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NYT Op-Ed: Liberals, You’re Not As Smart As You Think, And You’re Helping Trump Win A Second Term
Townhall.com ^ | May 14, 2018 | Matt Vespa

Posted on 05/14/2018 6:02:48 PM PDT by Kaslin

Well, someone finally said it: Liberals, you’re not as smart as you think—and you’re helping Donald J. Trump win a second term. Gerard Alexander, a political science professor at the University of Virginia, wrote this in The New York Times and he might have to change his name after this. He aptly noted how a) cultural centers are dominated by progressives; b) how they’re causing a backlash against liberalism; and c) how their inability to see that they are causing it will lead to a Trump victory in the next presidential election. The professor noted how the Left is overly confident in themselves, self-righteous in their beliefs, which come off as “domineering” and “smacks of superiority.” You can see how this isn’t the best sales pitch, right? It’s only compounded by the fact that the Left, confident in their moral superiority, has gone so far outside the mainstream in what is actually racist or problematic that they feel everyone else who hasn’t caught up should be shamed, humiliated, and torched by the social justice warrior mafia. 

It’s not that I’m out of touch; it’s that everyone else is wrong. That’s the mantra with this sad cadre of left-wingers. Conservative America doesn’t stand for this crap, and neither should they. For every one voter this progressive mob absorbs, two more either head for the Trump camp or are so turned off that they stay home on Election Day. It’s one thing to call the remarks about black Americans made by celebrity chef Paula Deen racist (it was) years ago. It’s another thing to label 60 million people who voted for Trump racist. The silver lining is that Democrats from the Rust Belt don’t take too kindly to this; Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) has voiced her frustration when she hears this liberal taking point. 

It’s cyclical. Conservatives ate some humble pie in 2012. Liberals did too, though they’ve failed to realize why. They’re still angered over Lady Macbeth’s loss. Hillary Clinton was a terrible candidate. Like Romney with Republicans, some within the party knew this. She had no economic message, no charisma, seemed horribly inauthentic, and decided to call half the country deplorable towards the tail end the 2016 campaign.

With those feelings of resentment and resist all things Trump, the Left is actively fanning a brushfire that could strengthen Trump’s voter position:

I know many liberals, and two of them really are my best friends. Liberals make good movies and television shows. Their idealism has been an inspiration for me and many others. Many liberals are very smart. But they are not as smart, or as persuasive, as they think.

And a backlash against liberals — a backlash that most liberals don’t seem to realize they’re causing — is going to get President Trump re-elected.

[…]

Liberals dominate the entertainment industry, many of the most influential news sources and America’s universities. This means that people with progressive leanings are everywhere in the public eye — and are also on the college campuses attended by many people’s children or grandkids. These platforms come with a lot of power to express values, confer credibility and celebrity and start national conversations that others really can’t ignore.

But this makes liberals feel more powerful than they are. Or, more accurately, this kind of power is double-edged. Liberals often don’t realize how provocative or inflammatory they can be. In exercising their power, they regularly not only persuade and attract but also annoy and repel.

In fact, liberals may be more effective at causing resentment than in getting people to come their way. I’m not talking about the possibility that jokes at the 2011 correspondents’ association dinner may have pushed Mr. Trump to run for president to begin with. I mean that the “army of comedy” that Michael Moore thought would bring Mr. Trump down will instead be what builds him up in the minds of millions of voters.

[…]

Racist is pretty much the most damning label that can be slapped on anyone in America today, which means it should be applied firmly and carefully. Yet some people have cavalierly leveled the charge against huge numbers of Americans — specifically, the more than 60 million people who voted for Mr. Trump.

In their ranks are people who sincerely consider themselves not bigoted, who might be open to reconsidering ways they have done things for years, but who are likely to be put off if they feel smeared before that conversation even takes place.

It doesn’t help that our cultural mores are changing rapidly, and we rarely stop to consider this. Some liberals have gotten far out ahead of their fellow Americans but are nonetheless quick to criticize those who haven’t caught up with them.

Alexander sums it up right here: 

Liberals are trapped in a self-reinforcing cycle. When they use their positions in American culture to lecture, judge and disdain, they push more people into an opposing coalition that liberals are increasingly prone to think of as deplorable. That only validates their own worst prejudices about the other America.

The endless crusade to find things that are terrible with America has made the Left see everything in this country as terrible. Yeah, that sounds about right. This won’t change, by the way. Say what you will about the anti-Trumpers who haven’t come onboard, but they’re a very small minority. In the end, Trump united the base; 90 percent of Republicans voted for him.  The Tea Party had deep reservations about Mitt Romney. In the end, 93 percent of the GOP voted for him. At the end of the day, Republicans will vote for the nominee. I did not support Trump. He was certainly not my first choice, but when he nabbed the nomination, he was my guy. I’m a base voter. And there was not enough gold in Fort Knox that would make me even consider voting for Hillary Clinton or any Democrat. 

