So true
Samantha and Robert and their followers will get Trump re-elected.
An 8 year presidency for Trump is almost a sure thing with people
like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren et al.
6
Ridiculous.
I'm not sure what show he was watching, but the audience at Radio City most certainly didn't seem to "wince" when DeNiro said that.
Sometimes the only way to beat a bully is to punch him back in the mouth. Frankly, I'm pretty sick and tired of being lectured by people about why liberals need to act like delicate daisy's. There's plenty of pundits on cable news pulling their punches. Remember when it was uncouth to call Trump a "liar?" If some liberals had their way we would all be extolling the virtues of civility while being marched into the gulag by fundamentalist conservative Trump cult members.
I say, hurrah. Keep it up, DeNiro. Thanks pal. Some of us out here still got your back.
136
I couldn't agree more. Responding to Trump in kind lowers everything to a version of the playground "I'm the rubber, you're the glue, everything you say bounces off me and sticks to you. No backsies, no erasies!" And the timeless: "You are, you are, you are, you are...."
30
It's perfectly possible to vigorously oppose Trump and his supporters without resorting to crude, shopworn obscenities. Avoiding the use of trite, vulgar language is not the same as behaving like a milquetoast. Bernie Sanders, among others,provides a good example of how to go about this.
46
As another commenter said, it’s always Democrats who are expected to take the high toad. At this moment in time, expressing genuine outrage , even with profanity, seems like a completely valid choice.
94
I don't really think the way celebrities speak about politics has any effect whatsoever on voting. People who hate "liberal elites" aren't going to be swayed by polite language. May as well just say what you think, and anyway, aren't they the ones always going on about the horror of "political correctness?"
Additionally, these people are actors and comedians and they're not running for office. Odd to hold them to a higher standard than the president of the US.
56
Can we, or do we need to, convert Trump voters?
Or, do we need to get the people who haven't been voting to the polls?
Converting Trump voters is, overall, a waste of time. Getting non-voters to vote is a better use of our energies. In fact, nothing else matters as much as getting as many people to the polls as possible.
107
Corey Stewart, a Republican neo-Confederate running for U.S. Senate in Virginia, said he would run a "very vicious, ruthless race." On Tuesday he won his primary, after which he tweeted, "Virginians wanted someone to kick Tim Kaine's teeth in." But please, tell me more about how Democrats can win Trump's base in Virginia by softening our language.
Or maybe you could ask Stewart's voters to soften their language and seek to understand why Democrats are so angry, and ask Stewart to moderate his positions so that he will be less likely to alienate us. You would be the first pundit to give that advice to Trumpists.
In the reality-based world, Democratic anger has been helping us win completely unexpected races since Trump was elected. I think I'll go ahead and stick with the winning strategy.
82
Comedians are not politicians. I wish people would learn the difference.
39
Robert DeNiro and Samantha Bee are entertainers , so is Donald Trump , this is what we've come to ; however , I will say DeNiro is a good actor and Samantha Bee is a funny comedian . Donald Trump was a reality star who doesn't get a star on a Hollywood sidewalk ; just ask Kim Kardashian and Kanye who threw a tantrum over that . Yes I agree B grade behavior but what to do ? Ask President Obama and Michelle who took the high road , showed class in doing so and were reviled , disrespected , and insulted by Republicans , Trumpers (aka birthers ) , and racists . This is the face America presents to the world . Not exactly a role model of American values but more like the crass behavior of gutter snipes . So if the blue wave looks iffier it's because it's because we're all wrestling in the mud .
25
The only way for Democrats to win the House & the Senate in 2018 is to swing at least 20% of the Trump voters!! Do it thru their wallets which drives 100% of the rich voters. 100% of wage-earners--90% of all voters--hate the big tax cut for the rich. So why doesn't the DNC have a roll-back the tax-cut for the rich and replace it with a doubling of tax-cuts for the wage-earners policy??
Does the DNC secretly want to keep the tax-cut for the rich??
18
Antoinette Perry, Founder of The American Theatre Wing, may have been shocked at the classless vocal display/cheer, by the audience, at last Sunday's Tony Awards Presentation.
8
This is America. Don't like Trump and his Republican enablers? As Tom Friedman wrote earlier, vote straight Democrat this November. An essential first step. All the Trump supporters I know, young, old, wealthy, not wealthy, etc. are impervious to claims that every day, Trump weakens our nation both at home and abroad. They love the guy for all the reasons we deplore him. Antics like DeNiro's can only increase their number. Let's find out just how numerous they are this election day.
12
This feels like fear, like timidity. Within the GOP itself they could not stop the ascension of this absurdity.
Knife/Gunfight comes to mind. Sure words can be chosen better but if everyone goes silent the complicity will stain us all.
22
Samantha Bee is truly over the top. I don't much like to watch. BUT I believe that the average democrat voter is smarter than you give them credit for. Trump is dangerous. Republican are fools. Just vote
13
The fact of the matter is that this election like all elections will be determined on the issues. The problem is the media and the democrats have no clue what issues are driving people to Trump.
Trump won because of his anti-immigration message plain and simple. It's the very same message politicians in Europe are now using and the reason Brexit passed.
The democrats and liberals can't see that most people in the western world do not share their feelings about mass unbridled, unending immigration.
We already have 330 million in this country and are heading to a billion in the next 100 years if nothing changes yet the democrats scream racism if anyone dares question their beliefs that the whole world should be able to just pack up and move to any where they please.
14
Please consider this my heartfelt thanks for your column today and for all that you write on the issues that matter so much to all of us.
16
Samantha Bee used a vulgar slur in a comedic situation. I thought it was ill-timed. But DeNiro? His declaration was a call to battle...from the heart. And I, for one, heard the call.
You, Mr. Bruni, might spend your time better listening to some of the citizens in the cities and suburbs who are enraged by this President's intent to destroy discourse, to shut down opposition of any sort, and to tear down democratic institutions we have fought to establish over the past two centuries. There are some of us in the countryside, too. I am truly tired of hearing from so many journalists about the supposed sensibilities of the 'forgotten' red state voter and how offended they will be by a couple of Democrats if we don't say just the right thing..as if these voters would ever vote for a Democrat instead of their dear leader Trump anyway. It's laughable.
Trump voters are no longer interested in solving problems that I can see. Every breath they take and word they say is a 'F' you to liberal or moderate thought...and to decency or care for our fellow human beings. They have taken the bait Trump threw them. He has an army now. Make no mistake about it. It's a war. I hope and pray it will be one without physical weapons; but I know what side I'm on and what sacrifice it is going to take. We can't sit back and wring our hands. We have to get the vote out...and DeNiro knows that. He doesn't care what you think.
56
As a liberal, I am tired of hearing other liberals--especially well-off ones like Robert DeNiro and Meryl Streep--bash Donald Trump. While I despise Mr. Trump, I also remember that he was a liberal for many years, that is until he got tired of being shut out of the center of liberal power politics and switched sides. I have lived and worked in New York City all my life and have had my share of awful experiences with people and coworkers, the vast majority of whom would count themselves as liberal as well. My point is that many on the left are just as despicable as Trump, so we should quit acting as if we're better than he is. We hate in others what we hate most in ourselves. It is up to everyone to look inside of themselves and ask, "How do I treat my family, my coworkers, my neighbors?" If we could all do that, we might be able to move past the terrible bitterness that divides us and start agreeing on sensible solutions to our common problems.
27
It's disheartening to read so many comments wanting to just shout louder and hit harder. That caveman mentality is why we humans can't seem to get further along in our evolution. Being smarter, having a better strategy, never giving up but never losing control of tempers and the situation seems to me the best and probably only way to eventually bring down the base - and they are so very base - opposition. I agree wholeheartedly with Frank Bruni.
14
I agree with Frank. I will vote for Democrats who do not emulate crude, moronic, self-centered Republicans, just as I will vote for women who do not emulate crude, moronic, self-centered men. I don't need Deniro (or Baldwin) to make me feel they're leveling the playing field. They're not, they're getting suckered in.
15
There's room for both. We have every right to express our outrage at what Trump is doing and shouldn't apologize and shouldn't sit with our hands folded pretending the "high road" alone will save us from this mess. It didn't help us avoid it.
However, that's not a strategy for the midterms or 2020 and we obviously can't rely on demonizing Trump or his base. That didn't work either. Democrats desperately need a focus and a purpose on a national level. If that doesn't take shape soon I'm afraid us liberals will be dropping expletive bombs on our own kind as well.
13
Normally I'd agree with everything Mr. Brunni said here, except there isn't enough time remaining to do what he says we need to do. Take the high road.
Harry Truman once said about Joe McCarthy - "never get down in the gutter with a gutty-snipe". He was right, and that is exactly what he and the next President, Ike, did for years. Meanwhile McCarthy scorched the land and did incredible damage to thousands of innocent Americans, and the country. Perhaps they believed they had the luxury of time? Time to wait for McCarthy to self-implode, as they surely knew he would? Tell that to all those who had their lives ended, or ruined, while McCarthy and his fellow fascists like Roy Cohn and Nixon stomped on their heads with their iron boots. All of the adults played it cool in the face of a raving lunatic, and the country suffered, and people were harmed, and died as a result.
Now that era of horror for our republic has returned to America, only this time it isn't a lunatic senator from Wisconsin, the lunatic is the President. While Mr. Brunni implores everyone to remain calm, keep it cool, play the long game, time is running out.
Sometimes the only way to confront a gutty-snipe is to crawl into the gutter and confront him and send him off crying, like the pathetic bully and coward that he is.
30
Those Democrats who don’t want the party to change, who want the party to continue to be the party of Wall Street and corporate interests at the expense of workers, keep coming up with excuses as to why they lost to a vile, clown, gameshow host. They didn’t only lose the Oval Office, they lost House, the Senate, the Supreme Court, between two-thirds and three-quarters of the governorships and state legislatures, pretty much all branches of government both federally and locally. Instead of looking inward and making real changes, they blame Russia, Putin, Julian Assange, Wikileaks, racism, misogyny, Jim Comey, Jill Stein, Susan Sarandon, voters, anyone and anything except themselves. All Bruni is doing is protecting the power center of the Democratic Party by preemptively coming up with even more excuses for continued failure: Robert De Niro, Samantha Bee and other Trump haters.
16
“When they go low, we go high.” That's nice, but you might as well turn the other cheek, which Republicans will happily whack. But the thing is, De Niro did not go low. Going low is what Republicans do as a matter of course, and Trump goes low like the whining thug that he is. Going low is about lying, cheating, deceiving, abusing, and whining. It is cowardly. Going low is about not fighting fairly. De Niro was doing none of that. In what way is using an entirely appropriate expletive injunction in reference to the nasty toddler-idiot in the White House "going low"? Only the crazy pieties of our unbalanced times would have it so.
31
"The stock market didn’t go into free fall after Trump’s election. We’re not at war with North Korea."
...yet.
Please recall that things also looked just ducky with the regime of that Dick, Cheney, and his boy-king puppet (what IS it with Publicans and their puppet presidents? for that matter what is it with Publican presidential candidates who keep losing the popular vote, but "winning" office? but these are rants for another day) --- well, except for THAT unfortunate business on a beautiful September morning, that is -- too, right up until about their fifth year.
After that, of course, the massive, manifold, miserable failures that they brought on in every aspect of our lives became undeniable -- though I will point out that, with one exception that I can think of, every single one of those failures was something that we progressive types had been fulminating about...
Just as we are about the incipient, but certain, failures that this wretched Republican regime is now sure to bring on.
(The only disaster that Cheney/Bush wrought that we HADN'T warned about was the creation of ISIS/Daesh, which followed on their insane decision to disband unilaterally Iraq's Ba'athist military, leaving the former brass with no incomes or official positions... but lots of weaponry and willing followers.)
Are you really sure it's a good idea to hold fire until all of those catastrophes have actually occurred to urge action to prevent them?
13
I am not so sure that I completely agree. Michelle Obama's : ""when they go low, we go high" sounds reasonable and noble in principle. But they went low, the Dems went high and what do we have: Donald Trump and his Republican gnomes and trolls who now control both houses. A Republican party so cowed and cowardly that they have sold out themselves and the country and morphed from the Republican party to the party of Trump.
Maybe we should recall the words by Mr. Anderson in 'Mississippi Burning': "These people are crawling out of the sewer, Mr. Ward! Maybe the gutter's where we outta be!"
It is worth remembering that In two months it will be the anniversary of the attack of some 'very fine people' (Trump's words) by white nationalists in a rally in Charlottesville in which Heather Heyer was murdered by a Nazi racist. Virginia, where the crude Corey Stewart, with the Conferderate flag backdrop, won the Republican primary for a senate seat.
I'm not saying that DeNiro and Bee's approach represent a particularly effective approach. Nor would howls for impeachment work. But perhaps a little less high and a little more low would.
19
All possibilities exist in the cosmos.
One very real possibility is a falling out by the Chump Don el Dough Trump with Trump's newest buddy, Kim Jung Un.
Kim has top secret state-of-the-art missile aiming technology purchased by Chinese military from the Loral Group and Hughes after Clinton oversight freed Loral's technology from State Department lock down to the Commerce Department where it was immediately sold to China.
Kim, with his Loral GPS technology, is capable of delivering a nuclear armed ICBM within six feet off the center of Apple's brand new headquarters.
With one atomic armed ICBM, Kim will have beheaded the largest company in the world that in the aftermath, will be sold for parts. Include incineration of every Silicon Valley brainiac.
In Kim's murderous disposition that will be his shot across the bow for his Dotard, Trump: Either sue for peace, or another American city will be incinerated.
Then what?
Trump will blame the "fake news" and every newspaper in USA will be informed that all editorials are coming from the desk of Trump main speech writer, Steven Miller.
In the event any newspaper publishes a 1st Amendment dissent, 2nd Amendment people will come to shut the editorial office down. Editors will be cuffed and led out the door. . . To protect our country.
Robert De Niro and Smantha Bee, especially De Niro had it right! He expressed a view of nearly every creative person worldwide!
Hats off to Bobby De Niro.
http://thegovernmentinexile.live
10
Bruni's admonition is too little, too late.
Further, it ought to be directed at his own newspaper's Editorial Board and 95% of its reporting staff.
The deranged anti-Trump Left, spawned and encouraged for some time by the grossly partisan and often hysterically anti-Trump "establishment" cheerleaders at the Times (who, were they real journalists, would have known better and behaved differently), has now taken on a life of its own, and like the little Robespierres they are, will hardly be held in check by cautionary words from the likes of Frank Bruni.
9
I appreciate the sentiment here, but lecturing people sanctimoniously about what is or isn't the right form of political expression in the face of an extremely divisive presidency like Trump's is also probably the "wrong" form of persuasion. It's hard to argue with the call for reason and decency over expletives and epithets, but I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth after reading this: the after taste of the 2016 Democratic centrism that very wrongly took it for granted that the "third way" of status quo moderates was the right path. The political field we are dealing with is more polarized and less anchored to establishment common sense than ever; it's not at all clear that genteel "centrism" is going to be a winning strategy in the cage fight of the contemporary American public sphere. I am with team Bee and De Niro. If they want to scream "F*ck Trump," they should do so to their hearts' content.
17
Relax Frank. Your taking DeNiro's expletives way too seriously, he was being himself, he spoke for a lot of us, he's an actor not running for office. It's refreshing and enlivening to hear plain truth on occasion, especially when spot on. I'm someone who never swears, doesn't feel right, and never wears slogan t's, but have been thinking of sporting a "F*** Trump" top for sometime now, way before Sunday's Tony's... what's happening in this country is ridiculous, we can't go around editing ourselves or tiptoeing around gross misrepresentations of what this country stands for ... Yes, we need reasonable candidates, yes we need concrete strategies to stop what is happening, but geez let's bring it all to the tent and let Bobby be Bobby, cause this, for the moment, is still something of a democracy, and with this authoritarian loving, corrupt and sneaky administration who knows what rights they may continue to strip away at.
And the Parkland kids, they were heartbreakingly gorgeous in their message and performance, no one was able to steal their thunder.
18
As much as I agree with Mr. DeNiro, his commentary took the focus away from the Tony nominees and Broadway community that evening. In fact, many winners expressed their desires on pertinent issues such as immigration, being Muslim and the devastation in Puerto Rico that exhibited passion as opposed to crassness.
5
In David Halberstam's seminal book, The Fifties, he comments on how the Republicans would react, when Truman upset Dewey, who was expected to win the 1948 election!" The bitterness within the party grew. So much for the high road in American politics!" The Republican party has essentially been following that mantra in Presidential elections ever since! Donald Trump and a changed American electorate, in many ways has been the result of that strategy! Should the Democratic party start doing that?! I hope that doesn't happen.
2
Thank you for this message. The high road is lonely and may seem ineffective at times, but I do believe will ultimately be the way back from the madness. Also, thank you for "splenetic"--I love to learn new words.
3
Right on - to PRACTICAL POLITICS. Get opponents registered to vote and get them to the polls in November.
3
It is time for a new political party, to bring together, to give moderate repulicans and democrats a sense of ideological accommodation, but also a sense of direction. The idea of "independent" does not result in political aggregation for interests and ideas to move on. Is it going to be messy? Yes. In many ways including unintended consequeces. If the GOP is the party of the president, what is the option in 2020? If this new party is chatered before Nov2017, it will give both voters and candidates a projection for what types of canpaigns to draw for the critical election. As for the notion of spoiler, that is precise the point - enough with voting to the "lesser evil." Hope is not enough without strategies and respective plans held by the institutionalization of new party.
3
It's about time the Dems/left showed some backbone and started pushing back. Hard. I am tired of the spinelessness, always ready to compromise, taking the high road and mealy-mouthed gibbering from the Democrat side. It's like bringing a slingshot to a gun fight. The Right has been running roughshod over all of us, chipping away at every facet of our democracy for the past 30+ years, while too many on the left disgracefully continue to enable them in the name of bipartisanship. People are tired of this. Where is the staunch opposition, the force to be reckoned with?? We don't need a Republican Lite party. We need a party that is united and will fight for the 99%, that will hit back at and contradict all the lies. While many of us feel the same way as Mr. DeNiro, let's use our anger as a catalyst for change. Speaking truth to power is a good start.
24
It's more like bringing cupcakes to a nuclear war, but otherwise I agree 99%
10
Going low enabled Trump to vanquish 15 other Republicans and solidify the Republican base more than any other past Republican president. His supporters and many so called independents seem to be enthralled with his strong man tactics that are laced with verbal, childish assaults on anyone who dares to stray from his world view.
Do you really think most people who do not eat, sleep and breath politics pay attention to and value civility? Trump reflects the worst instincts and his supporters see them as reflecting real american values.
Of course name calling alone will not get Democrats electrd to Congress. But it’s not either this or that. Mobilizing citizens to vote, despite continued voter suppression and intimidation, are essential to firing Trump.
12
I tend to agree with this, but it is truly maddening-- the "logic" employed by the right.
Time and again the right says and does hypocritical things, and makes statements in support that are, I'm sorry, there is no other word for it- IGNORANT.
These statements are best expressed by an example-- Imagine a parent greeting a drunk teenager at the door, and chastising the teenager for drinking and driving; and then, the following weekend the parent comes home, keys in hand, fall down drunk. The Right would support the parent admonishing the child with "but you were drunk last week."
I don't pretend that there is no hypocrisy among the Democrats. How could there be, with hypocrisy dominating the airwaves, but, can we at least agree on what hypocrisy is? Again, "I'm sorry, but" these are arguments that are made and followed by toddlers and very dense people.
I can't take another second of the response-- "but Obama did . . .." Maybe Obama did do something wrong, but when you call it wrong, have the decency to not do it yourself.
More than this-- doesn't this lead to a "norm-less" society that ignores integrity and values deceit?
5
Right, Frank. So we should continue with the self-effacing restraint and inner self-righteousness of Democrats that has always been the default setting?
I disagree. Time to take a fighting stance and bark back at the fountain of lies, personal attacks, and bigotry in the White House. It’s eminently possible to do so without sinking to his level.
Bravo, Bobby D. for saying what we’re all thinking.
19
Good luck keeping a democracy together with that sort of thinking.
5
Fair enough. But as I see it, if history is our witness, then "the evidence of what has happened so far" is an inadequate criterion for informed judgment. Consider the testimony of the Austrian émigré writer Stefan Zweig, who, after witnessing first hand the rise of Hitler and the Nazis, and then escaping to America, documented how such a rise was made possible in part by people just like us, who "could not or did not wish to perceive that a new technique of conscious cynical amorality was at work.”
Those who think the Nazis arrived with their entire program fully in place have their history wrong. They transformed Germany gradually. “Only a single pill at a time and then a moment of waiting to observe the effect of its strength, to see whether the world conscience would still digest the dose,” Zweig wrote. “The doses became progressively stronger until all Europe finally perished from them.”
All of this was artfully accomplished with an admixture of concessions, pardons, prisoner releases, and soothing words of reassurance.
We cannot lightly dismiss the possibility that Trump's dark tendencies, already on open display for all to see, might, as the result of a terrorist attack, for example, become enshrined in law in ways that we dare not imagine now. We are not at that point, but history teaches us that it can happen, and happen fast. That is why, in my humble opinion, it's never too early to sound the alarm.
19
Wow, lots of impassioned comments – let me summarize: roughly one quarter are Trump fans, loving what they see… why? Because the remaining three quarters are quite evenly divided among Dems/lib/leftists who vehemently disagree over how to confront Trumpism – and that spells victory for Trump in 2020.
I count myself among those who stand fervently against Bruni’s advice as only likely to encourage more abuse – curling up in a ball and playing dead may work with grizzlies, but only inspires more emboldened and animated thrashing from bullies.
Despite this, I also am pragmatic enough to realize that divided we fall; we cannot possibly stand up any sort of effective opposition to Trump, when he so splendidly succeeds in pitting us against ourselves. I see all of this painfully obvious, and I know those in Trump’s camp are giggling themselves silly right now watching this. Let me summarize the thinking: “Look at the liberals doing our work for us! They are so weak and predictable, always rationalizing pacifism because they don’t have the stomach to put up a fight!” How do I know this is what they are thinking? Because I heard this kind of thing every day growing up, and well into my adult years – you can’t pick your relatives.
I am sorry, but appeasement is exactly what they want, helping them win. You may think you are being smart and strategic, but I am telling you, warning you: anything but my friend, in fact the exact opposite. Trump already won – prepare for 4 more years.
12
Pearl-clutching is not a look that flatters you, sir.
"When they go low, we go high" is a lovely sentiment, and definitely one that the first black president and first lady had no choice but to adopt, just as Jackie Robinson had to stand on a baseball field and absorb no end of vitriol being spat at him. Rachel Robinson believed that absorbing all that is what caused her husband's premature death, and I don't doubt it.
White liberals (and I mean that in the best sense of the word "liberal", which I feel we need to take back) shouldn't have to toe that line in the face of a very real and present danger to our nation and our future. This president, and the people who worship him (and let's face it, Trump supporting now IS a religious cult and he is their messiah), have so torn apart the fabric of our nation that tea and tut-tut-tutting isn't going to cut it anymore.
Trump was elected by only about 25% of eligible voters. The rest either voted for someone else, stayed home, or are not registered. The Democrats will not win by being "nice", as we will see in November when the loathsome white nationalist hatemonger Corey Stewart mops the floor with that "nice man" Tim Kaine.
I regret it as much as you do, but the time for "nice" is over. The Trump family is an unprecedented stain on our national fabric, and only the toughest cleanser will get it out.
22
To unite their voting base, the Democratic Party should be putting together a “Promise to America”, like the “Contract with America” that Newt Gingrich offered the GOP in 1994. Although very wrongheaded, Newt’s gambit worked.
Opposing Trump is not enough. The Democratic Party must take a strong and united stand in the form of campaign promises to:
— Reform our broken elections system: a ban on gerrymandering, overturn Citizens United, oppose voter suppression, eliminate the Electoral College, etc.
— Re-commit our nation to environmental responsibility by rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement.
— Commit to expanding Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and CHIPS. Fund this by removing the cap on FICA taxes. Make FICA a flat tax with the same rate for all income levels, no ceiling.
— Overturn Trump’s reneging on the Nuclear Agreement with Iran. It was working to halt Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon.
-- Sponsor responsible and sane gun laws, like a ban on assault weapons and closing gun show and other purchasing loopholes.
— Equal rights / non-discrimination laws to protect our LGBTQ citizens.
— Support for a woman’s choice in reproductive matters, and continued financial support for organizations that support women’s health issues.
The Democratic Party is about to snatch another defeat from the jaws of victory. Please give your base positive reasons to support the Democratic Party again.
Thank you,
Richard Notkin
P.O. Box 914
Vaughn, WA 98394
7
The formula for beating Trump: 1) better policy that appeals to people 2) consistently and concisely pointing out the downsides of Trump's policies 3) refraining from playing the name calling game 4) providing an exciting vision of change. Gosh, who's good at this? Bernie Sanders. Time for people to take a page out of his style book.
5
It's a sign of how weird this country has become that the words of entertainers are being analyzed as though they constitute national political policy. Comedians and actors have only one job to do, which is to entertain us. That's what we pay them for. It's not what we elect politicians to do. The fact that we are losing sight of that distinction is terrifying.
13
Thank you Mr. Bruni for putting Les Miserable elitists on notice that
“You at the barricade listen to this!
No one is coming to help you to fight!”
With deep affection,
The Deplorables
P.S. We are not impressed by your unhinged vulgarities.
3
I have no problem with Mr DeNiro's rage or profanity, and I applaud him for simply and directly articulating the rage that many Americans feel. That said, I also wholeheartedly recommend that every American watch the Houston episode of "Parts Unknown" hosted by the late Anthony Bourdain. The entire series is still on Netflix, and the episode focuses on Bourdain's visits with the multiple immigrant communities that have been welcomed and are thriving in Houston, Texas. With all due respect to DeNiro's cathartic moment, this episode provides a positive rebuke to the Trump/Sessions brand of isolationism/white supremacy that is sweeping our nation and truly shows how great this country of immigrants
is, and (hopefully,) will continue to be.
9
If you feel the need to vent, vent directly to the White House:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
3
Thanks to Robert DeNiro for so eloquently voicing - on the international Tony Award stage - what so many of us are feeling about The Con Don.
New Yorkers have long known and accepted the power of the mafia in their town but I doubt the majority want the International Mafia to take over OUR world and lives.
NOW it the time to stop them. Now might be the only time.
14
Just Vote! That speak's. All the rest is noise.
5
Wow, Frank why dont you turn off the TV and report on what your government is actually doing?
12
I detest Trump as much or more than most yet thought DeNiro looked like an idiot with his fist raising rant. Not exactly Jon Carlos and it was so self indulgent. Sun Tze would say to use the enemy's own strength against him in battle but in this case DeNiro demonstrates impotence
10
This is the voice of sanity. Listen to it.
Remember what Hitler said, "the strength of our system is that it forces us to emulate us." But only if we are aware of that trap. Michelle was right. Go high. We lose-lose when we emulated them.
4
Amen, Brother Frank!
3
"When they go low, we go high." Yeah, that worked... well.
Measured tactics and gentle encouragement with factual evidence may make us feel righteous and wonderful, but they're the proverbial knife-at-a-gunfight against the fire-and-brimstone, razzle-dazzle of Fox news, Alex Jones, AM radio talk, and the President himself.
Democracy isn't some indestructible force that will continue to endure without vigilant maintenance. Maybe a slap in the face will wake the nation up more effectively than a gentle nudge. Maybe, in our current political and social climate, passion is our most valuable commodity.
