DT has some nerve! His mother was an immigrant from one of the poorest parts of Great Britain at that time. His paternal grandparents were from Germany--from 1933-1945 one of the most loathsome nations that has ever been known. (of course his grandparents had immigrated before then.)
AOC's progenitors were American for about 120 years.
As for the lady from California HER progenitors both black AND white have probably been around for many generations.
It is true that the other two are more recent (although Michigan has been the most popular places in the USA for Arab folks both Muslim and Christians for a long time).
Being American isn't a question of race--it's an idea and an ideal.
2
Hahaha! The Republicans are in bed with Communists in Russia and Korea accusing the “Squad” of being “socialists” ? Hypocrisy runs rampant in Washington. Trump refills the swamp everyday.
2
What's funny is at least three of those congresswomen have been doing what Trump suggested they do. Yhey came from here, and are trying to stop the decline of this country from the corruption that he and his silent Republicans have created here.
4
Senator Graham has labeled the "Squad of Four" Communists, implying that the Democratic party goes along with their extreme position. McConnell does not go that far but suggests that they are Socialists, and reminds us [ I paraphrase ]: " Socialist governments are elected into power"---wrongly implying that voting Democratic will end Capitalism in our country and supplant it with Socialism. Very misleading, albeit true with regard to increasing Socialist benefits here, that is, strengthening the Safety Net and increasing its protections.
No Democrat wants to replace Capitalism with Government Ownership of all the productive means . There is no threat to private ownership, to private ownership of factories or corporations, to the wealth or possessions of the very wealthy . But there is a strong likelihood that the Safety Net, which is a Socialist idea, will be strengthened. Our economic system has always had some Socialism mixed in with our Capitalism. Consider Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Welfare, Disability Benefits---these are part of our economy---the Safety Net. True, that Republicans have always disliked such help for the poor because they believe it encourages indolence and have tried to cut these programs if not to eliminate them entirely. But most Americans , those who are not very wealthy, welcome the aid they provide. This does not mean that Socialism has replaced Capitalism; it means that our economy is based on a partnership between the two.
3
Mitch and his wife define GOP greed and anti-Americanism.
5
This is why we need more diversity in Congress. Old white men, especially Republicans, have no clue what it really means when someone tells you to go back to your country, nor do they care to empathize. Whether an immigrant or not, any minority has heard that painful statement at some point in our lives, along with Irish, Italians, Germans, etc. When asked how he would feel if his wife Elaine Cho were asked to go back to her country McConnell said his wife came here legally. So, I guess he thinks the three US born Squad members are illegals?
3
in the long run it means the Republican party is in trouble. Abraham Lincoln and even Richard Nixon are rolling in their graves. Our former allies are looking for another leader for surely it is not the United States.
China is preparing to be the dominant country in the world. Europe will begin to rebuild its military. Hopefully they will stay somewhat united and Putin is thrilled over his victory over the United States.
Other than that, all is quiet on the western front.
3
Looking at today's America under a microscope is enabling me and others , I'm sure, to see and understand what happened to Germany from about the mid 1920ies to the mid 1940ies.
5
“the belief of many Republicans that an attack on progressivism”. Trump doesn’t know to aim higher. He loves to make it personal. He goes after people, not their policies. Republicans are in denial.
A political career is clearly more important than morality, ethics, and soul of our nation. I think the GOP politicians for this clarification.
5
The Republicans' silence is deafening. They have revealed their much-vaunted principles — family values, decency, religious piety, free markets, all of them — to be the hollow lies so many of us believed them to be. Their racism can no longer be hidden under a bushel of states' rights, or any of the other euphemisms they have evoked for decades. They have painted themselves into a corner as the Angry White Party. And if Trump has done one good thing in his vile, obscene presidency, it is that he has revealed, once and for all, the Republicans' true face.
17
I wish I could hit "Recommend" several million times over.
4
A Blaring Message in Republicans’ Muted Criticism: It’s Trump’s Party.
We have betrayed ourselves, my fellow Americans.
3
@Melvyn D Nunes
Now it remains to be seen: can we regroup and take a stand against lies and power-hungry leaders?
1
Outside the US, the rest of us are looking with horrified fascination on the train wreck that is your presidency. We can’t turn away - the man’s lunatic ravings are having a profound effect on the rest of the world – in Canada we have a clichéd adage, “When the US sneezes, Canada catches a cold”. Given our increasing interconnectedness, it should now read: “When America sneezes, the world catches a cold”. The tacit acceptance of his chicanery by the Republicans and his ‘base’ is emboldening people all over the world who think like him to come out of the shadows. I fear for fate of the world. I also fear that the black hole he has created is taking our attention and effort from issues that are critical to the survival of the earth and our species, never mind all the ones that already have or are on the brink of going extinct. It is unthinkable.
14
“I’m not going to vote for a socialist,” said Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado, perhaps the most endangered Republican in the Senate, who has made clear he is firmly allied with the president.
Would a citizen of the great state of Colorado ask their Senator quoted above if he supports Social Security, Medicare and public education in the United States? If he says yes, ask him why he is embracing socialism. As President Truman noted - socialism is a scare word the Republicans use when they oppose actions that would help a wide majority of Americans.
I hope my fellow citizens are wiser than this. Please prove me correct in thinking they are.
16
We have come to the point of no return- almost. Elected Republicans are afraid of Trump, afraid of what he would do to them if they speak out against him. We are therefore well on the road to fascism. This is what happened in Germany, as it has historically in other countries. The only solution is to vote Trump out.
This is a very dangerous time in our history.
14
Republicans are cowards. They are racists. They are everything that is wrong with this country.
White people need to speak out against racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and homophobia. We are in this together!
Resist MAGA Nation!
Resist Fascism!
12
Hey Jordan you left out ' hypocritical', perhaps the GOP's second most prevalent characteristic after cowardice.
1
I believe many of these same Republicans who protect Trump by their silence on his racist tweets toward four darker complexioned Congresswomen, would be the first to complain about the American healthcare system if one of their family members were denied healthcare insurance or healthcare based on lack of money or a pre-existing condition.
7
It will get worse. How worse is the question.
8
The Republicans who refuse to stand up to the hate filled language and policies taking over their party are only proving they love their lives of privilege and power more than they love our country. Looking to solve problems, rather than maintain the status quo, is completely American. And disagreeing with civility and relevant information used to be American too.
12
Let us all hope that Trump goes down in history as the man who ripped the mask off of all and every Republican hypocrisies ever spoused to the voters as pretend Republican values. He is also forcing closet racists Republicans into public view.
My Senator from PA says that “He couldn’t disagree more with these congresswomen’s views on immigration, socialism, national security and virtually every policy issue,” said Senator Patrick J. Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania. “But they are entitled to their opinions, however misguided they may be.”
If this is how my Senator from PA wants to answer to racism, he needs to know that I reserve the right to oppose him as the declared racist-condoning Senator from Pennsylvania.
Let’s find out if I live in a racist state.
22
You almost certainly do.
Who is Trump to define who is American? What a ludicrous but political savvy canard. His only talent, other than to say 'sue me', is to gossip and slur anyone he feels will help him hold on to his very 'base' base. The "most transparent administration ever" is only transparent in its tactics.
Trump's constant attempts to bring everyone else down to his level by lying and distorting his political opponents positions is getting old. Will this broken record play in the coming election? It did not in 2018. His broken record campaign style combined with his inability to accomplish anything of substance will bring defeat. How deeply it affects the GOP is all that remains to be seen. Broken Record, Broken Promises is a very thin platform. The big question is when will the savvy Republicans jettison their transactional sociopathic leader?
6
Who is a 'savvy Republican'? They don't seem to be anywhere in evidence.
2
There should be no doubts in anyone’s mind that USA Republicanism is now Trumpism. I get that. That much is very clear.
The question still remains, what is that magical red line that Trump needs to cross before Republicans choose to check Trump.
For example, would Republicans do anything to check Trump if he ever carried out with shooting someone on 5th Avenue. Or, would Republicans let Trump get away with shooting someone of 5th Avenue and blame the victim.
Blaming the victim seems to be their model now.
10
Are we surprised that no GOP member of Congress stood up to oppose the president's racist comments? We are not surprised. There are those of us who thrill each time we hear our ignorant opinions voiced aloud. Hopefully, however, there are those among us who know this country was founded on liberty, equality, and justice for all. May justice be delivered to Mr. Trump very soon.
8
Even though the President is a racist he is still
the president and the squad of 4 should respect the office if not the man.
They are shaming the Democratic Party and should close down their inappropriate attacks on not just not Trump, but the American government. It is wrong! They are humiliating the Democratic Party.
1
@Grandma
So they should not question his misuse of authority?
13
The man has tainted the office. No respect is deserved. It's exhausting hearing people give him a pass on everything. You can respect the office and Trump if you choose. I don't have to and it doesn't make me any less American or patriotic.
8
@Grandma
Hmmm—am I the only one who questions the authenticity of this commenter?
8
I was moved and inspired as a child by JFK's book "Profiles in Courage". I now look forward to the GOP's new title "Profiles in Boot Licking". Should be entertaining.
18
There will be no widespread GOP condemnation of Trump. McConnell has a plan. It's working. Divide and conqueror. Unite and rule. The GOP has always understood something important about Congress that the Democrats simply can't wrap their head around. Control the Senate & you control the most important lever of power in government: the judiciary. The courts are the source of the Republican's power, their blunt instrument in the cultural war that polarizes us. The GOP is not going to worry about confirmation battles anymore. They will put up whoever they want, the more to the right the better & get them quickly confirmed. The GOP is playing a long game. Trump will be gone soon. They will still be here. The GOP will wait him out & achieve all of their objectives. Their main goal is to nominate 3-4 very conservative Supreme Court justices. Trump has gotten two SCOTUS appointments, he may get more. He’s moved much faster on lower-court appointments than Obama did. The legal arm of the conservative movement is the best organized & most far-seeing sector of the Right. They truly are in it — and have been in it — for the long term goals. Control the Supreme Court, stack the judiciary to the sky, obstruct when necessary and you can destroy the progressive movement, no matter how popular it is, no matter how much legislative power it has. Nothing will get in the way of that goal. McConnell & the GOP has always had a carefully laid out plan. For now, it's working quite well.
8
Term limits are needed. Very simple.
5
This is so obviously a strategy to suppress voter turnout. It is well-known that slinging mud makes centrist voters stay home.
4
Congressional Republicans have tied themselves to Trump and will, in due course, sink along with him. Congressional Democrats are tied to nothing except their opposition to Trump. Between the two there’s not a statesman of any standing or anyone who values anything more then having power for power’s sake.
3
Trump's "bunker moment" will come only when true patriots rise up to feed Jefferson's Tree of Liberty. Use the 2nd Amendment for its intended purpose!
2
Trumpy is still running a reality show and no body wants to risk being fired.
3
Hulse notes that "Republicans worry that, even at a moment when the president is stirring division, a perceived slight or unwarranted criticism could lead Mr. Trump to throw them off, an outcome that could be ruinous to their political careers."
And, gosh, of course, only people who strive to live a life of integrity backed by a courage to lead would do anything so "foolish" as to risk a political sinecure to actually live by those sorts of standards.
5
@Max from Mass
Their political careers deserve nothing less than ruination and ignominy.
I wonder what the conversation at home is like between Mitch Mcconnell and his wife Elaine Choi since she was born in Taiwan and technically is not caucasion.
7
She and her family are no better in theirs actions re. Money hungry and elitist.
3
The other glaring message to the Democrats is ‘it’s the Squad’s Party’. We’ll see how that works out.
1
@Henry
So four freshman congresswomen have taken over the Democratic party, huh? The logic of that glaring announcement isn’t apparent. Not at all.
No kidding?
I’ve been a loyal registered Democrat for nearly fifty years. Four congresswomen took over our party? Wow! I didn’t see that coming!
8
@HENRY
No, Henry, that’s Trump’s message and as usual, it’s a lie. But obviously, many fall for his lies.
1
I worry about your country...the 2020 election will be a make or break moment.
If Trump wins the damage he will do in the following four years, especially when he doesn’t have to go to the voters again will be massive.
I hope that the moderate Republicans and independents make a wise choice because if they don’t the America that this Canadian has always admired is sadly going to disappear.
10
Will Canada accept asylum seekers from the U.S? I'll wait in line. Granted if your country doesn't will Prime Minister Trudeau yank my daughter away from me and stick her in a cage, with no way for me to find her? Just curious.
2
I have contacted my senator's office to condemn her tepid remarks. Trump was offensive not only to the four women in the House; he was offensive to all the refugees from all the countries who have made their home here.
I urge everyone to personally contact their Republican senators and representatives. This is not an issue of racism alone; this is a matter of what this country stands for. Every single non-Native American, including Trump personally, is either an immigrant or the descendant of immigrants. Many or us or our ancestors fled discrimination, poverty, and dangerous conditions.
Let's be clear, while some people immigrated for better opportunity, those who came fleeing war, famine, oppression, discrimination, disaster, and poverty did not come because they wanted to leave their homeland. They came because to stay was no longer a viable choice. This country has always opened its arms.
Are we still that country or has my country abandoned me?
13
It's not just Trump's party, it's Trump's Supreme Court, too. After Trump's first executive order which he called "a total and complete ban on Muslims entering the country" the rightwing court led by Chief Justice John Roberts upheld Trump's Muslim travel ban. If any of the right-wing Justices had scolded Trump about what it means to be an American perhaps he would have learned a lesson. Instead, they ruled that it's okay for the President to treat people of other races and other religions like dirt. And so he does.
8
We are all paying a big price; all of us. This glaringly absurdist example of people willing to support anything to maintain their power and position is AWFUL. Why haven't they read the next chapter in this book, or finished the movie? This NEVER ends up well. The empowered despot always attacks EVERYBODY in the end.
So, stay your shell GOP turtles. Hide your heads in the sand. Just think about what's sticking up in the air when you do. Someday, the despot comes for THAT, too.
The piper is always PAID.
12
Just another reason to vote every one of these Republicans out of office. If they think sticking with Trump is the way to go, let the chips fall where they may. Get out and vote, people!
10
“My personal recipe for a productive relationship with the president is to work with him in public all I can,” said Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas.
...and let him destroy the United States in private.
7
I'll be frank. I'll try to be in the moment. I think most people do respond to the history now before their eyes. But at the same time I prefer to draw a circle around current events and try to look at the full picture. When the early settlers came they were white except for slaves who were black. I don't recall reading job applications were given to blacks. Upon arrival there were three races: white, black and native American. As the time line proceeded, white became the dominate species. The now Afro Americans became the property of land owners and the Native Americans fought hard for their sacred land. The time line continues. The civil war, women suffrage, immigration around the start of the 20th century, the Great Wars, Korea, and the Vietnam. I went to DC in the late sixties. It looked like a war zone. "Flower power" and students rioting. Then came the generational changes, the computer age, and now we are all digitized with social media. What will come next.
Why goodness gracious, the president is a hard core racist. We have immigrants from Mexico, from Latin America (where Columbus went, missing America like the side of a barn). A racist president criticized by House representatives (the Squad, who are American citizens called the president out for his racism (he was really mad because the US is not their country of origin,but this is America so no big deal. They are the future. They are the next timeline. It only takes four seeds to make a difference.
6
I agree with Mr. Trump to the extent all public officials must put the interests of all U.S. citizens first. If they think female, black, gay, etc. officials must advocate more, or only, for their kind and disrespect the president (rather than his style or policy philosophy) they are wrong. They should not get a pass as people of color. They should get out of Dodge (or Washington) if they can't take the heat.
It is not beyond the pale to rhetorically ask if their cultural identity makes them unsuited for American society. The rule by the majority, including a coalition of reasonable people, is the democratic way.¹
1
@Eugene Patrick Devany These four brilliant, compassionate women ARE putting the interest of American citizens, themselves included, first. They seem to be the only ones who are willing to stand up to the horror of DJT and his stunning attempts to destroy our country. Those who are silent will be equally responsible for the end of our democracy. I applaud these brave women for their courage, strength, honesty, and concern for their fellow citizens. Allowing this man to spend one more day in office is a travesty.
6
@Stephanie
Abortion, socialism, gay marriage, anti semitism, affirmative action, and man hating are not on my list of things that made America great. DJT is a flawed man with great policy instincts.
1
I'm glad I left the Republican party before it became completely publicly over-the-top ugly and aggressively destructive to the social fabric.
However, while hopefully better late than never (something yet to be determined), with all the evidence around me, if not all Trump level evidence, I'm also more than a little ashamed I didn't do it years sooner.
8
@Maynard K.
Congratulations. Now you — and every other former Republican who cares — must take the next step and vote in November for the DEMOCRATIC candidate, even if you believe he/she is too old, too young, too progressive, too moderate, too white, too nonwhite, too male, too female, too whatever!
Stay home and you’re voting for Trump.
Vote for a third-party candidate and you’re voting for Trump.
1
Trump has managed to shift Republican political correctness to being racist. Your vote has never been more important.
7
The author should have included the first part of Senator Toomey's statement but did not because it would have diluted the analysis. His statement began...
“President Trump was wrong to suggest that four left-wing congresswomen should go back to where they came from. Three of the four were born in America and the citizenship of all four is as valid as mine.”
We are witnessing, in real time, how 1930s Germany happened. We are allowing it, and we will all be responsible when it happens.
12
Carl,
You mean, discipline, not stranglehold. Right??
Well, if Republicans are thinking about 2020 as they silently accept their president's racist comments, I take that as a sign that they are preparing to forgo any support at the ballot box from any voters who are black, brown, other shades of nonwhite, mixed race, plus the vast majority of white voters who support equality for all races in a diverse America. I eagerly await news on how THAT works out for them.
5
Republicians in Congress once sang the tune "Never Trump" Now that will do anything to keep thier Seat. This is what it's about fear of being Primaried. It's not like most of these guys need to worry about making a leaving after Congress. Guys like Lindsay Graham sure did a 360 since 2015. How do these people look themself in the mirror? Integrety maybe this people need to look the word up.
3
Trump is so twisted that more members of the party that has too much tolerated him can no longer remain silent. To wit, Trump’s racist attack on four women in Congress has been called by Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst for what it is: “RACIST.”
Long heralded as the Grand Old Party that rose with abolitionist first Republican President Abe Lincoln on down to the rotten decay of Trump, it is sickening and surely most so to those getting party splattered with Trump’s slime.
And smearing us all: we have sickeningly gotten stuck with a person in the White House that in his need to insult these women he attempts to do so by casting another land and people as something to be ashamed of. There is little wonder why Trump has so disgusted people in our land and around the world.
2
The Party Of Trump hates socialism, but they love Putin. Go figure!
6
The 1950s is a time in which.white men were in control of everything. Black men while "free", they were not considered equal. White women were expected to marry and have numerous children. They too, we not considered equals. Black women had it worse of all as they were on the bottom of this societal totem pole. This is what Trump and his silently complicit GOP wish to return to. That is what confederate southerns want. But it is not what the majority in our country wants! The MAJORITY must step up and speak out against these atrocious actions against our democracy that are occurring daily.
3
The GOP are complicit in treason. By remaining silent while Trump tramples our norms and dismantles our democratic republic they are willfully and knowingly undermining the rule of law and our system of government. They should all be deposed and held responsible not just at the voting booth but in the courts. Of course, that would only happen in a functioning democracy not run by billionaires and corporations who only care about their own self interest. The United States of America ceased to be that country long before we elected a white nationalist who is an autocratic racist president of the United States.
It's official. America has become a white nationalist plutocracy. I wonder how many of my white brethren will hold their noses and pull the lever for this morally bankrupt charlatan in 2020? What skewed sense of perverse self interest could possibly justify re-electing this monstrosity to office? What lies they will tell themselves to soothe their conscience afterward?
6
Are Republicans quiet because they agree with Trump’s racism? Or are they quiet because they’re too scared to stand up to him? I want to know – Is it no brain? Or no spine?
2
@M From the day that nobody called Trump on "prefer people who don't get captured" he's been allowed to start destroying the USA.
5
By saying nothing when the leader of their party utters racist words of hate is to indicate agreement or acceptance of those words. The Republican party is also the white power, racist party in America. If there are Republicans in the legislature who do not agree with this, but are saying nothing, they are shameful cowards. There are no other options available to Republican leaders and party members, racist or coward, that's it. The few Republicans who have the moxie to reject the Racist President either need to become much more vocal or leave the party. True leadership requires courage. On an official level there is none of that in the party.
4
I now believe in the “Deep State”. Trump is not this smart.
1
What a bunch of gutless and spineless people these Republicans are who serve in Congress. Lindsey Graham comes off as a Fascist and Racist. The rest of them, including Toomey, Romney and Tillis come of as Un-American.
We are built on diversity. Do they forget their roots?
If the Republican Congress continues to put up with this gross idea of a President, what can the voters of the U.S. expect if they continue to flout common decency.
I shudder at our future with these people running wild with power and lack of conscience.
One brave Republican in the bunch Justin Amash and only one decent Republican filed for the Primary against Trump, Bill Weld.
If there are Republican voters of conscience, and I know there are, they will make sure Amash continues to serve and that Bill Weld is given serious consideration.
6
This is not Trump's party. It is the Trump Party full of hypocrisy and hatred for anything other than white and male. It is a reflection of the population of the country - male and female - that lives on fear mongering, despair, hypocrisy, lies, self-pity, loathing and hatred.
I pity the rest of the GOP that is still sane and rational yet I do not. They wring their hands and continue to put these spineless men into the government.
2
A wise person once prognosticated that America's inability to deal with its racism will destroy the world. I think we are seeing that prediction come into its fullness with this president and his followers.
3
I wonder if there is any non-white person in America who would vote for the GOP at this time? GOP has shown its true colors, a party for whites people only.
4
White is a mixture of all colors in the science of light and the art of reflection. America may have been white but the shades of white remain culturally diverse. The notion of a white nationalism as a genuine threat or force in politics is laughable.
The GOP of 2019 is as inclusive as the education and business worlds.
2
@HistoryRhymes
Tell both sides of the story.
I’m white, male and a native born citizen. I’m also nearly four times the legal voting age.
However, there is nothing whatsoever that might induce me to vote for Trump. The man is nothing but an aberation and a national embarrassment.
And there are millions of white, native born men who feel the same.
2
It's interesting so see the Republicans scrambling to conflate anti-zionism with anti-semitism yet again - the Tories did it well in the U.K. More interviewers should call these guys out every time they make such assertions - Nick Schifrin of NPR is probably the only one that's quick enough to seek to clarify this, every time it happens.
All this becomes even more ridiculous when viewed through the biblical prism. Rashida Tlaib is of Palestinian origin. That makes her a descendant of Shem, the son of Noah. You cannot get any more semitic than that. It is almost laughable to watch the Hemite, Lindsey Graham descendant of Ham, accuse the Semite Tlaib of anti-semitism. If you want to go biblical, read the Bible first!
2
"Both the willingness of Republicans to attach extremist labels to Democrats and the Democratic assault against Mr. Trump as a racist and white supremacist presage a particularly bitter 2020 campaign."
Hoo boy...this is extremely 'both sides.' Could've gone without this false equivalency.
2
"Both the willingness of Republicans to attach extremist labels to Democrats and the Democratic assault against Mr. Trump as a racist and white supremacist presage a particularly bitter 2020 campaign."
Wait, so Trump being a white supremacist and Democrats accurately calling Trump a white supremacist is somehow equally bad?
4
Why is this even a news item when it's been all but common knowledge that Donald Trump is a racist and he co-opted the Republican Party ever since he received their nomination.
There's no way they're going to start to disagree with him now.
2
The Republicans in both houses of Congress are the Yellow Fringe, i.e., extreme and timid, to approve by their silence the UnAmerican remarks of a racist autocrat. What else is new?
2
You know who hates America? Trump's buddy, Vladimir Putin. He has nothing but nice things to say about this dictator whose highest priority is to weaken our democracy.
Trump seems much more comfortable with the world's authoritarian leaders than the leaders of our allies. As for his fellow Republicans, they might as well run in 2020 under the banner "Racists R Us"
4
Right now, "the Squad" is the Republican Party's best vote getter.
Senator Kamala Harris previously held this position. In Congressional hearings she verbally harangued, harassed and badgered white male and female administration officials who were just doing their jobs and had the misfortune to be questioned by Senator Harris in her committee. Demanding "yes or no" answers from administration officials could be construed as somewhat hostile.
But now, four aggressive newcomers have appeared, "the Four Horsemen of the Multicultural Apocalypse!"
They are congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib. I'm sure they are popular in their constituencies but across the United States they merely reinforce President Trump's policies of encouraging legal immigration and strict border control.
Voting day is November 3, 2020. See you all there.
3
I'd like to remind Republicans that the Oath of Office each and everyone of them swore was to uphold the Constitution.
Not to give blind allegiance to Trump.
