Well Gee progressives have anointed individuals, Republicans allow a competition of ideas and personalities. Now Trump has almost no chance of being nominated, and used inappropriate language. The issue however is serious. We have way too many illegal aliens some of who are criminals in other ways as well. We have way too few jobs and too few good ones. Both very serious issues without current solutions. Trump might have some new ideas that might improve things. We don't restrain those who want to run for any office, that is the American way.
6
I wonder if Trump will get the contract to build the wall should that come to pass.
6
Trump is selling Trump. Get over it.
8
Seeing our candidates for public office being forced to go off script in the context of a live debate, is about the only measure of genuine democracy many of us feel we have left. Trump, at least, does that.
3
just goes to show what kind of intellectual poverty is going on with the republican party.
on the other side we have some brilliant prospects. on the republican side, a whole slew of clowns who might fit into my VW
on the other side we have some brilliant prospects. on the republican side, a whole slew of clowns who might fit into my VW
10
I'd rather vote for an avocado. This bigot will lead our country to destruction.
16
Trump is ridiculous. He deserves to be ridiculed, especially by Republicans. Republicans, you MUST ridicule Trump - he's hijacked your ENTIRE nominating process. Numerous candidates with a claim to legitimacy will NOT be heard thanks to this revolting clod. As a result, whomever you wind up nominatng starts by having to scrub the Trump stain off your whole operation's "brand". Why do that to yourselves? Ridicule him. Ridicule him NOW.
7
The majority is often wrong. That is why the Constitution was written to protect the rights of minorities, but many minorities are unrecognized, and their rights are trampled on by the majority, often with little realization that they have done something wrong.
Among the many rights which Americans profess to cherish is free speech.
There are many people out there who try to put forward a simple message.
The world is overpopulated. The US itself is overpopulated. Evidence is provided by the "drought" in California and other Western states. Cities have been built in the desert, but there is no longer enough water for all of the people.
So we need to cut population growth to zero. There are other reasons, not just water. Too many people destroy the environment. You can see it in LA where residents have become acclimated to living in a sea of smog.
The natural fertility rate of Americans is below replacement level. So population growth in the US is primarily due to immigration. That is the reason some people support NO MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
It has nothing to do with the quality of illegal immigrants. Too many of ANY people lead to lower living standards, to shortages, and eventually to a Malthusian catastrophe.
Numbers USA for example tries to make this point. Paul Ehrlich made it in 1968 in the Population Bomb. But it is never discussed in the NY Times or any American newspaper because of the Hispanic lobby.
So Trump says it a bit more raucously.
Among the many rights which Americans profess to cherish is free speech.
There are many people out there who try to put forward a simple message.
The world is overpopulated. The US itself is overpopulated. Evidence is provided by the "drought" in California and other Western states. Cities have been built in the desert, but there is no longer enough water for all of the people.
So we need to cut population growth to zero. There are other reasons, not just water. Too many people destroy the environment. You can see it in LA where residents have become acclimated to living in a sea of smog.
The natural fertility rate of Americans is below replacement level. So population growth in the US is primarily due to immigration. That is the reason some people support NO MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
It has nothing to do with the quality of illegal immigrants. Too many of ANY people lead to lower living standards, to shortages, and eventually to a Malthusian catastrophe.
Numbers USA for example tries to make this point. Paul Ehrlich made it in 1968 in the Population Bomb. But it is never discussed in the NY Times or any American newspaper because of the Hispanic lobby.
So Trump says it a bit more raucously.
3
The majority is often wrong. That is why the Constitution was written to protect the rights of minorities, but many minorities are unrecognized, and their rights are trampled on by the majority, often with little realization that they have done something wrong.
Among the many rights which Americans profess to cherish is free speech.
There are many people out there who try to put forward a simple message.
The world is overpopulated. The US itself is overpopulated. Evidence is provided by the "drought" in California and other Western states. Cities have been built in the desert, but there is no longer enough water for all of the people.
So we need to cut population growth to zero. There are other reasons, not just water. Too many people destroy the environment. You can see it in LA where residents have become acclimated to living in a sea of smog.
The natural fertility rate of Americans is below replacement level. So population growth in the US is primarily due to immigration. That is the reason some people support NO MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
It has nothing to do with the quality of illegal immigrants. Too many of any kind of people lead to lower living standards, shortages, and eventually a Malthusian catastrophe.
Numbers USA for example tries to make this point. Paul Ehrlich made it in 1968 in the Population Bomb. But it is never discussed in the NY Times or any American newspaper because of the Hispanic lobby.
So Trump says it a bit more raucously.
Among the many rights which Americans profess to cherish is free speech.
There are many people out there who try to put forward a simple message.
The world is overpopulated. The US itself is overpopulated. Evidence is provided by the "drought" in California and other Western states. Cities have been built in the desert, but there is no longer enough water for all of the people.
So we need to cut population growth to zero. There are other reasons, not just water. Too many people destroy the environment. You can see it in LA where residents have become acclimated to living in a sea of smog.
The natural fertility rate of Americans is below replacement level. So population growth in the US is primarily due to immigration. That is the reason some people support NO MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
It has nothing to do with the quality of illegal immigrants. Too many of any kind of people lead to lower living standards, shortages, and eventually a Malthusian catastrophe.
Numbers USA for example tries to make this point. Paul Ehrlich made it in 1968 in the Population Bomb. But it is never discussed in the NY Times or any American newspaper because of the Hispanic lobby.
So Trump says it a bit more raucously.
3
People do not understand what Trump is doing. He is a comic actor. More than the other candidates, he is a performer, a creator of a persona which is primarily a vehicle of entertainment. He has made his fortune in Real Estate, (and was busted for racial discrimination at it, but that was mainly a business strategy, not true racial hatred) but his genius is as a performer. Like Charlie Sheen, or Anthony Bourdain, he is presenting a stage character which has little to do with his real self. This editorial shows that Trump does not really believe in the catechism of the hard core conservative. He is just loving the attention his outrageous remarks bring him. Give him a hat and cane, a back up band and a spotlight, he'll keep millions entertained for the rest of his life.
8
People have short memories, and have forgotten the MARIEL BOAT LIFT in 1980, when CASTRO , taking advantage of a weak JC, opened prisons and mental institutions in Cuba and let the inmates emigrate to the US? Result: one of the worst crime waves we have ever seen. Our open borders policy--"Heck, let anyone come in," is MARIEL in microcosm. Trump did not mean that everyone coming in from south of the Rio GRANDE was a felon.. He qualified his remarks by saying that most of the newly arrived were hard working, discreet, and so grateful to be in a country so prosperous and altruistic--I am paraphrasing--that breaking our laws is unthinkable, But given our lax methods of screening, and the perceived weakness of our chief of state who doesn't seem to know which foot to dance on, as it were,abuses occur.If u don't think that illegal immigration is dangerous, I challenge u to visit the border where ranchers r threatened daily by the undocumented. Trump is fair game also, because he is a wealhty wasp. Hence, the media, egged on by left wing "comedians"like Stewart, 0liver and others, consider him fair game. Everyone caves in to political correctness Thus,blasting T. is acceptable, but he. speaks for a segment of the American people, fed up with never being given the straight goods by either party. As Robert Martel, a right wing farmer from the Mitidja in French Algeria told me:If u tell the truth, u will be labeled a fascist.Martel chose his words well.
7
Tell me that's not your real name and address.
9
He's the consumate salesman; he reminds me of some folks in the garment center and no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the american people (either Twain or P.T. Barnum.) I believe he could be a stalking horse for Hillary. The notion that America can be run by a uber capitalist or actor is fallacy. Except for the xenophobic outbursts, hes much better than the current crop of GOP mugwumps.
4
The only reason the media endlessly covers Trump is because he is a thorn in the side of Republicans. The media wants Trump to keep the GOP roiled and worrying about what a man with no political experience and who will say pretty much anything to get attention.
As long as Trump is talking the GOP cannot focus on the real issues facing this country. It's time for Trump to go.
As long as Trump is talking the GOP cannot focus on the real issues facing this country. It's time for Trump to go.
1
Trump's refreshing honesty is clearly rattling the liberals who are terrified of the truth and prefer to live in delusion.
Trump never said that all illegal immigrants from Mexico are rapists, but statistically they represent a much higher percentage of felons than legal immigrants or the general population.
He is also correct when he says Mexico is not sending it's best people:
Nearly 60 percent haven’t graduated from high school. Only about 10 percent have some college and nearly 6 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
By way of comparison, the situation of immigrants from Korea, for instance, is almost exactly reversed. More than 50 percent of them have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and less than 4 percent failed to earn a high school diploma.
Nearly 35 percent of immigrants from Mexico and their U.S.-born children are in poverty; nearly 68 percent are in or near poverty. This is the highest level for immigrants from any country
Fifty-four percent of immigrants from Mexico lack health insurance.
A higher proportion of Mexican immigrants uses means-tested government programs than immigrants from any other country—more than 57 percent. This is “even higher than for refugee-sending countries like Russia and Cuba.”
When will Hillary tell the truth about illegal immigration and the damage it causes? Instead she is encouraging more people to come here illegally.
Trump never said that all illegal immigrants from Mexico are rapists, but statistically they represent a much higher percentage of felons than legal immigrants or the general population.
He is also correct when he says Mexico is not sending it's best people:
Nearly 60 percent haven’t graduated from high school. Only about 10 percent have some college and nearly 6 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
By way of comparison, the situation of immigrants from Korea, for instance, is almost exactly reversed. More than 50 percent of them have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and less than 4 percent failed to earn a high school diploma.
Nearly 35 percent of immigrants from Mexico and their U.S.-born children are in poverty; nearly 68 percent are in or near poverty. This is the highest level for immigrants from any country
Fifty-four percent of immigrants from Mexico lack health insurance.
A higher proportion of Mexican immigrants uses means-tested government programs than immigrants from any other country—more than 57 percent. This is “even higher than for refugee-sending countries like Russia and Cuba.”
When will Hillary tell the truth about illegal immigration and the damage it causes? Instead she is encouraging more people to come here illegally.
8
And I would speculate that well less than 60% of the less than 3% of the electorate who would vote for Mr. Trump in a general election would have a high school diploma. The comedy the modern Republican party provides to the rest of us is a bottomless fountain of joy. Thank you, LA.
7
Mr. Wehner gives voice to my own entertained thoughts regarding Mr. Trump but does not come forward and say it plainly. Perhaps Don is still a left leaner who is temproraily seeming to sacrifice a portion of his enormous wealth to be a Trojan Horse in the Republican races this year. The fact that he is leading (for now he has the clown suit) or in second place in the early primary states tells us more about the present make-up of your Republican party than you are willing to address. And it is rare indeed to hear Republicans use the word democracy or to recognize the very progressive nature of our Declaration signers in using "... in order to form a MORE perfect government".
And Mr. Trump can afford to do this as he comports only with his 1/10th of 1% who have their own puppets on display. I wonder if he will be invited to their soires this summer?
And Mr. Trump can afford to do this as he comports only with his 1/10th of 1% who have their own puppets on display. I wonder if he will be invited to their soires this summer?
1
Trump is no different than the rest of the Republican contenders. I appreciate his candor. He is holding a mirror up to a party that would rather have its true face shown not nearly so clearly.
17
The other Republican candidates can criticize Trump for his backwards thinking on immigration just as soon as Hillary Clinton starts to criticize Bernie Sanders for his backwards comments on the economy and business.
1
Sanders' "backwards" comments on the economy and business? I remind you that Adam Smith was not an "economist" -- the profession did not yet exist. What he taught and wrote about was moral philosophy. The economy isn't some impersonal force like, say, Gravity. It functions as it does because of specific and entirely political decisions taken over the course of well over a couple of centuries. Bernie Sanders is simply trying to bring morality and decency into the equation. Why isn't that a good thing?
8
It sounds déjà vu! We have had someone like DT in Italy: he won a land slide election in 1994 on the ground he represented the "new" and made promises he never honoured. He became the prime minister with the largest majority ever achieved by an Italian government, but accomplished very little, if any, of what he had promised. He was loved by many and hated by few and after more than 21 years, countless convictions and acquittals he is still lingering around, holding his grip on Italian politics. His name is: Silvio Berlusconi. Beware fellow Americans!
10
Please Mr. Trump, when you lose the nomination, run as an independent. America needs you to help defeat the republican nominee and elect a democrat.
3
...drawing the spotlight...outrageous utterances...
Mr. Trump is just working the GOP base, based on the framework that Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, et al have perfected to excite and arouse their target masses, over the last couple decades. Unfortunately it's a strategy based on fueling passions while disabling thinking and common sense -- with a big loud noise when starting the race, but no sustaining power to build momentum and win over the long haul (I'm now referring to the national presidential election).
I wish that the US would not need to be exposed to this unnecessary and pointless circus of Trump and alike types, when finding and deciding who our next leader may be. We need to be better than this.
Mr. Trump is just working the GOP base, based on the framework that Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, et al have perfected to excite and arouse their target masses, over the last couple decades. Unfortunately it's a strategy based on fueling passions while disabling thinking and common sense -- with a big loud noise when starting the race, but no sustaining power to build momentum and win over the long haul (I'm now referring to the national presidential election).
I wish that the US would not need to be exposed to this unnecessary and pointless circus of Trump and alike types, when finding and deciding who our next leader may be. We need to be better than this.
1
At first I thought, why is Wehner even writing about how the sun rises from the east? Who needs to be told Trump is among the grandest buffoon to have graced our politics?
Then I read his quotes from Cruz, Santorum, and The Weekly Standard (Limbaugh doesn't count). This makes me genuinely sad. On the one hand, maybe these people are truly stupid and have a remarkably bizarre world view. I shudder to imagine their childhood and dystopian adulthood.
On the other, these people are probably so cynical and megalomaniacal as to be... evil. Really, is this the kind of vile demagoguery you want to whip to win? I might say at this point, this is between you and your creator. But these filthy souls probably don't even truly worship a benevolent Christian God, notwithstanding their protests otherwise.
Then I read his quotes from Cruz, Santorum, and The Weekly Standard (Limbaugh doesn't count). This makes me genuinely sad. On the one hand, maybe these people are truly stupid and have a remarkably bizarre world view. I shudder to imagine their childhood and dystopian adulthood.
On the other, these people are probably so cynical and megalomaniacal as to be... evil. Really, is this the kind of vile demagoguery you want to whip to win? I might say at this point, this is between you and your creator. But these filthy souls probably don't even truly worship a benevolent Christian God, notwithstanding their protests otherwise.
6
Wehner is a Republican apologist trying to pretend that the things Trump says are not what most of the candidates and most Republicans in general are thinking because he understands how awful it makes his brand appear.
It is PRECISELY what most of them are thinking, and the brand IS truly awful.
People just like you (a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, served in the last three Republican administrations) created it, Peter, and now it's time to own it.
It is PRECISELY what most of them are thinking, and the brand IS truly awful.
People just like you (a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, served in the last three Republican administrations) created it, Peter, and now it's time to own it.
10
Excellent insightful commentary on the Donald. This says it all; Trump is about Trump. He's distracting voters from the seriousness of the presidential race to focus on him. Republican candidates and right-media need to stop being so conservatively diplomatic and make it clear as this editorial does. Trump pulls no punches in offending people; seems proud of it in fact. Must start playing hardball or he could win the candidacy!
How about Bernie for pres and Donald for vice?
2
A republican strategist said it best last week on the reluctance of other republicans to repudiate Trump: "it's better not to wrestle with a pig, you both get dirty and the pig likes it..."
3
He's all yours, Republicans! It's too bad that he says a lot of offensive things--but he's just giving voice to the uglier, more hateful thoughts in the collective GOP mindset.
The Republican party has largely degenerated into a soundbite factory. It is intellectually bankrupt and has few if any national leaders willing to formulate or even discuss public policy. It's time for the party to abandon its failed ideas and work with the anti-Reagan notion that sometimes, possibly even many times, government is the solution to our problems.
Don't worry about Trump. He'll bloviate himself into oblivion soon enough.
The Republican party has largely degenerated into a soundbite factory. It is intellectually bankrupt and has few if any national leaders willing to formulate or even discuss public policy. It's time for the party to abandon its failed ideas and work with the anti-Reagan notion that sometimes, possibly even many times, government is the solution to our problems.
Don't worry about Trump. He'll bloviate himself into oblivion soon enough.
4
What we need is a real American to compete with Donald Trump. I predict that Sarah Palin will enter the Republican Presidential Race to be that person. Wouldn't it be great to see these two candidates go head to head in a great debate. Who do y'all think would win?
3
GOP: please please please nominate Trump for president, and any one of your other masters of narcissism for VP. You think Goldwater took a thumping in '64 ... Hah! That was nothing. The American electorate will turn out en masse to defeat any ticket that includes Trump. Bring it.
5
So Times readers, is Mr. Trump wrong? Is he lying?
No murderers, rapists or drug dealers are entering the US at the border with Mexico and committing these crimes? Did Trump make this all up in his head?
I know its fun to pick on Trump from the safety of anonymity, but as an American I ask you to take a second of your lives to be honest. Isn't this "national conversation" on race supposed to be honest?
Are these things happening? If yes, why are we allowing it to happen?
The Obama Era has ushered in the Ronald Reagan "me" era all over again. It's not a problem, not a crisis until it happens to you personally. That is a recipe for problems.
MLK, the actual Civil Rights Icon (not Obama by a mile) said injustice for one is injustice for all. When an undocumented illegal violently attacks or kills someone while in the USA illegally shouldn't that person be deported? If not, why? Or are you too busy deluding yourselves to deal with facts?
The trade rip offs, the dumping of illegals into the USA, those things are HAPPENING. Barack Obama is not only complicit, he's not even trying to stop it. And that poisons the well for legal immigrants and people who did play by the rules to get here.
Like it or not, Trump has a point. Odd that all of you bloviating bullies who are so much smarter than the "dumb" Trump failed to bring these points to light.
No murderers, rapists or drug dealers are entering the US at the border with Mexico and committing these crimes? Did Trump make this all up in his head?
I know its fun to pick on Trump from the safety of anonymity, but as an American I ask you to take a second of your lives to be honest. Isn't this "national conversation" on race supposed to be honest?
Are these things happening? If yes, why are we allowing it to happen?
The Obama Era has ushered in the Ronald Reagan "me" era all over again. It's not a problem, not a crisis until it happens to you personally. That is a recipe for problems.
MLK, the actual Civil Rights Icon (not Obama by a mile) said injustice for one is injustice for all. When an undocumented illegal violently attacks or kills someone while in the USA illegally shouldn't that person be deported? If not, why? Or are you too busy deluding yourselves to deal with facts?
The trade rip offs, the dumping of illegals into the USA, those things are HAPPENING. Barack Obama is not only complicit, he's not even trying to stop it. And that poisons the well for legal immigrants and people who did play by the rules to get here.
Like it or not, Trump has a point. Odd that all of you bloviating bullies who are so much smarter than the "dumb" Trump failed to bring these points to light.
4
Well, DCBarrister, I'm not anonymous, this is my real name and location. And the point is that Trump does not have a point. The violent crimes committed in America are nearly entirely committed by American citizens. Illegal immigrants are committing the crime of illegal entry, but they do not generally deal drugs or commit violent crimes, because they're trying to stay off the radar. There are some, of course, but they are far underrepresented in the prisons compared to their percentage of the population.
Also when an illegal immigrant is caught committing a crime, or even just caught living here, they do get deported, so I'm not sure what your complaint is. Trump is just not telling the truth, which is standard for him, and it's sad that you're falling for it without bothering to verify his claims.
Also when an illegal immigrant is caught committing a crime, or even just caught living here, they do get deported, so I'm not sure what your complaint is. Trump is just not telling the truth, which is standard for him, and it's sad that you're falling for it without bothering to verify his claims.
7
It's a good thing that Rush Limbaugh is supportive of Trump - to most reasonably intelligent people this is an endorsement to end Trump's political future. Now let's get Rush to endorse a few more 'candidates' who have no business claiming to represent America.
3
I’m glad he’s running. It will be entertaining. He's the classic "look at me, you're not looking at me!" personality who will burn up in a fireball or simply go away. Sure I believe if there was a proven metric for measuring idiocy somewhere between 45-55% of Americans would meet the criteria as "idiots". However, the electorate has proven it can weed out the most obvious poor choices. Obama was elected twice not so much because he is smart and hardworking but more because his opponents' tickets consisted of first Sarah Palin and then Mitt Romney, which shows our “attraction to idiocy” threshold is somewhere around "Bush".
4
Barack Obama was not elected twice because he is smart and hardworking.
Thank GOD somebody finally admits that he's neither.
Thank GOD somebody finally admits that he's neither.
1
The great Henry Louis "H. L.” Mencken (journalist, satirist, and cultural critic, 1880-156) had the likes of Donald Trump in mind when he wrote "As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
4
It already happened - George W. Bush.
6
Is it or is it not still illegal to knowingly hire employees who are here in America illegally? I'm waiting for the day that the Gaye Olde Party collectively advocates for a vigorous enforcement of the law currently on the books that potentially punishes employers with Felony convictions punishable by 2-5 years and a $250,000.00 fine PER OCCURANCE. If they're truly the fiscally Conservative party that they aspouse allocate funds to the SSA to develop a tamper proof social security card akin to a US passport and require every American to have one. If a potential employee cannot produce that document and you hire them anyway you are subject to the penalties described above.
4
Yes, Donald Trump has a big, loud, New York mouth, but he also has some attributes lacking in other candidates. Despite his volume, he's mostly a moderate Republican, with a few conservative leanings, residing in a blue state. Despite several major missteps, he has managed to successfully grow his father's real estate business and not bankrupt it, as many second-generation family business owners do. He's been divorced twice, and his children seem to have survived the family turmoil just fine. And he can rightfully claim, "Of course I believe in diversity. My daughter converted to Judaism, and I still love and respect her. Actually, she's a senior executive in my organization."
He may not be presidential material, but let's not write off Mr. Trump quite yet. In a desperate attempt to achieve balance on a Republican presidential ticket, he may very well be viewed as worthy of a vice-presidential nomination.
He may not be presidential material, but let's not write off Mr. Trump quite yet. In a desperate attempt to achieve balance on a Republican presidential ticket, he may very well be viewed as worthy of a vice-presidential nomination.
6
Okay, if we must have Trump as Vice-president, may we have Piyush Jindal as the President? Then we can be sure of constant entertainment for at least four years, or until even the Republicans get tired of trash and impeach both of them.
1
Hey Peter, other than Bernie, Trump is the next best bet.
Pete, Trump's enjoying a mildly successful candidacy due only to the media's current fascination with him. It'll fade once the country begins focusing more seriously on the '16 elections & not these comedic sideshows.
Confronting him now would be a no-win situation for the other candidates & they'll wisely avoid doing so.
Confronting him now would be a no-win situation for the other candidates & they'll wisely avoid doing so.
1
Was there a NYT memo today, don't let Dan dump on Trump? Chee you guys are preventing me from engaging in one of my favorite pastimes. Oh well I guess I'll just have to let the big blowhard hang himself instead.
Hehe sorry moderators, I spoke too soon. But I do love bashing this clown, and thanks for putting up with that.
1
Meanwhile, most Liberals rally around a congenital liar who employs a staff of character assassins to wage war on women who fall prey to her husband's uncontollable sex urges. Who sets up a private server to hide and destroy correspondence regarding national security and uses a "Charitable Foundation' as a slush fund for all types of nefarious purposes. Just to list a few of her well chronicled character flaws!
But the mindless Liberal Lemmings who ignore these facts make a business out of painting all Conservatives as mindless rednecks. And their Fellow Travelers who control the majority of the Press operate in lock step.
Or could it be the Lemmings are like their inspirational hero Mao, mindfully cruel, conniving and fundamentally corrupt , willing to board any vessel and sacrifice any soul in order to achieve to the Perfect World that only exists in their narrow twisted minds.
But the mindless Liberal Lemmings who ignore these facts make a business out of painting all Conservatives as mindless rednecks. And their Fellow Travelers who control the majority of the Press operate in lock step.