It's incredibly depressing that the scare mongering, facts-averse tactics of the right have worked. It's incredibly depressing that this president's approval rating is north of 40%. But do you know what's more depressing? That our very democracy is being eroded by an administration that has been co-opted by Russia; that our allies are being alienated by a ranting, cowardly man-child; that our supreme court may soon become a tool designed to dismantle our basic rights; that our leader is praising and cozying up to dictators, fully confident that he can pardon himself for anything he does; and the fact that an entire party is either tacitly or directly endorsing all of it. That may not seem Third Reich-ish to Mr. Bruni, but Hitler wasn't "Hitler" until he was.
17
Well said
Bad grandpa!
1
How to Win the Midterms and Lose Your Soul by Frank Bruni
Progressives spend an inordinate amount of their time talking about how smart they are, to each other. If they are really so smart, why is Donald Trump the President of the United States of America? Proof is in the pudding. They overrate themselves, vastly.
Now, having lost, they have devolved to disgusting vulgarity, in order to show the world their moral superiority. Such a joke. Truly pathetic.
6
"Enough with Hitler, too. Has Trump shown fascistic tendencies? Yes. Is he the second coming of the Third Reich? No."
Precisely. Equating Trump to Hitler is a grave insult to the six million Holocaust victims, and to the 14 million others who were killed in WWII.
3
Dear Mr. Bruni,
I understand that you would love to teach the democrats how to respond to an ever more fascist leader, cabinet and government and are convinced you are right just like the old democratic leadership that is screwing up the next election.
As an older person who lived in Holland during and afrer worldwar II we have a more realistic understanding as the most of the American Press.
What you suggested the Democrats should do to change things around in this our country, did happen in Germany. Resistance was intellectual and most people were afraid of protest as it was very clear from day one that Hitler and his team were fascists and they would stop at nothing to get what they want.
The lack of real resistance did help Hitler enormously as he became convinced that everybody was afraid of him and caved in. Of course the first people that caved were the very rich with their powerful corporations, who then threatened their less interested workers with financial punishment etc.
The main reason that Germany caved in was their reluctance to stand up.
Not speaking out forcefully against this fascist man, he really is a fascist do your research, is also very much needed, but Democrats are too polite to stand up, they feel that they are above it all and things will change.
There is one thing that will not happen is that Trump will change.
Each and every day they feel more empowered and WILL end up changing the rule of law and kill democracy.
14
I don't see it as a "white flag" but rather as a fitting "call to arms".
Why? Because Trump is in fact just like Hitler. Their personality types and intents are identical. Both are self-absorbed narcissist seeking total power and control on a global scale. They both stop at nothing and will employ all means to win.
Trump policies, executive orders and antics are no different than Hitler's in his early years: alliance with foreign thugs; attacks on the establishment, judiciary and the press; heavy use of propaganda to foment hate, fear and division; frenzied rallies to excite and incite their base of support; jingoistic displays of power and authority; persistent abuse and pummeling of any and all resisters (in fact, anyone who is not 100% on their side); and the dismantling of international agreements and norms.
In this context, every kind and style of resistance -- including demonstrative, public and expletive-laden pronouncements -- must be employed. The ballot box may still reign supreme, but as the 2016 election should, it can be manipulated.
As one commenter has pointed out: "anger is energy". As many other commenters have stated, you need to hit the bully back and head on.
So I stand in ovation for Mr. De Niro and his rebuke of the MORON. It's not mirroring, because De Niro is speaking truth to a power than only lies, hates, vilifies, denigrates and destroys.
18
Can we all stipulate that there is nothing in this world as utterly intoxicating as an opportunity for a lefter-winger to wag his finger at his ideological compatriots?
2
Frank, you are right this time,but none of these people are political operatives. They are literally performers on a stage. But,please cover Bernie in 2020 . Not as entertaining as Trump, but better for America !
I wonder if I ever see a column that decries Sarah Palin's friend Ted Nugent for using the phrase "Sub-Human Mongrel" to refer to President Obama? I wonder if anyone will mention the Trump supporters who daily troll online with the phrase "Libtard"? I wonder if there is a bar anywhere in America where a Trump supporter would fear being beat up by liberals, I don't think you have to look very far to see the opposite. We saw Al Franken's life destroyed due to a willfully misinterpreted picture, but we have simply gotten used to a president who bragged about sexual assault and seems to be seen as more of a real man for it. One of Reagan's appointees once joked "there are two kinds of people in this country, liberals and Americans" and yet Mr. Bruni has now written about a column a month that tells us not to condescend. We have no science adviser in the White House but somehow we are supposed to get ourselves to respect the rejection of reason and empirical data. There is the quotation of the immortal "when they go low we go high" and Im sorry Mr Bruni I think that is basically what we did in the election, or did I miss the part where Hilary accused white rural men of all being drug dealers? But you know what, we lost. As we move toward 2020 is there any doubt that we will hear about "weak Cory"or"little Tony" or"crazy Bernie" or "Nutty Kamala" or of course "Pocahontas" and I guess our response should be to stand high above this and be gracious as the crowd laughs and we lose.
17
Its a known fact that Trump lives to have people yell insults at him. His supporters cling even more fervently to his relentless bombast. Hillary Clinton made a large part of her campaign screaming how sleazy Trump is. And claiming that Trump was a veritable traitor. I think most people, Republicans included, think that Trump is deeply dishonest and corrupt. How does Trump's bad behavior make him vulnerable politically? Huge tax cuts to himself and his cronies with attendant tax increases to his enemies. Throw out science based climate change facts. A trade war that is based on his own gross ignorance of international trade. These and others that show the shameless catering to Republican special interests. There are areas in the country that seem ready to end the Rs hold on House. But shouting insults at Trump thinking that hurts him is a waste on time.
Mr DeNiro and most of the comments here simply ignore that they are on the losing side of policy debates. The people of the country are tired of liberal policies that have destroyed families and that has lost US influence around the world.
3
I love your writing, Frank Bruni, and I know you are correct on this one. However, I have to express a note of sympathy for those of us who find ourselves exploding with rage at this abomination of a ‘president.’ So tactics, yes, yes. You are 100% correct. But in my heart I am deeply grateful to De Niro anyway.
5
I do not want to be in the position of advocating for obscenity. However, Mr. Bruni's position on the value of 'dignity' has been disproven over and over again.
Look to the comments on today's story of the immigrant children ... the hardliners there are neither offended by vulgarity nor apt to listen to reason.
The purpose of obscenity is to shock and draw attention. Ms. Bee has managed to do that *in a good way* on the immigrant children issue.
Do you really think that we would be talking about them if she had instead retold the story of the Flight into Egypt?
10
Profanity is so prevalent today that people do not pay much attention anymore when it is spoken. In New York City, it is a rare day that you do not hear some form of profanity or see an obscene gesture used. It may not upset coastal elites to hear this language against President Trump and they may actually applaud it, but in more conservative parts of the country they do not appreciate this kind of language. They cringe and are repulsed.
There used to be an expression that if you wanted to get someone's attention, whisper. If you want to make an impression and still criticize Mr. Trump be different. Why not use decent language when expressing your anger which will make more of a punch. It works every time and you will be taken seriously. Be original and not like everybody else. Be an individual.
1
Well said Mr. Bruni, good advice. But the problem is that Trump supporters don't care about ethical, mature behavior & decorum.
4
Ok, Frank, but how many persuadable voters are left? Polling data shows that both camps are hard. They are set in their ideals. Now, it's really about turnout.
In California's primary election last week we get a glimpse. Initial reports show that, compared to 2014 the last non-presidential primary turnout of 25% of registered voters, that turnout was flat. That was wrong.
As of today, statewide turnout in California is at 31%, a 6% increase that may yet rise more. Let's look at the change closer in the most urbanized counties:
Los Angeles 2014: 16.97% 2018: 22% +5%
San Francisco 2014: 29.75% 2018: 51% +21%
Santa Clara 2014: 32.77% 2018: 41% +9%
San Diego: 2014: 27.23% 2018: 37% +9%
Orange: 2014: 24.11% 2018: 33% +9%
San Bernardino: 2014: 18.8% 2018: 28% +9%
There's something going on NYT. That something is the activation of occasional registered voters to participate in the primary election.
I submit that the motivation is anger.
6
I'm with you to a point ... you're not advocating silence, but one can/should be only 'so' measured in one's response. We have to take an unequivocal stand against self serving, destructive ignorant behavior. Some of us express it with great emotion that many of us also feel. If there is nothing else expressed, then it's just gutter utterances. Often it's expressed along with sound analysis and counterpoint, unlike what we'er hearing from the white house and it's enablers.
We need to speak up with the force of conviction. Emotion is not a bad thing.
1
Spot-on, Frank Bruni! We have large vocabs and can be bitingly articulate. We do not need to resort to crudeness or profanity. There is absolutely no need to stoop to Trump's 2nd grade vocabulary level or to garden-variety vulgarities.
1
Your high road approach, Mr. Bruni, might be appropriate if the outrage were directed at civil and well-informed fellow American citizens who were equally focused on the rule of law, exceptional personal ethical & moral behavior, along with the health of their planet & all its inhabitants rather than it just being all about them ONLY. Watching & listening to the reprehensible man-child Donald Trump, the individual sitting in the most powerful office on the planet & reading his highly offensive daily tweets often resulting in front page media coverage, would cause a saint to curse. Honestly, do you really think this far into the Trump reign of terror, a high-minded, mild rebuke of Trump by entertainers De Niro, Bee, etc. is going to convince the Trump faithful to reconsider their support? Trump's own boast about being above the law & being able to pardon his own crimes, should have been enough to cause any voter who believes in honorable, lawful & ethical behavior vs dishonorable, unlawful behavior, to stop praising, worshiping and supporting him. Trump doesn't care at all about the well-being or a better future for his working class faithful. He stokes their prejudices and fears by uttering the most outrageous and offensive and least presidential comments in attempt to connect with them and appear to be one of them.
Sorry, Frank, most of us are not politicians, so ranting, raving & cursing are sometimes the appropriate response when we see our very democracy disappearing.
14
Respectfully, why does this have to be an either-or situation? Either rage and fire or measured and diplomatic? I would argue we might need some of both. What DeNiro and Bee did, in my view, was (hopefully) to help galvanize the celebrity world. We need that every now and again, just as we need comedians to help keep us sane and analysts to help us understand what is happening. So I disagree with Frank here, and by that I mean, I think we need a little bit of this a little bit of the time, just to get people to act.
4
We have in the White House someone who said Alex Jones, the right-wing bomb thrower who claims (or did until he got sued by the families) that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax., has an "amazing" reputation. The way I see it, De Niro and Bee went far too easy on Trump.
8
When it's all over and done with, Bruni can look himself in the mirror and know that he tried.
The comments here put me in mind of Gentleman Jim Geddys' retort to Orson Welles' Kane: "If it was anyone else, I'd say what's going to happen to you would be a lesson. Only you're going to need more than one lesson. And you're going to get more than one lesson."
3
De Niro & the elitist audience cheering his cheap hatred is a major reason that Trump was elected. Hillary's deprecating elitism, calling one-half of America deplorables, lost her the election. We are a democracy not a nobility. Even with Trump's unconscionable personal narcissistic behavior he is still fighting the elitism of England and Europe - see the recent trade talks - that was discarded by our founding fathers and is the brilliance of America. The Vietnam war was the beginning, with the elite copping out while the "deplorables" went to battle for America and were maimed and killed. And from there America has gone "progressively" downhill. For all his monumental personal defects, Trump's instincts are infinitely more American than those of his bashers.
2
You may be correct about Trump using the theme of the forgotten man in America to get elected, but you are 100% wrong about Trump fighting elitism. He is a con man, a narcissist and a pathological liar who is wholly uninterested in enacting policies to help struggling Americans. Look at the actions taken at EPA, Labor, HHS and Education and tell me how he is looking out for the little guy. Grifters, all of them. And don't forget, he was one of those elites who avoided serving in Vietnam.
9
Hey celebs, ranting doesn't work because it's the domain of this particular president. How about getting proactive. How about working to get out the vote. Maybe you can lend your voice to the campaign to end gerrymandering or to expose the networks of dark money that influence legislation. Or better, you can go extreme and take a page from the Glenda Jackson playbook and run for office. Celebrity is a superpower. Don't waste it!
1
Frank Bruni is right. Very right. To devolve to Trump bully standards gives him the context to demonize liberals and to stoke more fear and recrimination, Many voters in the center want a logical discussion of the issues, not mudslinging from the left and the right. Let Trump's meanness stand alone, isolated and self-revealing. Talk about the guns that kill students, the climate change that endangers us all, the greed and money-grabbing of too many current officials like Scott Pruitt. But Samantha and Robert and others who feel as strongly as you do, don't model your disgust with Trump name calling. He's a bully. Don't let him make you one too.
3
This is how liberals will lose the midterms--with phrases like this, courtesy of Mr. Bruni.
"You’re right that Donald Trump is a dangerous and deeply offensive man, and that restraining and containing him are urgent business".
Most Americans are fair-minded--and not steeped in knee-jerk anti-Trump hatred. Most Americans will give Trump the benefit of the doubt--and most care about the economy. And most American's will read Bruni's words (actually, no they won't, as most American's don't read the NY Times), and will wonder..."exactly how is Trump dangerous--and what has he done so far in his presidency that needs to be restrained"?
Hyperbole, hysteria, and blow-hardism--steeped in ignorance and arrogance--that's what makes Trump a sympathetic figure--and looses the election for liberals.
8
If most Americans were fair-minded, Donald Trump would not have gotten past the first couple of primaries. You give your countrymen too much credit.
@Vinny....and typical of all liberals--when the American people elect socialists to office, they are prescient and woke. But when they choose a capitalist who puts the interests of the country before all others, they are dullards.
Go figure.
The author, Erik Larson, wrote the book, "The Garden of the Beasts" about the first years of Hitler's rise. The denial by reasonable men of what was happening is the theme. Trump may not be Hitler but he seems to be a close cousin.
2 years ago, we did not think we had to punish mothers seeking refugee status by taking away their children. Sessions said we have to teach them a lesson like all he was doing was taking away playground privileges.
Who is the lesson aimed at, the refugees or the Democrats who had the audacity to seek a humane and rational way to deal with asylum seekers. The law as carried out by the Dem administration is now the rationale for Republican DOJ to harm these women and children. the horror to think that the Dems compassionate actions is the cause for Reps to inflict pain.
I hear the cruelty creeping into everyday speech. I see the lack of civility taking hold of civil society. The garden is beautiful but look more closely, the rot is there.
12
Why do Democrats self-flagellate and strive for perfect behavior, while in the meantime Republicans have an all out war on all decency and get rewarded handsomely by the voters time and time again?
14
Taking on the Trump bully pulpit is a waste of time. Take on his policies and actions. Ranting like Trump may feel better but wrestling with a pig just gets you dirty and the pig enjoys it.
4
Trump has taken your playbook, read it and mastered it! I'm sure punchy has friends in his enclave that are more than satisfied whit his profanity outburst, maybe he could , for an encore threaten the president publicly, thus getting a visit from the SS. Men screaming from atop their soap boxes, hurling hate filled obscenities, more often than not bet ignored by polite society and shunned on general principle.
Trump for all his foibles does not shout profanities, he freezes people, finds their vulnerabilities and points them out, he causes them to cry out how unjustly treated they have been treated, but to the rest of us you are just mad men standing on your soap box crying out profanities, being ignored as you should be!
2
Ask one of the immigrant kids who got put in a cage last month if Trump is a fascist. Oh sorry - we wouldn't want to mince words.
9
Hey, it worked for the Obama haters...
Just sayin'
2
And the New York Times now seems ready to dismiss anyone who stands up to him. What gives? More bending over backwards till you break? Dead centerism unto death?
13
I don't see it as a "white flag" but rather as a fitting "call to arms".
Why? Because Trump is in fact just like Hitler. Their personality types and intents are identical. Both are self-absorbed narcissist seeking total power and control on a global scale. They both stop at nothing and will employ all means to win.
Trump policies, executive orders and antics are no different than Hitler's in his early years: alliance with foreign thugs; attacks on the establishment, judiciary and the press; heavy use of propaganda to foment hate, fear and division; frenzied rallies to excite and incite their base of support; jingoistic displays of power and authority; persistent abuse and pummeling of any and all resisters (in fact, anyone who is not 100% on their side); and the dismantling of international agreements and norms.
In this context, every kind and style of resistance -- including demonstrative, public and expletive-laden pronouncements -- must be employed. The ballot box may still reign supreme, but as the 2016 election should, it can be manipulated.
As one commenter has pointed out: "anger is energy". As many other commenters have stated, you need to hit the bully back and head on.
So I stand in ovation for Mr. De Niro and his rebuke of the moron. It's not mirroring, because he is speaking the to a power than only lies.
13
You've done it now, Frank. You have gone too far this time. You have admitted that Trump is not Hitler and the Republicans are not Nazis. Your readers will never forgive you.
2
Frank, I don't think Trump voters care one bit about Bee or DeNiro, and anyone who says otherwise is not being honest with themselves.
If you want to talk about side issues crowding out discussion of important things, I would look at the relentless focus on Trump's treatment of women. The Metoo movement is important, but how many of the outraged women who attended the women's march wearing pink pussy hats were potential Trump supporters? The women's march was about many issues, global warming, Trump's lies, his malignant narcissism, his ignorance, disregard for science, racism. Women's empowerment was not a winning issue for Hillary, voters didn't care about Clinton's sexual escapades, or his lying about it and neither did Republicans - because look who they support now. Neither Trump nor Clinton was the first to objectify women and they are certainly not the last.
How many columns did you (or your friend Maureen Dowd) dedicate to Trump's outrageous refusal to release his tax returns? How about his years lying about Obama's birthplace? How about his shady business practices? (articles in the Business section are not enough). How about his actions related to the Central Park 5? How about his racist business practices? How about his bankruptcies?
How many columns did you devote to email servers, as opposed to all the work Hillary has done on behalf of children? IMO, you are as guilty as anyone of playing into Republicans hands.
7
I think you have a typo in the below paragraph. I think "him" should maybe be "his."
Enough with Hitler, too. Has Trump shown fascistic tendencies? Yes. Is he the second coming of the Third Reich? No. Nor are the spineless Republicans who have enabled him Nazi collaborators, not on the evidence of what has and hasn’t happened so far.
2
Can we PLEASE talk about healthcare?
Focus on facts. I disagree that all Trump supporters won’t listen. Get them to talk about themselves. Get them to tell you what has happened to them since the election. In my experience, if you can get them to talk, they will eventually start to realize how wrong DJT is. Get them to convince themselves. They will never let you convince them.
2
I also would advise Schumer, Pelosi et al to give credit where credit is due. They were bad-mouthing Trump's summit meeting before it even occured. The rhetoric from the Democratic leadership sounds just like the Republican rhetoric against Obama--negative no matter what. Democrats, start acting like adults. Criticize where applicable, but don't just sound like a broken record of negativity.
about statement "...grave flaws and galling giveaways in his tax overhaul"
Please notify your readers when you send back to the US Treasury the money you will save under the new tax rate.
Spot on, thank you for being so articulate. Now for Joe Biden for four years (only) to allow the healing of the national soul to begin. Please Joe!
2
Frank Bruni is correct. Trump is odious but even more odious is the idea that the left may be helping to elect more Trumpists to Congress. I would add to this don't take up the challenge of comparing Obama or Hillary to Trump. Just point out that Trump has made glaring mistakes and has betrayed all of the promises he has made with the exception of the most egregious. Side with allies on the right or in evangelical circles. The Southern Baptist Convention issued a proclamation condemning the humanitarian abuses at our Southern border. Emphasize issues which we can all agree are weaknesses. Talk about Trump's record of failure on healthcare, not transgender bathrooms, etc. Talk about how canceling the Iran agreement which was supported by Defense Secretary Mattis actually endangers Israel and increases the likelihood of war. That the wall is not being paid for by Mexico and will cost billions of dollars. That his tax package is a political redistribution of money from blue states towards red states.
1
Why does a fairly good paper, continue to write propaganda which demonstrates a lack of knowledge of the reasons why Donald Trump is President. Consider an economy that is booming, consider a good chance of settling the Korean conflict and consider the man who gave up his salary to do good things. Does he sound like someone who will send atomic bombs on a whim? You bet he does....and North Korea believes it! A wise man will look at what he has done to bring peace to the table, and see a great negotiator making the world safer than it has been in decades! The New York Times, CNN, and the established media only want one thing, to belittle a Great Man and leader. The Democrats and many Republicans need to get on the train or get out of the way. Give him a chance and look beyond your narrow view of the political left! The United States is back on the world stage!
1
It's more important than ever for Democrats to lead from policy rather than rancor. The country needs too much fixing to lose energy and votes tilting at Trump. His bufoonery does everything necessary to discredit him and his Russophile fellow travelers. Let's agree to push for job training in Appalachia and the inner cities, for universal healthcare and for fair, living wages for everyone, sensible gun laws--and an end to teachers subsidizing substandard school funding. We can and should win on the issues. Let the right stay crazy and angry and stupid. We don't need to join them.
1
As reported in this newspaper, VP Pence just yesterday spoke at the Southern Baptist Convention attended by nearly 10,000 conservative evangelical pastors. He spoke about 500 days of promises made and promises kept to a group which represents the 80% of evangelicals who voted trumpty in 2016. This group will not be swayed. Coupled with the hard right, these 2 groups are trumpty's foundational base. If republicans want to win mid-terms they have to align with this base and hope for the best. If the democrats want to win mid-terms they need to run based on policies that advance a pro working class agenda--the economy-- and get those who are not registered to register and vote and to get their base to turn out. Trumpty's base will not move and while they are not a majority they are a large enough bloc to win if the others don't show up. It's on the candidates to get them to care enough to vote. Regarding Pence and the evangelicals; it's time to repeal the tax free status of the churches as they are simply PACs in minister's garb--garb which looks much like the same garb of regular ol' run-of-the-mill corporate lobbyists. Can I get an Amen?
1
Another great opinion piece by Frank Bruni. Our parents taught us that there is a time and place for everything. Sunday evening's Tony Awards was neither the time nor the place for Mr. DeNiro's anti-Trump outbursts ( which I personally share). It turned out to be embarrassing and, sadly, made Mr. DeNiro look somewhat foolish. It distracted attention away from the generally beautiful flow of the evening, including the commemoration of the recent Florida tragedy, only to end with his childish outburst right before introducing Bruce Springsteen. Perhaps Mr. DeNiro could make a few appearances on CNN or MSNBC to make his points more articulately. Better yet, he should try to find a great film script, a feat which has seemingly eluded him for the last twenty years.
4
One of your best columns Mr. Bruni. Democrats haven't learned anything from George W. Bush getting elected twice. It started with Al Gore sighing in disapproval in the debates, it went on with his grades in Yale, his inability to speak correct English, his lying and on and on. Then everyone was apoplectic when he was re-elected. History is about to repeat itself as a farce this time.
3
Thank you Frank. That needed saying, and you said it well.
1
Robert De Niro as an American actor who's exercising of his first amendment rights among his colleagues deserves no chastising, or discussion in the NYT.
2
Those of us opposing Trump, his policies and his supporters are always told we cannot be seen as condescending, yet it seems to me this latest admonishment is just another way to show superiority ("When they go low, we go high"). I think anger is a much more relatable way to convince Trump supporters of things that are wrong with them, rather than pointing politely at their misguided convictions.
4
I'm a Republican and Trump supporter. I am extremely pleased with where things have gone since his election, as are an increasing number of voters, based on the polls. The New York Times said some weeks ago that they had run out of words to describe how good the economy was. Myself and many others like the aggressive foreign policy approach Trump has taken.
That said, Frank, while most often writing anti-Trump pieces, is today saying what needs to be said to his own party. It's to late and I doubt many will listen to him even now. The Democrats created the anti-Trump hysteria and they own it. Unfortunately, they have yet to come up with any positive message or policies or platform that will attract the independent voter. Instead, in fact, one of the most vocal leaders of the party, Pelosi, continues to look like a naive idiot in her attempts to belittle the economy and the positive effect it has had on middle and working class American voters. She looks like an absolute fool.
Frank is wrong on the one thing he clings to in regard to the election. The candidates the party has chosen are not middle of the road. Many are far left progressives. That is what the silent majority rejected in 2016 and will reject this year and in 2020.
1
Awesome guide for life. Remember what you say is about you and not about your target. I agree with Frank completely about historical references and exaggerations but I am chilled by the border agents telling moms they’re taking their babies for a bath. Will they next say “ Work will set you free”?
1
If the Democrats are not responsibility for Trump's becoming President, there is nothing they can do to keep him from being elected again.
Not a very flattering photo of De Niro. Looks like he yelling at some punks that are walking on his nice front lawn.
1
Although I believe the Trump administration poses a unique peril to American democracy, I agree with Mr. Bruni that Samantha Bee--and other insult-hurling figures likes Kathy Griffin--do absolutely nothing to advance liberal causes.
With their grandstanding and mudslinging, Bee, Griffin, and others serve only to enflame Republican voters and to push those same reactionary voters towards the ballot box to support Trump. Honestly, who is truly benefiting here?
Think about it: Samantha Bee calling Ivanka Trump "a feckless ..." will not push a single liberal voter to the polls. Not one. But that same insulting remark, however, will drive Republicans to the ballot box in droves. Bee's grotesque insult is constantly cited by Republicans and has become a useful propaganda piece in their political arsenal for winning the midterms.
Given how much Bee and Griffin continue to galvanize conservative voters and to play into the hands of Fox News, perhaps they should consider joining the Republican Party?
2
Frank, you are such a thoughtful writer and most of the time I nod in agreement as I read along. Not this time.
Incipient Fascism (yeh, it is that, Frank!) must be stopped in its tracks! Pleas for civility don't fly any longer. It's a form of hand wringing, barely hiding a denial that things can be really as bad as they seem. Things are that bad, probably worse than we can imagine.
DeNiro & Bee are entertainers. Their words just don't have the clout you're imagining that they have. I don't have network TV or cable. I didn't watch either show live. Certainly read about them, pros & cons, watched a few clips and I solidly fall in the pro dept.
However, nothing an entertainer (even those I admire) bursts out with will determine how I'll cast my vote this November.
You've said you're angry, Frank. But, your calls for civility indicate to me that you're not angry enough! Yet.
4
I agree Frank Bruni. Democrats need a strong message of who they are. What specifically are we fighting for? Most people have no knowledge of the issues at all! Hating Trump is not policy. Trump's cult of personality is acting as wonderful shield to all the horrendous policies that his administration is putting into place. We need to talk less about Trump and more about the actual harm that is being done to our country by Super Pacs, greed and ignorance.
1
Foul-mouthed Samantha Bee, Robert DeNiro, and all of the West coast's rants and bias.....are the fuel of why Trump will be relected. Keep it up Hollywood. Have your tantrums.
Even de-nuking Korea isn't reason for them to be rational.
4
On some level every voter knows that if you are a Republican you will be mostly supporting Trump and if you are a Democrat you will be mostly opposing Trump. As far as Trump is concerned that is all they need to know about you. Anger and expletives will not better define you than the mere fact that you are running as a Democrat.
As Tip O’Neil, the Speaker of the House during the Reagan years, famously said “All politics is local”. The most local question every candidate needs to be able to answer is: “Will I and my neighbors have our jobs next year and beyond?” Every issue dominating the media these days boils down to that question. Immigration, it’s about jobs. Health care, it’s about jobs. North Korea, it’s about jobs. Tariffs, again, it’s about jobs. If you cannot tie your response to every issue to jobs, give up now. No one will be listening.
Whatever happened to screaming into a pillow?
If Democrats look like the sane alternative, there is much stronger hope of a better result at midterms and in 2020.
If it's a more liberal version of this ugliness, it's an issues-only election, and electoral math favors Republicans.
And Republicans don't care about the unfairness of the electoral college and gerrymandering - it works for them. Neither do most moderates.