Democrats are the same way, but their message is not nearly as universal. The GOP campaigns on lower taxes, strong national defense, reducing governments spending, the size of government, protecting gun rights, and enforcing border security. If anyone has to wonder why the Tea Party started off as an organic movement, it’s because these principles, especially on government sucking, spending too much, and taxing too much are popular proposals. Proposals that are not popular are government-run health care (support drops when voters find out their employer-based plans would be cannibalized), raising taxes, open borders, and stringent gun control. Growing government and having that power under the guidance of a privileged and educated few to solve societal ills. That’s liberal doctrine—and it’s not popular once it gets fleshed out. Hence, why there hasn’t been a successful, board-based Tea Party of the Left. It’s all AstroTurf, subsidized by political operatives with deep pockets, but that moment is gone. The Tea Party has passed. Vestiges may remain, but the movement has expired. The movement didn’t die because of bad ideas, though some sketchy characters have been accused of using the name to take money from people, but overall, this wave was destined to last only a couple election cycles. 

But the point about liberal principles is that they think this is what the majority want. They think this is right no matter what and the liberal bubble on that will never be pierced, hence why the writing off of half the country will become entrenched. There is no chance Hillary voters will view their red state brethren as actual people. That’s passed. Adam Wren of Indianapolis Monthlyventured into Clinton Country for 72 hoursand found the experience to be quite eye opening. He didn’t explicitly say that these feelings are now ingrained in the liberal voter, though he noted how dense this bubble is, with anecdotes of Clinton supporters complaining about how they’re in a malaise while making $200,000+ a year. Out of touch, huh? The Acela Corridor encapsulates this. At this point, Trump will probably win re-election. I agree with that. Democratic enthusiasm is stalling; their slate of candidates for 2020 is filled with hard-core liberals, who only have regional appeal. People say Joe Biden, but he’s the epitome of Washington he’s old, and he’s a two-time presidential loser. Does he have white working class appeal? Yes, but it’ll take more than that, especially if Trump manages to walk about from the Korea summit with something very appealing to all parties. 

If Trump wins in 2020, the next question is what will the reaction be from liberal America? The meltdown, that delicious meltdown of liberals when he won in November was one of the best moments for the Right in a long time. The definitive we win, you lose moment, where we all enjoyed a good cup of liberal tears. I want that again, but first we have to win this midterm election.


TOPICS: Front Page News; Mexico; US: Arizona; US: California; US: Florida; US: New Mexico; US: New York; US: Texas; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: 2016elecection; 2020election; arizona; california; florida; gerardalexander; hillaryrottenclinton; liberals; mattvespa; mexico; newmexico; newyork; politicalcorrectness; presidenttrump; progressives; republicans; tds; texas; trump2020; uofvirginia; uva; vespa; virginia
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To: Ticonderoga34

So opened minded their brains fall out.


21 posted on 05/14/2018 6:47:36 PM PDT by BBell (calm down and eat your sandwiches)
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To: PetroniusMaximus

I know right? Let them keep up the 24/7 anti-Trump hysteria!


22 posted on 05/14/2018 6:52:08 PM PDT by EdnaMode
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To: Ticonderoga34
"Liberals are arrogant to the point of being stupid. The end."

You've got it backwards. Liberals are stupid. That they can't, or won't, admit it, to the point of arrogance, is an indicator of just how stupid they are.

If they hadn't been short changed by genetics, in the ratio of short and long term memory neurons, they wouldn't be Liberals.

23 posted on 05/14/2018 6:55:15 PM PDT by jonascord (First rule of the Dunning-Kruger Club is that you do not know you are in the Dunning-Kruger club.)
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To: Kaslin

[The professor noted how the Left is overly confident in themselves, self-righteous in their beliefs, which come off as “domineering” and “smacks of superiority.” ]

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.


24 posted on 05/14/2018 6:56:18 PM PDT by headstamp 2 (My "White Privilege" is my work ethic.)
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To: Kaslin

Liberals/Progressives will never acknowledge President Trump’s accomplishments no matter how extraordinary. And at the rate he’s going, they will be nothing less than unprecedented and extraordinary by the midterms. To acknowledge them would destroy their very being.


25 posted on 05/14/2018 6:59:44 PM PDT by luvbach1 (I hope Trump runs roughshod over the inevitable obstuctionists, Dems, progs, libs, or RINOs!)
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To: PetroniusMaximus

My thoughts exactly. I’ve known for a long time they’ve been over reaching and pushing even left-leaning moderates away from them. We don’t need anyone to stop them from self destruction.


