David-
we don't need another anti-trump column.
We need you to take a stand and come out for Kasich.
we don't need another anti-trump column.
We need you to take a stand and come out for Kasich.
28
David, I feel very sorry for you.
33
It needs to be said again: in a conversation with Mark Shields in Jan of 2014 you said people "want a bully to go to Washington". It was about Chris Christie, but we see that matters not, today. Like most "mainstream" GOPers, y'all get who was wearing what sheep and wolf clothing when, conveniently mixed up. Et tu Mr Brooks.
68
This essay, like many you have written, is intellectual drivel, grasping at something, anything, that will somehow stop the voters from what, I suspect, you know in your heart. The elites in DC, on both sides of the isle, have told us much bigger lies than anything you could augment about Donald J Trump.
77
If Donald Trump did all the things you allege he did, but instead of being in jail he is running for president, while at the same time thousands of people are locked up forever for petty offenses, you are conceding that this country’s democracy is irreparably rotten. It is already too late because there is nothing to save, Mr. Brooks.
73
Trump is the distillation of the Republican philosophy, the embodiment of its zeitgeist. And you, Brooks, are part and parcel of Republicanism. You just had the foresight to jump out in front of these liars and racists with a phony "reasonableness," as they are now attempting to do; but, like them, you are a fraud. You are the Arlen Specter of the scriptorial world.
104
I and my fellow denizens out here in Commenter World can't thank you enough for finally opening our eyes to the truth about Donald Trump. Or was it you who just woke up?
70
"The betrayal of American workers when he decided to hire illegals." Please do not refer to people as 'illegals'?
42
If these are your "big guns" then you are in big trouble.
37
The Republican Party has spent the past 50 years working towards this moment. You guys can't turn this on a dime. But, you are admitting that you have a problem. Give a holler when you get to making amends.
82
It is also the big donors, the office holders , and the pundits such as David Brooks who have betrayed. If these people cannot come up with someone better qualified to be President than Marco Rubio , they have seriously betrayed the American people
72
Mr. Brooks, why are you a Republican today? What does it mean to be a Republican today? Help me see the future of the Republican brand.
45
Mr Brooks, the father of Donald Trump is Mitch McConnell and Donald's uncles are the Republican leadership since Nixon. Republicans like you have betrayed America's values out of unwillingness to publicly revolt against the betrayal of America's core principles. If you had courage, you would publicly repudiate the Republican Party for what it is today, by publicly disavowing the Republican Party and publicly supporting either the Democrats or a third party.
106
Nice try, David. But--Republicans took over the racist South from the Democrats, along with the urban working-class bigots, and, greased with unlimited corporate money and compliant media outlets (yes, alas, you too), thought you could build on that basis a viable national party. Now you've got to live with the result. . . ha!
88
So Mr Brooks, come election day and the choice is Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, who will you vote for? Please, tell us.
69
So, Mr. Brooks, will you support Trump if he is the nominee? Will you write a column , laced with false equivalencies, rationalizing why Clinton is worse than Trump?
83
Mr. Brooks, Romney should realize the Republican party has *its own* 47%, which is voting against G.O.P. elitists such as Romney himself.
47
Too bad, David. You've used the dog whistle for years and now the Doberman has turned on you. Reminds me of that old Columbo episode. Was/is fun to watch.
29
The Republican "big guns"? REALLY?? Mitt Romney??? -- This man wasn't even on point during his own Presidential campaign, and now he's supposed to avenge the G.O.P... against 'the Donald'?? Well, Good Luck with that!
The fact is, the Republicans have waited far too long in the game to try to turn it around, and in the interim their Party- brand has been besmirched, and betrayed for what it truly is; namely a Party of bigots, racists, and Reality Show rejects who think they'll "Make America Great Again" by building walls, and bombing the living daylights out of everyone else.
I know that Mr. Brooks must have had a hard time writing this, as he'll be the first to admit he never thought the Trump Presidential run would ever get this far. But guess what, Mr. Brooks. Neither did we.
The fact is, the Republicans have waited far too long in the game to try to turn it around, and in the interim their Party- brand has been besmirched, and betrayed for what it truly is; namely a Party of bigots, racists, and Reality Show rejects who think they'll "Make America Great Again" by building walls, and bombing the living daylights out of everyone else.
I know that Mr. Brooks must have had a hard time writing this, as he'll be the first to admit he never thought the Trump Presidential run would ever get this far. But guess what, Mr. Brooks. Neither did we.
42
The “Republican Party” was hardly the only silent observers of Trump’s brazen campaign. Where were the intellectuals? Where were the Editorials? Where are the business leaders? The only Media outlet (I can think of) that spoke up was the Huffington Post who relegated coverage of Trump to the Entertainment section. All the TV network “journalist” tried to play Trump with an eye toward their ratings. What anchor challenged Trump on facts?
Where was the innocent child to point and say “he doesn’t have any clothes”? It truly is that obvious.
Where was the innocent child to point and say “he doesn’t have any clothes”? It truly is that obvious.
38
"Trump’s ... inability to think for an extended time about anybody but himself."
Do you really think Rubio spends more than a minute or two each day thinking about someone other than Marco Rubio?
Well ... he may spend some time thinking about Norman Braman.
Do you really think Rubio spends more than a minute or two each day thinking about someone other than Marco Rubio?
Well ... he may spend some time thinking about Norman Braman.
29
Oh, please...
We all know this is all a sham coup to get Ryan The Cold onto the ballot without forcing him to be actually in the cesspool, hawking for the votes and backing.
This is a coup. The plan is to pull Ryan out at the convention like a new, bright and shiny tin god, all of the smearing of the last year and a half forgotten, Cruz and Rubio sent over to their time-out corner, and, after Trump, anyone would look good, and won't the new, cleaned-up Ryan just look soooo much better???
Really, David - how could your party look any more obvious?
We all know this is all a sham coup to get Ryan The Cold onto the ballot without forcing him to be actually in the cesspool, hawking for the votes and backing.
This is a coup. The plan is to pull Ryan out at the convention like a new, bright and shiny tin god, all of the smearing of the last year and a half forgotten, Cruz and Rubio sent over to their time-out corner, and, after Trump, anyone would look good, and won't the new, cleaned-up Ryan just look soooo much better???
Really, David - how could your party look any more obvious?
43
You can't ride high on the "Southern Strategy" for decades and then be shocked--shocked!--that racism and xenophobia are major drivers of your primary voters.
You can't rail against science and the media and then be surprised when your party doesn't care about fact-checking or when your voters happily swallow outright lies by candidates.
You can't fire up your base by labeling your opponents effete wimps, and then be surprised that the same base embraces a mean-spirited bully.
You reap what you sow.
You can't rail against science and the media and then be surprised when your party doesn't care about fact-checking or when your voters happily swallow outright lies by candidates.
You can't fire up your base by labeling your opponents effete wimps, and then be surprised that the same base embraces a mean-spirited bully.
You reap what you sow.
115
The Royalist GOP, the great betrayers of our founders (Ben Franklin: you have a republic if you can keep it) have created the Donald Trumps and given him the angry electoral support he needs to succeed.
34
You helped create Trump, Mr. Brooks.
You have labored tirelessly here for years doing the work of a clever apparatchik white-washing the Republican Party, offering any number of tenuous, perverse readings of social science to create a facade of "plutocracy with a human face".
You are a smart, well read man. You knew what you were doing. You knew you were covering up a party appealing to bigotry of every stripe, that was stripping away the economic security of their own supporters, driving them into desperation and anger.
Be a mensch. Own up to what you have done.
You, yes you, created Donald Trump - not by yourself, but you did all you could to create him all the same.
If he is the Great Betrayer, then so are you.
David Brooks, the Great Betrayer.
That has nice ring to it.
You have labored tirelessly here for years doing the work of a clever apparatchik white-washing the Republican Party, offering any number of tenuous, perverse readings of social science to create a facade of "plutocracy with a human face".
You are a smart, well read man. You knew what you were doing. You knew you were covering up a party appealing to bigotry of every stripe, that was stripping away the economic security of their own supporters, driving them into desperation and anger.
Be a mensch. Own up to what you have done.
You, yes you, created Donald Trump - not by yourself, but you did all you could to create him all the same.
If he is the Great Betrayer, then so are you.
David Brooks, the Great Betrayer.
That has nice ring to it.
109
John Kasich is the most accomplished and experienced in government with a track record that is real. We have witnessed nearly 8 years of a rookie Senator who never ran anything weaken our country. Neither Rubio, Cruz , Trump, Sanders or HRC have real accomplishments in government . HRC has a nice resume but her only accomplishment is being Bill's wife. Hopefully the electorate will recognize that the only true choice.is Kasich who has GOVERNED. The Donald should be left to building golf courses and cheating investors and reneging on contracts. HRC is untrustworthy and unlikeable as is Trump.
13
When individuals wake up and begin to see how they have left the path and need to straighten up, we are happy about that. We don't tell a person who says "I have a drinking problem" not to bother going to AA, to just keep drinking. We don't tell a person drowning in credit card debt who says "I need debt counseling" to quit being a hypocrite and just blunder on to bankruptcy.
It seems that some of the commenters here, seeing the Republican party's attempt to right itself, actively want it to continue down the path it's on even as they deplore it. It's one thing if you think Trump will be good for America and you want the Republican party to support him. That at least would make some kind of sense. But you folks who bash Trump AND the Republicans trying to repudiate him - what kind of sense are you making?
You need the Republican party to be bad people so you can point to your fellow Americans and say "look at those bad people over there" - is that it? Because I honestly can't come up with anything else.
I've voted R for years and years. If Trump wins the nomination, I will be voting for Clinton or Sanders. Go ahead, y'all - tell me I'm a hypocrite now. Tell me I should stay the course and vote for Trump. And then tell me why.
It seems that some of the commenters here, seeing the Republican party's attempt to right itself, actively want it to continue down the path it's on even as they deplore it. It's one thing if you think Trump will be good for America and you want the Republican party to support him. That at least would make some kind of sense. But you folks who bash Trump AND the Republicans trying to repudiate him - what kind of sense are you making?
You need the Republican party to be bad people so you can point to your fellow Americans and say "look at those bad people over there" - is that it? Because I honestly can't come up with anything else.
I've voted R for years and years. If Trump wins the nomination, I will be voting for Clinton or Sanders. Go ahead, y'all - tell me I'm a hypocrite now. Tell me I should stay the course and vote for Trump. And then tell me why.
9
The invective that spews forth from Mr. Trump sounds, verbatim, like what one hears at Happy Hour whence all the problems of the world are solved. Easy but wrong ‘solutions’, vilification of minorities and other straw men, the only laws of consequence are those unintended.
The difference between Trump and the other contenders is that he talks like that all the time, the others only talk like that at 6pm.
The difference between Trump and the other contenders is that he talks like that all the time, the others only talk like that at 6pm.
10
How about the nasty truths about the turtle, grassy, ryan, cruz, rubio, et al.
16
He seduces people with his confidence and his promises. People invest time, love and money in him. But in the end he cares only about himself. He betrays those who trust him and leaves them high and dry.
You telling us that Trump is now selling mutual funds or insurance now, or moved to Madison Avenue?
That just made his sound like to the prototypical Republican, if you ask as me. And I always thought the NYTimes was strictly left-wing, but now has a crush on Trump too.
You telling us that Trump is now selling mutual funds or insurance now, or moved to Madison Avenue?
That just made his sound like to the prototypical Republican, if you ask as me. And I always thought the NYTimes was strictly left-wing, but now has a crush on Trump too.
2
The Republicans unleashed and warmly embraced the Tea Party and now must reap what they have sown.
18
The Republican Party should have checked this guy out before they let him loose on the electorate. They set the voters up in a rather lame fashion.
3
The issue with Trump University is a perfect metaphor of Trump's entire campaign. The uncanny ability to use a facade of brilliant business success to suck in the gullible to support him. They flock to him like moths to a flame. They are willing to give him their loyalty, their money and their votes without any real understanding of the man. Trump is the Wizard of Oz. None of his vehement supporters are willing to look behind the curtain. The just mesmerized by the smoke, flame and booming voice
A truly sad commentary on the Republican Party and the majority of the news media is that the most effective expose' of Donald J Drumpf is from John Oliver - a comedian. His take-down of Mr. Drumpf has over 17 million hits on Youtube https://youtu.be/DnpO_RTSNmQ Maybe John Oliver can save the Republican Party from itself.
A truly sad commentary on the Republican Party and the majority of the news media is that the most effective expose' of Donald J Drumpf is from John Oliver - a comedian. His take-down of Mr. Drumpf has over 17 million hits on Youtube https://youtu.be/DnpO_RTSNmQ Maybe John Oliver can save the Republican Party from itself.
23
After what they have done against Obama and Clinton, don't the Republicans have to start telling the truth about a lot of issues other than Trump, if anyone is to believe them now??
17
Ouch! I hope this column appears in papers that Trump supporters actually read.
8
You gotta love an election when both David Brooks and Paul Krugman are on the verge of hysteria. Trump may be the great "unifier" but in a way that we didn't foresee.
24
That Trump is a snake oil salesman is worthy of a NYT column? He is merely the step child of the last 50 years of Republican campaigning, where racism, misogyny, income inequality, and hatred have been only millimetres below the political surface.
The great betrayal has come from folks like you, Mr. Brooks, who have willingly shilled for the .1%er's party without shame. You have abandoned Americans when they needed you most to bring truth to the political process.
Middle class America was thrown under the bus starting 50 years ago and no supposedly conservative pundit stood up and yelled "Enough!"
That shames you as well as the party that once was business oriented, community strong, and stood for a country that encouraged upward mobility.
And now the pot is calling the kettle black?
The great betrayal has come from folks like you, Mr. Brooks, who have willingly shilled for the .1%er's party without shame. You have abandoned Americans when they needed you most to bring truth to the political process.
Middle class America was thrown under the bus starting 50 years ago and no supposedly conservative pundit stood up and yelled "Enough!"
That shames you as well as the party that once was business oriented, community strong, and stood for a country that encouraged upward mobility.
And now the pot is calling the kettle black?
46
Donald Trump is the logical outcome of decades of Republican bigotry, lies and hatred. His capture of the allegiance of the Party's rank and file along with their votes is what scares Party leaders like Mitt Romney, not the bigotry, lies and hatred. For decades Republican leaders were happy to employ the campaign bait and then the post-election switch. Now that game is up. The Republican elite has long promoted much of the venom and hatred that Trump does now, only their venom and hatred were more implicit, or pronounced with a more genteel voice and lofty vocabulary, or snickered about behind closed doors. Trump's venom and hatred are explicit and New-York-City-in-your-face. People like Romney allowed the Party to be hijacked by the extreme right wing and allowed for all the nutty, hateful agenda to take root in the Party. Trump has merely perfected their hateful art. Trump has betrayed nothing inherent to the Republican Party that people like Mitt Romney have created. If anything, he has made the Republican Party a tad more honest about itself, and Republican leaders like Mitt Romney are finding that the truth is unbearably painful. Well deserved.
30
Sorry, but my advice to Mr. Romney is to go back to the garage and wax your Cadillacs.
Regarding vulgarity, it was the Republicans who insisted on publicizing the prurient minutiae of Mr. Clinton’s flagrantly inappropriate contact with Ms. Lewinsky all those years ago. Any sexual indiscretion is by definition a sticky business. It was the Republicans who insisted we be informed for the good of the nation of the viscosity of the stickiness. If I had been a cigar smoker, I would certainly have given it up after reading the Starr report.
For whatever reason, the Republican policymakers are sex obsessed. Their problem seems to be they think that if it feels good, it must be bad. And badness, of course, must be punished. I’m guessing that’s something left over from the Puritans’ crossing of the Atlantic. I applaud the Puritans their fortitude in making their voyage. Now it is time for their ancestors on dry land to move forward socially in time.
Regarding vulgarity, it was the Republicans who insisted on publicizing the prurient minutiae of Mr. Clinton’s flagrantly inappropriate contact with Ms. Lewinsky all those years ago. Any sexual indiscretion is by definition a sticky business. It was the Republicans who insisted we be informed for the good of the nation of the viscosity of the stickiness. If I had been a cigar smoker, I would certainly have given it up after reading the Starr report.
For whatever reason, the Republican policymakers are sex obsessed. Their problem seems to be they think that if it feels good, it must be bad. And badness, of course, must be punished. I’m guessing that’s something left over from the Puritans’ crossing of the Atlantic. I applaud the Puritans their fortitude in making their voyage. Now it is time for their ancestors on dry land to move forward socially in time.
15
I love Fridays when I get to read Paul Krugman and David Brooks and wonder if they live on the same planet. It was interesting going between last night's debate and the Rachel Maddow Show. While Kasich (the moderate) was talking about empowering the job creators, Rachel was documenting the meltdowns in Louisiana, Kansas, and Michigan as examples of Republican rule.
20
Truthfully it is fascinating that Trump is getting so many votes. Really what is wrong with this country. Adolf Hitler was voted in also and then later his voters kept saying "we just didn't know." America obviously is past the point of no return.
10
Trump didn't betray anyone. He' all over the map on every issue so he is incapable of an act that requires intelligent thought: betrayal.
1
Mitt Romney attacking Donald Trump will not injure Donald Trump's political aspirations, because Americans hate Republicans.
They hate that they support the richest among us to the exclusion of everyone else. They're fed up with the racism, the bigotry, the iron-age religiosity masquerading as any excuse for morality. They are tired of governors ruining states and racist obstructionists ruining congress.
Republicans like Mitt Romney don't have to deliver Americans a sermon about how wrong they are. They need to beg us for an apology for what their failures have done to this country.
And then you all have to go home. Your party is over.
They hate that they support the richest among us to the exclusion of everyone else. They're fed up with the racism, the bigotry, the iron-age religiosity masquerading as any excuse for morality. They are tired of governors ruining states and racist obstructionists ruining congress.
Republicans like Mitt Romney don't have to deliver Americans a sermon about how wrong they are. They need to beg us for an apology for what their failures have done to this country.
And then you all have to go home. Your party is over.
26
I truly believe that in the long term Trump is providing a great service to our country. He is a cancer that has metastasized inside the Republican party and he will burn it down when he becomes the nominee. The new party that will emerge after the election will be moderate and thoughtful. And all the Republicans who say they didn't see this coming, just ask your self if you believed Trump in 2012 when he said he had investigators in Hawaii looking into Obama's birth certificate and they had found some interesting things that he will soon disclose! Where were you all? Most of the Republicans enjoyed it, and now the monster is inside your tent!
32
This is the most delusional of all Brooks columns. Brooks who can never see how his own support of Republicans is complicit in what American conservatives have always truly been about: racism and exploiting the racist anxieties of the white working class to benefit the rich. Romney is the very epitome of the Republican establishment, which at its core is not one iota better than Trump. And so is Brooks.
39
So now at this late hour, a titanic effort needs to be brought forth just to maybe potentially hopefully stop him or slow him-- not to run a positive competitive presidential campaign against the democrats. I think we know where America will come out in this-- 8 more years of another Clinton. This is not a good outcome for America, and republicans are to blame.
1
Now, at long last, the Republican "donor class" [read: the big money plutocracy that heretofore decided who would be their Republican mouthpiece] are freaking out and attempting to steal the nomination from the ignorant base they cynically created for their own interests.
Are they so clueless as to think that wresting a Trump nomination away by chicanery and propping up another usual suspect in his rightful place will go down well with "low information" voters? Seriously.
The writing is on the wall: Mr Trump will be the nominee and will lead the GOP to a defeat worse than 1964...or some empty suit bought and paid for will be substituted in his rightful place... And will no doubt lose in an even more epic disaster for the GOP.
Are they so clueless as to think that wresting a Trump nomination away by chicanery and propping up another usual suspect in his rightful place will go down well with "low information" voters? Seriously.
The writing is on the wall: Mr Trump will be the nominee and will lead the GOP to a defeat worse than 1964...or some empty suit bought and paid for will be substituted in his rightful place... And will no doubt lose in an even more epic disaster for the GOP.
8
At some point, one of the Presidential contenders on the stage should have said:
"Mr. Trump, if you force our armed servicemen to do illegal acts, like torture, and they refuse to do it, so they resign en masse until you have your general that will do it. And then it is done. I will be on the Senate floor voting for your impeachment and then your prosecution."
Also....
"I cannot in good conscience vote for Mr. Trump in the election. Any of my other competitors, yes, I can vote for. However, he is not a member of my party. His policies are built on lies. His support is rising on the backs of the worst of our fears. So, no. I will not vote for this person if he is the nominee."