Change or dyspepsia. Choose wisely.
There's no "unfairness" about the Electoral College. It was and IS a brilliant prescient piece of our country's political fiber.
Wanting it changed now is like having a baseball game change the rules because the losing team whines and stomps its feet.
There's an argument here, either side. But two of the last five Presidential elections have been settled with the minority vote candidate winning. Not a good thing, in a country as sharply divided as ours. And so far, neither Bush II nor Trump looks like they need to be measured for Mt. Rushmore.
Odd how republicans can manage to win all branches of the federal government using nothing but anger. But it will totally destroy the democratic party...
15
This all assumes that the DeNiros and Sam B’s of the world are in this for change as opposed to publicity and winning points for “wokeness”.
I have no doubt they’d both rather see Trump gone, but I think that is secondary to the self promotion.
2
"You either control your emotions or they control you" is an old martial arts saying that rings so true today. Yet, not everyone is capable of doing that all the time Mr. De Niro obviously is one such person but only one. Most of us will vote this fall and many of us will encourage as many other people we know to do the same and hopefully we'll seize back control of at least one house of Congress. If not, if we give up in despair or decide the candidates don't met our lofty standards then Mr. Trumpf and his lynch mob will continue their assault on our freedoms and the institutions we've created these last 250 yrs. to protect them.
Although I agree with you Bruni in principle, the sad part is by saying those words are exactly what Trump supporters did.
It doesn't help when they talk about the 'elites' trying to be proper when they want a fight about political correctness.
They don't want to be nice.
They want to fight dirty.
So what DiNero and Bee are saying is, we don't want to fight dirty, but I can if you insist.
7
I think it is going to come down to where and when it is okay to attack Trump and where it is better to talk about alternate visions of things. It has to be recognized that a lot of Trump supporters actually enjoy that Trump is such a bully, that he is a nightmare in terms of what he is making the US look like, a lot of the "Roseanne" vote loves the bad behavior, and it shows in the polls...and those voters, quite frankly, are not going to vote Democratic, it shows they are lost to reason.
On the other hand, there are a lot of people who voted for Trump who now have buyers remorse over his behavior, that if the Democrats keeps their arguments to the damage Trump is doing, both with policy and behavior and how his policies are not helping many workers find jobs that pay living wage (point out that many of the jobs that have been created pay less than the supposedly "gold" 20 an hour, with few to no benefits, and a lot are temp and contracting positions, despite there being a tight labor market). Point out what a trade war will do to them, from farmers to assembly line workers to ordinary people, point out that China could trash our economy by selling off T notes. And give a vision, I am glad women are running but don't talk about the glass ceiling, talk about helping everyone; be supportive of minority rights, but don't turn the election into Churchill vs the Nazis, even if you feel that.
2
Thank you Mr. Bruni for adding some nuance to all the noise. As a liberal, I get the anger, frustration and disappointment at not only Trump, but toward those in our personal lives - family members, friends - who voted for him. But DeNiro and others are shouting to the choir in pure evangelical frenzy about 'those people who aren't like us', and as a child of the southern Baptist church, I can promise that you will only drive the non-believers and uncommitted away. Stop preaching - it's lazy - and start listening to people. Otherwise, its just an echo chamber.
1
Based on the comments that I am reading and the number of recommends, we are now in a race to the bottom. And the bottom is infinite. That is what will destroy America. I hope better minds prevail. Bruni got it right.
1
The Ds always show up with a pea shooter at the gun fight.
I’m all for Samantha Bee and DiNero.
The Democratic party better figure out what it believes in and fight for it before its too late.
3
Trump will be re-elected because we have more deplorables than educated citizens. Democracy is a deeply flawed political system. There should be some kind of a qualifying test to be allowed to vote. Sample questions: name a foreign country or find Seattle on the map or some question involving interest rates, etc.
3
Thanks, Mr. Bruni, for articulating the unease I’ve felt for sometime when hearing over-the-top ravings against Trump. This is serious: We’ve really got to win back the Congress. While there is much, much to criticize in this administration and it might feel good to slam this or that Tweet and Instagram post by Donald or Ivanka, the ad hominem rantings on the left don’t help average people see the sad truth of the state of presidency. Focusing on issues, (and comedy has a place in this) is a sounder strategy.
4
Liberals often suggest that 'going high' and pretending as if the enemies of struggling people (republicans, the capitalist class, and centrist democrats themselves) are good faith actors to be led on a moral path by good example. This is a terrible strategy and has failed over, and over, and over, and over as the left has been decimated and the entire political spectrum has shifted right. Vulgarity is an effective political tool: It is vitally important to depict those who propagate and profit from immiseration, imperialism, and corruption as they are: Not 'people who one disagrees with', but as enemies to be defeated. I would like to recommend a very well written article about the effectiveness of political vulgarity which sums up why simply using expletives doesn't go nearly far enough.
https://www.currentaffairs.org/2016/05/the-necessity-of-political-vulgarity
3
Vulgarity is a useful political tool to whip anger and division, to drive wedges: https://www.cornellrooseveltinstitute.org/why-vulgarity-in-politics-matt... .
There is little indication that this vulgarity has ever solved a political problem, it just enhances divisions, it encourages bigotries. We have seen this in spades the last few years.
Free speech is a mainstay of our political history. And it can be a political liability. Personally I wish these tendencies could be constrained, but suspect that in the current environs I am likely to be disappointed. The current guy in the White House has played this to his advantage.
3
Last time I checked, Robert DeNiro was not running for office. But this guy is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xej2hvJdxw&has_verified=1
http://time.com/4978212/donald-trump-cursing-swear-words/
And it doesn't seem to matter one little bit.
8
Guess what? It's too late. America is putting Obama back in the bottle but we appreciate all the assistance Hollywood can provide. Please don't stop, DeNiro is so much more effective than dinero. MAGA!
1
I'll be frank, Frank. You are both right and wrong. Right that DeNiro's affect is precisely the Left's and NeverTrump Right's Trump stereotype.
But you are wrong about the underlying correctness of the anti-Trump rationale.
You are measuring things using the old, mistaken establishment metric. Trump has created a new architecture for leadership.
DeNiro without a script is a mindless, incoherent babbler. His F-bombs fill the void…in much the same way, as a matter of fact, as Obama's fustian, high-sounding pabulum that usually starts with a "notion."
The danger we face isn't Trump. It's Obama-Clinton and their kind.
2
Bravo, Frank, good column. However, Mr DeNiro channeled quite a lot of frustration that is out there. The election will not be won and Trump defeated unless the voters are mobilized, but we need a message that is more than “f… you.”
That message will probably be a mix of many things, depending on the state and district. Even with a good economy and low unemployment, many are still hurting, and for them Mr Trump’s tax cut delusion doesn’t square with reality. Obamacare remains an issue, with the Administration working on gutting it behind the scenes. Gun regulation, toxic though it is to many, will continue to mobilize many, as will immigration and the Dreamers.
One issue has long worked its magic in election campaigns in the U.S. as well as in other countries: “throw the rascals out.” One of Mr Trump’s main campaign themes was “Drain the swamp”. He accused the Democrats of hobnobbing with fat-cat lobbyists on K Street: a charge that is easy to throw around, difficult to disprove. But in the 500 days since the inauguration, an astonishing number of Mr Trump’s top officials appear to have been using their office for personal gain: Pruit, Mulvaney, Mnuchin, Zinke, Fitzgerald, Price ...
It’s two more years before 2020, but in the meantime, the Democrats could see if this fall, senators and representatives could be elected who will campaign on getting some sanity back into government. You can’t Make America Great Again if you put personal gain over public interest.
1
I’m not a Trump supporter and I didn’t vote for him. But I am a centrist who has voted for more republicans than democrats. I vote on who I like - not their party affiliation. So for example I voted for both Reagan and Obama.
Now it’s true that Trump is abusive and obnoxious, but he’s not an awful president. And of course he’s no Hitler, so please stop making that ridiculous comparison.
I’m okay with Gorsuch and the new tax plan, and I think he’s handling Russia and North Korea about as well as most of his predecessors - maybe better. And I like that he had the courage to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which by the way Congress did in 1995.
On the other hand, I’m not okay with his pulling out of the Paris accord, or how he has treated Canada and our other allies. I’m also disappointed that after chiding his fellow Republicans for caving to the NRA, he did the same thing.
I think he should have lost in 2016, and he will lose in 2020. Democrats got lazy in 2016. But now their mad as hell. And Bruni is absolutely right. Cursing Trump out, while maybe cathartic, won’t help throw him out.
1
frank frank frank
(to paraphrase those smarter than i...)
you don't bring a jackknife to a gunfight
you don't spit into the wind
you don't try and reason with somebody
incapable of reason
you are exactly the voice that will get
trump and his merry troupes elected
again and again
you can't change things unless you win
the good girls/guys need to win
don't care how it happens
accusing those who would effect change
in a positive way once elected of taking
the low road and compromising to get there
is something i can live with
3
Frank Bruni makes some rather good points, but I think many of us are past the point of civility, largely because good guy passivity is what got us Trump. We played by the rules. They did not. Now, I am all for not debasing ourselves, but I don't think we need to take stuff lying down. There has to be a definitive line between knowing when to use our words and knowing when to roll up your cuffs and fight. P.S. Entertainers are not poltical pundits, they're American workers with opinions. They have every right to verbalize their thoughts and agree or disagree, both sides of the potical spectrum should stop freaking out when they go a li'l bluer than what we'd like. I think Pryor and Carlin would heartily agree.
4
Your argument is of limited use. The majority of Trump supporters cannot be persuaded. They really do behave like cult members. Call the free press the enemy of the American people, and salute a North Korean officer? No problem. The best approach to these people is to ignore them. The truth is Trump is an idiot and a moron.
5
Easy for you to say, Bruni. You're white. Spare us your fake decency; Vote Republican; and then come back and tell us about how the white man feels marginalized in today's America. NY times is the biggest booster of the "both sidism" and we wonder how Donald Trump got elected
4
I see all the high "recommend" numbers for the most strident angry, anti-Trump writers. You are all missing the point. It won't do any good if you increase the Democratic margin from "large" to "very large" in places like NYC and California by spewing your anger in ways that drive the resistance but turn off Middle America. You must find a way to convince enough of Middle America to vote Democratic that you can win back the House and the White House. And throwing F-bombs and screaming isn't going to do it. Much of Middle America wants the jobs and economic growth that the coasts have enjoyed during this recovery. If that happens they'll happily stick with Trump and the Republicans no matter how much Liberal America despises him.
2
I would suggest that even if Trump rots one's brain and puts snakes in our heads, we shouldn't succumb to the enticement to get mad. He's mad enough for all of us, and I agree that talks of impeachment ( which is a legal process, not one hopefully engaged for emotional reasons), and "what a _______(supply your own expletive) he is" he doesn't help, any more than a string of curses when you hit your thumb with a hammer. And even if HE hit our collective thumbs with his hammer, still it doesn't help. Better to get angry and then be reasonable and get your satisfaction when you convince someone on the fence to see it your way bu "going high when others go low." Thank you, Michelle!
LB
We’ve had a year and a half of going hi when they go low, and things are getting appreciably worse. For example, the Trump regime is now snatching migrant infants and children away from their parents and caging them in abandoned warehouses. What are we supposed to do, use mild euphemisms like your employer in the house that everyone will see reason? At some point, we have to call a spade a “spade,” and a dangerous, bigoted madman like Trump exactly what he is, an expletive not fit for polite audiences. Sorry if that makes yo clutch your pearls, Frank. I liked it better when you wrote about food.
3
Those whose delicate sensibilities are gravely offended by four letter words would do well to study those convoluted phrases uttered daily from the White House - the skewed misinformation, the pathological, dangerous lies that damn our republic. We fool ourselves by being shocked! shocked! at profanity. But we ignore children in crates, veterans dying by suicide, addicts gobbling drugs, old people eating dog food. What's obscene? Anyone under 50 is likely less offended by the F/C words than those of us who'd play well with others -- and turn our heads as our civil liberties are destroyed and the crass GOP tools advance their agendas of corruption and devolution of government. Here's a Democratic strategy: Shout when needed; curse when you want. Get out the vote and defeat these crooks and their families. Hooray for Samantha and Robert!
12
I believe DeNiro was expressing what a lot of us are feeling and wish we could say without fear of some type of backlash depending on what we do. Trump and his cohorts constantly belittle others on a daily basis and no one bats an eye. Echoing what others have said, DeNiro is not running for office and just expressed his feelings (through an expletive). Good for him.
7
C'mon, Frank Bruni, ease up and grow up. Trump let the horse out of the barn. You are wanting a lid on those of us who are "mad as hell, and don't want to take it anymore."
And who are you to dismiss analogies of dictatorial features? How can you call for anyone's restraint the morning after Trump kissed the ring of another brute for all the world to witness? If it walks like a duck...
Trump needs to hear the fighting words of anger over him, the no-frills disgust with him. Don't chastise De Niro and Bee; spend your energies on the real enemy. None of us will fault you for not writing or speaking those awful four-letter words.
6
Wrong, you are wrong. You elitists don't get it at all. You are a highly paid polemic writer, nothing more.
I don't feel at all that DeNiro's message eclipsed the passionate, beautiful, tender and heart-wrenching performance of the Parkland teenagers. No, what DeNiro did was buttress the prevailing message of those Parkland kids, which is "We shouldn't be here in the first place singing our hearts out as survivors of a devastating and unnecessary tragedy". The NRA put Trump into office. Or, he might have had a way more difficult time without the NRA, yes? Remember too that DeNiro said: "It used to be down with Trump. Now it's ___ Trump", meaning that we have all reached a new and fevered pitch, a kind of code-red when it comes to how all of us with a high school education feel about Trump's reckless abuse of everything decent (not to mention Constitutional). For the love of God, today he tweeted that NBC and CNN, two behemoth institutions of free press, are the "number one enemy". What?! This is the man elected to protect the Constitution which demands a free press! So yeah, it's not "down with Trump" anymore. It's ___ Trump. That's the kind of thing a high school football coach says to his players right before they head out to the field. Well, we're the players. And we need it.
4
Typical NYT. Wasn't this the same paper who told the world "Hitler's not that bad" in the late 30s? (Answer: yes). The NYT continues to try to normalize this madman. To "analyze" his thinking, his strategies, etc. He is incapable of deep thought. He has no strategy. He's driven by his own selfish grifting impulses and nothing more. He's gotten away with it his entire life. He's getting away with it now. If anyone bothers to follow the rubles, I'd place a very large wager they lead into the RNC, hence their silence.
In summary: shut up Frank. There should be loud outrage about what's going on with this administration. I don't care about "winning over" Trump supporters. Don't need them. Will never forgive them (including those in my own family). Let's see how long they support this evil moron once the impact of his "policies" reaches them (and they'll feel it first). Hope it hurts like hell.
6
“When...low...high” was naive. “Don’t get mad, get even” is much better. In the spirit of FDR, JFK, and LBJ we must be crafty, dirty as hell, smooth, and always elegant.
3
Samantha Bee's and Robert De Niro's actions are not in the same vein, imo. Why should any person be constrained from absolutely stating their views? Certainly their language has been no worse than Mr. Trump's own language at his rallies...Why are you attempting to make these celebrities responsible for the national reaction to Trump?
It is not their job. It is your job, you are a journalist. They are merely entertainers. Where was the good journalism that would have revealed the Stormy Daniels relationship to Trump? It had been published as far back as 2011. Or the fact that Anthony Weiner's laptop was in police custody since 9/28 and did not come into FBI hands for scrutiny for a month(!) or even that the likeliest contents were backups of Huma Abedin's already reviewed iPhone and was thus unlikely to have anything new to show? This could and should have been covered by some ethical journalist. Instead, your brethren were under the same "She's got this..." hubris as every other American and wanted just one more 'Trump bump' before the party ended. At least Les Moonves was honest about it.
Seriously document how you and your profession effed up that election - your megaphoning of the GOP dirty trick of revealing the Comey re-opening letter cost Hillary the race - and then you can criticize others for using foul language to talk about this administration...m'kay?
4
"Is he [Trump] the second coming of the Third Reich? No."
Trump is the first coming of The Holy Evangelical Empire of the American Nation.
1
Oh they'll take the low road
And we'll take the high road
And we'll win the midterms before 'em
For truth must Trump lies
And freedoms cannot die
So get off your butts and vote in November
1
Always good to see the other side living what we conservatives had to deal with for 8 years. “When they go low we go high” was never that. More like, the only way we could win was when you go low, we needed to go even Lower.
McCain, Romney were the perfect model of decency, elegance, eloquence, moderation, education and prestige. Yet they were demonized and crushed like insects, and all of us cons/mods/libertarians were mocked, silenced and called every insult in the dictionary.
Of course obama didn’t have to , his adoring fortress the media did all the job for him. At some point we said, the heck with niceties. We need someone who will not back down , counterpunch and show a big middle fing to the media. Enter Trump.
3
I just love it when the liberal leftist elitists turn their guns on each other, sharing their patronizing, lecturing with their own brethren.
The #NeverTrump'ers have no clue, and never will.
#6MoreYearsOfMAGA
1
This is a technical not a political correctness question. It's serious. And it's not clear that the Gray Lady way is the best for mobilizing and winning over some constituencies.
Ugliness worked for Trump. Where is the evidence that it should not be part of the Democrat armory?
Samantha Bee and all of the Comedy Central type comics and late night hosts heap derision on Trump and his facilitators. De Niro explodes in righteous anger. They give voice to what we are all feeling and wanting to say, wanting someone to say.
Samantha Bee's only mistake was not qualifying the "C" word with an adjective...as in "unethical C". Or perhaps being less anatomical as in the slightly more politically correct "unethical slut" which probably would have passed the censor's red marker. $82 million in revenue last year, China patents, NGO abuses, Trump facilitating and what else?...
The only question that matters as Trump drags America down is what works and for which segment of the voting population. That's a technical question not an opinion piece.
But don't tell us that selling out to Russia and North Korea, separating children from parents, damning refugees and immigrants, gutting healthcare, adding $1.3 trillion to the debt so the rich can continue feeding at the trough, etc. ad nauseum should not be responded to with anger and angry words because that's a technical debate and not one that NYT writers and readers will have much to contribute given our record...
4
Frank Bruni, his fellow pundits and the media writ large that help elect this abomination into the White House with their adoring free coverage, worth up to $2 Billion, need to STFU. Democrats took the high road in 2016 while Republicans and Trump doubled down on calling POCs and Hillary Clinton all types of lowly names across the spectrum of vulgarity. Guess what happened? Republicans won. My advice to my party is to ignore the pundits, use whatever words that need to be used to aptly express outrage and to call out the most amoral, bigoted, misogynistic, treasonous, Nazi, KKK and Alt Right loving White House and Republican party in my memory. Every election cycle,Democrats have to hear these media calls to appeal to the lowest of the low, folks who hate POCs, who make up the Democratic base, when they run against Republicans. I say enough of this appeasement. Call the GOP and Trump exactly what they are MOFOs and maybe the electorate will wake up. Playing nice only normalizes Nazism and hate found primarily in the GOP and with Trump. Democrats don't come to a gun fight with flowers. It just doesn't work!
5
Frank,
I appreciate the op-ed but the country was lost a long time ago when Ronald Reagan took the oath of office. 38 years of denouement and the country you believe in is no more. It is time to stop the denial you are the States of North America and United is an oxymoron.
I have studied both British and American history and literature and know the two brilliant GOP lawyers Reagan nominated to the Supreme Court were virulently anti-American. Scalia and Bork made no pretence of their opposition to bottom up government and their contempt for the US constitution and all it stood for. Scalia's willingness to distort and obfuscate the original meaning of the constitution is no secret as the Bill of Rights article five tells us the second amendment is designed to protect conscripts legitimate religious freedom.
One cannot dismiss the legacy of the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell and Cromwell's secretary, John Milton in understanding what the United States was supposed to be.
Cromwell a religious fanatic turned England into a Hell on Earth. John Milton an extremely liberal Puritan asked the question the founders answered in their Declaration of Independence and constitution.
Milton asked whether it was better to serve in Heaven or Rule in Hell. The founders created a country where everyone was called to serve. America's right has no intention of serving and I still don't understand what winning and losing means in a nation where all are called to serve a common interest.
No, Trump is not instigating a Third Reich in the United States, but his malignant narcissistic personality is frighteningly similar to Adolf Hitler's personality. We need to be open about that. Over 70,0000 mental health professionals have seen enough of his behaviors to conclude that he is mentally ill and dangerous. To try to avoid that subject is very dangerous for our survival. We need a legislation ASAP where a mental health evaluation should be mandatory for presidential candidates.
https://www.change.org/p/trump-is-mentally-ill-and-must-be-removed
2
We live in confusing times. The "f" word is routinely used in movies and videos. Two days after the Samantha Bee I watched a popular TV show where Matt LeBlanc plays a cute but bad boy character. He is asking his estranged wife to let him in her house to see his kids, and he asks her not be be a "c" . She relents and it is a touching scene and in that comedic context it is acceptable and funny.
Keeping quiet wont work..it didn't work in nazi Germany
3
Calling people names, no matter what party affiliation, is as ridiculous as saying there’s a special place in hell for people who don’t agree with Trump.
So grow up, folks!
Vote!
Hooray for Frank Bruni’s common sense!
1
Mr. Bruni,
This article is a simple word salad and is meaningless. Republicans do and say anything they want, the country is going to hell in a hand basket and you think what De Niro and Samantha Bee are the problem?
You've always been a Trump shill and it's amazing to be that the NYT's keeps you on the payroll.
6
So when Trump or Giuliani say something outrageous, Republicans CHEER!
But when progressives exercise their free speech rights, Republicans go nuts, jump up and down, point their little fingers and scream, "NO FAIR"!
Dems need to first focus on listening to what their constituents WANT and then campaign to deliver just that (even if it's not part of the Democratic Platflorm). But they also need to flex their muscles, punch back with immense force and not look weak.
November is not just a little skirmish between parties. This is a Fight to Save our Nation from a mad man who is hell bent on becoming a despot like his BFF Vladimir Putin.
7
Well said. For the mid-terms Democrats need to forget about demonizing Trump and provide a better path - go with a single overriding idea that appeals to emotion which is how most voters vote (not by rational policy plans).…. whatever it is, make it resonate and uplifting, make it as catchy and seductive as MAGA. Let's get blue caps. Very few people get inspired by the f#$@ word.
A moot point. We in America are in a downward spiral, in many spheres -- our core giving way. With two World Wars having demolished vast numbers of lives around the globe, and a handful of rich whites in possession of power and wealth who will not give way, we now have a narcissistic "Superman" leading his followers to the cliff, thinking the leap is glorious. Perhaps many have to scream and swear to be heard, counterproductive as it is. Liberal moderation? We see just how effective the Democrats are being -- hope for the midterms may echo the 2016 debacle. The media just expands the bubble's illusion for change, once again.
Hope may exist on a neighborhood, local, even regional level, though rarely for the poor. But is it enough to sustain our country? Nationalists and populists around the globe suggest the universal trend is toward freezing out the stranger, cleansing their country, and 'electing' the strongman.
So, civility, moderation, and toning it down? Maybe. But as Trump tears apart what America was founded on, bit by bit, and millions cheer him on? Well, f*** him might not work, I get that. But I personally would like to know how to react to him and the millions of red-capped Americans who appear to be ready for eventually turning in their red, white, and blue shirts for brown ones. It's early yet. Oh, yeah -- isn't it always?
3
Frank is truly showing his defeat; if he believes that one actor and one comedian can cause Democrats to lose elections- it is time for Frank to take a long sabbatical. Unless- of course, he's still pining for ways to "win over" the Trump supporters. On a side note; what does Frank say about "The special place in hell" missive by Trump adviser Peter Navarro; think it dissuaded Trump supporters?
5
Frank Bruni, every freedom you enjoy to live your comfy gay corporatist life today was bought and paid for by some marginalized freak who stopped being nice and got real – not your ilk, the manicured professionals who stayed out of the streets, content with their paychecks and the restricted lives they were permitted for not misbehaving. Enjoy your nights out cracking up Megan McCain and her girlfriends while you can. Their less polished leader reveals the future they're lining up for you.
4
Negative emotions are stronger motivators than positive emotions. As Trump might say, "sad". But true. Our nation is running on negative energy right now. If you are a Trump supporter, you "hate" libtards, minorities, foreign countries, Nancy Pelosi, illegal immigrants. If you are a liberal, you "despise" Trump, MAGA rallies, the Freedom Caucus, the NRA, bigots. So it's all negative energy now. If the left assumes a civil posture now, it will take itself out of the game. And, yes, that is "sad".
4
The roster of foul mouthed and insulting Progressive actors and other entertainers is extensive. From late night "cock holster" comments to unfunny comedians holding severed heads, this list goes on and on. Having a mike in their faces, many since childhood, has given these Progressives an undeserved sense that they really have something to say and all the world waits with "bated breath" their next utterance...ie; Rob "Meat Head" Reiner or even better, Robert "Raging Bull" Di Nero.
President Trump will be re-elected in large part due to the unhinged and disgusting insults aimed at all the members of the Trump family.
Keep it up...I'm motivated to MAGA.
2
Anyone ever say Fuck Obama on a televised award show and get a standing ovation? Anyone ever call his daughter a cunt twice on TV and get applause and laughter? These are your compatriots - you, the ones who are always so concerned about "hate speech." Mr Bruni is right and wrong. He's right it'll cost you elections. He's wrong to tell you to stop.
1
I hope all Dems running in November understand that the way to win is to ignore Trump and talk issues. Healthcare, taxes, environment and this administration’s lack of interest in protecting its citizens from corporate interests (chemical companies, for example), and immigration. Jobs that pave the way to a better future (green energy),
But you are wrong to say there are no signs of Nazi-like behavior. Look at the southern border and the private-prison system. Look at the camps being built. Look at children, separated from their parents. We’re already going down the road. Trump has cast immigrants as pariah. You cannot tell me that’s not nazism.
1
The Democrats are crazy Aunt Edna.
When you have Pelosi, who has gone senile and keeps forgetting where she is, Maxine Waters, queen of the corrupt, spewing her racist nonsense, Honest Hillary blaming everyone else for our being deprived of her greatness, the fake Indian and so many others as the face of your party, you have some big hurdles to overcome.
The entire Democrat leadership should be removed - and likely will need to be as we learn more from the IG and others.
1
I understand what Frank Bruin is saying, even the whole Hitler thing. What I would like to ask Mr. Bruno is at what point in 1933 would it have been appropriate to call Hitler a fascist threat to the future if Germany.
2
Thank you Mr. Bruni. Excellent point. Nobody is more infuriated with POTUS than me, but DeNiro did nothing positive for me. On the contrary.
Frankly, I'm quite tired of all these Hollywood types spewing hot air and empty fury while doing a big fat zero/empty/nothing. This narcissistic attitude that says "I know things are bad, but hey, I'm a good guy because I'm mad about it."
What exactly did DeNiro's expletive accomplish? Outside of bringing the spotlight on him. How unlike Hollywood...
The right may not use expletives (though they do) but they demean everything by both their complacency about Trump, enabling, him, and allowing truly egregious acts of behavior to pass as the the new norm. It suits them to pass on Russia because as long as he stays in power, their cruel and heartless agenda can march forward. Well, as Howard Beale said, I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore. Being polite has gotten the left absolutely nothing. Bravo to Mr. DeNiro for not only saying what he said but for not cowing down and apologizing. And yes, Trump has all of the potential to be the next genocidal despot. Don't call him Hitler? Why? To be polite? To win over people who are unable to reason in the first place? Hitler didn't gas the Jews on day one - he needed to systematically erode the values, norms, and traditional governance before he get to that bigger agenda. So far, looks like we are on a path to somewhere bad. Wake up - nothing about the present is normal.