Mitch McConnell, who was personally rewarded by Trump with Russian investments and a plum political position for his wife, is the worst offender.
Send a contribution to Amy McGrath, the Democrat running against McConnell.
And vote Democratic in 2020.
Every seat, every office.
Show the world America is better than Trump.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/amymcgrathkentucky
4
Ha! Ha! Ha! "Lordy," as James Comey would say; you can't make this stuff up. If it's a choice between Pres. Trump or a socialist apocalypse, for 69% of the voting public, will re-elect Pres. Trump.
2
Fred Trump send Donald Trump to military high school to try to straighten him up. What can we’d now ?
2
.. Trump is trying to stir his base.. the attacks against the
'un-American Socialists' are just what the Republicans are hoping for.
--But weren't AOC & Co just attacking Pelosi and the Dems.. saying they're racist enablers... Basically attacking anyone who doesn't see the world through their own narrow perspective.
.... In a way, Trump & the 'Squad' have been looking for each other.. Their 'grievance politics' always needs an enemy to attack; some other that must be done away with..
-They almost deserve each other..
The reason Trump has so much support is he’s the 1st Republican to not only push back against the left, but he takes the fight to them. This has never happened. Most Republicans say nothing & just take it. GWB was too nice. The left has always been able to say whatever they want, smear, exaggerate, etc. Trump has a backbone & DNGAF. He’s a fighter & a winner.
1
This well-written article could well be used as the focus of an undergraduate Political Science 100 lecture on “Elements of Demagoguery.”
Demagogues use vague, poorly-defined “hurrah phrases” like Make America Great Again, and undefined “boo” phrases such as “people who hate America.”
These phrases are seldom further clarified. Their purpose is to evoke an instictive emotional response. Clearly defining their meaning would counter the demagogues purpose.
In the USA, calling one’s political opponent a “socialist” or, more severely, a “communist” in no way need relate to the textbook definition of these terms.
Socialist and communist are two very powerful, well-established “boo” words. They are often held in reserve for times when right-wing polititions have their backs to the wall.
“‘The reality is I want to shift back to the issues and the America they represent versus the America that I want to see,’ Mr. Tillis told reporters.”
What issues?
What America do “they” represent?
What America do you want to see, Mr. Tillis?
Demagoguery is all about evoking emotion, while avoiding specifics.
Axiom: If the leader of your party has done or said something indefensible, something vile and odious...
Wrap yourself in an American flag and make a strong, completely-hollow statement about motherhood, veterans, purple mountains majesty and “the kind of America you want to live in.”
Oh. For good measure call at least on member of the other party “a Godless COMMUNIST.” You’ll do fine.
3
Nothing like seeing the party that wailed and gnashed its teeth over an African American Commander in Chief in a tan suit castrated by a man who many of us believe is either a racist, a rapist, or both. Silence is golden, I bet they think. As we used to say during the AIDS crisis, silence equals death. One can only hope that the GOP finds that a self fulfilling prophecy. It took a meteor to wipe out the dinosaurs the first time but this time, a crook from Queens appears poised to pull it off.
The latest episode has no more to do with the political beliefs of four congress women than Charlottesville had to do with moving statues. Donald’s always holding up a bogeyman for his grievance festivals. He’s just an embittered elderly racist who wants someone to rail against. Because he isn’t brave enough to actually come out and own up to who he is.
Kudos to Hurd, Amash, and the other few dignified public servants in the GOP who have managed to correctly describe the racist in the Oval. Thank you. Start a new party and help save the country.
5
A Blaring Message in Republicans’ Muted Criticism: We’re Racist, Too
There’s a time to speak, and that time is now.
2
This is truly a day or reckoning for the Republican in Congress.
They get to decide if they will stand with Donal Trump or stand with the the American People and stand up for the rights of the duly elected US Congresswomen that Mr. Trump has slandered and demeaned with he's racist language and content.
What the Republicans in Congress are deciding is the future of their party. This is an existential test and if they side with Trump they will fail and find themselves on the dung heap of history along with Trump.
1
When will Republican apologists,normalizers, begin taking this seriously?
Three-plus years ago, in Dec., 2015, Ross Douthat asked in these very pages: “Is Donald Trump a fascist?”
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/opinion/campaign-stops/is-donald-trump-a-fascist.html
Then, he concluded that while Trump might arguably be a “proto-fascist” or “fascist leaning” — he didn’t yet qualify because, for one thing, the GOP and Republican ideology would rebuff him or keep him in check.
Now that that bird, has flown, it’s clear that the question needs to be urgently revisited
—given especially, for starters, “substantial evidence” of Trump’s obstruction of justice (and all that means for the rule of law and institutional guardrails), his pocketed AG and other surrogates giving the medial finger to congressional subpoenas and the Hatch Act; his increasingly fevered white supremacist rhetoric; his 2016 and subsequent attempts to build populist support for ignoring election results and waving away terms limits; etc...
And articles like this —curiously, the words “racist” and “white supremacist” appear only once here and are framed, curiously, as a part of a“Democratic [Party] assault on Mr. Trump” —
serve only to facilitate what is, arguably, America’s steady creep toward out-and-out fascism.
History may very well ending judging these congressional Republicans not as cornered pragmatists— as the writer here tries to portray them— but as fascist enablers, vichysts.
2
Trump is just saying publicly what Republicans wish they could say. He is their Dear Leader and they will stand by him because they are just like him.
Never, ever vote for a Republican if you want to live in a civilized society.
4
I remember when the Republicans conducted an autopsy after Mitt Romney lost the election to President Obama.
Then they ignored the results of that autopsy by supporting a racist like Donald Trump.
Now it seems they have progressed to writing their own obituary. Their demise can’t come soon enough for me.
3
It is amusing to see all of the Democrats hoping that Republicans will tire of winning. Mitch could do this, or some other Republican could help the Democrats win. President Trump is calling out the radical Democrats who have taken over the party. The Democrats will lose in 2020--as they should.
Trump claims a lot of people agree with him. Who? Give us their names. Does Mike Pence agree with you? How about Mitch McConnell? Or Melania? Ivanka? Jared? Who else?
7
The Republican Party has sold its soul. We have been watching its demise in slow motion for several decades now. Under Trump, the Party of Lincoln has accomplished its goal..the trifecta of greed, bigotry, and racism. But it is especially that of bigotry against the other - and make no mistake that includes women - that has awaken the hate, the dark side, of thousands of Americans. Trump is a foolish, dangerous man. But he is a genius in tapping into the vulnerabilities of the ignorant and cowardly. Sadly, the cowardly and with it the unethical is prevalent among Mitch, Lindsey, et al. And it has metastasized to the Susan Collins and Cory Gardner's who double speak but can not hide their hypocrisy. Yes, indeed, it is Trump's Party now. Be ashamed if there is any shame left in us.
6
So disappointed but certainly not surprised that the former GOP has no members with sense, spine or decency to protect America from the evil, evil Donald Trump nor from foolish, foolish gullible Mitch McConnell. The party is no longer entitled to be considered "Grand" and now is the Greedy Old Party. The only thing that matters is power and we the votes must show OUR power by firing each and every member of the GOP who fails to denounce this latest attack on America by Donald and Trump. Special shout-out to Cory "Trump" Gardner: start packing 'cause you will be voted out.
6
What has Trump done as President to make these people become one of his “fans”?
Lindsey Graham - July 2015
"He's a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot," Graham continued. "He doesn't represent my party. He doesn't represents the values that the men and women who wear the uniform are fighting for. ... He's the ISIL man of the year."
Mick Mulvaney - 2016
“I think one thing we’ve learned about Donald Trump during his campaign is hat he is not a very good person. What he said in the audtioape is disgusting and indefensible. My quess is that he has probably said even worse.”
Ted Cruz
“This man is a pathological liar, he dosn’t know the difference between truth and lies..in a pattern that is straight out of a psychology textbook, he accuses everyone of lying...Whaever lie he’s telling, a that minute he believes it...he man is utterly immoral.’
Susan Collins - 8-2016
“I will not be voting for...Trump...increasingly dismayed by is constant stream of cruel comments...Mr. Trump as unworthy of being our president.’
Mitch McConnell - 6-2016
“I object to a whole series of things that he said - vehemently object to them, I think all of that needs to stop. Both the shots at people he defeated in the primary and those attacks on various ethnic groups in the country.”
9
@Agent 99 Perfect comment for today.
2
@Jacquie
Thank you.
Here are more:
Mike Lee (R-Utah) - 2016
“We can get into that if you want. We can get into the fact that he accused my best friend’s father of conspiring to kill JFK. We can go through the fact that he’s made statements that some have identified correctly as religiously intolerant. We can get into the fact that he’s wildly unpopular in my state, in part because my state consists of people who are members of a religious minority church. A people who were ordered exterminated by the governor of Missouri in 1838. And, statements like that make them nervous.”
Marco Rubio - 6/9/2016
“..Trump is unfit for the presidency and cannot be trusted with the nation’s nuclear arsenal. (June 9, 2016)
Lisa Murkowski - 2016
“The video that surfaced yesterday further revealed his true character,” she said. “He not only objectified women, he bragged about preying upon them. I cannot and will not support Donald Trump for President—he has forfeited the right to be our party's nominee. He must step aside.” (October 8, 2016)
No one should expect the GOP of condemning the rancid remarks of this racist President.
Why should they?
They agree with his racist views 100%.
They have been dog whistling to racists since Reagan.
Now they’re thrilled they can shout their racism from the rooftops and their base is tickled pink.
7
The most interesting conclusion of the article is that Republicans want to go directly at the Progressives and brand them as radical. Well, fine. Let's have that battle, but not by letting them get away with their framing. Instead, Dems need to talk about the issues on which they all agree with the majority of Americans: there should be affordable health care for all; tax cuts that overwhelmingly go to the wealthy do not help our economy; climate change is real and we need to act decisively; workers should share in the prosperity that they create, etc. All of these positions put Dems on the side of working families and in stark contrast to the actual positions taken on issue after issue by Republicans.
4
Defying Trump might well be "ruinous to their careers", so farewell to the "land of the free and the home of the brave".
What they sow now, they shall reap later -- not only to their own cost, but, sadly, also to the harm of the country.
2
Profiles in Courage - NOT.
4
There is zero doubt in my mind that the "establishment" Republicans like McConnell, Thune, Barrasso, Blunt, etc. genuinely hate Donald J. Trump behind closed doors. They can't stand him in private, and I am certain that they are feeling awful that their GOP got high-jacked by an awful human being like Trump.
So why not impeach him and start fresh with Pence? As we all know, Americans have short memories. Though Trump's core "base" would be angry for a while, they would soon be distracted once football season starts, another natural disaster hits, or the holidays come around. Short memories. In this case, the Republican Establishment would be wise to consider just ridding themselves and their party of the putrid stain that is Donald J. Trump.
3
It is hysterical that Trump tells these women to leave the country rather than try to fix its problems. Trump won the White House with nothing positive to say about the government. He ran on laundry list of perceived problems: Terrible treaties, robbed by China, the UN, NATO, everyone else, broken Washington, health care, immigration, etc.
I wish he had taken his own advice in 2016. Or earlier.
2
Every elected GOP official who has kept silent about all Trump's horrible comments should be made to answer for that silence in the next election. It should be a central part of every Democrats campaign attack as if they made the comment, they fully supported by silence.
6
This is what happens when your congressional district or state supported Trump: deadly fear of crossing the Base. None of the Republicans will criticize him because there's always another election coming up!
1
Here's the data:
Mitch McConnell and Lindsay Graham and the rest will not criticize outright racism because it might hurt their re-election campaigns.
Nancy Pelosi will not take up Robert Mueller's message that Congress should impeach the president for crimes that Mueller's investigation found to have occurred because it might hurt at the ballot box.
Paul Ryan who is a member of the Republican party but is not running for office can frankly speak the truth that Donald Trump is a "textbook racist."
Time for term limits.
3
The party of Lincoln has sold its soul to a demagogue. Principles should matter more than short-term political considerations. History will not judge the silent Republicans in Congress kindly. I wish Mitt Romney or John Kasich would run against Trump in 2020. I think his political house built on lies, racism and fear, and incompetently managed, could crumble quite easily if it is put under stress.
2
these power-mad, like-minded politicos cannot be trusted to denounce trump. there is only one thing left before the election to bring the truth forward. mr. mueller, please amplify your testimony and responses to congress's questions. say what you think. the integrity of the union is at stake.
2
Trump's racism resonates among GOP voters. Racism exists throughout that population. It's not only among the "poorly educated," but it extends into GOP ranks. If it didn't, Trump's racist tweets would be ineffective. Silence occurs on the Congressional GOP side because these Members know their constituents. They know that Trump has connected with racist feelings withheld by their voters as only he can, on the path to normalizing them, his goal.
2
It would take but one man--ONE MAN--to right the GOP's ship and reclaim some semblance of its moral standing.
That man is Mitch McConnell.
If McConnell could somehow come to his senses and remember what it is to be an American, to recall this nation's promise to the world to be "a shining beacon on a hill," to embody the values represented by Lady Liberty, then Trump could be well and truly repudiated. The GOP could begin its long, slow climb to some sort of respectability. Its elected officials could once again look themselves in the eye and have some kind of dignity.
Trump is who he is, and he's never going to be anything else. It's up to others to realize that his path is corrupt, dangerous, and false. It has to start with "leadership," and I say that in quotes because as it stands, the GOP has no true leader. McConnell could, and should, be that leader who backs his party off the ledge.
Sadly, I'm pretty sure he will not rise to the occasion.
81
@DD McConnell just wants to stuff as many right wing hacks onto the federal courts as he can. He’s fulfilling one of his lifelong dreams, and the century long dreams of the right in this country.
17
@DD McConnell no longer has the spine to stand up. He has a shell. And he's stuck on all four legs, puttering about, not caring about the United States of America.
11
Our current political situation is as much or more because of McConnell’s failure to lead in good-faith than because of anything Trump has done. Trump is a bafoon; McConnell is a threat to our system.
18
I have never lived in such a contentious era. Because Trump—usurper of the office of president—is the most imperious, incendiary occupant ever to "lead" of this nation, I see nothing nor no one to blame for this state of affairs more than him. That alone is the common ground from which I write.
Unless we—readers of and writers to NYT—all take it upon ourselves to change this state of affairs, it will be our new status quo. I appreciate having this forum to express my opinion and enjoy reading those of others. But most who use this site seem to be in general agreement that we are opposed to this being our current reality. As a public think tank, can't we somehow join forces to actually bring about a real grassroots form of action? I don’t want years of contentiousness in my nation.
Can NYT help us to connect with the other like-minded writers in geographic proximity to each other to form positive, thoughtful groups of folks to work outside of partisan party politics to do small group meetings through which to engage those riding the fence or not decidedly supporters of Trump and have meaningful discussions of the issues we are currently facing. Obviously a lot of folks do not support him. We must be able to reach non-NYT readers if we want to make a difference. I’m willing to work on this.
Any ideas? Anyone interested?
5
Trump is blatantly using racial hatred to rally support, GOP politicians are going along for the ride, and the reputation of the United States is dragged into the sewer, destroying our moral authority and thus our influence and power in the world. So much winning. From the beginning of slavery onwards, I guess this country has made its deals with the devil. Let’s see how this latest deal, with Trump, works out.
3
One thing I am grateful for is that my Greatest Generation parents and their friends are gone and have not had to witness the virulent anti-American behavior of the cowards and traitors who now dominate all three branches of the Republican government.
8
Modern Republicans are the antithesis of everything their party once stood for. They are now a nest of complicit racists undermining the core values of what it means to be American - those inalienable rights that all are created equal and are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They have made Thaddeus Steven's, Charles Sumner, Abraham Lincoln, and many others RINOs.
2
Kevin McCarthy unequivocally said that Trump's recent statements about four congresswomen of color were not racist. Other people have provoked him with different results. Trump has disparaged a steady stream of people he considers enemies (see Ben Sasse, Jeff Flake and Justin Amash), calling them unelectable, weak and losers. Yet, why didn't he tell these others to "go back to where they came from?" We all know the reason. Shame on Trump and his cowering comrades.
1
Shame on any republican in Congress trying to explain away trump’s racism. If you do not condemn him then you wear the mantle of racism along with trump.
trump’s comments on the 4 Congresswomen are not about their social policies. They are about their race.
Kevin McCarthy you should be removed from office along with McConnell. Do you have no low to which you will not sink? History will not be kind to you.
trump must be removed from office. He disgraces this country and our Constitution everyday.
2
the GOP used to be my opposition. Now they are my ENEMY
6
Meanwhile American National Security is at risk and Congress is doing nothing to protect us. Trump continues to gaslight and con Americans while our safety is a risk.
According to Mother Jones, the US Government Has Done “Almost Nothing” to Stop Cyber Attacks
“Very little has been done to protect our…weapons systems.”
2
If you could be a fly on the wall inside the GOP caucus you'd probably see the following:
McConnell: Well, boys our fearless leader has finally gone of the rails, full stop. What are we gonna do?
GOP minions: Do we have any options? If we express our outrage every one of us is going to face a primary with some wacko Trumper running against us. This guy is wildly popular with the base, so we would be dead meat speaking up.
McConnell: I hear you. Let's just stay the course and hope this thing goes away.
GOP minions: Amen.
McConnell: Meeting adjourned.
2
It’s Trump’s party, and we’ll cry ‘cause we have to.
1
"countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world,” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter. He is talking about his own White House, isn't he?
6
The new republicans who don’t have a spine gave rise to the squad. From Newt to Rusch to Paul Ryan, me nowism led America to this dance. The me now instant gratification.
2
The big reason the GOP doesn't intervene is, first, because they understand that millions of Americans don't consider Trump's comments racist but rather a critique of Omar, who has made many incendiary comments. She was, effectively, told by Trump to put her money where her mouth is. That's a typical Trump thing to say.
Second, they are letting the same old tired racism charges resonate loudly and clearly. Democrats have no clue how tired Americans are of this accusation.
2
Absolutely spineless, these Trump browbeaten Republican politicians.
2
Republicans know a winning strategy when they see one. Nonhispanic whites are still the single largest voting bloc in the country. Sacrificing four women who have been made to embody all that isn't traditionally white America will probably have the desired effect on the Republican base.
3
Pretty bad when the elected leaders of the Republican Party are so terrified of the Bully in Chief.
They are behaving like helpless children do in abusive families.
I expect more of people who claim to be strong enough to be national leaders.
3
Trump has managed to meet with Kim Jung Il three times. He has met with "the Squad" zero times. You can't compromise with people you won't even meet with. #failedpresidency
1
The dichotomy framed by the GOP, that the choice is between the far left and the mendacious, corrupt, vulgar Trump, is simply disingenuous. One need only look at the Democratic caucus to see that much of the country resides in the political center. The Senators quoted here, Gardner in particular, seem to have sized up that they cannot win on policy, so in an effort to maintain their seats, they have sold their souls to Trump. Despicable.
3
Thank you Senator (ret.) Flake. You always deserved the title of Honorable.
1
Is there anyone on the political scene more pathetic than Lindsey Graham? A spineless, obsequious opportunist who lacks the intelligence to come up with an original critique beyond the laughable 1950s screech about communists in our midst. He is truly a second rate man. He spent much of his career riding the coattails of one of our most principled senators (McCain, someone with whom I disagreed on just about everything, but who I always respected) and now has had little trouble erasing his dignity by eagerly becoming Trump’s lap dog (remember that bizarre and embarrassing performance at the Kavanaugh hearing?). He has soiled his friendship with McCain, an honorable man, by licking the boots of the man who trashes McCain at every opportunity. Graham serves as yet another of the many examples of how proximity to Trump will “eat your soul,” and is a true American disgrace. I wonder if the reality of his political cowardice and moral turpitude will hit him like a ton of bricks on his death bed. I hope so.
6
I see the "Why don't you leave?" comment too often from hateful trolls. Here in Texas, both the Governor and Lt. Governor tried to push through an infamous "bathroom bill", to keep transgender Texans from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity. When it failed in the regular legislative session, the Governor even called a special session with it on the agenda. People posting complaints were sometimes greeted with "If you don't like Texas, leave!" Not surprising from hateful trolls, but who would have believed the POTUS would show such hateful divisiveness?
Lindsay Graham, Mitch McConnell and the others who pump this malevolent man and his misbegotten presidency up--history will not remember you kindly. With any luck and grace, may history not remember you at all.
2
Senate Majority Lead Mitch McConnell and Republicans in Congress support Mr Trump's equating brutal dictators as normal too.
https://www.newsweek.com/north-korea-pompeo-trump-kim-jong-un-queen-elizabeth-1449410
A rank outsider that candidate Trump was, once in power has reduced the Republican party to a motley crowd of slave like dumb supporters, not even a pale shadow of its earlier self. How come otherwise the Republican lawmakers could remain numb sensed even when the fellow Congress women were subjected to racist accusations and suggestions of going back to their countries of origin by Trump?
If Republicans have become the party of Trump, throwing out all previous values and sentiments regarding racism and the rule of law, then we need to redefine the (R).
Under Trump, does the (R) equal Racist?
Or does the (R) equal Reich?
I think the later, because like Trump, the Constitution and rule of law no longer mean much to Republicans. Nor does tradition in the institution known as the Senate. which gave us two fascist-leaning Supreme Court justices with fewer than 60 votes. All other justices in my lifetime have needed at least 60 votes to ascend the bench, as this super-majority was need to assure the justices could represent all Americans, not a foreign corporate ideology.
I also think Reich applies given the lack of due process, reflected in the concentration camps for Trump's "undesirables" down on the border.
I also think Reich applies given Trump has stated he plans on a third term, not just a second... and that his base would not accept his loss in an election.
Reich is right. It is fitting for these Republicans loyal to the president and not their oath of office.
1
Nothing new about using race as a political strategy. Trump just made it like everything else about him: loud, brash, gross and in your face. Subtlety isn't his long suit. What started as MAGA is now, "say it loud, I'm racist and proud".
President Trump is a masterful politician. The new civil right's movement is the movement for freedom of speech. Mr Trump knows these once damning “racist” like epithets, now are quite meaningless. They have been so worn and overused. In the past they were an important weapon of the left to silence the critics. Now they have quite the reverse effect. The offensive labels have completed a full circle. Nowadays these epithets delivers valuable political capital for the accused. President Trump has already have earned many of these epithets himself. He wanted to keep them to himself. Since, these “racist” “sexist” like epithets of the left have turn into liabilities for themselves. Mr. Trump wanted Ms. Pelosi to be on the same side as her own radical backbenchers. And the American voters to see the Democratic Party is now controlled by the un-American fanatics. And Mr. Trump knows that depending on who’s calling who a “racist” the epithet often is a badge of honor…
1
@ChandraPrince
Democrats are out of touch and using old weaponry. Once upon a time, the charge of "racism" meant something. Today it's just irritating because people are sick of identity politics. The more they use it, the worse they look.
It's Trump's party now... and the entire GOP should be so proud.
Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, as the saying goes. Donald Trump has enslaved the Republican Party, whose members in and out of Congress have succumbed to his racist will. They'll now have to issue their own Emancipation Proclamation and free themselves. There is nothing that a slaveholder fears more than a slave revolt. It's time for one now among Republicans. If they won't or can't do it, they go to their graves as nothing other than Trump's chattel. Having lived subject to his domination, in fear of own shadows, they'll die remembered only for their identity as cowards. If we are continue to be a free republic, peopled by free citizens, it's long past time for them to revolt!
Your darn right it's Trump's party. These elected officials who cower in the presence of the mighty Trump do not in any way represent the voters of the Republican party. Trump represents the people who elected him. Trump is behaving in exactly the way his supporters want him to behave and they love him for it.
We now have minority rule in this nation through gerrymandering, voter suppression, and the Senate. This is precisely how the Republican party engineered the electoral system over the past 40 years to give them the power. Then, Trump came in and took the power away by using their system.
These elected officials who have sold out to the vilness, the hatred and disgust do so because their constituents want them to. They know that if they cross Trump, they will get voted out of office. Gerrymandering and voter suppression, in this case, took the power away from the old party and gave it to Trump.
About 25% of eligible voters are in love with Trump. They will never abandon him no matter what he does. The rest of these elected officials are nothing more than accessories to the cause of Trump. They are his puppets.
2
Republicans, who used to claim to be the party of moral superiority, have sunk so low that they seem to align themselves with white supremacists more than with 'good, law abiding, Christian folks'. It's true; the Republican party is a party of 1-- the party of Trump.
“It is Trump’s Party!” Now we fully well know where the Swamp is.
Ugh. The Republicans aren't the only ones who have been "Trumpified".
If Barack Obama- or anyone remotely close to him- were in the 2020 race, he'd be ahead by double digits, and that lead would be widening with every vile blast of vomit issuing forth from the Geyser in Chief.