"Mr. Trump, if you force our armed servicemen to do illegal acts, like torture, and they refuse to do it, so they resign en masse until you have your general that will do it. And then it is done. I will be on the Senate floor voting for your impeachment and then your prosecution."
Also....
"I cannot in good conscience vote for Mr. Trump in the election. Any of my other competitors, yes, I can vote for. However, he is not a member of my party. His policies are built on lies. His support is rising on the backs of the worst of our fears. So, no. I will not vote for this person if he is the nominee."
6
What's the worse sham, Trump fleecing people with his questionable businesses or the GOP fleecing their base convincing them that by shoveling money to the rich their lives will be better.
17
Dragon's teeth, David. Or maybe wrestling the beast that redoubles its strength each time you throw it to the ground. Or both.
There is nothing damning that you can put in print that doesn't convince another handful of Americans to vote for Trump.
There is no clever, rational way out of the, well, revolution. Too many people have been primed for this takeover. Too many see each vulgarity, each racist statement, each moral failure as a positive thing. That goes for Cruz and Rubio as well, but it doesn't matter.
Attack any of them, and they get stronger.
These days we can't rely on supernatural intervention either. If the fundamentalists - Christian and other - are right, it's all god's will.
There is nothing damning that you can put in print that doesn't convince another handful of Americans to vote for Trump.
There is no clever, rational way out of the, well, revolution. Too many people have been primed for this takeover. Too many see each vulgarity, each racist statement, each moral failure as a positive thing. That goes for Cruz and Rubio as well, but it doesn't matter.
Attack any of them, and they get stronger.
These days we can't rely on supernatural intervention either. If the fundamentalists - Christian and other - are right, it's all god's will.
5
Liar, cheat, racist, xenophobe.... The list goes on and on. No argument there. But here is the scary thing. As far as I can tell Trump and Sanders are the only two candidates who are not under the sway of Beltway, neocons. Anybody else in the GOP will keep right on with the Bush family penchant for Middle East military involvements and large defense budgets. As far as Hillary goes -- well your paper said it all in the two part article about Clinton and Libya. We get to pick our poison. John Adams may be shaking his head, regretting that his prediction has come true.
4
Before 2007, I went to a Trump Real Estate event in Chicago. I paid my $35 at the door and was told the book by Trump which was supposed to be complimentary to those who attended was out of supply. Wish they had told me that before I paid the $35. I called the Trump company later to get my copy and was summarily disconnected. He suckered me once. Ok, he got me, but only for $35.
There are many scams out there of which to be aware. Among them are Kevin Trudeau's 'Debt Cures', 'Health Cures' and of course 'Free Money'. There's the IRS Scam where Pakistani callers pretend to be the IRS and issue 'Arrest warrants' that will be executed by "Sheriff County Police" within 30 minutes unless you pay them over the phone with Green Dot prepaid credit cards. Everyone remembers the Nigerian prince scam. There's the "You have won either a new Mercedes, a sailboat or a cruise" scam. Then there's various vitamins and organic compounds of which to be aware. Lets also not forget the great 100% parmesan cheese scandal of 2016. Spotlight won best picture this year at the Oscars. Flint,Mi. Chesapeake Energy. Johnson Controls. Wall Street speculators and mortgage brokerages. Bernie Madoff. McDonald's Kale Salad.
I 'll take my lumps and keep the "Trump loss" at $35 and consider myself lucky to be getting off so cheap.
There are many scams out there of which to be aware. Among them are Kevin Trudeau's 'Debt Cures', 'Health Cures' and of course 'Free Money'. There's the IRS Scam where Pakistani callers pretend to be the IRS and issue 'Arrest warrants' that will be executed by "Sheriff County Police" within 30 minutes unless you pay them over the phone with Green Dot prepaid credit cards. Everyone remembers the Nigerian prince scam. There's the "You have won either a new Mercedes, a sailboat or a cruise" scam. Then there's various vitamins and organic compounds of which to be aware. Lets also not forget the great 100% parmesan cheese scandal of 2016. Spotlight won best picture this year at the Oscars. Flint,Mi. Chesapeake Energy. Johnson Controls. Wall Street speculators and mortgage brokerages. Bernie Madoff. McDonald's Kale Salad.
I 'll take my lumps and keep the "Trump loss" at $35 and consider myself lucky to be getting off so cheap.
12
The whole Trump phenomenon says more about the Republican rank and file who support him than about Trump himself. I'm not fearful for America because Trump is a presidential candidate--I'm fearful for this country because we've got so many of our citizens who actually believe and fanatically support what he says.
13
If Trump is a betrayer then so is Cruz, Rubio and that other guy. Because there is not a wit of deference between them.
7
Trump has done, and is doing, for personal gain is what the GOP has done for party and rich benefactor gain. The GOP, and the Clinton's for that matter, have been deceiving and seducing misinformed voters for years. Trump has just taken it to an extreme, and made it incredibly obvious.
5
Cruz and Rubio told the USA they would vote for Trump if he gets the GOP nomination. So the debate was useless. It appears that Trump will be the GOP nominee and the party will stand behind him.
6
This is evidence that Trump is truly an unethical business person who is unscrupulous in his dealings with people with who he has relations based upon trust. That is not someone whose word can be trusted but who one needs very good lawyer and accounts always confirming what he says is true and their is not some hidden problem that could ruin one's own interests. He's not a scam artist, he's a predatory operator.
2
Donald Trump perfectly encapsulates the essence of the modern Republcian Party. Betrayal and sociopathy are just part of that package.
12
It would be a fine thing if a constant barrage of damning facts could stop the Trump juggernaut, but I don't see that happening. According to Trump, these people who are criticizing him are all losers, and jealous losers at that. By some measures, many of his supporters might ordinarily feel like losers or that they are being treated like losers. BUT by putting themselves in the camp of a demonstrable winner (and he has won a great deal), they can feel like winners too, and far superior to all those naysayers. Feeling like a winner, especially in the face of evidence to the contrary, is hard to give up.
4
Freedom of speech is a wonderful right. But it comes with responsibilities. You cannot yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater, for example, with impunity.
With that in mind I ask the republican voices on the Times, like Mr. Brooks, to publicly tell us who they are voting for in the upcoming election. Although this seems a bit extreme, it would be even more extreme to allow these voices for the party of the 0.1% to print their denunciations of Mr. Trump without stating WHO they are voting for. For how can we trust their words if their actions are not verified?
So, Mr. Brooks (both of them!), Douthat, and others: Please tell us in print who you will be voting for. In the interest of truthful punditry.
With that in mind I ask the republican voices on the Times, like Mr. Brooks, to publicly tell us who they are voting for in the upcoming election. Although this seems a bit extreme, it would be even more extreme to allow these voices for the party of the 0.1% to print their denunciations of Mr. Trump without stating WHO they are voting for. For how can we trust their words if their actions are not verified?
So, Mr. Brooks (both of them!), Douthat, and others: Please tell us in print who you will be voting for. In the interest of truthful punditry.
10
My opinion?
Most Trump supporters know basically what they are getting with the Donald. And they know exactly what they would get if they support the GOP establishment. And they like Donald. Can't say as I blame them.
Now I like Bernie more than Donald, as he will actually keep his promise to push for things that will help average Americans, but I can see exactly where Trump supporters are coming from. Too bad the vehicle of their protest is a chimera.
Most Trump supporters know basically what they are getting with the Donald. And they know exactly what they would get if they support the GOP establishment. And they like Donald. Can't say as I blame them.
Now I like Bernie more than Donald, as he will actually keep his promise to push for things that will help average Americans, but I can see exactly where Trump supporters are coming from. Too bad the vehicle of their protest is a chimera.
14
I'm sorry, Mr. Brooks, but this concern is too little and too late. The Trump GOP nomination train has already left the station.
As Paul Krugman noted in his column today, the acid test for GOP moderates and centrists, such as yourself, will come after Mr. Trump is officially nominated. Will you then put your money where your mouth is and endorse Hillary for president?
And my question for the news media is why is it that we are only now reading about all of the various Trump scandals (Trump University, Trump Mortgage, the four bankruptcies, etc.) on the op-ed pages, such as in this Brooks column? Where have all the detailed, front-page investigative reports been over the past eight months of the Trump candidacy?
Instead, we have been treated over the past year to endless, non-stop leaked reports about the Clinton e-mail "scandal", a story which is now over a year old. Talk about false equivalency! Do they mean to tell us that an internal bureaucratic squabble over the definition of "classified" information is somehow more scandalous than the $40 million fraud investigation by the NY Attorney General's office regarding Trump University?
I can't wait for the general election to see how the news media and their investigative reporters decide to "balance" their coverage of the various Clinton and Trump "scandals".
As Paul Krugman noted in his column today, the acid test for GOP moderates and centrists, such as yourself, will come after Mr. Trump is officially nominated. Will you then put your money where your mouth is and endorse Hillary for president?
And my question for the news media is why is it that we are only now reading about all of the various Trump scandals (Trump University, Trump Mortgage, the four bankruptcies, etc.) on the op-ed pages, such as in this Brooks column? Where have all the detailed, front-page investigative reports been over the past eight months of the Trump candidacy?
Instead, we have been treated over the past year to endless, non-stop leaked reports about the Clinton e-mail "scandal", a story which is now over a year old. Talk about false equivalency! Do they mean to tell us that an internal bureaucratic squabble over the definition of "classified" information is somehow more scandalous than the $40 million fraud investigation by the NY Attorney General's office regarding Trump University?
I can't wait for the general election to see how the news media and their investigative reporters decide to "balance" their coverage of the various Clinton and Trump "scandals".
31
The Democrats would be foolish if they don't capitalize on the Republican Presidential race to make gains in the Congress. Message is simple: "Their most powerful leaders have been on display for all to see and they are all an embarrassment." Throw Sen. McConnell into the mix and it should be a sure recipe for making gains in the Senate.
15
When a party has spent the last decade telling its adherents that the truth doesn't matter, it cannot suddenly negate Trump by using the truth. The sowing is complete. The reaping has begun.
28
The best the American public - no, the world - can hope for is that Trump will be the republican nominee and that both he and his party will be soundly defeated by landslide proportions come November.
Maybe, just maybe, the republican party will then finally perform the "reset" which has been needed for at least twenty years. And, in the meantime, the newly democrat congress, working with a democrat president will be able to get the people's work done.
Maybe, just maybe, the republican party will then finally perform the "reset" which has been needed for at least twenty years. And, in the meantime, the newly democrat congress, working with a democrat president will be able to get the people's work done.
10
This has become a country of techno tubbies who walk into traffic while scanning faceebook, Instagram, et al. In depth articles that reveal the facts behind behind the "Legend" are too boring for instant gratification crowd. Stop telling us that people like The Donald because he says what is on his mind. So do drunks in bars at 2:00 a.m. but none of us would vote for them. Drumpf has always been a cartoon character who had made people laugh. Now, it's the rest of the world who views us as cartoon characters.
When a German magazine tells us that he is the "Most Dangerous Person in the World", we should take notice. Germans have some experience with dangerous people. It's not too late.
When a German magazine tells us that he is the "Most Dangerous Person in the World", we should take notice. Germans have some experience with dangerous people. It's not too late.
11
My problem with the GOP is that I don't really see any difference in the candidates (except Kasich). Carpet bomb Cruz is more dangerous than Trump. Cute face Rubio is no better. They are all so far to the right that I could not possibly see any of them helping average Americans at all. Instead, we will get an even more powerful oligarchy, more guns in the streets so the average Americans can just start killing each other off taking care of the lower classes in one fell swoop.
10
As for the concluding sentences: "Since the start of his campaign Trump has had more energy and more courage than his opponents. Maybe that’s now changing." I doubt more "energy and courage" are going to be exhibited by Rubio or Cruz. The real question is whether the particular unflattering examples of Trump's activities that David has raised will have any impact. So far media have not tried to showcase these issues.
4
Looks like Mr. Brooks just might have to vote for Hillary Clinton.
8
Every one of the 'victims' cited by brooks knew exactly who they were getting into bed with. All were hoping to groom themselves in the image of this idiot and go on to 'trump' others for profit. "Trump University"? for god's sake it may as well have been called "Shyster Training Academy". the builders and developers who teamed up with Trump? Innocent lambs taken in by this obscure small town figure - how could they have known? You've actually mad me feel a twinge of sympathy for Trump - an astonishing rhetorical feat.
5
People support Trump because they buy his messages. They love his racism because they feel the same but don't have a public platform to express it. Even Mitch McConnell's racism is more subtle so the mass of Republicans miss it. They love Trump because they like to be conned. He offers something for nothing. As long as people fall for scams, lies and buy into bigotry nothing will change and people like Trump will have a big following.
10
Donald Trump is kicking the butt of the Republican establishment and that's all I need to know. God bless him.
4
Dear Mr. Brooks:
While you draw together the wagons of your conservative brethren to fight the great scourge Trump, please consider the following around your campfire:
1) Ask Paul Ryan how he can be anti-racist when he out of hand rejects President Obama's budget and refuses to meet with his staff.
2) Ask Mitch McConnell between bouts of hand-wringing how he can profess to be anti-racist when he out right refuses to consider a Supreme court Candidate from President Obama, which the Constituitution says is his duty; and
3) Talk to the Republican governors and legislative leaders how they can assert their "anti-racist" cant of late with the gerrymandered districts and voting rights obstacles they have created to keep themselves in office and prevent minorities from voting or securing their fair right to representation under the law.
It's as if you in your role as "conservative pundit" are playing the part of Claude Rains in "Casablanca" when he shuts down Rick's Americain Cafe for gambling, only moments before the croupier places his night's winnings in his hands. "I'm shocked!"
3)
While you draw together the wagons of your conservative brethren to fight the great scourge Trump, please consider the following around your campfire:
1) Ask Paul Ryan how he can be anti-racist when he out of hand rejects President Obama's budget and refuses to meet with his staff.
2) Ask Mitch McConnell between bouts of hand-wringing how he can profess to be anti-racist when he out right refuses to consider a Supreme court Candidate from President Obama, which the Constituitution says is his duty; and
3) Talk to the Republican governors and legislative leaders how they can assert their "anti-racist" cant of late with the gerrymandered districts and voting rights obstacles they have created to keep themselves in office and prevent minorities from voting or securing their fair right to representation under the law.
It's as if you in your role as "conservative pundit" are playing the part of Claude Rains in "Casablanca" when he shuts down Rick's Americain Cafe for gambling, only moments before the croupier places his night's winnings in his hands. "I'm shocked!"
3)
12
The caption to this op-ed, "Republican officials have a responsibility to their country to spread the nasty truths about Trump."
Too bad the Democrats have no responsibility to spread the nasty truths about Hillary.
If there was any evidence that Qaddafi was getting ready to commit genocide against the Libyan people, America's vast Intelligence apparatus would have had some knowledge of it. They didn't. And neither did Human Rights Watch (HRW) or Amnesty International.
If Amnesty Int'l had warned of an impending attack, they couldn't very well issue statements like, "The coalition members need to be held to account for the horrors that have unfolded in Libya."
No, Hillary & Sarkozy saw a golden opportunity to score a geopolitical advantage and prevent Qaddafi from issuing an African currency as soon as protests began.
That's why Hillary organized Qatar & UAE to begin shipping vast arsenals of weapons from the first weeks of unrest. Hillary's hatchet man, Sid Blumenthal, even sought out "private contractors" to destabilize Libya. (Check out his emails.)
Unfortunately, our good friends the Qataris were even more interested in arming and financing the Sunni rebels in Syria, many of whom now form ISIS.
But that is no problem! Hillary has informed the country that she will work the same magic in Syria that she created in Libya.
Any dupe who thinks wealthy Libya was some humanitarian intervention should read about Eritrea. Eritreans are very poor so they can all just die.
Too bad the Democrats have no responsibility to spread the nasty truths about Hillary.
If there was any evidence that Qaddafi was getting ready to commit genocide against the Libyan people, America's vast Intelligence apparatus would have had some knowledge of it. They didn't. And neither did Human Rights Watch (HRW) or Amnesty International.
If Amnesty Int'l had warned of an impending attack, they couldn't very well issue statements like, "The coalition members need to be held to account for the horrors that have unfolded in Libya."
No, Hillary & Sarkozy saw a golden opportunity to score a geopolitical advantage and prevent Qaddafi from issuing an African currency as soon as protests began.
That's why Hillary organized Qatar & UAE to begin shipping vast arsenals of weapons from the first weeks of unrest. Hillary's hatchet man, Sid Blumenthal, even sought out "private contractors" to destabilize Libya. (Check out his emails.)
Unfortunately, our good friends the Qataris were even more interested in arming and financing the Sunni rebels in Syria, many of whom now form ISIS.
But that is no problem! Hillary has informed the country that she will work the same magic in Syria that she created in Libya.
Any dupe who thinks wealthy Libya was some humanitarian intervention should read about Eritrea. Eritreans are very poor so they can all just die.
5
The GOP is in disarray because in recent years they have had the party's best interest at heart. Winning at all cost. People are along for the ride and are jerked around on the thrilling adventure. Well, the price of winning at all cost has finally come home to roost. The Donald is a symptom, not a disease.
3
You are correct, David, but Trump's followers believe that the establishment has betrayed them with bailouts for the rich and obstruction for everyone else. Thousands lost their homes and millions their jobs. Far worse than a few victims of Trump University.
14
Donald Trump has ensorcelled the GOP voters. Reasoning will not remove the spell. It will take a kiss by a Prince who has yet to reveal himself.
3
"For years they have built relationships in their communities, earned the right to be heard."
If that was true would Trump be leading?
If that was true would Trump be leading?
3
If Trump gets enough delegates, the other candidates pledged to still support him as president, so putting a "lie" to how terrible a president he is.
4
David, David, David - when are you going to admit that it is not Mr. Trump that is the problem. It is your party, that has for years invited everything that Mr. Trump represents, that is the problem. Does Mr. Trump have a strained relationship with the truth? Which party is it that has pretended, time and again, that an obvious, cataclysmic climatic change has not been happening? Which party is it that maintains the patently absurd claim that a clump of barely differentiated cells has the same moral weight as a grown woman? Is Mr. Trump an insulting bully? Which party has members that have called a sitting President a liar to his face? Which party's Supreme Court nominee shook his head and mouthed criticisms during a formal state occasion? Is Mr. Trump a racist? Which party developed the "southern strategy"? Which party dreamed up the Willie Horton ads? Does Mr. Trump say and do whatever he wants, unguided by any principle? Which party is is that is refusing to even consider the Supreme Court nominee of a President with almost 1/4 of his term left to serve?
You are reaping the whirlwind, and it is richly, richly deserved. May it blow every one of your flimsy, self-serving houses into the sea.
You are reaping the whirlwind, and it is richly, richly deserved. May it blow every one of your flimsy, self-serving houses into the sea.
14
Dear Mr. Brooks, does your contract with the Paper of Record require that you remain a Republican? Because you are a patrician, and the official Republican debates now include debates about penis size. I don't think I'm going to be censored for vulgarity, because that's actually what they're debating now.
Had enough yet?
Had enough yet?
5
Question, David: how do the people puncture The Donald's overweening and fragile pride and his empty promises?
and just exactly what would you say about the courage of the three other candidates in the Republican debate last night who all affirmed their pledge to support the Republican candidate even if that candidate is Trump?
58
So Mr. Brooks: will you be one of those conservatives who, after bashing Trump, choose to still support him over Hillary Clinton should he get the nomination (as did everyone else on the stage last night)? Or will you finally admit that Ms. Clinton is the better option and try to convince your fellow GOPers, possibly making you a pariah in your party? Time to show your true colors!
84
Congrats, Mr. Brooks, for throwing more "great betrayer" G.O.P. establishment gasoline on the fire -- just what the Trump campaign wants.
11
The GOP wants to hit back at Turnip, and the guy they choose to do it is Mitt Romney? Do these people think at all?
Mr. Brooks, Romney is not a "major Republican" or a "big gun." He never was. He's just another hyperwealthy man who bought the time and attention of the GOP power brokers for a while.
The GOP long ago stopped developing young, competent politicians for future high office through state legislatures, the House of Representatives, and the agencies of government. Why? Because the goal was to wreck that system, turn it into an incapable circus. "Government is the problem," declared Reagan; and that became the rallying cry of the GOP for a generation.
The result is that the Republican party has no one in the bullpen. No one competent or informed or with experience or vision. A couple of mediocre governors is the best it can boast.