4
Amen!
AMEN!
"Enough with Hitler, too. Has Trump shown fascistic tendencies? Yes. Is he the second coming of the Third Reich? No. Nor are the spineless Republicans who have enabled him Nazi collaborators, not on the evidence of what has and hasn’t happened so far."
I'm sorry Mr. Bruni, but Nazi collaborators is exactly what these people are. They have either collaborated or conspired to hide the collaboration of their leader with a hostile foreign power. They have supported Nazis and white supremacists. They have turned our federal government into their personal cash cow. They are allowing our country to betray its allies and instead forge new alliances with the likes of Russia, China, and North Korea. They routinely ignore the rule of law and they want their leader to be omnipotent.
The German Nazi party was a perversion of humanity. It was an evil which we had thought would never rise again once it had been exposed to the light of day as the evil that it was. And I'm sure that as the Nazis were gaining power in Germany, the reaction of the German people was much the same as yours - that Nazis are probably not that bad.
This is not a political fight. Its a fight for morality. And Robert De Niro can be forgiven for being emotional.
6
How to lose the midterms, corrected:
Take "the high road". Patiently explain to people who are insulting minorities, sexually abusing women, and basically venting their anger for anger's sake, that you are "above that".
When a member of Congress yells to a President Obama "you lie", simply do nothing.
When many thousands of people are chanting "lock her up" like a bunch of Nazis, don't let that get you mad. Above all, act like an adult. When confronted by fake scandals (Benghazi, email, etc) just ignore the insults. It will go away if we act nicer.
This is exactly why President Clinton is in power today.
8
Puerto Rico still in shambles, deadly school shootings every week, children forcibly ripped from the arms of their asylum-seeking parents, voter suppression and disenfranchisement, Russian election interference, selling our public lands to the highest bidder, destroying our public school system, unnecessary trade wars, cozying up to dictators, trash-talking our long-standing allies, etc. etc. etc. The Republicans, lead by a moron (their words), are actively destroying our country from within and toppling our standing in the world.
And liberals get called out for salty language. When your moral compass stops spinning, let me know.
12
Enough with the Hitler comparisons? Meh. Hitler and his cronies were still a work in progress 1935, a year and a half after their ascendency. I’m sure lots of good folks were telling the De Niros of that time to stop being so unreasonable, too.
Enough with trying to appease Trump supporters. Anyone still supporting that vile man at this point is a betrayer of American democracy.
We need to stand up to these repugnant people, not pretend that they’re really just nice folks who can be persuaded with reason. They can’t. They don’t want to be. The only option is to strip them of their outsized power: elect Democrats this November and in 2020, fix gerrymandering, and abolish the electoral college.
7
Isn't there room for both? Don't we need both anger and strategy?
If Bee and De Niro want to curse and F-bomb away, I say whatever. They're big kids and know what they're doing to keep people riled up. There's a need for that. Thankfully, their skills set aren't in running political campaigns.
Mr. Bruni's column seems to imply that this is the whole game. In that regard, I think he's getting bent out of shape about something relatively inconsequential. Nobody likes a scold.
Those in the business of campaigning and governing need to keeping saying why people should vote for their candidate. The election successes that Mr. Bruni points to were pragmatic, engaging and largely divorced from the DNC's tired 20th Century rhetoric of inclusion centerism. They lifted some talking points from progressives, while not getting off into the weeds into the more limited thinking of those who toss off epithets about Trump.
Again, why does it have to be an either/or dynamic?
Isn't there strength in our numbers? The DNC is now refusing Presidential candidates who aren't full party loyalists. That's dumb. That leaves no room for fed-up Republicans.
4
The jury is out as to whether Trump is not really like Hitler. Hitler didn't start out by murdering six million Jews. He began with lies, and Trump is Goebbels redux. Hitler also began with "patriotism" appeals. MAGA? Another step: ICE separating little kids from their parents at the border, pretending the kid is going off for a shower or something, and then taking the kid away. Chris Hayes pointed out the historical parallel. Now Trump is trashing Canada, our best bud forever, and his mindless followers like Kudlow & Navarro are going along. Really, Mr. Bruni, it can't happen here? Not so sure.
3
Frank, this column is terrible.
34% of this country is willing to follow Trump off a cliff. They get behind every last pronouncement, every fascistic move, every bit of racist policy. ICE is going after legal residents and naturalized citizens now in a clear-cut case of ethnic cleansing, and you're over here saying that they aren't the next coming of the Third Reich. How many Germans said the same in 1934, Frank? Did you see that "camp" for kids the government is running? It's got dictator propaganda RIGHT IN FRONT. You're willfully ignoring facts in evidence to scold Democrats for being "unhinged." Why do Democrats have to be the polite ones? Has that EVER worked? EVER? Did going high win in 2016?
I'd ask why you have a job, but let's face it, being supremely mediocre and white guarantees you an Op-Ed slot at the Times.
7
Thank you Frank Bruni for your excellent analysis. This is so painful for many of us. Reading the comments, I have sympathy for your detractors, then I get to someone who agrees with you, saying we have to act like adults. As David Leonhardt reported, we need to connect with those who voted for Obama, then switched to Trump. His base is not all alt right white supremacist. My friends who voted for Trump are learning that he is not all he claims to be.
Defenders of DeNiro miss the point that we should play hard—and smart.
Trump is brilliant at manipulating the media to dominate the evening and morning news cycles. In giving away joint military exercises with South Korea, he kept a campaign promise to his base, outwitting his real opponent: the US press and voting public. He is an above average practitioner of the dark and dirty political arts taught by Roy Cohn.
This is a year where the next election might determine the survival of our democracy as we have known it. "F Trump" might make the speaker and audience feel good, but when played over the airwaves, it strengthens him. Better to yell, He cut taxes for the rich, so the rest of us can pay for this great country on our own, This administration is taking away health care from Americans and damaging the environment. Vote these bullies out of office.. As Bruni reminds us, focus your anger on the issues that hurt the voters in the November Election. Attacking the speaker, is less effective than attacking his ideas.
1
Playing his game by his rules is the antithesis of 'smart.' No, 'his base is not all alt right white supremacist;' I know this to be true because I count most of my family among them, and they are livid with such accusations. They are also *never* going to be swayed by overt display of weakness, and like it or not, this is *exactly* how what you think is smart, mature, and strategic is perceived by those you fool yourself into thinking will be converted with reason. No.
If there was ever a time to show visceral emotion, it is now! Those mysterious Obama voters who became Trump voters, see the dispassionate machinations you promote as suspiciously robotic, like you're trying to hide something - precisely why Hillary did so poorly among them, labeled 'untrustworthy' to this day by many of them, even knowing what an unrepentant liar Trump is. They see him as a 'straight shooter' even in his lies, because he's not trying to be sneaky; utter lack of emotion may seem 'smart,' but it comes across as smarmy and calculating.
3
I disagree. We will never rise to the level of ugliness of trump but I do not believe we must be prim and meek either. Up until this point I don't think trump has ever responded to DeNiro's comments. I don't think it was the F bomb that upset him. It was the standing ovation that upset him. These are New Yorker's. The high society neighbors whose acceptance trump has always craved. I can see him sitting in front of a frozen frame, with pad and pencil, taking names of those in the audience. Where is he going to hobnob when he is no longer president?
2
Vote.
Yes, Mr. Bruni, Trump is not Hitler, and Republicans are not Nazis. But consider this"
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”
-- Joseph Goebbels
4
Mr. Bruni,
I couldn't agree more with your central point. I can only imagine the Republican political ads that will run using comments made by De Niro and Bee, not to mention Hillary Clinton's non-four-letter word, "basket of deplorables" and Bill Maher's hoping for a recession if that's what it will take to bring down the president.
Clearly, responding to Trump in kind is not a winning strategy. Democrats need to focus on policy and providing good alternatives and, most importantly, they need to effectively communicate their message in a sincere effort to persuade a healthy majority of Americans - including some who voted for Trump - that Democrats deserve their votes.
It will take an extraordinary political leader to right your ship of state after Trump and to begin the Herculean effort to bring the country together, as much as that is possible. Indeed, the Augean stables come to mind. And, that is why I believe there is no one better suited for that job than Joe Biden.
3
I recently watched a documentary on Canadian television called "The Charisma of Adolf Hitler". It covered his early political career, his rise within the NSDAP, eventually becoming it's fuhrer, (leader), going on to become Chancellor and eventually, on the death of Hindenburg abolishing the presidency and naming himself "Führer und Reichskanzler".
He accomplished this feat legally with the help of the elected Reichstag. Over the following three years his dynamic personality and inspiring speeches lulled the German people into believing he only had their well being close to his heart and would himself offer any personal sacrifice to enhance the lives of the German people.
I could not help making a comparison between Hitler and Trump and their political methods. Hitler had an abiding hatred of Jews. With Trump it is Muslims and non whites. Hitler extolled the superiority of the German race and insisted Germany was number one among all nations. Trump insists "America First". MAGA etc. Hitler violently suppressed media opposition, Trump shouts "Fake News".
There is more Mr. Bruni but space here will not allow me to continue. It is almost as if Trump had studied the methods of Adolph Hitler and adopted them. (We know that can't be true because unlike Hitler, Trump does not study).
There is more Mr. Bruni but space here will not allow me to continue. It is almost as if Trump had studied the methods of Adolph Hitler and adopted them. (This can't be true. Trump doesn't study).
3
De Niro's rage is just one response in a spectrum - which also includes the more principled and systematic responses that you prescribe. I rather enjoyed and shared his rage. Now let's also get to work.
3
This doesn't matter, and will fade from memory like most things. He said what a lot of us were thinking and it barely registered with me. People should be bothered, angry, and motivated. This isn't the equivalent of "kids knock it off", it's more like that 90's movie "The Good Son".
Both Queen Bee and "You talkin' to me" are marks of impotence. That's all they've got. All that's left after eight years of Obama cultural Marxist stomping and no Hillary. Trump 2020 is a given.
6
"Enough with Hitler, too. Has Trump shown fascistic tendencies? Yes. Is he the second coming of the Third Reich? No."
I'll bet that Germans in the mid-1930s didn't believe Hitler was the first coming of the Third Reich. For me, the fight isn't about flipping the house or senate in November. It isn't about voting Trump out in 2+ years. It's about eliminating a dangerous crackpot who could destroy the world ASAP.
12
Trump is not Hitler. No doubt. You can bet he'd be another Mussolini in a heartbeat though, given the chance. Of that, I have no doubt. Democracy and the rule of law is nothing to him.
7
I sort of get this.But there is a bigger issue: Trump is racist. Not much debate. It's obvious to any fair person he is. Trump is a sexual predator and a pervert. Ditto. Now saying these things, you are going to shut down conversation with and never reach his base. So we should be quiet about the racism and sexism he represents, just to score political points? Blacks, browns and women have a cheerleader in the oval office who says we are not human....and we should all be quiet about his encouraging the worse racists and sexists in America, because it will help us win elections?
7
Not to mention, the perverse destruction of families, the deliberate abuse of children - this is unconscionable. Harming our environment; ditto!
We should be jumping up and down and screaming.
4
erfectly said
But liberals just can’t help themselves, can’t turn the gun away from their own foot.
Democrats are going to get crushed this November. And the overwrought attutude of The New York Times will give Republicans all the ammunition they need
8
I think a lot of Dems expecting a blue wave will be disappointed, but it's early yet.
I do wonder at the claim that those Dem primary winners who are running as moderate centrists are more likely to win.
The DNC had to cheat to defeat wacko, fringy, socialist Bernie. The energy, excitement, and enthusiasm are on the progressive side.
Those pedestrian centrist moderates don't seem likely to drive big turnout of the progressive base.
If the trophies-for-all generation doesn't get the progressive candidates they want, will they just stay home again? I wonder.
Frank, I generally support what you are saying. However, you are seriously and dangerously misjudging both Trump and his capacity to destroy the American state. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that if Trump was a genuine fascist, if he was the second coming of Hitler, the huge swath of the American public that now supports him would be goose-stepping right now. The only thing that has saved the US from this fate is the fact that Trump really is a moron; he has no strong ideological agenda beyond what he feels in his gut and the racial/social attitudes that he brought with him from the 1970s. But that can change. As it is, the Trump presidency and the people in it are almost cartoon caricatures of - yes - evil. A simple example: the decision to allow hunters to shoot bear and wolf cubs in their dens and to lure animals with food is sickening and shows only a level of depravity and cruelty that beggars description. Similarly, the decision to deter migrants by separating parents from children; the constant attacks on healthcare and, by extension, their own base; the concerted attacks on all efforts to control pollution, even going so far as allowing and even encouraging the release of poisons into the environment; as I said, all of this is sick and can only be called evil. Don't underestimate this: there are no limits on what Trump will do. You come far too close to failing to understand this. You will be rudely surprised if you continue to bury your head.
5
After watching DeNiro's rant, this is exactly why Trump gets mindless followers to back him up on every lie and nonsense that comes out of his mouth.
2
The main culprits in stoking reactions to Trump are the media's CONSTANT, full frontal regurgitation of Trump tweets, Trump behavior, Trump Trump Trump. It's bad enough that he and his merry band of racist, xenophobic, homophobic, nationalistic, perverse crew of greedy corporate thieves in this country. Remember issues? Yes, most Americans are sick to death of these creeps, trying to keep the bile at the back of our throats from choking us, the fear, anger, and frustration of it all from driving us over our personal brinks. If a few high profile people say a very few, timely, less polite words to let off steam....who the heck cares?! Don't waste your breath, and our time, writing a whole article about it.
3
"You’re right that Donald Trump is a ....... deeply offensive man," ... but ..."When you answer name-calling with name-calling and tantrums with tantrums, you’re not resisting him. You’re mirroring him. You’re not diminishing him. You’re demeaning yourselves."
Exactly! Well put, Mr. Bruni!
4
V O T E
20.5 weeks
3
Sounds good on surface but very wrong in context of world history, yes Hitler and Mussolini included, but only for specific early political days and not for the ultimate atrocities for which indeed there is no proof or real parallel. Expression is vital regardless of the consequences. Containment and wishful thinking that populist inspired masses can be persuaded by good behavior has been proven wrong time and again, and yes bring in Hitler, Putin or any other totalitarian dictator who squelch criticism.
It was the heated and sometime violent revolts Europe and this country during Vietnam Nam era that brought about change. Change is necessary and fighting fire with fire is not capitulation but a realistic response to counter populist gang ups. Trump supporters love Trump precisely because his he “speaks” like them whereas Democrats are elitist high minded righteous people who fake superiority.
Going high is precisely what populist inspired supporters dislike, yes bring back Hitler and his likes. There is an disturbing disturbing and very sick joke about Jewish victims being lined up to be shot against a wall and when a child looks back in fear, the mother scold him saying, “turn around and behave.”
3
Enough with the Hitler comparisons please! Hitler was disciplined, consistent, painted, and even wrote a book by himself. And, he was evil. Can the temporary occupant of the White House claim any of these attributes? I think not.
1
Thank you
But...but...
The most important thing is to vent outrage conspicuously so that all your fellow 'Progressives' see that you toe the party line! So, for "Central Committee" read, "New York Times," and for "fellow traveler" read, "subscriber."
2
Preach, Frank, preach.
weak...it is better to express your descent.
No, Bruni. There are three types of Trump voters; angry working class ex Democrats, hard core (and often smug) right wingers and bigoted Babbits of the type who can be found all over the country. Two of those three archetypal voters could give a hoot what DeNiro and Bee think or say.
But the angry working class ex Dems get it. They might even think its funny. It's just that hate you and the rest of the New York Times columnists a lot more than they hate Trump. But those are the reachable Trump voters, and once "the Resistance"—and you— come back from your summer vacations in the Berkshires, The Hamptons, the Cape, Martha's Vineyard, the California wine country, or your time shares on some coast or another, you might spare a thought as to . . . why?
5
Bingo. Nuff said.
1
How to lose the midterms and re-elect Trump? Write namby pamby columns about playing nice with President Orangina. Forget that. Going high does not work against the lowest of the low. To scrape out the being created by this clown and his merry band of circus elephants, gotta get your hands dirty.
6
Sometimes vulgarity is the only appropriate response. This is one of those times. I'm so sick of polite Democrats I want to vomit.
6
Appeasement is what got us Trump in the first place.
Appeasement got us Gorsuch and a polluted Supreme Court. Appeasement allowed Hitler to flourish. You don't "appease" lying, racist, moral degenerates. You resist, contain, and get rid of them.
Not only should Trump be impeached, he should be indicted, convicted and thrown in jail (most likely for life).
The Democrats have been "playing nice" since Reagan, and what did it get them? Meanwhile the GOP has been playing hard ball everyday since. What do you call Fox News? It's a relentless 24/7/365 assault.
This isn't some garden party, it's a war. And it should be fought like one. The issues that are dividing this country are no less significant then those that lead to the Civil War. There is a moral battle that's being waged here. And we have to win it. After all, the future and direction of our democracy is at stake. There are no two ways about it., Trump and the GOP are destroying this country and it's greatest institutions, and they need to be stopped. And I don't think trying to cajole Trump's supporters is going to swing one single vote. Not one.
And, for the record, I agree with Robert De Niro 195%.
12
Vote! Vote! Vote! November 6 is D Day, 3D Day. Vote for Decency, vote for Democracy, vote Democratic.
Make November 6, 2018 aka, 3D Day the most crushing, historic turnout ever. This will bring the necessary checks that are critical to our democracy! VOTE – EVERYONE!
5
Mr. Bruni, while agree with the jest of you’re saying, you gotta bring a gun to a gunfight. What did “When they go low, we go high” got us? Hillary campaigning in AZ and TX instead of MI, WI and PA, and this abomination in the White House on the back of just 77,000 votes.
I’m with DeNiro and Bee. Stop obsessing over turning Republicans into Democrats, fire up your own base, and fight with Trumpsters using the language they use and understand. If it is dirty and you don’t like it, remember, they started it by calling all Mexicans rapist and all immigrants animals. (And about a million other things.)
4
It would be a good time for the Confederate states to once again ask to secede.
This time we let them and they take the other Red states with them.
I would have to move but it would be worth it.
2
The constant rage exhibited by the likes of De Niro and Charles Blow - The despicable and disgusting comment by Bee - The plethora of hateful comments made by Tapper, Todd, Acosta, April Ryan et al (including all the columnists at this paper) - With all due respect, the majority of these individuals have been on this rant from the moment Trump was elected and they are looking more and more like inmates at a mental institution throwing fits in straight jackets.
Bill Maher's hope for a recession in order to "get" Trump? How could you possibly show more disdain for the common person?
I honestly think you people are so blinded by hate that you've genuinely lost your senses (you've almost certainly lost your objectivity). And it's not hate for anything other than his style. Or his gender. Or his race. He has done nothing of consequence to deserve the constant barrage of accusations he receives from this paper and the overwhelming majority of commenters daily.
And by the way, if your intent was to get rid of Trump, you've already lost. Your hostilities, your constant hatred, your continued call for his removal with no evidence, the witch hunts... The American people won't stand for such meanness. You'll lose the midterms and you'll lose 2020.
6
@ Arthur Taylor: "He has done nothing of consequence to deserve the constant barrage of accusations he receives from this paper...daily."
1) Trump has lied consistently about things great & small, starting from 20 Jan; 2) he regularly spews nasty, hateful remarks on twitter & during rallies; 3) he brazenly flouts our constitution by enriching himself & family by virtue of his office; 4) he risks our national security with insults & lies directed at U.S. allies; 5) he fosters chaos at home with attacks against our free press & security agencies; 6) he exhibits fascistic tendencies in his demands for loyalty to himself rather than loyalty to uphold our constitution.
I could continue but I hope you get the point.
4
one of the best opinion columns I have ever read
in the ny times.we must cease all of this vile
language towards the first lady, all this idiotic
nonsense about impeachment promulgated
by bored billionaires who never bother to
point out that the voters are nowhere near
ready for that sort of political chaos.
if only Mr.Bruni could convince one of your
other columnists, who shall remain nameless,
(Could Make a Blow up,if I named him)to temper his language, we'd all be better off.
5
If anything, Donald Trump has proved that voters are not swayed by speeches, debates or policy. If that were the case then Hilary would have won- she was clearly the more mature candidate.
Going low wins elections. We should learn that and sling the dirtiest mud we can so that we can use that power for good. The idea that suddenly we'll become Nazis because we used profanity is childish and naive. Cursing, being rude and loud doesn't make you a Nazi. Hating people of other races makes you a Nazi.
6
You don’t fight a junkyard dog with a puppy you fight him with a meaner junkyard dog!
8
Frank. An excellent analysis. When you see both parents screaming at each other, in front of the children, it is no way of solving the problem.
Mr. Trump continues to claim he is the victim. His supporters are watching this. His rhetoric is often provocative and contentious. It does not mean that you have to respond to him in similar manner. When you do that, he wins. By now, people should know that.
As you have rightly stressed, anger and emotion are blind, two elements that do not go well to seek solutions. One's judgment and standards should be better than the other.
People like Mr. De Niro can do better.
3
Thank you Mr. Bruni. You have expressed my thoughts and feelings in a respectful and much needed manner. Hopefully, your advice will be heeded.
I agree w Frank Bruni. I am discouraged at how difficult it is to keep calm and carry on under the Trump onslaught. I want to be kind and open to others' opinions. I feel virtuous and true to my values often. But, I have to admit, I sometime act like a dieter who exercises self-control and makes good choices throughout the day and then binges on Ben and Jerry's at 9 PM. There are no excuses. I am fully responsible for my actions. ...and I didn't anticipate how difficult it would be to stay honorably engaged and gaze at children in what look like kennels.
FB admonishes us not to react like we're fighting EVIL. I wonder sometimes if that is Pollyann'ish. Sometimes I feel I am seeing evil. That said, we all need to own our actions and be the change we want to see in this world.
1
I think most of the electorate, even many that voted for him, are quite sick of Trump.
The next two Federal elections are the Democrats' to lose. But the way things look now, they may well lose it.
I see no viable Democratic candidate for President... Bernie is too old... Hillary is too tainted... Elizabeth is a lightweight... Biden is another lightweight.
And what about policy... Trump won in part because a large number of voters in the midwest and rural areas felt left behind economically and ignored and taken for granted by the political elites in both parties. I have not seen any coherent policy plans from the Democrats to win these people back.
And, while I support the trend towards improviing LGBT rights, I think it takes time to change the minds of 300 million people. Jamming that type of change down their throats is not a recipe for winning elections particularly when there are a lot of people who are angry and frightened about their own economic futures.
1
I don't think DeNiro's rant and the standing ovation will mean much in the long run. On the Hitler point, however, I think your assertion that we are not Germany, Trump is not Hitler, etc., is a little too facile.
Among the many things history tells us, one of the most disturbing is that one series of events often plays out disturbingly like another, even though they may not appear to have much in common. If you haven't yet read Timothy Snyder's review of Benjamin Carter Hett's "The Death of Democracy," a review appearing today in the Times book section, I suggest you do so. Hett's book details the rise of the Nazis and the early period of consolidation of power.
While it is true that the view from the heights of Trump Tower above New York (or more currently from the window's of Air Force One above the Pacific) differ in the particulars of the sights of time and place from the view from the heights of the Eagle's Nest above Berchtesgaden, the particulars don't really matter. In fact, it may not be a similarity in the sights that matter so much as it is the echo of the sounds. Reading Snyder's review suggests there are--and have been for some years--far too many waves of reverberation coming in.
5
Trump supporters are not changing their minds. So let's not focus on them. Instead ask, what will get low frequency Dem voters to the polls this November and in 2020? Speak to what they see that they need. Talk about what control of the House and Senate by Dems will do for them. On screens, in print and most importantly face-to-face, say it with passion and grace. With a huge turn out, we will win regardless of what Trump voters think, feel, and spew.
2
There are many moderate republicans who are no longer republican, as I was, who will vote for a non-Bernie in the general election. It is not a primary where extreme tends to win. Think demoplican or republicrat to get the majority of Americans represented in government.
1
Who really knows what will, or will not get trump reelected?
Here is my approach - Trump is not conservative.
Trump is NOT conservative. And the Republicans under Trump are not conservative either. And here is why real conservatives should reflect and vote Democrat...
- It is not conservative to separate children from their parents.
- It is not conservative to ballon the deficit.
- It is not conservative to deny health care to human beings.
- It is not conservative to raise rent on the poor.
- It is not conservative to profit off of tax payers.
- It is not conservative to treat out greatest allies with disdain.
- It is not conservative to stroke our biggest enemies.
- It's not conservative to start a trade war.
- It's not conservative to lie for corporate profits.
There's NOTHING conservative about Trump or Republican's right now and we NEED some actual conservatism, not these lies.
5
I find it ironic that Trump gets blamed for bringing out the worst in people like DeNiro etc.. The left has been frothing at the mouth for years at any issue that doesn't conform to their standards. While Republicans have stood down in the past, Trump counter-punches and he counter-punches harder. I think what gets under their skin so much as they have met their match in the bully department. And Bruni is correct, it's not a winning election strategy.
2
@ CSL: "While Republicans have stood down in the past..."
Say what?!? Please name one instance in the previous administration when Republicans stood down, as opposed to obstructing President Obama. Just one instance, please. Of course you cannot, for that would have gone against Mitch McConnell's stated Repub goal to make Obama a one-term president.
3
I wish we could stop entertainment celebrities from making political statements . These people are self-centered and egotistic (not unlike Trump) and care more about there own publicity that the cause they are supposed to be promoting. Don't they know that when they speak like Trump, they lower their causes to his level. Remember the one about fighting pigs in the mud. That's what they're doing and dragging the rest of us in the mud as well.
1
That said, it's time for this corrupt, angry, unfit, incompetent president to go. BE A VOTER IN NOVEMBER to move these people out.
2
Anyone who ever dealt with stereotypical bullies as a kid, knows that playing the punching bag is not a long-term winning strategy, no matter how smugly ‘smart’ the target may think this approach is; the kids circled around will not be impressed, nor likely to step in on the victim’s behalf, overcome by the brilliance and maturity displayed.
No, they will laugh, just as most Republicans surely will upon reading this column. Given we have a man-child bully forcing us into the position of dealing with this situation as adults, don’t make the same classic mistake.
You say high road, I see punching bag.
3
The Trump period has done nothing but depoliticize me. I don't identify with anyone in politics today. Bernie, maybe. No one represents me, though, no party, no ideology. I have my entire life urged people to vote, to participate, to take part. I walked my children to the polls when they were growing up so they could see what democratic politics looked like. I always believed that choosing and even fighting for the lesser of evils was profoundly important.
But the election of Trump--the man, Trump--sickened me, literally, and knocked down my supports. Even worse, though, the newspapers and news sources I had loved for all of my life, fell into a monolithic beat of anti-Trump, every issue, all the time. It became OK to say obscene things about Presidents, to twist every headline with a judgment, to slant the entire enterprise toward the Absolute Agenda.
Add to this the theatrical celebrity nonsense that passes for political work and thought, including attacking and ridiculing children, and I am almost finished with it all.
Maybe.
1. On one hand, I agree with you that profanity, hatred, and taking the low road mean becoming our enemy. Part of what we're outraged about is the Republican attitude that it's OK if one's own team does it.
2. On the other hand, I'm not sure that talking about healthcare is sufficient. Frank, you are soft-pedaling what's going on in this piece. For example, it's not about "disregard for diplomatic norms"—it's about the fact that Trump is destroying our world leadership. And the idea that truth no longer matters and that it's perfectly fine to collude with Russia—these are extremely serious matters.