Bret Stephens put it right on the button in his column a week or so ago when he identified Joe Biden as the only candidate capable of measured, reasonable responses, but that he was "too feeble" to do so. The party's answer has been to run to the other side of the room and hurl the same kind of nasty gutter trash back (see AOC's comments on Pelosi).
In less than three years since Barry O's departure, the Democratic Party has become a mirror image of Trump's Republican Party on the left. Extreme, offensive and rude, with seemingly no handle on policy answers to what the country needs.
The Democratic Party used to be a centrist party with a liberal wing. It is now a liberal party with a centrist "wing".
If there's anything left of it, that is.
This is not about Trump's racism. It's about his second term. Trump's tweets serve only to increase the Election Day turnout among his base of racists, bigots, evangelicals and other assorted fear-based fools. Congress will remain cowards. We must outvote the Trumpers in 2020. You and me.
Sadly we're past the issue of is he a racist/says racist things, etc. It's now at the point that the issue is no longer relevant. Add it to the list: adulterer, misogynist, narcissism, self-aggrandizement and so on. When does any of this become relevant is the key question for the electorate next year? I am not optimistic.
Underneath all their perseverating is the simple fact most of them are fine with Trumps racism because he says what they think.
3
I already knew that Donald Trump was a racist, an exhibitionist and a con artist. While I didn't expect someone as transparently dishonest and misanthropic to win the election, once he squeezed through I fully expected him to demand that the presidency adapt to his criminality, rather than the reverse, that he would learn the job and conform to at least some practices and precedents.
Sure enough, he fulfilled my worst expectations, not expanding his knowledge base an iota, challenging anyone to "make him" show his taxes, refusing to divest his businesses in ways that threaten national security and using twitter to blast off incoherent, divisive, mendacious missives to rile up his permanently triggered base.
However, what I didn't expect and shocks me the most is that an entire party would completely capitulate to a man who is not only a verified, congenital liar with execrable taste in everything from personnel to policy, wildly unsuited for and incompetent at his job and enamored of murderous authoritarians, but narcissistic at a level that even if he was intellectually intact and not disintegrating renders him incapable of good judgment.
Perhaps the biggest irony is that their genuflection will not save them from the repercussions of this president's odious reign. Trump poisons everyone and everything he touches and they will not be spared.
With this latest ugly outburst
The Republicans are cowards. The statements that Trump made have nothing to do with politics and everything to do with race/gender. The fact that more Republicans were not outraged over his statements is very sad and unacceptable. They either feel the same way as he does, or they are just cowards, afraid to challenge the head of their party.
Republicans may cringe, or wince, or frown in a faux-serious manner, or grumble, or "disapprove" and yet they all fall in line with Trump. All of them. So, regardless of how much stomach trouble they pretend to have, or how it may "pain" them to see this kind of "discourse"- from a distance there's no daylight between them. I see only a gargantuan, flagrant, gleefully sadistic racist, and a bunch of calculating, power hungry, cynical cowards standing in lockstep behind him. This is the Republican party now.
1
I have always hated racist demagoguery. I saw too much of it here in the Deep South as a child. Trump has placed himself in the tradition of Ross Barnett. Sad.
1
"With Mr. Trump far more popular with Republican voters than incumbent Republican members of Congress, most are loath to cross the president and risk reprisals."
trump accused the four progressive Congresswomen as supporting terrorists. This type of hate speech could inspire a trump supportor who is mentally unbalanced (aren't they all, to some degree?) to cause harm to one of these Congresswomen, or their supporters.
So I ask of these Republicans in Congress and their supporters, WHERE IS YOUR LINE? What needs to happen before you break from self-serving political interests and condemn a president who is obviously mentally, socially and morally unfit for office? Your line shouldn't be when someone is hurt or killed as a result of trump's hateful and ignorant tweets. In fact he crossed the line three years ago when running for office.
So again I ask, Senator McConnell, Representative McCarthy, Senator Graham: WHERE IS YOUR LINE?
Shame on you, traitors.
My dear American friends (especially Democrats), you just don’t “get it”!
To beat Trump you need to neuter him by adopting some of his most populist policies... they are Populist as they are Popular.
You need to look at Europe, you need to look at how center right parties have strategically dealt with populism. Here in Austria, the ÖVP party (under Sebastian Kurz) were able to successfully neuter the populist FPÖ by adopting some of their common sense policies such as on immigration.
Ultimately, in any democracy, it is about listening to and understanding your electorate - it is not about pushing ideology. That’s why, despite the great ideas, “The Squad” will ultimately fail to win a mandate to govern.
Dems, please take heed!! Your choices affect the world, not just America.
@Barry
So more breaking into homes without warrants, rounding people up, causing harm and sometimes death?
What exactly are you asking for?
1
Look at Europe and the centre right is caving to populists and fascists. That just gives them credibility.
The policy of triangulation has failed miserably. It leaves people alienated and desperate for an alternative to identikit politicians.
It’s time to wake up to the fact that middle class white people aren’t the centre of the universe. A party can win by mobilising the disenfranchised and relying on the decent minority of white people to join the coalition for a better future.
The simple fact is, and not as an ad hominem attack, is that ANY Republican who does not repudiate Trump's comments and beliefs is, indeed and proven by their silence, a racist and a white supremacist. That is the country we are now in.
By extension, anyone who votes for Trump in 2020 is a racist and a white supremacist.
These are the facts.
1
We all know that President Trump has his own way with words and quite often offends many people. Rather than judge Mr. Trump, I must admit that I'm outraged by the disrespect and vile references about the United States of America by these female members of congress. The fact that they are "women of color" has nothing to do with their mean and unproductive so-called progressive views. Views that are racist, antisemitic, anti-American and down right stupid continue to distract the once great Democratic Party and leave its leadership following a fringe movement led by vitriolic Bronx bartenders and wahabbists who hide behind their minority affiliations.
I never dreamed I would watch the socio-political developments leading up to WWII and fascism in Europe first-hand.
The images from the camps... Pence’s blank face and Graham’s scuttle away from the edge of the enclosure...it doesn’t take much imagination to replace these Latin Americans with Jews and Gypsies.
Silence=Death was the motto of Act Up, and I thought that would be the closest we ever came to the banality of evil.
The Republican party’s silence in the face of all these crimes, including ones against humanity, and the perennial 40 percent of voters who continue to support Trump shatters my faith in the essential goodness of America.
1
Republicans sold their souls to Trump, and are too cowardly to speak up for truth, justice and decency!
All of these players -- Trump and his GOP apologists, and the Fab 4 Dems who just can't restrain themselves -- need to get a grip on their inflammatory language. The GOP is getting dangerously close to sounding like the party of the Old South, and the Democrats are skirting a sure loss in 2020 because these women are too enamored of the exposure their office gives them. I supported them all when they were running, but now I wish they would focus on working within the broader party strategy.
From day 1 of his presidency Trump made clear that he did not represent most Americans. He proclaimed that he represented the interests of blue collar workers. Not! He is now making clear that he represents white nationalism and feels free to make blatantly racist remarks about members of Congress.
Most Republican House and Senate members remain silent, some even attack their fellow representatives and a few bleat pablum.
Do Americans really want "representatives" who care more about keeping their jobs and keeping Republicans in power via undemocratic means (gerrymandering, voter suppression, etc.) than they do about upholding the most basic American values?
1
TIME TO IMPEACH--RACISM ADDED TO EVERYTHING ELSE.
Even if Senate will not throw him out, at least there will be a full public airing of his wrongdoing.
See if he'll be re-elected after that.
1
It would be interesting to ask Republicans who defend Trump - and it looks like they have the Republican D-team out there defending him as the A, B and C teams are in hiding or have retired - exactly what Trump would have to say before they would call it racist?
1
There's not a single Republican in the Senate with a fraction of the courage that John McCain had. Boy, do we miss him.
1
By his menacingly racist remarks Trump has floated a warning to his party: You're either with me, by showing unwavering support for whatever I say or do, or you're against me and will suffer the fate of facing a primary battle, which is the exact behavior of a dictator. There are no dissidents in the GOP. The dissidents (Flake, Corker, Amash) all abandoned a toxic ship, realizing that the Republican party that they signed on for is dead. They might as well call it the Trump Party, because the party of Lincoln doesn't cut it any more.
Dear Democrats:
Most of us who vote for you would consider just getting rid of trump winning. We like many of your policies, too, although the more extreme ( dissolving private insurance in favor of Medicare for all, medical insurance for illegal immigrants when so many Americans can’t pay for necessary medical interventions, although something must be so anybody avoids using expensive ER visits for non life threatening emergencies) make us worry that you’ll drive voters away. You need to stop falling for traps that favor republicans ( responding to a yes/no show of hands regarding health insurance for illegal immigrants when the reality is more nuanced; being forced to support the squad’s policies labeled as “communist” when all you’re trying to do is support them against trumps racist insults). You all need to check your egos and unify under one banner. Squad, you need to take a back seat. Your policies are intriguing but too far left too soon. Your time will come but first do whatever you need to do to support other Democrats, get rid of trump and win back the senate. Without that your policies, however well they play to your constituents, go NOWHERE. So grow up and get a grip. Nancy, be bold.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Citizen
Sitting here listening to a Trump official try to rationalize Trumps racism. Best I can determine his supporters are in complete irrational denial of the obvious or attempting to twist his racism into something it isn't.
I am sorry but accusing anyone who calls a racist a racist of being a racist simply because they recognize a racist is as far a stretch of reality as it gets. Fact is Trump is a racist of the worst order and anyone who supports his racism is supporting racism at the wholesale level.
1
When Michelle Alexander published her book, "The New Jim Crow", many took umbrage at the premise. But the bounty of facts could not be disputed.
When the history of the early-to-mid 21st Century is written, will it be called;"The New Confederacy "or "How the U.S.A. Dismantled Itself"?
1
Trump promised his small group of supporters that he alone could make America great again, The problem is what he meant by great. Great is white and only white. Many of his supporters still support him because they think we are being overrun by non-whites. This includes white nationalists. So now that Trump is in the driver's seat and frightened all Republicans, including McConnell, into a protective fetal position, he tells us if you are unhappy with "My" USA, leave. There is no better description of a dictator than this. He has seized our government and will not easily let it go.
Note to Sen Cornyn. Too late. You have already embarrassed yourself beyond redemption along with the rest of your caucas. There are plenty of historic precedents for your failure of conscience, civility, responsibility and to your oath of office. And those precedents did not end well.
1
Some states pay more into the federal coffers than is received. Gheeze, that must be socialism.
One need not hate America to hate a lot of what happens in America like having an ignoramus in the Oval Office, rampant corruption, self-dealing, incompetence and lying about all of it. The fact that these Congresswomen were democratically elected in the purest sense (no electoral college-effect of thwarting popular will in congressional elections) while DT lost the popular vote means that lots of people don't like it either.
As Paul Krugman has pointed out in this paper, the dog whistles are in the bin...blatant racism is the brand of the GOP now.
Ignore Trump, ignore the republican party, don't give them free coverage, don't let them shape the political discourse. This is how he won the last time. Don't repeat the collective mistake of responding to each and every racist, xenophobic, sexist point he and his party make. Simply, bite your tongue and ignore, ignore, and ignore. Let's talk about our real political problems and tell people why these are our collective problems: out of control budget deficit, adverse effects of global warming, crumbling infrastructure, the cost of healthcare, hopeless inner cities, public schools, gangs and drugs, poverty and wealth distribution, homelessness, and the coming economic crisis...
Let's talk about real problems and not his tantrums. Don't even use his name, just ignore. There is more than enough reasonable people in this country but they are intimidated, tired, and hopeless. Let's give them hope, give them direction, and they will vote. But ignore him and his party.
1
Trump is trying to distract his base from his failure to deliver on his 2016 promises:
(1) Obamacare - NOT repealed
(2) Build the Wall Across Southern Border - Barely a few miles build
(3) Get Mexico to Pay for the Wall - NOT paying
(4) Replace NAFTA with new Deal - USMCA is almost the same as NAFTA, USMCA NOT approved by Congress
(5) North Korea - NOT denuclearized
(6) Legal Immigration - NO progress since he declined a bi-partisan deal in 2017
(7) Economic Growth of 4%,5%,6% - NOT delivered. We are at 2% at best.
(8) Federal Deficits - EXPLODING, higher even during economic expansion
(9) DACA Repeal - NOT delivered. Still very much in place.
(10) Deportation of 11 million illegals - NOTHING has happened.
(11) Best Healthcare World has Ever seen - NOTHING DONE
(12) Best Infrastructure in the World - NOTHING DONE
(13) Bring back Manufacturing Jobs - Hardly any have come back
(14) Rebalance Trade with China - Many announcements, FEW actually implemented
The only things he has delivered on are: One Supreme court justice (McConnell stole other one from Obama), Tax cut (not his election promise, it was Paul Ryan's agenda), Criminal Justice reform (not on his election agenda, it was a bi-partisan issue with broad pre-existing support).
He knows that he has NOT delivered on almost any issues he ran on. PLEASE STAYS FOCUSED on issues - he is vulnerable there.
2
The obvious explanation for the lack of Republican criticism of their racist, homophobia and sexist leader has two parts: (1) his fellow Republicans agree with him and (2) he is giving them everything that they want. Why should they be critical if everything they want is happening?
“I certainly feel that a number of these new members of Congress have views that are not consistent with my experience and not consistent with building a strong America.”
Disagreement does not give you the right to use racist slurs. SAD!
1
"Love it or leave it."
That's the message coming from GOP Senator Steve Daines' office, after Daines tweeted that Montanans are "sick and tired" of "radical Democrats."
Well, I'm a Democrat and a Montanan, and my message to Steve Daines is simple. If he doesn't want to stand up for the Constitution and the rights of elected officials to speak out in support of all Americans, then it is HE who should go back to where he came from: California.
My guess is we can find someone better than Daines to represent the views of all Montanans, not just the very very wealthy, of which he is one.
3
Martin Luther King dreamt of a future in which children would be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
I would modify MLK's hope to wish that today's Republicans be judged and remembered by the content of their character.
I suspect their friends and families will disavow them.
10
@JT
I often think there's too many people that have not read MLK's "Letter From A Birmingham Jail". We need the help of those that say nothing about the content of these Republicans character to truly bring about change.
@JT
Ironically, the most vocal admirers of MLK never cease to remind people of the color of their skin.Or respond to criticism of their ideas/actions by calling the racism card.
shouldn't it be the other way around? Republicans are the ones who are unhappy with a country that is historically imperfect, but tolerant, diverse against tyranny and where a president rules for the people, not a party. Maybe they want to go to a place more in sync with their values. It's not here.
5
I think those assuming the GOP still exists somewhere deep down under all that Trump subservience, either haven't been paying close enough attention or they're wishful thinking.
Even Boehner knew it. The Republican party is dead and buried and is now the party of Trump. But then again, Democrats aren't the same anymore either.
Those still in search of the "good old days" need to join the 21st century or get left behind.
5
The only thing that allows tyranny and racism to flourish is for good people to do nothing. I do not count the GOP members of Congress among the "good people." They are more interested in power and keeping their $176,000 plus a year job than serving the American people. Cowered by the Trumpist and reluctant to tell the truth, they would rather hide and hope to be reelected by the right wing Trump followers. Those who support and emulate Trump, IMHO, have the same values, or lack of values as Trump, which speaks poorly for the makeup of our democracy.
1
Anyone who does not get offended by the President's statement or is keeping quiet for whatever political reason is an enabler.
7
It has never been more clear: the GOP is about a view of America in which white men are the top tier. This is called white supremacy. The mask is now fully off and, as the demographics of this country shift and threaten GOP power, they have planted their flag. Voting for the GOP going forward is about this more than anything else.
Also, Trump has finally illustrated the double-speak and double-think around how conservative's use the First Amendment as cover for discriminatory, bigoted views. That's allowed as free speech, of course, but those of us who oppose this thinking and want a more just society are not reacting by telling them to leave the country. The conservative movement here continues to get more extreme and more authoritarian every month as Trump pushes the line further and further.
1
Think "BOTH" the Republican and Democratic parties "PREDICTABLY" handled their reactions as to be expected. It would be nice to see a behavioral modification from both sides and an unpredictable response.
1
Balancing overt racism and the response to it as somehow equal is just apologising for racism.
Any American, or indeed human being, who is not revolted by Trump’s behaviour, needs to take a long hard look in the mirror.
Trump's actions are similar to the downfall of Nixon, and to Agnew, and to those out of political office as well. They all bring themselves down, make mistakes. But interestingly they don't know a mistake has been made. Because in their minds they are supreme, are perfect. They separate themselves from normalcy, from the American people. The saying give someone enough rope, and they will hang themselves. We are seeing it with Trump. It is the most wonderful site before America's eyes. Millions of GOP followers are beginning to realize how deceived they have been, how duped they were. How pitiful they are. The year of Trump's downfall is 2019, not what we thought would be 2020.
2
@Me Too
Nixon didn't bring himself down. The media brought him down as payback for cutting off their tobacco sponsors.
Trump limited his remarks to foreign-born congresswomen who are members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and who are vocal in their criticism of Trump and his administration. (In Trump’s mind, this equates to hating America.)
His tweets would apply to caucus cochair Pramila Jayapal, who was born in India, and Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia. Both of them are outspoken critics of Trump and his policies. Trump’s tweet would not apply to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley, who are native-born Americans.
But Trump’s tweet was not racist. He did not say “people of color” should rerun to their home countries. The Progressive Caucus also has foreign-born whites, some of whom are Republicans, but none of them have aroused Trump’s anger. Trump vilifies anyone who opposes him and praises anyone who supports him.
2
@William Case
Trump is an equal-opportunity offender. Their identity was irrelevant to him, as your demographics demonstrate. Their caustic remarks about the US and the way some defend law breaking and terrorists is another matter.
If they don't want the presidents to smack back they shouldn't go after him. This is how he is. Don't go into the kitchen if you cannot stand the heat.
1
I agree this is obviously important, condemning our absurd President for his hurtful, and frankly sickening comments.
But aren't there more important things going on? This Administration just launched another attack on abortion rights yesterday, but the media is focusing on his TWITTER instead. More sexual assault allegations on the President, silence from most news outlets?
These tweets are an intentional distraction from the real stories. We are allowing him to control the narrative. Let's stop playing Trumps game and call him out on the things that matter. His assaults on American women, both individual and collective.
2
This is why Joe Biden is the only candidate who can beat Donald Trump — well, other than Oprah, but she's not running. The "Socialist" label Trump plans to use against Democrats won't stick to Middle Class Joe. Does Biden have a ton of issues?
Yes?
Is he really no more than a transition back to normalcy? Probably.
The fact is that Americans aren't ready for Bernie and Elizabeth, Cory and Kamala. On the question of insurance alone, I have liberal and progressive friends who would never support their private plans being eliminated — just one example of how Trump would leverage complaints against the Left.
We may not get excited about the idea of a moderate Democratic nominee, but no one else will have a chance winning Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.
And we must win. Victory must be our only goal, which means all of our votes must go to the only middle-of-the-road Democrat who can win back the white, non-college educated voter in the former industrial states.
And that's Uncle Joe. You can already see it in the polls.
1
President Trump's racist tirade should not be seen as an isolated instance. Racism is firmly embedded in the Constitution and in our culture. It congeals at the birth of our nation in the Three-fifths Compromise followed a few months later by the Electoral College. The Three-fifths Compromise made it clear the the South would go to any length (including not joining the new nation after the War for Independence in 1776 if slavery was to be challenged) unless it was sure that it could protect slavery-, so under the cloak of "Compromise" (extortion) 60% of all slaves would be counted for purposes of representation within the federal government--even though they were not citizens. That gave the South over 30% more House members and effective control over Congress since the balance between free and slave states would be maintained in the Senate for the next 75 years. Three Months later the Electoral College is created for the express purpose of giving the less populated Southern States a way of checking the popular vote for president. This now gave the South control over congress, the presidency and hence the Supreme Court too--all to preserve slavery. We were never one nation but two and both the racism and the national divide remain today. Trump is a resurrection, not a new entrant, in our history of racism and a divided nation more highly visible in his presidency than any of his predecessors since Andrew Johnson during Reconstruction. We can and we must do better!
3
Trump demonstrates nearly daily what we all knew before the Electoral College elevated him to the presidency: He is patently unfit for office.
4
““I’m not going to vote for a socialist,” said Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado, perhaps the most endangered Republican in the Senate, who has made clear he is firmly allied with the president.”
That means we should vote every republican out of office. You are all socialists for the rich. Always have been.
4
I was a registered republican for 43 years- I no longer am, I am now an independent. The republican party, as I knew it, no longer exists. The thing committed to trump is probably best called the Toady Party since they apparently support everything he does. No matter how disasterous or racist. It is probably time to work toward the formation of one or more parties to participate in our government activities and would probably eliminate the gross partisanship we now have. Which can be a virtual roadblock in government at times.
2
Why not call the GOP what it has truly become: the Gospel Obstructionist Party? Or the Gender-Obsessed Patriarchy? Or Gennady's Oligarchical Project? Or Genuine Obfuscating Pirates?
The Democrats have embraced radical socialism and President Trump is calling them out. It will not end well for the Democrats in 2020.
1
@Jonathan I think you'd be surprised at what radical socialism actually looks like, and how far away even the most progressive Democrats are from that.
Both the candidates for the Conservative party leadership and the current Conservative party Prime Minister in the UK have publicly condemned Trumps comments.
Not radical socialists, Conservatives. The GOP is now a radical racist party and the whole world knows it.
Two newspapers endorsed Trump for president in 2016. One was the KKK's newspaper "the Crusader", and the other was the National Enquirer.
Seems the KKK's official newspaper endorsed Trump for president in 2016 for a reason.
And that reason happens to be on full display, not only when it comes to Trump but when it comes to Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy.
Respect is earned. They have earned nothing but my disgust.
2
"A Blaring Message in Republicans’ Muted Criticism: It’s Trump’s Party"
Every day Trump is proving that he is no friend to any minority group and the women in our country. I hope they remember all of this Trump hate and speech and the support he is being given by most all republicans.
The next national election is only 16 months away. We need a massive turnout of voters to send Trump and his republicans packing right out of office.
Democrats need to get their act together for our common good and remind the voters of Trump's actions to stir up hatred in our country.
Winning elections as the minority party by any means no matter how corrupt or immoral has been the Republican Party strategy for decades.. For example, the GOP has relentlessly and openly pursued racial bias with its Southern Strategy dating back to Richard Nixon when he promised to block civil rights if elected in exchange for votes.
President Obama courageously bore the heavy burden of being the first black president in America, a country whose politics still display the scars of the Civil War. The day President Obama was elected the Republican leadership took a blood oath to block every move that President Obama might make and to destroy his presidency during his first term . The GOP paved the way for Donald Trump who built his career on his relentless racist Birther attacks on President Obama. Trump has attempted to legitimize racial hatred and has built a devout following of like-minded people. Trump’s most inhuman act to date is based on the hatred of immigrants. No decent person can support ripping children from the arms of their parents and putting these infants in cages.. Its all out in plain sight for all to see.
Bigotry and hatred motivate a significant portion of our electorate. Provoking the hatred of minorities is a powerful political tactic used by dictators for centuries. The key question for Americans: Will we allow Trump and the Republican Party to undo every step of social progress we have made since the Civil War?
5
Trump is reigniting the Civil War, and he wants to remake America in a communist image, that of Russia, North Korea, and China.
He thinks that it is within his reach.
It remains to be seen where this will lead us.
2
As much as I dislike the occupant of the White House, I am even more disgusted with long time conservatives like Lindsey Graham, who long claimed to have principles. Trump's degrading of our institutions and vile discourse is what he practiced and promised on the campaign trail, and it is what so many Americans want. It is a shame to me that we don't see this as an attack on our democracy, or at least a significant degradation. However Lindsey Graham's new motto might as well be "Make America Joe McCarthy's Again", and that is just despicable. Does he even know what a communist is?
3
It's becoming painfully obvious that our stable genius is adopting a 2020 strategy of speaking only to his older, whiter, and mostly-bigoted base. In his mind, it's to-hell with the rest of the nation - they disapprove of him and will not vote for him anyway at this point.
So, we can expect more and more inflammatory tweets about immigrants and unwhite citizens, with the hopes that spurring all of his base to vote can overcome the majority who dislike him, but who may not vote in high percentages.
Somewhere this calculated decision has been made. Brace yourself for unprecedented ugliness to come.
3
Our motto - and we do own this now - is E PLURIBUS UNUM (out of many, one) because today this means that, with the exception of Native Americans whose ancestors were indigenous to this continent, we, the people, are a nation of immigrants.
E PLURIBUS UNUM also means that out of the many nominees vying for the candidacy, there will be one left standing. There may be many vying but the one thing they have in common is their intent to restore dignity and democracy and decency to our country. We will vote for the one left standing.
E PLURIBUS UNUM is ours.