26 posted on 05/14/2018 7:08:04 PM PDT by NELSON111 (Congress: The Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog show. Theater for sheep. My politics determines my "hero")
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I am a Social Freedom Warrior
Join me.
Let’s fight for low taxes, smaller government, 2nd Amendment, no illegal immigration, an honest media, end PC, religious liberty, the constitution, and a host of other right of center issues.
A SFW is the mirror opposite of a SJW.
Let’s use our voices, money, and organize
Let’s MAGA


27 posted on 05/14/2018 7:10:44 PM PDT by TheGreatFazool (Social Freedom Warrior)
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To: Kaslin

bkmk for later


28 posted on 05/14/2018 7:32:40 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o ("What people will submit to, is the exact measure of injustice which will be imposed upon them.")
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To: Ticonderoga34

He was on Tucker’s show tonight and if you read between the lines it’s pretty obvious that’s what he thinks too.


29 posted on 05/14/2018 7:34:02 PM PDT by bigbob (Trust Sessions. Trust the Plan.)
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To: Lurker

“The Left hates you and wants you dead.”

So? I feel the very same way for them too. No. Actually more intense.


30 posted on 05/14/2018 7:35:27 PM PDT by max americana (Fired libtard employees 9 consecutive times at every election since 08'. I hope all liberals die.)
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To: Ticonderoga34

“Liberals are arrogant to the point of being stupid. The end. “

exactly. i didn’t need to read a 10,000 word NYT op ed from a U Va prof that yammered on and on and on, and said little more than you just did ...


31 posted on 05/14/2018 7:42:29 PM PDT by catnipman ((Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!))
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To: Kaslin

Yep! Thier constant attacks on Trump is slso taken pesonally by his voters. Everything they think of Trump, they also think it of those who voted for him.... and one gentleman who has never voted before, is registering so he can vote for Trump in the next Pres election.. and it’s because they just keep attacking.. they just keep lying about everything they say.. they have pushed it too far and the backlash is happening right now.. but they don’t see it because they thinki they are the only ones who know anything and they live in denial of what we try to tell them..

So keep it up and then on election night, you can have that heart attack again, between 9 and 11, like last time. You on the left, have to forgive me but the looks on your faces when FL went for Trump and you saw it falling for our leader....the looks on your faces were priceless... we enjoy revisiting that big surprise you got that night! We could have told hou but you would not believe us... only YOU know everything.... haha!


32 posted on 05/14/2018 7:45:52 PM PDT by frnewsjunkie
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To: BBell

“It is estimated, I know grain of salt, that most of the Trump voters were not so much pro-Trump as Anti-Hillary”

so you’re saying that over 50% of trump voter were NOT pro-Trump but simply anti-Hillary.

Not in your wildest dreams is that true. me thinks that someone is projecting ...


33 posted on 05/14/2018 7:46:18 PM PDT by catnipman ((Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!))
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To: Trailerpark Badass; Kaslin
Liberals only exist because of the effort and competence of others. Left to their own devices they would die, or be shunned, or be dropped off the outside of the city walls.

The Money Quote.

34 posted on 05/14/2018 7:51:24 PM PDT by SandwicheGuy (*The butter acts as a lubricant and speeds up the CPU)
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To: Kaslin

Shhhhh!!!! When your enemy is destroying himself, the last thing you want to do is tell him about it!!!


35 posted on 05/14/2018 7:53:33 PM PDT by Teacher317 (We have now sunk to a depth at which restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men)
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To: catnipman

Take it with a grain of salt.


36 posted on 05/14/2018 7:56:51 PM PDT by BBell (calm down and eat your sandwiches)
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To: Kaslin
They're not smart at all. If they were, they wouldn't be "Liberals" in the first place.
37 posted on 05/14/2018 8:00:01 PM PDT by Savage Beast (KAG!!!!!)
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To: catnipman
I found the article I read. Take it with a grain of salt.

US election: More Donald Trump voters say they are anti-Clinton than pro-Trump

38 posted on 05/14/2018 8:01:09 PM PDT by BBell (calm down and eat your sandwiches)
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To: bankwalker
Proverbs 88:17 I think

What Bible are you reading???

My Bible, Proverbs has 31 chapters in it.

39 posted on 05/14/2018 8:03:36 PM PDT by mountn man (The Pleasure You Get From Life, Is Equal To The Attitude You Put Into It)
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To: Trailerpark Badass

“If I ever needed advice about anything, I’d ask the good ol boy who makes potato chip bags and raises beef cattle, whom I shared shop space with, before I’d even think of asking an academic.”

That’s because you know where the smart advice is to be found.

This is something the liberals will never get.


40 posted on 05/14/2018 8:10:59 PM PDT by reasonisfaith ("...because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." (2 Thessalonians))
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