3. So there has to be an additional response possibility—one that is neither crude, hating hysteria nor simply ignoring what's being done to our country. How DO you fight the acceptance of lies? How DO you reinstall a pride in who we are so that we are NOT OK with foreign interference in an election?
THAT (3) will not happen by talking about good details of policy. And THAT is what we need to figure out.
4
I disagree to approach this trainwreck of a President with tolerance and good manners. Frank Bruni's argument sounds an awful lot like Neville Chamberlain...I say, LOUD and clear, reject this President before it's too late.
5
This article goes soft on the disaster in the White House. There are not enough curse words in existence to compare to mothers having their children torn from their arms. What are we doing? being polite. Let the politicians play games. I am not saying immature name calling is working but we have put up with a lot. Bush, then the bashing and obstruction of Obama. No, democrats have been absolute wimps when it comes to standing up to the bully republicans. Have you tried having a logical conversation with a Trump supporter? how about those 8 years of Obama being called a secret Muslim? We need to get angry and use it as energy, creative, not destructive. We are nosediving, don't tell us to keep our voices down and play nice.
6
The Dems need no advice on how to alienate voters & lose elections.
3
Outraged by DeNiro saying out loud what a majority of Americans think every morning when faced with the latest antics of the Trump ‘administration’ but not outraged by the unapologetic racism, vilest misogyny, unending grifting/corruption, daily erosion of our democratic ideals in service to a Foreign Power, embrace of dictators and destruction of ties to Anerica’s Allies through lies and fear mongering.
Keeping things in perspective, DeNiro’s remarks (which I wholeheartedly support) remain unimportant compared to the dumpster fire in the WH. No need to ‘understand’ or sympathize with the delusional cult who support the GOP, the party is now all Trump, all the time. Midterms will be telling.
6
Trump's enabler: Frank Bruni. Progressive Democrat readership of the NYT, meet Looking Glass. Centrist Democratic Party Establishment: Beyond stupid, beyond saving. With friends like the NYT's Frank Bruni, Progressive Democrats don't need enemies. But we already knew that, right? This is just the most recent reminder. For the attentive, they come on a daily basis. Heck of a job, NYT.
5
Thank you!
Frank, Canadians don't vote in US elections.
2
So thousands of republicans screening like banshees to "lock her up" and "Benghazi" deserves no retort? liberals will continue to lose by taking the so called high road. We have to motivate the liberal base with some anger and compassion. I'm sick of being called a snowflake.
8
You are absolutely right Frank: boosting one's own career by grabbing the spotlight and making a cheap shot is juvenile and defeats one's purpose. Michelle O. said "When they go low we go high."
1
On the other hand what does it hurt for two entertainers to speak out the truth in anguish? They are not politicians and it's not strategy as is all the public hateful spewing of the Fox and conservative pro-Trump war machine. It would help if the serious newspapers, including the NYT, would stop pandering to Trump's every move. His lies and corruption should be forcefully in HEADLINES! Until then all liberals and Democrats have their hands tied behind them, blindfolded, before the Conservative firing squad. No wonder De Niro and Bee get sharp! 40 to 50+ % Americans have been successfully shut down by a loud and moneyed minority who do not give a rip about their country's welfare.
4
Alas! I fear that no matter who makes the "better" argument for what path we should follow to rid us of the scourge of Donald Trump and his craven band of enablers and sycophants, he is here to stay. At least for the next two and a half years. Whatever remaining shards of hope I still have that he will be gone before my 73rd birthday, reside in my belief in the young people of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School generation.
4
This week, all week long, I have had the urge to scream. Just start screaming and not stop for a long time. Our president is a lying, despicable pig, ignorant, unread, loves dictators and wants to be one. It appears, with the cowardly Republicans, he already IS one. And that is what makes me want to scream. We have a dictator wannabe and each day, each and every day, he diminishes and weakens our country. We're watching our Constitution being ripped to shreds and we're supposed to just be 'nice'?
I want to scream. And scream and scream and scream until I wake up from this nightmare.
10
Join the club.
1
Vengeance is a dish you eat cold.
I agree that we should constructively bring the nation back to an even keel.
I will be hoping all the while that, concurrently,
a) NO pardon be given Trump, his family and immediate co-conspirators,
b) Appropriate prison time as well as hefty fines for all that crowd so that they can be sent back to start afresh in Brooklyn or even better, Transylvania.
In other words, a vertiginous Fall from gold-plated Grace, worthy of the history books!
1
I agree with the author on all points.
Passivity never won a race, and so Mr. Bruni's advice is less than helpful if we want to rid the White House of the incompetent nincompoop occupying the office of the President. We need the fiery inspiration of famous individuals in our celebrity-obsessed culture--so thank you Mr. DeNiro.
6
Mr. Bruni, thank you for reminding us not to get emotional about Trumps handling of America.
Your advice came in the nick of time because I was about to get emotional like Robert Dinero.
I’m not exactly sure why he was losing his cool but I was about to lose mine about the children and babies being ripped from the arms of mothers and fathers who thought they had found salvation in America but now could hear their children screaming through the detention center walls.
Yeah, I get it. Things need to be done and sometimes it hurts to do the right thing without letting emotions get the best of you.
Maybe there’s some kind of gas ICE could use to keep the noise down. Laughing gas?
5
Aww, come on. Give the man a break. It's his birthday!
1
Couldn't agree more. "It's the economy, stupid." Right now Trump is set up to win re-election. All the screeds are merely preaching to an element that will not change the course of events. A different strategy is needed to remove the buffoon-in-chief.
There are times when “being nice” leads only to the death of decency.
Frank, it might be helpful for you to remember that if the screaming, brick-hurling drag queens at Stonewall and the cursing, near-violent, St. Patrick’s demonstrations of Act Up had followed your advice and chosen to be civil, measured and mild mannered, you might well be living today deep in a closet of second citizenship instead of openly and with influence at the NY Times; free to marry the man of your dreams.
We are in a war for basic freedom and human dignity where no conversation or polite speech can reach the near half of America who refuses to listen to anything but the drums of hatred and ignorance. So play the good boy if you must and knock quietly at the hard-locked door of TrumpWorld. It will get you nowhere, but not to worry, for as with Stonewall, you will benefit from those of us who, in refusing to go quietly into the darkness, chose dynamite over manners.
4
This should be required reading for all NYT editorial page columnists.
1
I stopped watching anything to do with entertainers with a speech platform because I knew what they were going to say a week ago. I deleted my Twitter account. I don't care to hear the profanity, engage with trolls, bots or other nasty personalties with too much time on their keyboards.
I don't think I am alone by silent protesting my way back to civil discourse. We elected Trump, we deserve his nastiness to a certain degree. But I am sure his way in not the way to greatness unless one love cesspools.
After our Constitutional crisis is over I'll start worrying about "Core Principles".
We have a lunatic in the White House who is completely unchecked by Congress and in another year or two unchecked by the Courts and Justice.
This has generally been a centrist country that has always leaned right or left on the margin. Core principles of Patriotism and the future of our democratic republic and the entire world are at risk.
The country is in grave danger. This vote is about President Trump. He needs to be checked and removed ASAP. His base is going to vote. If the rest of the public doesn't get off their backsides and vote because the Democrats haven't clearly articulated core principles, the country is lost.
3
Thank you Frank.
How to lose the midterms? Sorry I kinda thought that being unbiased, or at least open minded, was part of the job of an editorial writer. I will say that at least the more left wing politicians are talking policy instead of I hate Trump, and my opponent is a racist bigot because he thinks that race should not matter and only the individual, not groups should be considered.
1
I don’t understand why Comedy Central personalities have to bring vulgarity into their routines. They would be equally or even more effective if they were more civil and appropriate in their commentary. Generally the points that they make are logical and stand on fact. “F-bombs” and other socially inappropriate words only turn people off and mask the validity of their arguments.
1
Don't get mad, get even! Show up at the polls, vote, help candidates by volunteering for candidates who maybe not in your district, in your state and last but not least donate what you can to NRDC, DCCC, DSCC, and the DGA.
Don't stoop to their level.....
3
Bruni' is correct that a winning platform requires taking the high ground. That said, it also requires a focus on issues that resonate with enough Americans. Right now Democrats are struggling with what amounts to an Herbal Tea Party, recent local election platforms notwithstanding, in that in many respects, the path to victory means moderation on many issues that Trump has surfaced but addressed inappropriately. So it's not about social justice or climate change, it's about immigration without conflating the legal and illegal kinds, but with compassion and without separating families as a deterrent, a policy as UnAmerican as they come. It's about safe borders but not about considering Amnesty for victims of domestic abuse, a considerable "stretch" from the purpose of the law behind this path for coming to the US. It's about the continuing fall in labor force participation, not about whether Obama or Trump is responsible for the strength of our economy. It's about being measured with the deployment of troops overseas, not about being the champion of democratic values, it's about a level playing field when it comes to trade but not about alienating allies or partners. It is about recognizing that relevant skills matter and college alone is not the answer to global competitiveness. It's about healthcare, acknowledging that since the ACA addressed coverage but not cost, premiums have shot up for millions of Americans. Victory will require moderation in both tone and on issues.
1
Going high isn't going to convert a single, rabid Tea Party member. Not one. But it is incumbent upon us to point out that the "new normal" isn't normal at all, in the hopes that swing voters (as many as there are left, anyway) may be convinced to vote for sanity, or possibly just not vote at all.
America - you don't have a "most people want good governance" problem. The majority of voters nation-wide voted for a Democratic president. You have an electoral college problem, and until that is addressed in no uncertain terms, very few states and very few voters have the ultimate say in who is elected president.
8
<i>" The majority of voters nation-wide voted for a Democratic president. "</i>
Clinton had an 8.2 million vote margin in a narrow band of 52 coastal counties and five “county equivalent” cities stretching from San Diego to Seattle and Northern Virginia to Boston. Clinton received 70% of the 18.4 million votes cast in these 52 coastal counties, and Trump received only 25% of the vote in these counties. The remaining 5 percent went to other candidates.
Trump won 3,084 of the 3,141 counties or county equivalents in Flyover country This resulted in a popular vote margin of 7.5 million votes or a 51% to 44% victory over Clinton.
A majority of voters in Calioregonington and North Eastcostia, "Voted for a Democratic president" - NOT nationwide.
Be civil in your civil disobedience? When opposing vicious animals? The Chump in Chief is making US all look like chumps. He should have been impeached as soon as he was elected. The sooner he is impeached, the sooner we can get on with impeaching Pence too. Foul language for foul times.
5
Thank you for this article, Mr Bruni. While watching the Tony Awards from my living room in GA, I couldn't help but think that De Niro played right into the hands of conservatives, And it wasn's just De Niro's words - when he received a standing ovation, well, that felt like another nail in the coffin of our efforts down here to turn GA blue. I get that he was playing to his audience and I'm sure he's more popular than ever with his own tribe now, but the rest of the country was also watching, and he didn't do us any favors.
2
The frustrations of De Niro and Bee are understandable (but not necessarily the best route to take as per this opinion piece). I have noticed Samantha Bee's show has turned angry as the months have gone by. What was originally clever and funny takes on decisions and acts by this administration have been replaced by much angrier rhetoric. In the past, the issues brought forth by shows, like the Daily Show or Colbert Report, seemed to make an impression and persuade to a certain extent the general populace on the absurdity of politics. However, this administration has blurred too many lines and erased objectivity to the point where humor and reasonable discussions are no longer applicable. This is a major problem, with no easy solutions.
Trump won in 2016 less because of 60 million angry white voters who are pining for last century and more because of all the apathetic voters who didn't want Hillary, or Bernie, but thought Trump would never win — what sane individual would choose an ignorant, unintelligent, angry narcissist for president. Lesson learned.
Making hateful remarks about someone who acts and speaks like a banana republic dictator isn't going to bother Trump supporters. They have already demonstrated that moral and ethical values are irrelevant to them, and a psychologically deviant president is not a problem.
What we need is angry voters who want this presidential fraud and those who support him in congress removed. Our democracy and adherence to rule of law and to process have sustained us for well over two centuries, but the incompetent-in-chief is not interested, preferring authoritarianism of any and all kinds. Angry voters can dump Trump.
Eclectic Pragmatism — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
2
Samantha Bee is not a candidate or a Democratic strategist, but a comedian. She used a vulgarity in the context of a segment on our policy of separating children from their parents at the border. It may not be a good overall political strategy, but there are occasions when outrage is the only morally acceptable response.
5
I write as a Trump supporter, generally speaking. I am not part of the so-called "base". Low energy Jeb was my original choice. But even Trump was preferable to what the Democrats were offering. Not into identity politics, I'm all for helping the poor and working people. I believe in a generous safety net. I am now registered Independent, but consider myself a JFK Democrat. Don't believe in hassling anybody, not straight, or gay, or trans. But not getting hassled doesn't mean you get a parade. I believe marriage is one man, one woman. So did Obama and Clinton in 2008, until they "evolved". Economics is central to people's day to day life. And national security. Bathroom wars are silliness. Honesty should be paramount. Don't call it reproductive freedom, it's abortion. Don't call it marriage equality, it's same-sex marriage. No reason for word games, that just makes people suspicious. And please don't conflate legal immigrants with illegal immigrants, that scoffs at people who waited on line. Got some Vietnamese friends who waited about 5 years. Came in the front door, not the back window at 2 in the morning. Hey modern Democrats, find someone with a narrative helping the poor and working people, credible on security, a dollop of charisma, and put identity nonsense on the back burner along with undermining the culture. I would welcome a sensible Democrat contrast with Trump, but don't see it.
6
How would you feel about Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee in 2020?
The Democratic Party needs to promote a better path for this nation and the many people who feel they have been forgotten and left behind. I grew up in the industrial Midwest on a farm. My father was a Teamster and did daily runs hauling steel. Most everyone who wanted a job could get it right after high school in one of those manufacturing firms. Too many of those firms and jobs are gone.
When I go back to that part of the Midwest I see a place that looks depressed in too many areas. The people who live there are many of the voters who switched from Obama to voting for Trump as he spoke to the connected issues of "free" trade and jobs going overseas or south of the border. Trump gave them the sense he understood their situation and that he would do something about it. I did not believe that message.
The Democrats need to promote the idea of "fair" trade. Trump's approach on trade is misdirected against our allies. We do need to take on China for its unfair trade practices.
We need a full manufacturing sector. We can not depend on China to provide the steel needed for our military. We need to provide vocational paths for young people who do not want to take the college route and end up with enormous debt. Some want to work with their hands and minds in manufacturing. Germany has good vocational training and a high value manufacturing sector.
We need a New Deal again focusing on infrastructure.
4
Trump has been there for over a year. He makes a lot of noise.
DeNiro , basically, told him to shut the hell up. I don't see anything wrong with that. Will it work? Who knows?
We keep giving the microphone to Trump and keep writing
about everything he says in the newspaper. DeNiro isn't running for any office. He is just an ordinary citizen with his own microphone and he used it.
8
"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore." I'm with Howard Beale. Never forget how the Right vilified the Obamas, including their children. Going high is a nice concept, but it doesn't win elections. Speaking of winning elections, when are the Corporate Dems going to get off their butts and find a microphone? Schumer? Pelosi? Where are you?
5
No doubt the tedious work to ameliorate the real problems that gave rise to Trump lacks the immediate gratification of assailing him and his supporters. Guess which is likely to be more effective and, in the long run, better for the country.
4
When they went low we went high - AND HILLARY LOST. Trump supporters still yell "Lock her up" at their rallies. Maybe it is time to go low like they do. Apparently this kind of language is all that the braindead Trump supporter can understand. And, frankly, I am getting tired of kissing their you know whats when they are doing NOTHING to understand ME. We noTrumpers ARE smarter. We are more educated. We ARE more attuned with facts and the well-being of this country. And there are MORE of us than there are of them. Remember, Hillary got 3 million more votes. Let us act like it. And if the Trump supporter doesn't like it well they can also take Robert DeNiro's advice.
6
Spread this column far and wide. Well said, Mr. Bruni. Living in a conservative heartland, so to speak, I can tell people the bombastic approach - instead of cool measured exposition - only repels people you might be able to speak to.
1
If the "bombastic approach... only repels people," who voted for the President?
You lost me. Trump supporters are not offended by Trump's demeaning comments, by support for dictators, by ripping apart families at the border, by enriching himself through his public office -- but they are offended by a swearing outburst by a Trump opponent and that kind of thing could cost the Democrats the mid-term and presidential elections? If that's the case, there's no hope for this country.
7
Frank Bruni you are so right. There is so much to be done that we cannot waste time fighting over the results of a lying vicious president. As we are distracted he and the lobbyists are busy destroying our Democracy.
I cry for my country, I cry for our humanity. I cry for the refugees and migrants who are being so abused. We are better than this. "For I was a stranger and you took me in". At times in our history we actually did this, not often , but it is what we need to do now.
There is so much to be done that we don't have time to wallow in Trump's Swamp. We need to get a positive and true campaign going. I would like to see "Build Forward Together" or some positive and moving slogan rather than Ä Better Deal " which I find offensive.
Let's Go!
Bravo. All DeNiro did was guarantee that I will never buy another ticket to a movie of his ever again (even Bad Grandpa 2).
1
Bruni is just hoping for another few years of Trump so his columns will write themselves. Honestly, politics is not policy. Frankly, only a couple percent of the electorate can actually parse out good policy from bad let alone separate the tide from their own boat. You can wonk out all you want, but unless you charm/fool them first and get their votes, you are not going to get to implement anything. Any Chicagoan knows that Obama was mostly misunderstood (mostly based on personal interpretations of "hope" and "change") by almost everyone outside Illinois who voted for or against him and certainly by the pundits who either lionized or attacked him. However, yes, he got the job and it had consequences. Lesson being, no, don't focus on policy until you have the job. Focus on getting elected.
So yes, emotion is actually the bigger part of it. Now, negative emotions can only get you so far (albeit pretty far) so you need something positive to rally round too to win. So if a candidate wants to attack Trump and stir up the troops, they should go ahead but might want to embed it in a promise that by emasculating him and his minions, his loss will be our win. Bottom line, while donations may be driven by policy, turn-out depends on passion. If you can't get people to vote, doesn't matter whether you are right or wrong.
Couldn't agree more, and having personally gone through a similar experience at my local level, I can vouch for a fact that meeting rage with more rage is a sure-fire way to alienate people against you even if (or all the more so when) you are right. The only way forward is to isolate those who show their ugliness and let them hang themselves (figuratively) with their own words and deeds.
1
Those of us who are not life-long Democrats but consider ourselves moderates are unlikely to be swayed by profanity or the "insights" of entertainers, nor by the tweeting of POTUS. That said, when an anti-vaccine ignoramus like Di Niro comes out against Trump and receives a standing ovation, knowing Di Niro's own views imperil public health and safety, it strongly suggests that the general opposition to POTUS is grounded in ignorance.
3
I seem to recall a Republican lineup of candidates who attempted to do exactly what you suggest. Hilary may have been flawed, but she also did as you suggest here. The Schumer-Pelosi 'Better Deal' is all about policy and nothing about hating Trump. Much of our anger is more frustration about how reason, honesty, and virtue seem to count for little with those supporting Trump. Winning the Midterms does need to tone down the anti-Trump venom, but some of this emotion gets people who normally don't vote to vote. Rather than trying to reason with the Trump supporters to pull them away, we need to get the 30%+ who are young and rarely vote to the polls.
4
The strongest argument in 2018 - one that has enormous traction with the Left and the Center - is that we need control this chaotic, feckless, and mean presidency by having a Democratic Congress to place checks on Trump
This Trumpist GOP is woefully unwilling, unable and ill-equipped to do so.
I don't think upbraiding people who are not running for office as if they were is useful. As Joshua from Queens notes, Mr. Bruni, you're erecting a strawman. And feeding, to some degree, the portrayal of this election as a culture war.
De Niro and Bee are comedians. They are speaking truth to power.
Talk about the Democratic candidates if you want to make points about their approach.
5
Good intentions, wrong argument. Mr Bruni is saying we should not promote the left wing of the Democratic party, but the centrist Clinton wing, because they are more 'reasonable.' What they presently are is to the right of Reagan, wimps, not trust-worthy, not inspiring, who sold out their principles (for less!) to corporations long time ago. That is not a good platform to bring the energized base to vote, and it never was. everyone is better than Trump. everyone is better than Pence. that does not make the "reasonable" Democrats good. what do they stand for? what is the Democratic national platform for November and beyond? play nice and watch your manners? really???
2
I'm starting to believe that when "Trump" is not 8 out of 10 or more trending top stories in the NY Times, then we have a chance for some normalcy. This guy is a diversion, what should be a side-show. Let's spend time working to restore power in congress, and bring back some limits on the executive branch.
Can we all take some responsibility for what we've got ourselves into? You don't have to own it all, just recognize that you do live and work here and contribute to the good as well as the not so good. Not going so far as "acceptance", but rather non-denial, well perhaps, non-hate. Let's not self-destruct.
ps. OK, have at it haters
1
Reminds me of Bill Maher's New Rules the other night. "Conservatives govern without shame, liberals shame without governing." "In ten years the tea party won the congress and the White House, we stopped Trip Advisor from advertising on the Laura Ingraham Show."
I see lots of people asking if the dems have a message beyond raising taxes and impeaching trump. Of course they do. But it's not getting through the noise of mocking Trump and his family. We better get it together soon or we'll never get rid of Trump.
3
Mr. Rogers said, "angry feelings are real feelings". I feel just like Robert and I can laugh a dance an hour later.
2
I think Mr. Bruni is right. For Democrats, the trick to avoiding another November surprise is to hang on to their supporters and to convince the uncommitted that they are effective and mature. It isn't that a few profanities are as bad as the horrors this administration has already committed; that kind of accountancy is pointless. But they do suggest a loss of control and direction. Yes, the Democrats will again have to be the adults in the room. Get used to it. Trumpism will not end with Trump.
On the other hand, look how far name calling and inciting speech has gotten Trump.
4
While I agree that our energy could be better spent than ranting and swearing a la Robert De Niro, what troubles me more is the nice, very analytical balanced people I see struggling mightily to fit Donald Trump and his supporters into some normal context. If they just listen to the complaints of his supporters, somehow we'll find a way to talk to them. That ship has sailed. Whatever excuses Trump supporters give themselves, or we give them, Trump supporters were okay with a racist, misogynistic bully in the White House. I don't hate them, I don't want to go door-to-door and get in their face, I just want to elect leaders who will go back to protecting the whole citizenry from corporate takeover and the destruction of the rights of large swaths of the people in this country. All the nice people struggling to find a way to compromise if Trump supporters may not want to deal with the idea that perhaps nothing will change until large numbers of us stand in the Washington Mall and refuse to move until this current cowardly Congress takes some action to restrain this dangerous man and his authoritarian enablers.
2
I think that if Democrats starting attacking the politicians, and not the supporters they will go a lot further. Listen to the attacks out there. Republicans attack the politicians and the policies of the Democrats, the Democrats attack both. Each side has that one to five percent wackos. On the whole, most of the supporters on each side are just average citizens wanting to get ahead in life.
1
I think Mr. Bruni offers excellent advice. Focus on the Democratic candidates and platform and less on Trump and his party. And let the focus on Trump and party be about what people care about or should: attacks on social systems for the poor and middle class, expensive tax breaks for the super wealthy, and the destruction and selling off of Americas pristine parks, land and shorelines and endangerment of wildlife.
Most Americans don't care about Russia, Trump's sexual past or personality. They want to focus on the good in life and government, and are weary of crass and crude partisan fighting. There is plenty of underreported good from the democratic party, and equally underreported bad from the GOP. Focus on that to create a blue wave in November.
1
Because "maturity, pragmatism and plain old smarts" won the day in 2016? Is that what propelled the neo-confederate to victory in the Virginia Senate primary? Civility is not a policy position.
You're buoyed by centrist democrats prevailing? Those of the same ideology who, to date, have been content to leave gaping holes in the ICE/Border Patrol bureaucracy that has allowed the current administration to put children in concentration camps? Because these people are nicer than the ones who want to abolish ICE? I used to be a big fan of yours, Mr. Bruni, but your rhetoric is exactly what allows dangerous people to remain in power.
2
Good advice that will be ignored by actors, accepted by smart politicians and viewed warily by ever-more-cynical voters. I, for one, shall continue to wince at the din.
1
Really, Frank? Who's Robert DeNiro going to convert? The independents? If voters of all stripes by now, save Trump's base, haven't figured out that we're on the precipice and need drastic change, then there really is no saving us. An actor's artless exclamation won't change that.
1
Trump revulsion eloquently and civilly expressed SHOULD occur. But - and I doubt this will happen - centrists must prevail in the Democratic party to gain committed voters. Most of us can't stand Bernie Sanders. Abortion, immigration - compromises must be made. Obama was tough on immigration, and I don't recall liberals discussing it. The Times' stories on immigration were mild and matter of fact - there is hypocrisy there, notwithstanding Trump's much different immigration policy and what he wants. Still, we must compromise. The other side are fellow Americans and they have opinions and rights too.
Sometimes catharsis helps us from not going crazy and not being able to vote because we're locked away in a mental institution. The Republican Party is robbed of dignity that the members are afraid to stand up to the man in charge. The former Democrat who is now leading the party.
Frank,
With all due respect, you have your head up your kiester (there, feel better?). There are times when shouting is appropriate. When DeNiro and Bee use those terms they are trying to wake people up. THESE ARE NOT NORMAL TIMES. By focusing on the language for the wake up rather than the need to respond to the crisis we face, you only play into the hands of those who are complicit in trying to destroy our democracy.
I think you should write a column applauding Samantha Bee, Robert DeNiro and Michelle Wolf for having the courage to speak out forcefully if unconventionally. They are patriots, acting appropriately when they see our democratic heritage endangered. I bet some colonists found Nathan Hale's comment "Give me liberty or give me death! " a bit over the top..
5
I refuse to believe that the majority of Americans will vote to continue this corrupt, venal administration -- as enabled by a recumbent Congress -- when we have the chance to fix it.
Minor stories about excessive comments by celebrities won't define the vote. But media stories focusing not on the wave, but on the riptide, will have an effect.
No matter what happens, history will not look kindly on the Trump Administration. It will reflect badly on all of us.
Democrats have been playing the "we'll be the adults in the room" game for several years now with less to show for it than Republicans. I'm not suggesting that cursing Trump is the answer, but we should acknowledge that ideas and manners aren't going to win elections. People either don't care about facts, knowledge and societal norms, or they are too ignorant to know the difference. A little of both, I suspect. I do think there is some value in keeping our base energized.
1
Nice try, Frank but Democrats need more Charles Barkleys, Bob DeNiros and Samantha Bees, not more Frank Brunis.
8
People don’t want to hear what deNiro or his fellow actors think. Every time they open their mouthes, they exacerbate the divide.
The people of America, mostly outside of the largest cities, are deeply patriotic, and as our history has shown, they endure deprivation and hard times, believing in a better future, and in spite of the economic hiccups along the way, we have been steadily heading in the right direction.
Trump is seen by most as a necessary wildcard, turning the adage "fools rush in where angels fear to tread" into "avenging angels rush in, where fools dare not tread".
That same pioneer attitude built the nation we have today, and while much has not been fair, no one can ignore the reality that, one of our core beliefs, which we see in action, is a firm belief in fairness.
As is typical on the planet, there are those who seek to impose their will on others, driven by avarice, and while it may take some time, fairness wins.
Trumps unconventional methods, typical, and much admired, in the real estate industry, and not endearing by any measure, have all the earmarks for a successful outcome.
Shaking hands with devilish individuals does not imply approval, and often is the secret ingredient in a very appetizing dish.
My optimism with respect to success in bringing North Korea in from the cold, is built on the belief, in some particular instances, that the end justifys the means, consequently I see a similar Iranian deal playing out, with key agreement before the midterms.