Trump "won" the endorsement of the KKK in 2016, he "won" the electoral college, but he lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes, and that was with low voter turnout because of discouragement caused by a deliberate misinformation campaign, run not only by Putin but by the Trump team. The only reason Mueller could not conclude a direct conspiracy was that his investigation was obstructed, there was conflicting testimony, and Trump couldn't recall much of anything or so he claimed. Mueller never stated that there was no collusion. How on earth could he since it was blatant.
E PLURIBUS UNUM is ours. We own that.
Trump and his toadies own "Go back to where you came from." That's what he owns.
During the general election, take your pick.
5
Tell me again why Ivanka Trump, silent in the face of even this screed from her own father, thinks she is the "softening" or "moderating" voice in this administration (let alone why she thinks she has any shot at the presidency). Or why we should believe she's capable of leadership, moderation, or really... anything valuable at all.
10
The President's tweet was more condemnatory on the basis of it being an unwarranted attack on duly elected members of the House, their agenda, and its naked nativism. Just because the press wants to call it racism, is that any reason for a politician to go along with it? No. But anyone who tries to take the issue seriously, and detail an objection in more than 280 characters will be lost in the din, so why bother?
1
During the Vietnam years, we heard the same message - in the form of "America, love it or leave it." A statement like this is not only unintelligent, but undemocratic, in that it is a slap at freedom of speech, which includes the freedom to criticize.
As much as people love their kids, do they let them do whatever they want without saying anything?
13
The GOP has made its choice. If their party survives and Trump is re-elected, we deserve what we get. If we soundly reject Trump and what remains of the GOP, there may still be hope for us.
15
@Randomonium This is really all that's left to say at this point.
1
A suggestion for the current denizen of the Oval Office: to the betterment of all involved please help making leaving this country easier, even possible!
It's not in the slightest easy or simple or even possible for a huge number of us. My wife and I have looked into it; we know, you don't; your simplistic racist lip-service to the contrary!
Legions of us do not miss that you want all opposition gone. What YOU miss is that we would go if we had a path to permanency out.
Try it! Explore the restrictions to get into Canada. Ditto Ireland. Ditto New Zealand. Been there - done that. They want young, technically-skilled, ideally multi-lingual people with a guaranteed job awaiting and family members already in place. Regardless of financial stability, absence of criminal record, solid occupational history, healthy physical condition or demonstrable higher educational completion, if one is 60+ years old ones search is over: one is stuck!
So....a suggestion: Set up an exit strategy through the State Dept for solid citizens who wish out to get out to Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, someplace, ANYPLACE where decent self-sufficient citizens appreciative of diversity who are interested in being pleasant additions to a society can go.
You don't want us here; we don't want to be here.
Please....do something productive and mutually beneficial.
HELP!
3
To themselves they are saying, "What a guy; he trumpets what we believe and gets away with it. We can enjoy the ride and not catch the flak."
11
There should be no surprise in any of this. The "modern" Republican Party was born in 1964 when the Republicans nominated Barry Goldwater, one of the few Republican senators to vote against the 1964 Civil Rights Act, to run for President. Under the guise of "states rights" the bigots flocked to the banner of the Elephant Party. Since then we have had Nixon's Southern Strategy, Regan in Philadelphia, Mississippi and the Willie Horton ads. All Republicans are not bigots. All bigots are not Republicans. But Trump is not an aberration. He is the continuation of "slide" that began five and a half decades ago.
12
Republican leaders think it's not racist language because Trump says this to his wives all the time. Only #2 took actually him up on it.
6
I guess our check and balances do not work? I am fed up and ran out of patience. I am a mother and it is time for tough love (Impeachment). The constitution under republicans and then Trump has been trampled over and dems just sit on their hands or at least the leader of the house.
4
Just when you think things couldn't get any worse there's a new low to discuss...and I wonder how low this President will go.
Nothing is off the table for him; I can see him not accepting defeat in the Presidential Elections next year should he lose and conversley I can see him trying to change the 2 term limit unchallenged if he wins. In either case where will that leave us? Surely dangerously close to civil unrest and domestic conflict?
This isnt atypical - its madness.
7
I'm just not sure what trump has to do to get the Republicans to stand up for decency and the country. What's the tipping point boys??
I've also been vert disappointed in Lindsey Graham. His true colors are now showing since John McCain died. McCain kept him in check, but now without that rudder he's become a solid trump supporter.
Final point... Watch what the foreign press (BBC news) had to say about this incident and you'll see how we're viewed by the world.
6
In the UK, the Conservative Prime Minister and both Conservative leadership candidates have publicly condemned Trump.
When the British Conservative party has to go out of its way to unambiguously condemn a Republican President, you know that something is very wrong in America.
When power shifts, as it inevitably does, and the MAGA hat hits history’s dustbin, those legislators too weak to oppose malice, ignorance and untruthfulness when they have the opportunity and duty to do so, will have earned nothing but contempt. There is power, and there is power used rightly. Use it to defend and advance the values of America, Republicans.
4
The headline of this article -- "it is Trump's party" is false, incompetent and out of synch with what Carl Hulse has written.
The Republicans are being faulted for doing what they are supposed to be doing.
For better or worse, voters put Trump in the White House (something many "Democrats" have never accepted and never forgiven). In the interests of the country, Congress and the President have to work together to do what they think best for the country.
A better headline would have been "it is the party's Trump." Or, as Hulse says, "He is their guy." A former Democrat, Trump has moved in their direction rather than the other way around. There are few issues where Trump and the party disagree. Certainly Hulse does not identify any ideological splits. Nor does he identify a single case where the Republicans have backed Trump in the interest of the party rather than the country.
In any case, what alternative have Democrats left them? If Trump doesn't get in the way, the Democratic circular firing squad will make sure Trump is re-elected.
3
Staying silent while the President fans racial divisions - are you saying that is in the country's best interests?
8
@Ian Maitland
You did a fantastic job ignoring the topic of the article: GOP silence in the face of trump's overt racism.
Thank you
@Carolyn
And what do you think accusing every single American who voted for Trump of being a "racist" is?? An act of unity? A display of tolerance? In the country's best interests?
1
We continue to underestimate Trump's skill in using fear and hatred to stay in office. While there are Republicans who are equally white nationalists, they all show their fear of Trump by their silence. The Democratic House, whose majority I canvased hard for in California's Central Valley, also show their fear in their stated policy of laying low so as not to stir up Trump's base.
Could it be our Congress people are in office largely due to their ability to raise money and, in the process, prove their venality.
Trump may well win 2020. I wonder if Pelosi would regret not using the Mueller report to discredit Trump and so strengthen the Democratic candidate and the Democratic base. Would she regret betting on just one strategy to put Trump down. I know I would.
8
Republicans just don’t think that the rest of the citizens are their partners any longer. They have come to the conclusion that our government allows the wrong people to rule over them. The want a charismatic autocrat who will force all those others to comply with their better judgment as to how all Americans may live, as well as who should be considered true Americans.
13
In January 2016 during a campaign rally in Iowa, the then candidate Trump caused controversy when he said:
“I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and wouldn’t lose any voters, okay?”
Today Trump knows he can do and say whatever he likes and face no consequences from the party he has subdued. Congressional Republicans allow Trump to tarnish the GOP as a racist party, which has become his and they defend him at all costs, even when he insults people who aren’t white.
That they aren’t willing to challenge him is that they endorse his racist rants. He is venting the frustration seething in the party, which favours a white America. Now they have a leader who dares to stand up for it.
Republicans also fear Trump’s base ahead of elections. Some had been purged, thrown under the bus etc. – all for criticising him. Those who pursue a long political career, it could be “ruinous” to their re-election prospects. Who knows, perhaps voters might teach them a lesson in November 2020.
7
The squad could probably do themselves all a big favor and by hanging out with different crowds separately for awhile. Their insecurity is understandable but clinging only to each other only magnifies it. We'd probably all like to see their new ideas succeed but it has to be an organic change that catches on due of its value. Watching the four of them speak together on TV yesterday in reaction to Trump's earlier comments was embarrassingly cute, like watching a junior high school production of Hamlet.
4
Really Mr. Romney, a number of these new member of Congress have views inconsistent with your experience as a wealthy white guy. You don't say.
I would hope that the diversity of experiences in Congress would be a good thing.
8
trump is now 'their guy.'
Republicans, in their silence, are saying something important, including that they have chosen to ignore decency, morals, intellect, real patriotism, and the American values upon which the country was built. All in support of a president who disgraces the Office.
Republicans may think they are protecting their majority in the Senate and perhaps, even their jobs. I hope that decent Americans will deliver another message in 2020.
8
Who are we?
In the old days there was a lever in the election booth that would select "Democrats" or "Republicans." We don't have that anymore, unfortunately. It would save time and enable one to express intentions regarding any party whose cowardice and unconstrained greed had become intolerable.
Who are we?
Mitch McConnell's senate speaks not only to who we are, but who we have been since he assumed power and began trolling Obama. He admitted as much after Obama was first elected. Finally, in 2016 the Republican dream came true, and they got their candidate elected... with some outside help. Since then they have given themselves a targeted one sided tax cut, stacked the Supreme Court with staunch defenders of corporatism, and shielded their appalling president by remaining silent.
Who are we? Let's admit it, Trump is who we are, and the US Senate confirmed it yesterday.
8
The Democrats are gifting the 2020 election to Donald Trump so far. It pains me to say that as a Democrat who hates what Trump has done to America's image.
But look around: The stock market is at stratospheric levels. Unemployment is microscopic. Rightly or wrongly, people attribute that to Trump's policies.
And what do Democrats offer? Well, here's a short list: Free health care for undocumented immigrants. Open, or at least porous borders, with no effort to restrain the next 20 million people entering the country illegally. A trillion-dollar giveaway on student debt. Reparations to African Americans. Some form of expensive expansion of Medicaid. A repudiation of Trump's efforts (whether symbolic or actual) to restore the trade balance with China.
For the middle-class whites struggling to keep a grip on that status after years of economic despair in Scranton and Lansing and Sheboygan a Democratic party fronted by Congresswomen constantly reminding them of their White Privilege, while aggressively promoting economic policies that they understand they'll ultimately have to pay for, is not an appealing prospect.
Why would Republicans stop that political suicide by their opponents?
4
As an Independent there were many times in the past when I voted for Republican candidates for both federal and state offices. Now I can't vote for anyone who declares him/her-self to be a Republican because of what the Republican Party has come to represent. This was the "Party of Lincoln". Lincoln would be no more welcome in today's Republican Party than Rep Ocasio-Cortez.
6
The radical, racist shift of the Republican Party seems to be tied directly to Obama's presidency. Incredible as it would have seemed just a few years ago, Republicans are now willing openly wield racism as a way of getting support. The only explanation I can logically come up with is that this racism was always there, only hidden behind a veil of sincerity. The issue was, Obama demonstrated the great strides minorities had taken towards equality in America. I think Republicans, and a large portion white America too by all appearances, began to wonder: If a black man could become president, what other powerful positions would soon be filled by minorities? Republicans, led by Trump, used this open-ended question to stir up support by turning it into a zero-sum game: if minorities gain, whites will lose. Of course, this is completely bunk and always has been, but unscrupulous politicians like Trump don't care where support comes from. So, yes, Trump will continue to use his own racist tendencies to drum up support and Republicans will continue to support him, because he has switched the narrative from 'equality for all' to 'us vs them'.
All hope is not lost, but until someone can effectively counter Trump's narrative with a better one about inclusivity and tolerance, he's not going to stop.
6
Brilliant strategy from Trump to appeal to his base by labeling American born (except one) minority congresswomen as "not from here." This way as the Democratic party rushes to their defence, the entire party gets painted with the same brush. This plus the Democrats inability to address how they will secure the border does not bode well for 2020.
1
Trump’s GOP: Liz Chaney and Kevin McCarthy just gave a press conference that essentially glossed over Trump’s racist rants. McCarty even dismissed Trump’s criticism of former Speaker Ryan.
4
Yes, amazing that throwing Ryan under the bus accepted too by Senate leader.
Why can't we get a decent moderate Republican to run and get rid of Trump? I am forced to vote Democrat because the Republicans are too weak to stand up to the dictator.
If there is a moderate Democrat, they will get my vote. I believe most decent Americans would want this.
4
I have an immigrant friend who is also an expert at human migration and society. In general, she rants at the uninformedness of institutions like the New York Times and the TV news on immigration, on the history of the countries from which immigrants come, and on the general level of two-dimensionality that supposedly "woke" people display about immigrants -- e.g. that all refugees are people of color, that all people who cross the border are "immigrants", and the general ignorance of the process and of the law.
When she heard Ilhan Omar's interview with Rachel Maddow last night, and heard Ilhan Omar refer to the Constitution as, "our shining Constitution," the response was, "That. That's how immigrants feel about this country, in a way nobody else here does." She went on to talk about how the Constitution had been a model to the world, and was considered elsewhere nearly sacred for the good it has brought to the world and the model it has been to newer democracies.
For President Trump to even imply that Ms. Omar does not love this country is a joke. He is the one trying to ruin it, and she is the one who knows exactly why people respect the United States and love this country.
Well done, congresswoman.
7
This is exactly why I have never voted republican. Their capacity for racism, inequality and hate has always been evident. Sometimes dormant, but deeply embedded in their soulless hearts. Maybe it’s good that their true ids are exposed for the world to see.
6
The vast public record created by DJT’s tweets and remarks coupled with GOP silence/few remarks will create powerful campaign ads for candidates running against the GOP. Use their ugly words and inaction to defeat them.
4
Yes. He owns them. He can, and does, dispense with the Bill of Rights for them: they have to say and think what he wants them to say or think, or they're out.
They don't exist as individual people anymore.
But most of us do, and the members of Congress who speak their minds are allowed to do that, actually, as representatives always have, and they're not egregious for doing it, or radical.
Too bad if he doesn't like it. He's not speaking for America -- our history, our values, our majority -- when he speaks.
Some people aren't afraid of him.
4
The colonists didn't like what George III was doing but they didn't leave. They fought back. Vote Blue. That's how we fight back.
5
The Silence of the Republiicans - it's why we're where we are today. Trump is only part of the problem.
If Republicans refuse to condemn Trump's racist attacks then they're condoning them.
This is how tyrants gain control.
6
When was a political 'career' more important then personal integrity? Working a blue collar job, I understand kowtowing to a bosses cut from the same type of cloth but I live on less than 75k a year. Most of these people already have careers in there home districts. Plus my toxic boss doesn't have nuclear launch codes!
5
Colorado is not firmly aligned with Cory Gardner. That's why he is the most endangered Republican senator. His tacit approval of Trump's racist comments will alienate him further.
5
There will be a reckoning for the GOP at some point, and it will not be pretty.
6
this week - the dominant underlying message of djt is:
"i'm stark raving mad and there's nothing you can do to stop me."
5
It's really getting wearisome that the press, and thus the public, views "progressiveism" as a thing, a bloc, with a fixed, all-or-nothing, ascribed-to set of positions on everything from appropriate agender pronouns to Zeno's paradox.
It's even more wearisome --and troubling-- that the shoe fits to a discomfiting degree.
I've been hammering this point and I'll keep hammering it right up to the day in November that Trump is reëlected due to Democratic dithering, fecklessness and having never met a trap they didn't eagerly leap into:
Economic "progressiveism"...big winner
Cultural "progressiveism"...big loser
Obviously one can and should be concerned with both economic and more parochial, cultural issues, but it's a matter of emphasis and what would fit on an imaginary bumper sticker; I submit that "No more three jobs to make ends meet" might have a little broader reach than "Support Guatemalans, Ilhan Omar and Transgender Teens!"
No mystery which one the Republicans hope we choose and they will keep baiting us to be sure we do.
2
It’s interesting to see Trump’s own extremist policies push the Dems further to the left while at the same time Trump lambasts Democratic policies as being too extreme. He’s to blame for that shift leftward. As for Republicans in Congress, their silence in the face of the POTUS’s racism is deafening, shameful, and pathetic. If I told a co-worker to go back to their country, I would anticipate being censured or fired. Why does this POTUS get away with anything he wants to say? Partly b/c the GOP is complicit in his behavior which goes to show the American public that the Republican Party is more concerned with money and policy wins than they are with values and decency.
1
Criticize the Republican politicians all you want but Trump and his fanatic followers have put them in a nearly impossible position: make Trump your enemy & lose in a primary, or support Trump and hope his policies succeed notwithstanding his egocentric personality and his bent to autocracy.
The Democrats are playing right into Trump’s hands with their far left policies that will never be enacted and their political divide on these policies. The country yearns for calm & stability and that is not likely coming from either party.
1
"Not a racist bone in my body," claims Mr. Trump. I remember another Republican president saying, "I am not a crook." Deeds, not words.
6
After 40+ years of constantly braying about morality, religion, propriety in office (remember elevating Reagan to sainthood because he refused to enter the Oval Office unless he was wearing a suit and tie and the condemnation of Obama for showing up in a tan suit one summer day?), fidelity in marriage, the evils of deficits and debt, the need for the US to be a strong and steady presence on the international stage and the value of military service and primacy of the military ("I know more than the generals"), Republicans have proven to be nothing more than complete hypocrites who stand for nothing.
5
I think the silence of so many allegedly decent Republicans is based primarily on these factors: Trump has helped them (1) take over the Supreme Court for the foreseeable future; and (2) put through a tax bill that is calamitous for the many but a windfall for the already wealthy and powerful; (3) they actually share his bigoted, vicious beliefs; and (4) they're afraid of being primaried, and that' true even for many of the very right-wing congressmen--they're are a great many ultra wing-nuts itching to take them on.
2
The purpose of Trump’s tweets is not just to attack Democrats. These tweets are also designed to keep the Republicans in line. They demonstrate the viciousness of how Trump will treat anyone who crosses him. The Republicans get the hint.
4
Trump boasts of 90%+ approval ratings within GOP. As usual, he lacks historical perspective as well as basic cognitive ability realize that it's no good news.
Because the only leaders of political parties which claimed this level of support among their party have invariably been authoritarian and typically they don't end well. Neither do their respective parties and countries.
Today, has this in common with Putin, Xi, Kim, and leaders of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Zimbabwe, and Saudi Arabia.
He is in fine company. And so are his supporters.
4
back in the 60's I was in the Navy serving proudly. I was always shocked that when i went places i saw signs aimed at the folks who were against the war in 'nam. Many said "Love it or leave it" from folks who claimed to be true patriots. I disagreed with my countrymen about that choice they were making. And that was their right. However the folks we elect may have those biases, but they are not to be shouted as a policy. What is wrong with this man? where does he get off spewing this racist rhetoric? The sooner these cruel selfish administration the better!!! VOTE!
4
A plea to the press and other media reporters:
“No socialism!” has suddenly become the GOP war cry.
Whenever Republican lawmakers mention the big bad wolf of “socialism”, please just ask each and every one of them to define what they mean.
3
"Republicans may cringe at some of Mr. Trump’s crude comments and insults. They may wince at his easily unmasked falsehoods. They may roll their eyes at his lack of understanding of government fundamentals. To many, his personality itself is off-putting. But he is now their guy."
It is more than just "he's their guy." The majority of the people who still support Donald Trump - as despicable a human being as ever to be elected president - hate the liberals of the country so much they will make any deal with the devil just to stick it to the East and West Coast.
We have been a divided nation since 1865 and all Donald Trump has done is to successfully feed into that divide. The Civil War did not bind the nation when it ended. It is still going on. You don't agree? Spend some time in Mississippi and then in California, or West Virginia and New York.
6
Trump. The Pied Piper for currently elected Republican legislators. Daily we are shown these Republican legislators value re-election over decency, principles, oath of office to protect and defend these United States. Silence is complicity. Silence is deadly.
3
With their purposeful muted near silence, the Republican Party has placed an official new plank in their party’s platform - white supremacy. Let’s see what the Grand Wizard has to tweet for the Party today.
5
Those who support Trump and those who passively stand by and tiptoe around his outrageous behavior are now truly the devil’s advocates.
5
We’re being played. The headlines and broadcast news are choked up with stories about Trump’s racism. This is “news?” Did anyone not know this about our detestable President?
Meanwhile, the intentional, engineered tragedy at our borders rages on. The trade war is costing us plenty and Trump’s fawning followers aren’t filled in with the facts of its impacts. Gen. Michael “Lock Her Up” Flynn’s role is questioned as only the second trial of indicted criminals, aka Trump’s appointees, begins. Government scientists are marginalized, fired, “relocated” as former industry lobbyists open our national resources to more planet-destructive pillaging.
Just to see what is being fed to Trump’s and the Republican Party’s followers, I flip over to Fox News. Years of the amplification and distortion of select stories and the utter absence of others are clearly affecting the fury and stripping the capacity of their readers to reason.
Look for yourself and see if you can find enough front page stories on the other onslaughts of our government, ones that you think all Americans should know more about, while our PT Barnum President’s tweets and rants fill the limited space and time we have to be informed citizens.
NY Times, help us out. Don’t let Despicable Donald play us all while he hides the horrors going on behind his showman’s circus.
4
@Fred
I agree. So far barely a mention of the 100s of USDA scientists and analysts, expertise that will be extremely difficult to replace, who are going to be fired in the next few days because they refuse to lie to the American people about the effects of climate change.
1
These Republicans lawmakers think that the progressives’ criticisms mean that they hate America. To me, it means they love America and want to right wrongs. I seem to recall an inauguration speech by so-called President Trump in which he sounded like he hated America. Indeed, he makes it clear that he hates a pluralistic, diverse America, and sorry bud, that’s what we are now, no going back. But in any case, this article is showing that Trump is just a mouthpiece—unwieldy and sometimes embarrassing—for what the Republicans have believed in all along. These lawmakers who call progressives socialists or communists (omg Graham!) don’t seem to be listening to what progressives are actually saying at all. We have a country where too many people working multiple jobs struggle to make ends meet, young people are drowning in debt, and people with preexisting conditions are terrified of losing their healthcare insurance—how does proposing remedies to these very grave issues make you a socialist or communist or a hater of America? For every worker out there, whatever your ethnicity or belief system, this is not your party—they are playing you. The Republican Party is still the party of rich white men who don’t want progress to challenge their place in the world.
3
The truth is not that the "squad" hates America. Obviously, that couldn't be further from the truth. The real truth is that Trump hates democracy. In his heart of hearts, he'd rather be a dictator like his good friend, Putin. Isn't it obvious? When he goes on his foreign excursions, he praises the dictators while belittling our allies. Trump simply yearns to be the "Dictator-in-Chief". And he has often revealed a lack of historical perspective in given situations because, apparently, he doesn't like to read...God help us!
6
I’m as much exhausted from over two years of rubbish coming from the Republicans as I am from the breathless almost hysterical responses from the Democrats. There’s only one response that counts; vote. Democrats need to register voters and get them to the polls. End of story. Every minute that’s wasted on anything other than registering and turning out the vote is a wasted minute.
2
You know it's Trump's party when the Republicans chose as their 2020 presidential campaign song Lesley Gore's hit: "It's my party, and I'll lie if I want to."
3
This is show business in the most pure political form. Is trump deflecting from Epstein? Maybe. Is he just being everyday Trump with zero filter and tact? Likely. Is he knowingly throwing gas on a fire? Yes. Does the majority of the GOP have the spine of a jellyfish? Yep. Will it even matter next week given his daily antics? Sadly, no.
Forget how this looks Domestically. That soft roar you may hear outside isn’t nearby traffic. That’s the world laughing hysterically at the buffoons running this country.
1
When I heard what the trump said, I hung my head and a tune came in, from Dave Bowie...."This Is Not America".
Where are we?
3
I don't believe this has anything to do with Trump "impulses" or playing to his base. Trump is a step ahead of everyone here, especially the media. The timing of Trump's tweet was no coincidence. He's in full re-election mode. He wants the Democratic Party's identity to be wrapped in these four woman and the far left and not moderate, mainstream democrats like those necessary to take back the Midwest and I-4 Corridor. AOC was done. She came out and basically called Speaker Pelosi a racist. Finally, Democrats said enough was enough with AOC and the far left. 48 hours later, Trump moved to put these four back as the face of the party, and stop the democratic backlash against AOC's obvious race carding of Pelosi. It worked. The media is nonstop coverage of how these women, as the face of the party, are being treated horribly.They have received way more air time than they should and its all to Trump's advantage. At the same time, Trump and his surrogates (can you say Lindsey Graham) are shaping them (and thus now the whole party) as Socialists, anti-Semite, and, most-importantly, anti-American. He has both elevated these four and simultaneously defined the party. It was calculated and cunning. The end result is that Trump, with lots of help from the media, will have managed to frame Omar, AOC, Talib and Pressley as the face of the democratic party, and with that, he virtually guarantees the moderates and independents hold their nose and reluctantly vote for him once again.Unreal
5
The other explanation for Republican legislators' muted response is that they and many of their constituents really agree with Trump's racist comments. As other columnists have mentioned, for decades the Republican Party has sought to inflame racial tensions with seemingly neutral language that everyone knew was not. One relatively recent example is former House Speaker Paul Ryan's exhortations that people should take personal responsibility. That translates to "Lazy black people should not receive government handouts." In this instance, Trump is being more honest than other Republicans.