Trump could never have been taken seriously, despite his wealth, if rich shady businessmen like Romney (and the Koch brothers, and Sheldon Adelson, and Rupert Murdoch) had not paved the way.
Trump is not wrecking the GOP. The GOP set out to wreck the electoral process and undermine representative democracy. So don't go calling Trump the "betrayer." It is the GOP that has betrayed America.
Mr. Brooks, Romney is not a "major Republican" or a "big gun." He never was. He's just another hyperwealthy man who bought the time and attention of the GOP power brokers for a while.
The GOP long ago stopped developing young, competent politicians for future high office through state legislatures, the House of Representatives, and the agencies of government. Why? Because the goal was to wreck that system, turn it into an incapable circus. "Government is the problem," declared Reagan; and that became the rallying cry of the GOP for a generation.
The result is that the Republican party has no one in the bullpen. No one competent or informed or with experience or vision. A couple of mediocre governors is the best it can boast.
Trump could never have been taken seriously, despite his wealth, if rich shady businessmen like Romney (and the Koch brothers, and Sheldon Adelson, and Rupert Murdoch) had not paved the way.
Trump is not wrecking the GOP. The GOP set out to wreck the electoral process and undermine representative democracy. So don't go calling Trump the "betrayer." It is the GOP that has betrayed America.
91
Wow, Mr. Brooks. It sounds like you are describing the Perfect Republican!!! There is very little difference between Mr. Trump and Mr. Romney. Both in their personal careers have taken the public to the laundry, using the "system" to consolidate money for themselves and dumping the rest of the country. Romney with his tax shelters and his off shore banking, his leveraged buyouts, his disdain for the masses who are not the 1%, the list goes on. And John McCain had the lack of wisdom to choose Palin as his running mate putting her a heart beat away from the Presidency. What was he thinking??? You know the saying, Mr. Brooks, "What goes around, comes around." Well, it has come around. Mr. Trump is the perfect Republican.
74
All no doubt true. However, who are they going to vote for? What horrible alternatives.
8
"Major Republicans like Mitt Romney..." I've always thought that Brooks was in denial, but Romney? Let's see, when he was running for President he showed how the Republicans have disdain for women, 99% of Americans, that "corporations are people", because people work for them... Should I go on?
34
Trump is toxic waste, period.
10
I predicted to a friend that when Rubio went with the "small hands" comment, he was goading Trump to go out and talk about the size of "manhood", and last night Trump took the bait on a national stage. What's so scary about Trump is how easy you can get under his skin. Obama did it to him at that dinner. So what's going to happen when Putin gets under the skin of a President Trump? Lob some nukes? It's scary stuff!
33
So David, you can expose his cons all you want, you have missed the point and that point is that conservatism itself is a con. While you convince everyone that making a few rich will make everyone rich, that the system is fair and the lazy are the only ones who suffer, you fail to acknowledge it is a scam and it has worked so well for only for the very few. Now the base has caught on to the scam and want a better scammer to represent them. No David, they already know it is a scam but they want a better scammer.
68
The problem with the Republican Party is the "undereducated" group of people who support the "Tea Party" candidates and elect them to office. The Republican Party needs these "Tea Party" officeholders to keep their majority, especially in Congress. Since the Republicans did not disavow this group of ultra conservatives, they are now stuck with them and their "undereducated" followers who support Donald Trump.
31
Ok David. Now discuss Bain Capital and the 47%.
40
"Illegals." You actually call real people "illegals"? And your the moderate part of the GOP.
27
The GOP asked Trump in September to sign their loyalty pledge, promising that he would not split with them as a 3rd party candidate. Has he not remained firmly committed? How can you then call him a betrayer?
3
Mr. Brooks, have you said anything that wasn't already a matter of public record the day Trump announced his candidacy?
Not to play Trump's ad hominem game, but you got scooped when it comes to making a call to arms.
You're a better explainer than advocate. I would like to read your explanation about how and why it took until March 3, 2016, for the Republican establishment to do something to which it should have dedicated its full resources on the day Trump told the world he wanted to be the president of the United States.
Not to play Trump's ad hominem game, but you got scooped when it comes to making a call to arms.
You're a better explainer than advocate. I would like to read your explanation about how and why it took until March 3, 2016, for the Republican establishment to do something to which it should have dedicated its full resources on the day Trump told the world he wanted to be the president of the United States.
9
David, this is what believing your own propaganda does to a political party. The GOP has been braying about the evil of Democrats for so long it no longer has the integrity to say, ``Better them than us, because we have completely lost our minds.'' No. Can't do that. Party above country. Party above principle. Party uber alles.
44
Mitt Romney is a "big gun". David, you should write a humor column. This one shows some promise.
15
This is an opportunist so pathologically selfish and crooked that he picked the Republican Party as his mark. It's not that he's really a Democrat, it's that he has no allegiance to anyone but himself and his "brand".
Trump, Party of ONE.
Trump, Party of ONE.
12
Yes, it is time and right that Republican leadership finally speak up against Trump. The irony is that they have no credibility with Trump's supporters. Indeed, their criticisms strengthen their support of Trump. And they do not even see that their criticism is backfiring. Trump is venting all of their anger and frustration at broken promises and stagnating wages and on and on. Quite a conundrum for the Republican leadership on how to deal with what they have short-sightedly created.
16
You reap what you sow, Mr. Brooks.
22
So Trump, like the rest of us, is hardly perfect? Obvious. But what have the Establishment typed in BOTH major parties accomplished for the vast majority of America's hard-working - or would be if they still HAD jobs - voters? Just loads of empty promises in every election campaign, after which they go right back to obeying their handlers - the outfits, especially in Big Tech, the corporate media, and Wall Street - whose dear little deeds have left us with bad international trade agreements, worse 'temporary work visa programs (Including H-1B, that travesty that's helped render U.S. STEM grads - of whom there are roughly TWO for every job opening in those fields - virtually unemployable, but still stuck with enough student debt to choke a whale?), and 'cheap' mortgage easy-credit rip-offs that have cost many ownership of their homes?
Only Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, warts and all, have been opposed to these horrors. The other remaining candidates? Shills to the end. And, finally, the voters have awakened. 'Great Betrayers'? Those characters make Benedict Arnold look like an amateur.
Only Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, warts and all, have been opposed to these horrors. The other remaining candidates? Shills to the end. And, finally, the voters have awakened. 'Great Betrayers'? Those characters make Benedict Arnold look like an amateur.
12
Mr. Brooks, a leading voice among the conservative brain trust, just doesn't get it.
It's over, David.
Your party's domestic issue touchstones are shattered: American's have rejected gender-related hatred; trickle-down, non-regulated Voodoo economics collapsed the economy; saber-rattling led to two failed wars.
Domestically and abroad, the Republicans held sway for 8 years---- and it was an unprecedented debacle.
Trump isn't about issues: he's about money. He offers hope that, yes, you can become as rich as Croesus! Since it's a fellow who's seen as outside the Republican establishment saying it, the cognitive dissonance isn't very clear.
It's over, David.
Your party's domestic issue touchstones are shattered: American's have rejected gender-related hatred; trickle-down, non-regulated Voodoo economics collapsed the economy; saber-rattling led to two failed wars.
Domestically and abroad, the Republicans held sway for 8 years---- and it was an unprecedented debacle.
Trump isn't about issues: he's about money. He offers hope that, yes, you can become as rich as Croesus! Since it's a fellow who's seen as outside the Republican establishment saying it, the cognitive dissonance isn't very clear.
22
And yet, at least 40% of your party has been voting for him. Time to look deep into your party's platform and philosophy and make some changes that might actually help regular people. However this election turns out, I just hope you and some of the other sensible republican columnists open your eyes to what your party has grown to. It all started with Nixon, Reagan took out the middle class, Bush I wasnt too dangerous (he only had the one term), but Bush II nearly ruined our country with his tax cuts, unfunded wars, poor economic decisions and lowering our reputation in the world.
33
The fault is not with Trump. It is with the Republican Party and its mouthpiece, Fox News for creating a super-weapon in the form of the Tea Party. In a scenario fit for an movie thriller, the rogue billionaire has hijacked the weapon and has turned it on it's creators. In a world of betrayal, is there no one to save the GOP from itself?
No.
Get used to it.
No.
Get used to it.
41
I'm extremely heartened and energized by the clear and articulate analyses represented in the comments. Excepting Mr. Brooks and the Republican establishment sectors it's obvious that many people understand exactly how Trump has come to dominate the Republican Party presidential nominating process in 2016. Donald Trump was created by the 50+ year arc of the modern "conservative" movement and complicit Republican Party.
Mr. Brooks and the rest of the Republican establishment factions have no answers for Trump, Cruz, Rubio, et al because they are the Dr. Frankensteins who built these monsters in their lab. You can't have answers to things you do not see.
I would ask Mr. Brooks to open his eyes if I thought he were capable of doing so.
Mr. Brooks and the rest of the Republican establishment factions have no answers for Trump, Cruz, Rubio, et al because they are the Dr. Frankensteins who built these monsters in their lab. You can't have answers to things you do not see.
I would ask Mr. Brooks to open his eyes if I thought he were capable of doing so.
39
David, I have respected many of your positions over the years, but your denial about the Trump situation is unfathomable to me. Trump is only saying what the Republican party has been since Lee Atwater's use of code. The party has given up on being responsible in governing by compromising since 1994 and in providing ANY valid new ways of dealing with healthcare, foreign policy, or job creation. Time to look in the mirror my friend. You all created Trump and I know I am not the first to point it out.
52
The genital measurement contest that opened the debate was oddly befitting the candidates, because a finer collection of narcissists has not been seen since ancient times. The GOP clown cavalcade has reduced the election process to a low unimaginable before now.
What an embarrassment.
Our biggest worry should be that come November, Americans will stay home from the polls in droves. And if they do, thank the media for not just simply aiding and abetting this kind of schoolyard bully, totally inappropriate-for-adults behavior...but encouraging it. Fox, CNN, MS-NBC, and the rest of the faux-journalism.... print, sound, and visual media alike... have contributed willingly and heartily to this debacle.
And let's not forget to own some of the blame ourselves for not speaking up against the circus that has become our national joke.
http://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/
What an embarrassment.
Our biggest worry should be that come November, Americans will stay home from the polls in droves. And if they do, thank the media for not just simply aiding and abetting this kind of schoolyard bully, totally inappropriate-for-adults behavior...but encouraging it. Fox, CNN, MS-NBC, and the rest of the faux-journalism.... print, sound, and visual media alike... have contributed willingly and heartily to this debacle.
And let's not forget to own some of the blame ourselves for not speaking up against the circus that has become our national joke.
http://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/
10
Mr Brooks, if you re-write this excellent column in words of two syllables or fewer and sentence fragments, we'll post it on Facebook and tag those who need to hear it.
And by that I mean people who react to mention of his 4 bankruptcies with, "Yeah, and he's still rich!"
And by that I mean people who react to mention of his 4 bankruptcies with, "Yeah, and he's still rich!"
2
Since all the candidates participating agreed to support the nominee even if it is Trump, knowing that what Mr. Brooks and Mitt Romney (and John Oliver) have exposed, why would Mr. Brooks continue to hope that reason and ethics would prevail? I am a life long Democrat, but I believe in democracy and the need for two viable parties. I am very sorry to see the complete destruction of the Republican party.
7
Gosh David, "at long last", I know exactly what you mean! If only somebody had a high profile editorial page so they could have been denouncing the Republican con-job all along. Wouldn't that have been neat!
23
David Brooks, I feel your seemed anguish and recognize the hypocrisy as the fault in the stars of the Republican intellectual class. How could you find fault with Trump's financial shell games while ignoring Mitt Romney and his Bain Capital business model? Or the fact that a member of the Bush family, collective wealth is $60 million, Neil Bush's illegal activities in the Silverado Savings and Loan cost us $1.3 billion dollars. His fine? $50,000 and he keeps his part of the $60 million. Nice work if you can get it.
31
Just a few days ago was it not David Brooks who wrote that beautiful, cogent argument about the importance of compromise in politics, that politics is compromise and the alternative is authoritarianism and Trump? I've quoted that article ever since. Yet here we are again praising the efforts of the divisive Republican leadership that created Trump. Was not Romney the candidate who sought to divide the "makers" from the "takers" in a fundraiser with the one percent? Is he really the hero on the white charger the Republicans seek? How on earth will that quiet the disillusioned masses?What they need now for a standard bearer going forward toward their hoped for brokered convention is a spokesman with clean hands; one who has not participated in the divisive, just say no, never compromise, gridlock politics of the Republicans. Is there such an unsoiled figure somewhere in the wings? Without one I fear David Brooks was right in his previous column. The authoritarianism of a Trump is what you get when you practice oppositionalism instead of politics.
13
1) One 6:00 a.m. call from MD. to tell me that this 'Trump' thing was serious;
2) Paul Krugman, and many journalists are trying their best, but to no avail;
3) We have betrayed ourselves and Donald Trump is the Great Brayer;
4) One internet link on 'How To Move to Canada' from a friend in Toronto;
5) One internet property with photos in Co. Galway of a house by the sea with the title 'Escape from Trump'.
6) To a friend, and it is not even 9:45 a.m. here, I replied that I was trumped out;
7) Maybe the internet has some tips on how to deal with a Cult Figure;
8) The novel by Sinclair Lewis 'It Can Happen Here' worth reading on the web and explains the world according to Donald, or 'Buzz' as he is known.
Good luck to all our journalists who have to put up with this gumf about Trump!
2) Paul Krugman, and many journalists are trying their best, but to no avail;
3) We have betrayed ourselves and Donald Trump is the Great Brayer;
4) One internet link on 'How To Move to Canada' from a friend in Toronto;
5) One internet property with photos in Co. Galway of a house by the sea with the title 'Escape from Trump'.
6) To a friend, and it is not even 9:45 a.m. here, I replied that I was trumped out;
7) Maybe the internet has some tips on how to deal with a Cult Figure;
8) The novel by Sinclair Lewis 'It Can Happen Here' worth reading on the web and explains the world according to Donald, or 'Buzz' as he is known.
Good luck to all our journalists who have to put up with this gumf about Trump!
4
David doesn't get it. Trump is his mob's capo. They know he's just as crooked as the Republican and Democratic establishments that ripped them off with supply side and free trade shams. That’s why they believe he has the skill set needed to win for them.
Trump's the head of the snake. Hit him, and not only will you get sprayed with his venom, you will incur the writhing, whiplashing wrath of his followers who will swell in number in direct (possibly exponential) proportion to the media attention he gets from such "Donnybrooks" or slam pieces by David Brooks.
The only thing that will defang Trump is a media blackout. How many think the self-proclaimed 4th Estate will choose democracy over capitalism? Right. Ergo, the pregnant Trump will slither on to the Republican Convention to lay his eggs on and in the snake pit where he was born.
Trump's the head of the snake. Hit him, and not only will you get sprayed with his venom, you will incur the writhing, whiplashing wrath of his followers who will swell in number in direct (possibly exponential) proportion to the media attention he gets from such "Donnybrooks" or slam pieces by David Brooks.
The only thing that will defang Trump is a media blackout. How many think the self-proclaimed 4th Estate will choose democracy over capitalism? Right. Ergo, the pregnant Trump will slither on to the Republican Convention to lay his eggs on and in the snake pit where he was born.
8
Romney is a "major Republican"? Nuff said.
10
Mr. Brooks...once again, spot on! Problem is, who reads it? "Educated adults with common sense." (See Cheryl) The same people who watch PBS? Are Trump voters only fixated with cable news and supermarket tabloids? They all have one thing in "common"...one vote! In a house of three, two high school diplomas beats one PHD...something elites fail to grasp; so easy to write off the opposition as uneducated. "The burden of responsibility" here falls on the MEDIA...who perpetuated this candidate. misjudged his popularity, ignored his political skills, and swore he would just go away (that means you Brooks!)
6
David, you are repeating the obvious, Trump is a con man!
So why haven't the Republicans say anything until now? Can it be that Trump just play the con better? For example, the poor were lead to believe the "Trickle Down" effect by big cuts in taxes for the rich. The result? The rich kept the money and life got worse for the poor and middle class.
It is a big con job by the GOP who are still going at it. Trump wants to con for his own ego and benefit instead of for Wall St bankers and so you argued he is a big betrayer. Why don't you expose all the All betrayers?
So why haven't the Republicans say anything until now? Can it be that Trump just play the con better? For example, the poor were lead to believe the "Trickle Down" effect by big cuts in taxes for the rich. The result? The rich kept the money and life got worse for the poor and middle class.
It is a big con job by the GOP who are still going at it. Trump wants to con for his own ego and benefit instead of for Wall St bankers and so you argued he is a big betrayer. Why don't you expose all the All betrayers?
12
What Mitt Romney said about Trump yesterday could have been said about any republican running for president yesterday. Its funny to see the republicans run and gasp at Trumps popularity Since it was precisely this kind of rhetoric they have been promoting for the last 8 years. How many Republicans denounced Trump on the Birther issue when he brought it up, Not even Fox news. or on immigration. How about congress obstructing the president’s duties because they can’t get their way. The list goes on and on.
Their base loves it and are now showing the party the candidate they love based on what he has said. When you feed animals raw meat they go wild.
Their base loves it and are now showing the party the candidate they love based on what he has said. When you feed animals raw meat they go wild.
11
While reading my third NYT column focusing on Trump, I got a clear image of Trump in a national debate, Republican vs. Democrat. Not against Hillary, who brings her own trust issues, but against Bernie. Bernie deserves a better opponent, of course, but the contrast brings us down to earth with a thud.
10
I loved how all the GOP candidates in the debate last night essentially said that Trump would be a disaster for the country and then said they would support him if he is the nominee.
26
When this all started, with Hillary the main candidate for the Democrats, and over ten for the Republicans, I wondered why the Democrats have such an empty bench. Now, looking at who is left on the Republican side, I would say their bench is very weak. Rubio and Cruz have no experience and their policies are a rehash of the past. Maybe that is why Trump is so far ahead.
3
Didn't Romney beg for Trumps endorsement when he ran for president? So, how is he to be believed now? Why do you keep thinking people are foolish?
Go Trump!!!!
Go Trump!!!!
6
Romney a big gun?
Don't "true conservatives dislike Romneycare as much as they do Obamacare? (If not why?)
Didn't Romney make most of his fortune by turning his back on American workers and off-shoring jobs - one of the chief complaints of Trump and Sanders supporters?
Although I am a 47 percenter (I started working at 15, was self supporting through college -it took 8 years to get my degree; but I'm a public school teacher) I'm not so sure Romney is as good a spokesman as you think.
(PS - he did encourage self deportation, so I guess he lines up with conservatives there.)
Don't "true conservatives dislike Romneycare as much as they do Obamacare? (If not why?)
Didn't Romney make most of his fortune by turning his back on American workers and off-shoring jobs - one of the chief complaints of Trump and Sanders supporters?
Although I am a 47 percenter (I started working at 15, was self supporting through college -it took 8 years to get my degree; but I'm a public school teacher) I'm not so sure Romney is as good a spokesman as you think.
(PS - he did encourage self deportation, so I guess he lines up with conservatives there.)
12
The delicious irony of the GOP leadership calling foul on "Donald Trump, the Great Betrayer" is that they are ticked off because he sort of threw away the dog whistle and is saying out loud what they have been either whispering or implying for decades. It may be too late for the Mitts of the GOP to speak out now because the horse has left the barn and is racing to the nomination of a party that is being transported back to an era we thought we had left behind. The sad kicker is that this leap backwards is being Trumpeted as "Make America Great Again."
11
How about the Republic party telling the real truth to the American public that Barak Obama was not a bad President and not to obstruct him in every thing that he does without a reason?
30
Real morality is when you stuck up for Other People when it's not convenient, on principle. Lesser morality is when you get your tail in a crack and it no longer serves to lie, but you would do it again to win. Which is the GOP right now.
Trump is the end product of a pathological diet of lies. Like being upset that you are obese on your candy diet. Reap/Sow comes to mind.
The inmates understand perfectly that those were lies, don't care, and now will "know" what is thrown at Trump is lies too. A major political party that has operated like a sociopath is going to have a little trouble in the believability department.
Trump is the end product of a pathological diet of lies. Like being upset that you are obese on your candy diet. Reap/Sow comes to mind.
The inmates understand perfectly that those were lies, don't care, and now will "know" what is thrown at Trump is lies too. A major political party that has operated like a sociopath is going to have a little trouble in the believability department.
12
Trump is the very face of naked capitalism. In that sense he's the perfect republican.