This is why the Democratic Party will still be lost in their wilderness all the way through Trumps second term.
2
Look, Trump is grandstanding on pretty much everything. He's a boor and a goofball. Feed him what his ego wants to consume and he goes about his day "kinging" and making America great again.
The alternative is a most effective and disciplined Pence who would be a disaster for the ages. He is smart, measured, strategic, and respected by all his colleagues on the right. Pence is also clearly a ultra right-wing christian conservative theocrat who would create persistent negative impacts on the social norms our nation has struggled to achieve over many generations.
Trump is better than Pence any day only because he is ineffective by comparison and makes self-inflicted wounds to himself and his political party. Get past his disgusting nature, his shocking attitude and behavior and just let Trump be Trump. If he really does go over the top to the point our nation is imperiled, then there can be no question the Republican congress will can him because...ready for it...5-6-7-8: They Want Pence!
2
Wow! A psychological and a common sense approach suggested to be used in tandem. It has a great chance of being an effective messaging tool.
BUT, will the venomous hatred and spite in Horrorwood allow that script to be read?
2
Comments here are depressing. Even those that basically agree that reacting with name calling cannot seem to do so. The hate and mockery in the comments go far beyond trump. Most attacking anyone that has voted Republican or may vote rep. Or, anyone thad disagrees with a moderate approach to policy making. De niro and bee succeeded in nothing. They were as bad or worse than trump. But the continued approach to condemning your neighbors is outrageous. I don't hear the same vitriol from the right. Listen to yourselves?!
1
Kenny Rogers sang a song called "The Coward of the County", about a boy (later a man) who always turned the other cheek to increasingly terrible bullying. He did this to honor his imprisoned father's dying wish for him "not to do the things I've done, walk away from trouble if you can". Unfortunately, most saw this as cowardice.
Eventually, the bullying escalates to the point that his main bullies, three brothers, decide to gang up and assault his girlfriend (who loves him exactly because he always walks away from trouble).
He goes to the bar where the brothers are and confronts them; they do their usual bluster to the laughter of everyone else, and he turns away, as usual. Except this time, instead of leaving, he locks the front door of the bar, shocking everyone into silence ("you could've heard a pin drop when he stopped and locked the door"). He has 20 years of rage to vent on the brothers, and he does so.
People like the Obamas always want to go high, because they care deeply about their fellow humans. But when needing to confront those who couldn't care less about their fellow humans (like the brothers in the song), there comes a time when you just can't do it.
4
Not to mention the ridiculous Mueller investigation. You have to be a loony conspiracy theorist at this point to believe that Trump had anything to do with the Russians.
No, the CIA didn't kill Kennedy. No, the moon landings weren't faked. No, Obama wasn't born in Kenya. And no, Trump didn't work with the Russians.
1
Democrats need to be the party of reason but that does not mean they need to be weak or rush to point out the positives in any republican action. They have to firmly present the arguments for their approach with intelligence and most important strength of character. Let them be the racist adolescent bullies. Let them try to rationalize the first president to who has made multiple millions based on his position of power and prestige.
But most of all, do not show weakness. like any predator the president has a nose for blood in the water.
1
Wow, is this a tired (and consistently "losing") argument! By all means, Democrats, continue to suppress your outrage at the systematic destruction of our freedoms by the moral affront that is Trump and the GOP. Gentility has worked just fine for the Dems before, right? And Merrick Garland now sits in the Supreme Court, right? Nonsense. Every day millions of us are aghast at the Democratic leadership's lack of passion and fight; their sense of "wait and see."
Expletives are a natural and justifiable expression of our unimaginable frustration and anger at the Gestapo-like separation of mother and child and the caging of children at the border; at the baffling absence of Democratic leaders at press conferences, sit-ins, leading demonstrations, etc.; at the "mainstream" media's 24/7 obsessive coverage of all things Trump (it helped elect him in 2016 and it may help get him a 2nd term).
I couldn't disagree with Mr. Bruni more. Expletives and the righteous anger they vent will not ruin our chances in the midterms, but gentility and restraint just might do it (remember President Obama's restraint after discovering the Russians were tampering with our elections?). Curse away folks, it shows you care!!
4
It's par for the course for DeNiro to have an angry public outburst once in a while, especially when he's been this angry about Trump. It doesn't make him a bad person, or an irrational decision maker. He's a pretty dramatic guy. Those awards shows are long, and if a bunch of actors and producers feel they need to stand and applaud something, they probably should get up and stretch their legs anyway (fear of blood clots), and by the way, maybe we shouldn't care so much what actors and producers do, since most of us don't know them and no one watches awards shows anyway. The important thing is, we must STAND AND VOTE in every election. If we can just make sure that happens, we can all clap our hearts out when we win back some good common sense leadership for this country.
1
Sure, it's always better to remain calm in the face of deranged, right-wing hysteria, especially if you have to interact with nutcases on a daily basis, as many of us have to in Texas. We Democrats have to watch our tongues here in an open-carry state full of kooks with guns. You never know when someone is going to yank out his perfectly legal gun & shoot you for getting angry at whatever stupid thing he did. Having a lot of guns is a good way to keep Democrats scared of expressing opinions. Look at what happens to political figures who try to defy the racists and goons in our society: John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Maryin Luther King, Jr. We've seen the political assassinations. We watched the FBI infiltrate left-wing political groups and discredit them for being violent. We are aware now that the far right will go to any extreme to gain and keep power. Their lies, distortions, and control of a large portion of American media are allowing them to brainwash many Americans. But we Democrats should keep silent, because they might think we peaceable, anti-gun, anti-war, anti-violence folks are meanies, bullying the poor president who can't stand up for himself.
There is a time and a place for dignity. But it sounds as if your're saying that we have no right to be angry that far-right extremists want to destroy what is good about this country. They separate children from their parents and incarcerate them, for Pete's sake! And you're telling us we shouldn't be angry about that?
5
Agreed; The dark side feeds off hate, anger and fear.
R.D. made them stronger.
It's a negative feedback loop to the bottom.
Thank you for this, Frank. I too voted for Trump only reluctantly, as the crooked Hillary was the obvious abomination, and have since been pleasantly surprised by the Presidents many wins both domestically and internationally. I didn't vote for a saint, but for the chief executive, and he has been delivering ever since. However, I am open to switching vote to the Democrat party, if it stops applauding the crazies in its mist. I do not recall any such republican reaction to Obama: no republican celebrity cursed him on National TV as the Democrat Party apparatchiks cheer in the audience. Tone it down, democrat party, stop being disgraceful sore losers.
This is part of the reason that so many of us no longer even try to engage the "other side". Along with denying science, facts and anything else so many just don't want to hear, there is this selective memory which attempts to paint the "crazies in its mist" as, well, crazy BECAUSE of the selective memory of crazies.
"No republican celebrity cursed him on National TV...."
Ted Nugent
Roseanne Barr
Sean Hannity
many other too numerous to mention who kept on and on and ON about the birther nonsense, Obama's race, etc., etc.
Selective memory.
5
I understand your caution here Frank. But let me pose a real world scenario for you and tell me how you would handle it. If one of your colleagues at the NYT were insulting you daily, to your face, actively undermining you at work, taking steps to not only get you fired and take your job but to also shift the journalistic standards of the NYT toward those of Breitbart, and your repeated complaints to management were met with either silence or a shrug, what exactly would you do to avoid allowing this person to prevail against you?
6
I agree wholeheartedly with all of this save one line. "And do so in a vocabulary that’s measured, not hysterical. Enough with 'idiot' and 'moron'”.
I genuinely feel that a large part of the reason we are in this position to begin with is coddling stupid people. Allowing their inflated egos to demand equal consideration of their half-baked opinions and "alternative facts". When someone is a moron, calling them that isn't "hysterical". It may not be politically correct, but that's a different discussion. Besides, when it comes to Trump supporters, who often talk about how much they love "telling it like it is", what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Stupid people should know that they are stupid, so that they can work on becoming less so. It's absurd to do anything else. That's like if we were discussing obesity and your advice was to never to use the word "fat" to describe someone. Context and delivery matter, of course, you don't have to be cruel to be honest.
Aside from that, all of this is solid advice. We simply have to go high, even as it gets harder to do so.
4
Bruni is correct that Trump resisters should not lose their cool and explode in outrage but Bruni also appears to be underestimating the threat that Trump is to our democracy.
Instead of yelling profanities there should be a million people protesting in Washington every day.
2
I agree we should be out fighting the egregious wrongs these people are perpetrating on children, the sick,the old, the poor. It should be like the 60s where all Congress and Trump hear is "hey, hey ho, ho Trump and you have to go". We should be like the Tea Party having rallies everyday, not big matches but continuous protests.
There is only one way to defeat Trump.
Take away his oxygen that is free press coverage. Ignore all White House briefings, his tweets, his appearances. After all that's what you do to an intellectual and moral inferior who wants to engage in a debate. Ignore him.
Focus instead on real world leaders.
For example, after calling our Canada's president as "weak," how about the front page devoted to Trudeau? Complete with interviews, photos, and an Op-Ed. This would make Trump's head explode.
Compared to the rest of American voters, the number of Trump's base is still in the minority. It's just that amplifying his message of hate, bigotry, and ignorance attracts more converts into his deplorable cause. I've never met a person who follows Trump on tweeter and yet, day in and day out, the networks and the press amplifies his moronic and ignorant ideas.
So the next time he throws the press a bone, ignore him.
3
There is something wrong with Democrat’s strategies. The evidence is clear, right wing extremists are in control when their support comes from 30% of the electorate. Democrats are terrible salesmen and women in selling their message. Not sure where the fault is, but something is wrong. Blaming outbursts like Mr. DeNiro’s is micromanaging the issue, when his voice is articulating an emotion the majority of Americans are feeling.
2
When opinion writers dress up Mark Twain as current wisdom we are in trouble
1
I would never compare that man with Hitler because he isn’t. But I live in the South among people who love him (that man, and sometimes since Charlottesville I think Hitler). To maintain decorum etc I don’t talk publicly about my views unless the person is a known liberal.
People in the bubble have the luxury to talk about how they will never talk to a supporter—of the first person. I don’t have that luxury.
So I cheered when DeNiro spoke the other night.
All in all I would rather focus on policy. But when people tell me that peaceful protesters are horrible people etc., my NY comes out big time. They talk about how we don’t honor their heritage. My heritage is the one that Tony Shaloub spoke of—and yes DeNiro and Samantha Bee.
2
People are frustrated and full of rage. I applaud DeNiro et al for not being afraid to say what they are feeling and I applaud their profanity. We have a president and an administration who stoop so low as to take kids from their parents and put them in cages. If that's not profane then I don't know what is. I say fight fire with fire.
4
By letting Trump goad you to the point that you are ranting and raving back at him (tempting as it is!) is to cede way too much power to him.
2
Register now and vote in November. You can vote as mean and profanely as you like. Every time you vote from now on remember what the GOP did to our country with this president.
2
The Tony's were last Sunday. Samantha Bee made her remarks about Ivanka Trump at the end of May. Hasn't anything happened in recent days that would make a more compelling and newsworthy hook for a political column?
1
Oh please. Yes that's just what we need from mainstream media now, please be polite and don't call out the evil you see. You cherrypick elections of "centrist" Democrats completely ignoring all the progressives & women who have been elected in special elections or won their primaries. And I wish you would tell me what the "acceptable" analogy when we watch this administration grab babies and children from the arms of their parents who have come here seeking safety and asylum. Enough with the moral platitudes, we are watching our democracy and democratic values being destroyed in front of our eyes. Not to mention Sessions now changing the rules for asylum. But by all means lets keep it polite because those Trump voters the Times is so enamored of might have their delicate sensibilities disturbed by some celebrity truth telling. Give us a break.
3
couldn't agree more...
1
yes yes and yes Frank.
As we stagger into an uncertain future, make no mistake that there's a playbook for fascists. It includes a steady denigration of norms that have a tipping point, after which civil discourse is illusory and ineffectual and more and more citizens sign on for the ride. We are approaching that point. Try and recall the handwringing of German citizenry about how they never imagined what Hitler was becoming, and how one by one their neighbors traded principle for a seat on the dictator train. Robert De Niro reminded us that there is no accommodation, no half measure that will stem the blood-dimmed tide.
3
Your whole comment contradicts itself. You bemoan the breaking of norms and then celebrate their breaking.
Agree, agree, agree. Be your best. Let them be their worst.
Rule 1 of good communications. Never wear or say anything that will detract from your message.
1
Right on, but mostly the Dems just need to start looking forward with a positive message and forget all these screaming meanies most of whom are over the hill anyway and just trying to make themselves relevant.
The misplaced rhetoric in this article is a huge part of the reason Trump was elected in the first place. People are tired of moralistic lecturing and a steady diet of Milquetoast! Get it? You also equate Mr. De Niro and Ms. Bee with candidates running for election. To my knowledge neither one is running for office. As those of us who live in the west know all too well, sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. And there is one hell of a fire burning across the country right now. Thank you to Mr. De Niro and Ms. Bee for helping us fight a blaze that was ignited by Team Clinton and their elitist pandering. Mr. Bruni, you might do well to spend a few weeks at fire fighting school. We've got a fire line to dig.
I was a registered Republican for 40 years, along the George Will mold. Like Mr. Will, I couldn't stomach Trumpism with its racism, hatred and ignorance of real issues, like free trade (remember that concept?). I switched to the Dems in time to vote in NJ's June primary. I could no longer stand the stench of Republicanism, and how it sold its soul to gain and hold power, anymore.
I, like Mr. Bruni, hope there's something positive in today's Democratic party. What's its primary message? I don't know. But when I see a film clip of JFK exhorting Americans to be great and to be of service, I want to weep for what we've lost. JFK delivered a message that moved a whole generation.
If Dems can do no more than mock Trump, we have swallowed his bait, hook, line and sinker. If we don't embrace the center, both politically and geographically (let's ban the derogatory term fly-over states!), we face an extra four years of insanity and destruction.
The Democrats used to be seen as the working man's friend. How the hell did we lose that to a self-centered, money-grubbing billionaire?
The GOP stayed very angry against Obama and the Dems and won.
Elections are won, not by convincing the mythical undecided voter, but by exciting the base to come out and vote.
1
The things worth fighting for come with a price.
Speaking out frees the spirit.
4
I'm sending this to all my fellow Democrat family and friends. I was dismayed at DeNiro's antics, but lack the ability to articulate my feelings. Thank you, Mr. Bruni. I could not agree with you more.
3
A couple of cursing celebrities is not going to lose an election for any Democratic candidate.
What will lose elections for Democratic candidates is refusing to have a platform that puts the needs of workers above the needs of billionaires.
Trump beat all of the establishment candidates in the last election. There is no demand in this country for those that hide in the establishment center trying not to promise anything to anyone. Even if you win doing that, you have no mandate to get anything done, once elected.
If Democrats continue with the same move-to-the-right strategy that has lost them 2/3 of all elections for decades, Republicans will keep control of congress, and Trump will get re-elected.
Please try something different.
5
Many years ago Miss Manners pointed out that one should never respond to bad manners with bad manners. It still holds.
2
27% of all eligible voters voted for Trump. He received 62,979,636 out of a possible 235,248,00 eligible voters. 45% of the voters did not vote. So, the number one issue is to get more people to pay attention and vote.
In the longer term, gerrymandering should be outlawed, voter suppression must stop, voting should occur on a national holiday, fines should be levied for people that don't vote, Citizens United must be overturned and public financing of elections should be written into law.
15
I forgot to mention that the Electoral College must be eliminated.
1
One option is to force your opponent to play your game. Another option is to beat your opponent at his game. One does not preclude the other and if you can do both it should increase your prospects exponentially.
3
Good piece!! I’ve felt this way for a while.
4
Thanks for writing this. Agree wholeheartedly. Can't really understand why DeNiro chose this approach, except that he probably knows forty-five personally and understands how insecure he is around actual successful actors. Nonetheless, it plays right into forty-five's agenda of getting folks riled up about "elites."
6
Another liberal advocating the high road. This is why I identify as Progressive rather than Liberal. To quote my dad (who's much more Progressive than I am) you don't follow the Marquis of Queensbury rules in a street fight.
There is no high road.
Like it or not, Trump's rhetoric works. And the Dems have proven time and time again that the [non-existent] high road doesn't go anywhere.
11
I am never one to take a Republican's advice on how Democrats should conduct themselves in political campaigns.
They seldom, if ever, have our party's best interests at heart. Blunt-spokenness, and with great emphasis, may be a useful tactic for Democrats to employ this time 'round. It would fall under the heading of "fighting fire with fire."
One thing we Democrats have had some difficulty doing in the recent past is capturing the public's attention, as this little brouhaha certainly has done. Policy facts do not rivet an audience.
3
The key to winning is turning out Democratic constituencies there are a number of what was the Republican party who realize that the only to save the party is to vote for Democrats. But the reality is that Trump has more Republican support than any other Republican president, so how do you appeal to that? Hillary won by 3 million votes and another 3 million democrats stayed home, that will not be the result this time. By running to the middle the Democrats are taking advantage that the Trump party, by and large, are nominating mini Trumps. Given the likely hood that Kennedy will overturn political gerrymandering this summer plus the fact that Mueller's investigation will probably release its report in fall, plus the fact that the single thing the Republicans have accomplished, the tax cuts, is nothing burger I am thinking we are looking a Democratic house. I don't want Trump impeached, I want him at the top of the ticket in 2020, when the Republican will be defending most of the Senate seats.
3
Trump is the tip of the pyramid. He draws attention to himself. Who then follows what his cabinet members do, what the Republicans in the Senate and House do or don't do, and the qualifications and beliefs of the massive number of federal judges recently appointed to vacancies kept open for years. Even this article and all of the two thousand plus comments play into the winning strategy for a certain group of people who have wanted and worked for specific changes for decades. Now, they are getting those changes while the world focuses on the continual drama displayed by all sorts of people on both sides of any issue. I fully expect the Democrats to again self destruct, as the purest branch stands up for its principles and refuses to vote for anyone who doesn't agree 100 percent with them, while the more moderate fail to explain issues well like possible end of Medicare etc. to the vast majority who do not read and may not even understand the three branch of government operating independently idea of the US Constitution. Many people love Trump because he does what they do on a smaller scale or would like to do. He is brash, he says what he thinks, he calls people he doesn't like names, he wears expensive clothes and has had beautiful wives plus others. They see him as standing up for Truth as he belts out whatever he wants to say or tweet at a given moment. Maybe this is the way our schools have trained our citizens to think. Drama only distracts further.
Trump is a great president. I hope he wins the Nobel for his peaceful negotiations with an emerging nuclear power. I'm loving the fantastic economy, the low unemployment, the lower taxes, and lower regulation. I hope he wins in 2020.
3
The problem isn't the expression of justified anger we hear from some in the spotlight. The problem is that the media covers this disproportionately so that the other overriding messages are lost. What is largely a struggle to win back our nation ends up looking like a pie fight. This happened to Hillary. We rarely heard her exciting policy ideas. But the one time she said "deplorables" was magnified forever. I call on the media to stop courting readership with the worst they can find and lead the way to letting us know about the real choices we have. Social media may be out of control. Print and broadcast news is our last hope.
10
I’ll add to these many posts that, political correctness is Trump’s friend, Frank. I’m not going to wring my hands over what De Niro, Bee, et. al. say. Nor am I going to worry with guilt that they’ll turn people to Trump.
You’ve played into Trump’s hands by attacking those who attack Trump. This why people liked Trump: Trump could use those insults to effect because they dovetailed with the fake story that this nation had failed before Trump’s inauguration. It’s all a show, but he has many believers, stoked by Fox News, Twitter, and other Right Wing propaganda organs.
And I’ll agree with you that this is not Hitler, to the extent that some Jews in ‘30’s Germany remarked that Hitler wouldn’t be all that bad. Is a lesser degree of fascism okay? I’m just asking. Maybe it is, but not for me.
Truth to be told, the way we conduct political “discourse” is stacked against you. People can’t read, and Twitter is the medium of the day. It’s perfect for a fascistic Trump.
So Trump has successfully sewn discord into the Democratic Party, aided by articles like this one that you write, and political correctness that engenders guilt.
But yes, a clear Democratic platform is valuable. De Niro and Bee are not political theoreticians; they emoted what many feel, which is on the other side of your argument. Some *liked* what they said. So your attack on De Niro and Bee could actually serve to deter people from the party, just as you worry that tough talk will deter people.
13
This is right on. It is important to work hard and quietly to make the changes needed to right the ship of state. There is no point in providing the opposition with camera-ready red flags.
2
That we should give so much weight to the tribal rantings of people who live by creating fantasy says more about us than them. Can we tell the difference anymore between what is real and what is artificial?
1
Sometimes anger is only anger. And sometimes we need it. I thank DeNiro for expressing for us all how angry and frustrated we are. The Dems lost a lot of us when they betrayed the working and middle classes of ALL races and ethnicities in favor of the new demographic identity group they thought would help them, illegal immigrants. (Notice I didn't say 'immigrants,' because immigrants aren't the problem, only illegal immigrants.) I don't think the Democratic Party elite have a clue how much this issue has hurt them.
5
I know several people who are recent immigrants who did it the legal and proper way and they were completely put off by the identity politics. Until the Dems realize that this is a legitimate issue they will get nowhere.
Actually, Mr. Bruni, the ill-tempered rants by a few leftist non-politicians are not going to cause the Democrats to lose in 2020. What may cost them in 2020 are the same themes that cost them the 2016 election - and that is the Democrat obsession with "white privilege", "patriarchy", and the supposed rampant police brutality in minority communities. Those issues may resonate in faculty lounges everywhere but not so much with some white guy in Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Michigan who's trying to support his family driving a UPS truck - and being constantly told that he's the root of all evils afflicting the country.
3
@ John J: "...the supposed rampant police brutality in minority communities."
There's no reason a working class white guy can't support the idea that police officers conduct themselves in poor communities the same way they conduct themselves in affluent ones. All minorities want this. But it is "white privilege" that too often interferes with the practice of even-handed policing.
2
I really get the point that Bruni is making here. The only way I think Democrats can lose this time is just not showing up to vote. And don't think it can happen because it did in the last election. A large group of people that voted for Obama did not show up to vote for Hillary Clinton. If we keep behaving like that we hand it back to the Republicans once again.
3
Maybe we can look to our past. After President Richard Nixon used the levers of power to go after his enemies, after he resigned in disgrace, and after President Ford announced that our long national nightmare was over; the next presidential election saw us elect Jimmy Carter, Now, whatever you may think about President Jimmy Carter's policies; he was an honest, honorable, plainspoken man. The pendulum swung completely opposite to Richard Nixon.
But first-things-first....Nov. 6th, 2018 will see us have the ability to at least legislatively stop Donald Trump. If on Nov. 7th, the Republicans still control all the levers of government, then the long historical democratic experiment called the "United States of America " will cease to exist as we know it. We have 5 months to decide what country we are and what we will become. VOTE! like our countries survival depends on it..... because it actually does.
8
Spot on Marc.
1
What you say makes sense, Mr. Bruni. But it's awfully hard to do. When Donald Trump does such terrible things openly in public, it's difficult to slowly let the air out of your anger balloon. You want to pop it. You want to shake people and make them also see.
I realize that this is similar to striking a child in anger, rather that quietly and lovingly administering whatever corrective action fits the circumstances, but Trump is so offensive that it's hard to react with restraint. Your point is well made, however, and I, for one, will try to do better.
See: RevolutionOfReason.com
TheRogueRevolutionist.com
1
If you were standing before me at this moment, I would hug you, Frank Bruni. Thank you for your words of true wisdom and common sense. I needed to hear them today as I’m on my way to visit a dear friend of 50 years who thinks Trump is a tool of God for reasons dear to her heart. I promised myself we would not discuss politics but if it happens, I’ll keep your column in mind to restrain my feelings of scorn and anger for this “tool.”
3
The schism that separates Trump supporters from the rest of us has essentially existed much longer than the United State of America as a political entity. Slave holders were here before the revolution of the 18th century, and loyalists, or Tories, were supporters of the King during the war. Don't believe fairy tales that civility will win over the hearts of racists, authoritarians, and other groups who have latched on to this fraud as their standard bearer. While it is critically important for candidates to have clear goals and messages other than the obvious invectives, it is even more important to energize the base and the fence sitters. Most importantly, the abuse of power, the illegal treatment of asylum seekers (separation from children, etc.) and endless lies and policy blunders domestically and internationally, must be kept front and center. This is a war, not a tea dance.
5
I’m frankly sick of getting angry about Donald Trump. For two reasons: 1) It makes me feel awful all the time. 2) I know that angry, furious, rageful, etc is exactly how Donald Trump and his supporters want me to feel. And I hate the thought of giving in to anything that makes him or his followers happy.
I have read trolling comments in a thousand places online, and I know many Trump supporters LOVE it when I - a liberal, a person who prides herself on thinking and reasoning rather than knee-jerk reflexes - prove I am nothing but a reflex, knee-jerk liberal when it comes to Trump and his so-called policies.
Those of us who grew up in the 60s and bought into the zeitgeist were accused by our elders of adopting a philosophy of “If it feels good, do it.” We didn’t think that’s what we were doing; there was much more to our rebellion than that, but truth be told, our motives were probably one part crushing the old order and three parts feeling so good while while doing it.
DiNiro’s and Bee’s comments and other furious responses to Trump et al emerge, I’m pretty sure, from reason, compassion, honesty, and openness but somewhere along the way are overtaken and swallowed up by the fact that it “feels good” to scream obscenities at absurdity elevated to the tenth power. It was adrenalin that pulled that Tony audience out of their seats, because it felt so good to have someone voice their anger. But how many Trump supporters do you think changed their minds in that moment?
Less than zero.
I agree with what Frank is saying to a point. But GEMLI, as usual, captures exactly how I feel. Man, I tell you I would love to live on the same block he does, but I digress. We need to go out and vote in November. We are down to 145 days. We need to get rid of the swamp in Congress. Their approval rating hovers around 17%, Trump's around 40%. See where the problem lies.
So yes, swear all you want about Trump. He's gotta go, but so does Congress.
2
On the other hand, Bee and DeNiro’s statements are quite cathartic!
3
Many Democrats also get what you are saying about supposed “maturity, pragmatism and plain old smarts,” but at some point, the question must be raised: what do you have to show for all of your self-congratulatory patience and ‘smarts?’ More like self-delusion, being played very adeptly by the very forces you claim to be taking down with your deliberate cleverness. Just maybe, you are doing exactly what Trump *wants* you to do – not much, remain passive, defensive (and I don’t mean as in lashing out, but rather back on your heels, reeling from the onslaught), and reactive (you claim to be acting independent of Trump… by telling us not to overreact to Trump, I see). This all reeks too much of falling victim to his control, while assuaging your own conscious inability to accept this outcome by convincing yourself that indeed, you are instead playing him – all part of a long-term strategy, right? Sigh. I believe you severely over-estimate how positively your ‘maturity’ will be perceived by conservative; not smart, but weak (like all liberals, according to Trump, and the proof is in the pudding).
We have identical goals, you and I, but completely different perspectives regarding how to achieve them. I am reminded of the cheesy 70s song, “One Tin Soldier.” The ‘valley people’ were not impressed by the maturity, sincerity, and magnanimity of the ‘mountain people,’ who all ended up dead. The stuck to the high road though, right? I’m no mountain person.
1
There are a considerable number of fanatics and thugs at both extremes of the political spectrum that respond to the hysterics of the likes of Trump and De Niro. Meanwhile, the majority of the electorate tends to move in the direction they perceive to be in their best interest. These are the ones the Democrats must appeal to as calm, rational, and decent adults.