My congresswoman, Susan Brooks, posted a strong condemnation of Trump's remarks on Facebook. One constituent response, with 91 likes at the time I viewed it, was "Glad you're retiring."
19
You do not have to help a person who may die if you do not. You have no legal obligation. But you will have to live with your decision not to act.
In 2016 some voters cut him some slack. They thought the GOP would surround him with good people, and he’d grow into the job. It didn’t work out.
20
“I certainly feel that a number of these new members of Congress have views that are not consistent with my experience and not consistent with building a strong America.”
It's almost like a white man experiences America differently than a woman of color.
16
Not only do they experience starkly different Americas- I am quite certain his notion of “a strong America”, translates to some sort of stock market/business mumbojumbo and benefits none of us lowly proles.
3
@AMH. Almost?
I lost hope in the Presidency when Donald Trump was elected. Shortly thereafter, I lost hope in the Republican Party as it became clear it would march lockstep, in almost Gestapoesque fashion, to support the evil that is Trump. Finally, I now have lost faith in the Democratic Party as it splinters and devolves into infighting. My fear is the possibility of Trump’s reelection. That could well mean loss of hope for America itself, and fear a dictatorial government could replace America as we have known it. I genuinely fear for the lives America may offer for my grandchildren.
19
Trump brings out people’s resentments and worst fears, in everybody.
When the republican party under Mitt Romney lost to Obama the party did some soul searching and it was decided that to be a viable alternative to the Democratic Party they had to start winning back the minority vote. Trump and Mitch McConnell have shown that the Republican party doesn't need to win any minority votes now. They just need to suppress voters and Gerrymander the districts and they will win. The Republican Party could care a less about minorities. The Republican Party knows how to win.
19
@James cheating is not winning! And when they cheat, the majority of Americans lose.
4
@Robert M. Koretsky
Winning by cheating is winning if there is no consequence to cheating. The republicans do not care about the majority of Americans because they do not have to. The system is set up now to win with just angry white voters.
1
"...Could be ruinous to their political careers." Pretty much says it in a nutshell: party and self before country. You know what? If every GOP lawmaker (and they ALL know trump is wrong) voted to censure this rogue president what could he do to them? It's about time both houses of congress stood up and defended the constitution they swore to defend and to put trump in his place.
14
Since the Republicans in Congress will not speak out against Trump's vile attacks on Americans and constant lies, I hope they go down with him. The Republican party has increasingly shown that it must be done away with for America to progress and prosper.
17
For those Republicans who believe criticism of Trump could be ruinous for their political careers, where is their constituent base in the electorate?
6
One of the results of Gerrymandering is the creating of districts in which the majority of the voters are quite different from the majority. One of these women comes from a district which has a large population of Somalis. She wears a hijab, not a fashion item among main stream white Americans, as do a large number of her female constituents. I am sure that wearing a hijab makes her popular with her constituents. Her constituents are also people of color and immigrants. Her pro immigrants views are undoubtedly popular with them. She is doing her job. She is representing the people who elected her. If you don't want representatives in Congress with extreme views don't Gerrymander.
6
While I completely condemn Trump's racist rhetoric, and the Republicans' silence, I believe it was AOC who fanned the original flames of this latest controversy, when she implied Nancy Pelosi was racist for dismissing the squad as only 4 votes in Congress, which was based in legislative logic and nothing more. AOC's vitriol is immature and inexcusable as well, and only slightly less incendiary as the comments by the President. Maureen Dowd's Sunday column made this point brilliantly, but I feel like it should be part of this article as well, as it helps explain why a Republican would stay silent, rather than draw themselves into the cross-party crossfire.
5
"I certainly feel that a number of these new members of Congress have views that are not consistent with my experience...." -- Mitt Romney
And that is really the point, isn't it? No, Mr. Romney, the experience of a white male Mormon, born to great wealth and political connections is very much not the experience of a woman born into war, raised in refugee camps, who had to work and sacrifice just to get to the U.S., let alone get elected to Congress. Yours is not the experience of a young woman tending bar to make a living, or a woman who was one of 14 children whose father worked in the factory your father oversaw from far above, or the experience of a woman whose father was mostly imprisoned during her childhood while her mother worked multiple jobs.
Your experience is highly privileged, Mr. Romney, and highly unusual. The air you have breathed your whole life is highly rarified. Their experiences are far more common. Please do not rely on your experience alone --perhaps not at all -- to be a guide for how the world works.
28
They probably also agree with Trump's sentiment.
4
no it's political. Republicans always follow the party line. they are extremely well organized. the Democrats could learn something from them. as it is, we need an established 3rd party if it isn't too late.
Sadness fills my heart when I realize that so many of my fellow citizens voted for Trump and continue to support him. What does that say about our country, the land of the free and home of the brave? We are a country of immigrants and half of us have decided against continuing the tradition of being a refuge for the oppressed people of the world? Shame on the United States. It is so, so sad.
13
I used to think that blatant racism continued to exist in only a few back waters of America, that most people would at least be embarrassed to express racist opinions. The lack of response to Trump's remarks has sadly opened my eyes. From now on I will call out anyone who support Trump as supporting racism.
15
How will that help?
Calling people racist every time they disagree with you is no recipe for social harmony or progress.
How is disagreeing racist anyway?
Unless you are declaring that you dislike someone because of their skin tone and you plan to harm them because of that, maybe we can give a hard pass to labeling people contrary to what they would like to be called?
If we can alter every pronoun in the language to help out our transgendered brothers and sisters, why can’t we stop shouting Racist! At everyone with whom we might disagree?
Why does everything we say about Trump bounce off him and his Republican base with seemingly no effect? Does Donald Trump actually feel anything at all? For feeling people we can not completely understand the psychopathic state where taking anti social action and and criticism for it mean nothing. Someone in these comments called Trump 'a force of nature' and that is true as Trump is not a normal human being who feels things and ha a conscience.
Instinctively, Trump enablers know this about him, but because he does what they want overlook it all for the sake of policy The question is more about a country that will elect such a man and whether we can ever recover our own humanity.
6
This was not just a political attack but an attack against individual citizens of the our country based on racist beliefs. The same metric used to determine if a crime is a hate crime.
The fact that Republicans barely mention it says a lot about their inherent racism which they've had on full display with their policies and principles. Citizen question, gerrymandering, voter suppression, just to name a few.
If Republicans would just work on good ideas to improve the country instead of trying to rig the system in their favor
6
"A Blaring Message in Republicans’ Muted Criticism: It’s Trump’s Party"
I refer to the Republican Party as the CULT OF TRUMP ever since July 19, 2016 when they nominated him.
9
Trump didn’t change the Republican Party.
His appeals to racism and other divisive issues have simply brought out into open what the party has been doing for years. Dog-whistle messaging, the Southern Strategy, ‘Moral’ Majority - they’ve been playing this game all along - and it’s time everyone acknowledged it.
The whole party must go.
12
It is not just about Trump's tweets. We have a "make believe" president who does not know the first thing about governance and the Republicans think they can "work with him." His tweets are egregious and all should stand firm against them. But the Republicans are selling out to one person (and his cronies) who is/are drastically undermining the capacity of the national state to govern in any rational manner. It is all terrifying. Listening to supporters say it does not matter what he tweets (or even how he fails to govern) because the stock market is good is even more difficult than seeing his predictable mean-spirited tweets each day.
4
Romney: "...these new members of Congress have views that are not consistent with my experience..."
Tillis: "...the America they represent versus the America that I want to see..."
Mitt, you realize that your wealthy old white man views are not consistent with the experiences of most people?
Thom, what makes the America that you want to see any more legitimate than the America that the "squad" and their voters want to see?
I am a Democrat. I don't agree with everything that the "squad" says or does. I do find it hilarious how threatened these establishment men are and how clearly they let their anxieties show.
6
The "lack of condemnation" from Rs of Trump's
"comments" shows two things, the author tells us: that Trump owns the Rs, and that "an attack on progressivism" is his political plan for 2020.
I'm sorry, but that's a total failure. Objectively, what Trump said is more accurately described as aggressive racism. The Rs have objectively become an aggressively racist party. Even more clearly, his plan for 2020 is more aggressive, off-the-charts racism. He wasn't attacking their "progressivism," for heaven's sake. He was smearing them, and telling them to go back to the countries their black and brown ancestors came from.
It's as if the Times believes that telling the truth would be taking a political side. It's not a political side. It's the side of the simple truth.
5
The GOP is but a castrato choir sitting on their hands waiting for their rubber stamps to be renewed at the next election.
For the party that rails against "career politicians" it has become abundantly clear that they have become the very definition of hypocrisy as they lurch from one broken promise to the next.
The greatest achievement of the Trump administration has been the systematic destruction of every conservative principle revealing a party solely focused on personal advantage and power acquisition. Hopefully the nation has learned the lesson.
5
I am a conservative, but will always defend a person's right to argue or complain about something they do not like...without discourse issues just die. And this President is just a tyrant like the ones he berates our Immigrants for...he thinks no one who opposes him deserves the same freedoms he takes for granted. I cannot imagine another election with him chosen. He is simply a scourge on American Democracy and most of what he says has no basis in reality, fairness or fact. Despicable and vile man. I do not support all the comments by AOC, but today I stand by her defending her right to speak out. Make America great again, vote NO to Trump in 2020.
8
Another nail in the coffin of a democracy!
5
If Republicans refuse to criticize Trump’s gracelessness, they are not disassociating themselves from it, they are condoning it. Trump feels that Republicans, both elected officials and voters support him, that they agree with what he says and does. So in fact, they are.
Unfortunately, that places everyone else having to respond by considering them as poor in character as is he. He is a bigot, a demagogue, and a racist. They are following him without complaint. He represents them. They are bigots, racists, and compliant servants of a demagogue.
His evangelical base are religionists who follow a man who contradicts the message of Jesus and all of the great religions in every way.
His fiscal conservatives allow him to create awesome debt like Roman emperors funded entertainments.
They watch as he gives them right wing judges, eviscerates a hundred years of efforts to moderate the excesses of capitalism and industrialization, and stay silent as he compromises their liberties with the opposite of them and insults their values as civil citizens,
7
No. It is just that the Left is an even worse option to the vulgar bombast in the White House now. When you are fighting a war, you don't loudly criticize your winning general until you can replace your general and still win the war.
Who is your enemy? The fifty five percent of the voters who are not supporting Republicans and Trump?
1
@O'Brien Define "winning" -- if it's bombing us all into oblivion, mission success. If it's costing us our democracy, our values, our unity, our soul as a nation... maybe he's not so winning after all.
1
@O'Brien
Yes, we on the left heart that we are terrible, horrible and awful all the time. Yet, the country has historically done better under Democratic administrations. The GOP has created this myth that Democrats are bad. That Democrats are evil and out to destroy our country. That social democracy is equal to socialism. That it is OK to violate the Constitution and destroy democracy. It is us versus them and it justifies the hate, the vilification and the means to the end - absolute power and minority rule by the GOP. Those on the right don't stop to think about it and merely repeat the mantra over and over. The truth is that we all love America.
Elected Republicans fully represent their voters who like Trump's tough, no-holds-barred approach. He is saying what they're saying and thinking. He's their political hero. Don't diss their hero.
Lindsey Graham, correctly reading the writing on the wall, is correct: If you want to remain in office, don't cross Trump. And the more you befriend him, the more support you'll receive.
Thus the underside of America is revealed. It's embarrassing and shameful, but it's real, and there for a reason.
It's always been there, of course, and it will remain maybe forever. It's a widespread personality type: rough, tough, and mean; these types have only one goal: winning at virtually any cost. This attitude no doubt meant survival in earlier days, and -- who knows? -- it may be needed again someday. WWIII is two minutes away, physicists claim.
Nature cares not about refined ethics and high-toned morality. To survive is the be-all and end-all of raw existence; it's in our genes. Ecce homo.
2
When Trump says "jump!" the media says "how high?" This is the same guy who claimed Obama was born in Kenya and that some of the right wing protestors in Charlotte were nice folks. I don't think he turned one person into a racist but he makes it ok for those in the closet to come out. But given the present climate I don't think a woman or a minority man has a chance of beating Trump so let's hope Biden's health holds strong.
1
The Republican Party can assume this convenient position for the simple reason that they are predominantly white males representing white constituencies. The hateful ideas that are now freely part of acceptable discourse are not new to them and don’t bring pain and disadvantage to the communities they represent. They are silent and will benefit from their silence.
2
The Republicans have finally grown a spine and are no longer pandering to the false narrative of racism claims for anything that differs with the media or liberal opinions.
1
Sitting here this morning, thinking the US is a lot like Trump. We believe we are too smart to learn anything ( like how European countries do healthcare and drug rehab), too arrogant to ever apologize (native Americans, Nicaragua, slavery, Vietnam...) and too selfish to survive (sharing the wealth of the richest nation with its citizens would be Socialism, by gum!). The orange slimemold in the Oval Office is not only who we elected, but who we are.
5
By what standard does Lindsay Graham call these four congressional representatives "communists"?
Is it the same standard he uses for a president who wraps his arms around a Communist Dictator who helped him secure his illegitimate "election"? A Communist Dictator whose counsel he values more highly than his own security and military services?
The same standard he uses for a president who happily proclaimed he "fell in love with" another Communist Dictator who murders American students?
The same standard he uses for a president who embraces an autocratic butcher behind the killing of a U.S. resident and Washington Post reporter?
The same standard he uses for a president who daily attacks the institutions and pillars of what makes this country a democracy?
Senator Graham, you need to get your standards straight.
7
What about Mrs. Trump? Although she is an immigrant herself, she supports her husband's harsh, anti-immigrant policies. Did her career posing nude for pornographic magazine photos better prepare her for her leadership position as the First Lady of the United States of America than the backgrounds of these four women prepared them for their leadership positions as American congresswomen? Perhaps Mr. Trump should suggest that she go back to Slovenia to help out that struggling country.
5
My father was a German Jewish refugee. Germany was a 'civilized nation where Jews were treated better than the rest of Europe. So why did he have to leave? Because the government needed a scapegoat and those in the government were not willing to speak up. Eventually racist thought became racist policy.
Sound familiar? The Republican party suppresses voter turnout and gerrymanders districts to discount those who get to vote. Trump and the Republican party now own each other to create the White Nationalist party. Look at who supports Trumps tweets. In the words of my father, tell me who your friends are and I will be tell you who you are.
5
Does the rest of the GOPactually believe they can ride Trump's coat tails to victory? Yeah, that worked so well in 2018.
2
It is all about making sure the oligarch money keeps flowing in thru Citizens United to buy elections Trump is the best liar money can buy
4
There have been many thoughtful comments below. But getting down to the essence of Trumps comments it is very simple. His message and intent is; "If you do not like what I am saying, leave the country".
147
Trump has a responsibility to improve the country he leads. If legal residents and citizens don't like the country, then Trump has the responsibility to listen to them and move to fix problems - not to advise legal residents and citizens to leave.
34
@Stephen
A very un-American message, even if it were true.
I also think what he is saying is quite simple: “If you do not look like me, go back”.
28
@Stephen not sure by your comment if you are for or against what Trump said. So with respect, do you think it is reasonable to invite people to leave the country if they disagree with specific things? I would think it more reasonable to say, "If you do not like what I am saying and/or other things about America, then vote to change that, advocate for change, use your voices, etc." Is that not how democracy is supposed to work? Or maybe I missed something. Maybe now it is supposed to be just two choices: 1) Agree with everything Trump says and does or 2) Leave the country?
19
Dear NYT--It's not just "the belief of many Republicans that an attack on progressivism should in fact be a central element of the 2020 campaign."
This is racism and xenophobia from the most powerful person in the country. They are saying that these elements should be central to the 2020 campaign and/or they are central elements of Republicanism.
And, they are saying something about attacking progressives.
16
Perhaps the best way to show real love of the United States is to pay taxes. President Trump, when was the last time you paid a dime in taxes? For some reason you don’t want us to know.
My guess is that any member of “the squad” paid more taxes in a year then you did in ten, Prove me wrong.
18
The Trump base lives in an alternate reality. One comment in a local paper was: Trump SAYS bad things, but he DOES good things. What in heaven's name is this person thinking? Is the American population of Trump supporters totally lobotomized? Trump is wreaking complete damage to his own supporters, and yet they seem oblivious. What message will eventually get through to them?
And I don't even know what to say to black ("my African-American), Hispanic (Latinos/Hispanics for Donald Trump). LGBTQ (Log Cabin Republicans), and women who support Trump. They are stabbing themselves in the back, and they do it gleefully. It is a death wish.
7
In addition to the racism, it is appalling that many Republicans seem to be OK with Trump's criticism of ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES of American citizens. We voted for these four and sent them to DC. We have to live with some of the Senators and Representatives whom Republicans elected and who work against policies and programs that we don't support but to say that our elected representatives don't belong in Congress is another blow to our democracy, another sign that we are on our way to an effective dictatorship.
8
We should all stop referring to the Republican Party and always refer to it as the Trump Party.
7
If these GOP members with no moral backbone are so afraid of loosing their seats that they will not speak out against their dear leader, they are either are not smart enough to find another way to earn a living, or being in Congress is much more lucrative than we thought.
9
Trump represents the feelings of a very large section of the country... there are many people who were and are still uncomfortable with racial and cultural changes occurring in our country.
Let us not forget that up until 1965, non-white immigration was almost completely forbidden and it is gradually opened up with senators opening it, stating that cultural fabric of America will never change due to small allowance they made to law which quickly avalanched to no restrictions... how wrong they were... look at here and now.
Multi-racial and multi-cultural America is a dream of many and nightmare of many others... Trump represents the nightmare team very well... he will get their nomination for president, that is what that picture with Sullen faces tell us.
How can Republicans condemn a president that represent exactly what they are feeling and thinking deep in their minds?
5
I'll bet that Lindsey Graham couldn't actually define what a Communist is if his life depended on it.
Probably none of the Republicans calling people Socialists couldn't define that term correctly either.
11
An entire political party and grown men who are afraid to stand up to one person. Its unbelievably sad.
8
Lindsey continues to angle for a cabinet position - and Trump likely appreciates that in the most advantageous ways...
3
So long, United States. It was nice while it lasted.
4
Trump has not avoided cataclysmic foreign policy blunder. He has failed on every aspect of foreign policy, with North Korea, Iran, China, immigration, the list goes on. Also, more people here need a passport, including NYT reporters. Respect for America abroad has never been lower and anti-American feeling has never been higher. America's reputation and standing will not be repaired in my lifetime, especially after the second Trump term that is all but guaranteed.
2
The message is that the GOP Congressmen and GOP voters support anything Trump does, including racism. No problem at all.
3
Republicans have tolerated in Trump a man who paid off a sex-worker just after his fifth child was born to his third wife.
Republicans have tolerated Trump when he used a group of children, the Boy Scouts of America, to salve his political and personal insecurities. To them, he disparaged President Obama, a former Eagle Scout, and a Hillary Clinton, a former US Secretary of State, US Senator and Nominee for US President from an opposition party.
Republicans, long ago, deployed bigotry and racism in service and maintenance of their election, governing and political power. They tacitly nurtured Trump's slur against President Obama in his birth certificate nonsense.
So, of course Republicans are silent in the face of Trump's latest overtly bigoted words; words that would be a matter of regular discourse from the mouth of his hero President Andrew Jackson.
Jackson perpetrated an American act of ethnic cleansing: the "Trail of Tears" which forcibly removed the Cherokees and Creeks from their indigenous North American lands, subsequently known as the Confederate States of America.
"Go back to where you came from"? The Creeks and Cherokees already were where they came from; it was Jackson and his supporters who were of a foreign land.
I differ from the conclusion that it's from fear for their political careers which implies that Republicans really do believe Trump's behavior and words are wrong.
Republicans approve of every act and word of Trump.
8
The new Know-nothing Party (formerly the GOP), by hitching its wagon to to Trump, has doomed itself. The death spiral is already underway - look no further than the midterm drubbing.
Oblivious to the long term implications, the Republican Party insists on pandering to an ever-narrower demographic. White supremecists, climate-deniers, xenophobes and nativists. All find the welcome mat extended.
The stage is set for a third party to fill the ideological vacuum left by the Republican Party’s abandonment of its core principles. What it will looks like is TBD.
Our best hope is that the Republican Party goes extinct while we still have a functioning democracy.
3
It's sad that the Republicans have sunk so far. The few Republicans that are speaking out in any way have tough reelection fights in 2020 against the Democrats. The rest know that Trump's base of deplorables will not support them if they veer away from him. This is the sad state of our country. The silent majority of those who do not support Trump and his racist views and immoral behavior must be persuaded to turn out and vote, from local to national.
4
@Robert kennedy very well said, I think in the near future, Republicans who spoke out about his bigotry and racism should wear that as a badge of honor to help them get re-elected.
1
I can see Trump coming up with and financing something called the Nationlist Party in the future. It's plank would be anti immigrant, anti affirmative action, anti climate change and anti globalization. They would field candidates that think and talk like him and posing a legitimate existential threat to the Republican party. This would done after he leaves office of course but by then the GOP would be searching for meaning and relevence.
Justin Amash is the only Republican currently in office who would be featured in a modern "Profiles In Courage." The rest of that spineless party would say and do nothing if Trump cancelled the 2020 election or did something else just as bad
1
Too bad that the current "Republican" leadership is so tied to winning at all costs that they cannot save their country or their souls. They live in hope that each nastiness coming from the White House will not stick to them personally. Can they all be reelected with only 35 to 40 percent of the votes? Those in safe ugly white male districts, yes, but in other places? I sincerely hope that the majority of this country will stop saying "my party right or wrong" and look at individual candidates.
1
I suspect that many of Mr Trumps "base" will totally support his apparently racist views. Many Senators will not risk the ire of Mr Trump. I am sure that an Emperor is not what the Founding fathers intended Presidents to be, but that is what we seem to have.
2
The real story, hardly mentioned in this piece is that the GOP has benefited from Trump's racism and they embrace it because its to their advantage.
All the voter repression polices have been aimed at people of color and led by Republicans. Most of the gerrymandering has been designed to cordon off minority voters into majority minority districts so that GOP law makers never have to answer to them as constituents.
The GOP is by estimates about 95% white. The congressional leadership is all male and their congressional membership is overwhelmingly made up of white men.
These are the sons of Nixon's Southern strategy and they aren't about to scold the hand that feeds them, even when it's blatantly racist.
For some reason the Times characterizes of the Democrats as campaigning for "eliminating private health insurance in favor of a government program, sweeping revisions in the tax code and the institution of liberal immigration policies".
The more accurate description is they stand for universal health care, rolling back Trump's tax cuts for the billionaires and bringing due process back to our immigration laws.
Words matter. For example this writer chose the Republicans characterization of the Democratic agenda in a news analysis piece, yet never mentioned the "R" word as if Trump's twitter storm was just remarks?
I have my own views as to why the Times contuse to do this, but you should decide for yourselves.
2
Whenever we suggest that GOP politicians and supporters refuse to condemn Trump for strategic electability (and that deep inside they share our revulsion) we must seriously consider the alternative— that they are not simply “refusing to condemn” but actually support Trump’s racism. That they are genuine in their position. This interpretation is plausible and is far more disturbing but it is time to face this reality- they are different from us and do not share our values.
2
Personally, I do feel Ms. Omar crossed the line into antisemitism, and has largely received a pass from the Democrats. But this isn’t a tit for tat game. Trump’s remarks are racist and require condemnation, period.
The brand of conservatism I embrace is about equality and freedom, not racist xenophobia.
3
Let’s focus here: Epstein story and upcoming Mueller testimony. Trump desperately wants to distract from one or both.
5
It is not Trump who dominates the Republican Party, it is the Republican Senate. As long as Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, chooses to keep Trump in power, he will remain President. Don’t give Trump more negative political credit than he’s due. He is still President of by virtue of a congressional faction. James Madison is doubtless rolling over in his grave.
2
The anti-immigrant stance of Republican party goes much further than Trump, believe me. That is why 75% of 1st and 2nd generation immigrants are Democrats. Which makes us wonder, what is the 25% thinking?
If you don't want your kids told to go back to where she came from, you should vote Democrat.
3
Hard to decide which is the worst aspect of Trump's racism: that he actually believes the garbage he's disseminating, that he's doing this mainly for political reasons (i.e., to drum up support from his noxious base) or that he needs something to do because running the government is just so tedious. Whatever the truth is it now must be acknowledged that this country has reached the nadir of its history with a leader who exemplifies the absolute worst of human nature and American society. We're headed for an existential moment come November 2020 (if we manage to make it there).