He is taking advantage of a system that both parties tried to rig for themselves. The anger and distrust have found a destructive spokesman. Mission accomplished.
Mr. Brooks is following the timing of Mitt Romney. Seems like you guys waited too long.
He is taking advantage of a system that both parties tried to rig for themselves. The anger and distrust have found a destructive spokesman. Mission accomplished.
Mr. Brooks is following the timing of Mitt Romney. Seems like you guys waited too long.
4
Trump may indeed be the rotten apple in the GOP bushel basket, but the only problem is the rest of the apples have already been decaying now for some time. The GOP "strateegery" is coming back to haunt them immensely! The only thing that can save the GOP is a dumbed-down electorate, which was always a part of their ignoble plan!!
5
As to Romney's lambasting Trump for his bankruptcies, pot meet kettle. During his campaign Romney kept citing Sports Authority as a great example of his company's ability to turn failing businesses around. This week Sports Authority declared bankruptcy. Trump is deservedly recognized by many as one of the great con artists of our time. Romney should be too.
15
Donald Trump is not the Great Betrayer of the Republican Party.
He is the great Inheritor of the Republican Party. Every one of Trump's policies (such as they are) are the same policies espoused by the other candidates. They just don't like the fact that when he speaks, he doesn't clothe those policies in weasel words. His words are divisive, hateful and self-serving. Nothing new there. The GOP has been running on division, hate and self-interest for the last 40 years. Welcome to the candidate you made, GOP.
He is the great Inheritor of the Republican Party. Every one of Trump's policies (such as they are) are the same policies espoused by the other candidates. They just don't like the fact that when he speaks, he doesn't clothe those policies in weasel words. His words are divisive, hateful and self-serving. Nothing new there. The GOP has been running on division, hate and self-interest for the last 40 years. Welcome to the candidate you made, GOP.
18
"Republican officials have a responsibility to their country to spread the nasty truths about Trump. Agreed.
Now, what "pleasant truths" about Cruz and Rubio will Republican officials simultaneously spread across the country? Aside from the fact that Cruz and Rubio are not Trump, what actual qualifications do they really have to seek the nation's highest office, on behalf of all Americans?
That truth may be the bigger nut to crack. Good luck, David, you'll need it.
Now, what "pleasant truths" about Cruz and Rubio will Republican officials simultaneously spread across the country? Aside from the fact that Cruz and Rubio are not Trump, what actual qualifications do they really have to seek the nation's highest office, on behalf of all Americans?
That truth may be the bigger nut to crack. Good luck, David, you'll need it.
9
Such an effort will only be credible if it concludes with this: Trump is so dangerously unqualified that, if he is the party's nominee, you should vote for his opponent in the general election. Absent that, it's only another shill.
8
Here's the problem with Brooks' strategy summed up in a single quote from a popular Republican Governor "my state is going to vote overwhelming for Trump and I don't know a single person voting for Trump"
4
All true.
But I'm sorry Mr Brooks, the thing you apparently don't understand is that the GOP establishment has even less credibility with GOP primary voters than you would like them to believe Trump has.
Ur whistling past the graveyard.
But I'm sorry Mr Brooks, the thing you apparently don't understand is that the GOP establishment has even less credibility with GOP primary voters than you would like them to believe Trump has.
Ur whistling past the graveyard.
5
Where has Brooks been all along? Will he support the nominee no matter who he is? Like Romney, Brooks has only spoken up now in an attempt to hold on to his position as a scribe in defense of the 1%. If he had any gumption he would not just walk back his party's failures, he would turn on them all for the empty un-American attitudes they spew. Anything less is an inadvertent attempt at a masking of his own beliefs.
7
What you and Republican politicians have failed to realize is that the people voting for Trump are tired of electing Republicans who do nothing for them. They look at the politicians they elected and see them taking care of the wealthy. Trump supporters already know about him. These are people who, if Jesus came back to earth and declared himself a Democrat, would never vote for Him. These Republicans could not in their wildest imagine voting for Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. They looked at the Republican candidates and decided "the Donald" was their only choice.
8
Mr. Brooks, please recall the words of another Donald, i.e., Sec. Rumsfeld: "You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want..."
The Republican electorate: that's the army you built. You can't change it once it's deployed.
The Republican electorate: that's the army you built. You can't change it once it's deployed.
14
Now the establishment Republicans like Brooks are taking on Trump when it is simply too late. The horse is out of the barn, David, you are now merely shouting into the wind.
4
Everything you say about Trump is correct -- and true about the corporatocracy as a whole.
What you describe is the ethic of too many current corporate citizens whose sole purpose is "the interest of the shareholder" and never its role in the community as a whole.
Beginning with "greed is good" and continuing with the various legal rules that allow consumers' rights to be taken away with arbitration clauses, or enforcement rules that have left NO individual jailed for the fraud that left our world economy shattered, the oligarchy cares only for itself.
Look at the big picture and see the distillation that is the Donald.
What you describe is the ethic of too many current corporate citizens whose sole purpose is "the interest of the shareholder" and never its role in the community as a whole.
Beginning with "greed is good" and continuing with the various legal rules that allow consumers' rights to be taken away with arbitration clauses, or enforcement rules that have left NO individual jailed for the fraud that left our world economy shattered, the oligarchy cares only for itself.
Look at the big picture and see the distillation that is the Donald.
9
And yet despite all this Cruz, Kasich and Rubio will still support his nomination. Party first, country second. Romney may have been all for the 1 percent but at least he has some personal integrity. The potential nominees of 2016? None.
4
The republican party is reaping what it sowed. Trump has loudly taken the "logic" of republican positions to their inevitable ends and the republican establishment is shocked, shocked, that anyone would do such things; not the hideous ends themselves, but yelling them out loud. Cruz is far worse than Trump in his hatred of liberty and the masses. Rubio IS the joke of a leader that Trump pronounces him to be. And Mitt confirmed that he is the "such a loser" in his ridiculous speech yesterday; especially when he opened with his demonic characterization of Hillary Clinton. I despise the republican party and its hypocritical leaders even more than Trump; and I truly despise Trump.
4
All of the Republicans' umbrage toward Donald Trump is offset by the fact that so many of them were seeking this man's endorsement just four years ago. What does that say about them?
4
Agreed. Unfortunately this alarm should have been sounded long ago, before George W. Bush's nomination. Now the Republicans are reaping the whirlwind they have sown for so many years. It is no longer a legitimate political party. It is an angry mob.
6
Curious that the last Republican president -- W himself -- has chosen to stay above the fray, not sully his spotless hands by speaking out against a man who seeks the presidency for reasons of personal self-aggrandizement yet is hopelessly lacking in any competence to do the job.
Perhaps it's not so curious, at that.
Perhaps it's not so curious, at that.
8
The Great Mitt is now rising up (on his White Horse btw) to smite The Donald? Spare me. Can't wait for next week's column.
5
Trump is the culmination of Republican "values" rather than its betrayer, IMHO.
7
But nobody on the Republican side can speak up without blaring inconsistencies and hypocrisy on their own part. This is the trouble with Republican, and Democrat, career politicians - they are slimy, money-hungry, lying and self-serving hypocrites.
1
Shams? You mean venerable GOP scams like supply side economics. Climate change is a scientific hoax. “The jury is still out” on evolution. The entirely undocumented nationwide epidemic of voter fraud that nevertheless requires rolling back voting rights to the Jim Crow era. The notion that unreasonable regulations imposed solely on abortion clinics are necessary to “protect women’s health.” The wholesale reinvention of the founders’ intent in GOP-solicited and now fiercely defended SCOTUS decisions like Citizens United and Heller. Remove Trump from the equation, and the GOP establishment, Brooks included, will still be cheering on the salesmen of these frauds.
20
Trump is the symptom of a sickness in the GOP that has metastasized over the last two decades. Until Republicans of all stripes come to terms with that, we're all in trouble. They've lost their way because they've pandered to the worst in people. Their hatred and disrespect for Obama has been over the top. Right wing media, especially Fox, has fomented this anger and unrest. Meanwhile, regular Americans suffer the consequences of politics in gridlock, a system that's rigged to favor the most well off.
13
Mr Brooks. I need to say that all polticians are betrayors. The left betrays the country for the left. The right betrays the country for the right. Republicans betray blacks to win white votes. Democrats betray blacks to get black votes. Rubio and Cruz betray Hispanics to get votes. Obama betrayed the country to get ACA without single payer. Hillary betrayed the country to rid Libya of Gadaffi. Bill betrayed Hillary for Monica. If you insist those running and winning office should serve the common good you wil be betrayed. Donald is a symptom of the people being betrayed by Democarts, Repiublicans, media, pundits, business, trade agreements, unions, right-to-workers (a prima facia betrayal) etc. Why should we be afraid of being betrayed by Trump? It's really serious this time? The only hope we have is Hope itself; God. I pray to you Father but I may vote for Trump.
1
The Republican party has only itself to blame. For the last two decades their leaders have pushed the party so far to the right that the policies of Reagan and GHW Bush look liberal in comparison. Now they're not just dangling their toes in reactionarism, they're waist deep in fascism. Their pigeons have come home to roost, and those elephantiasic fowls of intolerance, spite, hate, revenge, prejudice, profit over people, anti-woman, anti-children, anti-poor, anti-ethnicity, anti-immigrant, anti-common good, anti-health, anti-government, pro-privatization, pro-gun, pro-war, and pro-death, have turned on their greedy masters. Perhaps these self-described Christians should have read their good book a little more carefully, and not skipped over the part that says, "As you sow, so shall you reap."
15
Well said David.
Too little, too late, David. You're an expert apologist until the apologies cannot hold water. So, if it's Trump v. Clinton, who will you vote for?
3
How about a look inward instead of at Trump, the symptom of their rot??
The GOP ironically scooped up Evangelicals and the religious who have a wisdom tradition that specifically deals with the consequences of lying, authenticity, being fair, and lots of teachings about "building a house on sand". They have over and over again abused their collective power. So, what won?
Lying.
About Obama, about themselves, about poor people, about foreigners, about gay people, about women.
That Paul Ryan can call this "The Party of Lincoln" speaks to the literalness of the people they have been conning. The Party of John Wilkes Booth is the reality.
The GOP ironically scooped up Evangelicals and the religious who have a wisdom tradition that specifically deals with the consequences of lying, authenticity, being fair, and lots of teachings about "building a house on sand". They have over and over again abused their collective power. So, what won?
Lying.
About Obama, about themselves, about poor people, about foreigners, about gay people, about women.
That Paul Ryan can call this "The Party of Lincoln" speaks to the literalness of the people they have been conning. The Party of John Wilkes Booth is the reality.
10
Trouble is, David, the other candidates (save perhaps Kasich) are inept, devious, dangerous, and disingenuous in their own ways.
3
Message to the Republican party: YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW!
You cultivate fear, you cut jobs and wages and tell people making effectively less and less each year to pull themselves up by their mythical bootstraps, you tell us that the poor deserve fewer services while shoveling money hand over fist into the gaping maw of the 1%, you lie and distract so that the people blame each other instead of marching with pitchforks and torches to Wall Street -- and somehow you are surprised when the logical conclusion emerges, a blathering racist con man know-nothing demagogue.
My biggest surprise is that you act surprised. For decades have undermined the social safety net, you have squeezed wages to the breaking point, you have fought against health care and social security, you have outsourced jobs and closed factories. The rich get obscenely, fantastically richer, and not just the poor but the middle class gets poorer. People are terrified for their futures because they can't get ahead and they don't see anything getting better in the foreseeable future.
So, they turn to the Donald, the guy who's going to blow everything up, because they think that's better than what they have, which is nothing.
Please, stop acting surprised, and embrace what you've created.
You cultivate fear, you cut jobs and wages and tell people making effectively less and less each year to pull themselves up by their mythical bootstraps, you tell us that the poor deserve fewer services while shoveling money hand over fist into the gaping maw of the 1%, you lie and distract so that the people blame each other instead of marching with pitchforks and torches to Wall Street -- and somehow you are surprised when the logical conclusion emerges, a blathering racist con man know-nothing demagogue.
My biggest surprise is that you act surprised. For decades have undermined the social safety net, you have squeezed wages to the breaking point, you have fought against health care and social security, you have outsourced jobs and closed factories. The rich get obscenely, fantastically richer, and not just the poor but the middle class gets poorer. People are terrified for their futures because they can't get ahead and they don't see anything getting better in the foreseeable future.
So, they turn to the Donald, the guy who's going to blow everything up, because they think that's better than what they have, which is nothing.
Please, stop acting surprised, and embrace what you've created.
6
"... some 'major Republicans like Mitt Romney' are speaking up to lay waste to Donald Trump."
I believe you are miss-characterizing the motives of the ever-opportunistic Mr. Romney, to say nothing of over-blowing his stature as a GOP thought leader. Was he ever anything other than a luke-warmish, compromise choice foisted on the Party of [Li ... sorry, can't giggle and type] by its plutocrats, in whom the barbarians acquiesced, because at least he is white?
Romney's not quite the moral icon you might fondly wish him to be, David, nor does he hold any sway with those Trumpian pathogens who are publicly bursting the boils of 'real' contemporary Republicanism.
He just wants us to know he's still available, so call him, maybe?
I believe you are miss-characterizing the motives of the ever-opportunistic Mr. Romney, to say nothing of over-blowing his stature as a GOP thought leader. Was he ever anything other than a luke-warmish, compromise choice foisted on the Party of [Li ... sorry, can't giggle and type] by its plutocrats, in whom the barbarians acquiesced, because at least he is white?
Romney's not quite the moral icon you might fondly wish him to be, David, nor does he hold any sway with those Trumpian pathogens who are publicly bursting the boils of 'real' contemporary Republicanism.
He just wants us to know he's still available, so call him, maybe?
5
David, I couldn't agree with You more.However when You name Mitt Romney as a prominent Republican, , I tell You, he represent a loosing period on Politics,and all you have to do is look at the acceptance speech he gave after Mr Trump endorsed him
This is getting to be a circus
This is getting to be a circus
2
Trump represents the "return of the repressed." He is the id to the Republican super-ego, where years of Republican lies (Watergate, Iran-Contra, Iraq war anyone?) have created a misbehaving Republican voter-for-Trump. When a Republican president sent their children into an unnecessary war in Iraq, when a Republican president presided over the loss of their homes and their jobs -- THAT is when Republican voters finally felt the betrayal. But the party itself can't talk about these betrayals -- until Trump came along. He's the rude kid who says the emperor has no clothes.
3
Trump was born in the same nest as almost every Republican. that he was perverse and bigoted was not evident to them as he was just like the rest of them.
Now republicans are trying to push him out of the nest as an embarrassment, but really he just reveals to the world their own lying tendencies and bigotry.
Now republicans are trying to push him out of the nest as an embarrassment, but really he just reveals to the world their own lying tendencies and bigotry.
5
Dear Mr. Brooks:
I highly respect you. You are intelligent and you are thoughtful. You make me think about things I have not thought about before, or you make me think about them in a new way.
But, unless I have missed something, you are still a Republican. You have not bee a Republican all your life, so this is not a life-long commitment. And I wonder, how can you continue to be one? How, with all they stand for now, with all they are doing now, can you continue to be one?
I don't think a whole lot of Republicans are going to change their votes because you change yours. But you could at least be one more example of someone who says, enough! I simply do not see how a thinking, compassionate person can remain a Republican at this time.
And, for heaven's sake, don't say that you are trying to change them from the inside! Get real!
Sincerely,
Paul Franklin
I highly respect you. You are intelligent and you are thoughtful. You make me think about things I have not thought about before, or you make me think about them in a new way.
But, unless I have missed something, you are still a Republican. You have not bee a Republican all your life, so this is not a life-long commitment. And I wonder, how can you continue to be one? How, with all they stand for now, with all they are doing now, can you continue to be one?
I don't think a whole lot of Republicans are going to change their votes because you change yours. But you could at least be one more example of someone who says, enough! I simply do not see how a thinking, compassionate person can remain a Republican at this time.
And, for heaven's sake, don't say that you are trying to change them from the inside! Get real!
Sincerely,
Paul Franklin
5
I don't know how Brooks is missing this. Trump paid Romney to denounce him so as to boost his anti establishment popularity. Trump will likely get out George W. Bush and Hillary to denounce him as both owe him a favor or two from all the past campaign contributions.
2
The irony is the party who wants the "the people to decide" the next Supreme Court justice will not even embrace the front runner in their nominating process. The party establishment looks like fools not leaders. How can a party govern the country when it cannot govern itself.
3
Trump always changes what he'd said in the past to some new explanatory narrative. He is a pathological liar. When asked about David Duke's endorsement, he denied knowing who David Duke was. The next day, Trump was proclaiming over every type of news outlet on which he could get exposure, that he'd disavowed him for years and years! He actually had disavowed someone he'd never heard of before he even became an embarrassment to his candidacy. The only thing Trump is consistent about is his blatant denial of things (which are actually recorded) which he said! How anyone can swallow his lies in beyond comprehension. A total fraud!
2
David Brooks only writes this stuff now- why didn't he put out this column 3 months ago?
the information was out there. he waited until everyone was speaking up, and then followed the crowd, how brave of him. he has disliked Trump since day 1 , why did this column take so long?
the information was out there. he waited until everyone was speaking up, and then followed the crowd, how brave of him. he has disliked Trump since day 1 , why did this column take so long?
2
This evaluation by Mr. Brooks misses 100% why DT is winning. The Trump campaign - with DT as a product - is built on his - marketing position, fully described below. It is not about anything but that. Following is a quote from F Bruni's column today that tells us why Trump is winning. "Here’s the problem: Trump’s voters aren’t with him because he’s the purest conservative. Trump is their protest vote, and part of what they’re protesting is preoccupations of the Republican Party that haven’t improved or been immediately relevant to their lives. They’re protesting foreign wars, free trade and the coddling of corporations, and some of Trump’s apostasies are precisely what draw them to him.
Republican leaders’ failure to take down Trump isn’t simply a function of hesitancy — it’s not just about waiting too long. It’s about their own lack of credibility and authority with the part of the electorate that’s defying them."
Republican leaders’ failure to take down Trump isn’t simply a function of hesitancy — it’s not just about waiting too long. It’s about their own lack of credibility and authority with the part of the electorate that’s defying them."
2
David - I hope you are reading Paul Krugman today - he has a much better take on the Republican Party than you do. Why you can't see them for the pathological liars they are is beyond me. Indignity and outrage are certainly appropriate reactions to Trump, but republicans have been lying to themselves and the nation for years. It's turpitude at its worst.
6
I can't stand Trump, but to have any of the other three choices is no better. At least Trump entertains as he destroys. The other guys would destroy just as much as Trump but with the use of stealth tactics.
2
that's it in a nutshell. American party politics has reached the tipping point. there's no one the electorate can vote for who will not betray them. the chrony
corner spider webs have taken over the house, senate, white house, and now
fight among themselves. a Bernie/Hillary(as veep)ticket will win while cancelling
out the worst aspects of both.
corner spider webs have taken over the house, senate, white house, and now
fight among themselves. a Bernie/Hillary(as veep)ticket will win while cancelling
out the worst aspects of both.
1
"He seduces people . . . . But in the end he cares only about himself." That's what Trump's supporters have to say about the GOP establishment, which has seduced them with culture-war platitudes and dog-whistles for years, and then, on the important economic issues, has responded only to the interests of its big-money patrons.
2
Trump's business history has been in the news for years. Any informed citizen would and should know of it. Real estate hustles abound and if you want to go after Universities that encourage people to pile up debt there exists a long list of pseudo private colleges. Trump's operation was probably the norm not the exception. But we are talking here about the Republican party. Any moral or caring preaching from this party is merely the the banging of a hollow drum. Trump chose the Republican party because he knew it was ripe for Trump and Trump was ripe for it. He knew the Democrats would never let him in. All Trump has done is use the Republican party principles to aid his nomination. If you are looking for a home of business principle it is not the Republican party. The Republican party has been preaching voodoo economics, and scamming the common man for years using hate, religion, and promises of greatness. What did you expect an honest caring nominee. Romney, are you kidding, he was ready to toss away half the electorate as lazy and poor and deserving of that status. Trump offends you only because of his style and his exposure of the Republican party's true nature. Get a grip!
5
OK, David, we know you do not like Donald Trump's candidacy. But do you support either Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio? Without re-reading your recent columns, my memory is that all of them are looking for candidates or a party that simply don't exist. Since I can't believe you would support not voting for a President, are you finally willing to admit that perhaps a Democrat might be the lesser of the evils?
