At the New York Times Nicholas Kristof observes:
Democrats are too quick to caricature Trump supporters as deplorables. Sure, some are racists or misogynists, but many are good people who had voted for Obama in the past. My rural hometown, Yamhill, Ore., is pro-Trump, and I can tell you: The voters there are not all bigoted monsters, but well-meaning people upended by economic changes such as the disappearance of good manufacturing jobs. They feel betrayed by the Democratic and Republican establishments, and finally a candidate spoke to them.
and calls for those who didn’t vote for Trump to be “watchdogs, not lap dogs”.
Consider the photo montage in this piece at Reuters. I may be wrong but I don’t recall that watchdogs generally roam the streets biting people.
Tone down the rhetoric even farther.
Spoken like an old white male with nothing to fear. Yes, quiet down black and brown people targeted by the new POTUS, grandpa needs his sleep.
Ahh, the great and wonderful white man/woman riding in to save the black/brown man/woman. Gotta keep the darkies down to keep that self-esteem up.
Why do I never see any white progressives at Minister Farrakhan’s speeches? That is because he tells the black man/woman to be self-sufficient and not rely upon the white man/woman. Actually, he teaches that the white do-gooders are the worst liars.
Come on, Dave, don’t you know Trump is Worse Than Hitler ™? The only solution to that is to kill Trump and all the tens of millions that voted for him. I mean, how else can people like Reynolds and the rest of the Coalition of the Fringes support peace if not by exterminating everyone that doesn’t support them?
… kill …
No, slowly roasted maybe. An example must be set for any other upstarts.
… exterminating …
Now you are talking, but only after the slow roast.
Has anybody set up a fund for the less well off to move out of the country? I am willing to donate as long as it is to Mexico, Venezuela, Nigeria, or Saudi Arabia.
Look at these events as practice runs for the next four years (which should make the 2018 election v. interesting). Also expect to see local governments try to dodge, parry and nullify as much federal law as they can.
I would caution the Trumpsters to not become what they fought against. There are a lot of non-asswipe Democrats. Most liberals are sane decent people, and many of the special interest groups the Democrats have scared the hell out of are sane decent people.
Hubris is not very becoming. Arrogance should not be something to be proud of.
The Democrats being out of power for a generation is nonsense. This was the same crap that was said in 2004, and if I recall correctly, there was a not so Republican friendly election in 2006. If it seems like nothing can go wrong, you just ain’t lookin’ hard enough.
I highly dislike progressives, but I dislike hubris even more.
I agree with just about everything you wrote in that comment, TastyBits. How quickly the Democrats recover is largely up to the Democrats. In 2004 they were in a much stronger position than they are now. What was concisely referred to below as the “50%+1” strategy has not served them well.
But I’m not sure the Republicans can recover at all. What’s being called the Republican “Establishment”—really just elected officials and the RNC—are now in the position of the dog who caught the car.
Now you are talking, but only after the slow roast.
I’m reminded of the bug exterminator who crucified insects one by one, to discourage other bugs. I can’t remember what that’s from, however.
My view, Trump will disappoint his supporters and his detractors , just as Obama did, but aint it all fun anyway?
“Yes, quiet down black and brown people targeted by the new POTUS, grandpa needs his sleep.”
Good lord. Grow up, Michael. Or go buy yourself a comfort dog.
I think you are correct, Tasty. The progressives, predictably, overplayed their hand. How long until the Republicans do same?
There is just something about power and human nature.
But I’m not sure the Republicans can recover at all. What’s being called the Republican “Establishmentâ€â€”really just elected officials and the RNC—are now in the position of the dog who caught the car.
Maybe I’m overly optimistic but I think the GOP has a path to recover by triangulating between populism and conservatism. I think Paul Ryan sees that path and he may have the talent to pull it off.