Or could it be the Lemmings are like their inspirational hero Mao, mindfully cruel, conniving and fundamentally corrupt , willing to board any vessel and sacrifice any soul in order to achieve to the Perfect World that only exists in their narrow twisted minds.
2
Don’t mince words, Mike.
3
The capitalization of words that don't usually get capital letters is a bit worrisome, as is the overall aggressive and fact-free screed. Perhaps the writer might consider signing on with Trump's campaign as they seem suited to eachother.
2
Mike, that post elevates you to superstardom.
An absolute, bulls-eye. I live and work on Capitol Hill and you just described Barack Obama as if you're in the White House just a few blocks away.
Bingo!
An absolute, bulls-eye. I live and work on Capitol Hill and you just described Barack Obama as if you're in the White House just a few blocks away.
Bingo!
1
An actor, a peanut farmer and nuclear sub engineer and all sorts of political shills and PAC puppets are OK for president but one of the most successful and accomplished business men with a PROVEN track record of getting things done is not good? Hmmmmm. What is up with that? What is wrong with immigrants being subject to the same laws as the rest of the population?
3
Dear Dave Bell,
Trump has a track record of not getting things done. His actual net worth is not the 7 billion he claims (or more) but about 250 million. He's had four bankruptcies. He does not own most of the buildings with his name on them, he just sold them the name. He does not pay contractors who work for him.
There's nothing wrong with illegal immigrants getting deported, but claiming they're all rapists is incorrect and rather racist. Also the actor president was pretty lousy and I hope we don't make that mistake again, but he was also governor of a major state. The peanut farmer and nuclear sub engineer were the same person, and a nuclear engineer seems like a great choice; he too had elected political experience. Trump has never been elected to office, has no political or military experience whatsoever, and lies about nearly everything. Just thought you should know.
Trump has a track record of not getting things done. His actual net worth is not the 7 billion he claims (or more) but about 250 million. He's had four bankruptcies. He does not own most of the buildings with his name on them, he just sold them the name. He does not pay contractors who work for him.
There's nothing wrong with illegal immigrants getting deported, but claiming they're all rapists is incorrect and rather racist. Also the actor president was pretty lousy and I hope we don't make that mistake again, but he was also governor of a major state. The peanut farmer and nuclear sub engineer were the same person, and a nuclear engineer seems like a great choice; he too had elected political experience. Trump has never been elected to office, has no political or military experience whatsoever, and lies about nearly everything. Just thought you should know.
3
Accomplished businessman whose casino businesses have had THREE bankruptcies? Cognitive dissonance alert.
3
Donald Trump is a great man. A brilliant man. He would be wonderful for America, and indeed the entire free world.
I hope he reads my comment and takes it to heart. I hope he fights for the Republican nomination until the bitter end. Never give a inch! Don't let anybody convince you otherwise. Donald, America needs you!
I hope he reads my comment and takes it to heart. I hope he fights for the Republican nomination until the bitter end. Never give a inch! Don't let anybody convince you otherwise. Donald, America needs you!
3
Yes, Donald. The Democrats need you. Please spend as much money as you want to stay in the race for as long as possible.
2
If illegal immigration isn't stopped, it won't matter who is president. This country will be unrecognizable. The leftists say that's what they want, but then again they are leaving California to escape the multicultural paradise they always wanted.
Donald Trump is absolutely correct, and I applaud him for having the courage to speak truth to power, and to question authority.
No one else is, and I think we can all agree that journalism has become a joke.
Donald Trump is absolutely correct, and I applaud him for having the courage to speak truth to power, and to question authority.
No one else is, and I think we can all agree that journalism has become a joke.
2
"Courage" did you say. Wow! Do me a favor and post your definition of courage. Your use of the word to describe the clown Trump is puzzling.
1
It seems to me that the NYT, a more than left of center political supporter, is spending quite a few barrels of ink on Mr. Trump. Since all of its readers already know who to vote for or at least which party to vote for it puzzles me as to why the NYT would keep this man in print and not devote much ink to Bernie.
2
Donald Trump bluntly says what many, if not most, Republican voters believe. The fact is that most of these voters have never traveled abroad, know in their hearts that Americans are exceptional in every possible way imaginable, and are convinced that the entire world envies and hates us. Georgie the Dumbush said it for them: "Al Quaeda hates us because we are free." Trump might say it soon! If he does he will overtake John Ellis Bush.
Of course this is based on pathetic ignorance, but the likes of Trump and Ted Cruz want to exploit it. They know better than the general public that our problem is not with "legal" immigration but with uncontrolled "illegal" immigration. But their base is incapable of making that distinction, and the primaries come before the general election. It is that simple.
Of course this is based on pathetic ignorance, but the likes of Trump and Ted Cruz want to exploit it. They know better than the general public that our problem is not with "legal" immigration but with uncontrolled "illegal" immigration. But their base is incapable of making that distinction, and the primaries come before the general election. It is that simple.
3
I've been to nearly every country in Europe, and all 50 states here at home.
Mr. Trump is spot-on by calling out Obama's foolish, dangerous amnesty policies that are putting Americans at risk.
I have spoken at universities in Europe, the questions I always get about American politics are about why so many in the USA just go along with Obama's clearly failed policies, often at our peril.
This clearly falls into that category. Trump has a point. Period.
Mr. Trump is spot-on by calling out Obama's foolish, dangerous amnesty policies that are putting Americans at risk.
I have spoken at universities in Europe, the questions I always get about American politics are about why so many in the USA just go along with Obama's clearly failed policies, often at our peril.
This clearly falls into that category. Trump has a point. Period.
"President Donald Trump? Just Say No"
JULY 8, 2015
Peter Wehner
http://nyti.ms/1J3yZiv
I found this opinion article to be very fascinating about the presidential candidate Donald Trump. According to Peter Wehner, "Donald Trump is a force in the Republican presidential race" and " Two recent polls show him running second to Jeb Bush nationally." This is interesting because it seems like many of the partners that were associated with him (Miss USA pageant, PGA tour) are backing out of his campaign for president. They backed out because of his discriminatory comments about Mexicans and whether they were sending Americans drug dealers, rapists, and carriers of infectious diseases on purpose. Apparently the public loves confident and brash candidates who have no trouble speaking their minds. Some of his fellow peers also admire his plans for the future of America (ex. Rick Santorum). He said that Trump is "focused on a very important issue for American workers and particularly, legal immigrants in this country.” It still bewilders me why Donald Trump would run for president because it seems like the man has everything at his fingertips. I don't know how he would be capable to run a country full of young people who're looking forward to a brighter future. Even Mr.Wehner commented that " Mr. Trump has no coherent governing philosophy. All he has is an attitude, and a crude one at that." Next year it will be very intriguing to see whether or not many citizens vote for Mr. Trump.
JULY 8, 2015
Peter Wehner
http://nyti.ms/1J3yZiv
I found this opinion article to be very fascinating about the presidential candidate Donald Trump. According to Peter Wehner, "Donald Trump is a force in the Republican presidential race" and " Two recent polls show him running second to Jeb Bush nationally." This is interesting because it seems like many of the partners that were associated with him (Miss USA pageant, PGA tour) are backing out of his campaign for president. They backed out because of his discriminatory comments about Mexicans and whether they were sending Americans drug dealers, rapists, and carriers of infectious diseases on purpose. Apparently the public loves confident and brash candidates who have no trouble speaking their minds. Some of his fellow peers also admire his plans for the future of America (ex. Rick Santorum). He said that Trump is "focused on a very important issue for American workers and particularly, legal immigrants in this country.” It still bewilders me why Donald Trump would run for president because it seems like the man has everything at his fingertips. I don't know how he would be capable to run a country full of young people who're looking forward to a brighter future. Even Mr.Wehner commented that " Mr. Trump has no coherent governing philosophy. All he has is an attitude, and a crude one at that." Next year it will be very intriguing to see whether or not many citizens vote for Mr. Trump.
Trump is convinced that at least 51% of the American are truly stupid to vote for him. I think he's very wrong.
1
Donald Trump is a shining example of someone with low self-esteem. It's not pretty to watch the grotesque overcompensation and desperation for attention. Unfortunately the barrels of money he grew up with seem to have insulated him against honest self-assessment and change.
I find it interesting that from the friends I grew up with— and many of us had to deal with hard upbringings— the ones who are still dysfunctional today are the ones who grew up with limitless money. The unreasonable expectation to imitate their parents financial success, together with the cash that shielded them from having to learn self-control and self-insight, was a double edged sword. Either they are dysfunctional, or they have become an exact replica of their difficult parents. Even years of circling around in therapy did not seem to help much without the bottom line incentive of being forced to change. Money could always cover their problems. Can't learn how to have a marriage relationship- buy another. Can't learn how to have a friend- buy another. Can't learn self control- buy a weight loss surgery (until the band pops). Can't learn to fill your time with meaningful pursuits- buy something.
Sad to watch an adult demeaning himself and begging for attention like a child. Trump should be pitied and ignored.
I find it interesting that from the friends I grew up with— and many of us had to deal with hard upbringings— the ones who are still dysfunctional today are the ones who grew up with limitless money. The unreasonable expectation to imitate their parents financial success, together with the cash that shielded them from having to learn self-control and self-insight, was a double edged sword. Either they are dysfunctional, or they have become an exact replica of their difficult parents. Even years of circling around in therapy did not seem to help much without the bottom line incentive of being forced to change. Money could always cover their problems. Can't learn how to have a marriage relationship- buy another. Can't learn how to have a friend- buy another. Can't learn self control- buy a weight loss surgery (until the band pops). Can't learn to fill your time with meaningful pursuits- buy something.
Sad to watch an adult demeaning himself and begging for attention like a child. Trump should be pitied and ignored.
1
Or is Mr. Trump trying to assist the Democrats. As Mr. Wehner pointed out, many of his past proclamations were 180 degrees opposite of his current "platform". Maybe Trump is trying to destroy the Republican Party.
1
The debates will e a lot more lively with Mr. Trump on the stage, and maybe Governor Christie. Otherwise, the candidates will do their usual "not answer the question but deliver a talking point" for the allocated 3 minutes or whatever it is. Perhaps the other candidates, even Jeb! will be forced to say something meaningful that they actually mean.
2
Well said. The thing is, Trump is a more accurate reflection of both the internal workings and the public appeal of today's GOP than any of the other candidates.
2
Seems like my vicious assault on Trump and what he says about the Republican party is unsuitable for posting. This surprises me, as I was just calling it like it is, Trump-style, seemed apropos.
So anyway what I was getting at is that Trump does represent the worst of the Republican party, and that's where his amazing 14% approval rating is coming from (it's about that much, thanks to the 46 Republicans campaigning for the primaries).
Every person in the U.S. that is against removing the Confederate flag from gov't buildings, despite its symbolism of racism and slavery, is Republican. Every person who despises illegal immigrants because they are not white, or because they've heard they're all drug smugglers and rapists, is Republican. The immutable core of the Republican party is, sorry to say, uninformed racists and fundamentalists, and that's who Trump is speaking to and for, and that's where his support comes from.
So yes, the GOP should shun Trump, but they should shun those voters too. Those people are not only a problem for the GOP and the nation, they're a problem for the world, and rational people have to start doing something about them.
So anyway what I was getting at is that Trump does represent the worst of the Republican party, and that's where his amazing 14% approval rating is coming from (it's about that much, thanks to the 46 Republicans campaigning for the primaries).
Every person in the U.S. that is against removing the Confederate flag from gov't buildings, despite its symbolism of racism and slavery, is Republican. Every person who despises illegal immigrants because they are not white, or because they've heard they're all drug smugglers and rapists, is Republican. The immutable core of the Republican party is, sorry to say, uninformed racists and fundamentalists, and that's who Trump is speaking to and for, and that's where his support comes from.
So yes, the GOP should shun Trump, but they should shun those voters too. Those people are not only a problem for the GOP and the nation, they're a problem for the world, and rational people have to start doing something about them.
3
"Mr. Trump has no coherent governing philosophy. All he has is an attitude, and a crude one at that. As his announcement speech and subsequent statements have made clear, his command of the issues is superficial, his presentation often rambling and demagogic."
Actually, that statement applies to the entire Republican field. On economics, national security, social issues, you name it - the Republican Party has nothing except attitude going for it. Their ideas have been tried, and they just don't work. If anything, they promise to dig the hole deeper. (Just look at Kansas.)
Donald Trump is the perfect candidate for the Republican Party - all style, no substance, outsize ego, and proven incompetence. But he says what the base the party has been chasing for decades wants to hear, so that's good enough for them. The Trump problem for the Republican Party is that he's so much better at it than their 'serious' candidates.
Actually, that statement applies to the entire Republican field. On economics, national security, social issues, you name it - the Republican Party has nothing except attitude going for it. Their ideas have been tried, and they just don't work. If anything, they promise to dig the hole deeper. (Just look at Kansas.)
Donald Trump is the perfect candidate for the Republican Party - all style, no substance, outsize ego, and proven incompetence. But he says what the base the party has been chasing for decades wants to hear, so that's good enough for them. The Trump problem for the Republican Party is that he's so much better at it than their 'serious' candidates.
5
Why did it take these other GOP candidates, especially Bush, weeks to be 'offended' by Trump's remarks? The same reason it took them days to decide the confederate Flag needed to come down. The right wing has aided Fox News in cultivating an angry, racist, and willfully ignorant base. Now they live in fear of their conspiracy driven, low information voters all while hoping to win their votes.
6
The GOP candidates, especially Bush, needed their professional consultants to calibrate and then write their public statements for them, and that takes time. The Democratic candidates spoke from their hearts right away.
1
The fact that Donald Trump is getting any serious attention from a large part of the American electorate speaks to a looming problem facing our country: many citizens who hold political and social beliefs that are roadblocks to progress in today's world. Society is changing fast, some of it for the better, and conservatives are not going to keep up by clinging to the past with candidates who spew spin and divisiveness as their campaign platforms. It's once again the conservative circus we're getting used to seeing, and right now Trump is at center ring. What we need is the return of thoughtful American conservatism that our country once relied on for sensible debate. Where has it gone?
4
Trump is not a fool but he is unscrupulous. He is building up his numbers in the polls amongst a rather important minority of people with "know nothing" and xenophobic attitudes in the Republican Party which will guarantee him a spot in the restricted number of candidates who will participate in the first debate sponsored by Fox. As a person who understands mass media and ratings, any coverage for any reason is crucial to success. If his words hurt some people who cannot affect his immediate objective he relies upon the short memories of audiences and electorates to help him later, if he becomes the Republican nominee for President.
2
By no stretch am I a fan of Trump. That said the hypocrisy of the whole dump chant is beyond the pale. Where were the politically correct crew when Trump was the cheerleader of the Birther Movement? When The Donald offered a reward for anyone who could prove the President was an alien? Few condemned him and most cheered him on. Since the right wrote the African American off years ago no one really cared. Now that they know if they blew the Hispanic vote in 2016 they are toast they are outraged at Trumps comments. Everything Trump has said over the years I totally oppose. One thing I can agree with him on is that he should run for President. With Trump in the game the right can't play the old bait and switch game. They are going to have to take a stand on things they usually evade. Trump is worrying them because it’s tough not just beating up on Obama when you have to dodge questions about Trump. I look forward daily to the Trumpets. Keep running Donald so your party can keep looking for the exits. Trump is like the crazy uncle at the Christmas dinner.
10
Americans have always been fascinated with those with the larger than life personalities. It's a treat to see them perform and see what amusing things they have to say, do and watch the drama play out in their lives. I dare say that there are but a handful of people who'd want to trade places with the Trumps, Kardashians or the Bieb for very long. They're harmless but command our attention nevertheless. The problem with the Donald is that he's stepping outside of his self built fantasy land and attempting to integrate his disillusioned world view into the mainstream of American life. The eccentric billionaire with the mesmerizing hair do and gift of self aggrandizement has stepped over the precipice of the fantasy world into the world that could care less about his wealth or jaded political views. Let's all get comfortable and watch the little man dance as the show won't last long.
2
Trump can be a bombastic clown at times, but there are elements of truth in almost everything he says and I would vote for him in a heartbeat over the ultra phony, sneaky and dishonest Hillary! Everything wrong with Conservatives and the GOP is summarized in the following sentence: "Mr.Trump has no coherent governing philosophy." Anyone who has a truly coherent governing philosophy is an ideologue who has no business ever governing anything. That means 99.9% of our elected officials should be replaced and STRICT TERM LIMITS enacted. I would happily elect a random stranger from my district over my current Congress Critter (Engel)!
2
The sooner Trump get out of the campaign, the better.
But I have one critical question that surprisingly everyone - particularly the media - is ignoring.
What are the crime statistics for illegal immigrants from Mexico?
But I have one critical question that surprisingly everyone - particularly the media - is ignoring.
What are the crime statistics for illegal immigrants from Mexico?
1
Dear Steven,
People are only ignoring it because it doesn't match the narrative. I don't recall the exact statistics but I've seen in several worthy sources that illegal immigrants are convicted of crimes at a lower rate than their percentage of the population. So Trump is way off base, the vast majority of all violent crime in America is committed by American citizens.
People are only ignoring it because it doesn't match the narrative. I don't recall the exact statistics but I've seen in several worthy sources that illegal immigrants are convicted of crimes at a lower rate than their percentage of the population. So Trump is way off base, the vast majority of all violent crime in America is committed by American citizens.
Trump's mistake is that he says in public what most of the GOP candidates say in private and occasionally around an open mic. Sen. George Allen had is mukaka moment, Trump is carrying on the tradition.
4
Mr. Trump may be a genius in drawing a spotlight to himself, but I would tone down the Mexican comments if I were him. In case he hasn't noticed a majority of his cooking staff in his casinos and restaurants are Mexicans and he may be getting a little extra special gravy with his mashed potatoes.
4
Sarah Palin in 2008, Herman Godfathers Pizza Cain in 2012. Donald Trump in 2016. The Republicans like to become enamored with off-the-wall candidates. Amazingly they become popular and garner a large % of support. Has to be that these supporters are secretly comedy writers fishing for good material. I just never knew there were so many comedians and that they all registered Republican.
2
Honestly, why does the media pay so much attention to Donald Trump? He's run for president and threatened to run for I don't know how many offices for the past couple of decades and never, never has he ever stayed in the race. He knows that he can make the most outlandish statements and act like a bully when it suits him because he's not serious, he's an attention-seeker with deep pockets. And yet, the media fall for him every time and give him more press time than he deserves. The only thing Trum is serious about is his vastly over-inflated ego.
Yes, the following column catalyzes and sums up the general focus and at least reflects what the most weary and learned are now in for when they think of Donald Trump as a potential president. In random succession, a cannonade of baloney plans, vague explanations and brush-offs on addressing core issues, a bang-bang flurry of cheap shots aimed at just about everyone else save himself along with those willing to bend under his dictation. There is no one like him indeed. At least, there is a positive note to this, D.Trump lives up to his name (literally) and shows what surface-speech is worth at face value especially since he stumbled in his tracks right from the start. See how long the puffed up comedian slash real estate baron can carry on like this...meanwhile, we are all in to watch the show. And the comedic journey has barely begun...
RE: "Mr. Trump, though he claims to be a conservative, is nothing of the sort. He’s barely even a Republican. For most of the last decade, he was a registered Democrat. It wasn’t that long ago that most of his political contributions went to Democrats, including Senators Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton. Before he discovered his Republican roots, Mr. Trump favored a single-payer health care system and proposed a large “net worth tax” on wealthy individuals. He once declared himself “strongly pro-choice” and favored drug legalization. He is a vehement protectionist. Earlier this year he even accused Republicans running for president of “attacking” Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid."
Sometimes I like to think of Mr. Trump as Howard W. Campbell Jr. in Kurt Vonnegut's Mother Night. I imagine that he was a well-intentioned guy, who took the dangerous assignment of assuming the identity of a crypto-Democrat behind Republican lines, turning their talking points into parodies through absurd and comical exaggeration. It's sad that no one will rescue him, I'm sure it's a thankless, depressing job.
Sometimes I like to think of Mr. Trump as Howard W. Campbell Jr. in Kurt Vonnegut's Mother Night. I imagine that he was a well-intentioned guy, who took the dangerous assignment of assuming the identity of a crypto-Democrat behind Republican lines, turning their talking points into parodies through absurd and comical exaggeration. It's sad that no one will rescue him, I'm sure it's a thankless, depressing job.
2
And what about his use of bankruptcy to protect his assets? He does this repeatedly and without remorse. He has no fiscal responsibility.
2
It will be interesting to see him on the Republican debate stage if he argures for single payer, pro-choice, and Medicaid. At least some voice for those positions will be heard!
2
President Donald Trump. Those 3 words are very scary.
Republicans seem to be in shock and too paralyzed to respond to Trump’s hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric. It took almost 3 weeks for some Republican candidates to finally criticize Trump’s hateful accusations about immigrants. Others, like Senator Ted Cruz, have jumped on the hate bandwagon embracing Trump and pandering to the ugly anti-immigrant sentiment within their party.
Republicans shouldn’t be surprised by Trump’s statements - they created this hateful, divisive anti-immigrant rhetoric. Trump is simply feeding the anti-immigrant Tea Party beast.
The result is a Republican Party deeply divided over immigration issues. The Tea Party rabidly opposes any path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants misrepresenting it as amnesty. The moderate elements of the Republican Party recognize they need immigrant voters and want to pass some type of immigration reform.
Most Republican candidates wanted to avoid this open warfare over immigration but Trump is riding the wave of hate and division. Now all the Republican candidates will be forced to take a stand on immigration.
The Republican Party created this anti-immigrant beast by using fear and hate to rally the Tea Party opposition to immigration reform. They labeled immigrants as job takers, welfare cheats and law breakers. Trump has sharpened this hate speech and fanned the flames by calling them criminals, rapists and drug dealers.
Republicans seem to be in shock and too paralyzed to respond to Trump’s hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric. It took almost 3 weeks for some Republican candidates to finally criticize Trump’s hateful accusations about immigrants. Others, like Senator Ted Cruz, have jumped on the hate bandwagon embracing Trump and pandering to the ugly anti-immigrant sentiment within their party.
Republicans shouldn’t be surprised by Trump’s statements - they created this hateful, divisive anti-immigrant rhetoric. Trump is simply feeding the anti-immigrant Tea Party beast.
The result is a Republican Party deeply divided over immigration issues. The Tea Party rabidly opposes any path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants misrepresenting it as amnesty. The moderate elements of the Republican Party recognize they need immigrant voters and want to pass some type of immigration reform.
Most Republican candidates wanted to avoid this open warfare over immigration but Trump is riding the wave of hate and division. Now all the Republican candidates will be forced to take a stand on immigration.
The Republican Party created this anti-immigrant beast by using fear and hate to rally the Tea Party opposition to immigration reform. They labeled immigrants as job takers, welfare cheats and law breakers. Trump has sharpened this hate speech and fanned the flames by calling them criminals, rapists and drug dealers.
4
Oh, brave new world that has such creatures who actually tell the truth (Trump and Sanders) about what the American public REALLY thinks. The problem for conservatives and Republicans in general is that Trump is trumpeting the opinions the mainstream morass of that benighted group actually believes! We on the left couldn't ask for a much better candidate to drag the mantle of respectability off the oligarchs, and the poor fools who follow in their wake... including, obviously, the author of this piece.
1
I imagine some of the Republican candidates figure Trump can say the really vicious things and then they can back away a bit, looking like they're being more moderate and rational. A dangerous strategy. Don't call in a wolf to help protect you from the bear: the extreme vicious one often can prevail. I imagine, too, that some of the Republican candidates are making nice with Trump because they want some of his money for their own campaign after he flames out.
Why is the juxtaposition of President and Trump even being dignified with discussion? It merely gives standing to a person who is for all intents and purposes otherwise a national joke.
1
Folks are missing the point here. Trump never changed party affiliation. He is still a Democrat. But he found a clever way to beat Republicans from the inside. Who do you think benefits from his incendiary statements? - Mr. Trump and Democrats. Trump has been a consistent donor to the Clintons and other Dems (and yes he has contributed to Republicas too). He is more politcally savvy than we give him credit for. Conservatives are eating it all up now. They will lamenting later.