4
Brooks and Romney seem put off that the grateful masses of low information former blue collar workers should adore Trump. They understand Trump's visceral instincts, his black and white worldview his seething anger at those like Brooks and Romney who want to craft a narrative portraying their man as a fraud....but these supporters have the evidence; job losses, poverty, and stagnation.
2
"The Great Betrayer" or the flesh-in-the-word incarnation of the Republican theology? Our Donal Trump is the Republican messiah. They are betraying Him, He is not betraying their example.
3
The great betrayer (s) is you and your neo-con ilk for promoting dog whistle codes about obama, the working class, obamacare, the environment. You threw a lot of red meat out there David, now you don't like the big dog that pushed all the other dogs away to eat that red meat. You reap what you sew.
5
In our wonderfully open primary in the state of Illinois, I'm switching tickets. I love watching the implosion of the GOP. I'm voting for - you guessed it - Trump!
5
Mr. Brooks I whole-heartedly agree with everything you have voiced in this article. However, I disagree with the idea that there still may be time to turn this around. This article should have been written 6 months ago. The people who need swaying are most likely not reading the Times, and in spite of your conservative leaning, would not believe any commentary coming from the NY "Liberal" Media. I am aghast watching the kindergarten antics unfold on the national stage between the cast of characters the GOP has assembled for this election. As a liberal, I have a deep seeded fear that this chaos may just be enough to take the White House. And then what?
2
Mr. Trump has merely taken the party establishment's long time con of its base to the next level. It's understandable that said establishment is put out by an outsider elbowing into its game.
2
So you believe this kind of take-down of Trump is going to affect in any way the hordes who are supporting him? Doubtful. And how does the Republican Party deal with the anger of those hordes when their hero is replaced by a "serious" candidate? They'll vote for him anyway as a third party candidate.
I'd be enjoying this unending cabaret if the country wasn't in such a dire predicament. We'd just better be sure to come out and support Hillary/Bernie in November.
I'd be enjoying this unending cabaret if the country wasn't in such a dire predicament. We'd just better be sure to come out and support Hillary/Bernie in November.
6
I've been waiting a full month for Brooks to finally swing back to a column entirely about Trump -- ever since he wrote confidently on Feb. 2, under a "Donald Trump Isn't Real" headline, that the candidate had underperformed in Iowa, and would continue to do so.
"What happened in Iowa was that some version of normalcy returned to the G.O.P. race," Brooks wrote. "The precedents of history have not been rendered irrelevant.."
Today, Brooks has returned to the subject, and rightly urged all the GOP adults to firmly call out Trump as the con man he is. But in repeating the words "at long last," Brooks implicitly slams party leaders for doing exactly what he did -- waiting too long to recognize the strength of Trump's campaign.
Now is the time to devote all energy to stopping him dead. But eventually, when Brooks looks back to explain why Trump lost in the general election, taking down the party with him, I hope Brooks is candid about his own role in standing too idly while Trump steamrolled ahead.
"What happened in Iowa was that some version of normalcy returned to the G.O.P. race," Brooks wrote. "The precedents of history have not been rendered irrelevant.."
Today, Brooks has returned to the subject, and rightly urged all the GOP adults to firmly call out Trump as the con man he is. But in repeating the words "at long last," Brooks implicitly slams party leaders for doing exactly what he did -- waiting too long to recognize the strength of Trump's campaign.
Now is the time to devote all energy to stopping him dead. But eventually, when Brooks looks back to explain why Trump lost in the general election, taking down the party with him, I hope Brooks is candid about his own role in standing too idly while Trump steamrolled ahead.
1
I agree with everything you say here David...sadly, all the other GOP candidates are barely more qualified to govern...is it possible you will see that there is only one candidate whose principled past and tireless work to help Americans rise above injustice deserves your vote? Hint...it's not Hillary!
4
Trump is a sheep in wolf's clothing. He's a better person behind the facade. It's a gamble, but he might make a great president. Look at how he's run his campaign...it's a lean and mean machine that is winning. That is a very good sign for what kind of administration he would lead. I'm not worried about him leading us into insane wars. He strikes me as someone who is careful and strong enough to stand up to the real danger that faces the country...the neocons.
Trump is the only chance the Republicans have of winning the general election. Cruz? Rubio? Are you kidding? Republicans would be smart to embrace Trump now.
By the way, I'm probably going to vote for Clinton. But I'm keeping an open mind about Trump.
Trump is the only chance the Republicans have of winning the general election. Cruz? Rubio? Are you kidding? Republicans would be smart to embrace Trump now.
By the way, I'm probably going to vote for Clinton. But I'm keeping an open mind about Trump.
2
David -- look in the mirror of the Republican party:
"...inability to think for an extended time about ... seduces people with ... confidence and ... promises. ... betrays those who trust ... leaves them high and dry."
Trump is doing nothing other than GOP SOP. He's just cruder about it.
The party cannot get rid of him, because it's like cutting one's own heart out.
"...inability to think for an extended time about ... seduces people with ... confidence and ... promises. ... betrays those who trust ... leaves them high and dry."
Trump is doing nothing other than GOP SOP. He's just cruder about it.
The party cannot get rid of him, because it's like cutting one's own heart out.
5
Mr. Brooks, you write:
"He seduces people with his confidence and his promises. People invest time, love and money in him. But in the end he cares only about himself. He betrays those who trust him and leaves them high and dry."
Regardless of what one thinks or knows about Trump, and he is explicit, isn't that exactly the sentiment that motivates the Trump supporters relative to the Republican Party? For decades, the Republican party "seduced people (with its) confidence and promises." If I recall correctly, in past election cycles, the political stories mused as to why Republican voters were voting against their own interests. Rightly or wrongly, they say: "No mas!"
"He seduces people with his confidence and his promises. People invest time, love and money in him. But in the end he cares only about himself. He betrays those who trust him and leaves them high and dry."
Regardless of what one thinks or knows about Trump, and he is explicit, isn't that exactly the sentiment that motivates the Trump supporters relative to the Republican Party? For decades, the Republican party "seduced people (with its) confidence and promises." If I recall correctly, in past election cycles, the political stories mused as to why Republican voters were voting against their own interests. Rightly or wrongly, they say: "No mas!"
5
The fact that David Brooks characterizes Mitt Romney as a Republican "big gun'
just illustrates how vacuous the GOP has become in the past 3 decades.
Where has Mitt been for the last 4 years anyway? Mitt who? Oh yeah, the guy who straps his dog on the roof of his car and dismissed half of the American people as moochers....oh yeah, a speech from that guy will really help.
just illustrates how vacuous the GOP has become in the past 3 decades.
Where has Mitt been for the last 4 years anyway? Mitt who? Oh yeah, the guy who straps his dog on the roof of his car and dismissed half of the American people as moochers....oh yeah, a speech from that guy will really help.
5
Allegedly he is a criminal having committed many crimes large and small according to the reports right here in the NYT and elsewhere. This is far worse than being a fraud. A criminal cannot be elected president.
Mr. Brooks, while you are right about Trump, you ignore the fact that the Republican party created this. The party has long been the party of the wealthy business class, wrapping pro-corporate policies in talk about patriotism and social values to get the poor and middle class Republicans to accept policies that truly did not favor them. The Republican party has long betrayed its own constituents. How does it feel to have the tables turned?
7
Just substitute "the Republican Party" for "Donald Trump" in the headline for Mr. Brooks column
1
"Now, at long last, the big guns are being brought to bear. Now, at long last, some major Republicans like Mitt Romney are speaking up to lay waste to Donald Trump."
Wasn't sure as I read this if it was true or sarcastic. Big guns like Mitt Romney? The people voting for Trump do not care what Mitt thinks. And meanwhile Romney's righteous condemnation of Trump's unfitness for the presidency losts its moral force when he concluded with "besides, he can't win."
Wasn't sure as I read this if it was true or sarcastic. Big guns like Mitt Romney? The people voting for Trump do not care what Mitt thinks. And meanwhile Romney's righteous condemnation of Trump's unfitness for the presidency losts its moral force when he concluded with "besides, he can't win."
2
Yes, the big guns are being brought to bear. But, if it doesn't work Rubio, Cruz, and Kasich will support Trump anyway. Mr. Brooks, your party has no clothes!
2
David - as a liberal, I find your column ripe for satire:
Mitt "47% are moochers Romney is who the GOP picks to criticize Trump ?
yeah, good luck with that
Rubio Cruz Jeb the Iraq war wasn't that bad an idea are gonna criticize Trump on foreign policy ?
go for it
Polling data shows a majority of Americans want Soc Security and healthcare from the Fed Govt' ; Rubio Cruz Jeb Romney want tax cuts for the rich
that tax cuts lift all boats meme is a dead parrot
David - good luck with all that
If D Trump is the only person in the GOP willing to state the obvious, that the Iraq war was and is a disaster, what does that say about the honesty of Rubio Cruz Romney ?
Mitt "47% are moochers Romney is who the GOP picks to criticize Trump ?
yeah, good luck with that
Rubio Cruz Jeb the Iraq war wasn't that bad an idea are gonna criticize Trump on foreign policy ?
go for it
Polling data shows a majority of Americans want Soc Security and healthcare from the Fed Govt' ; Rubio Cruz Jeb Romney want tax cuts for the rich
that tax cuts lift all boats meme is a dead parrot
David - good luck with all that
If D Trump is the only person in the GOP willing to state the obvious, that the Iraq war was and is a disaster, what does that say about the honesty of Rubio Cruz Romney ?
7
"a slapdash, politically incorrect money-hungry bully." This characterizes the GOP Party as a whole so its not fair to lay it solely at the feet of Trump. The chickens have come home to roost! This is what the party gets after years of demagoguery.
5
I think you might overestimate the people who support Trump. They LIKE all the shams he's pulled because he has put another one over on the establishment each time. They don't care that he lies - because he is punching holes in the establishment every time he does it.
But for the good news - don't assume everyone who votes for Trump in a primary would vote for him in the general election. I know people who have registered with the party they are against just so they can vote for the nominee they think has the least chance against the nominee of the party they really support. I'll bet there's a lot of that going on here, with independents as well.
But for the good news - don't assume everyone who votes for Trump in a primary would vote for him in the general election. I know people who have registered with the party they are against just so they can vote for the nominee they think has the least chance against the nominee of the party they really support. I'll bet there's a lot of that going on here, with independents as well.
1
David:
In your heart of hearts you know that the body and soul of the Republican party are beyond salvation.
Come over now.
In your heart of hearts you know that the body and soul of the Republican party are beyond salvation.
Come over now.
6
Seriously? "The big guns are being brought to bear?" So, where is Mitch McConnell's denunciation, the chief senator of "No" who, to paraphrase a comment made of Yasir Arafat, never passed up an opportunity to pass up an opportunity to actually do something positive for his country?
Fox, meanwhile, is all atwitter (pun intended) denying it played any role in promoting the type of vile and dishonest behavior exhibited by the remaining principal Republican candidates and their handlers. For the good of this great democratic republic of ours, let us hope this is the beginning of the end of this version of the GOP.
Fox, meanwhile, is all atwitter (pun intended) denying it played any role in promoting the type of vile and dishonest behavior exhibited by the remaining principal Republican candidates and their handlers. For the good of this great democratic republic of ours, let us hope this is the beginning of the end of this version of the GOP.
6
David, you act surprised. As if what you're saying, true as it may be, would make a difference to Trump supporters. This is the result of your party exploiting the anger and fear of the vulnerable for decades; they no longer trust the institutions your party has convinced them are worthless, and they seek the the guy they think is most capable (and willing) to protect them from all those dangers Republicans have taught them to fear. You reap what you sow.
4
I'm curious as to whether Romney and others will step forward to "lay waste" to Ted Cruz, as well, because he is as much if not more of a threat to the country (and GOP) than Trump. Rubio is no better. Frankly, at this point, I'm offended that anyone would support what these 3 men are threatening to do to this country.
David Brooks and others in the right-wing commentariat need to face the simple fact that their party needs to split. If nothing else, this is evidenced by the fact that Kasich can't even garner double digit support.
Dear GOP, your monster is out of control, and this time it's being led, not chased, by the mob of pitchforks and torches...
David Brooks and others in the right-wing commentariat need to face the simple fact that their party needs to split. If nothing else, this is evidenced by the fact that Kasich can't even garner double digit support.
Dear GOP, your monster is out of control, and this time it's being led, not chased, by the mob of pitchforks and torches...
5
"The burden of responsibility now falls on Republican officials, elected and non-elected, at all levels...to tell those people (the electorate) the truth, to rally all their energies against this man (Trump)."
And therein lies the problem. Trump supporters hate the GOP "officials" so much they relish the chance to demonstrate their contempt by voting for Trump. They're already suffering and looking at an impoverished future. The GOP has failed them for decades. People who are losing feel they have nothing to lose. Trump is their chance to fight back. No politician or pundit or op-ed writer is going to win them over.
And therein lies the problem. Trump supporters hate the GOP "officials" so much they relish the chance to demonstrate their contempt by voting for Trump. They're already suffering and looking at an impoverished future. The GOP has failed them for decades. People who are losing feel they have nothing to lose. Trump is their chance to fight back. No politician or pundit or op-ed writer is going to win them over.
4
A D- rating from the BBB for Trump U. How very illuminating. This man Trump is truly the evil twin of con man Prof. Harold Hill of "The Music Man" when it comers to business and business ethics.
Mostly, however, he is a fourteen year old bully boy with a mean girl heart. (She went to the ladies room. Eeeeeeewwww! "Disgusting!") Like most teens of that age, he knows everything.
To utilize Ronald Reagan's 1981 remarks about the Soviet Union to accurately describe Mr. Trump, "The only morality...they recognize is what will further their cause -- meaning they reserve unto themselves the right to... lie [and] to cheat in order to attain" political power."
This is the man who lies when he claims that that he never praised Vladimir Putin. And yet, Donald Trump is certainly taking on the trappings of ol' Vlad as well as certain Vlad-types who have come before over the past 100 years.
Mostly, however, he is a fourteen year old bully boy with a mean girl heart. (She went to the ladies room. Eeeeeeewwww! "Disgusting!") Like most teens of that age, he knows everything.
To utilize Ronald Reagan's 1981 remarks about the Soviet Union to accurately describe Mr. Trump, "The only morality...they recognize is what will further their cause -- meaning they reserve unto themselves the right to... lie [and] to cheat in order to attain" political power."
This is the man who lies when he claims that that he never praised Vladimir Putin. And yet, Donald Trump is certainly taking on the trappings of ol' Vlad as well as certain Vlad-types who have come before over the past 100 years.
1
Which of the candidates left is not a betrayer at some level? Cruz who shuts the government down for promises he can't keep, Rubio who collects a paycheck for a job he rarely attends, Kasich who shuts down Planned Parenthood while professing compassion for the poor and their healthcare woes.
Romnéy ran away from his values became someone else and lost the election, a major failure. To my point, who is the Republican Party anyway, but a hypocritical failure that has betrayed the American people time after time through lies, failed weak leadership and obstructive tactics.
Romnéy ran away from his values became someone else and lost the election, a major failure. To my point, who is the Republican Party anyway, but a hypocritical failure that has betrayed the American people time after time through lies, failed weak leadership and obstructive tactics.
7
"Now, at long last, the big guns are being brought to bear. Now, at long last, some major Republicans like Mitt Romney are speaking up to lay waste to Donald Trump."
You wish.
You wish.
4
I find it completely disingenuous that Mitt Rommney would call Trump a fraud. All republican candidates have done for the last 40 years is to perpetrate the fraud of pretending to be for the American middle class when their only objective when they get in office is bend over backwards for billionaires and multinational corporations.
Do you really think an alignment of republican frauds against a republican lunatic is going to do anything other than make Americans even more disgusted and or angry? Years and years of destruction politics have sunk the republican ship, learn that one thing and come back only when you are ready to serve the people of the United States.
Do you really think an alignment of republican frauds against a republican lunatic is going to do anything other than make Americans even more disgusted and or angry? Years and years of destruction politics have sunk the republican ship, learn that one thing and come back only when you are ready to serve the people of the United States.
8
Save us the hair-pulling and the clothes-rending over the possibility of Trump. Time to put your money where your mouth is, David. If Trump is your party's candidate, will you vote for him in November? Last night proved once and for all the absolute ethical and moral bankruptcy of the "party of Lincoln." At last night's food fight in Detroit, all 3 of the remaining candidates pledged they would pull the lever for Trump if he turned out to be the guy. Your party doesn't give 2 cents for the well-being of this country, it only cares about winning
6
Where was all the moral umbrage when John McCain picked Sarah Palin as running mate? The Republican Party's cynicism in courting evangelical and racist voters has simply come full circle with Trump. The biggest concern is coming from the realization that maybe, just maybe, corporate lackeys like Romney won't be able to manage The Donald. And his apparent independence from corporate control is driving much of his popularity in much the same way Bernie Sanders' independence is driving his own campaign.
8
I go to Brooks religiously for illumination, not delusion.
But to continuously express shock and dismay at Trump's success and staying power, let alone to think the prescriptions Brooks lays out here (and Romney laid out yesterday) will make a particle of difference, is to show a chattering class (and party apparatchiks) seriously out of touch with the seething, free-floating anger amongst the populace.
It isn't going away until comes the revolution...
But to continuously express shock and dismay at Trump's success and staying power, let alone to think the prescriptions Brooks lays out here (and Romney laid out yesterday) will make a particle of difference, is to show a chattering class (and party apparatchiks) seriously out of touch with the seething, free-floating anger amongst the populace.
It isn't going away until comes the revolution...
4
"Big guns... laying waste" Haha. Too late. Keep dreaming. Trump is the big gun, the distillation of the GOP.
4
Mitt Romney isn't a "major Republican." SHE, however, still is, and guess who SHE endorsed?
2
Poor Mr. Brooks. You still don't REALLY get it. Trump is the perfect result of all the nonsense that Republicans have created in the last eight years.
The chickens are coming home to roost.
Look in your mirror and try to deal with it.
The chickens are coming home to roost.
Look in your mirror and try to deal with it.
9
What politician is not in it for the ego? The only honest politician I know is Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith goes to Washington; and he was a fictional character.
We should criticize Donald Trump for his policies, not for his character.
We should criticize Donald Trump for his policies, not for his character.
1
The party's over.
4
Mr. Brooks,
I suspect your id is out of control. You need to get back on that horse and rein it in.
What is really going on is that you are terrified of a President Trump who may be a real honest broker in the Palestine/Israel conflict; who will allow Russia to have a small sphere of influence in eastern Europe; who will raise tariffs and restore employment and higher wages to the long-suffering middle-class.
Enabling Mr. Trump will be the millions of normally non-voting middle and working-class Americans he will bring to the polls. As the great political scientist, V.O. Key conjectured, this will be a critical election, the first since 1932.
I suspect your id is out of control. You need to get back on that horse and rein it in.
What is really going on is that you are terrified of a President Trump who may be a real honest broker in the Palestine/Israel conflict; who will allow Russia to have a small sphere of influence in eastern Europe; who will raise tariffs and restore employment and higher wages to the long-suffering middle-class.
Enabling Mr. Trump will be the millions of normally non-voting middle and working-class Americans he will bring to the polls. As the great political scientist, V.O. Key conjectured, this will be a critical election, the first since 1932.
1
Trump is simply the horror the Republican party is seeing in the mirror. A washing of hands won't change the reflection.
5
The people supporting Trump do not care what people like Romney say, however cogent their criticism may be. The more the Republican establishment criticizes Trump, the more support he will have! This, despite the fact that underneath all the buffonery and bluster, he is ultimately the same as these folks.
Somehow, the message needs to get to the angry dissaffected people supporting Trump that he is just as bad or worse than the rest of them: A rich guy who has gotten richer by taking advantage of both the system and the "regular folks" through all sorts of machinations and scams.
I don't know how to get this message out and digested by the people who need to hear and understand it. It won't be through Mitt's lectures. It won't be through Clinton's speeches.
Somehow, the message needs to get to the angry dissaffected people supporting Trump that he is just as bad or worse than the rest of them: A rich guy who has gotten richer by taking advantage of both the system and the "regular folks" through all sorts of machinations and scams.
I don't know how to get this message out and digested by the people who need to hear and understand it. It won't be through Mitt's lectures. It won't be through Clinton's speeches.
3
Your piece should be titled "Republican Party Falls Victim to a Voter Crisis It Created", exchanging a few words in the title of an article elsewhere in the Times. Of course all of what you say here is true David, but do you not understand that your party has always expected, even depended on, poorly informed voters.