2
I used to share your beliefs, Frank. But the fact is vitriol won the day for Trump. Trump's tactics worked. And the Republicans' unreasonable name-calling and vitriol have worked for years. How many unreasonable congressional hearings hauled Hillary up to the Hill so she could be drilled on her emails??? Republicans go low over and over again (Willie Horton, Swift Boating, Lock-Her-Up) and they win. Republicans peddle falsehoods and lies and they continue winning. Although I see no reason for expletive language, I do see reason for passion. The Republicans are passionate about their beliefs and they win. Over and over again. The Democrats are muted. And they lose. Trump dares to call the NFL players unpatriotic because they 'take a knee,' yet not one Democrat dares to call Trump unpatriotic for the myriad of ways he compromises and sells out this country. Isn't this form of 'reasonable' silence a form of appeasement?
7
We are in need of ways and methods to counteract this horrible administration and all that work the administration is doing to destroy the good work successfully completed.
Frank Bruni makes valid points as to avoidance of dropping to their "level".
Nonetheless I thought what was missing from Bruni are the appropriate actions to take in lieu of those "low level actions" that Bruni identified and criticized.
So Frank, we have to object with aplomb? That will work every time for the meek and fearful at heart but some good old anger and meaningful resolve are required to fight back against the Trump voters who are clearly blind to the future under this questionable leader..
6
"you’re not resisting him. You’re mirroring him" there is a sense of irony in it, however, I regretfully disagree, in self-defense, when you infused in inescapable assault, you not only mirror it to fight back, you have to fight back stronger. You either subsume to the structure and rules controlled by the enemy, or you fight it back and destroy the evil. I see no problem with the public display of emotion. There is no left or right label, he acted reasonable and humane in a context calls for actions. I am glad he did and he did well. Emotion without action is something need to be warned, but also need to recognize emotion is the first step.
1
Bruni rightly criticizes the coarseness of our political speech. However, when he asserts "voters don’t hear your arguments or the facts, which are on your side" he is more right than he realizes. The second way Democrats can lose the midterms is by reverting to their old playbook in which the 12-point plan with statistics and facts are trotted out. I can already see it in the way they're unfolding their new health care talking points. The new alt-right will do no such thing. They understand what Democrats do not: voters do not vote based on facts and statistics. They vote based on instincts, emotions, and a vague sense of whether one or the other seems to be able to get something done. Clinton lost because she was completely out of touch. I had no idea what she stood for other than being one of the elite Davos types that promulgated the virtues of globalization that would trickle down to the rest of us down here on Earth. Trump's a con artist of course and he told people what they wanted to hear. But he won. He connected with enough voters on an instinctual level to cause them to trust him despite his serious flaws. So Hollywood and Bernie supporters have exactly what they wanted: a clown in the White House and their righteous indignation intact.
1
Who hates donald more: the big dollar New York celebrities and actors, or the rich, 5-star Hollywood group?
I agree with you 100%. More harm than good is done when anyone stoops to Trump’s level. “When they go low, we go high” is the best course to take
1
Of course Frank is right that it's unhelpful to act out the worst excesses and cliches of your affinity group. On the other hand, I am thoroughly tired of being told I have to be kind to bigots. I'm done begging this dunces to vote their own interests. Perhaps a couple of years without any government support will be just the tonic they need.
3
This verbal display of anger received a standing ovation in NYC, not exactly a bastion of Trump support. Consider the same displays of anger in the living rooms of Trump believers watching it on television across the country. They were probably shouting out the same profanity. The civil war of words long began before last Sunday. The question is how and when will it ever end?
1
Are the Tonys that popular? LOL
Its kind of difficult arguing with people who don't want to hear the facts and think our free press is an oppressive deep state.Yes! I agree, the excessive emotional outbursts of expletives helps little but the frustrations of arguing with a cult like believer is also pointless!
5
I live in a world of Trump voters, most are nice people and need the same things as most of my non Trump friends.
So if you want to attract the trump voter you must be sensible and present rational arguments for your points of view.
There are some trump voters who are worshipers of trump and no amount of argument will sway them from their savior.
Leave them be and concentrate on people who are at least rational and open for discussions.
And at all times present yourself as a professional and not raving lunatic
7
"And at all times present yourself as a professional and not raving lunatic."
How, then, did Trump sway your Trump supporting friends in the first place?
1
"So if you want to attract the Trump voter you must be sensible and and present rational arguments for your point of view."
Sorry, Billy Bob, but the fact that these people voted for the President in the first place completely invalidates your argument.
1
This is wishful thinking. It really doesn't matter what we say, the far right goons will continue to spout their hateful and dishonest rhetoric. Don't you think they are giggling at this column right now?
I still prefer to live my life by Mrs. Obama's "when they go low, we go high" and eventually, we will win. Good triumphs hate in the end.
Go to the polls and vote.
4
Part of the reason for spewing is that no argument or genuine facts will sway his true believers. Like the man said about 5th Avenue...
3
"You’re right that Donald Trump is a dangerous and deeply offensive man, and that restraining and containing him are urgent business." – I'm sorry, Mr. Bruni, but have you maybe considered watching some news lately? This "dangerous" and seemingly unrestrained man is bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula as we speak. Wouldn't it be a little bit more professional of you to keep up-to-date with current events and restraining yourself from offending a man by relying solely on your emotions and 'I-wish-it-were-true' attitude? This kind of behavior is what defines 'post-truth,' by the way, and you, Sir, are thus responsible for spreading post-truthfulness. Way to go for an honest columnist indeed.
My Asperger leaning daughter has known how to deal with bullies like Trump since childhood. She calls them out for what they are doing rather than reacting to what they say. Democrats, Canadians, etc. need to say so Trump supporters can hear, Trump is doing this ugly thing because of his problem. What really is needed is X.
2
Yes.
In fact Dems need to focus on the races at hand, and the issues aside from Trump, and especially in defining the GOP and its forever program, untax the uppers, take from the lowers, especially as to Health Care, Social Security, Labor Law.
It does not help that media heads act like lords high inquisitors (and, hey, do we really love the idea that metaphorical stones can be piled someone until they will "cooperate" with lord high prosecutors, I thought this system and its costs was a big problem Dem folk were out to reform... loving the evil when it helps you "win" is not grabbling any high ground. It's just a fight about the pork ladle)...just the facts, please, we'll decide what we think .
The problem is Dems are getting painted into their own corner. Yelling Impeach the Traitor gets big contributions. Stormy Daniels... maybe the C crowd digs it, but this stuff hasn't moved the needle in or since the campaign. Russia? Looks more like that was made up in the spin room (and cost T MILLIONS of votes, too---as compared will any alleged Russian cyber help) as the influence of Likud and the Gulf Princes seem to have had more practical affect. The dog whistles that attract some identities repel others, and that works for both main parties. The "woman's time" thing does lead to (white, but other) male backlash, after all.
Pick a few big common denominator issues. Stick to. Repeat.
Win
Is it too much to ask that Democrats tell us if they’re going to run as Socialists or Machine-beholding corporatists?
We all know that 'you catch a fly with honey, not vinegar'. It is a fact that Trump is unhinged and 'an ever present danger' to our country.
However, unless the Democrats can take a moderate, positive stand with their OWN, better plans for the country, while thoughtfully discussing the egregious actions of Trump, it will be difficult to win over the vast majority of non-committed voters of the US citizens.
Spot on, as usual. When Hilary used the "basket of deplorables" comment and Obama used "clinging to their bibles and their guns" they lost the battle. ANTIFA is counter-productive and only energizes the extreme part of the right.
Stay on the high road, pepper the airwaves with the facts and back them up. Repeat.
They are fighting a population that only can stay focused for a sound bite of twitter blast, or what can fit on a bumper sticker. Keep it simple, truthful, and don't resort to the name calling and vitriol. Hopefully there will be time for that once the Republicans lose, though they already have b/c they are no longer Republicans, just Trumpians...
Well perhaps we should all just quietly take a knee during the national anthem. I'm the right wing wouldn't have any problem with that, right?
2
I was always taught that if you have to stoop to profanity in your argument, you have conceded that you have lost it. Both detractors and supporters of Mr. Trump, or any other cause for that matter, should consider this.
5
The Republican strategy to bald-face lie is making us crazy. The propaganda. The lies. There is no such thing as an alternative fact. There is only one truth we can try to approach, but it is sometimes quite complex. That's why these liars so admire Putin and Kim, such successful liars.
3
That Trump is president is a shameful and dangerous thing, not only for this country but for the world..e.g the thousands of unarmed Palestinians who were shot and the dozens murdered due directly to trumps actions. If Trump remains president, if he is reelected, it will not be because of DeNiro or Bee. It will be because government of the people, by the people, for the people has perished from the earth.
2
Take a cue from our Prime Minister and how he did not reflexively respond in kind to Trump's uncalled for and insulting Twiiter barrage last weekend...
1
While I agree with the column 100%, point for point, I just can't do it.
This situation has been building since Obama became president, when the Republicans vowed to do everything in their power to see the first black president fail.
10 years later, an overtly racist Republican president enjoys an 85% approval rating among Republican voters.
This is disgusting and unacceptable in a modern democratic society. I am beyond livid, and totally embarrassed to be an American. I don't want to "reach out" to these voters. I don't want to understand them. If I'm really honest about my feelings, I don't even want to be in the same country as they are.
I know that is a terrible thing to say. That is the real travesty here: Trump's hatred is so infectious. It taints everyone and everything, including me. Sadly, I don't think this hatred Trump has brought into the open will subside until he is removed from office.
1
Seems to me an eye for an eye Matt 5:38 and Gandhi's and soon the whole world is blind applies. Crudeness for crudeness and soon we're all like him. Guns for guns and soon we're all dead. There is a better way. And we Americans know it. We've lived a better way.
1
Bruni imagines far right could be even more devoted, vicious. That's appeasement thinking. The cultists are gone, they left democracy.
Our Resistance is constantly pummeled into despair, leading to feeling helpless. This is a front in the worldwide war on democracy.
I applaud DeNiro and Bee, all those who speak out, with any strong language. It's our counter-propaganda, our morale boost. John Cusack also speaks plainly, with force, to the fascist power that stole, is now dismantling, our government.
All must speak out, build community. ALL MUST VOTE.
1
I'm not sure why this did not post. Once more unto the breech...
I think my experience described here is an example in proof of Mr Bruni's point.
A couple days ago I was wondering about HRC's campaign and why she did not bring up facts about El Trumpo's feckless business abilities, the multiple bankruptcy's, the many many contractors he ripped off, use of illegal immigrant labor he paid in Vodka, or any of the rest of the public information that showed him to be the pathetic feckless and dangerously unthinking man we all now see he is.
Then I thought about what she campaigned on and the only thing I could come up with was the "deplorables" remark. I literally cannot remember anything else she said during the campaign. Other things I recall are Madeline Albright disparaging women who supported Bernie as only doing it for the boys, The "Bernie Bro" trope .....
Anyway if she had campaigned honestly which means talking about what she was going to do with specifics and pointing out the truth about El Trumpo she would probably have won. Instead she chose to appeal to negative emotionalism and got burned. That is the danger of using fire as a tool to fight fire, it can turn back and consume you in a moment without warning.
Seriously did she forget she had to represent those deplorable people or what?! The mind boggles. Her failure of judgment in that one remark, belies the intelligence her biography says was at one point in that mind.
4
Indeed, words are powerful, we must choose them carefully.
2
Next Mr. Bruni is going to tell us that reasoned and rational debate was the reason slavery was ended in the US. Or maybe like Obama, he'll concoct a story about how the Constitution provided the means for dealing with problems like slavery. Right after that, I'll bet we get a visit from the tooth fairy.
1
Great short read:
"How to Stop Trump" by Robert Reich
http://robertreich.org/post/173400442680
2
Thank you, Paula -- the DNC and any Dem in office or any considering running for office should read this!
when pondering an exit strategy for Trump, don't make it about him, focus on what he's doing/not doing. it's not about him and it never has been.
consider this - trump has no idea what he's doing but boy is he good at it.
5
The argument that ANYBPDY is gong to win over Trump supporters, aka the CULT OF TRUMP, is mistaken.. They are not the audience that we need to address.
We need to address and convince those who (amazingly) are UNDECIDED. It is hard to imagine how anyone can be that uniformed, but there are plenty of them out there.
Those people need to be approached by saying that the Republicans do not WANT to govern, do not KNO HOW to govern, but want the poisitions anyway, They are the most "do nothing" Congress since about 1948. The are accomplishing nothing.
The Republicans are just lap dogs for Donald Trump, and THEY ADMIT IT.
I think the argument needs to be made that we should elect people who will do what the Constitution requires, which is perform oversight of the Executive Branch. Only the Democrats will do that.
Get registered. on November 6, 2018 VOTE a straight Democratic ticket.
6
The timing of my reading your article could not have been better. It comes on the heels of your President taking aim at our Prime Minister (who spoke out against the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by the US at the G7). Every word from the mouths of our government leaders are measured, thoughtful, firm, yet polite. I'm sure privately they are screaming in to pillows at night and pulling their hair out by day, but never display their anger in public.
I am a big fan of Stephen Colbert. Last night he had Anthony Scaramucci and Michael Avenatti on his show, and it was cringe-worthy for me. Colbert's show is now all Trump all the time, and he showed us last night how very anxious he is to get anyone to make sense of this Presidency to him. It's one thing to throw out the laughs on Trump and quite another to reveal your outrage, especially to “The Mooch”. It's time for Colbert to pull it back on both fronts, it's just fruitless.
While I understand the utter frustration so many in the US are feeling, it is up to your voters to right this ship and show up at the polls. It is pretty obvious that Trump's base will not be moved, so perhaps it's time to take the anger and turn it in action and get those who oppose this government to cast their ballot against it.
Here in Canada we are both bewildered and worried as we watch your country slipping away from us and the rest of the world.
5
Charles Blow does a fine job of expressing anger in a respectful adult manner. Using obscenities shows a lack of creativity and intellectual depth. While "feckless" is a word Christopher Hitchens might have employed, he would surely have found a more descriptive and accurate noun to go with it.
2
Show the truth, say the truth. There is no high road. Every single day, while we focus on North Korea, Stormy Daniels, Michael Cohen, Sarah "Huckster" Huckabee's propagandizing press conferences, Melania Trump, the Trump Administration and the GOP are chipping away at every right we have in this country. No one in the GOP is standing up against this vile President, except those leaving office. It is frightening to watch all of this. Men and Women who were once at least half-willing to reach across the aisle, are in blind lockstep with their "leader." We move closer and closer to a fascist state. There is no high road when it comes to human rights. People are killing themselves at our borders in our name. Publish that, take video and photos of everything this administration is eroding from our constitutional and human rights to the environment. Report the truth, not speculation, opinion, ideas- report what is happening. Report facts. Publish photos of the people who count, not Kim and Trump. We need a revolution in the streets, the papers, in the voting booths, in our institutions, and yes, Robert De Niro, "______ Trump."
5
Fortunately, watching the Tony awards is even less popular than re-runs of Gillian’s Island. This too shall pass into the black hole that is America’s Donald Trump experience.
3
Frank, thank you!!!!!
Really eloquent, Robert. And a great idea: sink to his level, so that he can play to his base.
Better to say nothing at all, and be thought the fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
2
Not to mention opinion writers, as we saw in yesterday’s NYT, who can’t seem to keep their commentary political, instead taking pot shots at the president’s physical appearance. At our peril, we forget Michelle Obama’s statement, “When they go low, we go high.” I expect The NYTimes and it’s opinion writers to go high.
2
I get " when they go low we go high" in theory. But Clinton lost respect when she did not round on Trump when he stalked her during the debate. Obama lost respect when he did not call out the representative who yelled "Liar" during his first address to the nation. Some equal taking the high road as weakness, and for that reason we dems/liberals are losing the war.
I am sincerely afraid of the future. We do not control any of the 3 branches, and the fringe who admire this thug Trump can turn this country into something unrecognizable and brutal. So lets stop trying to pretend we can win folks back by being nice. Instead, untrumpers should realize the stakes involved and stop inter fighting. Forget high ground. claw back ANY ground
1
Hillary went high, and they stole the election from her. If now isn't the time for a little rage and spleen, when is? Nobody likes a bloodless technocrat wimp and nobody follows a leader who doesn't know how to punch back.
3
Hillary went nowhere. She stayed out of sight hoping Donald Trump would punch himself out. She has no one but herself to blame for her email indiscretions. Anyone who didn't recognize her surface area for attack (emails, heading up a billion dollar foundation, her general indifference towards campaigning) and that she was the least electable candidate is now left to ponder the damage done and yet to be done.
I disagree with Bruni on most of this: especially his assertion that comparisons to Hitler are not apt.
I think they are terrifyingly apt: and I am not alone.
6
bravo, Frank Bruni.
1
Sorry Frank, you know not of what you speak - wait! Can I say that? Will I pursued you to change your view on this? Naaa, and thats not the point, but thats my point. Sam Bee and DI Niro were not and COULD not change the minds of the american trumpies. Nothing changes their mind. Not the man they follow telling them one thing one day and something the opposite the next - ( sometimes the same day, sometimes the same sentence) - they believe what they are told by him. Is that my option about them? No its actually a well documented fact recorded in interviews in print and film. So De Niro and Bee will not be changing their minds. The hand wringing over curses by people like yourself strikes me as a useless exercise in 'showing the other side' how much higher 'our' morals are- isn't that stick in the eye of the MAGNA hat wearers too? They were never going to listen to Bee and De Niro - and in fact it took days for the Bee outrage to gain traction - started of course by the Roseanne supporters and then the President himself - promulgated by Fox and picked up by CNN and liberals in their usual self loathing. The real story was not the curses from celebrities at POTUS , but at POTUS attacking these people by name and asking they be fired!
No, the problem is not what De Niro said, there should be more people saying that actually - its the feckless members of congress - that are enabling a wannabe dictator
And yes too - the parallels to the 1930's are there.....
4
I've no doubt that polite society bristled at the coarse outrage of those who raised fists against the Nazis. Too bad there were not more fists.
Hyperbole? Every day a hundred or more small children are being torn from the safety of their parents' arms, a trauma inflicted on them from which they will never recover. All on our name. Yours and mine, Frank Bruni.
And you think that the genteel manners of political candidates is the model we should all emulate because...what...if so, come November all will be well? This tsunami of Trumpism will retreat, die out?
So your delicate sensibilities are offended by the sharp remarks of comedians or an actor? At a time when this administration is inflicting the psychological equivalent of cancer on small children? What precisely do you consider a "proportionate response" to that?
If anything, our voices should be louder and there should be more of them. We should be taking to the streets to stop this and other atrocities. We should be shouting from our rooftops.
Because this horror is being done in your name, our name. Because next they'll be coming for you. For us. For our children.
9
Yes. We are underreacting, not overreacting.
3
Want to know why Trump is President? Because the DNC are the feckless c u next Tuesdays with no spine and afraid to say what they really believe unless polls show it to be a net positive. Quit blaming Trump voters and own the fact that you ran a candidate that lost to this human dumpster fire. Says more about Dems than it does about Trump supporters.
4
Chad, I hate to admit that but you are correct. She and she alone is to blame for her loss. Not the russians, people already had their minds made up. She thought she was going to win with three states. She forgot about the other 47. The DNC put forth a horrible candidate.
Mr Bruni,
Outbursts like that of DeNiro's would not be necessary if some establishment Democrats started organizing and leading protests to save our country. How long shall we sit politely at our computers and compose long, well written and fact based letters to our representatives (never read, of course), before we decide that action is warranted? Or shall we listen to you and the other opinion writers that have been in the Washington Post and the NY Times this week criticizing DeNiro, and behave like the good Germans who watched Hitler rise to power and did nothing? Why aren't our Democratic leaders at the gates of those deportation holding cells in TX and AZ, screaming about the abuse of small children being ripped from their parents' arms? How long do we watch Trump channel the foreign policy dictated by Putin before we DO SOMETHING? When Trump cancels the next election on pretext of a national emergency, will that be the right time? If not now, when? If not us, who?
3
This is nonsense. This isn’t “wise” or “cool headed and clear eyed.” It is the typical complacency that Bruni proffers and it is why we are in the mess we have. Please show some spine.
2
Mr. Bruni finds offensive remarks offensive. This isn’t major news. He may be right — in fact is almost certainly right — that these remarks energize Republicans. However, on the question of how fast we’re descending into fascism Mr. Bruni need not go far to find prominent scholars who disagree with him. “Is [Trump] the second coming of the Third Reich?” Mr. Bruni thinks not. Yale Professor Timothy Snyder, author of “On Tyranny,” pointedly suggests that we are at the edge or over it. (Despite his being the foremost expert on the subject, the American media are often afraid to cover him; the European media, notably the Guardian, show no such reticence, the Europeans being more intimately familiar with tyranny than we are.) Mr. Bruni might acquaint himself with Ornstein and Mann of the conservative American Enterprise Institute, authors of “It’s Even Worse Than It looks Looks,” who view the Republican Party as a “radical insurgency” determined to delegitimize the opposition and install one-party rule. Mr. Bruni might also read his colleague Ms. Goldberg, who ended her column the other day quoting words commonly used by Nazis. Might this subject be one about which Mr. Bruni knows perhaps not enough? He owes his readers better. But this time let’s hope he’s right. If not it won’t matter. He won’t be writing columns and we won’t have anything except Fox. But no, we needn’t worry. Says Mr. Bruni, it can’t happen here. I think I’ve heard those words elsewhere, and they were wrong.
2
Here is a thought Frank stop reporting stories in this vain. Follow the mold of James and Deborah Follows. Practice what you preach, in fact the NYT should follow the Follows.
Stop yourself and don't be a scold. Get to your truth and allow Americans to express their repulsion as they will.
Unseating this would be caesar will reguire a full range of attacks including those from Mr. DeNiro and Ms Bee. Tell the truth about this President.
1
‘When they go low, we go high.’ Yeah, and you saw how that worked out for us....
5
Okay, I get it. If you're a Republican, you can spew forth
with vulgar invectives and condescending platitudes.
But, if you're a Democratic, watch your language and
"don't scare the horses".
4
Agree that the left appears immature, irrational, undisciplined, ignorant and angry. I believe they are helping Trump immensely, and I thank them for revealing their true nature. They have essentially marginalized themselves to useless creatures whose loud mouths mean nothing. And no I would not be comfortable with them running the US government.
1
Bruni's wrong: Trump may not exactly be the 2nd coming of the 3rd Reich, but he certainly is THE most serious threat to our democratic processes and checks & balances in the nation's history. Neo-nazi groups are rapidly expanding across the country, and, most disturbingly, among angry young White men on our nation's campuses.
And they feel empowered, having just nominated their candidate, Corey Stewart, in Virginia to challenge Tim Kaine. Vote analysis is that Stewart won in the traditionally liberal areas of Northern Virginia around DC, where traditionally even Republicans were Liberal and Moderate! Educated, well-to-do, voting for a blatant racist.
And Steven King, whose fig-leaf hiding his White supremacist racist got even smaller as he boldly re-tweeted a British neo-Nazi, who proudly declares himself as such. King, who would look perfectly comfortable in an SS officer's garb, hasn't retracted or apologized...and he won't.
Fear of "the other", particularly POC and non-"Christians" has been ignited and inflamed under Trump and he's played it up, both in micro-aggressions of racism and in blatant, obvious ones. And he's using it to hide and deflect from his own dirty criminal actions.
Democrats need to focus SOLELY on energizing their base & getting out THEIR voters, & never mind whether Trump-publican voters are offended, angry, or motivated. Because there's still more Democrats & democratic-leaners in most places than Trump-publicans, if only they register & VOTE!
4
Ah, the Milquetoast revolution....wake me up when it's over.
4
I normally don’t agree with you Frank, but on this one, you’re 100% right.
How do you defeat someone or something that you disagree with? You give people a better option; one that is easy to understand and makes sense. I call that the “Ted Talks” approach. No speaker on Ted Talks gets to talk for more than 17 minutes, regardless of who they are, like what happened when Bill Gates’ talk went past 17 minutes.
By the way Frank, that is how Hitler came to power. I know you don’t like to hear people calling Trump Hitler, or a Fascist, but if you do some research into how Hitler came to power in the late 20’s and early 30’s, it may surprise you with the similarities behind Him and Trump.
3
I disagree. When dealing with ignorant bullies, you don't use civility. You punch them in the nose.
Nothing infuriated me more about Obama than his unwillingness to fight back against Republicans who even lied about where he was born!
7
Think about this, Mr Bruni: Kim Jong Un has accepted an invitation to the White House. Perhaps our own dear leader will invite this new friend and trusted ally of his to watch the military parade he's demanding. What a spectacle that would be. And we're supposed to "go high" in reaction to that? Spare me the righteous indignation.
3
Yes, Frank you're right to riducule pompous narcissists like de Niro, whose job doesn't require much ability to think straight. But labelling Trump deranged and fascistic needs to be backed up by evidence if you are to avoid being different from the silly moralising Trump haters only in degree.
The fact is that the Democrats have been taken over by their hatred for Trump. I makes them seethe that the economy is doing well, unemployment is almost non-existent and our foreign policy is starting to put America first again. Granted Trump is rough around the edges but I thought celebrating differences was one of the foundations of our left wing, cultural elite brethren. As for Bob De Niro, it's too bad that about the last most people will ever see of this old man is a profane laced triad against the President. Bob could put up his money and use his Oscar fame to get himself elected and fight the real battle instead of standing on the sidelines playing the deranged idiot.
1
To quote the late, great Joe Strummer: "Let fury have the hour." In the face of creeping facism, none of us can sit down, and shut up. and play nice, and be respectful. Violence isn't the answer, but neither is demuring in the face of authoritarianism. Stand up to the fascists today, or stand on the barricades tomorrow.
10
I am sorry Mr. Bruni but you seem to under estimate just how far this administration has already gone. If you replace the word "immigrant" with the "Jew" or enforcing a "zero tolerance for illegal immigration" for the "removal of all Jews from public life" as under the Nuremberg Laws" you will see and hear the public tolerance for state brutality that made the Holocaust possible. No one is illegal! People may have tried to come across the border without the proper documentation, but this administration has seen fit to justify such an attempt for the separation of families, stripping children from their parents and placing them in cages. Cages! And the GOP members of Congress applaud this. ICE does more than enforce laws; it is terrorising whole communities. The new political crime is to be a migrant, just as it was in Nazi Germany to be a Jew. All of the Nuremberg Law were laws, just as all the immigration laws are laws. How and why they are enforced makes all of the difference.
7
Frank, I wish you could have been next to me over the past year as many long time friends, former high schools mates and deep South relatives spewed out the most hateful and expletive laced comments about the Clintons, the Obamas, Democrats, and pretty much anyone who tried to engage them in thoughtful and intelligent discussions on policies and programs to move this great country forward. If you had, I don't think you would have written this column.
3
Right on Frank Bruni.
So DeNIro isn't supposed to rant and curse at the insane policies of Trump, but Trump gets a pass for his mania? Who are you kidding? Please don't make a mountain out of a mole hill. You Republicans are at it again. Redirecting and controlling the narrative. Hypocrites ye all.
2
Primal scream behavior like Bee's and DeNiro's reminds me of the Act-Up activists who invaded New York City Roman Catholic services in the '80's and threw the host to the ground to protest their abhorrent stance beliefs about gay men, human rights and the AIDS epidemic; well-intenioned but wildly counter-productive. Like the use of cluster-bombs, land-mines and chemical weapons in armed conflict, you may win the battle and lose the war.
1
This is the sort of middle brow claptrap that devalues language and mocks experience. "Catharsis over cunning." Give us a break.
Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be," — she always called me Elwood — "In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.