1
Trump is laughing at everyone. He is the Steven Colbert of Presidential candidates. I hope he keeps it up as long as possible. And I am laughing with him.
2
The way of life Americans have come to expect, in part from cynical promises made by the politicians, is under attack, if not impossible under the current economic conditions. They are under constant surveillance and treated like terrorism suspects by a militarized police, their wages are stagnant, and they have no representation in their democracy.
Of course, they are distressed. Of course, they want an easy answer. Hence, Trump's "the brown other" explanation has an allure for some. Scapegoating is a common tactic because it works.
This aspect of politics in America can be analogized to a pressure cooker. Every once in a while, you have to crack the top to let some steam off. That is the function loudmouths like Trump serve. Because the people who control things understand social psychology, they make sure that the Trumps appear on their TV stations, especially early on in the process.
Unfortunately, American electoral politics is mostly about moving the public through the stages of grief from denial to acceptance. Thus, by the time we get to Clinton vs Bush, or rather not-Bush vs not-Clinton, which are really just two sides of the same coin, the public has had its catharsis and is re-opiated to the point that it won't actually organize, let alone rebel.
Of course, they are distressed. Of course, they want an easy answer. Hence, Trump's "the brown other" explanation has an allure for some. Scapegoating is a common tactic because it works.
This aspect of politics in America can be analogized to a pressure cooker. Every once in a while, you have to crack the top to let some steam off. That is the function loudmouths like Trump serve. Because the people who control things understand social psychology, they make sure that the Trumps appear on their TV stations, especially early on in the process.
Unfortunately, American electoral politics is mostly about moving the public through the stages of grief from denial to acceptance. Thus, by the time we get to Clinton vs Bush, or rather not-Bush vs not-Clinton, which are really just two sides of the same coin, the public has had its catharsis and is re-opiated to the point that it won't actually organize, let alone rebel.
If Trump really has the money he claims to have and he uses it to buy the nomination for himself I think the result will be a massive effort on behalf of Republicans to enact campaign finance reform on a scale never seen before.
2
It's obvious the Democratic party and its water carriers in the media are really scared of a Trump candidacy. A candidate like Trump who speaks honestly and openly about the very real problems the current leadership has failed to address from illegal immigration to economic policy to foreign relations, who holds the prevailing Political Correctness in contempt as it rightly deserves and is gaining traction every day among voters not brainwashed by the same PC mantras, is striking fear in all those political hacks whose livelihood depends on serving their paymasters.
2
"Scared" :-) , you've gotta be kidding! I'm a leftie and I'm delighted by Trump's candidacy, absolutely delighted. The stuff he says is, as the author (a Republican btw) points out, complete nonsense: "illegal" immigrants are actually substantially LESS likely to commit crimes than American citizens for example.
His growing popularity among a certain segment of the population is simply evidence of irredeemable stupidity and a total absence of analytical skills.
Nevertheless, I'm cheering the clown on. Long may he prosper! And if, by some highly improbable chance, he secures the nomination, I and a bunch of fellow lefties will be breaking out the champagne!
His growing popularity among a certain segment of the population is simply evidence of irredeemable stupidity and a total absence of analytical skills.
Nevertheless, I'm cheering the clown on. Long may he prosper! And if, by some highly improbable chance, he secures the nomination, I and a bunch of fellow lefties will be breaking out the champagne!
I'm still trying to figure out why the media wants to give him so much attention. He has nothing to offer but his ego...ok, and his hair, but nothing else. The press and commentators can just let him be (stop interviewing him) and soon enough he will Perry himself to political death.
1
Donald Trump is a crypto-Democrat, and I absolutely love the joke he's playing on the press and American people. He's the best thing that ever happened to the democratic party. His brash and offensive style is in perfect synchronization with populist republican attitudes on immigration, trade, foreign and domestic policy. He's both forcing the republican party to confront their most indefensible positions and rallying the democratic base on issues that actually matter--most obviously immigration.
Never before in American history have we had a mole playing both sides in a presidential race. Trump's duplicity is certainly a commentary on the health of American democracy--playing to the extremes is the norm and outrageous rhetoric is as significant as reasoned debate. Trump's simply trying to force Republicans to confront the logical conclusions of their own ideology. I wish him all the best.
Never before in American history have we had a mole playing both sides in a presidential race. Trump's duplicity is certainly a commentary on the health of American democracy--playing to the extremes is the norm and outrageous rhetoric is as significant as reasoned debate. Trump's simply trying to force Republicans to confront the logical conclusions of their own ideology. I wish him all the best.
2
This is thorough, accurate portrait and cogent assessment of Trump the candidate and media circus ringmaster. To me, as a liberal Democrat, Trump seems like a gift from the Republicans, but in reality he's doing damage to America by showing the rest of the world some of our society's worst political warts.
2
I've been saying for quite some time now that our national discourse is operating at a 7th Grade level. Mr. Trump's booming candidacy proves that political discourse has devolved to that level as well.
2
"Mr. Trump has no coherent governing philosophy. All he has is an attitude, and a crude one at that."
That is the problem for you republicans. ALL of your candidates fill that bill.
Signed,
The Party that Stands Up for People, The Democrats
P.S. Corporations are not people in the Democrats world.
That is the problem for you republicans. ALL of your candidates fill that bill.
Signed,
The Party that Stands Up for People, The Democrats
P.S. Corporations are not people in the Democrats world.
1
thank you Lord Byron
Trump's comments are identical to those of many of my co-workers. Knee-jerk xenophobia, demonization of the "other," and deliberate ignorance of their own self-interest guide these modern Know-Nothings who are crouched in fear of social changes they can't or won't understand. It's the last gasp of Nixon's Silent Majority - finally losing the Culture Wars.
5
what Trump is saying my be inconvenient to the Republican Party, but his popularity demonstrates what many in the party believe. Sad as it is, he is the most honest one running for President. Rather then attacking Trump, the author would do well to understand why he is popular and address that issue. Unfortunately, the fact is that all the Republican candidates believe what Trump is saying but use veiled language to make the same points.
4
The media needs to stop covering Donald Trump and all his irrational, unsound claims. Trump will in time disappear (Trump will NOT win the Rep. nom.), but we all would be better served if we more quietly reached that "in time" time.
2
Am I the only one getting tired of this constant Trump coverage? He is in this game as a showman, not a serious political candidate. His crude and vile remarks are drawing attention because that was precisely the intention to begin with. And anyone who thinks that 'Donald Trump is a force in the Republican presidential race' needs a reality check. In all primaries, there are always the loud, attention-seeking, crazy candidates who might burn brightly for a fleeting instant, but end up nowhere. Any political expert knows this. And despite knowing this, if the media continues this incessant and irrelevant Trump coverage, it could be because either:
1. The media is in cahoots with 'the Donald' giving him the attention he so craves, or
2. They are using him to paint the Republican party with a broad negative stroke to improve the odds of a Democratic victory
Please, move on and try to cover issues that might actually matter in 2016 rather than how foul-mouthed Trump is.
1. The media is in cahoots with 'the Donald' giving him the attention he so craves, or
2. They are using him to paint the Republican party with a broad negative stroke to improve the odds of a Democratic victory
Please, move on and try to cover issues that might actually matter in 2016 rather than how foul-mouthed Trump is.
1
Move on? No way! His remarks, as you point out, are indeed "crude and vile" and the media's attention may be explained by your reason #2 (reason #1 seems kind of unlikely). Nevertheless, his growing popularity (more likely the REAL reason he's getting all this coverage, though I understand that it's a chicken and egg question) is important because it so vividly illustrates the fact that many people's thinking in this country IS crude and vile. If it weren't, Trump wouldn't be getting this kind of support. Let's shine a spotlight on these people.
The left "can't handle the truth". That is it in a nutshell. It is not the content of what Donald Trump is saying that can be challenged so the left goes after the way he said it. "Shoot the messenger" is in play here. If the governments at all levels where doing their jobs that young women who was murdered by an illegal alien would be alive today. That is a fact that can not be refuted.
2
Actually, what he says CAN be challenged. And refuted. For example, research on crime has repeatedly shown that "illegal" immigrants commit crimes at a MUCH lower level than American citizens and, that stands to reason since they obviously came here to work not rob and kill etc. Second generation immigrants commit crimes at a higher level but still below that of Americans who have been here longer. The murderer in SF who killed Kate Steinle is ONE guy and there is obviously no such thing in statistics as a sample of one. Moreover, the idea that the Mexican govt. is deliberately sending (forcing!) such criminals up here is patently ludicrous.
Trump's grandiose assertions on what he'll do in the realm of foreign policy are equally fatuous. People who believe these statements simply don't understand how the world works. But I guess there really is a sucker born every minute.
Trump's grandiose assertions on what he'll do in the realm of foreign policy are equally fatuous. People who believe these statements simply don't understand how the world works. But I guess there really is a sucker born every minute.
Despite all the criticism being aimed at Trump for his illegal immigrant comments, not one Democrat or Republican has actually refuted anything he has said with factual evidence. This leads me to believe, deep down they know he is right but don't have the gonads to say it.
1
“Mr. Trump has no coherent governing philosophy. All he has is an attitude, and a crude one at that.”
In other words, he is the prototypical modern Republican. The GOP rank and file recognize that full well, which is why his campaign is surging.
In other words, he is the prototypical modern Republican. The GOP rank and file recognize that full well, which is why his campaign is surging.
3
I am no fan of Donald Trump. But commentators who view him simply as a pest are radically underestimating his potential as a candidate. He is not a Ben Carson; he's a Silvio Berlusconi. He already has the largest Republican field operation in place in New Hampshire. If he decides to stick it out to the end, I expect him to be on the short list for the Republican nomination. If it's Trump vs. Sanders next November, he may well become President of the United States.
3
If he does, then we'll get just what we deserve I suppose.
an astute Californian
I share a lot of the same sentiments as previous commenters- Trump is great as a GOP "village idiot", but we are long past the need for honest, direct discourse regarding the challenges we face as a nation. It's high-time to get back to meaningful, mature debates.
2
When he releases his tax forms and fulfills the other requirements to be a bona fide candidate, then we can start running around yelling, The sky is falling! Until then, this is nothing more than a bad Punch & Judy play. (Who needs summer reruns when we have this? LOL)
3
Mr. Trump will be long gone by the general election. He is not worth the time it took to compose this comment.
In 20 years, where do we want to be with healthcare, education, income equality, campaign financing, simple voter registration for all? These things need to be discussed in order to continue to change the course we are taking. Please, no more time lost discussing this clown of a man.
In 20 years, where do we want to be with healthcare, education, income equality, campaign financing, simple voter registration for all? These things need to be discussed in order to continue to change the course we are taking. Please, no more time lost discussing this clown of a man.
1
"Mr. Trump has no coherent governing philosophy. All he has is an attitude, and a crude one at that." This sentence pretty well sums up the entire republican party. Being against things is the only thing your party has shown for at least two decades. The party that has spent most of its time and energy during the last two democratic administrations trying to destroy those administrations (which were voted into office by a majority of Americans) doesn't really show much deference to democracy.
Donald Trump is showing the world and this nation's voters just what the real face of the republican party is. And it is not pretty.
Donald Trump is showing the world and this nation's voters just what the real face of the republican party is. And it is not pretty.
3
5000 years ago the Egyptians obliterated anything and everything about any leader whose opinion they did not like. Obviously the same forces are at work today in 2015. Trump is entitled to his opinion like anybody else even if people don't agree with it. Humanity will never change.
1
Trump is entitled to his racist, uninformed opinion, and we are entitled to disdain it and have our own opinions about him. I don't see anyone breaking the noses off all Trump's statues of himself, so I wouldn't go comparing us to ancient Egypt in this.
Sorry - bit as I'm sure many are pointing out, Trump is a perfect reflection of the GOP in America. Of course he's morally challenged, has no governing philosophy, and will do everything possible to demonize immigrants and poor people. That's what you folks are all about, right?
2
Just as Citizen Kane thought it would be fun to run a newspaper, Mr. Trump thinks it would be fun to run a country. Maybe, like Kane, he just wants to be loved. He should move to Texas, where he can head to the border with a sidearm and stem the tide of rapists entering the country. He will be loved there and will find his precious Rosebud.
2
need many Trumps to stem the tide of rapists and murderers entering TX and Border Patrol --- enjoy the clean air in Oregon, better yet come visit and hand out ice tea and crumpets to the crossers
What's the matter with a President Donald Trump? Mr. Trump wants to make America rich again by bringing jobs back to the United States so we can afford Social Security and Medicare. He want's to build a wall on the Mexican boarder augmented by the US military. What's wrong with that?
As a progressive, I look at the Democratic party pushing away the white vote, with it's insistence of an open boarder policy with Mexico and it's silence as Amercian jobs are sent overseas.
As a progressive, I look at the Democratic party pushing away the white vote, with it's insistence of an open boarder policy with Mexico and it's silence as Amercian jobs are sent overseas.
3
dont you get it there is no room in US for a Truman-esque straight talker -- the lotus eating liberals are certainly upping their plan to fill the ranks with voters
OMG -- an astute person !
As it stands now, I would vote for TRUMP. His abrasiveness does not bother me because someone has to tell it like it is . . . .
All this super sensitive stuff -- gee most of these people have to get a grip-- life is tough then you suffer and die --- the later the better but with all this Sanctuary City stuff it could be sooner --so stay out and away from them. Understand there are 200 Sanctuary City/Towns. Wish someone would publish list and have it on billboards as you approach these jurisdictions so you can be warned: "drivers be warned you are about to enter a Sanctuary City/Town and if you are injured, robbed, raped, murdered by an illegal alien there will be no recourse for you -- in essence you are the foreigner in your own country -- buena suerte, vaya con dios (good luck, go with god)-- because the US constitution is blurred in these areas"
As it stands now, I would vote for TRUMP. His abrasiveness does not bother me because someone has to tell it like it is . . . .
All this super sensitive stuff -- gee most of these people have to get a grip-- life is tough then you suffer and die --- the later the better but with all this Sanctuary City stuff it could be sooner --so stay out and away from them. Understand there are 200 Sanctuary City/Towns. Wish someone would publish list and have it on billboards as you approach these jurisdictions so you can be warned: "drivers be warned you are about to enter a Sanctuary City/Town and if you are injured, robbed, raped, murdered by an illegal alien there will be no recourse for you -- in essence you are the foreigner in your own country -- buena suerte, vaya con dios (good luck, go with god)-- because the US constitution is blurred in these areas"
Let the democratic process take it's course. As the American electorate ages, I have faith in the increasingly younger vote. Let Donald Trump's voice be heard. We are all listening, and I believe that it is solidifying our collective values.
1
And what are our collective values since we makeshift our national policy to accommodate the whims of politicians, church groups, illegal aliens ?
Sanctuary Cities are a Government within a government -- and what ruling princes and princesses in Washington DC thought this through ?
And what royal appointment determines what geographical entity can have some self rule and in what categories and to what degree and the parameters of the self rule when interfacing with what is suppose to be the law of the land (federal rule) ?
Sanctuary Cities are a Government within a government -- and what ruling princes and princesses in Washington DC thought this through ?
And what royal appointment determines what geographical entity can have some self rule and in what categories and to what degree and the parameters of the self rule when interfacing with what is suppose to be the law of the land (federal rule) ?
He does not irritate the left, he pleases them, he is a gift that keeps on giving. He represents the worst of the Republican Party and obviously nobody has the guts to counter him forcefully. I think that the damage that he is doing is terrible, because disrespect is not a strategy, to achieve anything worthwhile in life, and specially, the presidency. Of course, to get publicity, it helps.
You know what is disrespectful --people like you who just dont get it !
It is disrespectful to US citizens to allow such chaos on our borders --- to make border states vulnerable -- to have a state within a state such as these crazy Sanctuary Cities --what the hell kind of law and order can there be with such dysfunctionalism allowed. I cant believe that there are so many dumb liberals who obviously had sheltered lives; did not have good civics/history teachers i.e. dumbed down the populous; or are smoking too much weed .
Dont underestimate TRUMP or the sane majority who recently threw out a bunch of do nothing democrats -- the people with sense see that not only is the emperor naked but so are his princes and princes . . . .
It is disrespectful to US citizens to allow such chaos on our borders --- to make border states vulnerable -- to have a state within a state such as these crazy Sanctuary Cities --what the hell kind of law and order can there be with such dysfunctionalism allowed. I cant believe that there are so many dumb liberals who obviously had sheltered lives; did not have good civics/history teachers i.e. dumbed down the populous; or are smoking too much weed .
Dont underestimate TRUMP or the sane majority who recently threw out a bunch of do nothing democrats -- the people with sense see that not only is the emperor naked but so are his princes and princes . . . .
It seems funny that a serious newspaper like the NY Times would even postulate about media superstar Donald Trump becoming President. Mr. Trump is popular now because he is another brainless TV sensation like Hulk Hogan or Mr. T. Last year, Americas favorite shows were, The Walking Dead, True Blood, Criminal Minds, True Detective, Vampire Diaries, Scandal, CSI Crime Scene Investigation, Sunday night Football, Girls, Masters of Sex and American Idol. This is the entertainment for the majority of Americans other than NASCAR, boxing, horse racing, or staring at the sun without blinking.
In another era, there would be painters or writers to capture the imagination of the masses. Take William Hogarths, A Harlot's Progress, depicting the fate of a country girl who begins prostituting and ends with her funeral following death from venereal disease. Or his painting, Marriage à-la-mode skewering of upper-class 18th-century society warning about the dangers of coveting money at any cost. Or his series titled, Industry and Idleness, revealing the dangers of a poor work ethic on the weak and susceptible.
In modern deconstructed America, instead of subtle artistic visions of humanity, the boors and commoners are treated to a billionaire man of the people who speaks the same, thinks the same and even appears as ill kept with a meager hair cut swept over his balding precipice. He is our modern town hall speaker, willing to wage the immutable moral wars on behalf of his audiences.
In another era, there would be painters or writers to capture the imagination of the masses. Take William Hogarths, A Harlot's Progress, depicting the fate of a country girl who begins prostituting and ends with her funeral following death from venereal disease. Or his painting, Marriage à-la-mode skewering of upper-class 18th-century society warning about the dangers of coveting money at any cost. Or his series titled, Industry and Idleness, revealing the dangers of a poor work ethic on the weak and susceptible.
In modern deconstructed America, instead of subtle artistic visions of humanity, the boors and commoners are treated to a billionaire man of the people who speaks the same, thinks the same and even appears as ill kept with a meager hair cut swept over his balding precipice. He is our modern town hall speaker, willing to wage the immutable moral wars on behalf of his audiences.
3
Donald Trump has immediately shown himself to be a thoroughly mean-spirited political candidate who has no possibly chance at success, so apart from the appalling comments I find no reason to care how long Trump stays in the race.
1
The punditocracy is doing what the punditocracy does - it makes mountains out of molehills; tides out of waves. The punditocratic mountain du jour is Trump's "surge" in the polls - he went all the way to 11 percent! That's a blip, maybe a bounce, but not a surge.
How many Republican candidates had "surges" during 2011? There was the Pawlenty surge, the Perry surge, the Bachman surge, the Cain surge, the Gingrich surge, and yes - the Trump surge. Anyone remember President Bachman?
C'mon guys, calm down. Trump isn't going to be anybody's nominee for anything. He doesn't even really want to be.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
How many Republican candidates had "surges" during 2011? There was the Pawlenty surge, the Perry surge, the Bachman surge, the Cain surge, the Gingrich surge, and yes - the Trump surge. Anyone remember President Bachman?
C'mon guys, calm down. Trump isn't going to be anybody's nominee for anything. He doesn't even really want to be.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
1
The Republicans need to make it harder to become an official candidate. As it is, any buffoon like Trump can declare and embarrass the party.
1
Trump has the elites who run this country very worried. Not what he says, but his demeanor and defiant attitude, determines his spectacular appeal to ordinary people, seething at the government and the Establishment for myriad reasons. There's very little the media, financial, and political elite classes can do about his rise, as anybody who attacks Trump is going to be lumped as at least a collaborator with this ruling class. Ignoring him will not work either.
The elites are not up for a knockdown drag out fight with Trump in the open, so the next step they'll take is likely an attempt to silence him legally, then, who knows? The hollowness and corruption of the American Establishment, both major parties, will be exposed no matter what.
The elites are not up for a knockdown drag out fight with Trump in the open, so the next step they'll take is likely an attempt to silence him legally, then, who knows? The hollowness and corruption of the American Establishment, both major parties, will be exposed no matter what.
4
Amen to most of the comments so far. But let's look at the bigger picture: A GOP operative has had to publish a serious, point by point refutation of Donald Trump's Republican values. In a sane world this would be a piece of satire. One can only wonder how Mr. Wehner drew the short straw that deputized him to write this lengthy and tedious belaboring of the obvious.
As Stuart, whose comment is most recommended at this moment, said, "Good luck in the general election, Mr. Wehner!"
As Stuart, whose comment is most recommended at this moment, said, "Good luck in the general election, Mr. Wehner!"
3
According to Trump's "logic", people who are richer than him are more qualified than him to become president. He would be loser in their eyes with his measly 9 billion (we haven't seen the actual financial statements and tax returns yet.)
1
The only real difference between Donald Trump and the Republican party is the way he says things, not what he says. Republicans keep pretending that they will somehow be able to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants and secure the borders against anyone else coming in before they will do anything to relieve the suffering of those living here in the shadows. They blame immigrants for stealing jobs from Americans when the fact is they do the difficult, dangerous jobs for slave wages that no Americans even show up to apply for.
No, Mr. Wehner, Mr. Trump is just the most visible symptom. The real disease is the Republican position.
No, Mr. Wehner, Mr. Trump is just the most visible symptom. The real disease is the Republican position.
2
Mr. Wehner is upset because Trump provided a moment of clarity
exposing the right on its bigotry and hatred. Trump dispensed with
the code words and dog whistles favored on the right.
He is them and they are him. Llorame un rio
exposing the right on its bigotry and hatred. Trump dispensed with
the code words and dog whistles favored on the right.
He is them and they are him. Llorame un rio
1
Despite Mr. Wehner's claims, one doesn't need to be a genius of any sort to be Trump--just one more born-rich kid who's flailed around in a rigged real estate market for years, yells a lot in ways that mass media adores, and swims in a Party that doesn't have the guts of a flatworm.
You make an excellent case illustrating how your party has much to lose by indulging Mr. Trumps vanity candidacy.
The one thing, however, that you failed to consider, at least in this column, is that your party houses and indeed numerically relies upon individuals that Mr. Trump instinctively knows how to stoke and inflame. This helps inside a nominating framework, but is fatal in a general election for president.
It's at once part of your strength and also your achilles heel.
Don't fear, however. The way Mr. Trump's pocketbook and "brand" have been taking on water due to his own self inflicted idiocy, it's very likely he'll voluntarily pull out before the first debate or soon after it.
He'll make some self serving statement like "he doesn't want to be a distraction" to the process, and that will be that.
He enjoys his wealth too much to put it at risk like this much longer, I think he's beginning to realize that he's out of his depth in politics.
The one thing, however, that you failed to consider, at least in this column, is that your party houses and indeed numerically relies upon individuals that Mr. Trump instinctively knows how to stoke and inflame. This helps inside a nominating framework, but is fatal in a general election for president.
It's at once part of your strength and also your achilles heel.
Don't fear, however. The way Mr. Trump's pocketbook and "brand" have been taking on water due to his own self inflicted idiocy, it's very likely he'll voluntarily pull out before the first debate or soon after it.
He'll make some self serving statement like "he doesn't want to be a distraction" to the process, and that will be that.
He enjoys his wealth too much to put it at risk like this much longer, I think he's beginning to realize that he's out of his depth in politics.
Trump is nothing but an egotistical publicity hound who loves hearing himself talk.
1
Donald Trump is FAR from a perfect human being. But, he is human. That is more than most candidates (as such) can say. Viewers, and voters, are instinctively attracted to someone with authentic views. You know, like what a human would have. In this race, two candidates have an authentic story: Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.