Here's a reality you're going to have to face. The main message Trump is selling is "hate", and it's selling like hotcakes. There's a very large percentage of Republican voters who have waiting for someone to build a platform based on hatred, and they've found themselves the candidate they believe in, one who, as he's said, has abandoned "political correctness", that mainstay of the party that has tricked decent people into believing what Republicans have selling, but has a lock-hard hold on the voters full of prejudice, racism, and xenophobia. They're going to continue to support Trump.
And by God, it serves you right. Trump is a con-artist, a sham-man, all of the things you've accused him of, but he is telling one truth, the party's coded message is a sham, a con. He's decoded that message for the unsuspecting decent people who have been hoodwinked since reconstruction ended, The rest of us are thankful the sham has been exposed.
Here's a reality you're going to have to face. The main message Trump is selling is "hate", and it's selling like hotcakes. There's a very large percentage of Republican voters who have waiting for someone to build a platform based on hatred, and they've found themselves the candidate they believe in, one who, as he's said, has abandoned "political correctness", that mainstay of the party that has tricked decent people into believing what Republicans have selling, but has a lock-hard hold on the voters full of prejudice, racism, and xenophobia. They're going to continue to support Trump.
And by God, it serves you right. Trump is a con-artist, a sham-man, all of the things you've accused him of, but he is telling one truth, the party's coded message is a sham, a con. He's decoded that message for the unsuspecting decent people who have been hoodwinked since reconstruction ended, The rest of us are thankful the sham has been exposed.
4
Mr. Brooks is forgetting why this line of criticism won't work. Even though Governor Romney's points all have merit, his comments will be disqualified and ignored by the overwhelming majority of Trump supporters because of their sheer hypocrisy. Trump's supporters are angry that they have been taken for granted by the Republican elite election after election. For Mitt Romney to credibly claim that Trump doesn't represent the interests of his supporters it would help if the party he represents actually had those interests in mind. Good luck with that, Mitt. Let's look at his line of attack:
1. He assailed Trump for inheriting his wealth and failed business ideas that crush the little guy. Hello? This coming from the son of a Governor and business magnate that started Bain Capital.
2. He criticized the Trump fiscal plan of large tax cuts plus lack of specific entitlement cuts. Um...this is page one of the Republican play book.
3. He savages Trump for his outright appeal to the "darkest" elements of human nature. Was it more acceptable to appeal these elements through coded language as most Republican candidates have successfully done?
Mr Romney's criticism may have had more of an impact if he would have taken responsibility for the rise of Mr. Trump. While he isn't the only contributor to this phenomena, he has certainly played a part. Before Mr. Romney, or any establishment Republican, attacks Mr. Trump, an apology may be the best place to start.
1. He assailed Trump for inheriting his wealth and failed business ideas that crush the little guy. Hello? This coming from the son of a Governor and business magnate that started Bain Capital.
2. He criticized the Trump fiscal plan of large tax cuts plus lack of specific entitlement cuts. Um...this is page one of the Republican play book.
3. He savages Trump for his outright appeal to the "darkest" elements of human nature. Was it more acceptable to appeal these elements through coded language as most Republican candidates have successfully done?
Mr Romney's criticism may have had more of an impact if he would have taken responsibility for the rise of Mr. Trump. While he isn't the only contributor to this phenomena, he has certainly played a part. Before Mr. Romney, or any establishment Republican, attacks Mr. Trump, an apology may be the best place to start.
3
David, the Republican Party's entire ideology has been morally bankrupt for well over 100 years now. Finally, we are getting someone like Trump to finish it off for good.
4
But wait, wait, David.
Trump is preaching to the choir. "Republicans are ... highlighting his vulnerability; his inability to think... about anybody but himself?" "He cares only about himself"?
Are you inferring that that he is willing to take the soaring profits of his company - achieved by the soaring productivity of those who work for him -and "distribute" them to himself as CEO, his upper level management and his stockholders while holding fast on raises for his employees - for decades?
To then cry "socialist" when someone seeks to "RE" distribute the money he stole, like a thief who says you are trying to "redistribute" wealth in the purse he stole from you when you ask the court for restitution?
When thriving companies take their operations South, or to other destinations abroad, not in a last gasp to save themselves, but to maximize the profits to "dis-tribute" to themselves, and to minimize the taxes they pay to their own country, and to -we the the people - who now, because they deserted us, need those dollars to feed our families?
The 1% is now, because of the excess of Trump, is actually getting it that the dream, the collective "United" States of America just does not work when those at the top care only about themselves?
When "greed is good"? It is only good to have rich when you do not have poor.
Rising tides only raise all boats when the owners of the yachts haven't anchored the skiffs to the bottom to be scuttled in the waves.
Trump is preaching to the choir. "Republicans are ... highlighting his vulnerability; his inability to think... about anybody but himself?" "He cares only about himself"?
Are you inferring that that he is willing to take the soaring profits of his company - achieved by the soaring productivity of those who work for him -and "distribute" them to himself as CEO, his upper level management and his stockholders while holding fast on raises for his employees - for decades?
To then cry "socialist" when someone seeks to "RE" distribute the money he stole, like a thief who says you are trying to "redistribute" wealth in the purse he stole from you when you ask the court for restitution?
When thriving companies take their operations South, or to other destinations abroad, not in a last gasp to save themselves, but to maximize the profits to "dis-tribute" to themselves, and to minimize the taxes they pay to their own country, and to -we the the people - who now, because they deserted us, need those dollars to feed our families?
The 1% is now, because of the excess of Trump, is actually getting it that the dream, the collective "United" States of America just does not work when those at the top care only about themselves?
When "greed is good"? It is only good to have rich when you do not have poor.
Rising tides only raise all boats when the owners of the yachts haven't anchored the skiffs to the bottom to be scuttled in the waves.
5
I think it is about time that we all, and you too, Mr. Brooks, begin interrogating Trump on climate. Maybe GOP voters are ignorant; maybe they don't know how serious the issue is. But the time has passed when the press can let this go. To do so is to pander to the worst, short-sided ignorance. The press must have some role educating the public and demanding accountability from politicians. You certainly know climate change is real, Mr. Brooks. Why not renounce Trump and the entire GOP for the denialism? You write about character and conscience and the moral fabric of society. Now please show us what a "conservative" might really be.
4
I agree with you but nothing will change until the Republican party faces up to its own dishonorable behavior. Trump is an extreme example of a liar but please look at what have become routine party lines. There are many examples but here's my favorite: Ted Cruz is very, very smart. He knows that Obamacare has not been a "job-killer" yet he says it repeatedly. No data support him. To say something that you know is not true is to lie. Yet mainstream Republicans have repeated that bit of propaganda over and over again. If you cannot justify your political views without being dishonest then you need to re-examine your views. If you cannot run against Obama without promoting "facts" that have no basis in reality, then you need to find true reasons to oppose him.
I will never forget the way that mainstream Republicans let rumors about Obama's citizenship and religion run rampant. No Republican was brave enough to stand up and say to the public, Obama IS an American citizen, he IS one of us. Let's stick to the issues. It served their purposes to turn their heads away and pretend it had nothing to do with them.
In 2008, the Republican party lets its vice-presidential nominee accuse Obama repeatedly of "palling around with terrorists," an outrageous, hate-mongering claim.
Yes, Trump is a fraud and a liar. Too little, too late, Mr. Brooks.
I will never forget the way that mainstream Republicans let rumors about Obama's citizenship and religion run rampant. No Republican was brave enough to stand up and say to the public, Obama IS an American citizen, he IS one of us. Let's stick to the issues. It served their purposes to turn their heads away and pretend it had nothing to do with them.
In 2008, the Republican party lets its vice-presidential nominee accuse Obama repeatedly of "palling around with terrorists," an outrageous, hate-mongering claim.
Yes, Trump is a fraud and a liar. Too little, too late, Mr. Brooks.
4
And for which other manipulative, intellectually challenged Republican does Mr Brooks suggest the party faithful vote?
4
Why this raving and ranting against Trump. Every businessman in big league has so many failed businesses. Businesses fail and succeed, that the reality. H
Republicans are reaping what they've sown and
David Brooks has been in the middle of it. Trump just exaggerates what
Republicans think. For instance the Clintons thieves, Hillary is a criminal, Obama is out to destroy America was we know it. On and on you could go. All Trump has done is exaggerate this.
David, don't give me this business about betrayal--just ask American blacks if anyone has betrayed them. This has been Betrayal with a capital B.
David Brooks has been in the middle of it. Trump just exaggerates what
Republicans think. For instance the Clintons thieves, Hillary is a criminal, Obama is out to destroy America was we know it. On and on you could go. All Trump has done is exaggerate this.
David, don't give me this business about betrayal--just ask American blacks if anyone has betrayed them. This has been Betrayal with a capital B.
4
An accurate description of Trump, but also an accurate description of the Republican party. From McCarthy's witch hunts, to Nixon's southern strategy, to Regan's voodoo economics, to Bush II's WMD, to the current story that the KKK is a left-wing terrorist organization, it's been the same stuff - carefully crafted lies, fear and manipulation - for well over 50 years. The only difference between Trump and other Republicans is that Trump is a better con artist and is not following orders. So he is a rogue and must be stopped.
7
David, you sound like a maiden aunt in a kerfuffle over the short fingered vulgarian. You have the reputation of a smart man who has thought deeply and at length about national politics. How on earth can you be caught off guard by the ascent of this guy? He embodies every mean spirited, underhanded impulse the Republicans have been trying, with varying degrees of success, to codify into U.S. law since at least Nixon's Southern Strategy. but why go on when your colleague, Paul Krugman is spot on about this right across the page? Read it.
6
You know a political party is in trouble when Mitt Romney is considered a "big gun".
It was only four years ago that Mitt appeared on stage with The Donald to accept his endorsement in his campaign. Mitt's speech was stomach-turning in praising Trump. At one point he actually says that Trump is a better business man that he is.
Mitt Romney is a "big gun" in an empty suit.
It was only four years ago that Mitt appeared on stage with The Donald to accept his endorsement in his campaign. Mitt's speech was stomach-turning in praising Trump. At one point he actually says that Trump is a better business man that he is.
Mitt Romney is a "big gun" in an empty suit.
9
It's pretty to think that the GOP "big guns" can stop Trump with talk, but let's face it, the voters aren't listening to this establishment anymore. Their neo-con foreign policy and Wall Street- enabling fiscal policy is well and truly bankrupt. The only thing Mitt's speech lacked from anything Jeb had to say was the concluding "please clap."
7
Mr. Brooks, for a larger perspective, read Mr. Krugman's column (today's). The entire GOP establishment is built on the same fraud and con game, but on the much larger national scale, that Trump plays. Side-stepping that issue does not support your much touted boast about your 'moral wisdom'.
4
So why isn't 'The Donald' in jail? Oh right the GOP has made white collar crime and general fraud a praise-able offence.
2
I look to you, Mr. Brooks, as an enlightened voice for the right. The fact that your analysis of the Republican party's implosion rests wholly on Donald Trump's rotten character is both remarkable and disappointing. You have chosen willful ignorance over an honest, albeit difficult, examination of the part that all Republicans have played in this pathetic state of affairs. Your opinion will hold far less weight for me going forward.
6
So this is the Republican anti-Trump strategy: for the pot- which has been shafting working Americans for decades by undermining unions, resisting increases in the minimum wage, cutting taxes for the wealthiest, etc. etc.- to call the kettle black for betraying people. Good luck with that.
5
And every GOP candidate on stage vowed to support the GOP nominee in the general election. Now that's "integrity."
4
Ironically, GOP voters know Trump is a con man. They also know that they have been continually 'conned' by the existing GOP establishment perhaps best represented by Mitt Romney, and maybe you (David Brooks).
Tax cuts for the rich will lead to prosperity for all.
There are WMD's in Iraq.
Mission Accomplished.
So, tell me again who's been conning who?
Tax cuts for the rich will lead to prosperity for all.
There are WMD's in Iraq.
Mission Accomplished.
So, tell me again who's been conning who?
5
Something to remember about all the brouhaha about Trump U, Trump Mortgage, etc. : Mr. Trump was a major public figure at the time these scandals were happening.
That *should* have been a major opportunity for the New York news media to take him down with the sort of saturation coverage you'd use for stories that would've forced congressmen and senators to resign their offices.
But that didn't happen. There were other issues the media thought were more interesting. Or perhaps they were initimidated by the thought of Mr. Trump's legal team launching a defamation suit.
The GOP elites are in a panic, granted. But the news media carry just as much responsibility for creating the current Trump phenomenon as the political indifference from the political parties they've been reporting on.
That *should* have been a major opportunity for the New York news media to take him down with the sort of saturation coverage you'd use for stories that would've forced congressmen and senators to resign their offices.
But that didn't happen. There were other issues the media thought were more interesting. Or perhaps they were initimidated by the thought of Mr. Trump's legal team launching a defamation suit.
The GOP elites are in a panic, granted. But the news media carry just as much responsibility for creating the current Trump phenomenon as the political indifference from the political parties they've been reporting on.
4
So why isn't the Donald in Jail? Oh I remember, the GOP has made white collar crime and general fraud praise-able offfences.
5
Dream on David. The people who support Trump know all this already. They don't care. The problem is the GOP for the last 25 years has tried to convince the working stiff with conservative values that what is good for the rich is good for them. Mitt Romney is the archetype. Finally the working stiff making $20/hour is realizing that tax cuts for the 1% aren't the answer. They are willing to support anyone who is not in the pocket of the wealthy donor class. As much as I hate Trump as a person, Mitt Romney's economic plan (or Cruz's) is a much greater betrayal of the working class Republican than Trump's. If you want a thoughtful, "presidential" candidate to get the support of the working stiff, find a thoughtful, "presidential" candidate who isn't in the pocket of the 1%
4
"The burden of responsibility now falls on Republican officials, elected and nonelected, at all levels. For years they have built relationships in their communities, earned the right to be heard."
Responsible folks like Romney, Snyder, Jindal, and Brownback, you mean? Like all those GOP officials who fueled the crazy Tea Party base to get elected--the very base that wants Trump? Bwhahahahahahah... I would say better late than never. But it's a good bet that in the long run, all the people your party hates--HIllary, Democrats, non-white non-male voters--are ultimately going to be the ones to defeat Trump and save the country from Republican utter irresponsibility.
Responsible folks like Romney, Snyder, Jindal, and Brownback, you mean? Like all those GOP officials who fueled the crazy Tea Party base to get elected--the very base that wants Trump? Bwhahahahahahah... I would say better late than never. But it's a good bet that in the long run, all the people your party hates--HIllary, Democrats, non-white non-male voters--are ultimately going to be the ones to defeat Trump and save the country from Republican utter irresponsibility.
3
And when he betrays the very, very angry people who flock to his rallies -- after he has inflamed them to ignition point -- what will happen then.....?
2
When this character's flaws are pointed out in the way that Brooks reveals them, Trump's appeal to even his most disgruntled, marginalized supporters disappears. But they would likely still vote for him because they want to bring down democracy and install a dictator friendly toward their needs.
David, what will you do when Trump is the Republican candidate for president?
First you and virtually every other media expert wrote him off as a joke.
Then you said he was a buffoon who in time would crumble once exposed.
Then you said that no one can take him seriously and that his own outrageous statements would doom him.
Then you said that he needs to be brought down but no one wanted to be that person to carry it out.
Then you write that he is now exposed for the liar, psychopath and nut case he is and that the voters will rally around the Establishment candidate, Rubio.
If I were a betting man, I would bet the house that you are not only wrong but in a state of serious denial.
He is going to be the Republican candidate for president like it or not.
If he is not the nominee, he will run as an independent.
If he is the nominee, the Dems win.
Either way, the Republican party is toast.
Which may be the greatest thing to come out of all of this.
First you and virtually every other media expert wrote him off as a joke.
Then you said he was a buffoon who in time would crumble once exposed.
Then you said that no one can take him seriously and that his own outrageous statements would doom him.
Then you said that he needs to be brought down but no one wanted to be that person to carry it out.
Then you write that he is now exposed for the liar, psychopath and nut case he is and that the voters will rally around the Establishment candidate, Rubio.
If I were a betting man, I would bet the house that you are not only wrong but in a state of serious denial.
He is going to be the Republican candidate for president like it or not.
If he is not the nominee, he will run as an independent.
If he is the nominee, the Dems win.
Either way, the Republican party is toast.
Which may be the greatest thing to come out of all of this.
4
It's not Trump. It's his supporters. Why isn't the GOP denouncing supporters who are racist, sexist xenophobes?
1
Please read Mr. Krugman's column. Mr. Trump is not a betrayer of Republican wisdom. He is the reductio ad absurdum of its nonsense.
5
But David, Betrayal, Dishonesty, and the ability to profit from bad ideas are crucial to the GOP brand, right up there with Religious Hypocrisy. You should know this, you helped the last administration sell a dishonest and catastrophic war to the American people.
4
David, you have a good brain------USE IT!
Don't you read your readers' comments or the commentary by your colleagues today on the same opinion page of the NY Times?
It is not just Trump. The entire Republican Party is full of con men and rotten to its core.
Not just Trump, but the Republican Party has betrayed the American people!
Don't you read your readers' comments or the commentary by your colleagues today on the same opinion page of the NY Times?
It is not just Trump. The entire Republican Party is full of con men and rotten to its core.
Not just Trump, but the Republican Party has betrayed the American people!
4
Trump is a perfect reflection of the Republican Party. He's a sham and a scam. Switch and bait. Tax cuts for the rich will benefit everyone! Balanced budgets only count when a Democrat is POTUS. We love the Constitution except when it comes to women's rights, gay rights, Black rights. Global warming? What global warming? We never met a war we didn't love. More guns will decrease gun violence! Need I go on?
4
It's amazing that the three opposed to Trump in last night stage show each said the would support him if he gets the nomination. This is a Party with no principals, no honor, and yes no patriotism. Trump is a vulgar fake, a racist demagogue who will get the support of the Party. How about supporting your country, Republicans?
2
I laughed when Gov Romney said that Mr. Trump's economic policies would lead to a recession.
Perhaps the Gov forgot about the result of GOP policies in 2008.
I would chance Mr. Trump's unknown policies over the virtual guarantee of another recession under the GOP.
Perhaps the Gov forgot about the result of GOP policies in 2008.
I would chance Mr. Trump's unknown policies over the virtual guarantee of another recession under the GOP.
1
'If [mainstream Republican leaders] now feel that Donald Trump would be a reckless and dangerous president, then they have a responsibility to their country to tell those people the truth, to rally all their energies against this man.'
Too late, I fear. Trump has slipped the GOP reins, if he was ever in them. What really frightens me, though, is to read this cogent summary of Trump's 'accomplishments' in tandem with an article elsewhere in the NYT op-ed, describing a 'leak' of Trump's off-the-record comment to the NYT editorial board that his extreme position on immigration is just an opening ploy in negotiations. (I suspect he set up the NYT to leak that tidbit, specifically to assuage fears and send the message 'I may be a closet moderate or at least a realist; don't believe my demagoguery.')
In other words, blinded by his boundless ego, Trump fancies himself the master puppeteer, in control of the forces he's unleashed. But he's overreached himself; like dynamiting Hoover Dam, thinking you can then control the water. I think those forces are beyond his, or anyone else's command. The Trump campaign has a life of its own beyond Trump. If I believed in a god, I'd say god help us all.
Too late, I fear. Trump has slipped the GOP reins, if he was ever in them. What really frightens me, though, is to read this cogent summary of Trump's 'accomplishments' in tandem with an article elsewhere in the NYT op-ed, describing a 'leak' of Trump's off-the-record comment to the NYT editorial board that his extreme position on immigration is just an opening ploy in negotiations. (I suspect he set up the NYT to leak that tidbit, specifically to assuage fears and send the message 'I may be a closet moderate or at least a realist; don't believe my demagoguery.')
In other words, blinded by his boundless ego, Trump fancies himself the master puppeteer, in control of the forces he's unleashed. But he's overreached himself; like dynamiting Hoover Dam, thinking you can then control the water. I think those forces are beyond his, or anyone else's command. The Trump campaign has a life of its own beyond Trump. If I believed in a god, I'd say god help us all.
