest of machismo. “The messenger is the key,” Trump told O’Reilly. “If you have the right messenger and they know how to deliver the message … you’re going to scare them, absolutely.”
Trump’s thinly veiled accusation that President Obama benefited from affirmative action when he applied to college derives from the same theme. This time the victims aren’t Americans as a whole, they are white Americans; but the message—of anger, resentment, and victimhood—is identical.
America is currently engaged in three wars. The country faces major economic challenges. Global warming is continuing apace. There is no chance any of these issues can be solved by yelling at foreign countries, or stirring up anger at Iraqis or Libyans or minority applicants to elite colleges. Donald Trump has appointed himself spokesman for some of the nastiest impulses in American politics, and he seems to have a following. The sooner the Republican mainstream rejects him, the better. And we liberals should be cheering them along as they do.
TRUMP is selling TRUMP.
He’s as phony as that stupid dead OBL picture that’s floating around...
“Trump is a clown and a buffoon, and the odds of him winning even one Republican caucus or primary appear slim.”
Of course they are slim. He’s a Democrat.
"RT @arnez8706 Obama: Sorry it took so long to get you a copy of my birth certificate, I was too busy making sure osama got killed" http://www.michaelmoore.com/
Very annoying reading liberal analysis because it’s so far from reality. Trump’s policies and his persona may suck but it has nothing to do with the (nonexistent) “threat” of global warming.
Well, they're poor students of semi-current events. Obama pushed the nation to the right in the 2010 mid-terms. Didn't work out so well for him then.....nor would it in 2012, should a true conservative candidate get the nomination.
Seems like Mr. Trump screwed up Mr. Axelrod’s schedule. I’m sure they were keeping this in their vest pocket for October 2012.
I hardly ever read anything from “The New Republic” who are farther left than Leon Trotsky.
Donald Trump is Ten Thousand Trillion times the American Patriot and Genius that Obama Hussein is claimed to be!! and Obama Hussein is a Fraud behind the cover of the Media who is Lower in the Oceans of Earththam the Whale Sheet that resides on the darkest depths of Our Oceans! Obama is lower than Hog Poop and that is Bad since he is clearly a Muslim Terrorist who successfully infiltrated America’s Most Hallowed Home and the OVAL OFFICE, itself! GOD BLESS AMERICA! and You, 2ndDivisionVet and your entire Family!!
Close translation... I think the more accurate translation is: This is Romney’s time, not Trump’s. Romney’s supposed to win, that’s why he stepped aside for McCain...
If that is true, I guess they are upset that Trump is stealing Obummers stock and trade. This editorial was written by people who have no clue.
I guess we shouldn't expect the New Republic to get anything right.
Trump represents nothing more than a response to the lockstep totalitarianism of the left and the media that the republican party are too frightened to challenge.
Buffoon though he may be, Trump appears unafraid of media sanction. People are DYING for someone - anyone- to step forward. In a way and for whatever reason he has.
genuinely worrisome in American politics
Funny, There so pure at heart, so rightous, when it fits thier agenda
Funny thing about Donald Trump. He never seems to finish anything. He makes statements that incite chatter but they never go anywhere before he moves on to the next round of blowhard comments.
Trump has tapped into a wide, deep vein of discontent among conservatives, moderates and some liberals who are tired of the wimpy, “perfumed princes” served up and packaged as “common sense conservatives” by the establishment GOP. Effeminate near-RINO’s who pursue surrender more vigourously than the Vichy French make Trump look like the second coming of Churchill.
I’m not a Trump fan, but he is refreshing in contrast to a GOP in which the women pols have more testosterone than the males have.
Trump has more intelligence and credibility than anyone the Democrats have run in the past six or seven presidential elections. When it comes to fools and buffoons, the left excels. Still, I wouldn’t dream of voting for Trump in the primaries.
Which is why I’ll raise $2 million dollars for Governor Sarah Palin if she decides to run for the White House.
“It’s true that the media erred in awarding Trump/Obama such a large spotlight—did all the cable news networks really have to cover his press conference on Wednesday?—but, at this point, the Trump/Obama phenomenon does not seem to be a mere media creation. His popularity (he currently leads in several polls) can no longer be denied. So what is Trump’s/Obama’s appeal? Why do his message and vulgar personality resonate with such a significant percentage of Americans? Trump’s/Obama’s embrace of birtherism/class warfare has been the most widely discussed aspect of his rise. But this only scratches the surface of the Trump phenomenon.
What Trump/Obama actually stands for is an exaggerated sense of victimhood. This is the theme that unites his personal style with the political views he has thus far expressed. Are you tired of being pushed around? Are you tired of our country being pushed around? Trump’s/Obama’s political acuity lies in his ability to take these grievances and turn them into politics. “
funny thing- for sh!ts and giggles i cherrypicked this section and every time they mention the name of Trump i put /Obama- a reflection of what took place four years ago when these same clowns were jumping for joy...
i am glad trump is running- not because he can win or i’ll vote for him but at least he treats obama the way obama deserves to be treated...maybe the GOP will grow some b@lls and everytime they mock Republicans about Trump they remind the camera & reporter Al Sharpton was once considered a legitimate candidate for the rats...
The same here.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.