Flawed human beings (like Trump) are infinitely preferable to the cold, mechanical political actors who represent nothing but strategy teams who are shepherding their masters' piles of money through the obstacle of democracy itself.
Flawed human beings (like Trump) are infinitely preferable to the cold, mechanical political actors who represent nothing but strategy teams who are shepherding their masters' piles of money through the obstacle of democracy itself.
6
First, I am not a fan of Mr. Trump. That said, the media does appear to cherry-pick his comments. They always show unflattering pictures of him - his mouth wide open, etc. Citing Trump, the media casts guilt -by-association over the entire Republican Party. Controversy is the wheel that drives the media machine - the press owes Mr. Trump debt of gratitude. There is bias in the presidential coverage. (Btw, I am not voting at all.)
3
It's tempting to ask the question for which Mr. Wehner builds the foundation, "Is Donald Trump a stealth Democratic fime-bomb inserted in the Republican party?" Part of Trump's can't-look-away appeal is disbelief that anyone in the public eye could be so insensitive / stupid. Maybe he's not. Maybe he's a saboteur.
1
"Mr. Trump is a genius at drawing the spotlight to himself."
That has become the measure of a political candidate in America. Trump is what we get for that.
It has not always been so. Our political nominating process changed fairly recently, and the role of parties changed, and the roles of donors and major organizations changed.
The elevation of narcissism to the first requirement produces candidates with psychiatric disorders like this. "Fire in the belly" enough to try has become "ego to aggrandize self."
That Trump can thrive as he is condemns our system. Change is needed.
Get the money out of politics, Get out too the massive egos on the scale of narcissistic personality disorders, which is not only Trump but he is a prime example.
That has become the measure of a political candidate in America. Trump is what we get for that.
It has not always been so. Our political nominating process changed fairly recently, and the role of parties changed, and the roles of donors and major organizations changed.
The elevation of narcissism to the first requirement produces candidates with psychiatric disorders like this. "Fire in the belly" enough to try has become "ego to aggrandize self."
That Trump can thrive as he is condemns our system. Change is needed.
Get the money out of politics, Get out too the massive egos on the scale of narcissistic personality disorders, which is not only Trump but he is a prime example.
5
The internet and social media make it possible for a loud mouth to transform any kind of publicity into a revenue stream. No one has learned this better than The Donald. When I see him spewing his version of the Tea Party manifesto, I see not one drop of sincerity. He seems so disconnected from what is actually coming out of his mouth that I almost wonder if he is mocking the prevalent conservative mindset in order to sabotage the Republican presidential aspirations. If so, I would say it is most likely working. But it's probably more about the creation of a more robust revenue stream for Donald Trump Inc.
2
Plus, "Trump" is so easy to spell!
The cancelled deals and putative shame of it all are transitory and tactical:he is building his Trump brand, everyone knows who he is, and after the election he will turn this into more gold.
The cancelled deals and putative shame of it all are transitory and tactical:he is building his Trump brand, everyone knows who he is, and after the election he will turn this into more gold.
The 'trumpster,' is all about himself. Now that he has insulted Hispanics, which he has done a very good job of, he hasn't articulated how he'll deal with congress, who can't be herded in any one direction, headed by a speaker who can't lead, but is quite effective in getting post offices named after public officials. What is the 'trumpster's' position on getting the USA's transportation problems resolved? He touts himself as making deals all the time. business contracts are one thing, foreign affairs are another and are very complex. He is often says 'in talking with a very smart guy (person)' seems to give him insight, but he doesn't say what HIS position or WHAT HE would do. Simply put, he's very shallow.
Trump is not a Republican and certainly does not speak for the majority of those of us who are.
What he has done is Hut a nerve with those who are getting very tired of all the illegal immigrants who appear to be getting more and more rights and entitlements in this country. Add to this the illegal who had been deported 5 times and was continuously given sanctuary in San Francisco and finally murdered an innocent young woman, and his ratings soar as this is one of the few ways the public has of voicing their dissatisfaction with the state of immigration.
What he has done is Hut a nerve with those who are getting very tired of all the illegal immigrants who appear to be getting more and more rights and entitlements in this country. Add to this the illegal who had been deported 5 times and was continuously given sanctuary in San Francisco and finally murdered an innocent young woman, and his ratings soar as this is one of the few ways the public has of voicing their dissatisfaction with the state of immigration.
3
He donates more to democrats than republicans. He votes democrat more than republican. He's not a republican; he's out to train wreck the GOP. Rich or not, he's as transparent as his comb over.
What is scary here, is not Donald Trump, what is scary is that he is running second to Jeb Bush in opinion polls among Republicans. Second among a dozen GOP candidates.
Mr. Trump hit a nerve, not only by insulting Mexicans, but insulting millions of other people, as well. But, as the same time, he said in public, what many Republicans, and presidential candidates, say in private.
Out here, in what was once Mexican, and Native American, territory, the kind of comments made by Anglos are common. More common when you leave urban areas.
I live in a city with good sized Mexican population. They work hard, very hard. Sometimes two or three jobs. They do work that no one else will take. I see this hard work everyday.
There are going to be bad apples among the human race. History books are full of people of all colors, ethnic groups and religions who do undesirable things; not just Mexicans.
Mr. Trump, and like thinking people, are very dangerous. Just like Hitler, and like thinking people. It is very easy, in this conversation, to substitute "Mexican" for "Jew". Donald Trump almost parroted what Hitler said, about the cause of a nation's ills. In WWII 100 million people died and more than half the Jews of the world were massacred, as a result.
Ignorance is dangerous. It is more dangerous when the ignorant seeks office. And far more dangerous that ignorant people elect ignorant people into office. A summary of what was 1930s Germany and what may be 2016 America.
Mr. Trump hit a nerve, not only by insulting Mexicans, but insulting millions of other people, as well. But, as the same time, he said in public, what many Republicans, and presidential candidates, say in private.
Out here, in what was once Mexican, and Native American, territory, the kind of comments made by Anglos are common. More common when you leave urban areas.
I live in a city with good sized Mexican population. They work hard, very hard. Sometimes two or three jobs. They do work that no one else will take. I see this hard work everyday.
There are going to be bad apples among the human race. History books are full of people of all colors, ethnic groups and religions who do undesirable things; not just Mexicans.
Mr. Trump, and like thinking people, are very dangerous. Just like Hitler, and like thinking people. It is very easy, in this conversation, to substitute "Mexican" for "Jew". Donald Trump almost parroted what Hitler said, about the cause of a nation's ills. In WWII 100 million people died and more than half the Jews of the world were massacred, as a result.
Ignorance is dangerous. It is more dangerous when the ignorant seeks office. And far more dangerous that ignorant people elect ignorant people into office. A summary of what was 1930s Germany and what may be 2016 America.
3
Let's not forget his role in the railroading of the Central Park Five, and of the big NYC media who went along with his demogogery.
1
The good part of Donald Trump as president is that Jon Stewart will unretire from the Daily Show. Such a wonderful target for humor. Making fun of Hillary Clinton will not be allowed.
2
The Donald is Sarah Palin with puckered lips and an atrocious toupée.
I went to school. I spent many happy, formative hours coming of age in schoolyards. I can't remember any such yard that wouldn't be profoundly embarrassed to be compared with The Donald.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
I went to school. I spent many happy, formative hours coming of age in schoolyards. I can't remember any such yard that wouldn't be profoundly embarrassed to be compared with The Donald.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
1
If Trump is elected and personality similar clones of Bill O'Reilly is added as VP and Sean Hannity as Secretary of State, the doomsday clock will likely need to be edged closer to midnight. Anger and intolerance is just not what is needed right now.
http://thebulletin.org/overview
http://thebulletin.org/overview
Trump's appeal is the same as that of the GOP as a whole: we have simple solutions for complex problems. Immigration? - we'll just build a fence. The economy? - just lower taxes and we'll boom. The Middle East? - I've got a foolproof plan.
This is no different than what we fell for with GWB, and what the rest of the GOP are selling (just less colorfully). If we just remove Saddam, the whole Middle East will fall in line. If we just lower taxes, the economy will grow.
The Democrats' problem is that simple solutions are really appealing but they understand that this appeal is superficial. That's a hard sell.
This is no different than what we fell for with GWB, and what the rest of the GOP are selling (just less colorfully). If we just remove Saddam, the whole Middle East will fall in line. If we just lower taxes, the economy will grow.
The Democrats' problem is that simple solutions are really appealing but they understand that this appeal is superficial. That's a hard sell.
2
The Democrats solution is to continue to increase government spending and not worry about the debt. Continue to increase government regulations and not worry about their impact on the economy. Propose amnesty but continue to leave the border wide open.
Seems like we might need NEW political parties.
Seems like we might need NEW political parties.
1
The problems here are not Donald Trump and his irresistability to the media.
The main problem is revealed in the polling.
This country still has a portion of its population for whom racism and bluster resonate. The question becomes whether these people are a right-wing fringe or if they penetrate more deeply into the Republican base.
Trump is no threat ever to be President. But his popularity - even short-lived - reveals the worst in our country. Other candidates should dismiss his rants but they, too, understand that bigots and fools vote.
The main problem is revealed in the polling.
This country still has a portion of its population for whom racism and bluster resonate. The question becomes whether these people are a right-wing fringe or if they penetrate more deeply into the Republican base.
Trump is no threat ever to be President. But his popularity - even short-lived - reveals the worst in our country. Other candidates should dismiss his rants but they, too, understand that bigots and fools vote.
Mr. Trump is running second in the polls only because he has name recognition and no one is particularly paying attention to the race right now. Can you even imagine how much time he will spend playing golf when he is president?
I just wish Trump would take his 10% and charge with them over the cliff as a third party or independent candidate for the presidency. Sure the Republicans might lose one election cycle but their fever might finally break. Please...
1
The main problem in the US is jobs. Donald Trump has an outstanding record of growing jobs, paying his workers well, negotiating with various municipal boards to get his projects secured, and loyalty of his workers. A President with these business qualifications has been lacking for many years; which explains why our economy is growing at a very slow pace. Our focus on cultural issues, abortion, gay marriage, political correctness has turned our country into a weaker economy. All the comments here deal with these issues, not competence in growing good, well paying jobs.
Most of the candidates in both Democratic and Republican parties do not have these qualifications.
See: http://nypost.com/2015/06/20/donald-trumps-resume-backs-his-run-for-pres...
Most of the candidates in both Democratic and Republican parties do not have these qualifications.
See: http://nypost.com/2015/06/20/donald-trumps-resume-backs-his-run-for-pres...
3
Yep - Trump is a self-promoting huckster, lacking any of the more subtle communication skills. But, for all his ineptitude in speech mollification, I don't think he would sell out his fellow citizens like San Francisco and other Democrat enclaves do in becoming "Sanctuary Cities." Let's see, a lot more Democrat votes for just a few murders, rapes and drug deals - evidently it sounds great to them.
2
I've heard and read many times that clowns like Cruz and Perry are running just to make Jeb Bush look presidential. If you accept that theory than the idea the Trump is being paid to drum up viewers for the debates sounds believable too.
Au contraire: Trump is the perfect Republican candidate. A hateful, racist, foul-mouthed xenophobic billionaire with nothing but contempt for the little people. He will carry the South easily.
2
Isn't it ironic that a "liberal" Bostonian would insinuate racism on a part of the country he isn't familiar with. Boston, Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia are more institutionally racist than any city or town in the south. Cure your own ills before you call us sick.
One sign that the Republicans are panicking about Donald Trump: Mr Wehner's assertion that Trump is really a Democrat.
As for Mr. Wehner's complaint that Trump's real skill is drawing the spotlight to himself -- well, it's just hard to take that seriously from the party that put Sarah Palin on the ticket.
As for Mr. Wehner's complaint that Trump's real skill is drawing the spotlight to himself -- well, it's just hard to take that seriously from the party that put Sarah Palin on the ticket.
1
What we all need to remember is that if Mr. Trump had invested his inherited fortune in US Treasuries, he would be richer than he is today. Over his entire career he has been a wealth destroyer, not a wealth creator. He should have called his book 'The Art of the Bad Deal'.
Dan Kravitz
Dan Kravitz
So, he's popular on FOX? Ted Cruz (the Senator "tail-Gunner Joe" McCarthy look-alike) avers that Trump "speaks the truth". The Donald was a Democrat till he became a Republican, a birther, a Conservative. Trump's ethos is "me-me-me" and he is not an effective public-speaker or demagogue beyond his wild bloviating, which, alas, does stir the masses. His bluster is terrifying - an anti-immigration fence built on the US's southern border with Mexico (like the great wall in "poor"China?) - a military planner bigger and better than anyone else, "the greatest jobs President that God ever created". a "great relationship with Vladimir Putin" (PLEASE!), a secret solution to the defeat of ISIS, The New Caliphate! Grotesque phantasms and chimeras spring from his Edsel mouth and fluffy spun hair-topped head. His stands on Obama - that he is a Muslim, "a psycho", not a natural-born American citizen, and so on. Donald Trump is witless, a taunter and name-caller, but can't be wished away or dislodged by the grim plethora of wannabe POTUS Republican candidates. Can't be whisked away by a Deus ex Machina. Must be confronted by his party members (though he used to be a Democrat, more's the pity) and demolished - figuratively speaking - or he will do unspeakable damage to the GOP within the coming 17 months til Election 2016. Mr. Trump, who has never held an elected office, is the Republican's 800 lb gorilla nightmare. Will the GOP wake up and smell the coffee before Election 2016?
2
Why are we devoting a whole column to this blowhard (Trump, not Mr. Wehner)? Why are we even giving him the time of day?
He's got a chance of stealing the nomination from the Republicans. Low-class conservatives are brimming with hate. Trump is as low-class as you can get, and he sucks right up to them.
" Low-class conservatives are brimming with hate. "
No, you're not biased.
No, you're not biased.
He's way more fun to watch than Hillary.
3
Fortunately, no amount of New York Times concern trolling (like they care if a Republican ever wins the White House) can diminish Mr. Trump's force, integrity and toughness.
4
Pretty true. Trump has zero integrity, so no one can diminish it further.
JUST SAY NO? Nancy Reagan's notorious flop in the war against drugs. And perhaps also teens having premarital sex. Another flop. But she was reputed to have done an OK job initiating foreign policy when her fortune teller visited the White House. Maybe she'll be the Donald's Minister Without Portfolio. But on to Trump. He reminds me of the line from Shakespeare's Macbeth about the meaning of life: It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Mentioning both names in the same breath is to give one an undeserved compliment and the other an insult. But which is which? Follow the money.
Trump speaks the truth, you distort it. If Trump wins, all Democrats in office go to trial for abusing their power. The barrage of articles calling Trump a bigot, racist, moron, incapable, laughable, buffoon, etc, etc ARE WRITTEN BY THE CROWD CALLING HIM OUT FOR HIS WORDS..... WHAT ABOUT YOUR WORDS....
2
Republicans are a lot smarter than this....( I'm a Democrat)....
My NO for this hate monger is a resounding one.
An interesting evolution.
When Trump stood for progressive — and good —ideas he was a Democrat.
When he devolved in to race baiting, he found a receptive audience — with the Republicans.
When Trump stood for progressive — and good —ideas he was a Democrat.
When he devolved in to race baiting, he found a receptive audience — with the Republicans.
4
If "Joe the Plumber" had been a product of privilege, he'd be "The Donald."
2
It absolutely astonished me that Trump is in second place and that he's so well-liked for 'telling it like it is'. We have one of those in Maine, Gov. LePage, who likes to shoot his mouth off and 'tell it like it is'. He's ruining the state of Maine and the Donald would take America down the wrong path.
Why, why WHY do people want bullies who are mean and arrogant in office? I have no respect for Trump, nor my own governor. I wish both of them would just disappear into their own dark shadows and leave us alone.
Why, why WHY do people want bullies who are mean and arrogant in office? I have no respect for Trump, nor my own governor. I wish both of them would just disappear into their own dark shadows and leave us alone.
1
I'm a Black man, from Maine and I could not agree more with Gov LePage. I'd rather have someone who speaks the truth face to face than a snake in the grass like Obama who lies to us constantly and just decides which laws he doesn't want to follow and ignores them, and Congress.
Apparently the fine people of Maine disagree with you since LePage is governor, despite your desire for him to "disappear into the dark shadows".
It is certainly true that Trump is bad for the conservative movement. However, Wehner doesn't ask himself what is it about the movement today that would make Trump so popular among conservatives. Those problems will remain long after Trump wanders on to something new.
1
You cannot, as a party, promulgate an anti-woman, anti-black, anti-gay, anti-environmentalism for 50 years and then show surprise when a Donald Trump emerges. Trump's malign, Il Duce bluster is only the GOP ethos writ large enough that all can read it clearly. No code words, no dog whistles.
135
Donald Trump does of course embody all of the bad attributes of which he is accused. He is brash, at times offensive, seemingly unaware that his bad choice of words cause offense.
But denying him a chance to speak at debates or destroying him economically because his political views are not politically correct spells the end of democracy as we know it.
The point is that in a true democracy a wide spectrum of viewpoints must be listened to. It is necessary to listen to those we disagree with.
That's because, anybody CAN BE WRONG. Including those of us who do the listening. And we'll never find out if after the first sentence we eliminate "politically incorrect" candidates with the epithet of "racist."
The US DOES INDEED HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. The attempts by La Raza and other Hispanic interest groups to silence any candidate who opposes unlimited illegal immigration threaten to make the US elections for president into a travesty.
Any president who does not support unlimited illegal immigration will be denied access to the ballot, indeed any such candidate will be denied access to even speak by the media.
The level of political correctness demanded by HIspanic groups is truly frightening. Celebrities who inadvertently tell a joke they didn't realize might be offensive are hooted off the stage by the political correctness police.
We can make fun of bubba, but woe unto anyone who says something negative about illegal immigrants.
Democracy is dead.
But denying him a chance to speak at debates or destroying him economically because his political views are not politically correct spells the end of democracy as we know it.
The point is that in a true democracy a wide spectrum of viewpoints must be listened to. It is necessary to listen to those we disagree with.
That's because, anybody CAN BE WRONG. Including those of us who do the listening. And we'll never find out if after the first sentence we eliminate "politically incorrect" candidates with the epithet of "racist."
The US DOES INDEED HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. The attempts by La Raza and other Hispanic interest groups to silence any candidate who opposes unlimited illegal immigration threaten to make the US elections for president into a travesty.
Any president who does not support unlimited illegal immigration will be denied access to the ballot, indeed any such candidate will be denied access to even speak by the media.
The level of political correctness demanded by HIspanic groups is truly frightening. Celebrities who inadvertently tell a joke they didn't realize might be offensive are hooted off the stage by the political correctness police.
We can make fun of bubba, but woe unto anyone who says something negative about illegal immigrants.
Democracy is dead.
3
If Democracy is dead, it's because it has been bought by the highest bidder, not because of how blowhards like Trump are treated by the media or their financial sponsors.
So today's "Republican" op-ed writer wants us to reject Donald Trump because he's a winner, speaks his mind, speaks the truth and has proven he can get America working again.
Yeah, let's go for another corporate RNC pick like McCain or Romney, and lose in 2016? No thanks. As a Black man, I have grown up listening to politicians, pundits and hacks on news shows crying out for a national dialogue, an honest conversation on race and unity. Yet until now NOBODY has done that.
As a nation we need to FACE what's happening at the US-Mexico border. Are all illegals in this country robbing banks, driving drunk and killing people? Of course not, but any number higher than ZERO is too many, especially if you end up being the victim. The only FAIR thing to do is follow the federal laws, already on the books, passed by Congress and signed into law years ago. If you enter the US illegally once, its a misdemeanor, twice and its a felony and you're gone. Period. No sob stories, no excuses. If I break the law, nobody in that courtroom is going to listen to me whining about my family situation, and my ancestors were brought here as slaves.
The only chance we have to make America work is to be honest with each other. Since I can't name a day in Barack Obama's life when he's ever been completely honest about anything, he's out as the leader who can unite us and deliver change. The next President cannot fear the truth or tough choices. Trump could be that guy.
Yeah, let's go for another corporate RNC pick like McCain or Romney, and lose in 2016? No thanks. As a Black man, I have grown up listening to politicians, pundits and hacks on news shows crying out for a national dialogue, an honest conversation on race and unity. Yet until now NOBODY has done that.
As a nation we need to FACE what's happening at the US-Mexico border. Are all illegals in this country robbing banks, driving drunk and killing people? Of course not, but any number higher than ZERO is too many, especially if you end up being the victim. The only FAIR thing to do is follow the federal laws, already on the books, passed by Congress and signed into law years ago. If you enter the US illegally once, its a misdemeanor, twice and its a felony and you're gone. Period. No sob stories, no excuses. If I break the law, nobody in that courtroom is going to listen to me whining about my family situation, and my ancestors were brought here as slaves.
The only chance we have to make America work is to be honest with each other. Since I can't name a day in Barack Obama's life when he's ever been completely honest about anything, he's out as the leader who can unite us and deliver change. The next President cannot fear the truth or tough choices. Trump could be that guy.
21
But what of all the victims of our fellow citizens?
Exactly how many Hispanic terrorists have you read about lately?
And for a self declared African-American your rhetoric smack strangely of old time cracker.
Exactly how many Hispanic terrorists have you read about lately?
And for a self declared African-American your rhetoric smack strangely of old time cracker.
You just made my point--they're CITIZENS.
The legal system takes care of crimes committed by citizens.
These are criminal offenders who shouldn't even BE in the United States.
I'm not completely convinced that I declare myself African American. Having my two Black parents in the delivery room, convinced the doctor who signed my birth certificate to handle that for me.
The legal system takes care of crimes committed by citizens.
These are criminal offenders who shouldn't even BE in the United States.
I'm not completely convinced that I declare myself African American. Having my two Black parents in the delivery room, convinced the doctor who signed my birth certificate to handle that for me.
1
There are lots and lots of whackjobs who vote GOP. Lots. Whackjobs who think commie Muslim Obama's coming to get their guns and turn their daughters into lesbians. Whackjobs who think the Army's invading Texas next week. Whackjobs who hear the blades of black helicopters circling their homes. How hard was it to get a hundred or so armed snipers to surround Cliven Bundy's ranch?
5
Shhhhhhh. It would be great if the GOP nominated him. Hillary would crush him in the general election. So would Bernie.
1
Sure, then the 'Anyone but Hillary' people can vote for him.
Hillary is popular with the Liberals. Liberals are not in the majority. She can win them all, and still not win enough votes. Bernie the same. And Jeb Bush? why would any one elect that clown? let's look at it realistically, Liberals are in for a very rude awakening.
Hillary is popular with the Liberals. Liberals are not in the majority. She can win them all, and still not win enough votes. Bernie the same. And Jeb Bush? why would any one elect that clown? let's look at it realistically, Liberals are in for a very rude awakening.
He is not worthy of an op-ed here. Leave it to the 24-hour cycle media to chew on it. I come here to read things that matter.
6
Is Donald Trump on Hillary Clinton's payroll?
1
Donald Trump's ignorance should be responded to with ig-nor'-ance by the public, with the emphasis on the middle syllable. Unfortunately, that isn't the case, and the media, though it has the capability to ignore this idiot, does not, but instead scrambles to put its microphones to his lips. He's the train wreck you can't not watch.
1
Maybe Trump is actually a Dem plant.
1
Democrats are not that clever. He us a plant by Lorne Michaels and John Stuart, funded by Bill Maher.
Just say UGH
1
The Donald is as crazy as a fox.If your going to run with dogs, you have to act like a dog.The one sure way to get public & media attention is to say something outrageous. If nothing else, he is genius when it comes to knowing how to coerce support for a project he has set his sights on.After all, a Billion Dollars has a great deal of clout.He may not get the Republican nomination, because most Republicans want to stay in the closet, but he's the only candidate that can build Skyscrapers & generate billions of dollars..He is not going away, nor will he cower in front of his critics.
1
Anybody Donald Trump calls "a loser", "a jerk", or "a dummy" should feel flattered.
Trump is the Republican Party thinking with its mouth open.