2
David, you seem to forget that you are one of the GOP big guns that have failed to be specific about Trump’s frauds. You've complained about him and indicated that Americans are too bright to support him but you did not go after him. The real problem with Trump for the GOP is not his vulgarity or bigotry or racism; but that he is just a coarser version of core modern GOP thinking. The GOP has pursued its "Southern Strategy" since Nixon with dog whistle appeals to racists. It has pursued economic policies that benefit only the wealthiest and corporations (who are just people too). And have been reckless in foreign policy, most notably Iraq and the resulting rise of ISIS. In ways large and small for the GOP, Trump is simply a case of the chickens coming home to roost.
2
You have laid out the case against Trump very convincingly. Now, perhaps you will turn your excellent writing talents to exposing the Koch Brothers and the American Enterprise Institute who ordered up the hit on Trump.
http://www.pfaw.org/media-center/publications/anatomy-of-koch-thon-sham-...
http://www.pfaw.org/media-center/publications/anatomy-of-koch-thon-sham-...
2
One reason Trump endures is that the rest of the field is a joke. Another reason is that Republicans hate the President, hate the Clintons and hate people who are different. Republicans have robbed the middle class with unbalanced tax plans and draconian penal sentences. They have packed the courts with right leaning judges who decide for giant corporations and against little people. The people who support Trump would beat you up to get ahead or take advantage of you in a business deal and then go out and play golf at a Trump golf course.
1
Let's put Congress and the Senate to work. They love to hold hearings and witch hunts, often without cause. They could have a field day with hearings on Trump University and casinos and bankruptcies, to name a few. It would get bipartisan support and give that inept majority the stage they love. Ah, wouldn't it be great to hear all those pots calling the kettle black.
But who would have ever thought that the greatest scammer in the country would expose the Republican elite for what they are-as bad or worse than himself. Therein lies your problem, Mr. Brooks. They are all Donald Trump.
But who would have ever thought that the greatest scammer in the country would expose the Republican elite for what they are-as bad or worse than himself. Therein lies your problem, Mr. Brooks. They are all Donald Trump.
4
Rubio, Cruz and Kasich each stated they would support Trump if he ended up being the nominee. How can they call this guy a liar and con man, but turn around and say they'd support him? This just demonstrates the rot in the GOP that has given birth to Trump. No redemption in sight, David.
4
Crooks and Cheats calling another a crook & cheat. David, how many millions don't have health insurance? Welcome to the GOP.
1
You've been a calm and reasonable voice for the GOP's betrayal for years, Mr. Brooks. You and the GOP are just embarrassed that Trump is so clumsy about it.
1
David, you really don't get it. The Trump folks loathe all the big guns you guys trot out, and they couldn't care less about the arguments you all suggest. They don't like you either, and most likely, anything you have to say. Just look what you've created. And yet surely you've seen this before; the kids can't stand the parents and just want to leave the house.
The biggest sham of all is the Republican party telling their constituency for years that tax cuts for the rich were going to make America great again. The only ones benefiting from that sham are the wealthy.
2
Don't you mean, "Donald Trump, the Great Brayer?" Mitt lost as did McCain and McCain even chose Palin as a running mate. What makes any of them worthy spokespeople much less valid or believable critics?
Let's face it. The caustic foolishness being displayed amongst the candidates is souring the whole electorate.
Let's face it. The caustic foolishness being displayed amongst the candidates is souring the whole electorate.
1
Trump is a mess, but no worse than lying Ted and little Marco who both lack any leadership acumen. Kasich is the only hope for a viable presidential candidate from the Republican Party. At this point, the odds are stacked against him. The truth is that Trump has more ability that lying Ted and little Marco. Yes, it would be a tough time for the country if he were elected, but maybe we need a dose of reality about what the Republican Party is really like.
David, I'm afraid for you and the country, that what the Republican establishment is doing is too little, too late. My concern, is that the Trump virus doesn't infect those blue collar democrats in the rust belt.
1
Oh please, David. His betrayal is to make plain all that is unsaid in the GOP belief system. Rather than a betrayal Trump seems to be doing a great service to The whole country!
2
Geez, David, can you really be this out of touch? The NYT readers already know everything you wrote here, particularly if they watched the debate last night. You still seem to be clueless about the Trump-lovers, who don't give a hoot about facts or substance, the majority of which do not read the NYT. They like his bully-thug style. And neither the attacks on him by the "establishment" Republicans (like yourself), non-establishment, clueless extremists (like Cruz) and Democrats, nor your polite literary commentary will ever reach them. They are victims of of our star-struck, reality TV, greedy culture and still believe in American Idols. It's positively sickening to witness.
2
Since republicans admit that they'll vote for Trump over any democrat, their howling stuck-pig rhetoric is meaningless. It doesn't matter if you call Trump the "Great Betrayer" or the "Great Satan" -- you cash in all your credibility if you also say he's better than Hillary or Bernie.
2
Your criticisms are fine as far as they go, and not untrue. But the real problem with Trump is the racism and the (near-) fascism. But you can't really talk about that, because those things are endemic to the base. Yes, Nixon's chickens are coming home to roost.
1
Donald John Trump's sin is that he is not nearly as good an actor as was Republican saint Ronald Wilson Reagan.
2
You keep missing the point, Mr. Brooks, and that is that Trump's supporters don't care what your "major Republicans" have to say about their candidate. In fact, they flock to Trump precisely because he is the anti-establishment 'Republican', the 'champion' who will deliver them from all those major GOP voices you cite--the very ones who have used, abused, and ignored the middle and lower middle classes these many decades. And, No, I am not a Trump supporter; rather, a disgruntled, dismayed, disappointed Independent who is fed up with the hypocrisy, double-talk, and corporate prostitution that festers on both sides of the political aisle. I follow your appearances on the PBS News Hour and you seem like an intelligent, unusually civil, and observant human being; so how is it you're so blind when it comes to what motivates these millions of Trumpetiers? Here's a hint: it's not conservative orthodoxy or concerns about conventional forms of political decorum.
3
Here's the problem. Once your party gets rid of the phony, you then have to deal with puerile, inexperienced opportunist, Sen. Rubio, or the cruel ideologue. Sen. Cruz. Gov. Kasich is the moderate of the bunch and he just cut funding to Planned Parenthood.
These are your options. I am not sure getting rid of Trump solves your--or the nation's--potential problem.
These are your options. I am not sure getting rid of Trump solves your--or the nation's--potential problem.
2
Trump supporters, and undecided voters that will turn to Trump, just don’t care what the pundits say about him. The Press and the Republican leadership may wring their hands over the possibility of a Trump nomination, but that will not sway any voter taken in by Trump’s bombast.
The onus falls on the journalists in the Press to report on the state of the nomination process, and the on the suitability of the candidates to govern our nation. Quit reporting on the side show. These candidates need to be covered and analyzed for their policies and temperament for leadership on the world stage. It is the responsibility of the Press to desist the reality show coverage of the Republican race.
The onus falls on the journalists in the Press to report on the state of the nomination process, and the on the suitability of the candidates to govern our nation. Quit reporting on the side show. These candidates need to be covered and analyzed for their policies and temperament for leadership on the world stage. It is the responsibility of the Press to desist the reality show coverage of the Republican race.
2
Ok Mr. Brooks, we get it. You are a Republican conservative who does not like the current state of the Republican conservative party. Your recent columns have made it clear your right of center position in the party is no longer relevant or desirable to the Republican party. As an intelligent and well read individual, one with a great deal of influence by virtue of the reach of your column in the NYT, when will you actual make the commitment to change your allegiance from the Republicans to the Democrats? I know there might too much of a sea change from a party on the extreme right to the one on the extreme left but that's what we have in this country, two parties and two parties only.
1
Eloquent, but whom should we vote for? Cruz, who is shunned by every other member of the US Senate and seeks to dismantle the federal government? Rubio, who agreed to back progressive immigration reform and then opposed it when Republican congressmen didn't like it? Kasich, who's putting us to sleep with his supposed record of accomplishments during the Reagan administration, decades ago, when he was a mere congressman? Or should we bring back Mitt, who wrote off the 47% of us who get government benefits and would therefore reject him? The Republican Party has failed in its most basic responsibility to give us candidates we can believe -- so instead we back the candidate we don't believe but kind of like because he's just like us.
180
Surprising to see this hand-wringing and wishful thinking by the normally-thoughtful and astute Mr. Brooks.
Only a professional republican can't see the obvious: Over and over again, republican voters chose Trump. And they will do it again.
Denying Trump and his legion supporters by back room machinations would split the party—already riven by bitter hatreds and unbridgeable divides—and hand the election to Hillary.
Thank God. Republicans can use their time in the wilderness to get rid of race-baiting, obstruction, and insistence on ideological purity.
It would be good from all of us—most of all for republicans.
Only a professional republican can't see the obvious: Over and over again, republican voters chose Trump. And they will do it again.
Denying Trump and his legion supporters by back room machinations would split the party—already riven by bitter hatreds and unbridgeable divides—and hand the election to Hillary.
Thank God. Republicans can use their time in the wilderness to get rid of race-baiting, obstruction, and insistence on ideological purity.
It would be good from all of us—most of all for republicans.
2
Mr. Brooks, that's rich. Criticism of Trump for an inability to think about anyone but himself from a party elite that for decades has put its' interests ahead of "anybody but themselves".
3
Okay, Mr. Brooks, we get it. The Donald is a bad choice. But what of the other 2 bad choices available to the GOP faithful, Carnie Cruz and Puppet Mario?
1
Great article, Mr. Brooks. Unfortunately, the very people who should be reading this article most likely do not follow David Brooks' columns or watch him in PBS.
The 'establishment' Republicans are angry that their backroom deal making will be over if Trump gets in, that's what really irking them.
1
The Saudi Royal family understands they need to shower the masses with money so as to avoid a revolt, but somehow the Ultra-wealthy puppet masters of the GOP don't understand why the masses are revolting against them?
The GOP leadership should put as much effort into understanding why 3.3 million Republican voters thus far have voted for Trump, as they have put into telling us not to vote for him.
The GOP has been running it's own scam for decades, spouting Christian values but making policy decisions on behalf of their Ultra-wealthy Overlords. Caring for the poor is a Christian value. Cutting senior benefits to give tax cuts disproportionately to the rich isn't. Tax cuts for the so-called "Job Creators" hasn't improved the livelihood of the typical blue-collar Trump supporter.
90% of Americans are still waiting for a little trickle down. The roads are broken, wages are stagnant, and we keep running bigger and bigger deficits, in part due to out-of-control military spending. The GOP has concealed a much larger con than Donald Trump long enough. Too bad we can't find a better rebel candidate than Trump.
The GOP leadership should put as much effort into understanding why 3.3 million Republican voters thus far have voted for Trump, as they have put into telling us not to vote for him.
The GOP has been running it's own scam for decades, spouting Christian values but making policy decisions on behalf of their Ultra-wealthy Overlords. Caring for the poor is a Christian value. Cutting senior benefits to give tax cuts disproportionately to the rich isn't. Tax cuts for the so-called "Job Creators" hasn't improved the livelihood of the typical blue-collar Trump supporter.
90% of Americans are still waiting for a little trickle down. The roads are broken, wages are stagnant, and we keep running bigger and bigger deficits, in part due to out-of-control military spending. The GOP has concealed a much larger con than Donald Trump long enough. Too bad we can't find a better rebel candidate than Trump.
4
I can't argue with the examples of Trump's true character that Mr, Brooks provided, but I'm not the kind of person who would support Trump.
Trump's supporters are part of the larger portion of Republican voters who have been conditioned to doubt any news that contradicts their beliefs or the narrative of their favorite news sources. There is no longer objective reality for many voters.
Remember, about a decade ago, when moderates and "the left" complained that Republican arguments were no longer based on the same facts used by everyone else? This is yet another tactic used by the Republican establishment that is now coming back to haunt us.
Trump's supporters are part of the larger portion of Republican voters who have been conditioned to doubt any news that contradicts their beliefs or the narrative of their favorite news sources. There is no longer objective reality for many voters.
Remember, about a decade ago, when moderates and "the left" complained that Republican arguments were no longer based on the same facts used by everyone else? This is yet another tactic used by the Republican establishment that is now coming back to haunt us.
3
The "con" argument is so desperate, but to follow it up with the Trump University business is pathetic and pretty much bottom of the barrel here. Yeah, that's going to change a Republican voter's mind.
The reality is that ideas attract believers in the ideas, and the believers chose those among themselves that can best express and realize the dreams and hopes. The Republican voters are doing just that and have been doing just that pretty much since Johnson's betrayal regarding the blacks, voting for the ideas of the Republican Party, who this year has made torture one of their signal aspirations.
The con men are the "mainstream" candidates, the Republican Party itself, yourself, Fox News, the Becks and other of his ilk, and big money, who have been doing the exploiting for power and their own personal financial, gain, and who are learning now that there are actual limits to the stupidity of a voter.
I think we are getting pretty close to the moment of knowing who will be the last to abandon the bunker. Brooks certainly is in the running.
The reality is that ideas attract believers in the ideas, and the believers chose those among themselves that can best express and realize the dreams and hopes. The Republican voters are doing just that and have been doing just that pretty much since Johnson's betrayal regarding the blacks, voting for the ideas of the Republican Party, who this year has made torture one of their signal aspirations.
The con men are the "mainstream" candidates, the Republican Party itself, yourself, Fox News, the Becks and other of his ilk, and big money, who have been doing the exploiting for power and their own personal financial, gain, and who are learning now that there are actual limits to the stupidity of a voter.
I think we are getting pretty close to the moment of knowing who will be the last to abandon the bunker. Brooks certainly is in the running.
1
I agree "the burden of responsibility now falls on Republican officials, elected and nonelected, at all levels." However, Donald Trump's Presidential Candidate opponents all said if he got the nomination they would join Governor Christy and support the Republican candidate. The lion in the Wizard of Oz demonstrated more courage, fortitude, and integrity, than this Republican trio.
3
Mr Brooks, the problem is the Grand Ole' Party who up until 20 years ago boasted the most powerful and savvy political machine in the country, has shown their true face. From the fanatical obstructionism, to the juvenile oaths they keep taking, they've shown that they are more interested in their own careers and coffers than the American public.
You claim all the Party heavy weights are now piling on to Trump. But, are they?
You have Pentagon Generals stating they will take early retirement if Trump wins, you have national security and foreign policy experts say Trump would pose a clear and present danger to the country, you have economists from both sides of the aisle who say Trump's ideas are fantasies that wouldn't pass freshman year economics. Now you have your so called heavy weights piling on, but end with "I will stand by whoever wins the Republican nomination". What kind of message is this for the voters? It's says party first nation second. It says we know this man is not fit to lead this nation, that he will put this nation in danger, but we're going vote for him anyway.
This is the problem Mr Brooks, it tells Americans the Republican leadership is more concerned about party than the well being of the nation. This is why they have to deal with fanatical Tea Partiers who revolt against the institution. Republicans can win back the mainstream by having some integrity by putting nation first for once.
You claim all the Party heavy weights are now piling on to Trump. But, are they?
You have Pentagon Generals stating they will take early retirement if Trump wins, you have national security and foreign policy experts say Trump would pose a clear and present danger to the country, you have economists from both sides of the aisle who say Trump's ideas are fantasies that wouldn't pass freshman year economics. Now you have your so called heavy weights piling on, but end with "I will stand by whoever wins the Republican nomination". What kind of message is this for the voters? It's says party first nation second. It says we know this man is not fit to lead this nation, that he will put this nation in danger, but we're going vote for him anyway.
This is the problem Mr Brooks, it tells Americans the Republican leadership is more concerned about party than the well being of the nation. This is why they have to deal with fanatical Tea Partiers who revolt against the institution. Republicans can win back the mainstream by having some integrity by putting nation first for once.
4
The next time an LBJ comes along with a bill that resembles the Civil Rights Act of 1964, don't build a party around the disillusioned Southern white leftovers. Then you'll be the party of Lincoln.
3
The deep concern we should have about Trump is not his inability to predict the 2008 bubble, nor his bankruptcies, nor his infidelity. No, it is his ability to rally the masses with hate speech. Republicans and Democrats may disagree about Obamacare or the tax code. But we can certainly agree that there is no room for hate in the Oval Office.
3
Nope, there's been a whole bunch of great betrayers on the Republican side over a whole lot of years-- it's just that it's now catching up with them due to Trump. Your colleague Krugman has the right of it and why the Establishment Republicans are speaking up now: "The Trump phenomenon threatens the con the G.O.P. establishment has been playing on its own base... the bait and switch in which white voters are induced to hate big government by dog whistles about Those People, but actual policies are all about rewarding the donor class." It is hugely hypocritical for Mitt Romney, who said 47% of the U.S. population are "takers" as he pays a ridiculously low rate on his investment income (much of which is derived from companies who have sent good jobs overseas), to call Donald Trump greedy.
8
Sorry, Mr. Brooks, but I disagree with your assertion that "Republican officials ... have ... earned the right to be heard." They have, in fact, forfeited the right to be heard and have instead earned only the right to be reviled, to fester in an acid bath of their own making. Their cynical, calculated exploitation, at least since 1968, of the very strategies on which Trump is now riding high is exactly what they have had coming. It's the chickens coming home to roost. It's Shakespeare's engineer being hoist with his own petard.
Perhaps if the GOP gets back to being my late father's party, the party of Jacob Javits and Nelson Rockefeller, its leaders will once again have earned the right to be paid attention to.
Perhaps if the GOP gets back to being my late father's party, the party of Jacob Javits and Nelson Rockefeller, its leaders will once again have earned the right to be paid attention to.
5
If the Republicans had kept their promise to help the poor, not very well educated, white working class voters that make up their base, the phenomenon of Trump as a political candidate would not exist. The fact is that the Republican party has betrayed (using Mr. Brooks' own language) these voters for the past 30 years and has taken their votes for granted. The hypocrisy with which he and many establishment Republicans write is astounding and in order for them to have any hope of derailing Trump, they need to first finally admit that they have caused the problem due to their own policies that have caused the working class to suffer.
7
Nice try David. Unfortunately Donald Trump's excesses are no worse than those of many businesses and businessmen that Republicans are quite happy to defend. Is Trump University any worse than most of the for-profit "universities" that Republican governors have refused to regulate? Was his mortgage company any worse than Angelo Mozilo's Countrywide Financial or AIG? Did he hurt any of his workers as badly as Don Blankenship, CEO of Massey Energy whose Big Branch mine exploded and killed 29 miners? Have any of his casinos spilled oil into rivers or poisoned kids? This stuff happens all the time, and we both know Republicans think the problem is too much government regulation. Donald Trump may be a self-serving creep, but so are plenty of other American business leaders, and I don't hear many Republicans calling them out for their transgressions.
10
David (no relation).
If you haven't already, please read Edwin Friedman's "A Failure of Nerve." I first came across it in seminary and have found it to be an excellent lens through which to look at the rise of Trump. The fault is being placed on the person who struck the match, a more productive (but less popular) focus is with the people who fostered the explosive atmosphere.
If you haven't already, please read Edwin Friedman's "A Failure of Nerve." I first came across it in seminary and have found it to be an excellent lens through which to look at the rise of Trump. The fault is being placed on the person who struck the match, a more productive (but less popular) focus is with the people who fostered the explosive atmosphere.
5
Trump may be end result of having the likes of Sarah Palin using the last 8 years to reinforce, mis characterize and further dilute the message of the Republican Party to appeal to it's lowest information, most frustrated and unhappy constituents. If that's the case then he has succeeded in where she failed. But they are birds of the same feather.
3
Alas, while I agree with Mr. Brooks, I do not believe Drumpf's supporters care that he is a serial liar, misogynist, adulterer, thief, and unhinged. They are angry and the GOP created an environment where the anger has turned very ugly. The Dems are not really better but at least they created an environment where the angry see that it is not the immigrant to fear but the rigged system that rewards awful people like Drumpf.
I can't wait for this to be over. To think you can't allow children to watch the GOP debates; they are vulgar and obscene.
I can't wait for this to be over. To think you can't allow children to watch the GOP debates; they are vulgar and obscene.
6
What bothers establishment Republicans the most about Trump is the possibility that a President Trump would not put the interests of the Koch Brothers or the American Chamber of Commerce before the interests of the folks who vote for him. Trump may be guilty of betraying the ideology of the current version of the Republican Party, but those Republicans who are the most critical of Trump have been betraying the interests of working Americans for decades.
8
I think it's beyond the control of establishment Republicans to do anything about Donald Trump. In fact, I believe their rejection will gin up even stronger support for him. What may prove interesting is if a backlash were to occur against establishment Congressional Republicans running in November as a result.
Will Trump supporters, assuming that he wins the nomination, "throw the establishment Bums out" come November? Who would they vote for??