2
This smearing is something familiar to trump. He's been at this stuff for a long time - so long that it's almost like breathing to him.
Right now, he's just testing the waters. The 'go back home' line did not generate much negative feedback among his base, his party, his media, and most of this country in general. The time for harsher and cruder words awaits.
2
I am not a believer in any religion or view that god will judge you. But, for those who are and believe Trump’s lies, support his hateful rhetoric, and follow his amoral leadership- God will judge you. You have chosen the path he offered.
3
These spineless losers know that Trump gives them a "down ballot" win which allows them to continue their court stacking, red mapping, and minority rule on a national level. That's how Trump wins with a minority of national votes and senators who represent a minority of the population get the judges they want, and a lone senator from Kentucky can jam legislation he dose not like.
This is not democracy.
1
It looks like the Republicans’ tennis shoes are tied in knots, This is where their gerrymandering has brought them.
I blinked for a second and thought we were back in the 1850's when the Republicans advocated sending the slaves back to Africa. (Just finished Frederick Douglass by David Blight)
2
The GOP has acted for 30 years like Dr Frankenstein, building an environment built on fear and hate, They thus created Trump, made him inevitable. Now he is killing them, and they don’t even care. They cynically embrace their own decline.
2
At this pace, it may be only a few short weeks before President Trump tweets his "master race" executive order. Will his Republican enablers say anything then?
2
If you don't condemn acts of racism, then you are condoning them. Everyone should condemn his racist comments and policies. The future will not remember this as a great time in America.
1
For anyone who thinks that Trump has led the Republican Party on a new course that no one could have foreseen and that The Times' Republican columnists David Brooks and Brett Stephens express shock about it, let it be noted that Trump simply continued the two tripes upon which Nixon based his career and which he rode to the presidency: accusing opponents of being communists and appealing to the racism of those who feared that if African-Americans were given equal rights it would mean that they could compete for jobs with whites.
Trump didn't create anything new. He simply saw that this was what the Republican Party was and didn't make any attempt to hide it unlike people like Susan Collins who continues to choose to be a member of it.
3
It's not just elected Republicans who are in lockstep- it's the voters as well. Ask a Trump voter about this, and they'll either downplay the racism and complain about "PC culture", or they'll just shrug and mumble something about the economy being good and try to change the subject.
This is why Democrats can't afford to risk alienating their own base to try and peel these people away. It will not work. After years of racist outbursts, insane tweets and flagrant violations of the law, the Republican approval rating for Trump consistently hovers around 90%. He is their man, and they will stick with him.
Its Putins party. If you cant see echos of Ukraine’s floundering with Yanukovych happening here with Trump in the USA, you’ve either not paid attention or are blind.
This entire playbook, including the ethnic wedge by the Russian puppet, is being repeated from Ukraine. We’re about 6 years behind what it looks like when you let Putin interfere with your government uncontested.
1
Trump stands and says "Go back to where you came from" from the most influential bully pulpit in the world. When he talks, everyone listens, including violent white supremacists, angry working men, and children. Trump is the leader of the free world. Refusing to condemn Trump publicly and saving their criticism for private, if at all, might be the right thing to do under normal circumstances, but this is not one. Republicans are teaching us and our children that it is worth it to stay silent else they might not be able to kill health insurance, etc. They are saying, in essence, it is worth it to give the rich more tax breaks to be ruled by a hater.
Republicans have made a deal with their devil. . .their devil provides a storm of diversions through hate speech and nationalistic neo-fascism, while the Republcians pursue their goal since Reagan; this is "to shrink government to a size that can be tossed into the trash can". Along the way, they continue to enrich themselves and their financial supporters.
Unless the entire Republican party loses the next election, our country will be pass the point of no return along the path towards autocracy and plutocratic fiefdoms similar to those in Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, etc.
2
The problem is not that so many elected Republicans fail to criticize Trump, or that they harbor similar anger and xenophobia. The problem is that too many American voters hold this anger and xenophobia.
2
I came to a realization as I watched this unfold and listened to debates. The reason rank-and-file Republican voters aren't calling out his comments as racist is because they agree with them, and they don't think of themselves as racists.
This is key. Even though people would never say to a white person born in America whose parent was Polish, "Go back to Poland" -- and even though they would say exactly that to a black person or a person of Latin descent -- they don't think of themselves as racists, and therefore when someone says something they agree with, that person wasn't saying something racist. They think the problem is the liberals "redefining" racism and "pushing" racism as a narrative. Trump doesn't see himself as racist either. He is a racist, but he doesn't see himself that way.
The trick is going to be how to reach people who do not want to hear anything bad about themselves even as they are okay with locking children in cages and telling black people to "go back to Africa." Many of them are the direct descendants of slave owners who didn't like Northerners criticizing them for owning slaves. Many are the direct descendants of people who didn't like Northerners criticizing them while they forced black people to drink from separate water fountains. "It's not us who are bad people. You're just looking for a way to criticize us!"
It's the same old fight. We just have to acknowledge that we'll be fighting it for longer than we hoped we would.
2
Republicans and Trump: it is a disgusting equation—
As long as they get ultra-conservative judges for their agenda and deregulation and massive tax frauds for the wealthy—
They will enable Trump and put up with him.
1
America is their country and is the country these four women have dedicated their time and effort towards “making more American again.”
Only a poorly educated authoritarian wouldn’t grasp this.
1
Trump's party has followed loathsome policies since Reagan and he now just makes that clear, loudly embracing the loathsomeness. His fellow travelers are just as bad in their silence. As are his voters.
1
I don’t think republicans in office are racist or mostly agree with Trump. Like Schumer, I think they’re cowards—spineless, soulless cowards who will sacrifice everything they supposedly believe in for the sake of their jobs, their reputations in the “conservative” world, and for power.
Look at Lindsey Graham, who has turned into Trump’s cheerleader-in-chief only three years after calling him a “xenophobic, race-baiting bigot.” What’s changed? Nothing about Trump, that’s for sure. It’s pathetic.
The irony here is that all of these republicans have only proven Trump’s theory that politicians don't really believe in anything and will follow around money and power and sell everything else. To use one of his own expressions, they a pack of scared, beaten dogs, and should be considered as such.
3
If Democratic senate candidates running against incumbent Republicans want to win next year, they should force the Republicans to run on their record of accomplishments for the past four years. Supporting Trump isn't an accomplishment. And silence hasn't made anyone's life better.
3
Mitch McConnell is the smartest, most powerful man in the Republican party. He does not get involved in Trump's Twitter rants and name calling because he simply does not care enough about them. McConnell has the power to rein in Trump when he feels the need. The 5 percent tariffs on Mexico are a prime example. McConnell called for a flurry of closed door meetings and magically Trump held off. Because in truth, Republicans hate tariffs as they always have. McConnell's pet mission is to makeover the entire judiciary branch, at all levels, with conservative judges. Obviously he is remarkably successful since the supreme court is now tilted conservative. He is just getting started. McConnell is focused and in full control.
6
I feel an "And X said nothing" campaign coming on that the Democrats can use against their GOP opponents in the congressional races.
There is no widespread condemnation of President Trump for his comments about the four congresswomen of color, other than the media hype, because at the root of it all the comment isn't about race, it's about rejection of their radical political views of how America should be run. They're not interested in working together to solve problems. AOC wouldn't approve funding for those helpless people on out southern border, yet she claims to care about them. The crew isn't interested in anything but their agenda, picking fights within their party and making preposterous statements about our political system and its governance. When people make big statements they need to be able to take the backlash that comes with them. The left wing and the media want to make it a racial issue, that's fine it's their prerogative, but the vast majority of Americans know better.
3
So Trump jumps up, hurls insults at a few with both eyes scanning at everyone else, with one eyeball on the Republican party. Been here seen that, since I'm an educator in a high school. (My apologies to our youth, I understand what you are going through.)
Us adults have been here, seen that. But don't forget, put it in your back pocket for latter use. For unlike our children who we naturally assist them in grow and maturity, this guy never has, nor ever will. Keep in ion your pocket, safe for next year. Use it wisely.
Use it to show how it affects everyone outside of the Republican party who need and want secure health care, a wage that includes saving money, safe schools, safe streets, safe food, safe air for us to breath. Remember we want infrastructure on par with the rest of the world, or even for friendly interactions with people who do not look exactly the same as everyone else.
Keep your eyes on the ball everyone. It is not us. It's him.
3
The GOP may hold on to some voters in the older generation now with these disgusting tactics, but those of us who are younger, growing up and watching every GOP member stand by and do NOTHING, will remember. Unless and until there is a radical turnabout in GOP policy, public apologies from these stooges, and every current member is replaced with someone not involved now, I will never vote GOP in any race in my life.
2
Republicans are fence walkers, read Mitch McConnell. It's not just the Trump show it's also the Democratic House show. The Mitch party wants nothing to do with Trump or the House Democrats so both are stone-walled. Trump is incompetent, he doesn't have a clue and makes up for it with his contentious, inflammatory blabber. Mitch and Pelosi have lived in the political world for a long time and know if you want any meaningful legislation, it means hard-fought debate and compromise, not inflammatory rhetoric or continuously playing the victim.
Just wait - God forbid - until something tragic happens because of the match this "president" is lighting in broad daylight and for all to see. Only then will we see Republicans running for the exits and searching for their voices.
So they should "go back to where they came and fix the countries they came from, because they are in such horrible shape."
I'm onboard with at least 3 of the 4 women fixing the country they came from. Trump called it perfectly, it is the country HE is in charge of that needs fixing.
I don't think Trump meant to put himself down but ultimately he did. The sad part is he doesn't even realize his mistake.
You can't make this stuff up........ that's the scary part.
3
The Democratic Party is now openly embracing radical policies that show how little they value blue-collar and rural workers, people of faith and gun owners.
And those people compose the majority of Americans.
4
Republican silence on such issues is nothing new and is in fact why bigots and the radical right have gravitated to the GOP's "Big Tent" since Goldwater.
Moderate Dems are today's center right. The contemporary GOP are just a bunch of far-right populist reactionaries hiding behind the rubric of *conservatism*.
4
Trump is trying to position all Democrats in people's minds as crazy, left-wing radicals. The last thing on earth he wants is to go up against a moderate Democrat in next year's presidential race. If he does, he will lose and he knows it.
1
The inability of Democrats to effectively "reach" Americans is more frustrating to me than the silence of Republicans. Democrats simply do not understand public relations and how to manipulate the media. What the Democrats need is to appoint a Press Secretary. Someone charismatic, smart, funny, articulate. Perhaps Stacey Abrams? Every time Trump lies or says something appalling (and this will be every day), this Press Secretary will hold a press conference. If this Press Secretary is compelling, she will grab the attention of the media, and thus, the nation. The Democrats need to try something new. They can no longer just sit back and let Trump control the narrative, without consequences.
4
That is good for the upcoming elections - the Democrats can run against trump and their opponent. It will not make a difference in the south - but it should help in swing elections.
As noted, racism has been around far longer than Trump and his supporters. I suggest most of Trump's supporters like him because of what he says and does, and not in spite of it.
It's hard to change the way people think, I've tried.
But we can change how people behave. And we can get them out of the White House.
1
Trump and the Republican enablers will not be treated kindly in history books. They have all broken their oaths of office, which each one swore on a bible to uphold. How fast they went from "family values" to family hate.
Unfortunately our situation is going to get worse before it gets better. We already have a constitutional crisis but nothing is getting resolved. I'm afraid a civil war is coming, thanks to Trump's support for hate groups, and the only "winner" is going to be our adversaries like Russia who will love to see us fall into the abyss.
1
If this incident isn’t a wake up call for all good citizens to come to the aid of our nation, America doesn’t deserve to win in 2020. No other moment has so clearly drawn the battle lines.
That said, let’s not forget one of Trump’s great strengths: the ability to control the spotlight and cameras. Think of everything else that he has blown off the front page this week with just a few thumb clicks. Yes, weep. Yes, rage. But now join the fight!
1
People, in any perceived ‘crisis,’ identify with the aggressor...until they have time to reflect and think things through. Thus ‘blitzkrieg’ a century ago and Trump today. He can only be overcome as he will never retreat and will claim a win in any defeat.
Wasn’t Trump’s whole camping about making America great again? Didn’t his inauguration speech paint a bleak and disturbing portrait of America? Shouldn’t he leave?
2
It is literally unbelievable to me that there are presumably educated people in Congress who remain silent against even the most outrageous insults to the principles for which we stand - E Pluribus Unum among them. The rationale of "Oh, you can't take him too seriously" is unacceptable. He is not a four-year-old. Words have meaning, truth is a requirement, decency should not have to be legislated. We are a country of immigrants. How can we live with the hypocrisy? We know where this goes. Can we not remember another time when a group was targeted for scapegoating, to support the rise of one who became the most hated despot of the 20th century? Whose name is now eponymous for evil? This is exactly how he did it - starting with the outright lies repeated until they seemed real, the rants, the manic rallies. Ending with the concentration camps. This is not where we began. Is this where we want to wind up?
2
Thank God for our radical founding fathers who wrote the most progressive Constitution of their time. The GOP is as equally weak in History as they are in Science. Trump really is draining that swamp as they cycle through his administration.
2
I don’t think Amash was forced out of the GOP. Seemed more like he read the Mueller report, had a conscience, and left of his own volition.
4
Trump and the sustained support he has received are similar to an insurgency.
Eventually, a large "underground" movement (in this case, people wed to crime and/or racism, supported by some single-issue voters) either sees a chance to rise up (like the Tet Offensive in Vietnam) or feels, rightly or wrongly, that a "now or never" moment has been reached (like the American Civil War). The group shifts from subtle and covert action to open confrontation. In Trump's case, it is a shift to overt corruption and racism paired with an unapologetic attack on any constraints on their behavior.
The process of countering such a movement is slow and exhausting, but it is necessary for the nation to survive.
1
Has he no shame? The answer, unfortunately is no. This is all just courting the same base that got him elected. And it keeps working for him over and over. A state of constant outrage by the opposition is accomplishing nothing when he keeps doubling down and pouring kerosene on the flames.
On Sunday, Trump questioned the citizenship of four American Citizens, without due process or evidence. That is a High Crime. The President is not authorized to question to question an American's citizenship without any evidence or process, and race is not evidence.
Being a racist is not an impeachable offense. High Crimes, contradictions of the plain meaning of the Constitution in words and deeds, are High Crimes.
Trump regularly calls for violence against citizens without due process. That is a High Crimes.
Trump takes payments from foreign countries. That is a High Crime. No "something for something" transaction is needed for taking emoluments to be a High Crimes.
Trump calls for personal loyalty from public servants sworn to protect the Constitution, not Trump. High Crimes.
If you are not using the phrase "High Crimes," you are helping Trump.
Trump is not the cause. Trump is a symptom.
When LBJ signed Civil Rights legislation, Nixon responded with the Southern Strategy, which was to encourage racist Democrats to vote for Republicans. Those are the Reagan Democrats. The Southern Strategy has now expanded to the whole country through the Rural Strategy. The Republicans encourage rural voters (who have outsized political power) to resent minorities and cities. When Trump talks like a racist his party cheers.
The most popular president among Republicans in polling history is manipulating white supremacists and committing High Crimes with cheers from his Party.
2
For sure no elected official is going to speak up when Trump owns the voters. They won't shoot themselves in the foot when their jobs are on the line.
1
It speaks volumes that, combined, the House and Senate have a grand total of two African American Republican members. Republicans are so out of touch with our nation and our varied experiences—and yet Republicans have such strength in the Electoral College. If that system were abolished, I believe we would see Republicans squirming more—not out of moral outrage, of course, but for their very survival.
2
The GOP is silent, because the method to Trump's madness resulted in a kind of brilliant move. Yup, I wrote it. His tweets against the very far left four politicians brought the democratic party to support them, thus "corralling" the Democratic party into the far left corner. Remember, just a few days ago [AOC] referred to Nancy Pelosi as a racist; hence, an indication of how far left are the four and now also the party that is backing them. Things that make you go Hmm.
During the 2016 campaign the defining moment that changed the election was when Hilary Clinton used the word deplorable's. It seemed to ignite Trumps base to get out and vote. I feel Trump's comments on the four congresswomen will ignite a fire under the democrats who might otherwise stay home on election day. Trump says a lot of terrible things, but these comments have gone too far.
1
I'd bet the 4 congress women that Trump accuses of hating America, have paid more in taxes over the last decade than the Donald. Taxes that support our military, infrastructure, social programs and general well being. It's easy to drape the flag around yourself, when it's not costing you a dime to so.
3
I've always assumed the GOP went along for one reason:
FEAR
If they go against Trump they might lose some of his base and State-run Fox News will start smearing them immediately. Like most politicians their jobs come before party and country.
"Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, one of the few Republicans who has criticized Mr. Trump since he became president, told a Boston TV station that while the president might have gone too far,"
"Might have gone too far?" Are you for real? What's too far, racial slurs? There are absolutely no excuses for these statements. If Romney is too cowardly to forcefully condemn Trump, then he should hide in the corner with the rest of the GOP. And while their views are orthogonal to Romney's, they have a right to present them without being told to leave the country. The last time I looked, this was still a democracy. If their constituents are unhappy with how they are being represented, they can vote them out of office next year.
2
Could it be that the GOP is not "Trump's party" but that many people simply agree with him, Republicans in particular? The term "progressive" implies change for the better so the term progressive is a misnomer. The Dem “progressive” liberal left does indeed want change, but such change is not regarded by many as for the better. AOC's Squad has a 1st Amendment right to express any sentiment they choose, but anyone who disagrees has an equally valid right to make their opposition known. Trump is confrontational in style and is often insulting to those with whom he disagrees. On the other hand, those on the liberal left have little to no tolerance of those who disagree with them and such disagreement almost always occasions vehement knee-jerk accusations of racism, bias, homophobia, Islamophobia and every other sort of phobia. Truly, both sides are equally objectionable in this regard, but I suppose that's politics as it's currently practiced by those passionate in their beliefs on both sides of the spectrum.
without fear and hatred there would be no republican party. they are the building blocks of their thinking, their policies and their supporters.
There is nothing Conservative about a 20 trillion dollar bill being paid for with a credit card. A debt our grandchildren will have to pay. There is nothing Conservative about not paying income taxes for 20 plus years. There is nothing Conservative about denigrating persons of color. Good Grief ! The Republican Party is the party of Abraham Lincoln. Equality. The Constitution. Responsible finance.
How low has the party sunk to embrace McConnell and Trump, both violators of their Oath of Office and cherry pickers of the Constitution. A couple of 'wanna be' hacks, whose only concern is power, not justice, not the vote, not responsibility,, just power and how much money they can stuff in their pockets.
1
It's shameful that the president of the United States is a resident of the United States and cannot abide a dissident in the United States.
3
Quote from the Beatles: "it's time for a revolution!" So let's do it already.
1
When our elected officials will not act, either by speaking up against racism or impeaching a criminal, it is incumbent upon the citizens to start peaceful civil disobedience. We are tolerating the intolerable.
Yes, it's HIS Party. And they'll cry if they want to. But doubtful, they are just cowering, in FEAR.
Sad.
The Republicans' bargain with the devil continues, even as the devil continues to demonstrate that he knows no moral or ethical boundaries. They got their tax cut. They're abandoning health care. Next stop: Social Security, Medicare, the environment, National Parks. In short, everything that smells of the common good which is the foundation of a democratic republic.
Must. Be. Defeated.
1
We are basically in a civil war in this country. We're just haven't quite reached the point of armed confrontation.....yet.
2
As a child I was an immigrant to the USA. I witnessed racism constantly and gave back my green card at 17. No regrets but I’m thankful the problem is out in the open. People can no longer turn away.
1
Don't you get it? They know he's crazy; they know he's outrageous--they are counting on that. They work for the uber-wealthy petroleum and chemical company oligarchs, with the Koch Bros. at the center. And the absolute last thing that crowd wants is any attention on climate change and the environmental disaster we seem to be careening toward. They are busy making plans on how they can squeeze the very last drop of money out of the system and then how they will protect themselves if we actually do wind up in an apocalypse.
Trump doesn't have any actual policies; he just has talking points that play well in front of a certain crowd, and Republicans have whispered in Trump's ear that he should keep talking about the divisive, super-emotional issues of immigration and abortion. And he is keeping those issues front and center. Note that this is not to say that both of those issues are not important; they are. But the Republicans don't want to find solutions--they want to keep everyone at each other's throats while the administration dismantles environmental protections, rolls back entitlement programs, and keeps us on course as a fossil fuel nation.
If Trump becomes too toxic, they'll dump him and feign a lot of surprise and outrage. They win either way.
3
I've seen enough McConnell press conferences to know McConnell is never 'pressed' by any member of the press on anything.
They most assuredly don't harangue & speak to him in the tone of voice I've heard them use with Pelosi...the most Constitutionally important member of Congress.
The press is terrified of Republicans and that's easy to see.
1
One image comes to mind for Senate and House Republicans: lemmings running off a cliff.
There are very few people of integrity left in the Republican caucus. With their silence in the face of these debased statements by the president, they show that they are far more concerned with winning the next election than the fate of the entire country. And the rock bottom condition of our country is evidenced by the millions who support this false and horrific race baiting.
The Republican party is now antithetical to the sound judgement, soaring rhetoric and accomplishments of Lincoln. Only Democrats have a right to hold that mantle now.
1
“Instead, Republicans worry that, even at a moment when the president is stirring division, a perceived slight or unwarranted criticism could lead Mr. Trump to throw them off, an outcome that could be ruinous to their political careers.”
Holding on to their careers seems to be what matters most to these gutless pols. I’d love to see someone do a study on politcians’s wealth when they were elected and what it is when they leave (if ever). We need term limits,
1
The message is that the long lived specter of overt racism that has always been at the heart of US conservative movement has broken out into the open with a shocking virulence with the election of Trump. That is why the South went from the habitat of southern Democrats to Republicans in the long wake of the Civil Rights movement. Previous darlings of right perhaps were only slightly more subtle than the thuggishly blatant appeal of Trump and his extremist supporters. It’s really about preserving the supremacy of one group defined by their race over all others. Trump and his supporters are trying to recreate 1920s US with a anti immigrant, racist message. The crunch time has arrived for this country. Support the racist Trump regime and its Russian indebted client in the White House or be patriotic in defense of all regardless of skin color,etc.
1
As a conservative minded person who historically supported Republicans I find the lack of integrity and courage in the Republican Party, particularly in Congress, to be shocking. One cannot help be reminded of the Edmund Burke comment, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
It seems that the last of the real Republicans in Congress have passed away or retreated under pressure from office. When decent people of all parties, not the noisy Trump rump of the Republican Party, vote to eject Trump from the White House at the next election, who is going to stand up for decent Republicans and be in a position to defend conservative values from the contamination of Trumpism and the economic catastrophe of the left? Mitch McConnell is part of the problem. Rubio, Romney, Ryan and Graham were people I once had hope for, but they has succumbed to bullying and now seem spineless. Their credibility has now vanished. Now would be the time for new potential Republican leaders to emerge and show the courage needed to lead. It is their duty and responsibility to stand up for principles now and to be in a position to rescue the Party from the ashes of the Trump years. So, just who are these "good men and women" leaders of tomorrow?
229
@Niall
High-flown, but "economic catastrophe of the left"? I might remind you that the two major "economic catastrophes" of the past century took place under Republican governance, and in both cases the succeeding Democratic administrations dug us out and restored prosperity.
93
@Niall No, it's your duty because you brought us here.
17
Trump actually seems to be taking all of the right wing arguments and complaints of the last century to guide what he does. He does it uncritically, warts and all, contradictions and all, exactly as those on the right have repeated again and again. That’s why they love him. He’s giving Republicans what they have asserted hat this country needs to undo the evils of progressivism and inclusive democracy.
Those of you who have moral standards should just see how what you thought that you wanted is not quite what you thought.
11
Republicans in Congress (led by Yertel from Kentucky) are simply spineless sycophants who are so morally and ethically deficient that they are unable to muster the courage to stand up to a schoolyard bully who is dragging their party and the nation down. They have been his enablers all along, and now they are playing the role of the orchestra on the Titanic.
I keep waiting for them to realize they are on the wrong side of history, but I won't hold my breath.
10
The people of Hong Kong know what to do when their own government threatens their political existence. We, apparently, do not. Are we just too numb? Too comfortable? Don’t we care? OR are we like our do -nothing representatives who will wait, with their backs are flattened against the wall, until it’s to late?
6
This is another distraction technique. Possibly Epstein related. Stay focused.
4
trump believes America is a racist nation and will vote for him for being a racist. Only an election in 2020 will prove him right or wrong. The republicans know their party is racist and fear to offend trump. He is carrying the nation backwards. If they get total control you can kiss your social security and medicare good by. They've been after those programs for years. They are dividing the nation in many ways. Rich against poor, young against old, urban against rural, race against race, religion against religion. They try to disguise their affinity for the rich and use the other divisions to create hate to help hide what they are doing for the rich.