14
"As for political discourse, Mr. Trump is insulting and witless. His critics are “losers,” “jerks” and “dummies.” These kinds of taunts are usually found in schoolyards rather than presidential campaigns. "
Hey now, why do you hate Bill O'Reilly?
Hey now, why do you hate Bill O'Reilly?
2
Isn't is just deliciously delightful to think that Republicans may chose Donald Trump as their candidate for President.
4
There are plenty of reasons to reject Donald Trump, his apparent racism being the most compelling, but I just don't think that having a president who is where he is through taking shrewd advantage of business bankruptcy laws would set a good example for any of us, never mind our children.
We have a president who "is where he is" through taking shrewd advantage of a weak, lazy, incompetent news media and exploits the color of my skin to avoid accountability, all while lying to the American people (27 times in a row on Obamacare) and violating the Constitution to expand the very Bush/Cheney policies he promised to end.
Barack Obama is a great example. When my wife has kids, I will use Obama as an example of what not to do if you want to be an honest, decent Christian who loves America and respects people.
Barack Obama is a great example. When my wife has kids, I will use Obama as an example of what not to do if you want to be an honest, decent Christian who loves America and respects people.
"At the heart of Donald Trump’s candidacy is folie de grandeur. Mr. Trump will build a fence on the southern border — and get Mexico to pay for it. He’s got a “foolproof” plan to defeat the Islamic State “very quickly,” but when asked what it is, he told Fox’s Greta Van Susteren, “I’m not gonna tell you what it is tonight.”
I have a secret for you: a big part of Trump's appeal is that he says what many in the base are thinking. He says outrageous things in a simplistic way, because the base is like a mad dog, angry at the world and in search of easy solutions. When Trump denounces immigrants, they secretly cheer: because he can articulate, in his inimitable, bombastic style, what they are secretly thinking in the company of fellow anti-immigrant, anti-liberal, Fox-watching peers.
The Republican leadership would do well to take Trump at his word and be worried by this singular appeal to the basest elements of their base. This is payback, bigtime: for several decades now, the GOP has pandered to, and encouraged, the worst thinking and prejudices of their conservative base. They politic far right in the primaries, and move center for the general, in the inimitable words of JEB!.
But this is a Faustian bargain, to borrow Rubio's phrase from another editorial. It really is a balancing act, and with Trump leading the way on the wire, I'm not sure any Republican candidate can avoid a freefall from grace with general election voters.
I have a secret for you: a big part of Trump's appeal is that he says what many in the base are thinking. He says outrageous things in a simplistic way, because the base is like a mad dog, angry at the world and in search of easy solutions. When Trump denounces immigrants, they secretly cheer: because he can articulate, in his inimitable, bombastic style, what they are secretly thinking in the company of fellow anti-immigrant, anti-liberal, Fox-watching peers.
The Republican leadership would do well to take Trump at his word and be worried by this singular appeal to the basest elements of their base. This is payback, bigtime: for several decades now, the GOP has pandered to, and encouraged, the worst thinking and prejudices of their conservative base. They politic far right in the primaries, and move center for the general, in the inimitable words of JEB!.
But this is a Faustian bargain, to borrow Rubio's phrase from another editorial. It really is a balancing act, and with Trump leading the way on the wire, I'm not sure any Republican candidate can avoid a freefall from grace with general election voters.
65
very imaginative -- but your mental projectile needs some fine tuning on the border preferably and maybe live in El Salvador or similar places
Obviously, we need Vladimir Putin to invade someone new, because even with a "Grexit" pending it's clear that there isn't enough to write about. So we write about The Donald. You all do realize that the ten minutes it will take me to compose and post a comment is time that I'll never get back as long as I live? If I MUST consume the ten minutes, it should be discussing someone IMPORTANT, like Scarlett Johansson.
A little touch of Trump would be valuable? Does that mean we should all seriously consider the type of roadkill we choose to wear on our heads, or does it mean that even a perennial political gadfly is worth his fifteen minutes?
At this remove from the nominating conventions, fuhgettabout the actual election, Scooby-Doo would poll well. For heaven's sake, BERNIE SANDERS is polling well. The Hillster should shiver.
A successful Trump candidacy? For what? A new reality show starring him (of course) explaining unendingly to his housekeeper, Consuela, that she should be grateful for the employment he provides, given that she's either a drug dealer, a rapist or a carrier of infectious diseases?
Puh-leeeeze. "Conservatives" such as Mr. Wehner should be focusing on how much money is being spent by people to give the Jebster even tepid competition when it COULD be spent on a muzzle for Donald Trump.
Anybody know what Scarlett Johansson has been doing with herself lately?
A little touch of Trump would be valuable? Does that mean we should all seriously consider the type of roadkill we choose to wear on our heads, or does it mean that even a perennial political gadfly is worth his fifteen minutes?
At this remove from the nominating conventions, fuhgettabout the actual election, Scooby-Doo would poll well. For heaven's sake, BERNIE SANDERS is polling well. The Hillster should shiver.
A successful Trump candidacy? For what? A new reality show starring him (of course) explaining unendingly to his housekeeper, Consuela, that she should be grateful for the employment he provides, given that she's either a drug dealer, a rapist or a carrier of infectious diseases?
Puh-leeeeze. "Conservatives" such as Mr. Wehner should be focusing on how much money is being spent by people to give the Jebster even tepid competition when it COULD be spent on a muzzle for Donald Trump.
Anybody know what Scarlett Johansson has been doing with herself lately?
34
Funny and well written Richard. Even though we are on opposite sides of the political middle and often I don't agree with you, you always write well and I look for your comments. Today's were especially entertaining. Keep up the good work. A New Jersey liberal fan.
1
Trump is getting a lot of attention in the mainstream media (and all the media) because most progressives would LOVE to see this goofball - the ultimate king of the klown kar - get the GOP nomination. He's an idiot, and in a national election virtually anyone could beat him - including Hillary.
2
"Donald Trump is a force in the Republican presidential race."
"Yet it’s also true that Mr. Trump has garnered respect from some of his fellow Republicans. According to Ted Cruz, Mr. Trump is “bold,” “brash” and “speaks the truth.” Rick Santorum likes it that he’s focused on “a very important issue for American workers and particularly, legal immigrants in this country.”
Surely, like the black comedy, Wag The Dog, this is just a movie, a fiction created by the fertile minds of some Hollywood writers. It couldn't possibly be happening in the real world, in my America of 2015. I have awakened in a nightmare that just won't go away.
"Yet it’s also true that Mr. Trump has garnered respect from some of his fellow Republicans. According to Ted Cruz, Mr. Trump is “bold,” “brash” and “speaks the truth.” Rick Santorum likes it that he’s focused on “a very important issue for American workers and particularly, legal immigrants in this country.”
Surely, like the black comedy, Wag The Dog, this is just a movie, a fiction created by the fertile minds of some Hollywood writers. It couldn't possibly be happening in the real world, in my America of 2015. I have awakened in a nightmare that just won't go away.
3
I'm waiting for Trump to announce Gary Busey as his running mate.
Tsk, Tsk, The Donald... the Republicans need to inject a touch of levity to the jocund festivity in a crowded roster of presidential hopefuls. Who else but Trump is best suited for that role? Bring in The Clown.
3
Some people have bad hair days. Donald Trump is having a bad hair life. Have you ever noticed that?
What I love the most about The Donald - and why I cherish his presence in the national train wreck so completely - is the man's genius at being clueless. In fact, if lacking in self awareness were considered a human virtue, Trump would have received the Nobel Prize decades ago. It's bad enough that this nitwit takes himself so seriously, he's delusional enough to think that intelligent people take him with anything other than a grain of moldy salt. It really is rather touching and pathetic when you think about it.
http:/www.tomdegan.bogspot.com
Tom Degan
What I love the most about The Donald - and why I cherish his presence in the national train wreck so completely - is the man's genius at being clueless. In fact, if lacking in self awareness were considered a human virtue, Trump would have received the Nobel Prize decades ago. It's bad enough that this nitwit takes himself so seriously, he's delusional enough to think that intelligent people take him with anything other than a grain of moldy salt. It really is rather touching and pathetic when you think about it.
http:/www.tomdegan.bogspot.com
Tom Degan
3
Well, the left can always vote for Clinton. She and Bill wish they had Trump money and will sell their influence to the highest bidder via the Clinton Foundation.
1
Donald Trump's manic need for attention highlights American celebrity obsession and the media-driven, schizophrenic need to watch the Judas goats lead the nation to self-destruction.
Thomas Mann's famous story "Mario and the Magician" about making a public spectacle of oneself to mesmerize the public could have been written about Donald Trump instead of about Mussolini and Hitler.
Of course there is another dimension added by the growing and strident powers of the small group of multi-billionaires who made their fortunes by manipulating the panderers and sycophants who supplicate on bended knee to big money: Which candidates have sold out to the BIG MONEY???
1. The bought and paid for candidates for President 2016 include not just Trump, but all the Republican candidates: Jeb Bush, Scott Walker and many others who have a million dollars or maybe a billion dollars, but need to let the Koch Brothers $100 Billion pull their puppet strings onstage in American politics.
2. The other candidates for President 2016 who worship money ahead of all other values are obviously Hillary Clinton using her position as Secretary of State to raise billions of dollars in quid pro quo from foreign countries governments "donating" the billions of dollars into her "Clinton Foundation" and her Presidential campaign.
Candidates for President get rich entertaining 320 million Americans glued to our phosphorescent screens, each candidate selected by a handful of billionaires who own them.
Thomas Mann's famous story "Mario and the Magician" about making a public spectacle of oneself to mesmerize the public could have been written about Donald Trump instead of about Mussolini and Hitler.
Of course there is another dimension added by the growing and strident powers of the small group of multi-billionaires who made their fortunes by manipulating the panderers and sycophants who supplicate on bended knee to big money: Which candidates have sold out to the BIG MONEY???
1. The bought and paid for candidates for President 2016 include not just Trump, but all the Republican candidates: Jeb Bush, Scott Walker and many others who have a million dollars or maybe a billion dollars, but need to let the Koch Brothers $100 Billion pull their puppet strings onstage in American politics.
2. The other candidates for President 2016 who worship money ahead of all other values are obviously Hillary Clinton using her position as Secretary of State to raise billions of dollars in quid pro quo from foreign countries governments "donating" the billions of dollars into her "Clinton Foundation" and her Presidential campaign.
Candidates for President get rich entertaining 320 million Americans glued to our phosphorescent screens, each candidate selected by a handful of billionaires who own them.
1
Irritates liberals?!? All the liberals I know are changing registration so they can vote for him in the Republican primary.
3
Don't fool yourself. Trump is you without any clothes. Even you can't stand the sight.
2
No!
1
NO !!!!
1
Trump is just playing to his base, the ones who find him a fascinating personality
on fox "news". They're all he's really got.
on fox "news". They're all he's really got.
1
I know I'm counteracting my own advice by reading and commenting on this article, but can't we all just ignore Trump? Trump should be covered by the tabloids, not by the NYT.
1
Trump has made the leap from huckster to demagogue. He is the heart of the GOP: xenophobic, racist, jingoist and believes that wealth is a sign of God's approval.
In the battle of GOP billionaires to control our government, may God bless Trump with a long, loud campaign and may he pick another Sarah Palin type for a running mate. Perhaps one of his beauty queens or one of the FOX blondes?
Good luck in the general election GOP!! ROFL
In the battle of GOP billionaires to control our government, may God bless Trump with a long, loud campaign and may he pick another Sarah Palin type for a running mate. Perhaps one of his beauty queens or one of the FOX blondes?
Good luck in the general election GOP!! ROFL
5
"...Mr. Trump is insulting and witless. His critics are “losers,” “jerks” and “dummies.” This reminds me of Chris Christie calling one of his opponents in New Jersey "an animal." Mr. Trump is not the only bully in the schoolyard, he just has the most ridiculous hair.
5
Sadly, Donald Trump is NO worse than any other GOP candidate.
And just as sadly, the Democratic Party doesn't have much in the way of candidates either.
And just as sadly, the Democratic Party doesn't have much in the way of candidates either.
4
Two columnists in the same day with knives drawn for Trump. He must have the corporate types running scared.
21
A butter knife is all anyone needs for an oily-haired Trump.
And if corporate types, whatever that refers to, are smearing this buttery duck of a Donald, maybe corps really ARE "people", after all.
BTW, do you believe that "corporate type" incorporated Trump is "running scared"? Of what, Mexican rapists?
And if corporate types, whatever that refers to, are smearing this buttery duck of a Donald, maybe corps really ARE "people", after all.
BTW, do you believe that "corporate type" incorporated Trump is "running scared"? Of what, Mexican rapists?
The first Republican debate is next month, and Fox News has decided limit candidates on the debate stage to those in the top 10% of national polls, effectively culling the field of candidates before the campaign has even gotten started. Forget the early primaries that normally determine who is a serious candidate. Donald, a well-known reality TV star who is getting free media on a daily basis with his trademark outrageous comments, knows how to win this game and get a podium on the debate stage with his surging national poll numbers. Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Carly Fiorina, John Kasich, Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal and George Pataki may all be left out of the debate. Maybe Donald is crazy like a Fox.
36
How about the press, including the ny times, fox news, politico and everyone else, simply ignore him.. Really don't print what he says, don't televise what he says. Would you do that if he called Blacks a threat, criminals , rapists etc.
It is the news media that is giving capital to Trump.
This country is in desperate need of a debate on issues like taxation reform, entitlement reform, infrastructure repair, instead we are focusing on a bigot and a stupid one at that.
It is the news media that is giving capital to Trump.
This country is in desperate need of a debate on issues like taxation reform, entitlement reform, infrastructure repair, instead we are focusing on a bigot and a stupid one at that.
55
He'd get even more media attention if he went after Black people. It would be a media feeding frenzy.
Whatever one thinks of Trump, the response his statements elicited contains a warning. The current climate of politically correct speech denies voice to many who hold opinions and beliefs unacceptable to those who control the media and public discourse. Trump is providing voice to many who have been silenced. I would hope we have the courage to give those silenced a real voice whether we like what they have to say or not. Otherwise we may give power and voice to those who pretend to speak for them.
3
Someone who pretends to speak for those in America who have no voice.
I know a guy like that, I think he answers to Barack or "Beezy In the Heezy" on his Twitter feed.
I know a guy like that, I think he answers to Barack or "Beezy In the Heezy" on his Twitter feed.
Come on Peter, you can't possible think that the GOP candidates have any backbone or principles? If you do, you have not been paying attention. For the rest of the GOP Klown Kar, this presidential candidate thing is about money, their own personal wealth and getting other's money to eventually get more money. All the rhetoric or lack of it is just babbling, and I do not intent to impugn the calming sound of nature's brooks. Blowhards like Trump are obvious for what they are and no thinking person pays attention. To no candidate's credit, the rest of the Kar's occupants kept quiet and still as long as they could, hoping not to be called upon to have an opinion.
.
.
2
Maybe if we're not lucky enough to have President Trump, there will be "Hannity and Trump" to perpetuate The Donald's philosophy.
two points.
1. You're not seriously suggesting that the media shouldn't report Mr. Trump's vicious attacks on Mexicans who cross the borders?
2. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility that Mr.Trump is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease in which case those who applaud him are doing him no service..
1. You're not seriously suggesting that the media shouldn't report Mr. Trump's vicious attacks on Mexicans who cross the borders?
2. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility that Mr.Trump is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease in which case those who applaud him are doing him no service..
1
The Adelitas of Madero's Mexico would have a pretty strong opinion of Donald Trump, whose type existed 100 years ago as well. Mr. Trump however, had some redeeming aspects in his character of the past. The same certainly cannot be said for yourself, Mr. Wehner. You are probably one of the most reactionary op-ed writers appearing in the Times.
1
It is amusing that Republican operatives now are using the age old "He's not one of us." Trump isn't a real Republican because he may have been "strongly pro choice", wanted to tax the wealthy and most of all he liked Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Republicans, please don't believe Trump's come to Jesus moment, he's never even picked up a gun. Oh the problem isn't that he is a complete nincompoop, he's not one "our" nincompoops.
4
Please explain to me why this buffoon gets so much space in the media, and his ignorant remarks constantly repeated? No one takes Donald Trump seriously, except the irresponsible modern media. I would rather hear some explanations for Bernie Sanders phenomenal, and unexpected popularity with the voting public. What is he saying that has so many Americans so excited? The only thing we hear about Senator Sanders in the mainstream media is that he doesn't have a chance against Hillary Clinton. How about an editorial about viable candidates actual positions.
8
Why? Because he says things that appeal the the GOP base, without a filter. The fact that those things are heinous doesn't seem to trouble (too much) the rest of the GOP - which tells me a lot.
there is a style of art called trump loy where something is painted to appear the real thing, but the substance does not exist at all. How appropriate Mr. Trump's name is.
32
I think you mean "trompe l'oeil"? (French for "trick the eye.") Nonetheless, an interesting idea.
Did you mean trompe-l'oeil?
"trompe l'oeil" is the spelling you were looking for, but I see what you did there.
1
Trump, at least, has the guts to say what he believes, unlike almost all the others, both Dems and Repubs. I don't like things about him but I agree with him that no other candidate has told us exactly why the United States needs to allow millions of low-skilled immigrants into our country when there are more than 90 million unemployed Americans who have given up looking for jobs.
27
There are not 90 million unemployed Americans looking for jobs ... that's a fourth of the population. And why are there low-skilled immigrants working here? Because the economy of the U.S. is based on the idea of cheap labor. It started with slavery, continued on after slavery by keeping former slaves and their descendants mired in poverty, which led to mass, institutionalized incarceration, and now we need a new slave labor force to pick the onions, strawberries and tomatoes you want to buy for lower-than-market value. That's why. And the unemployed Americans you cite, though there are not 90 million of them, won't work for the wages the industrialized farms are paying because they're not willing to live 20 to a house, or migrate from farm to farm, state to state, to pick those products you want to buy for rock-bottom prices. If you doubt this, go to a farmers market sometime and see what the real costs of goods looks like.
1
There is a difference between having guts and just being stupid and ignorant.
Well Mike, are you postulating that those 90M unemployed Americans are all potential agricultural or construction workers? Or that somehow low-skilled immigrants are taking middle-management or computer programming or engineering jobs away from Americans? Your assertions don't quite line up.
The way you describe Mr. Trump, he has my vote and if the middle class ever gets off their duff and lifts their voices and vote, he will be president and will make a great one.
3
If you like Trump, you'd have been wild for Hitler in '33. Demagoguery has street cred with those who feel impotent in the face of historical forces and seek easy, but absolutely impossible answers, in the force of a sociopathic personality. Fascism is attractive, and many people in this country, now and in the 30s, found it so.
Asa middle class retired professor, I object to your saying I, we, middle class folk believe Mexicans are all druggues and rapists. Are all New Yorkers nutbars or is Trump the latest wealthy one?
As someone who lost family in the Final Solution and grew up at a time when education and media gave a thorough grounding in the differences between democracy, communism, and fascism/Nazism, not to mention twentieth-century history, I am of the opinion that what calls itself "conservative" today is all too often somewhere at the intersection of crazy and Nazi.
You have to go really far to embarrass this bunch--and Trump does.
You have to go really far to embarrass this bunch--and Trump does.
3
As soon as you say 'American jobs for American workers', voters will come running. It is the one thing Trump and Sanders have in common, and they have attracted considerable support.
Now they both may be completely unelectable, but the candidates who do run seriously will have to consider that they have underestimated popular feeling. IT workers have lost jobs to H1Bs, low-income workers have seen all the jobs taken by illegal immigrants, and middle-class workers are threatened by technology. There is a lot of interest in what candidates propose to do about his, if anything.
Now they both may be completely unelectable, but the candidates who do run seriously will have to consider that they have underestimated popular feeling. IT workers have lost jobs to H1Bs, low-income workers have seen all the jobs taken by illegal immigrants, and middle-class workers are threatened by technology. There is a lot of interest in what candidates propose to do about his, if anything.
4
If I wanted another acting president I'd exhume Reagan. I didn't want him and I definitely don't want a loose lipped, loud mouthed, ill tempered boor like him or Chris Christie as president of this country. Period.
9
In our history, we've had quite a few fools run for President....some were even elected. Mr. Trump may be the worst.
I lived in NYC for 18 years, and there were always stories being printed about him. He was always what he is now. However, he's gotten worse. His many negative traits (once referred to as 'quirks") have become more pronounced.
Many of his present day antics could appear on SNL, without editing or enhancement .
Yet, the media continues to cover him. Why?
I lived in NYC for 18 years, and there were always stories being printed about him. He was always what he is now. However, he's gotten worse. His many negative traits (once referred to as 'quirks") have become more pronounced.
Many of his present day antics could appear on SNL, without editing or enhancement .
Yet, the media continues to cover him. Why?
8
>> Yet, the media continues to cover him. Why?
Because the media - including the Times - have zero interest in sustantive debate, and are desperate for clicks via sensationalism.
Because the media - including the Times - have zero interest in sustantive debate, and are desperate for clicks via sensationalism.
Trump is the embodiment of the Republican id, and I, for one, am delighted to see it on full display. The fact that the GOP is stuck with this clown and doesn't disown him speaks volumes.
25
A man born on third base who swears he hit a triple. I do not know a single person who had business dealings with Trump who did not live to regret it.
19
Unfortunately, most of the ignorant voters who would cast a ballot for him don't know that. Most people who voted for Hitler didn't know what a miserable failure he'd been in some of his former lives, either, but when he promised them the moon, they came running. Remember, the bigger the lie, the more people will believe it.
Until I immigrated to United States I did not know that free speech meant speak any nonsense, hurt anyone's feelings, make any outrageous statements without any basis
25
Mr. Trump should have his speech writers viewing old episodes of All in the Family for issues and policy guidance. The ghost of Archie Bunker with a golden mane is on the ramparts. Those days that were are come again!
49
Trump is a very sad commentary on the state of our political process and the sorry state of our democracy.
3
The argument that Mr. Wehner is making says that The Donald is somewhat of a random disease that could have befallen any political party. Look, he even has given money to the Democrats!
No, Mr. Wehner, there is a reason that this man is running as a Republican and polling highly as such: his bigotry speaks to a significant fraction of the base of your party. Candidate Trump exposes a lot of what is rotten in your party. He did not infect it with some illness he brought over from the Democratic side.
No, Mr. Wehner, there is a reason that this man is running as a Republican and polling highly as such: his bigotry speaks to a significant fraction of the base of your party. Candidate Trump exposes a lot of what is rotten in your party. He did not infect it with some illness he brought over from the Democratic side.
23
Trump's "erratic and conspiratorial temperament"? Just Trump? You're kidding me. The entire Republican response to President Obama has been erratic and conspiratorial for 7 years! There is no better word than "conspiratorial" to describe it, and Peter Wehner here is doing nothing but add to it. This piece tries to makes Trump look like an outlier, but only as a foil for the rest of the messy Republican field. We have the greatest circus midway of Republican candidates that God ever created. Trump is no outlier, he's right in the middle of the error bars.
19
Donald Trump is the best weapon the Democrats have. His joining the Republican clown car puts the views of most of the GOP front and center as he says the radical, anti-intellectual, racist, sexist things that are central to the Republican world view, the more "mainstream" candidates , with the possible exception of Chris Christie, knowing enough to keep their statements milder in hopes the electorate will be stupid enough to vote against their own best interests once more in order to vote for their fears and hates. If America votes for anyone in the clown car, then we deserve to lose our country.
7
Not to worry. As soon as the going gets tough, be it his poll numbers dropping or a fellow candidate or interviewer pressing him for specifics, Trump will drop out.
1
Here is Trump's real secret of success: In recent years it's become unacceptable for racists, homophobes, xenophobes and others with unsavory views to speak about their beliefs openly. The solution is the "dog whistle", a coded message that like-minded people will understand.
But there's a problem: There are a lot of stupid people out there, and they can't understand these subtleties. A man like Trump makes it easy for them: he's unafraid to show himself for the toad that he is. That's why people like Mr. Cruz love him: he says the disgusting offensive things they wish they could get away with.