-Elwood P. Dowd
I guess we need to be clever AND pleasant ideally... Not easy being pleasant though knowing that 85% of registered Republicans still like DJT even after his Charlottesville remarks. And 150 other stupid things he's said.
So...D's played nice and lost the election.
Frank says, hey, be nice. We'll win that way. O...K...
Sorry, no.
My intelligence is not on par with Bruni's and in the streets where I grew up, we punched back. We gave as we got. The dog barks, we bark back. When the Nazi Klan's march, so do we. Foul language is the debating of the hoi polloi. Trumps base is Base. They sneer and step upon our kind, thoughtful, intelligent people. Those smart, elite, highfalutin, highbrows are needed to run calm, respectful political offices. But out here in the trenches, we give as we get.
I felt bad for Pres. O. all those years. He was abused and hindered while he kept trying to lead in good faith. He squandered his pulpit and left D's hanging cause he was No Drama. Democratic's payed for that. The late charge and spine growth, was late and ineffective, 'cause we didn't want to look bad and mean.
Play nice says Frank.
Yes, King is ideal. His foil and counterpart was Farrakhan.
Please, be the concerned voice of reason. But understand that not all of us are so inclined.
Like in hockey, you have your skilled shot makers, we protect them so they can score. You also have the wingers, i.e. forwards, and the defense to fight for the puck and crash the boards.
Seems our shot makers have been shut out for awhile now.
Please, let us do our job, so you can hopefully do yours.
4
Amen, Frank!
Maybe if the "good Germans" had gotten good and mad they'd have stopped You Know Who in his tracks.
3
Robert de Niro has earned to have a voice and should not be censored by CBS or NY Times. The press should get off their high horse and let the people fight the batle since it was the press' pr that brought this disgraceful president into place.
5
Mr. Bruni, I understand that you do not want us to invoke the darkest historical analogies. But please remember Hitler did not take over Germany over night. He was a cancer that grew as people ignored all the warnings. We ask how the German people allowed this to happen.
When I see the reports of children being taken from their parents at the border, I realize my country is heading in a direction that is abhorrent to me. How as a country have we allowed this to happen?
3
Spot on. Thank you
I have grown very tired of President Putin.
4
Right now we need a Howard Dean, scream and all.
3
Bang on assessment. Thank you for expressing what I've been saying in my own non-profanity laced way since Trump got elected. People like Bee (and now DiNero) are doing more for enabling Trump to get re-elected than if they just shut their mouths. Profanity is almost always uncalled for, except, as my own dear departed mother conceded, when a brick falls on your foot. Who who wants to be around foul mouthed angry people with school yard vocabularies? Words like "idiot" and "moron" litter Facebook posts. (A big "like" for the 30 day snooze button feature that was recently introduced.) What annoys me about Bee and many other people who call themselves comedians these days, is that they are just Not Funny. They are simply angry people who know what sells by trying to score "logical" political points. Logic has nothing to do with humor, unless you're a big fan of spoonerisms or puns, considered by many the lowest form of humor. (Joan Rivers, never "logical", used to be very funny. Then she got old and started to swear, and her act was cringeworthy. The most I can say for De Niro is that he was never a comedian to begin with. Bee's not funny and she's supercilious to boot. Nobody likes superciliousness in others. It's not a "democratic" trait.
1
"Who wants to be around foul mothed angry people with school yard vocabularies?"
The President's supporters, apparently.
If the idea of "losing" a fight in defense of a higher cause sounds stupid to you, you're already a Trump supporter, whether you realize it or not.
I continue to make the Hitler references because we seem to be going down the same path - a populace of good people seemingly unable to stop an abhorrent elected 'leader'
and I think a NYT article perhaps only yesterday drew strong similarities with Kaiser Wilhelm II who brought on WWI
when enough people are persuaded that a bad guy is good, how do we dissuade them from the path of destruction ?
3
I agree that we on the left need to tone down the rhetoric. Not because we're trying to win over the folks on the Right, or trying to "go high," or because we don't believe Trump isn't capable, in the right setting, of going full Nazi. We need to tone it down because it's the right strategic thing to do. More armies have won the day through surprise than by trumpeting their intentions to the opponent. We need to be quiet, raise money, register voters, get out the vote on election day, and take our Democracy back. If we want to crow a little as winners, vs bleating as the losers we now are, the day after election day is the time to do it.
The kids from Parkland and Michelle Obama know the way and it works. Time for us to take a "time out" and stop fighting guano with guano. Getting down with swine only makes you as dirty as they are. Let's stay above this foray and be adults. Let t-Rump and his minions muddle in the muck. This is their home. Definitely not ours. Get out and vote. Your life depends on it.
4
Remember the time that celebrity Ted Nugent threatened violence against Hillary Clinton and such outrageous rhetoric caused the Republicans to lose elections and the NYT to endlessly lecture the country on proper civil discourse?
Me either.
9
Bruni writes: "When you answer name-calling with name-calling and tantrums with tantrums, you’re not resisting him. You’re mirroring him." Not sure if Bruni is the best columnist writing in the U.S. today. He is certainly the most cogent, preceptive and balanced of the NYT scribes.
2
With friends like Bee and DiNiro, who needs enemies? "Talk softly and carry a big stick." TR
2
Why is everyone always telling democrats to be nice? I get don't use profanity and throw around nazi references, but if the shoe was on the other foot republicans would be screaming their heads off. At the mere mention by Obama that he would sit down with Castro or North Korea to talk the fake news (Fox) and GOP went bananas. Of course now it's a whole different story. I'm urging my senators and reps to get a lot tougher.
1
As we learn more about the dehumanizing practices at the border, and as the Attorney General daily makes policy and legal standard more inhumane, I find it harder and harder to agree with your reassurance that “Trump isn’t Hitler”. ICE detention centers look increasingly like concentration camps for immigrants and asylum-seekers.
4
I just want Trump and all his awful cohorts out of the White House .. they are destroying civilization!
1
"Enough with Hitler, too. Has Trump shown fascistic tendencies? Yes. Is he the second coming of the Third Reich? No."
With all due respect, Mr. Bruni, I think you are drastically, and perhaps dangerously, minimizing the threat of Donald Trump. You say the President of the United States, in your opinion, shows fascistic tendencies. That's mind-boggling in itself, don't you think? - since he has almost unlimited power to act unilaterally in some cases - and a Congress reluctant to check him in others.
They're scared of his followers. Did you note what Republican Mark Sanford (who was once seen as a presidential possibility) said in a NYT article today about his election loss?:
"There’s a different feel to this race, based on something that I’ve never experienced before, which is at times being hit not on ideas that I’ve espoused or held, but based on allegiance."
Allegiance. Not to the United States, but to one man.
Did you see the NYT video of Sen. Bob Corker looking disgusted with his colleagues for not calling tough votes that President Trump might not like? What did he say 1/3 of our government was saying? "We might poke the bear! The president might get upset with as United States Senators..."
https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000005953001/corkers-senate...
History doesn't show fascism & collaborators at warp speed. First there is acquiescence. Then appeasement. Then as some minimize the threat, Dear Leader takes over.
11
Yeah yeah yeah....we want to be constructive and rational......BUT: Trump also needs to be punched back-HARD.
3
Amen, Mr Bruni.
Unrestrained and vulgar comments by liberals are fueling the monster.
They need to stop and we must instead turn to reason and decency.
Kill them with kindness.
Bravo, Frank!
1
Hmmmm...The 'when they go low we go high approach' doesn't seem to be working out too well.
It's 2018 in America, and we're creeping more and more into fascism. We should get there by 2020, the latest.
By then, Robert Deniro will be jailed for 'high crimes against the state' and shipped off to GitMo sans trial.
Unfortunately, Frank Bruni will no longer have a OpEd due to the government closing the NYT for printing 'slanderous and treasonous lies against the government'. \
But, not to worry, we'll still have the NY Post and Fox TV.
trump doesn’t have fascist tendencies, he IS a fascist AND a racist AND he has enabled other fascists and racists and no amount of whitewash is going to cover that up. See no cursing just the unvarnished truth.
1
I think Frank gets it.
3
Excellent column voicing many of my concerns. I see Trump successfully dragging some of us down to his level, and that will clearly not benefit Democrats in the long or short run. Moreover, it's just wrong to behave in that manner. I am angry too and want so badly to get some Democrats elected. But we have to take the high road. Urge your readers to go see RBG. She has always been a hero of mine. Unfailingly firm in her commitment to equality for all for decades, unfailingly civil when making her arguments. We need to do the same.
After spending most of May and early June campaigning for a progressive Democratic congressional candidate in a traditionally Republican district (that supported Hillary by a narrow margin in the 2016 election), what I learned is that, just as Frank Bruni points out, the traditional Republicans and even some Independents are campaigning against what they perceive as liberal excesses: late night's hostile jokes, SNL's constant demeaning of Trump, CNN's nonstop focus on the Russian investigation and, yes, the permission Democrats and liberals give themselves to name call while they, at the same time, criticize the president for the same thing. Liberal Democrats are painting themselves into a corner in which they fulfill the conservative stereotype of an elite that gives itself permission to do things it forbids others from doing because it believes it has moral rightness on its side. Why would a prospective voter focus on Trump's irresponsible and bombastic tweets when he or she is just as appalled by DeNiro's rants and Kimmel's jokes. And at least most Republicans say they wish that Trump would tone it down and get off Twitter, while Democrats give DeNiro a standing ovation. Democrats are in danger of becoming a caricature of what Republicans have always believed they were. Independents are watching and can't tell the difference between the two parties' excesses. It's not a recipe for gaining votes.
Here's a hint: DeNiro and Kimmel aren't the President.
I can't agree with this enough. Democrats need to be smart.
They need to understand that plenty of Trump's supporters identify with the man -- they understand themselves to be somewhat uncouth, unpolished, unsophisticated. The more we shame Trump for those things, the more they psychologically protect themselves, and side with Trump.
Scream into your pillow if you must vent. But think about how we're going to knock a few points off Trump's 40 percent popularity. We'll never convince everyone, but we need to convince a few.
As for the midterms, I'd emphasize improved and affordable health care (currently being deliberately undermined), maintaining Social Security and Medicare (now again threatened), eliminating corruption (in high governmental places), the pending undermining of the economy (trade wars), repairing relations with allies, and a Fair Deal for All (not just the wealthy or the Trumps).
I completely agree. Living with a conservative partner has been a lesson in humor, tolerance and open-minded-ness (still working on that one). My boyfriend voted for Trump (not wholeheartedly but still) and I can either break up with him (Sad, for both of us) or gently show him the high road and error of his ways. He thinks the same about me, ironically. (Obviously, he is Wrong and I am Right!)
I'm posting this on my FB page so my wonderful but shrill liberal friends might take note. Thanks for this.
1
It seems like it would be problematic to me to be in a relationship with someone who can't distinguish reality from fantasy.
Frank, the opposition is just looking for some passion. You can be passionate and use colorful words that connect with people’s emotions (they vote with their hearts). I prefer calling Trump a phoney and then detailing how he is hurting the people he says he’s helping. If every Democratic candidate/leader used the word PHONEY when talking about Trump and his policies, and then followed up with what they would do differently to help people, the messaging will begin to take hold. Define him and brand him in one word - PHONEY.
I really don't think Trump won the other night, but this column has a point. The Democratic center put us in the mess we are in now -- failing to oppose the Iraq War and their Wall Street alliance. It is a mess of their own making. But, that does not mean Democratic Centrists will oppose the basic reforms we desperately need. In fact, when we finally get down to it they may be the most effective champions of single-payer and universal health coverage for one example. My money goes to Cynthia Nixon and Rebecca Otto, candidates who really stand for something. But, it seems like the Democratic centrists are learning, just like the vast majority of Americans.
What about the First Amendment? Personally, I would never say the things Samantha Bee did, and I only think what Deniro said, but I must support their right to speak their minds.
2
"Many voters don’t hear your arguments or the facts, which are on your side." There is one set of facts which is decidedly NOT on the side of the left. And they concern the U.S. economy and wage growth. Each is accelerating markedly as a direct result of Trump policies. It is these "facts" which will determine the outcome of future elections, endless agita on the left notwithstanding.
1
Perhaps you would care to support these "facts" with some evidence?
The left will doom us all if they do not stop talking about DACA and Trump. Economy growth, Tariffs, wage growth, health care, infrastructure and law and order are whats important.
Here are facts:
Republicans, in general, turn out in greater numbers to vote.
Leftist ideology is rejected by many centrists.
Democrats can’t afford to shift too far left; they need centrist votes.
The strategy should be simple. Ignore Trump the person. Critique policy failures. There are plenty for the picking. Cement a ‘Families First, Nation Strong’ vision, whereby Jobs, Health Care, Education, Infrastructure, and National Security are the central themes. Stay on message. Demonstrate empathy and compassion. Keep the message simple, digestible, mnemonic. Don’t take any bait thrown into the water.
4
Thank you, Frank, beautifully said. I agree 100%, even if this administration sometimes makes me froth at the mouth, too. We need rational, measured responses, especially from people in the public arena.
3
Thank you. This is an important reminder for me and for all who are truly alarmed by the loss of the Republican party to the siren call of one man. I recognize that they have been on this path since Vietnam where Democrats first were tarred with the feather that they are not as loyal or patriotic as the other party. I wait for the day when all Americans will venerate our highest and best ideals, not our worst impulses and fear.
2
I completely agree. You can't win using the Trump playbook. Present solutions, push back firmly, and most important, work to get out the vote in your community.
3
So very well put Frank Bruni ! I began reading your article unsure were you were going by telling us to be more restrained. I too have fallen into the trap of name calling and tantrums. But as I read on I realized how right you are. This is the time for us to go high and let them stay low. We can win by being better. Let us hope...
3
Personally, I agree that using profanity and angry invective could turn off many moderates and give unnecessary fuel to the pro-Trumper crowd's argument that those on the left are just haters.
However, there are obviously many who applaud this kind of speech, which gives voice to their own outrage and frustration, which increases almost daily, with every fresh statement or incident that emerges from the White House.
I am hopeful that candidates for this fall's elections will choose a more tempered path - it seems so far they have, to good result.
And I'm happy to observe that no matter what diversionary tactics are employed, Mr. Mueller keeps focused on the job at hand. The results of his investigation are what I'm waiting for.
2
I remember learning many, many years ago that in boxing you will lose if you get really angry at your opponent: it is still true; in anger you will flail about, punch wildly , leaving yourself open--and you will lose. Bruni is completely correct.
Democrats must win to rid ourselves of the cancer that has begun to mutate in our political world. We will do much better with moderate, rational, focused candidates that will have some appeal for Republicans also; perhaps appeals to reason will sway some of them. For Democrats, any Democrat would be better than a Trump supporter. Moderate candidates acting rationally and calmly without flailing about with name calling and curses have some chance of even capturing some Republican voters; surely, among Republicans there are many that want to stop the horrors of climate change, that want to return to the cleaner and healthier water and air of earlier administrations, that want to treat the unfortunates at the border more humanely than the Sessions smug approach of tearing babies away from nursing mothers, that want an
America that honors democratic allies and distrusts barbaric authoritarian regimes. We must,must win; the cancer is getting more aggressive. We already have the liberal votes. Let's reach out for the more moderate voters, for more Republicans.
3
Enough with the vitriol. Enough with the chaos. Enough with the daily drama emanating from another inane tweet. Enough with the gratuitous profanity.
Be an adult. Speak rationally about how we will have affordable health care and reasonable gun safety laws.
1
The Democrats will never win because they don't have a specific message. They are not problem solvers. They create the problem: poverty then solve it with lots of government handouts.
Their premise: "Feed a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Take the fish away from the people who are fishing, and give them to the people who are too lazy to get a job, and what do you have? A Democrat voter for life."
The Democrats are the party of the elite. That doesn't fly too well with the people who are struggling to make ends meet. That doesn't fly too well when people are going to bed hungry, and they are homeless, and don't have a job.
If the Democrats want to win, then they need to offer the public a better idea. They won't of course, because people like Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton are multi-millionaires.
They can't possibly relate to being poor. Nor do they care to. And, that's why the Democrats lost and will continue to lose. They just don't have a clue and they don't want to have a clue.
1
Your argument leads to the inevitable conclusion that Trump is the least sympathetic of all, given that he has the most money (or so we assume—he hasn't released his taxes, so we can't be sure that this is actually true).
Do you really think our current President can "possibly relate to being poor?"
Given the absurdity of that premise, I would suggest your hypothesis is flawed.
Absurd hell. Trump did and not only that he won because he related well to the poor. The Democrats don't have a clue how to function and that's why they lost. They don't even have the sense to acknowledge the pain the Middle Class is suffering let alone address the problems and fix them. That's why they lost.
Bruni clearly stated his point here. The rhetoric from the left, whether its center-left neoliberals calling mostly economically depressed and hurting people “deplorables” or people more toward the far left engaging in reductio ad Hitlerum, reeks with condescension.
Maybe it’s because I live in the South (please save your opinion on that,) but the *gasp* “Trump Voter” has a face to me. Many, many faces. And many of them don’t look happy. And many of them aren’t complete idiots, they’re just out of work at the moment and fell into the open trap that Trump is.
So, in my humble opinion, the best strategy is to talk to people, not “the Trump Voter.” Name calling doesn’t start a conversation. It preemptively ends the chances of ever having one.
2
"...and fell into the open trap that (the President) is."
So, what you're saying is that these folks don't have very good judgement.
If only Ben Kingsley or Colin Firth had delivered an eloquent soliloquy......
2
but we're 500-plus days past that!
1
It is Donald Trump and his cult followers who are insuring that talk of impeachment remains at the forefront. And will remain that way unless Democrats capitulate and demand an end to Mueller's investigation.It is a battle of brains vs. brawn and unfortunately brawn has the upper hand right now. We must provide substance as well. But let's not lose sight that Donald Trump is president today precisely because Hillary Clinton would not (and could not given the fact of her FBI investigation but chose to put self over party and country) defend herself in the face of Donald Trump showering her with abuse night after night on national TV. I would suggest that DeNiro do what should have been done a long time ago. Raise the stakes and challenge Donald Trump to put down the keyboard and come face to face and discuss it.
2
Outrage can be a powerful and sustaining motivation to act; but I agree with Mr Bruni that in order to take on a person like Trump, the candidate has to look like the adult in the room. That doesn't mean rhetoric can't be passionate but it also has to be smart and focused on the issues that are important to voters.
People who don't support him already know that Trump is an ignorant, thin-skinned, brazen liar who favors dictators and autocrats over democratically elected governments. Do they need to be reminded again and again? I think it would be more productive to focus on what his actions in terms of various policies (killing the ACA by starving it to death, for one) and regulation-slashing mean, for the average American and conversely, what a Democrat can do for them to help with important issues like health care.
Barack Obama has been mercilessly and publicly lambasted, day in and day out by Donald Trump; he has been demeaned and slandered. Maybe candidates vying for office could look to him as an example of dignity and self-control.
7
Don't give the Bernie Bros. any ideas. Losing the midterms and reelecting Trump are their goals in life.
1
Bernie would be president today, as Donald Trump's pollster acknowledges. Hillary Clinton was the least electable Democratic candidate. Those who were too obsessed with the first woman thing or whatever to the point of being oblivious to that reality are now left to ponder the damage that has been done and will be done.
The "least electable" candidate won by 3,000,000 votes? Interesting theory.
Excellent advice. Democrats should focus on the opponents they're actually running against, and explain what they will do to help their constituents and the country. If they want to nationalize their elections a bit, connecting their opponents to Mitch McConnell might be more productive than obsessing about Trump. Mitch McConnell comes across as inherently unlikeable and unconcerned about the welfare of the country, and has exhibited naked partisanship in all of his actions as Senate Majority leader. And yes, Democratic candidates should keep their language civil.
1
How to WIN the Midterms and Re-elect Trump! Angry actor finds out WE don't care about him.
1
Frank Bruni's condescending opinion article on Trump is just that: condescending. He's talking to former winners but now losers like DeNiro whose best work was in the late 70's. And he is right to say what he does to them. But he wants Trump out and I want him in. I maintain that Trump and his followers are the best thing that has ever happened to the USA during the last 25 politically-correct years. All the Dems can do is be anti-Trump. They have no program, no imagination and are basically yesterday's news.
2
While I agree with Mr. Bruni that name calling isn't going to help the democrats, focusing on positive messages won't win campaigns. The democrats need to stop focusing on Trumps features that they dislike and focus on the ways he fails as a conservative leader. He is disloyal and weak. His foreign policy shows that his slogan should be Make America Weak Again. Comparing him to fascist leaders only makes him look stronger than he is. He is a disloyal, weak, grifter out to line his own pockets. This is the Trump that must be opposed.
3
Those preaching unfailing courtesy in the face of Trump's profanity should ask his 15 primary opponents and Hillary Clinton how "going high" worked out for them.
9
Folks, the Words of Hate spouted by the GOP and those who wish to force their own religious ideology upon all of their fellow citizens ... those are the ones who will turn to Actions of Hate, such as refusal to serve certain customers and other denigration in employment and all social interaction.
A few words conveying strong feelings of outrage for a failure to abide by the rules and mores which many of us thought governed our country, our shining city on the hill -- well, those aren't the words and thoughts that undermine our democracy.
2
This is a rare time I disagree. Yes, the language should change.
But seeing the donald salute NK soldiers this morning, the RNC's tweet, what is happening at the border and on and on.
The writing is on the wall.
He only respects authoritarian bullies. It's time to bully back. Hard.
3
Thank yiu Mr Bruni! I was wondering what to do about my anger at Trump. I won't be imitating him any more. Emotion will not rule me any more. The House may be won this time but not by imititing trump He is an evil excuse for a human being with his goons snatching nursing babies from their mothers breast and has been documented recently, Let us try to keep focus as trump pulls another of his distractions.
1
Get outside the box. Embrace the Constitution as it was written. I am talking about the second amendment. Embrace it and you will see a landslide. Everyone sees him for what he is. And what the country was founded on. Freedom from oppression . Good luck, I think you will need lots if you want to play 51*49 for the next 21 years.
2
Thank you Robert De Niro. My sentiments exactly!
3
Wake up Frank, Republican LITE candidates always lose. STRONG people and strong language are what's needed to win in the new political environment foisted on us by Reagan and Gingrich. Respectful people in the face of vicious and nasty behavior, like McConnell and the Garland fiasco, lose unless they fight back TEN TIMES HARDER. Enough of Republican LITE candidates. Don't be afraid of being a proud and loud LIBERAL. Shout it to the roof tops!
1
Agreed. Strong people and strong language is needed. But not foul, insulting language, especially language that insults the Trump voter.
I think the criteria should be: will this just make them dig in deeper?
The question is: how to change minds, not insult people for their beliefs, no matter how stupid you think or know them to be.
Yes, Mr. Bruni, let's just roll over and pretend we're civilized when sixty-two million voters just proved otherwise. Rage is the only rational response, I fear, and action the only remedy. We should be in the streets, but we're not; we're pretending people like you make sense.
2
I didn't witness anything these celebrities said. But, I feel them. I'm tired of being told to be nice in the face of a man, a congress, and other enables who want the rest of the world to believe Trump is in any way normal. He has no moral compass. He's hollow and shriveled within. As Dylan Thomas said, "rage against the dying of the light". Yeah, I'm angry, and I want those in Washington to know it.
1
AMEN! Worse than shooting oneself in the foot, all such rude, crude, self-indulgent behavior does is shoot oneself in the heart.
1
So it’s okay when Trump spews venom from the podium, but left-leaning and civic minded people are always to turn the other cheek?
While I agree that rants and expletives delivered by the artistic community -- and I'm frankly surprised by the omission of Steven Colbert and Bill Maher from this -- I think it's also sadly true that the Democrats don't have a "high road" to take. They have no initiatives, policies or alternatives to offer. Their hysteria strikes me as not so much a reaction to the Republicans and Trump, but to their own frustration at not having any solutions to offer, and at not really understand how out of touch they are with a large portion of the country. So yes, deNiro et. al. will be seen by many, myself included, as misdirected, pathetic whining.
1
The Democrats do have and did have a "high road to take." It was called Obamacare and it was designed to provide health insurance to millions of uninsured Americans. How did the Republicans react? Their majorities in the House repealed Obamacare over 50 times and once with Trump with his hand ready to sign, they had a "rose garden beer party" to celebrate kicking 23 millions off their health insurance in the next decade. John McCain ruined their glee when he voted in the Senate against the Trumpers plans. They shouldn't have spiked the ball on the 5 yard line.
The Democrats have many "solutions to offer" but if the Republicans have their way, none of these solutions will see the light of day. That's why we need to vote this fall to kick the Republicans out of office.
To Frank Bruni,
You have written an excellent and a beautiful article! Keep up the good job! I would like to share with you a couple of quotes from one of the legendary CEOs of Ford Motor Company, Lee Iacocca, which are as follows :
1) "You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them
across, your ideas won't get you anywhere.
2) " In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to
keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into
something positive"
2
Sometimes you just have to call it the way it is.
We're there, Mr. Bruni.
5
Absolutely agree...stick to the issues, not the cultural issues, but bread and butter issues---the continued assault on Obamacare is a good beginning and Trump's tariff tirade will offer up plenty of evidence that he is no friend to the middle class. Now having said that, I will honestly admit in the privacy of my study I do use a De Niro profanity after reading the NYT.
If we want a better country, we have to BE it, not DEMAND it.
Well said, Mr. Bruni!
1
It is all “Trump Torpor”:
“...Bogged down in impeachment talk, ceaseless partisan rancor... frothing at the mouth about Trump...” And absent the vulgarity The Times is in the forefront. Readers are well aware that the president is not a nice person. We each have our preferred adjective to amplify the pejorative without vulgarity.
By unceasingly reiterating the same criticisms of the president’s behavior, fostering his addiction to attention, The Times acts as his enabler. Readers of The Times have heard it all; it is all “yesterday’s news”.
But Trump-Resistance by itself will not generate sufficient motivation to change 23 seats in the House of Representatives from red to blue. That is the sine qua non of the national political process this fall.
Inequality of the “fake” tax cut, corruption in the cabinet, feckless Republican leadership, intolerable immigrant abuse and many more issues are all worthy of sustained attention and more deserving of a place on the front page than another Trumpian transgression.
I posit that they also are more likely to elicit support of the centrist voter in red House districts. The focus needs to be on the number 23. Control of the House is remediable. Presidential behavior is not.
Richard Lewis
2
I'm with De Niro.
This, from Mr Bruni, is not helpful:
"When you answer name-calling with name-calling and tantrums with tantrums, you’re not resisting him. You’re mirroring him. You’re not diminishing him. You’re demeaning yourselves. Many voters don’t hear your arguments or the facts, which are on your side. They just wince at the din."
So, it's all about pandering to those who might wince at the din. Those poor babies. Anyone wincing at the din is never going to get it, and they are part of the problem.
It is wrong, factually and morally, to equate what De Niro said with Trump name-calling.
It is wrong, factually and morally, to equate what De Niro did with a Trump tantrum.
It is wrong, factually and morally, to say that De Niro is mirroring Trump.
It is wrong, factually and morally, to say that De Niro is diminishing himself.
Imagine if Republican members in Congress said, loudly and publicly, what De Niro said? It would be a great day in America, because it needs to be said, loudly, publicly, and repeatedly.
5
I am compelled to ask where I can find Mr. Bruni's columns of admonition and outrage can be found with regard to Mr. Trump's daily outbursts of hatred, rage, misogyny and racism? Where can I find the criticisms of his support for Nazis?
Somehow those of us in opposition are supposed to turn the other cheek - unfortunately, I am fresh out.
Having 8 years of Republican vile directed at Democrats under Obama, and now 500 days under Mr. Trump at the head of his party, a line of Shakespear seems particularly appropriate at this moment:
"The villany you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction."
5