4
"Both the willingness of Republicans to attach extremist labels to Democrats and the Democratic assault against Mr. Trump as a racist and white supremacist presage a particularly bitter 2020 campaign."
Therein lies the problem. We will throw out substance in favor of hate and discord. Blatant racism from the White House supported by the Republicans versus a desire to see our country returned to a more moderate path by the Democrats.
I hope America remembers to vote.
5
At this point I wonder just how long it will take for Americans to wake up to the fact that we are living under the rule of a tyrannical despot who doesn't suffer dissent and a Republican Senate too weak and cowardly to speak out against it for fear of reprisal.
This is not what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they penned the Constitution, and yet this is what we have become.
For shame.
6
There is a rot at the core of this country, and Trump is just the symptom. We may have past the tipping point.
5
How many times must this be repeated. Of course the Republican Party is the Trump Party. Since Goldwater and especially since Nixon and Reagan the Republican Party has been the party of racism. Trump has just confirmed that Republicans don't care about deficits or protecting America. Just bigotry.
3
"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
4
According to Pew Research, 83 percent of registered voters who identify as Republican are non-Hispanic whites. That statistic doesn't make them racist but failure of Republican Congressional representatives and so-called conservative media to condemn Trump's "go back" comments points to racism being systemic in the GOP.
Trump's long history of racist behavior and his universal acceptance by the GOP sadly makes that political party overtly racist.
3
So ... basically what this whole event is bringing to the fore is that Trump intends to make the GOP the party of racists - and to run in 2020 as a racist backed by a racist party - and hopes he can win on this. Isn't this right? isn't what the event is demonstrating?
This will truly be a test of is America still great or has it embraced the ethos of when he goes low, we go low with him.
4
Dear Ronna Romney:
1. This registered Republican plans to revenge vote against all GOP candidates at every level until the stench of Trump is ripped from the fabric of our great country and thrown into the non-recyclable garbage can.
2. All candidates for any office should be thoroughly vetted. If you can't pass a background check, you are an unsuitable candidate, period.
3. It is past time for the GOP to clean up its act, bigly.
Regards,
Signed: A well-educated, well-funded, well-read, well-connected woman with friends who vote.
8
The message from Republicans isn't that Trump controls the party. The message, delivered in the quiet of complicity, is that they agree with his racist rants. They, too, are racists. That may not be their intention, but the citizenship is hearing it loud and clear.
4
It is Trump's party but it is the presidency of Stephen Miller and Mick Mulvaney and the Congressional obstruction of Mitch McConnell.
4
As a Republican I never thought I would say this but I must believe that most of the members of my party are just as big a bigots and racists as the President is. If I really thought they are afraid to go against the President because of fear of losing their seats I might be disgusted . But my first thought makes me ashamed of what my party has become. And I truly hope that the Democrats sweep it in 2020.
7
Republican party politicians have every right to disagree with their Democratic party counterparts. But no politician from any party has the right to spew or support hate, bigotry or intolerance when discussing their positions or their party differences. President Trump's comments were hateful and despicable and should have been condemned, immediately, by the Republican party leadership. This was not done because whatever individuals are left in charge of the Republican party are cowards, servile in the worst way to Donald Trump and his base. Let there be adult debate and discussion regarding the issues of the day facing our country, not the spewing of vile and hateful vitriol, especially from our government leaders.
1
AOC nailed it at the press conference yesterday. Trump, the GOP and his supporters are weak—intellectually, physically and morally. Small, scared, weak men and women milking others’ fears and calling it leadership.
7
The president is the mouthpiece by which the GOP can say what it actually feels, much like a puppet talks on the lap of a seemingly silent ventriloquist. The ventriloquist can occasionally object to what the puppet says, but both talk from the same mind. They are actually one and the same. One cannot exist without the other. Their silence is actually Trump's loudest screams.
This has been obvious since the 2016 primary. In 2008 the conservative movement within the Republican Party had led us to incessant warfare and economic collapse. It was so discredited that when one of "those people" actually got elected to be President of the United States the GOP whipped up its most extreme, crackpot, bigoted base in order to hold on to relevance. They mobilized the monsters in their coalition. I call it the Dr. Moreau Theory of Republican Politics. Once the monsters were out of their cages, it was just a matter of time before the most monstrous among them emerged as a leader. https://madsociologistblog.com/2016/05/11/like-it-or-not-the-gop-is-the-party-of-trump/
4
It is not really Trump that is the problem, it’s his supporters and voters. In a way, these Republicans are giving Republican voters what they want. The unavoidable conclusion is that Faux News, right wing “think” tanks & propaganda outlets, low information voters, racists, evangelicals and the entire panoply of would be white supremacists and finally Trump are all to blame. Spineless self serving politicians are as old as the hills. Racist white men and women are as old as the country. It is all of them that we fight and there are no Republican politicians that will pick up the gauntlet with the exception of Justin Amash.
3
Why is it ok to bash Democratic politicians but when the president is a Republican any disagreement is considered treasonous?
2
My great-great grandfather joined the Republican Party shortly after the Ripon Convention, and fought for Lincoln in the war to end slavery. Most of my ancestors would have tarred and feathered Trump and ridden him out of town on a rail.
2
Trump and his Republican Party are working overtime to kill the Affordable Care Act and take away everyones' health care and health care protections.
When its struck down in 2020, thanks to him and his people, will anyone care? Or will they just go back to watching Fox Tv.
1
Yes their precious, precious political careers. The naked ambition and total moral cowardice of Republican politicians in the Trump era will resonate in history. These years show, with perfect clarity, how contemptibly empty Republican fealty to character and integrity has been all along. The same is true for Republican voters, particularly evangelicals, who have been outed as utter hypocrites.
2
Trump yanked off the covers to expose all the GOP positions that we formerly thought were hard core values. There's no going back for these political fraudsters. Post-Trump dogma is going to be really scary.
2020 and beyond Democratic Slogan:
"Go back to where you came from."
Repeat often to all Republicans you can find. Maybe even use it on a friend.
Hey, we are using their words.
Trump is not the cause of the bigotry and xenophobia that characterize a large portion of the Republican Party. He is a symptom of it; he is an (inevitable?) expression and result of the GOP’s courting of racists, going back to the Civil Rights era. This started even before Willie Horton. For decades, Republicans have seen an opportunity to expand their power by speaking to an angry, frightened, aggrieved amalgamation of white voters—carefully framing their messages with focus-grouped terms to make everything palatable to elite Republicans and to walk a line just inside overt bigotry. Trump has merely removed the pretty wrapping from a very ugly package. He’s exposed a hideous truth—a significant portion of US voters are either themselves racists, misogynists, bigots, etc., or they don’t care that the president is, as long as they perceive some benefit. Once he’s no longer president, l see no reason to believe that Republicans will change. Why would they? Trump is not an anomaly within this party, people. He’s the logical outcome.
1
So much for the party of Lincoln.
2
Trump is the frontman for the ruling political party. The almost reflexive emotions of hate, fear and mistrust are used against us everyday. The immoral and inhumane ethos of "better you than me" is the rallying cry. The effort to create a deepening sense of "otherness" is an existential motif. It is as old as civilization itself. We can evolve away from this inane and misanthropic pseudo darwinism if we really want to. We have to.
1
The Republican party and its congressional members have been morally bankrupt for the last two decades.
VOTE in 2020!
1
It's painfully clear that Trump never wants to govern, only campaign. His exhausting hate, racism and ignorance is a clever distraction from the ideas of leading. Something he never intended to want.
Republicans have sealed their fate. This group of GOP cowards will forever be linked and complicit with an administration that took down Democracy, resurrected racism, and rekindled the angst and hatred of Reconstruction and the Civil Rights era. I hope they're happy. Trump and his cohort should be brought before the Hague and charged with crimes against humanity. What a dreadful time in America.
2
It is a disgusting equation—
As long as they get ultra-conservative judges for their agenda and deregulation and massive tax frauds for the wealthy—
They will enable Trump and put up with him.
[I said at the end of the first year of the Blight of Trump, that Democrats should have stopped the massive tax scam fraud, by shutting down the government if necessary. It was that important. And the Blight of Trump (and sycophants like Orrin Hatch and Mitch McConnell) would have had nothing to brag about except Gorsuch on the Supreme Court.]
1
Silence is acquiescence.
Tepid criticism, like Romney’s, is acquiescence.
These are moral cowards who will not stand up for American values.
1
Wow, just wow. When I was growing up I looked to my parents to know what was right and wrong. Do these (men) not have children? Is Mitch not married to a immigrant? Have they no shame?
1
Republican voters can do something that may reduce these outrageous comments by the POTUS: vote against those Republican members of Congress who continue to support these Trump non-American comments! Don't let them continue to hide behind Trump, afraid of saying a word against them lest they lose his support. Challenge these cowardly Republican members of Congress!
1
The level of cowardice, self-interest, and disregard for the good of the country by members of the GOP is astounding. Abandonment of their oath of office while being servile to Trump feeds the cynicism that is undermining our democracy. As role models for youth members of the GOP are abject failures.
Political differences are one thing–but this!
2
Many of the supporters of Trump are white evangelical Christians. They hear his incendiary bigotry: go back home! not only in racist terms, but as an indirect defense of their own religion. Keep America Christian, keep Christianity American.
They are being outdone by history itself. Christianity in Africa now accounts for 25 percent of all Christians. The US has only 11 percent. Latin America has 24 percent. Between them, Africa and Latin America have fully HALF of the world's Christians. The US is just a small branch on the tree.
There are now more Christians in China (100 million) than there are members of the Chinese Communist Party.
To be Christian is to be global. It is to recognize the profound connection that divine grace establishes between every human being on the planet.
Go back home! For Christians, God alone is our home. And for that reason we are all neighbors, everywhere.
There can be no welcome for Trumpism wherever the gospel truly flourishes.
2
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Election Day is coming and we will sweep Trump out of office and shut the door behind him and reverse all of his executive orders with one of his giant magic markers.
It's time to act with our vote. Everyone should be sure to be part of the process of saying to him "Your Fired"!!!!"
I look forward to the day that Mitch McConnell goes back to where he came from. Kentucky...47th place in everything from education to per capita income
Republicans used to wrap themselves in the flag in their faux patriotism. Now it's all party before country.
Yet again, the press give this vile man a near-monopoly over the spotlight. He lives by the words of Oscar Wilde: "There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." He DOESN'T CARE if most people are outraged, in fact he thrives on that because it is the red meat he throws his followers. Stop talking about him and his racism, we all know what he is. Focus on highlighting and investigating pieces of the Mueller Report, and on exposing the daily price that even his followers are paying economically for his demented policies. You gave him billions of dollars' worth of free publicity for his disgusting statements in 2015 and 2016. Stop. Just stop.
1
Will Donald and Mitch be changing the inscription on the Statue of Liberty in the weeks ahead?
I thought members of congress took an oath to protect the constitution, not the president. Silly me.
2
He seems to think it is his country too. Sad!
Yes for long that virulent strain fought to overtake the party. Now the process is complete. The GOP, the former party of Lincoln, is nothing more today than a racist group of old white yes-men disguising the corruption, nepotism, oligarchy, and kleptocracy of their autocrat.
The rallying cry for Republicans now: "Are we not mice?"
Republican law makers have perfected the art of dodging and ducking. They don't care about anything except holding on to their offices, and obviously they believe they can do that only by never pushing back against Trump's vile racism, for fear of alienating the majority of their voters. It never occurs to them that their voters might be open to leadership pulling them in a more decent direction, and sadly, they might be right. This is a disgusting and frightening state of affairs.
One suspects this might become a slow election burn. Even today, and even in the GOP, there are a lot of white Europeans who can remember tales of their own immigrant grandparents hated, beaten up and yelled at to "go back home".
So eschewing his rhetoric and talking policy should be enough to win this
Bunch of empty vessels spouting school yard insults...
Listening Dems?
And yet they will certainly exercise their moral authority as soon as a democrat takes the presidency. Hypocrisy 101.
1
I worked in ADVERTISING for years and I wish or beg the American public to listen. You are being hammered by an advertising campaign selling HATE. That is the product and trump is the SPOKESMAN. DON'T BUY IT. Nothing he is selling is real. None of it will ultimately benefit you. He will BANKRUPT the country just as he bankrupted his own businesses. IT'S A CON, A GRIFT. The entire trump family uses the ploy, distracts, lies and steals. It's this simple and each time you see a tweet or hear a sound bite or get get caught up in a FOX couch of fake newscasters, tell yourself: I DON'T WANT THIS PRODUCT. You will start to see the obvious. You will see the ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. TAKE BACK YOUR POWER!
3
There are zero conservatives in the GOP. Those that might be conservative are terrified of displeasing a president who wasn't even elected by a majority of voters. Cowardice rules the GOP. No longer do we have leadership, just weak followers of one man. If only a few of them had the spine to do the right thing.
Anything that was once good in Republican party is now gone and all that is left is the raw and ugly intolerance. I used to hear people say they were fiscally conservative but socially liberal. Nobody can say this any longer. There is not a shred fiscal responsibility left in this party. True colors are revealed and we see it loud and clear. This party now represents the ugliest side of America.
What Republicans don't seem to understand is that -- although their party is now a corporate, wholly-owned subsidiary of Donald Trump, Inc. -- our country, we, the people, do not have to do business with that corporation if we choose not to. At present, the GOP is in the hands of a racist madman -- a liar, a bigot, a cheat, a sexist, and a thoroughly disagreeable and offensive punk.
We can turn that punk out of office if we have the will and the votes. We can turn his GOP out of office, too. We need to spend the remaining days, weeks and months before the 2020 election in strenuously putting all our effort into registering new voters, encouraging and supporting existing voters, and fighting GOP efforts to suppress and distort the electoral process.
If Donald Trump is re-elected in 2020, the United States of America will fall. And Donald Trump will sit on its ruins and smirk.
Profiles in Courage...Not.
It's not that the Republicans are afraid to criticize Trump for these type of racist, xenophobic slanders, it's that they tacitly condone them. Trump says what they're afraid to say, but they're not afraid to benefit from. The GOP was shifting towards the racist vote way before Trump came along, branded it, and openly embraced it. It's yet another reason to impeach the failed President who is actively and maliciously destroying our Democracy. And it's yet another case of the Democrats being afraid to move against him. The whole thing is despicable.
1
Republicans in the House and Senate might very well be cowards...
The problem is the Republican electorate is just like Trump.
1/3 of the nation does not have a vision of America that the rest of us have.
Shameless - as long as they can be in power, not that any thing useful is getting done.
White privileged, entitled, Republican men who conveniently voluntarily mute their own voices
are unwittingly muting the voices of marginalized, oppressed, disenfranchised people. Wake up!
1
“They have made their bed and are trying to sleep in it and hope they don’t have nightmares,” said William Kristol, the conservative Trump critic. “They don’t feel like they are paying a huge price.”
They’re not. We are.
Cowards - each and every one of them that didn't speak out. You can specify that you disagree with the noobs approach yet still condemn the president's remark. Those that didn't speak out - shouldn't get re-elected. Spineless candidates need not apply.
Strangely, President Trump is getting us to talk about race.
The Germans created a word for this in the 1930s: Gleichschaltung (“alignment” of all political forces through elimination of opposition). We are witnessing this now in the G.O.P. and the Republican Party. If we don’t step up now, we’ll see it after 2020 in the whole country. This is how a dictatorship begins!
1
For once the NYT is correct... it is President Trumps party. I believe that the vast majority of white America agrees with him and we are sick and tired of the unrelenting vitriolic attacks on the President that began the day after he defeated the liberals “chosen one”.
People of color are an important component of America but they are only a component.... not a major driving force. America has been made great throughout its history primarily by white Americans and the President leads this coalition.
1
Surprised? Not one bit. I expected nothing less from this group of Republicans who have shown little backbone and continue to cower before the vulgar bully in the Oval Office.
This is supposed to be patriotism in action! When men and women occupying House and Senate seats lack the will to condemn (1) outright treason with Russia, (2) enthusiastically seek to dismantle health care for millions of Americans, (3) reward elites with massive tax breaks and (4) countenance white nationalism by their acquiescence, we have hit rock bottom.
If hundreds of Republicans in the Senate and House fear losing an election if they denounce Trump's racist rants; then what really has become of America? The disgrace is not just in the actions and words of Trump; the disgrace is our very nation.
Today’s GOP: “socialism for me (FBI, army, roads, social security, hospitals, bailouts for farmers), but not for thee (national healthcare).
Add in public racism and here it is, the Trump GOP.
“What Price Glory”......what Trump is espousing is a mixture of
his personal racism and his utter delight in seeing the fights and divisions rage on after his comments.
Trump is demented. His day-to-day rants are his delight.
Is it possible that our nation, now at last, will tire so utterly of the likes of the Republican Party, that we can return to civility and ‘liberty and justice for all’?
If you want to Dump Trump, and the RINOs in Congress have decided that it is his party, the obvious conclusion is to vote all of them out, every last one of them who stands for election in 2020.
1
it is past time for trump, his family, his administration and the republicans in Congress to be jailed!
2
The photo accompanying this News Analysis says more loudly and clearly about who and what the Republicans are than their almost unanimous silence on their President's unrepentant racist Tweets, lies, and slurs.
Mostly older white men with a few white women whose stern facial expressions convey that they mean business. Behind those faces are brains that know better. Those brains have gotten them to positions of power and trusted authority in one of the co-equal branches of our Federal government. All have college degrees and most have law degrees as well.
So where are their voices?
It would take a minute or less to support the legitimacy of their fellow elected Congresswomen. Silence.
It would take a minute or less to denounce Trump's racist remarks and actions. Silence.
It would take a minute or less to denounce Trump's separation of children from their parents. Silence.
Why? Do they agree with Trump? Do they think they are representing their voters back home? Or are there other reasons?
Cowardice? Fear of losing donor support? Fear of being primaried? Fear that their secrets will be exposed? Fear that their post elective career prospects will be hurt?
Every day, they aid and abet the lawbreaking team in the White House. They fail in their sworn oaths "to support and defend the Constitution of the United States... against all enemies, foreign or domestic."
Cowards. Deplorables. People who have sold themselves and their souls.
Have they no shame?
358
@JMT
Short answer, they and their constituents dont think the remarks were racist. AOC accusing Pelosi last week of insulting women of color was reverse racism.
You might find it hard to understand but Millions of Americans think that the Squad are Anti-Americans.
(not to mention millions of swing voters)
Whenever the Right stands up against people who put down their country and what it stands for they are labeled Racist.
I hear there are millions of dollars worth of Betsy Ross Flag tee's and decals being sold around the country. The demand is huge as a symbol against all this nonsense of tearing down statues, burning flags, not kneeling, denigrating the pledge of allegiance etc.
Even the Gov of Washington said he wanted to make Megan Rapinoe his new Secretary of state if elected.
Really? paleez.
1
@South
To reiterate: Collin Kapernick's protest in kneeling during the National Anthem was to bring visibility to the horrors of police brutality and economic institutional racism committed upon People of Color, especially Black people. It is fitting for a Black man to protest his treatment by this country during the national anthem which doesn't live up to its claims for all citizens. As for the monuments? Why do we even have monuments to traitors? Besides, these monuments went up in the early part of the 20th century as a way to reiterate white supremacy over the Black population after Reconstruction.
20
@South
So when the current president ran for office and railed about all that was wrong with this country, wasn’t he acting “in-American?” Why is it when one side vocally disagrees with current policy, they’re labeled in-American and told to “go back” to where they’re from, but when the other side dose it, it’s okay because he wraps himself in the American flag (whatever the iteration) and he is voted into office. Hypocrisy at it’s finest. How can anyone stand up for equality under the law (a guarantee under our constitution) and fairness be labeled in-American???
31
The GOP doesn't push back because the President speaks for them.
Goldwater's vote against the Civil Rights bill, Nixon's Southern strategy, President Reagan's welfare queens, the Gingrich push to reform welfare as we know it.
Trump speaks their language. Why would they disagree?
4
Exactly, this President and the GOP are just reflection of how this country really is at its our heart. The mask is off and everyone in this country no matter what ethnicity you are should be very concerned because in some places this attitude will create a civil and race war.
It's hard not to be critical in every writing I submit, because I revile him. But this is not about Trump, and and only about non-association with the Republican Party. This is about the Democrats.... My years of education and labor in the military, private industry, and the Government sector have proven to me that any full frontal attack on an opponent results in unacceptable casualties on both sides, even when you are mostly right. No one has a lock on Right and few are absolutely Wrong. The Democrats need to remember this. The Squad and every far left Democrat are pressing, in their impatience, are reflecting the impatience of the people they believe are their constituents, people who are better off than their parents but are impatient with the gradual, measured changes made by thoughtful Government decision process. I was, and still am, impatient also but have learned that change is best made and preserved by effectively working from within, quietly without grandstanding. The Squad needs to learn this quickly. They may have Right on their side (or not) but they are not absolutely right. Focus on what is mostly Wrong but remember Wrong fights back more viciously than good people can withstand by themselves. Work with your leadership to make your party stronger lest you perish in the upcoming brutal war of the 2020 elections. Don't make it weaker by fighting amongst yourselves. You will need every Centrist, Moderate, Left, and Crossover voter to win.
3
I have no problem with the Congresswomen, the President, or anyone else expressing views I disagree with, no matter how coarse the sentiment or harsh the rhetoric. It's not simply because I've heard it all before, although that helps, but because in my view simply condemning what someone says, hurling at them similar bleak epithets, and dissolving into a puddle of outrage is counterproductive to reasoned argument. Our dialectic hasn't necessarily become so much cruder, although it has some, but we are ever more sensitive to insult.
2
Perhaps the last building block before impeachment proceedings is that Pelosi is waiting to see the reaction of the voters to what Mueller might expose verbally. Whatever it is, it will be more than the bulk of the population has heard so far. It will take a TV moment!
We shall see next week. It has to have at least a marginal shock effect compared to 400 unread pages of his report>
4
The issue is quite simple, really. There is no principle more important to Congressional Republicans than their re-election chances, even if it trumps everything we stand for as a country.
8
Since the Republicans are now the Party of Trump with zero tolerance for any position that differs from Trump, the obvious play for the Democrats is to be the "Big Tent" party. They should celebrate their diversity - a diversity of ideas and backgrounds, with bold and articulate individuals that range from Sen. John Tester to Representative AOC. They should advertise that they are the party that can consider all options and find solutions that better the lives of Americans. America is facing huge global and domestic challenges, and as every business executive knows, your chance of finding solutions is absolutely dependent on healthy debate and consideration of all alternatives. Trump shuts down debate, and makes every issue personal. That is why he was a dismal failure as a business person.
42
Yet again, Trump demonstrates, through his ignorance and tone-deaf obliviousness, that he hasn’t a clue what America is all about. I believe it was James Baldwin who said that he loved America more than any country in the world, and that it was for that very reason that he insisted on perpetually criticizing it. Our country’s very founding was based on criticism, protest and revolt. As an ever-evolving work-in-progress, subject to constant change, development and refinement, such critiquing and tweaking of our democracy is its life’s blood. For Trump to equate this process with hatred and lack of patriotism, at once shows his unfitness for office and lack of knowledge of the long line of true patriots who have practiced such iconoclasm, everyone from Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry and Abraham Lincoln to Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, Malcolm X and countless others. America is not about falling in line and lockstep with the likes of a Trumpian demagogue; it is indeed about disliking, protesting and resisting every time such foul despotism and fascism oozes and bubbles its way to its swampy surface.
27
It’s unfortunate that the GOP is silent. Their silence is so loud that would deserve a permanent mention in any history books.
18
It's sad to say, but the entire Congress is badly in need of a thorough reading and UNDERSTANDING of the Constitution. There is no need to "work with" a President who refuses to acknowledge any limit on his presumed authority. It doesn't matter that you've always had reasonable, sane men in the office. Now you don't. DO YOUR JOB, as John Stewart might say.
13
@John Bologna: US politics is only a paralytic perpetual fundraising scam. It costs about $3 billion to run for president. Tom Steyer can pay his own way out of his own pocket.
Why keep writing about this as if Trump were in a vacuum?
Watch his poll numbers. They may even go up.
10
Trump tweet was not racist, He did not say nonwhites who don't like America should leave America. He said unspecified "Progressive congresswomen" who say hateful things about Americans should leave.
His tweet apparently was aimed at four members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus who have been outspoken in their contempt for Trump and U.S. policies. They were not aimed at a racial or ethnic groups.
I strongly disagree with Trump. The four are U.S. citizens who have a right to voice their opinions. I also think foreign nationals residing on the United States, including Russians, have a right to voice their opinions.
4
@William Case
Thank you William for reminding us that in Trump's mind Russians are more greatly valued by the administration than are Americans.
Hateful things? By hateful he means those that disagree with him?