But there's a problem: There are a lot of stupid people out there, and they can't understand these subtleties. A man like Trump makes it easy for them: he's unafraid to show himself for the toad that he is. That's why people like Mr. Cruz love him: he says the disgusting offensive things they wish they could get away with.
218
Spare the toad! Let's just say that he's unafraid to show himself for the hate monger that he is.
My hope is that the media will tire of covering his venomous and uninformed non-campaign and finally see it and him for what they are. The idea that he is worthy of our attention outside of his usual haunts is depressing.
My hope is that the media will tire of covering his venomous and uninformed non-campaign and finally see it and him for what they are. The idea that he is worthy of our attention outside of his usual haunts is depressing.
Charlie B - "...he says the disgusting offensive things they wish they could get away with."
Yes, like why we need to allow millions of low-skilled illegal aliens to remain in the US when there are millions of unemployed American citizens, how disgustingly offensive of him to tell the truth!
Yes, like why we need to allow millions of low-skilled illegal aliens to remain in the US when there are millions of unemployed American citizens, how disgustingly offensive of him to tell the truth!
Charlie, you said well! Thank you.
The Republican party is already on the path to ruin and Trump is contributing to its accelerated demise, aided and abetted by the Republican presidential candidates. Keep up the good work, Mr. Trump!
5
And the worst candidate since Aaron Burr who tried to waylay the country over 200 years ago. And yet lots of people in this country have bad hair and even worse thoughts and are just itching to cut off their collective noses to spite their face.
3
DT gets my vote. He has promised to not only end, but WIN the protracted mid-east wars (and seize the oil), fix the economy, create jobs, crush China, dis Mexico (mission accomplished!), befriend Putin, oust Castro, stop all crime, fix education, cure all illness including cancer (for deserving rich people), withhold healthcare from the 47% (or was it the 99%?), make being gay or Muslim felonies, and generally restore the USA to #1. All of this is his first year in office! Yikes, what a candidate! Trump '16
10
How does this distinguish him from the rest of the Republican candidates?
I can assure you Trump's imput will make the debates very interesting and quite real. Since he is not a politician challenging topics will be discussed and the candidates will be forced to address them whether they want to hear them or not. He will definitely "stir" things up.
26
No he won't. He's a bit of a dullatd, actually. When asked what would he say about Trump being in favor of traditional marriage while having been married three times? His response, "I'd say you would be right."
It seems Mr. Trump is playing the artful front man intended to make Gov. Cristie - (the greatest chalange to Mrs. Clinton), look like much less of a bully. Blunt is good, bully is bad.
1
Gov. Soprano says he's accountable for those who messed with the GW Bridge traffic, but not responsible for their actions.
That leaves two possibilities: they did it with his knowledge, in which case he's a corrupt liar.
Or, he has no idea what even his top aides are doing, in which case he's a thoroughly incompetent manager.
Your choice, Eugene.
And when both the New York and New Joisey legislatures passed identical packages to reform the cesspool of corruption that is the Port Authority, both Christie and his brother from another mother, Andy Cuomo, vetoed the legislation. That indicates that they're both OK with the corrupt status quo.
If blunt is good, Eugene, how is hypocritical?
That leaves two possibilities: they did it with his knowledge, in which case he's a corrupt liar.
Or, he has no idea what even his top aides are doing, in which case he's a thoroughly incompetent manager.
Your choice, Eugene.
And when both the New York and New Joisey legislatures passed identical packages to reform the cesspool of corruption that is the Port Authority, both Christie and his brother from another mother, Andy Cuomo, vetoed the legislation. That indicates that they're both OK with the corrupt status quo.
If blunt is good, Eugene, how is hypocritical?
1
Gov. Cristie fired his "top aides" as soon as he learned of the bridge closing. I call that honest and competent management. The Port Authority is another "bipartisan" story - as if the two state legislatures could run the darn thing.
1
Please, please, please nominate Trump! I'd love to see that bombastic windbag debate Hillary or Bernie (although I'm hoping the Democratic nominee is Bernie). If it's possible to die from laughing too hard, I expect I might.
143
I said the exact same thing about Bush VS Kerry, and look how that turned out.
1
Lynn - I too would like to see a debate between "politicians" who spin for a living and a self made millionaire who is not a politician!
This seems to be a continuation of the internal struggle between the Republican Boehner-McConnell-Bush establishment wing and the renegade Tea Party insurgents who are hell bent on imposing their ultra conservative agenda, regardless of the costs to the party or the country. Trump is simply catnip to the GOP primary base of old white Southern men.
4
Wouldn't it be hilarious if Trump is actually much smarter than he appears and is playing a cruel joke on the Republican Party to expose the fact that they have no idea how to govern and that racist bigots constitute the fraction of Republicans that have given them political power? If only Trump had shown us any hint that he isn't exactly what he appears to be.
2
It is good for the economy for Trump to run. Hopefully he will spend his own money which will benefit the economy which assumes he will pay his bills. The Donald is an egomaniac ,self promoter of questionable personal character. Just speak with the bondholders and people he has done business with. He is good at repairing skating rinks and golf courses and threatening law suits . Hardly accomplishments for POTUS. His place in the political race is comical as he spouts his invective.
6
The fable of the frog in the pot of water seems to be more relevant to American discourse every day. Too many accept the status quo as normal. Trumps idiocy would have had him laughed off the public stage decades ago. And the status quo keeps changing, as idiocy reaches new heights. Ah, sure he's just the warm-up act!
7
The oddest thing about this and the many other recent columns about Trump is the fact that these writers treat his current second place position in the GOP polls as if it is at all meaningful. There are snowballs in hell that are more likely to become president than Trump and even people who agree with him know that.
7
Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. He will be a vast improvement over the idiot there now.
There are people who agree with him? Now THAT'S frightening.
1
Trump's the practitioner of a well established political technique; deflection of anger by instigating ethnic strife.
When a society has an extreme differential in wealth between a small favored minority and the vast majority ; a sense of unease and anger are generated. To maintain that status quo in a "democratic" society, the favored have two choices , diffuse the anger or deflect it.
One way of diffusing anger is to do a minimal amount of wealth redistribution without changing the system.
On the other hand, deflection involves exploiting divisions within the majority. Scapegoating ethnic minorities and those with the least have a long history of success. That's Trump's way
When a society has an extreme differential in wealth between a small favored minority and the vast majority ; a sense of unease and anger are generated. To maintain that status quo in a "democratic" society, the favored have two choices , diffuse the anger or deflect it.
One way of diffusing anger is to do a minimal amount of wealth redistribution without changing the system.
On the other hand, deflection involves exploiting divisions within the majority. Scapegoating ethnic minorities and those with the least have a long history of success. That's Trump's way
104
I am no fan of Trump, but let's be completely honest, "deflection of anger by instigating ethnic strife" is Chapter 1 in the Democrat party playbook.
1
For the life of me, simply cannot understand why The Times's editors selected this totally incoherent and dreadfully written piece as one of its choices.
I think we are watching one of the greatest flim flam men ever. In times long past he would be tared and feathered and run out town on a pole.
For the life of me, I don't see much difference between Trump and Cruz. Remember him, the guy who shut down the federal government? This country has the inmates running the media asylum, and no one is challenging them. Remember when Trump's "people" were going to find Obama's "real" birth certificate? No one in the media called him out for being racist then. What should be different now?
3
Obama is still presenting the forged birth certificate why? Because he is fake as a three dollar bill. Sheriff Joe will get him sooner or later.
if Trump were only a bombastic ego maniac we could all have a good laugh and turn to serious matters. But he is "the flavor of the moment" who won't go away and that could have serious consequences.
Not surprising that Ted Cruz admires him. Two peas in a rather smelly pod.
Not surprising that Ted Cruz admires him. Two peas in a rather smelly pod.
6
Did it occur to you that the reason that Trump is a Republican now is that the GOP is the ground most fertile for his messages of: oligarchy, exceptionalism, racism, and welfare only for the wealthy and corporations?
Trump's message resonates with Republicans. That might give an ethical person in the GOP reason to pause and reflect on what the party has become.
Trump's message resonates with Republicans. That might give an ethical person in the GOP reason to pause and reflect on what the party has become.
3
Trump, like Bernie Saunders, is a welcome alternative to the Bush-Clinton big money say anything to get elected political machines. After years of being misled (aka Gruberized) by Clinton, Bush and Obama there is a huge public appetite for Saunders and Trump, who actually talk honestly with voters instead of trying to say nothing that might offend some special interest. The truth is that securing the border is long overdue and policing Wall Street is long overdue. Most honest hard working Americans know this, and shame on our political elite for failing in these simple tasks.
3
PLEASE do not even mention Bernie Sanders (not Saunders!) in the same sentence as Donald Trump.
It is not just here in Vermont that Bernie is admired and respected. He is an honest and caring human being, which are words that cannot be applied to Trump, who slithers around in the lowest levels of discourse.
It is not just here in Vermont that Bernie is admired and respected. He is an honest and caring human being, which are words that cannot be applied to Trump, who slithers around in the lowest levels of discourse.
Trump is polling well among conservatives because he perfectly represents the id of the conservative mind. He has not said anything that has not been said behind conservative doors.
3
The sad thing is, the more noise that Trump creates and the more light he attracts, the more the rest of the world believes that he is a legitimate player in American politics, rather than the huckster and showman that he truly is. He is the political incarnation of P.T. Barnum, and, unfortunately, he is a master at finding the suckers who are born every minute.
3
We have a chap at my assisted living facility who makes bizarre noises for attention. The difference is that he goes away if you treat him with respect. Donald Trump cannot safely be treated with respect. He gets more annoying instead of calming down. He has to be removed from the scene by his own kind (of which there are some, Ted Cruz among them) or by real conservatives.
1
I find Mr Trump's political discourse "insulting and witless," but it doesn't surprise me that he is polling so well among potential Republican voters many of whom find him "refreshing" and passionate.
Donald Trump is perhaps the the ideal candidate to represent the values and policies of the GOP, although Marco Rubio's op-ed piece in today's paper should give the Florida senator points in that contest.
Donald Trump is perhaps the the ideal candidate to represent the values and policies of the GOP, although Marco Rubio's op-ed piece in today's paper should give the Florida senator points in that contest.
3
Anyone who would consider Trump is a lost cause. Mr. Sanders is the only candidate with any real positive agenda for America. The rest of the candidates are nothing but tools who helped create the completely unjust and corrupt world we live with every day. Will America keep it's head in the dark and suffocating sand or come up for the fresh air and light of a Bernie Sanders Presidency?
4
As I read these comments disbelief is all I can muster. Why do Mexico and all the other countries these people are abandoning not get called out for not providing for their people, but none of my fellow citizen give one whit if I can provide for my family in the country I was born in. I have nothing but contempt for you people.
4
Too bad Joan Rivers isn't around to put a humorous spin on The Donald's candidacy. She would have reminded us that it was he who wanted to build a chain of retirement homes, aptly named Frump Towers, where all the residents had to be nudists. That didn't work out, apparently, because all the male residents went blind.
3
Throughout history blustering buffoons have fooled the ruling classes and the common man into thinking they were nothing but blustering buffoons. Trump is crude, a showman, he rambles but he speaks extemporaneously. He is a confusion for those that like labels. He should not be president. But he does have an ideology. It is just that his ideology is not conveniently Democrat or Republican. It may be populist.
Oh please! Try narcissistic. He has been all over the place ideologically, and financially, too, what with bankruptcies as well as wealth accumulation. He is more of an empty windbag, but that he would appeal to anyone as a serious politician or candidate is just frightening. The sooner he implodes and gets out of the media coverage and the campaign, the better. If he keeps opening his mouth, it shouldn't take long.
Or, he's just a dullard. Check out his dismal inability to handle himself in a flame war on Twitter, where he could get help and/or take his time formulating a response.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/06/1399563/-Donald-Trump-gets-into...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/06/1399563/-Donald-Trump-gets-into...
1
How would the average supporter of Trump fare if he were to find himself in his employ? This is a question that supporters should be asking themselves. What plays well on Fox doesn't translate well to a situation in which one would aspire to find oneself.
5
Trump is the logical candidate for a party that has treated our first President of color with contempt; Republicans have called Mr. Obama a liar, they've encouraged the theory that he was born in Kenya, and they've done their best to thwart his programs at the expense of the American people in order to make his a failed presidency. Not a single House or Senate Republican willingly worked with the President and not one stood up to those who insulted him and his office. The Republican Party deserves Donald Trump.
28
The GOP has more goof-ball, high profile adherents (many of whom are running for president) than a gumball machine. Although I hear mainstream republican commentators suggesting that the democrats have just as many members spouting their own rhetoric which is equally nutty, that just isn't the case. The Donald phenomenon will pass like a bad case of indigestion. But we should all take note of the anger pervading this country at higher levels than pre-Obama. That's worrisome and a big reason why people endorse Trump, at least for now.
3
"his claim that Mexico is purposely sending us drug dealers, rapists and carriers of infectious diseases"
It is significant that the media simply criticizes his claim. I don't read where they actually investigated that claim.
Rather than criticizing Trump, the media should be grilling Mexican officials about what they are doing to stem the illegal flow of its citizens into our country.
It is significant that the media simply criticizes his claim. I don't read where they actually investigated that claim.
Rather than criticizing Trump, the media should be grilling Mexican officials about what they are doing to stem the illegal flow of its citizens into our country.
4
There are so many candidates vying for the Republican nomination that the goal right now is to grab people's attention. Here is how we know that Trump is winning that contest: Today, in the NYT, there are not one but two separate columns in which Trump is the main subject. Other candidates are referred to only by way of their reaction to Trump. (I am not counting Marco Rubio's own column asking for the country to pretend like it will always be 1962 where Cuba is concerned.) Speaking figuratively, if Jeb Bush or whoever else wants commensurate attention, they have to give Trump a bloodier nose than he is giving their party. So far, they don't seem to have the guts to do that.
3
I think what Trump meant was that we do not have any background check information on all the Illegals that enter our country. Unfortunately, his selection of words was extremely poor and this time looks like he did finally manage to gut his reputation for good.
1
It's the other way around the Democrats have no reputation left to lose. The Dims have lost most political positions ever in history. It will take at least three more elections before a democrat will ever be president again. Just keep feeling secure and watch what happens.
Naw, let's keep Trump in the race; this is way too much fun, at least for us Democrats.
Its true that his has no coherent government philosophy and that is was for health care reform before he was against it, but he fits right in with most Republican politicians in that respect; insincerity characterizes the lot of them. That he is polling so well among Republicans simply demonstrates the ideological bankruptcy of the party.
Its true that his has no coherent government philosophy and that is was for health care reform before he was against it, but he fits right in with most Republican politicians in that respect; insincerity characterizes the lot of them. That he is polling so well among Republicans simply demonstrates the ideological bankruptcy of the party.
5
The Republicans are conducting a lottery for their presidential nomination, and Mr. Trump has the money to buy himself a ticket. It is actually a little surprising that there are not more "Trumps" in line at the Republican convenience store.
7
The association of the word "ethics" with today's Republican Party evokes sorrowful nostalgia and bitter laughter. Today's Republican Party is guilty of what may well be the single greatest fraud in history, one that promises to pull down the edifice of western civilization if it is not stopped.
The promise that prosperity would "trickle down" is the bright shiny object used to distract the marks from the switch. By borrowing from the wealthy instead of taxing them appropriately you flipped the balance sheets of the rich and the people and turned government into a machine for siphoning wealth from the many into the pockets of the powerful few.
Governments run up ruinous debt filling the pockets of the rich, and when the bill comes due the plutocrats snd their puppets demand more and more sacrifice from the middle class and the poor.
If Trump's buffoonery helps to end this vile, despicable fraud it will have served a positive purpose.
The promise that prosperity would "trickle down" is the bright shiny object used to distract the marks from the switch. By borrowing from the wealthy instead of taxing them appropriately you flipped the balance sheets of the rich and the people and turned government into a machine for siphoning wealth from the many into the pockets of the powerful few.
Governments run up ruinous debt filling the pockets of the rich, and when the bill comes due the plutocrats snd their puppets demand more and more sacrifice from the middle class and the poor.
If Trump's buffoonery helps to end this vile, despicable fraud it will have served a positive purpose.
146
your guys are eroding western civilization--- adios estados unidas is what you are going to get and who will save your liberal no nothing and cant do nothing rear
Too late, now you folks own him - or he you
3
Thank you Peter Wehner for speaking so bluntly to the conservatives about this embarrassment in their midst. That there is a conservative who can call out this clown who is poisoning the stance of any serious Republican gives me some hope. And I'm a Democrat!
2
Why all the concern from Democrats about who Republicans choose as the Presidential nominee in 2016?
Barack Obama is a national embarrassment. Democrats, clean up your own yard.
Barack Obama is a national embarrassment. Democrats, clean up your own yard.
Why do we give any press time or space to Trump at all? He needs to be forgotten...as soon as possible.
5
Might you be suggesting, given your recounting of Trumps past, that he is really a Democratic undercover operator whose job it is is to goad the Repub runners to move even further right? Since Trump is leading in some polls, can the other job seekers be far behind to capture that hard underbelly of Republican voters?
Where were the so called Republican "grownups" when George W. Bush was being pushed forward as a "serious" presidential candidate? What did they do when he lost the popular election and only won an electoral majority after a series of very sketchy maneuvers? And how did that work out for the good old US of A and the rest of the world?
8
For anyone wanting another democratic president, lets hope the Republicans say "yes" to Trump. It's a guaranteed victory for the Dems.
3
"Which means the people who have to confront and expose him are conservatives."
I'm not holding my breath. You guys have had plenty of chances to expose ugly rhteoric. The Donald is far from the first GOP nametag wearer to spew this kind of racist/birther/xenophobic garbage.
I'm not holding my breath. You guys have had plenty of chances to expose ugly rhteoric. The Donald is far from the first GOP nametag wearer to spew this kind of racist/birther/xenophobic garbage.
8
You have to wonder if Trump is the Republican Establishment getting rid of Jeb! (Bush) competition. Second place doesn't win the candicy.
1
WHERE'S SARAH? Palin, just when we need her the most? If she could only give lessons in rhetoric and clarity of thought to The Donald, that would hone his redoubtable skills as an orator. Nay, as a political philosopher. Or he could realize what Sarah did: there's much more money to be made as a political commentator and pundit (pun intended) than as a candidate. But the Donald is awash with money. The danger for him is that if he ascends to political office (imagine him ascending as if to Heaven on a fiery steed), while he may have money to burn, he may achieve Dubya's reverse Midas Touch, which would cause him to turn gold into poop. But given the piles Trump is trumpeting around town, stepping into his dumps seems to trouble him not at all. Indeed, he seems to enjoy wallowing in his own filth. Raise a joyful stench! Perhaps what he truly aspires to is to become the Mud Wrestler In Chief. Still, his greatest inspiration would be to invite Sarah to be his VP Candidate. Oh the brilliance that will be smeared across the land, the tsunami of execrence. All that is lacking in the scenario to make it truly superb is the Union Jack.
1
In the movie "The American President" there is a scene in which the current 'president' opines that his challenger's 15 minutes of fame are over. While I enjoy for the moment the shear idiocy Trump's ramblings, they are beginning to wear very very thin. It is time for serious debate! When will his 15 minutes of fame expire, i.e. when will the media stop making him front page news? The ball is in your court.
85
Implying that Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton's 15 minutes have not expired yet.
We have the worse congress in history, the lowest amount of trust in our government ever recorded, and the GOP and Decmocratic candidates, are all part of that Washington group that made a mess of it this big. Why would any one want to give them the reins of the White House?
We have the worse congress in history, the lowest amount of trust in our government ever recorded, and the GOP and Decmocratic candidates, are all part of that Washington group that made a mess of it this big. Why would any one want to give them the reins of the White House?
He ain't going away. He's the product of 10 years of debased rhetoric in the political marketplace, where the birthers, racists, open carry nutcases have been given access and the sense that they are right, because their views are being prominently displayed. All of these nuts will find what they want to hear in Trump's utterances. He's not going away, he's got the nutcase winds at his back.
You have no idea of my political leanings. However, recalling a Richard Prior movie - Brewster's Millions - I'll give you a hint. I vote for 'none of the above'.
You state there's not much that can be done about Trump- I beg to disagree. All everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has to do is say this whenever he is mentioned in conversation, or as part of a political discussion or question. No matter what the question is, respond, "Donald Trump?- you can't be serious. The man is an idiot, a buffoon, and is the candidate most likely to get us into trouble if he's elected". He's one step above Chauncey the Gardener (From Being there- when an idiot IS elected when the public is deceived)
1
So Mr. Wehner writes an op-ed in the NYTimes telling its readers that Donald Trump wouldn't make a good president. That took courage. I'll be voting for Hillary or Bernie and Trump will lose the GOP primary, but I've decided I'm not going to pile on anyone of any party who defends, however insincerely, Social Security and Medicare. Those political and economic elites who attack seniors' lifelines are just as villainous as someone who trashes a whole ethnic group. No comment from Republican Wehner about them.
4
First, he's not serious about being president.
Second, he will drop out of the race before financial disclosures.
Third, Republicans in Iowa and NH have had strong polling for nut jobs every election cycle.
Fourth, if you even entertain his filthy argument, let's remind Mr. trump that we get rapists and psychos from all over the world. We actually have them born in bred right here. The Cheshire meth animals, Newtown, Newtown, Aurora, Charleston. Most of our prolific rapists have been home grown.
Fifth, with the birther nonsense. Does anyone really think that if the was a shred of truth to that, the Clinton machine wouldn't have been all over it?
Finally, he's just not serious. Not because he gets an audience but because he 100% does not want the job. He wants the attention. I don't know what happened to that guy as a kid but his need for recognition is pathological.
Second, he will drop out of the race before financial disclosures.
Third, Republicans in Iowa and NH have had strong polling for nut jobs every election cycle.
Fourth, if you even entertain his filthy argument, let's remind Mr. trump that we get rapists and psychos from all over the world. We actually have them born in bred right here. The Cheshire meth animals, Newtown, Newtown, Aurora, Charleston. Most of our prolific rapists have been home grown.
Fifth, with the birther nonsense. Does anyone really think that if the was a shred of truth to that, the Clinton machine wouldn't have been all over it?
Finally, he's just not serious. Not because he gets an audience but because he 100% does not want the job. He wants the attention. I don't know what happened to that guy as a kid but his need for recognition is pathological.
8
With no disrespect to Mr. Wehner, whom I'd certainly rather have making policy, conducting foreign affairs, etc. than The Donald, I think it's crystal clear which of them is closer to the toxic stew of ignorance, irrationality and rage that seems to motivate the Republican "base."
As a Democrat, and even more as someone who enjoys a good running joke, I'm very glad Trump is in the race. But like many jokes, this one illustrates a deeper truth. I think the real task in front of Mr. Wehner and those like him is to detoxify their party such that it's a less natural home for the likes of Trump, Cruz, Santorum, and other hate-addled idiots.
As a Democrat, and even more as someone who enjoys a good running joke, I'm very glad Trump is in the race. But like many jokes, this one illustrates a deeper truth. I think the real task in front of Mr. Wehner and those like him is to detoxify their party such that it's a less natural home for the likes of Trump, Cruz, Santorum, and other hate-addled idiots.
9
Despite the fact that his comments are brutal without having any rational thinking in terms of politics, the way he sees politicians has a lot of truth. The politicians are running the country for their own personal interests. However, there's no one yet who sees or says things that will benefit the majority of the people of this nation. But we better watch out because populism is the new trend in politics. If elected, he will be another product of populism and the direction of politics will be forever changed.
28
Bernie Sanders says things that will benefit the majority of the people (but certainly not the 1% club) and also cannot be bought. Also a populist without the ugly rhetoric.
3
"However, there's no one yet who sees or says things that will benefit the majority of the people of this nation."
____________
Actually, I think Bernie Sanders says things that will benefit the majority of Americans.
____________
Actually, I think Bernie Sanders says things that will benefit the majority of Americans.
1
"Why would conservatives find him the least bit appealing?"
Why would anyone find Trump the least bit appealing? If elected he'd probably spend 90% of his time in office changing the names of every major natural and man-made feature to "Trump." Dissuaded from renaming Mt. Everest to Mt. Trump, Trump would slap his name on Mt. McKinley instead. Could he resist buying a place for himself on Mt. Rushmore? Possibly, since he might feel himself diminished by appearing next to four lesser presidents. But surely the American people would want Half Dome in Yosemite sculpted into Trump's mighty image. Obviously, the Yankees would play in Trump Stadium, "The House that Donald Built," and astronomers would study the Great Red Spot on "Trumpeter." The possibilities are endless, and a man of Trump's infinite ego would pass up no opportunity to "mark" his territory from sea to shining sea.
The man is repulsive. Upon entering the race he immediately elbowed Chris Christie aside as the Republican's favorite loud-mouthed bully. He's barely capable of utterly a coherent sentence on any policy issue, yet despite having nothing to say, he's going to say it as loudly as possible in a way that best fills the 24-hour news cycle.
Sadly, the question is not why would any Republican find Trump appealing, but why has the Republican Party degenerated so far that Trump seems a perfect fit for the GOP, um, I mean TOP, Trump's Old Party?
Why would anyone find Trump the least bit appealing? If elected he'd probably spend 90% of his time in office changing the names of every major natural and man-made feature to "Trump." Dissuaded from renaming Mt. Everest to Mt. Trump, Trump would slap his name on Mt. McKinley instead. Could he resist buying a place for himself on Mt. Rushmore? Possibly, since he might feel himself diminished by appearing next to four lesser presidents. But surely the American people would want Half Dome in Yosemite sculpted into Trump's mighty image. Obviously, the Yankees would play in Trump Stadium, "The House that Donald Built," and astronomers would study the Great Red Spot on "Trumpeter." The possibilities are endless, and a man of Trump's infinite ego would pass up no opportunity to "mark" his territory from sea to shining sea.
The man is repulsive. Upon entering the race he immediately elbowed Chris Christie aside as the Republican's favorite loud-mouthed bully. He's barely capable of utterly a coherent sentence on any policy issue, yet despite having nothing to say, he's going to say it as loudly as possible in a way that best fills the 24-hour news cycle.
Sadly, the question is not why would any Republican find Trump appealing, but why has the Republican Party degenerated so far that Trump seems a perfect fit for the GOP, um, I mean TOP, Trump's Old Party?
3
Donald Trump the bully! Scotland has had the great misfortune to attract the attention of Donald Trump. He bullied and flattered our third rate politicians into allowing him to build a golf course on a site of special scientific interest in the North east just to satisfy his overblown ego. Obviously he will never inhabit the White House. His ability to get to this stage just demonstrates to the World how farcical the process has become when an individual so intellectually stunted can possibly be taken seriously for President of the United States. Of course this isn't politics it's entertainment but entertainment which serves to debase and diminish the political process to the detriment of all the people of America.
14
Populism comes to America. It was probably only a matter of time. Trump fits the bill - an appeal based on blending a forceful egoistical personality with racist rhetoric which is cat-nip for the media and easy-peasy bromides offered for any serious issues. Europe has seen the rise of populism in all its guises so why not the U.S. as well? Hopefully Americans can see through the bluster and buffoonery. But there are no guarantees here. The primary danger is not that Trump will ever come close to the nomination but that his brand of populism will probably infect some of the rest of the GOP pack, so that it becomes respectable to use nationalist appeals and racist rhetoric if it generates sufficient headlines. America is better than Trump.
121
Agreed all - except that if America is indeed better than Trump, it is by a whisker, if at all. Reality television and Mr. Trump are only valid as the citizenry allows.
Pippa, I agree in that Trump does not have a remote chance of winning the presidential nomination, but I submit that his brand of politics will not prevail much of anywhere outside his own board rooms. He's not a man that even his own party takes seriously, and for the overwhelming majority of Americans, he's entertainment. People loved Tony Soprano because he solved problems "the old fashioned way." He did what he wanted outside the main stream and people envied that. They couldn't wait to tune in. But that didn't mean they would elect him president, hire him as a business guru or even want him to live next door. Trump is a self-made character who can afford to have a big mouth, but that's all he is. He's not a political threat.
You say that "his (Trump's) brand of populism will probably infect some of the rest of the GOP pack, so that it becomes respectable to use nationalist appeals and racist rhetoric." Sorry but nationalist appeals and racist rhetoric have been GOP staples since Nixon.
The Republican party is mostly powered by bluster and the irrational rage that its increasingly marginalized base feels about the modern world. Thus the republican rank and file can look at a pampered twit like Trump and think that he's somehow sticking it to those coastal elites.
The Republican party is mostly powered by bluster and the irrational rage that its increasingly marginalized base feels about the modern world. Thus the republican rank and file can look at a pampered twit like Trump and think that he's somehow sticking it to those coastal elites.
You think Trump "irritates" liberals? Ha! This liberal loves him. Couldn't have asked for a better candidate to carry forward the Conservative movement. Unlike Santorum, Cruz and Walker who all are thinking the same thing, Trump actually says it out loud. Keep talking Donald, you are doing great!
10
You'd like to dismiss Trump as a marginal, RINO-ish candidate but you can't because he is running neck and neck with Jeb Bush. What does that tell you about the efforts of the GOP to cultivate their base over the past 7 years? They've lost control of them for one thing - too many of the GOP grass roots are bigoted, closed-minded, me-first, iconoclasts that would prefer, rather demands, a world in which everyone looks, sounds, and thinks like them. I can't wait for the first "debate".
14
Horse-feathers. Now Trump is the bad guy and all others in the GOP are good guys.
Where was Wehner when GOP staffers sent greeting cards depicting Obama as a witch-doctor? When Michelle Bachman and Betsy McCaughey and many others spread lies and disinformation?
He has to gall to describe the whinging of some candidates as being creditable. Not a one of them has faced down "The Donald." So this article passes for GOP decency and righteousness? Frankly, a school kid could take this, and with a few small edits, apply it to the GOP in general. God help America!
Where was Wehner when GOP staffers sent greeting cards depicting Obama as a witch-doctor? When Michelle Bachman and Betsy McCaughey and many others spread lies and disinformation?
He has to gall to describe the whinging of some candidates as being creditable. Not a one of them has faced down "The Donald." So this article passes for GOP decency and righteousness? Frankly, a school kid could take this, and with a few small edits, apply it to the GOP in general. God help America!
12
I've learned that any "advice" from The New York Times will always be slanted left. That said, I AM a little surprised that a Republican, Peter Wehner (who I've never heard of) would, instead of taking time to give advice to professional politicians like Bernie Sanders, a guy who is an unabashed socialist/communist who wants to increase taxes at least to a rate of 50% or Hillary, who talks about the common person as she gives $275,000 speeches, isolates herself to only the most loyal of leftists, and ropes off reporters from asking questions, seeks instead to pick on a guy who, in his own colorful, tells-it-like-is way, is gaining serious traction. While Hillary attacks the GOP on immigration, we have someone who, under a left wing city (a "sanctuary" city full of "dreamers") and a left wing president (Just let them all in) just murdered an innocent in cold blood.
Hypocrisy anyone?
You may not like Trump's style, but at least he doesn't dodge questions or play the political correctness game.
I suspect that Trump's words DO resonate with people like the father of Kate Steinle, who wishes that our immigration system was tough, fair and carefully managed.
Hypocrisy anyone?
You may not like Trump's style, but at least he doesn't dodge questions or play the political correctness game.
I suspect that Trump's words DO resonate with people like the father of Kate Steinle, who wishes that our immigration system was tough, fair and carefully managed.
4
I look forward to Trump carrying your views forward. I'm thinking Donald could afford a third party run that would create a Democratic tsunami in 2016!
you said: "You may not like Trump's style, but at least he doesn't dodge questions or play the political correctness game."
and yet just one example from the article--"He’s got a “foolproof” plan to defeat the Islamic State “very quickly,” but when asked what it is, he told Fox’s Greta Van Susteren, “I’m not gonna tell you what it is tonight.”
i believe that is a textbook definition of "dodging a question."
and yet just one example from the article--"He’s got a “foolproof” plan to defeat the Islamic State “very quickly,” but when asked what it is, he told Fox’s Greta Van Susteren, “I’m not gonna tell you what it is tonight.”
i believe that is a textbook definition of "dodging a question."
Regardless of polling results, why are you shining an even brighter spotlight on this guy. Is it necessary to write a column on a cartoon character? "All the News That's Fit to Print" - seriously? I can see it now...T.R.U.M.P. on top of what is now called the White House.
5
Terrific...another inspiring article from pseudo-conservative Wehner. A real fraud.
Neither Jeb! nor Trump will get the GOP nod. But at least Trump has injected into this race what was sorely missed. He's done in one presser what Jeff Sessions has said for years: We are importing, knowingly and unknowingly at times, Mexico's poor, and Mexico's criminals and "not always their best". Drug cartels, losing profit due to legalisation of pot and other factors, are now changing their business model: They are now into kidnapping and human smuggling! They behead more people than ISIS. On our border.
So stop the insanity...and face reality. We are being invaded and are under siege by ILLEGALS. Open cities are killing us. Build the wall.
Neither Jeb! nor Trump will get the GOP nod. But at least Trump has injected into this race what was sorely missed. He's done in one presser what Jeff Sessions has said for years: We are importing, knowingly and unknowingly at times, Mexico's poor, and Mexico's criminals and "not always their best". Drug cartels, losing profit due to legalisation of pot and other factors, are now changing their business model: They are now into kidnapping and human smuggling! They behead more people than ISIS. On our border.
So stop the insanity...and face reality. We are being invaded and are under siege by ILLEGALS. Open cities are killing us. Build the wall.
8
Trump is no more or less ignorant, racist or delusional than any of the other inmates of the current republican asylum.
A Viet Nam draft dodger himself, Trumps talks the pretend macho, empty rhetoric for perpetual war like the other republican draft dodging cowards, Bush, Cheney, Rove, Limbaugh, Romney, Gingrich, Perry.
In his favor, Trump, unlike Third Bush, never corrupted a Presidential election, which led to the appointment of his brother who became the worst President in US history, an actual war criminal who made torture USG policy, who subcontracted torture to, among others, Bashar al Assad of Syria.
A Viet Nam draft dodger himself, Trumps talks the pretend macho, empty rhetoric for perpetual war like the other republican draft dodging cowards, Bush, Cheney, Rove, Limbaugh, Romney, Gingrich, Perry.
In his favor, Trump, unlike Third Bush, never corrupted a Presidential election, which led to the appointment of his brother who became the worst President in US history, an actual war criminal who made torture USG policy, who subcontracted torture to, among others, Bashar al Assad of Syria.
17
That’s the second anti-Trump OpEd in one NYT issue! Amazing.
I’m always entertained by the oh-so-caring liberals from the NYTimes that care so much about the image of the Republican party. That’s it: presumably, the RNC should hire a few liberal apparatchiks -- that hate Republicans most -- to save the Republican Party from itself. Very realistic and credible. Right?
I do agree on one thing: Trump isn’t quite a Republican and he is a bull in the proverbial China shop. But he does point to issues that the liberals would rather ignore or disguise: the invasion by the illegals, which on the liberal screen registers only as “immigration.” He does point to violent crime committed by the illegals, challenging all the liberal white-wash about how the illegals allegedly are even more law-abiding than US citizens!
Is Trump “bigoted?” No more bigoted than the racist La Raza that keeps on agitating to open the borders wider for millions of their brethren illegals. There’s even a Hispanic slogan: por la raza todo, fuerra de la raza nada (for those within the race everything, for those outside – nothing. Apparently, they haven’t heard that Hispanic isn’t truly a race, certainly not one particular race. But it is an identity.)
And yet, the NYTimes has condemned neither La Raza nor the politicians, both Republican and Democrats, that cater to La Raza and that go to kiss their ring in the ritual of pre-election fawning, rolling, and begging.
I’m always entertained by the oh-so-caring liberals from the NYTimes that care so much about the image of the Republican party. That’s it: presumably, the RNC should hire a few liberal apparatchiks -- that hate Republicans most -- to save the Republican Party from itself. Very realistic and credible. Right?
I do agree on one thing: Trump isn’t quite a Republican and he is a bull in the proverbial China shop. But he does point to issues that the liberals would rather ignore or disguise: the invasion by the illegals, which on the liberal screen registers only as “immigration.” He does point to violent crime committed by the illegals, challenging all the liberal white-wash about how the illegals allegedly are even more law-abiding than US citizens!
Is Trump “bigoted?” No more bigoted than the racist La Raza that keeps on agitating to open the borders wider for millions of their brethren illegals. There’s even a Hispanic slogan: por la raza todo, fuerra de la raza nada (for those within the race everything, for those outside – nothing. Apparently, they haven’t heard that Hispanic isn’t truly a race, certainly not one particular race. But it is an identity.)
And yet, the NYTimes has condemned neither La Raza nor the politicians, both Republican and Democrats, that cater to La Raza and that go to kiss their ring in the ritual of pre-election fawning, rolling, and begging.
6
This op-ed was written by a self-described conservative who served in three Republican administrations.
3
-- "This op-ed was written by a self-described conservative who served in three Republican administrations."
If so, then this points to the meaninglessness of mere labels.
Would you uncritically accept someone labeling himself as a Martian?
If so, then this points to the meaninglessness of mere labels.
Would you uncritically accept someone labeling himself as a Martian?
For the last two election cycles, the Republicans have been trapped in a middle school playground. Looking at the current slate of candidates, it is time for the party to get some adult supervision on the playground and send some candidates to the principal's office. Of course, whoever remains, will still remain on the playground of ideas and policies.
13
Trump is as smart as any candidate. He is highly skilled and experienced in negotiating and obtaining results. His expression is sometimes over the line but his fundamental ideas are not. He is pompous and masterfully self promoting but not a plutocrat. Much of commentary about him is essentially superficial and anti Republican but as has been pointed out Trump is really not aligned with the regressive values of the Republicans.
3
There's a fantasy that business leaders can make great politicians because they can get things done, but CEOs actually make terrible politicians because they're used to issuing orders and not dealing with the equivalent of Congress.
And if Trump is such a good business leader, then how did he not anticipate that his racist, over-the-top comments would cause him to lose business from NBC, Univision, Macy's and others?
Trump thinks that tough talk works, but in reality, he would alienate the rest of the world from the U.S. far more than they are today. And he would accomplish nothing because neither a Democratic not a Republican Congress would cooperate with him.
We should be embarrassed that this circus clown is even in the race.
And if Trump is such a good business leader, then how did he not anticipate that his racist, over-the-top comments would cause him to lose business from NBC, Univision, Macy's and others?
Trump thinks that tough talk works, but in reality, he would alienate the rest of the world from the U.S. far more than they are today. And he would accomplish nothing because neither a Democratic not a Republican Congress would cooperate with him.
We should be embarrassed that this circus clown is even in the race.
"Fundamental ideas?" An example, please, of a fundamental idea that hasn't been discussed for some time. Illegal aliens? Obama pushed the GOP-led House to move on that issue, and they refused. Their motto is "let everything go bad and blame Obama."
His experience consists of inheriting money and declaring bankruptcy. Not useful.
3
If the GOP were honest, they would replace that elephant a stylized Trump as their logo. He has no ideas of his own, seeing fit instead to rant and rave about whatever crosses his field of vision. Such are his delusions of grandeur that nearly half the net worth he claims is taken up by the $3.3B value that he unilaterally ascribed to his name and likeness. He has repeatedly used the bankruptcy system (which is of course a legalistic avenue to debt relief that has been all but closed to mere mortals thanks to our Republican friends) to save his business from annihilation, but complains that Big Bad Government is no friend to businessmen and that Those People are always taking advantage of its protections.
Trump absolutely speaks for the GOP. If he doesn't speak for America (God knows he doesn't speak for me) then it's pretty clear the Republicans don't either.
Trump absolutely speaks for the GOP. If he doesn't speak for America (God knows he doesn't speak for me) then it's pretty clear the Republicans don't either.
14
Speaking of logos and branding, why so eager to take up their "Grand Old Party" branding statement? Do you think them grand, or are you just lazy?
One has to ask what kind of person would admire Trump, and think that his comments are "refreshing" "honest speaking" or anything else that is positive about bigoted and racist remarks.
Perhaps we need to look at why they think Trump would actually be worthy of being POTUS. The economy and the job market hasn't been kind, especially to those on the lower rungs of the ladder. They feel that their chances have been narrowed because of circumstances which have favored people who should not be in the country. But when facts are looked at clearly, many of the jobs that have been lost are due to the companies trying to gain more profit by letting people go and making those in the company work more and harder to cover those lost jobs.
College graduates are often riddled with debt for that education, and they have difficulty finding the kind of jobs that the education will be useful for.
However, I don't believe these young people are supporters of Trump, but some of their parents are because of anger at what they see as the American dream just not being there. Instead of blaming all the very complicated issues ---- a never-ending war, political gridlock and divisivesness, economic downturn and companies that have held off hiring in the hopes that they can keep profits higher and overhead low, and far more issues.
Trump appeals to those who think small, local, and about their own personal issues as being paramount.
Perhaps we need to look at why they think Trump would actually be worthy of being POTUS. The economy and the job market hasn't been kind, especially to those on the lower rungs of the ladder. They feel that their chances have been narrowed because of circumstances which have favored people who should not be in the country. But when facts are looked at clearly, many of the jobs that have been lost are due to the companies trying to gain more profit by letting people go and making those in the company work more and harder to cover those lost jobs.
College graduates are often riddled with debt for that education, and they have difficulty finding the kind of jobs that the education will be useful for.
However, I don't believe these young people are supporters of Trump, but some of their parents are because of anger at what they see as the American dream just not being there. Instead of blaming all the very complicated issues ---- a never-ending war, political gridlock and divisivesness, economic downturn and companies that have held off hiring in the hopes that they can keep profits higher and overhead low, and far more issues.
Trump appeals to those who think small, local, and about their own personal issues as being paramount.
7
All Trump has is attitude, and as he learned from running a TV show, attitude is everything. Trump did not 'discover his Republican roots;' he discovered an almost limitless source of fuel in which he could flourish in our Fox-driven news/entertainment industry.
We provide the oxygen by which Trump huffs and puffs and blusters his way to fame and celebrity. The presidency is now just another step on that ladder to notoriety.
It is not that Trump is not serious: it is we who have ceased to be serious. It is we who have made this second act for a failure-prone businessman possible. He is just a mirror — a carnival mirror that entertains by providing a distorted (but actually not too distorted) reflection of ourselves at our worst.
We provide the oxygen by which Trump huffs and puffs and blusters his way to fame and celebrity. The presidency is now just another step on that ladder to notoriety.
It is not that Trump is not serious: it is we who have ceased to be serious. It is we who have made this second act for a failure-prone businessman possible. He is just a mirror — a carnival mirror that entertains by providing a distorted (but actually not too distorted) reflection of ourselves at our worst.
14
This guy is a clown. It is an indictment of our presidential election process that someone of his ilk can get serious exposure in such an important race, regardless of party affiliation. The only silver lining is that it is also a validation of our democratic process that everyone gets a voice and can support whom they want in an election. The fourth branch of government will provide an ample check on his accent if he gains true momentum beyond early polls.
4
"the fact that Mr. Trump is a genius at drawing the spotlight to himself."is false. Trump just has more free speech than his rivals. Since money is speech any idiot with lots of money can carve a niche for themselves in politics. Inequality creates many opportunities for the corrupt and stupid. Americans must consider the fact that wealth does not confer intelligence. The richest American does not make that person the best President. Support of a candidate by the richest person does not guarantee the best President.
Republicans have to embrace Trump or lose his supporters. It would be best for America, if Donald started his own party throwing the race to the Democrats and expelling the lunatics from the Republican party once and for all. Short of that, Trump will clarify what being a Republican means: dangerous.
Republicans have to embrace Trump or lose his supporters. It would be best for America, if Donald started his own party throwing the race to the Democrats and expelling the lunatics from the Republican party once and for all. Short of that, Trump will clarify what being a Republican means: dangerous.
7
True -- but 'bought' speech pays off only when someone listens. He has a niche because we are listening. This is gladiator politics, in which it is not enough to win; the gladiator must make a show. Are you not entertained?
Though I do not like many things about Donald Trump, he often hits on the truth. Illegal immigration needs to be dealt with. The societal woes we will experience by not addressing this problem are going to be massive and great. That does not make me a racist, but a concerned citizen. Immigration is wonderful and necessary for our country. However, it needs to be controlled in an orderly manner. For example, how well will our schools be able operate when over half of the kids do not speak english? (Fairfax schools in Virginia) How can we keep our country safe, if we do not know who is coming into our country? These are the questions that need to be addressed without the partisan rhetoric. Donald Trump brought this issue front and center and the reaction to him highlights how difficult this will be to resolve.
3
Without the color-coded, candy-coated Terror Index, it's just so hard to know who to fear, and how much, these days.
From the Fairfax County Public Schools Website:
http://www.fcps.edu/about/
(1) Projected Enrollment: 2014 - 15 total projected: 186,785,
(2) English for Speakers of Other languages (ESOL) students: 28,870
Therefore, ESOL students represent about 15.5% of the student population, not 50%.
At least get your facts right.
http://www.fcps.edu/about/
(1) Projected Enrollment: 2014 - 15 total projected: 186,785,
(2) English for Speakers of Other languages (ESOL) students: 28,870
Therefore, ESOL students represent about 15.5% of the student population, not 50%.
At least get your facts right.
Reading between the lines it appears to me the author of this piece is far less offended by Trump's bigoted bloviating and nativist pandering than he is by Trump's previous support for egalitarian policies.
Single payer healthcare, taxes on extreme wealth, pro choice. How dare Trump betray the conservative values of self interest and the delusion of rugged individualism?
Next thing you know Trump will claim we all contributed to building a prosperous America and take the rightful credit from the bold, risk taking capitalist entrepreneurs who pulled themselves up from their bootstraps.
It's okay to be a bigot. One must learn to temper it and communicate in code, but to hold views suggesting belief in the public good, in the utility of government to benefit it's citizens and promote the general welfare?
That, my friends, is apostasy and treason to conservative orthodoxy.
Talk about offensive!
Single payer healthcare, taxes on extreme wealth, pro choice. How dare Trump betray the conservative values of self interest and the delusion of rugged individualism?
Next thing you know Trump will claim we all contributed to building a prosperous America and take the rightful credit from the bold, risk taking capitalist entrepreneurs who pulled themselves up from their bootstraps.
It's okay to be a bigot. One must learn to temper it and communicate in code, but to hold views suggesting belief in the public good, in the utility of government to benefit it's citizens and promote the general welfare?
That, my friends, is apostasy and treason to conservative orthodoxy.
Talk about offensive!
8
Donald Trump doesn't really have an ideology. He mainly wants attention, and he's figured out that the best way to get it is by making provocative, inflammatory comments. He shrewdly deduced that the Republican party provides the ideal platform for his act--after all, how much attention would he garner if he bombastically argued for single-payer health care, a better social safety net, more aggressive action on climate change, less military spending, reduced inequality, etc.?
Yes, he has a superficial command of policy, engages in name-calling instead of serious debate, and seems to live in a fantasy world when it comes to understanding how the political system works. And he's now polling second among Republicans.
That should worry Peter Wehner more than the fact that Donald Trump isn't conservative enough.
Yes, he has a superficial command of policy, engages in name-calling instead of serious debate, and seems to live in a fantasy world when it comes to understanding how the political system works. And he's now polling second among Republicans.
That should worry Peter Wehner more than the fact that Donald Trump isn't conservative enough.
47
Needless to say Wehner a long time and very extreme Republican propagandist is horrified the Donald is saying what many Republicans actually believe. Most of the criticisms he applies to Trump could be applied to most if not all of the other Republican candidates. Of course their outrageous policy statements about racism, global warming, war making, women's rights et al draw less attention and he can hardly condemn them all.
227
Please explain. What outrageous policy statements about racism and the global warming thing isn't even called that anymore. It's weather change now. Is that because there has been no temperature change or proof that it is man made? Racism is what the democrat party is.