Trump sounds just like the Crown that said that those that spoke of the conditions they found in the colonies were wrong to do so and that if they didn't like it they should leave.
We chose a different route. To see the criticisms should be listened to and that making things better was what American was all about.
1
Not racist? He told four American women to go back to the countries they came from. What word would you use to describe it?
Racism is the belief that something is true of individuals because of their race. Trump quite obviously believes these individuals don’t belong in America because they “come from” somewhere else, not because of where they were born, but because of where their families are from.
Call it xenophobic nationalism if you want. It’s a distinction without a difference.
1
@William Case
The tweet is racist because it implies that the four "progressive" members of Congress are not real Americans -- although they are. How would he think they were not? He looked at the color of their skin and their names. That's racism.
1
GOP Congress people are just trying to get out of the Trump era without drawing the ire of the right wing base that would vote for someone more conservative in a primary. They are being squeezed between Trump and his fans. History won’t judge Trump, his base, or the docile GOP Congress well.
4
"[Analysis: No president in modern times has made appeals to the resentments of white Americans as overtly as Mr. Trump.]"
I just wish the media could understand that not everything relates to the color of one's skin. This white (and Jewish) American opposes policies and speeches which excuse terrorism, are anti-semitic, intimidate free speech on college campuses and elsewhere, and unreasonably limit economic freedom. I oppose these things regardless of the race or gender of the person espousing such views.
I also think the American people see through the media's tendency to equate policy opposition with racism when the proponent of a policy is a member of a minority group.
7
Wherever I go I do my best to interact with people and discuss Trump. Using my solid understanding of tariffs, I explain how we are being harmed by Trump's poorly planned policies. I explain what Reserve Currency is and how the loss will affect the US in a most dramatic way. Finally, we discuss recent flooding and Climate Change. Using rising homeowner insurance rates, my arguments are simple to understand.
While none of us can be expected to understand every Trump disaster, pick the issues you DO understand and engage people.
There is too much at stake to allow the miscreant Trump to remain in power for one second longer than necessary.
Consider it your patriotic duty to speak out against madness, racism, looting, and abysmal policy decisions.
11
@Law student Although I am not a fan of tariffs, I have a couple questions.
1) Why should we give developed nations in Europe lower tariffs on their products than they put on ours?
2) Besides the mechanics, how is a tariff spiritually and different from a consumer or VAT tax that the Left supports?
1
@Liberty hound In WWII, the USA demonstrated what an organized, creative nation could do to thwart the Nazis. The key to that success was competent, lawful leadership which we do NOT have now. JFK proved that the USA can compete with any nation once leadership sets the goals & organizes the nation.
Trump is an abysmal failure on all accounts. His track record of bankruptcies, failure to pay contractors, incessant violations of the Emoluments Clause, vile and despicable comments, denigration of women, etc., etc., all indicate he is the worst possible choice in this time of intense competition.
"The lack of widespread Republican condemnation of President Trump for his comments about four Democratic congresswomen of color illustrated both the tightening stranglehold Mr. Trump has on his party and the belief of many Republicans that an attack on progressivism should in fact be a central element of the 2020 campaign"
how does racism conflate with an attack on progressivism?
2
To declare that the Republican Party belongs to Trump is to ignore the underlying nuances of the Grand Oldies. Firstly, a potted history, the party has been around for generations and has progressively descended into the realm of elitism during its time. It was Lincoln’s party of emancipation in 1865. By the 20th century, it was the party of isolationism based on a cultivated notion of manifest destiny and American exceptionalism. By the 1970’s, it was a party of war and has been ever since, each descending president being more bellicose than his predecessor, Trump so far breaking that murderous trend. Bush used conflict to distract from the odious financial finagling of “clearing the playing fields” for corporate piracy and eventual economic catastrophe. Trump uses domestic toxicity for the same purposes.
Secondly, Trump is not a politician: he is an aberration. The Reps, in their Machiavellianism, simply use him to advance their agenda. He doesn’t own the party, it owns him. It made him president, it can break him too. As a figurehead, Trump is vulnerable to being abandoned as soon as his expedience is finished. McConnell and his shadowy backers are the real power.
The Republican bulwark is to stick faithfully to an austere mantra and never break ranks regardless of the atrocity. Heeding Pelosi’s advice to the Democrats, there is strength in unity, and this is what gives Trump his ephemeral resilience. So far, the strategy is working. The Dems have no effective response
4
Once again, the media is missing the point.
By calling out The Squad, Trump has legitimized them and given them a little victim status. That means that Democrats who have been trying to marginalize and silence The Squad now have to embrace them. It also gives license for those who are sympathetic with them but afraid of Speaker Pelosi to come out and join The Squad.
In essence, this will enlarge the size of The Squad and embolden their leaders, which will create an additional headache for Nancy Pelosi and threatens the newly elected Blue Dogs.
6
Welcome to the 2020 campaign. The Republicans actually think this is the way they will win. The same thing will happen every news cycle which will distract from everything else 1) Incendiary potus tweet 2) News cycle completely taken over by need for reaction from all players which is driven by all of the 24 hour news networks 3) Social media troll army rehashes, distorts, hot takes, remixes, edits. gotchas , posts, and tweets all new video from reaction footage. 4) Rinse 5)Repeat. It will get worse and worse every day until the election. I don't think anyone knows how to stop this. In the meanwhile it's important to be aware that
it is happening and we are all living it in real-time.
2
As a conservative and Trump doubter during the 2016 election, I have since become a Trump enthusiast. He keeps his campaign promises and tirelessly try to fulfill them in the face of relentless opposition.
Most of all he fights and speaks well against liberals and the media who have been mocking our intelligence, our judgment and questioning our sense of humanity for years and years.
5
@Qcell
Sir. . You can't elect a real estate hustler who has spent his "career" fleeing out the back doors of bankruptcy courts, uses the presidency to line his own pockets, and appoints obviously unqualified people to his cabinet, and not have your judgement . . and other things questioned.
We can leave counting how many of his close political associates are in jail, or presently at risk of jail for another post.
@Qcell
And apparently with good reason -- if you honestly think that President Trump is fulfilling campaign promises, your intelligence and judgment are in doubt. If you overlook the horrible rhetoric and actions on immigration and on immigrants, your humanity is also in doubt.
Republicans since Nixon have been exclusive. Growing up, every four years watching both parties presidential nominating conventions, it is so obvious that Republicans are purely white with a smattering of people of color that the TV pans on. What I don't get is the GOP used to be the party of family values now with Trump and his multiple marriages and infidelities, links to Russia and North Korea - what exactly do the Republicans stand for. Why are they so afraid of Trump?
3
Trump is no longer effective. He spends more time stirring up trouble than working. We need better healthcare. We need lower taxes. Mine just went up not down. Student loan debt is terrifying. It’s going to throw us down a tunnel of recession much worse than the last one did. My son is not gonna be able to afford to buy a home because home prices are so high. I understand why some people voted for Trump. I get it-places like West Virginia were struggling mightily financially. But they are no better off and the president is making a mockery of the office. If Republicans that are in Congress really cared about this country they do have a private talk with him. I’m a moderate. I’ve vote both sides of the aisle but so far if he’s the only choice I get, I’m crossing over to the other side this year. Being President is serious business. It’s time for me to move on and vote for someone who’s going to really do something and not act like a child.
8
I’d rather not have a political career, than have one dependent on remaining silent against a man who is more dangerous to American ideals this country was built on than anything those four Congresswomen could ever say or do.
Silence = Complicity.
I hope they are thinking of how they will explain their decisions to their grandchildren. History will not treat them kindly.
7
Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, one of the few Republicans who has criticized Mr. Trump since he became president, told a Boston TV station that while the president might have gone too far, “I certainly feel that a number of these new members of Congress have views that are not consistent with my experience...”
Well, sure - as a privileged, rich, white man, of course their experiences couldn't be more different from your experiences.
11
Classic for dying empires.
The Decline and Fall of the American Empire is now happening at something close to light speed.
Sad, but well-deserved. Ask the rest of the world.
6
The lack of condemnation on the Republican’s part is not all due to Trump for they are a party centered on self preservation and self interest. Trump and the GOP are playing a very dangerous game; Trump divides and pits people against people with hateful words while the majority of the GOP remains silent. As long as they remain silent, things will get progressively worse. I am not surprised by Trump’s blatant remarks, the silence of the GOP or the millions of Americans supporting the Trump rhetoric. It is a reflection of the horrific history of racial bigotry this country’s has had since its creation, still has and never came to terms with and it’s being kept alive by people that are supposed to be striving for the best interest of the country.
2
While similar sentiments have been voiced by multiple historic luminaries, here William Kristol, Martin Niemöller, and likely Yogi Berra among them, none is more appropriate to the currently gathering Gilead momentum here in the US than Winston Churchill.
In a live BBC radio broadcast on January 20,1940 in his then position as First Lord of the British Admiralty, Churchill prophetically observed: “Each one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last. All of them hope that the storm will pass before their turn comes to be devoured. But I fear greatly that the storm will not pass. It will rage and it will roar ever more loudly, ever more widely.”
How grotesquely appropriate to the current calm from the republican diaspora, whether elected or electorate, who would all do well to remember that silence equals complicity.
6
The great irony of this situation, as on the climate front, is that the large corporations will probably repudiate the Republicans (and all other runaway right wing parties around the world), effectively losing their real bases.
This is simply the culmination of of many years of Republican's strategy of division. They’ve always known that they could not sell a pure version of their brand of conservatism to enough voters to hold power. They now understand that talking and even walking conservatism is counterproductive. Seizing and holding power has become their only objective and division is their mantra. Not until the success of Trump, however, were they willing to set the nation aflame to achieve their evil ends.
3
This is for the four congresswomen that Trump attacked: Thank you for the broad and diverse backgrounds and perspectives that you bring to our political process. Please stay right where you are and continue to speak out about America's problems and shortcomings and continue to work toward solutions.
BTW, I am not just a "citizen of the world" but a white Southerner, and I appreciate your passionate commitment to this country -- your country. Thank you.
3
There is no Republican Party. They just haven't changed their name to the Trump Nationalist Party. That is who they really are. This party gave its identity away when they agreed to nominate and support Trump for President. Now he totally owns them. Any American who votes for and vocally supports this party is also owned by Trump's words and actions. Those of us who aren't Trump supporters need to wake up and realize that we are going to have to take this powerful minority party on every day if we wish to keep any trace of American democracy alive.
1
That’s a stark accurate assessment, scary and true.
1
@Bill Thank you. It is stark, but we are in perilous times and I feel we have to be honest and realize that we may not be able to stop or slow what is happening with Trump and his party even if we strongly challenge them. There is a true constitutional crisis and a coup underway and it is from the minority.
1
The economy is the best it has been in years and people are gainfully employed. This is due to the Republicans and especially President Trump. What have the Democrats to offer? Open borders, higher taxes and social programs that will cost the taxpayer money. Not very appealing. They will have to try harder if they plan on winning the presidency in 2020.
The Democrat party is in turmoil and the four squad members are not helping. They are the ones who should be reined in. The presidential candidates are very progressive and their policies will never be popular with the average American voter. They are ruining the Democrat party and no member has the courage to say this. They are doomed if they allow this to continue. Of course, this is very good news for the Republicans.
4
@KMW
What exactly hve Republicans done that has been so beneficial to the economy. See any chart of any economic metric and all show a continuation of the economic growth that occurred under Obama - stock markets, employment, GDP - all are the same trajectory.
But I guess thats a great reason to embrace blatant racism.
8
So as long as the economy is good, we should turn a blind eye to Trump’s racism?
1
There's a narrative floating around that donald will win in 2020. I don't buy it, but everyone who's horrified and infuriated by what he's doing to our country must muster up our energy and not only vote, but work to get out the vote. We're all exhausted by the onslaught of injustices, but please, compassionate voters, gather your energy and do everything you can to mobilize voters. Every survey shows that there are more people against donald's harmful policies them for them. We can vote him out.
5
Graham has jumped the shark. His friend John McCain is turning over in his grave.
39
@scott k.
I have to truly wonder exactly who Lindsay Graham really is.
He's no longer "witty".
He's no longer "bright".
He's no longer a "nice guy".
He spent decades constructing that friendly-folksy image.
Until he didn't.
Now he's Uncle Creepy.
Did McCain have that much influence over him?
If so, then it is more understandable that he is now utterly under Trump's control - because there never was a spine there, anyways.
4
@scott k. It's a pity the shark doesn't fight back.
3
I’d say buckle up because these antics are exactly how he won the election (or you know.... got to be president).
17
When all you ultimately care about is getting re-elected, this is what happens.
We need a giant can of Raid in November 2020.
37
The absence of any pushback from the GOP is pathetic. I wasn't planning on voting for Trump anyway, but who can support any Republican who doesn't stand for what's right? Congressman Justin Amash (my district) was right. Time to send him $25 to support his move to Independent.
37
Trump's America is more than just 'Republican'. It's also the Independent and Democratic bigots throughout our fabric. It's the segment that also loves controversy and giving it back to the 'establishment'. It's the whole Israel issue. Quit frankly, some particle of whatever he says, no matter how miniscule, is in us all.
7
@B. Granat
Yes, you’re right. We all have some hate and bigotry in us.
The difference is that many of Trump’s followers, and many GOP legislators, celebrate and embrace or cynically ignore Trump’s hate speech instead of speaking out against it.
1
Democratic members contact me. Your missing the right wing's strength. Once you realize why they have that edge, you can then counter.
1
As a rule, politicians need to be boot lickers and ring kissers; it's a life of never-ending campaigning and fund raising, regardless of the moral consequences.
Except for professional life-long toadies like Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham, who come from rural states with lazy and complacent voters, other politicians must surely realize they gain a term of a few years, only to live the rest of their lifes in moral pain.
Worse, even in death, history mocks them endlessly with no mercy. But that's a problem for their children and grand-children and great-grand-children, not their problem; they got theirs, taking the money and attention while it was there.
It's hard to compile a short list of the most pathetic of the lot, but we know those at the top of list. Sirs, we have eyes and ears.
11
The problem in this country is not the so called radial left it is the radical right. Anytime a Democrat comes up with an idea that may actually help people they are labeled as leftists, socialists etc. True, all their ideas may not be perfect but at least they are trying.
I can’t think of one idea Republicans (the radical right) have come up with that actually will help people. They are still trying to destroy Obama Care and it is just a matter of time before they come up with their Junk Insurance Plan to ruin health care.
The “Squad” may not be everyone’s cup of tea but at least they are thinking. The Radical Right just sits back too cowardly to stand up against bigotry, cowardice, lying.
The Republican Party no longer exists. It is simply a party of toadies who have put American and its citizens in second or third place in their radical right pecking order.
48
The response by republicans is always the same. Economy is great and stock market is at record levels. And you received a tax cut. Nothing else matters as long as the above is true. Republicans vote their wallet.
3
@John H
The Democrats have sent 49 Bills on to the Senate, all designed in one way or another to improve the lives of regular people.
Mitch McConnell has refused to allow any of them to be passed.
These Bills are what the people of Kentucky need: help with oipoids, help with education, re-training and, at the least, help with housing, food, and medical care.
You know, I'm not seeing any of that "warm-touchy-feelly" coming from Mitch (or his wife).
I have to assume that he doesn't care much for the people who voted him into office.
I think the people of Kentucky need to re-think who they want to be voting for them.
HINT: MITCH: Obama is not in office anymore!
You can stop being the "Party of NO!" now.
Get to work, Mr. Lazy!
Time's a-wastin'!
3
@Vincentpapa: partly true, but many Trump and GOP supporters didn't get much of a personal tax break and don't own stock. The .1% of the GOP is gorging itself and filling its coffers by taking a mortgage against the future of everyone else's children. And their lackeys in Congress and the White House will send everyone else's children -- again -- to fight their wars and do their dirty work at the borders.
3
The GOP is slave to power, and more specifically their financial owners. They are under the rise of the corporate deep state's first real dictator. We the people need to form a new abolitionist movement and remove them from office and set them free.
12
His Base loves it.
Secretly the elected GOP members, and handlers thereof, in Congress love it (but not the constant surprise of it).
And of course Trump loves it.
What a mess. I blame it on years of unchecked hateful right wing talk radio and Fox that normalized constant race baiting lies and general anti-federal government brainwashing. Which in turn lead to even more accelerated vitriolic and lying broadcasted hate speech.
The Left and Moderate Left were shocked when Trump finagled an election win. I was not. I got over my shock when I realized a two bit Sacramento radio, bad bbq joint and appliance store pitchman, Rush Limbaugh, became a national figure in the late 80's. I lived in Sacramento during his climbing years. He was a joke to us. Less than a Cal Worthington. Still is a joke. A cosmic joke. And it came as no surprise he was a closet junkie.
Anyway in a world that enables a Rush Limbaugh to barrage us with lies and a Trump to become elected all bets are off and don't discount that civil war is around the corner. Somebody let the barbarians in the gate.
16
@Clearwater Unfortunately in his home state of Missouri (and also mine) he has never been a joke. My father became a dittohead zealot in the early 90s. Limbaugh along with Fox News have done irreparable damage to this country from the Iraq War to dividing the populace all the while shoveling advertiser money into their bloated pockets.
1
I didn’t know of Limbaugh in his early years, but definitely knew of him when he went big nyc radio, etc... And , I have been saying what you said for decades, Limbaugh created millions of angry disgruntled right wingers, he created discourse amongst races , amongst sexes, he clearly baited everyone against someone else....Limbaugh is a racist and liar , just like Trump.
2
There is nothing more hurtful than saying "Go back where you came from." When a US President not only says it, but says, "I always say it," and an entire political party says nothing, you know the foundations of our country are crumbled. And when he says it and the party remains silent just to stay in power, the reality of a democracy and a country of inclusion is over, to say nothing of the Christian foundations the party loves to proclaim (again, solely for political gain).
18
@David Thank you for saying what I was thinking. This president and his followers are about pushing people out, putting a fence around themselves as the "real America." It's hateful and it's mean and it's how most if white America has always been. Benjamin Franklin, upon exiting the Constitutional Convention of 1787, was approached by a group of citizens asking what sort of government the delegates had created. He replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." As the tendency towards bigotry again gains strength, I wonder if this is it, if we are to be left with an oligarchy of the rich, and not even bread and circuses for the rest of us.
1
Democrats running for office in 2020 should campaign against the Trump/Nationalist Party to include all Republicans running for office. A reminder of the division in the country promoted by Trump in his term as president (small p).
6
Recall when calling people communists was the worst insult? Now it’s socialists, until Lindsey Graham revived the old term. But Russia is still a communist country and it’s one of Trump’s best friends.
Oh, the agony. Will Trump admonish Lindsey? Will he call Vladimir to apologize for putting him in a camp with the Squad?
What’s a president to do these days?
6
Why always these 4 congress women are part of controversies? These 4 love to be in limelight. Open borders, demolish ICE, demolish homeland security. They just want to demolish USA.
13
@Mannu: Meanwhile...Trump, McConnell and the rest of the Republican Party have been doing just that; destroying this country. Your comments about "The Squad" lead me and quite likely others to believe that you are another part of the problem.
As the saying goes, "(you're) entitled to your own opinion; but not your own facts; or as Kellyann Conway once put it, "alternative facts."
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@Mannu Or maybe they support the rule if law that this president and his party are busy destroying by suborning the democratic processes of governance.
Trump didn’t create the new GOP. The GOP created Trump, with 30 years of sermons preaching hate and fear.
Many GOPers who now bemoan Trump were the ones who either sat quietly as that hate was being preached, or actively engaged in those sermons. This includes some of the writers on the New York Times and the Washington Post. They need to look in the mirror.
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This is the game the GOPers play now. They blast the opposition (Lindsay Graham Communism claim) defend racism or join in with Trump and yet have no real policies to defend. Their base thinks HATE is a policy! And that's what got Fascists fired up too and caused so much pain and death. But meanwhile we are losing all the other wars, our standing in the world, our economy, which is slowing every day with no real plan forward (trade wars don't work), firing all our scientists, accelerating climate change, and most of all, our humanity (children in cages). What goes around comes around.
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Is being a member of Congress or even a member of a Party worth trading your very reputation, your name, your morality, your conscience and dignity for? Seriously, I don’t get it. What is so intoxicatingly addictive to wanting to hold onto a job in Washington no matter the personal cost to you and your family’s reputation and name?
Are the pieces of silver really worth trading away your own moral character for? Evidently, for most of these GOP politicians it is, and most didn’t even hesitate to do so. The only question left is how low will they go? I’m guessing all the way, it is bottomless for these GOP congressmen.
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"....the more conventional Republican politicians on Capitol Hill..."
I am no politician on the Capitol Hill but I am one of those conventional life long Republicans who admire this POTUS for standing up to entrenched powerful DC machine.
Let me be clear, I abstained from voting for him as I had misgivings about him like many Republicans.
But from the day of his election to present, there has been a persistent attempt by his enemies including Mr. Kristol to make him an illegitimate POTUS .
And oh, I forget Jimmy Carter.
To me, this has been one and only galvanizing reason that has drawn me closer to this Republican.
And he has been more Republican in his policies than many we have had in recent past - a strong economy, a belief in muscular military and of course a strong belief that America is a leader of the world - though not just in military terms.
And heck, he has resisted neocons like Mr. Kristol who want to draw America into another war.
I think, I would agree with some of his enemies that he could be more civil - but only when I see them stop making him an illegitimate POTUS by goading him with vile criticisms and obstructing him simply because it's him.
Get over it and work with him - rather than relitigate 2016.
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@Neil Excuse me....strong economy? The economy's growth has been on the same trajectory as it was under Obama; the major difference is that we've had a huge increase in the budget deficit (which Trump promised to eliminate) and we're eliminating environmental regulations as fast as possible.
How do you say work with him when he lies at an unimaginable rate (even lying about where his father was born) and has often backed down on promises that he made to Democrats in Congress. His word means ZERO.
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@Neil
I beg to differ. America is leader of the world only in military terms.
Could President Trump tell us what sort of political system Putin represents? Is he "communist" or "capitalist" or "oligarchist...." The words "communist" and "socialist" are thrown around as smears, without anyone asking politicians for follow-up. What is specifically "communist" about Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Graham? What beyond-the-pale comment about the US has Rep. Omar said? The GOP is trying to paint four American, newly-elected members of Congress as people to be feared when it is Trump who should inspire that fear in everyone. He's the tyrant -- he will seem harmless until he harms.
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The Republicans have jumped off the top of a very tall building and are taking comfort in the fact that nothing too bad has happened after they speed past the tenth floor, ninth floor, eighth...
The end is going to encompass either the demise of the Republican Party or the Republic. I already know which end result the GOPers will accept.
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Let me call out my own members of Congress for their silence and their cowardice.
Senator Todd Young, where are you?
Senator Mike Braun, Representative Susan Brooks: What was missing from your upbringing that makes you think you’re upholding your oath of office? What does Trump have to do or say for you to speak out?
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Aside from about six Republicans objecting to Trump's racist comment, the entire GOP is harder to find than Jimmy Hoffa right now. How odd.
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Censure Trump and only if you have the support of the American people impeach.
Call him out for being an ego maniac demagogue bigot among other things but don't dwell on it. Offer solutions moderate progressive issues that a majority of Americans especially in purple states can agree upon re trade, immigration, wars etc.
The #1 winner for democrats in 2020 is a national, affordable, universal health plan.
Don't nominate another Hillary....ie I am not Trump, I am a women , my anointed time has come and I will put identity obsession and social engineering over solutions to problems that Americans need especially in purple states.
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@Paul
It amazes me how some folks who dont work in the healthcare industry, and havent the slightest clue as to healthcare delivery works, think upending it and handing it over to the govt is the answer.
Just because you go to the doctor doesnt mean you know how healthcare works.
Universal healthcare would destroy the backbone of the industry - innovation. Govt run insurance doesnt pay for it, only private insurance does. If you think its so great, try applying for an ObamaCare plan without getting a subsidy. Its a mortgage payment witha deductible so high, youll never get to use. But seriously, dont take my word for it, spend a few minutes, and go online to see for yourself.
Unless your thinking it should be like Medicare for All? Thats free right? Except it would cost the taxpayer 3 Trillion per year.
Know what the entire US budget is, to pay for the entire Federal expenditures? 3 Trillion per year.
What do you think doubling that would do to our economy?
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@Sports Medicine-Thank you for your reply. Just about every other peer country has done it with 1/3 to 1/2 the total cost with better markers for health like infant mortality, age length, etc. etc.
Of course you are not gonna do it overnight, little by little and of course private enterprise will be part of it, it is in just about every peer country. You sound like it has not been done before.
You sound like the people who said the world would come to an end if we end slavery, gave the woman the right to vote, started SS, medicare, medicaid etc.
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It's time for Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Cory Gardner to become Independents and caucus with the Democrats. A message must be sent.
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