1
@ jacrane
Actually it's sometimes called climate change NOT weather change. Weather is something entirely different from prevailing climates. But never mind.
Actually it's sometimes called climate change NOT weather change. Weather is something entirely different from prevailing climates. But never mind.
Donald Trump is not a serious candidate but an exhibitionist attention seeker. He's a Kim Kardashian candidate who is simply playing for the spotlight. Perhaps, too, he's got delusions of grandeur as evidenced by his slapping his name in enormous letter on everything he can get his hands on. After is serial bankruptcies perhaps there should be a Trump Courthouse.
98
I am old enough to know that Ronald Reagan, a B-actor, did and said the same kinds of things as Trump. Republicans are always on the lookout for politicians to say and do what they think. Liberals, like myself, should be wary of Trump because his statement about Mexicans is the verbal equivalent of Reagan's selection of a site four miles away from the Freedom Riders assassinations to convey the same message, i.e. 'I am one of you'. These types know well the magic words that inflame and excite the old white men in our society who don't want to share the largesse of our nation's good fortune with others.
Does Trump have the ability to reflect seriously on what he thinks and says, or has he ever demonstrated that he can quietly and thoughtfully think about anything? I cannot ever recollect seeing him do so in his thousands of belligerent public appearances.
A new twist on the old debates: blame former Democrats for infecting the Republican party with racism!
78
Trump is simply saying the things that so many in the Republican base like to hear. It is awful yes, but he is just a huckster salesman, he saying anything that other Republican conservatives haven't already said. Remember the cheers that "let him die" (the hypothetical patient that couldn't afford medical care) got in the 2012 Republican debates. Republicans need to look themselves in the mirror and admit "this is who we are" and then seek some professional help..
570
"Remember the cheers that "let him die" (the hypothetical patient that couldn't afford medical care) got in the 2012 Republican debates."
Let's also remember the person who said that didn't win.
Let's also remember the person who said that didn't win.
21
Or, like Cheney, Rumsfeld, and (yes!) Jeb!, be sent to war crimes trials for their involvement in the Project for the New American Century, the nice folks who brought up 9/11 (as a necessary condition precedent to) invading Iraq, and a $3 trillion deficit they refuse to help in cleaning up.
4
Exactly. Wehner focuses on Trump, but should tell his party to get its house in order. If Trump abandoned the Democratic Party, as Wehner says, it can only be because he knows his obnoxious views would be welcomed by the GOP base. I hate to break it to Mr. Wehner, but the voices of reason have long since lost control of the Republican Party, and they won't be getting it back any time soon.
2
A majority of American families have a nuclear or extended member who sounds just like Donald Trump. He's the loud one at the dinner or BBQ. He's the one who dominates the conversations at a neighborhood bar. He's the bully. Americans love him. That's why people like Hannity, O'Reilly, Limbaugh, Coulter, and Savage do so great in the media. It's the formula for the success of blowhard politicians like Chris Christie and Ted Cruz. Don't underestimate the Donald. Americans love brash, loud, unreasonable, and obnoxious. Substance, unfortunately, takes a back seat to these traits.
358
If he gets elected, I'm moving to Antarctica.
It is a pity that this is what our great country has become. I'm embarrassed to be an American.
>
Trump is just the GOP id unleashed and exposed.
Trump is just the GOP id unleashed and exposed.
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And what's G about that?
Stop carrying their water.
Stop building their brand.
Just type the letter R. We'll know what you mean. Honest.
Stop carrying their water.
Stop building their brand.
Just type the letter R. We'll know what you mean. Honest.
Excellent. You said in 9 words what took me 300!
i was just about to write exactly the same thing, thanks!
I think he will nominate himself to be his vice presidential running mate because there is "nobody better".
87
If I was a liberal Democrat, I would contribute money to Trump and the Tea Party activists. By forcing Republican candidates to take far right positions, they are basically guaranteeing a Democratic victory in 2016. Had the Mitt Romney who was the moderate governor of Massachusetts run against Obama in 2012, he would have captured enough of the "center" voters who are the key to victory these days. But in order to win the nomination he had to make too many concessions to the far right, and this cost him the election. When will the Tea Party learn that ideological purity is not a formula for victory in a pluralist democracy?
35
Never. To them, the only reason they lose is because they're not pure enough, not conservative enough, not loud enough, didn't pray enough, and believe that if they just do more of what they were doing before only with greater intensity (and money), that sooner or later, they will emerge victorious.
You Republicans opened the door with the choice of Sarah Palin. And you continue to encourage the basest impulses of your base. You can call on conservatives to confront Trump all you want, but he's the other side of your base: a billionaire. In fact, he exemplifies everything about the GOP today. He should get the party's nomination. He is what the party has become.
Good luck in the general election, by the way!
Good luck in the general election, by the way!
522
This is how I personally know Trump is doing something right. Liberals hate him like they hate Sarah Palin....the populism they possess.
"he's the other side of your base: a billionaire"
What a joke. The Democrat party gets a lot of support from billionaires too. George Soros ring a bell? Billionaires are not in one camp or the other they are too busy playing both sides to their advantage.
What a joke. The Democrat party gets a lot of support from billionaires too. George Soros ring a bell? Billionaires are not in one camp or the other they are too busy playing both sides to their advantage.
I like the breath of air the Donald carries with him, as though a vacuum follows him and when the lights are on so is Donald Trump.
The traditional politicians we are so very used to don't get it done. Either they were part of the problem to begin with or they are so beholden to financial backers they have to recluse themselves from making decisions.
I believe we all know intrinsically what is right and what is wrong, yes Donald is very opinionated, yes he is brash, yes he says whats on his mind sometimes too quickly. However, at least he is someone taking a stand, making comments that excite people, that enrage a few. Shouldn't our elections have a little personality and fire to them.
The traditional politicians we are so very used to don't get it done. Either they were part of the problem to begin with or they are so beholden to financial backers they have to recluse themselves from making decisions.
I believe we all know intrinsically what is right and what is wrong, yes Donald is very opinionated, yes he is brash, yes he says whats on his mind sometimes too quickly. However, at least he is someone taking a stand, making comments that excite people, that enrage a few. Shouldn't our elections have a little personality and fire to them.
13
Well actually no. We need, calm, steady heads, good ideas, slow and thoughtful follow through.
4
So you would like a President who takes a stand for racism? This is the same garbage that people used to say about Jesse Helms - "he speaks his mind!" Yes, and it was the mind of a racist and a homophobe.
10
Trump is an ignorant loudmouth. The fact that he has "personality" doesn't erase the fact that he has nothing to offer this country in terms of leadership. The fact that people like you can't seem to see that is the biggest problem with our political system today.
2
Seeing as how Trump will get tough on both the Mexicans and the Chinese, he must tell us how he will get the Chinese to build a Great Wall around Mexico and get them both to pay for it.
57
Donald adds some flavor to the proceedings. The rest of the candidates on both sides keep telling the same old party lines.
Trump is like the first act who fires up the audience before the show begins.
Let him keep talking.
Trump is like the first act who fires up the audience before the show begins.
Let him keep talking.
9
Flavor, you mean like rotten eggs?
Wehner sounds like Blanche DuBois
Appalled at the Donald's hoopla
He's Clear Channel live
That stirs up the hive
They goosestep and chorus "Oh ja!"
(Apologies to LE)
Appalled at the Donald's hoopla
He's Clear Channel live
That stirs up the hive
They goosestep and chorus "Oh ja!"
(Apologies to LE)
18
Trump has led in polls before, during previous election cycles. Against both Mitt Romney and President Obama.
Ho hum.
Ho hum.
14
As I just said on the previous Op Ed piece, Trump comes across as a person rich enough to give the finger to the suffocating donor driven politics across many world nations. He is very unsuitable but as we live with everyone else being unsuitable we might as well look at a figure who will, it seems be his own man, grotesque though that be.
9
If we get the government we deserve, then it goes without saying that we get the candidates we deserve. If you liked Sarah Palin, you'll love Donald Trump. I can't think of a better petri dish for this brand of mold to grow in.
172
But he knows to never underestimate the intelligence of a huge block of voters... He's a sad caricature who somehow even has his own TV show, where he leads the many who are only too happy to devolve to the comforts of bias, hate and stupidity.
11
Slight correction please. He 'had' his own TV show.
1
So far this country has not had any real leaders. Every single president had to answer to other people on each and every one of the major issues. They would sit in the Oval Office and wait until they were 'briefed' each morning, so they they would know what to do. Most all the recent presidents did like that, and anything else they did was based on their 'philosophy', and whether they cared about the country. We need presidents who care about the country, and not whether they are liked or whether people think they are being a good president, meaning they convince people to believe in their policies whatever they are. Few people can even know what those policies are anymore, what with the smokescreen that the media puts up. If a president can stop simply sitting there and being a virtual puppet to forces behind the scenes, including of course those 'political machines' that got them elected, then at least he has a chance to be an actual president, and possibly even a leader and a 'statesman'. Otherwise there is just an act going on, and no wonder nothing is resolved on anything.
4
Wow, Trump dominating all the TV news shows, and now 2 op ed columns today. He craves attention and getting it. I’m relieved DT switched his positions to Gop rw radical, so the Dems are at least relived of that burden.
Most of the Gop candidates are just as irrational and dangerous in their views, but just not as crude and offensive. They use our Constitution and founding ideals to mean whatever they want, to justify the power of a ‘superior’ class of corporate elites over the inferior masses. That’s you and me.
With DT, the full impact of the Gop irrationality is given uninhibited expression.
Just pick from any of the absurd Gop positions on most issues, and translate into crude, arrogant “Trump Talk”. The Gop disrespects the majority, and believes the richest elites should rule. Their language is less insulting, but it is obvious the Gop thinks the US population is mostly ‘losers, jerks and dummies', at least judging by the Gop’s abusive, contemptuous policies.
Cloaked in pious excuses, they send our job away, let h/c and education costs soar beyond the reach of most, keep wages down, expand the prison population to the world’s highest, try to forbid abortion and even contraception, and impose religious views on a nation of church/state separation. Then tell us all this is ‘good’ for freedom, liberty and the American character. All in very nice language.
The Repubs are all dangerous. They’re buying off our govt, and calling it ‘free speech’.
Most of the Gop candidates are just as irrational and dangerous in their views, but just not as crude and offensive. They use our Constitution and founding ideals to mean whatever they want, to justify the power of a ‘superior’ class of corporate elites over the inferior masses. That’s you and me.
With DT, the full impact of the Gop irrationality is given uninhibited expression.
Just pick from any of the absurd Gop positions on most issues, and translate into crude, arrogant “Trump Talk”. The Gop disrespects the majority, and believes the richest elites should rule. Their language is less insulting, but it is obvious the Gop thinks the US population is mostly ‘losers, jerks and dummies', at least judging by the Gop’s abusive, contemptuous policies.
Cloaked in pious excuses, they send our job away, let h/c and education costs soar beyond the reach of most, keep wages down, expand the prison population to the world’s highest, try to forbid abortion and even contraception, and impose religious views on a nation of church/state separation. Then tell us all this is ‘good’ for freedom, liberty and the American character. All in very nice language.
The Repubs are all dangerous. They’re buying off our govt, and calling it ‘free speech’.
255
And DP's crudeness is simply making the other GOP candidates appear "reasonable" (which they're not).
Maybe he should run for governor of Maine; he sounds a lot like the one we have now.
27
@ Bill Wilkerson "Maybe he should run for governor of Maine; he sounds a lot like the one we have now."
If that doesn't work out, he can always come to SC. We delight in sending clowns, such as him, to Washington so they can perform on the national stage.
If that doesn't work out, he can always come to SC. We delight in sending clowns, such as him, to Washington so they can perform on the national stage.
1
"He was the most prominent person in America pushing the theory that President Obama — a “psycho!” and “maybe” a Muslim — might not be a natural-born American citizen." Umm, a theory is based on some sort of evidence. Mr.Trump was pushing an unhinged fantasy.
153
For the Peter Wehner's and David Brook's and all people of good will, few as they may be, who call themselves conservative and Republican, it's time to admit the hard truth: that your movement and party were hijacked long ago or were always a front for the richest Americans and the biggest corporations.
For the last 30 years, as conservative Republicanism went from cutting taxes and small government to its incarnation to eliminate the capital gains and inheritance taxes (which only the wealthy pay) and the Federal Government will outlaw Christianity and gun possession, you have lost the middle class and the politically moderate and you have had to swerve rightward and garnered Confederates, conspiracy theorists, and fear mongers.
Abetted by FOX, your presidential candidates have sold their souls to wacko billionaires (the sanest, ironically, are the Koch's; all they want to do is make the planet uninhabitable). Sooner or later, one of these nuts would want to drive the clown car himself. You are reaping what you have sewn, and it's why your movement and your party are dying. RIP.
For the last 30 years, as conservative Republicanism went from cutting taxes and small government to its incarnation to eliminate the capital gains and inheritance taxes (which only the wealthy pay) and the Federal Government will outlaw Christianity and gun possession, you have lost the middle class and the politically moderate and you have had to swerve rightward and garnered Confederates, conspiracy theorists, and fear mongers.
Abetted by FOX, your presidential candidates have sold their souls to wacko billionaires (the sanest, ironically, are the Koch's; all they want to do is make the planet uninhabitable). Sooner or later, one of these nuts would want to drive the clown car himself. You are reaping what you have sewn, and it's why your movement and your party are dying. RIP.
219
Very good rant. I particularly like the "driving the clown car" reference. But with control of both houses, the Republican's are hardly dying, are they?
There remains a very strong and widespread distrust of the federal government in the United States. Middle class Republicans may have doubts about the party's presidential candidates, but is there any sign they are about to abandon their congressional representatives? I don't think so. Trump will fade, a more moderate candidate will emerge, the GOP will keep going.
There remains a very strong and widespread distrust of the federal government in the United States. Middle class Republicans may have doubts about the party's presidential candidates, but is there any sign they are about to abandon their congressional representatives? I don't think so. Trump will fade, a more moderate candidate will emerge, the GOP will keep going.
Mike in Manhattan --
Your understanding of Republicans is as skewed as the image of Democrats presented by Fox News.
Considering that about half the voters in the country identify as Republicans, can we really all be "Confederates, conspiracy theorists, and fear mongers?"
This Republican is or was a member of the Nature Conservancy, Southern Poverty Law Center, and ACLU. And the NRA, JPFO and the David Horowitz Freedom Center.
You might want to retire your paint roller. It's reflexive, shallow thinking that mistakenly paints us all the same.
Your understanding of Republicans is as skewed as the image of Democrats presented by Fox News.
Considering that about half the voters in the country identify as Republicans, can we really all be "Confederates, conspiracy theorists, and fear mongers?"
This Republican is or was a member of the Nature Conservancy, Southern Poverty Law Center, and ACLU. And the NRA, JPFO and the David Horowitz Freedom Center.
You might want to retire your paint roller. It's reflexive, shallow thinking that mistakenly paints us all the same.
I think the attitude of Democrats should be: " we gladly offer Donald Trump as a present to the Republican Party. We hope you will find in him the gift that keeps on giving. Any party that can produce a Newt Gingrich should feel comfortable with The Donald. Both men have interesting marital histories that should qualify them as spokesmen for the anti-gay alliance. But since Newt's sell-by date has long since come and gone, we humbly offer you this replacement who will certainly enliven your debates P.S. He will merit his very own clown car."
27
Here's my dream presidential race match up-- Donald Trump vs Bernie Sanders. It's not as far fetched as it may sound because both candidates have something in common--Trump and Sanders have succeeded in tapping into voter discontent. For Trump the problem facing America revolves around illegal immigration whereas Sanders wants to help ordinary Americans who haven't been given a fair shake in decades. One big complaint among Times bloggers is that presidential candidates are boring corrupt interchangeable cookie cutter cut outs. It's like being given a choice Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum every four or eight years. Also Sanders and Trump are not your typical mainstream candidates. Bernie Sanders is an avowed Socialist and Donald Trump is a self promoting billionaire with an ego the size of the Titanic. Isn't that what everyone who blogs here wants--candidates who speak their mind without relying on canned speeches appearing on their teleprompters??? Let's face it--does anyone here really want another Bush vs Clinton presidential race which would only be a rerun of 1992?? So stop panicking--a Donald Trump/Bernie Sanders presidential contest is just what America needs.
36
And would you be happy with Trump beeping the winner?
Wish I could give this 1000 likes! I really like both candidates, would never cast a vote for Hillary or any of the Repubs other than possibly Rand. This would be a blast to watch these 2 duke it out, I honestly would vote for either one.
1
Texan I would be very happy if Trump won.
Once again the American electorate has proven that they cannot, and will not, handle the truth. Yes, Trump's language is course, unfocused but its substance is true. Time and time again, the American electorate has proven its ability to be just plain stupid, whether it be entitlements, O'care or immigration. The political class depends on it. Never shall truth and honesty be tolerated in political discourse. Like Greece, truth is not wanted, so you get the government you deserve, one that is dishonest, untruthful and corrupt.
61
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black
9
Like the government that occupied Afghanistan, the Graveyard of Empires, and, first thing, allowed bin Laden to sashay, unmolested, out of Tora Bora?
The government that unleashed The Charge of The Fools Brigade into Iraq, wasting the lives of 4,489 GI's? Slaughtered 600-800,000 Iraqis? Made torture USG policy? The government that subcontracted torture to, among others, Bashar al Assad of Syria?
The government that gave a no bid cost plus contract to one of it's own members?
The government that unleashed The Charge of The Fools Brigade into Iraq, wasting the lives of 4,489 GI's? Slaughtered 600-800,000 Iraqis? Made torture USG policy? The government that subcontracted torture to, among others, Bashar al Assad of Syria?
The government that gave a no bid cost plus contract to one of it's own members?
14
Sorry, but Trump and "substance" don't belong in the same sentence, let alone the same comment. If you think Donald Trump belongs in the White House, you're simply a fool.
12
That's impossible because all GOP "candidates" reflect each other with few real differences.
6
If Ted Cruz likes Trump that says it all --- The buffoon embraces the clown ..
55
"Some of this is attributable to the fact that Mr. Trump is a genius at drawing the spotlight to himself."
Being provocative is "genius?" Any child who wants to draw attention to itself knows this trick instinctively.
If Trump's a genius, then so are Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Caitlyn Jenner, the Duggars, etc.
Trump's "genius" is everyone else's ignorance, stupidity and cowardice.
Being provocative is "genius?" Any child who wants to draw attention to itself knows this trick instinctively.
If Trump's a genius, then so are Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Caitlyn Jenner, the Duggars, etc.
Trump's "genius" is everyone else's ignorance, stupidity and cowardice.
66
And I agree--Trump's behavior is precisely that of a spoiled, demanding child who always has to be in the spotlight, right or wrong. Trump never grew up.
2
Kim Kardashian and the Duggars may seem creepy to you, but they are geniuses in that they took what they have (whatever we may think it is) and turned it into a multi-million dollar business. Put plainly do you think the kids of all the pooh-pooh-ers will be better provided for than North west? And if you are going to breed like rabbits and have 19 kids, what better way to raise money for the venture and laugh all the way to the bank than the Duggars, their creepiness notwithstanding. Look at it this way, they get to live with their dollar bills everyday for the rest of their lives (good money managers will make sure of that), and they never will spend more than a few moments passing us tut-tutters in an airport as they rush past us to their private planes while we sweat and grumble about legroom and luggage space.
That's genius.
That's genius.
1
Trump is a very smart businessman. You guys just don't get it. You are looking to only root for politicians, who are very corrupt. Trump will never be a corrupt President. He will never send his family to Paris for shopping,like Obama did, on tax payer's money, no sooner he gets elected. He is not an upstart. He is not dying for photo ops. He is an expert in making excellent deals. He will never have the likes of John Jerry as Secretary of State who has weak legs to start with. He will provide more employment to us than any other president. Trump with likes of Opra as the V. P. is the team one can call "Made in heaven" So I say, back off.
4
Sorry to burst your conservative bubble, but it was Jeb Bush's wife who went shopping in Paris & then lied to immigration authorities so she wouldn't have to pay the duty fees required, not President Obama's wife.
14
@ Madigan "Trump is a very smart businessman"
So why has he had to declare bankruptcy so many times? At least 4, isn't it? And what about the people he owed money to when he declared bankruptcy? How much of their money did they get back from him?
I read recently that if Trump had taken the large inheritance he received from his dad and simply put it in the bank and left it, rather than playing around with it,, he would actually be richer now.
So why has he had to declare bankruptcy so many times? At least 4, isn't it? And what about the people he owed money to when he declared bankruptcy? How much of their money did they get back from him?
I read recently that if Trump had taken the large inheritance he received from his dad and simply put it in the bank and left it, rather than playing around with it,, he would actually be richer now.
13
Thanks for sharing the product of your overactive imagination with us.
5
Aw c'mon, The Donald is the gift to the Dems that keeps on giving & giving. Keep on truckin', Trump, you're worth the price of admission, which so far costs us nada. The GOP needs a jerk like you to keep the other clowns on their toes & off their butts. You are huge, Donald, simply huge.
30
Raymond, I laugh....and you too sir, are huge!
1
What is odd about this column is that it was even written. In the real world (i.e. outside of republican politics) Trump is little more than a joke that might encourage a snicker of ridicule. He has no chance - zero - of ever being a political force in America. That a paper like the Times would even waste space pointing out how ridiculous he is seems bizarre. Let us hope the Workers' Party and Green candidates get similar treatment, since their odds are pretty much the same as Trump.
91
Exactly. Trump's real message is "LOOK AT MEEEE!" and yeah we see you, Donald.
Exactly what I tried to express, if not as well, in another comment.
I've long thought the Times editors are shameless in their partiality. Articles like this confirm it.
I've long thought the Times editors are shameless in their partiality. Articles like this confirm it.
From your description, I can see why Trump changed parties. He fits right in with today's GOP, a party whose "policies" benefit the few at the expense of the masses, and which excels at demagoguery to garner the votes of the paranoid, racist, and ignorant whose true interests it will then trample. And Trump is, as you describe, a master demagogue.
82
That Trump is second to Jeb Bush only goes to show how low the GOP has sunk that it can't even manage to produce a couple of decent candidates for itself. Bush' campaign platform, so far, is not that much different from anything Trump has had to say. The only difference is in the kind of language each uses - not the content.
Marco Rubio is proposing relaxing the regulations for colleges for profit even further and wants college students to sell themselves to private investors.
After the massacre in Charleston none in that pack of candidates was able to come out and forcefully denounce white supremacy, instead, calling it an act against religion.
The GOP is the party of racism and plutocratic rule. Given what it takes to win a GOP primary, it doesn't matter which one of them gets the party's nomination. Not one of them will be able to pivot away from an entire year of spewing lunacy and hate.
Marco Rubio is proposing relaxing the regulations for colleges for profit even further and wants college students to sell themselves to private investors.
After the massacre in Charleston none in that pack of candidates was able to come out and forcefully denounce white supremacy, instead, calling it an act against religion.
The GOP is the party of racism and plutocratic rule. Given what it takes to win a GOP primary, it doesn't matter which one of them gets the party's nomination. Not one of them will be able to pivot away from an entire year of spewing lunacy and hate.
447
Jeb! just can't call the Charleston Massacre a racist hate crime
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/06/jeb-just-cant-call-the-charlestonmassac...
Jeb! differentiated: not kinder or gentler, but just as unlettered (Scarlet letter) http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/06/jeb-differentiated-not-kinder-or-gentle...
Rubio's college proposal: http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/07/07/3677543/marco-rubios-econom...
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/06/jeb-just-cant-call-the-charlestonmassac...
Jeb! differentiated: not kinder or gentler, but just as unlettered (Scarlet letter) http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/06/jeb-differentiated-not-kinder-or-gentle...
Rubio's college proposal: http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/07/07/3677543/marco-rubios-econom...
11
QED!
8
"The GOP is the party of racism..."
Suggest you bone up on American history. You'll soon be singing a different tune.
Suggest you bone up on American history. You'll soon be singing a different tune.