Given the overwhelmingly negative reaction among the establishment toward DT, if they remain in Congress, how will President DT manage to get anything at all done?
Establishment Republicans seem to be even more averse to DT than they were to Obama.
Will Trump supporters, assuming that he wins the nomination, "throw the establishment Bums out" come November? Who would they vote for??
Given the overwhelmingly negative reaction among the establishment toward DT, if they remain in Congress, how will President DT manage to get anything at all done?
Establishment Republicans seem to be even more averse to DT than they were to Obama.
3
The task at hand is not for the GOP.
It is for the media.
Why is Trump number one in the Republican presidential race? It is because of name recognition amongst our television, media-obsessed citizenry.
Secondly, Cruz and Rubio do not have the American heritage in their lineage. They are anti-Obama, anti-Obamacare because they don't know what preceded it here in this country. They dont know that we have tried private health care, we have tried plutocracy, and they have caused great suffering.
Trump's candicacy has stirred the pot, and now we all get to see what the fall out will be.
It is for the media.
Why is Trump number one in the Republican presidential race? It is because of name recognition amongst our television, media-obsessed citizenry.
Secondly, Cruz and Rubio do not have the American heritage in their lineage. They are anti-Obama, anti-Obamacare because they don't know what preceded it here in this country. They dont know that we have tried private health care, we have tried plutocracy, and they have caused great suffering.
Trump's candicacy has stirred the pot, and now we all get to see what the fall out will be.
2
Trump is a snake oil salesman, a carnival barker, a flashy bamboozler. And his supporters don't care. Like those cheated by Trump University, they'll support him because they think he'll make them rich or at least solvent. He won't. But the rest of the Establishment hasn't done a thing for the middle or working classes either. There's a small percentage of people in this country who have been making more and more money in recent years, but the barbarians are at the gates with pitchforks in hand. I keep thinking about one company I used to work for -- most of the work was done by low-paid, low-ranking employees while the upper execs got huge salaries and bonuses. Hard-working people want to be able to afford a home, educate their kids, treat their health problems, and maybe go on a modest vacation once or twice a year without going into massive debt. They can't. That's the problem, and the system as it stands now doesn't allow them to move up in quality of life even a tiny bit without jeopardizing the massive piece of pie the One Percent have been enjoying. I have wealthy friends living in enormous homes who whine about how hard it is to find a reliable nanny or get their kid into their private school of choice. They are just out of touch with the rest of the country.
8
While Mr Trump is all these things and more, at least two of his rivals have views and policy ideas that also play to the lowest common denominator of the electorate. So, what's the real problem here, the candidates or the hundreds of thousands who find themselves drawn what these candidates are selling? I'm more frightened that so many of my fellow citizens are willing to join this parade than the clowns leading it.
241
The Republican Party began this 50 years ago appealing to the Strom Thurmond and George Wallace Democrats with the Southern Strategy.
They continued with Reagan and the culture wars and welfare queens and the dog whistle politics of States Rights.
All of the right-wing think tanks and pundits and media were part of it, including Mr. Brooks and Douthat selling their "conservative" ideology for their salaries, helping to make the oligarchy we see today.
They continued with Reagan and the culture wars and welfare queens and the dog whistle politics of States Rights.
All of the right-wing think tanks and pundits and media were part of it, including Mr. Brooks and Douthat selling their "conservative" ideology for their salaries, helping to make the oligarchy we see today.
4
Mr. Brooks, I can appreciate your wanting to bring to light Trump's history, but Trump is not to blame for what is happening to the nomination process. One thing has to be said about Trump: for his entire public life, he has been entirely consistent, transparent and true to form. He is not doing anything now that we have not been watching him do for decades.
No, Trump is not the problem. Conservatives have tolerated and even embraced Trump's behavior (and that of others like him) because it was profitable and at the expense of people like the Clintons or Obama.
Now it is at their expense, and they are howling.
Is the best response to "expose" Trump for things he has always brandished? I don't think so. If you want to expose something, let it be how conservatives gleefully provide credibility to people like Trump and exploit a poorly informed electorate as a method of governing.
No, Trump is not the problem. Conservatives have tolerated and even embraced Trump's behavior (and that of others like him) because it was profitable and at the expense of people like the Clintons or Obama.
Now it is at their expense, and they are howling.
Is the best response to "expose" Trump for things he has always brandished? I don't think so. If you want to expose something, let it be how conservatives gleefully provide credibility to people like Trump and exploit a poorly informed electorate as a method of governing.
330
Here is the problem Mr Brooks, too little too late. For years the message has been anger, fear and lies repeated enough to be believed. Cue the pitchforks....and the people who are so angry and fearful are not your readers. These same fearful and angry people have only one news source, Fox, the network of fear and anger, at least when there is a Democrat in the White House. Prior to that we were told to trust our strong leaders even when they were invading countries and wreaking havoc globally, even when the economy was in free fall, just trust us, we know best. When Americans collectively elected the opposite of the "strong leaders" then the message was he is an interloper, a Muslim, a terrorist, a Kenyan who's secret agenda is to destroy America and White people.
The reality is Obama was the strong leader, calm under pressure, playing the long game, with constant overt obstructionism and racism trying to bring him down. Instead he has been one the best presidents we have ever had. His wife is arguably the most dignified woman to sit beside her man in the White House, and his children have weathered the intensity of public scrutiny and seem to have come out as whole individuals. Even you wrote a column stating as much.
The GOP do not have any substantial candidates worthy of the office of President, the end. If they ever did, they have been brought down long ago as turn coats for not putting destroying Obama before doing their job for the American people.
The reality is Obama was the strong leader, calm under pressure, playing the long game, with constant overt obstructionism and racism trying to bring him down. Instead he has been one the best presidents we have ever had. His wife is arguably the most dignified woman to sit beside her man in the White House, and his children have weathered the intensity of public scrutiny and seem to have come out as whole individuals. Even you wrote a column stating as much.
The GOP do not have any substantial candidates worthy of the office of President, the end. If they ever did, they have been brought down long ago as turn coats for not putting destroying Obama before doing their job for the American people.
5
The positive side of T-Rump's candidacy is that it is pulling back the curtain on the true nature of the republican party. Bait-and-switch, bigotry, the cult of hating "the other," creating an illusory dataset to fit foregone conclusions, building a money syphon that only flows up, pretending an intellectual basis for policy prescriptions... these are all the qualities of the republican party, which is only now embarrassed by it being laid bare by such a buffoon as the Donald.
4
Despite their cultural differences with Democrats, the voters who support Donald Trump do have legitimate grievances especially when it comes to economic issues. Kasich, Rubio, and/or Cruz do not need to use Trump University or Trump Mortgage to lay waste to Donald Trump. All they need to say is
" I hear you. You are having tough times I know that. I do not like Democratic proposals. But I also know you do not like Republican ideas. I will lead the fight to find another way."
But ideology will prevent Rubio, Cruz and/or Kasich ( you can include Paul Ryan here too ) from saying it. It does not take a genius too see what is going on here. We are a divided nation but there are not 2 sides. There are at least 3 sides. Each side distrusts the other 2 sides.
" I hear you. You are having tough times I know that. I do not like Democratic proposals. But I also know you do not like Republican ideas. I will lead the fight to find another way."
But ideology will prevent Rubio, Cruz and/or Kasich ( you can include Paul Ryan here too ) from saying it. It does not take a genius too see what is going on here. We are a divided nation but there are not 2 sides. There are at least 3 sides. Each side distrusts the other 2 sides.
1
Because much of this political drama plays out on television, I believe some folks think this is just another
(un) reality show and shout and cheer as usual from their comfy chairs. The fact is, the political processes are more real than any reality show conceived to date and we all need to take it more seriously than any decision we make in our lives. And not just election time, but every day and in every way.
Sanity will prevail, but it's a scary ride to get there.
(un) reality show and shout and cheer as usual from their comfy chairs. The fact is, the political processes are more real than any reality show conceived to date and we all need to take it more seriously than any decision we make in our lives. And not just election time, but every day and in every way.
Sanity will prevail, but it's a scary ride to get there.
"The burden of responsibility now falls on Republican officials, elected and nonelected, at all levels. For years they have built relationships in their communities, earned the right to be heard. If they now feel that Donald Trump would be a reckless and dangerous president, then they have a responsibility to their country to tell those people the truth, to rally all their energies against this man."
Sure. Whatever. Won't do any good. Someone has got to be as good as Trump in the things he gets right. Feeling people's pain, morning in America, projecting strength and hope. And it had better be someone trustworthy, of which few are left and none in the Republican party.
Sure. Whatever. Won't do any good. Someone has got to be as good as Trump in the things he gets right. Feeling people's pain, morning in America, projecting strength and hope. And it had better be someone trustworthy, of which few are left and none in the Republican party.
3
Trump is as awful as advertised but he's also simply the current iteration of entrenched Republican attitudes. Anyone remember Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott(R), supporter of Strom Thurmond, Jefferson Davis,Bob Jones University, the Sons of the Confederacy, the Council of Conservative Citizens?
If Trump wins the nomination the Republican Party will dump their objections to him and offer a big bear hug along with lots of dollar bills.
If Trump wins the nomination the Republican Party will dump their objections to him and offer a big bear hug along with lots of dollar bills.
1
I wish I could find some enjoyment in this spectacle but I am concerned it will have lasting consequences for our country. The democrats that are enjoying this are short sighted as this type of campaigning will inevitably find its way to their ranks.
What David and other pundits are missing is that the Trump supporters aren't just 'angry at Washington." They are drawn to Trumps megalomania because the GOP itself has cultivated this very same world view.
Domination by military force began with Bush and Cheney. Stopping the brown hoard from Mexico is right out of Jan Brewers play book. Cutting taxes is a GOP staple, even though we've already cut ten trillion dollars in taxes since 1996. Crazy, militaristic foreign policies included Bush's war of lies, Muslim extremists are everywhere-Dick Cheney. McCain's let's invade Iran, Syria or some other country just to show the world how strong we are. And of course the GOP has been a magnet for right wing extremists, including the Klan for years. Yes the leadership issues disclaimers, but something about the GOP still attracts the neo-Nazi crowd.
Trump is simply a slightly cruder version of this GOP world view. Note his fellow candidates include an evangelical zealot who wants to return us to the 19th century, a right wing, conservative movement activist with delusions of grandeur, a guy who thought the world was created 6,000 years ago and a 'rational' governor who just called for declaring war against North Korea and who claims economic success when his state includes 3 of the 10 most distressed cities in the country.
They have all unleashed the forces of the dark side, but Trump, the showman has become the pied piper and everyone wonders, how this could have happened?
Domination by military force began with Bush and Cheney. Stopping the brown hoard from Mexico is right out of Jan Brewers play book. Cutting taxes is a GOP staple, even though we've already cut ten trillion dollars in taxes since 1996. Crazy, militaristic foreign policies included Bush's war of lies, Muslim extremists are everywhere-Dick Cheney. McCain's let's invade Iran, Syria or some other country just to show the world how strong we are. And of course the GOP has been a magnet for right wing extremists, including the Klan for years. Yes the leadership issues disclaimers, but something about the GOP still attracts the neo-Nazi crowd.
Trump is simply a slightly cruder version of this GOP world view. Note his fellow candidates include an evangelical zealot who wants to return us to the 19th century, a right wing, conservative movement activist with delusions of grandeur, a guy who thought the world was created 6,000 years ago and a 'rational' governor who just called for declaring war against North Korea and who claims economic success when his state includes 3 of the 10 most distressed cities in the country.
They have all unleashed the forces of the dark side, but Trump, the showman has become the pied piper and everyone wonders, how this could have happened?
2
It seems to me that this column could equally well have been written about Cruz and perhaps Rubio - they are just saying what they think voters want to hear to get elected rather than arguing policy. Perhaps the root cause is not the candidates but Nixon's southern strategy, the balkanized party (social, tea party, financiers) who really have no common ground, and the way Republicans pick candidates. The aphorism is the system creates what we observe - Trump, Cruz, Rubio, Kasich are all players on a stage whose roles have been scripted for them by the Republicans seeking power rather than seeking to govern.
1
Unfortunately there is very little difference between any of the Republican candidates. Some are more blatant with their message, however the bottom line is the same.
In the event that Trump is nominated to represent the Republican Party I am confident that the Republican hierarchy will obediently fall in line.
In the event that Trump is nominated to represent the Republican Party I am confident that the Republican hierarchy will obediently fall in line.
1
The Mitt Romneys and David Brooks of the world don't get it. The same republican "leaders" who wring their hands at Trump's embarrassing public discourse, lack of experience, fear-mongering, dangerous foreign policy, shady business deals, budget plans that don't add up, race baiting, xenophobia, misogyny, etc., etc., etc., embraced Sarah Palin, George W. Bush, and John McCain; cheered the Iraq war; erode voting rights for minorities; starve public education while supporting for profit colleges (prisons, etc.); demand invasive ultrasounds for pregnant women; attack gays, Muslims, Mexicans, immigrants, and refugees ad nauseum; question the legitimacy, insult, and refuse to work with the nation's duly elected president. . . the list goes on and on. Donald Trump is not some aberration. He represents everything Republican "leaders" have stood for and every way Republican "leaders" have behaved over the past 15 years.
2
The title, "he Great Betrayer" is accurate. The problem with the article is that it inaccurately identifies what's being betrayed.
Trump has dared to say openly what Republicans have, in differing degrees of candor, been preaching and dog-whistling for years. The reason the big GOP donors don't like Trump is that he's not on board with their pet project: dismantling the New Deal. Should he ever sign on to that view, rest assured that Republicans and their sycophants such Brooks will be praising The Donald's "raw vitality" and "forthright demeanor" and point to his popularity among working-class Americans as proof of how democracy works.
Trump has dared to say openly what Republicans have, in differing degrees of candor, been preaching and dog-whistling for years. The reason the big GOP donors don't like Trump is that he's not on board with their pet project: dismantling the New Deal. Should he ever sign on to that view, rest assured that Republicans and their sycophants such Brooks will be praising The Donald's "raw vitality" and "forthright demeanor" and point to his popularity among working-class Americans as proof of how democracy works.
3
After last night's GOP debate of attacking Trump on hiring and exploiting undocumented immigrants and calling him a con artist for Trump University, am I supposed to believe that Rubio, Cruz, and Kasich care about education and illegal immigrants? Or about Americans who are getting ripped off by schemes and scams from for profit schools?
I understand David Brook's disdain for Trump, but the attacks on him barely carry a blow when it's clear that no other candidate on stage is really that different. I mean, when has the GOP taken corporations to task for hiring the undocumented? Or even criticizing companies for hiring undocumented workers instead of Americans? To attack Trump on his character, dishonesty, and exploitation of workers and voters, and then to revert back and say they will support him shows the lack of conviction that all the GOP candidates have. The only person with conviction is Trump albeit it's conviction in his bigotry, leadership ability, and negotiating skills, but it's conviction nonetheless.
David Brooks and the GOP will not be saved by slandering Trump. Nothing has changed since last night's debate, and nothing has changed about the GOP.
I understand David Brook's disdain for Trump, but the attacks on him barely carry a blow when it's clear that no other candidate on stage is really that different. I mean, when has the GOP taken corporations to task for hiring the undocumented? Or even criticizing companies for hiring undocumented workers instead of Americans? To attack Trump on his character, dishonesty, and exploitation of workers and voters, and then to revert back and say they will support him shows the lack of conviction that all the GOP candidates have. The only person with conviction is Trump albeit it's conviction in his bigotry, leadership ability, and negotiating skills, but it's conviction nonetheless.
David Brooks and the GOP will not be saved by slandering Trump. Nothing has changed since last night's debate, and nothing has changed about the GOP.
4
As the GOP ship swamps and lists in its Trump crisis, Mr. Brooks, you seem to be applauding Romney's clarion call to assign blame and rearrange deck chairs.
The hard reality is that the GOP has lost its soul to self serving manipulation of a few partly through conscious deception of many who are being left behind in a new demographic and economic reality.
Trump is merely a symptom of GOP obsolescence in a world that has moved beyond its liberal growth paradigm. It is hard to see how things will improve until the GOP can actually demonstrate intention and results for the collective national good. In the recent past, they have done nothing even approaching that.
The hard reality is that the GOP has lost its soul to self serving manipulation of a few partly through conscious deception of many who are being left behind in a new demographic and economic reality.
Trump is merely a symptom of GOP obsolescence in a world that has moved beyond its liberal growth paradigm. It is hard to see how things will improve until the GOP can actually demonstrate intention and results for the collective national good. In the recent past, they have done nothing even approaching that.
6
Leaving behind my own gleeful schadenfreude at the woes of the loyal opposition, the core issue remains that a large section of the country sees the problems with Trump a lesser evil than the current problems with Washington.
The Republican leadership can change that vision (though not quickly) or they can double-down. Trump's childish obstructionism and clownish behavior are only a parody of other colleagues in high places who really should have known better. If the GOP leadership wants to fix this problem, they only have to look in the mirror.
The Republican leadership can change that vision (though not quickly) or they can double-down. Trump's childish obstructionism and clownish behavior are only a parody of other colleagues in high places who really should have known better. If the GOP leadership wants to fix this problem, they only have to look in the mirror.
2
Mr. Brooks, the chickens are coming home to roost. Make room for them.
The Republican Party has no one to blame but themselves for this sorry state of affairs. Years and years of dog-whistle appeals to voters' baser instincts, condoning of fringe and outright racist appeals that served short-term interests, have led them here.
Trump also may represent the awakening of part of the Republican base to the fact that most of what the institutional party supports is against their better interests.
The Republican Party has no one to blame but themselves for this sorry state of affairs. Years and years of dog-whistle appeals to voters' baser instincts, condoning of fringe and outright racist appeals that served short-term interests, have led them here.
Trump also may represent the awakening of part of the Republican base to the fact that most of what the institutional party supports is against their better interests.
5
It is obvious that as Kasich said, he was the only adult on the podium although Cruz was fairly articulate.
But Republicans do not like Kasich very much and if it is not Trump it will be either Cruz or Hillary.
I am sure that the Republican establishment prefers Hillary whom they can work with to Trump who says whatever he feels like. But will Trump's rebellious followers accept this compromise?
But Republicans do not like Kasich very much and if it is not Trump it will be either Cruz or Hillary.
I am sure that the Republican establishment prefers Hillary whom they can work with to Trump who says whatever he feels like. But will Trump's rebellious followers accept this compromise?
1
Brooks finally gets it - sort of. Yes, Trump has no ethics, his wealth has been gained by gaming the system, exploiting weak regulations and suing when all else fails. But his lack of any ethical standard comes from the reality that to succeed in business in America you no longer need or want ethics. A corporate state has no need for ethics, money has no sense of morality or well-being. That we have devolved into such a society is largely due to 'apologists' like Brooks, the Republican controlled Congress and yes, establishment Democrats who have knowingly gamed the legislation that make entities like Trump possible.
1
Why did this argument, specifically the Trump University sham, take so long to make it into the debates, or even mentioned in pundit columns? Some sort of failure has taken place. Trump makes it through Super Tuesday before the most grotesque of his dealings gains traction. I blame the press. I blame the other candidates running.
186
The Great Betrayer ? I think not. Shift your blame lens sharply to the right if you want to see who has been sticking the big knife in the backs of regular people for decades. There is no evidence that The Donald did anything illegal . He simply ran his many businesses as close to the increasingly unregulated, "pro-business" blurry lines as he could, and he took ample advantage of the bankruptcy laws that will legally allow a billionaire, who is taking risks with someone else's money, to 100% avoid any personal financial liability. In contrast, a debt sodden working class kid with a BA and 100K in student can never find relief. Never. (student loans are expressly exempt from any bankruptcy relief.) The Donald simply and skillfully worked an anti- government oversight, anti-regulation, free-market-at-all costs system that was created, grown, and blessed by the great Rs themselves.
525
Please, can someone display this article on billboards and posters across the country and continuous infomercials on tv? Then even his 'supporters' will see that Trump is not the person who will help them or the country.
Here is the UK, friends ask me squeamishly if they can mention Trump's name in conversation. I reply that I have no idea what's happening in my beloved country if someone this obviously awful can get this frighteningly far.
Here is the UK, friends ask me squeamishly if they can mention Trump's name in conversation. I reply that I have no idea what's happening in my beloved country if someone this obviously awful can get this frighteningly far.
87
The right wing propaganda machine has been churning out vitriolic lies for decades. They do so in convincing fashion and the current republican lunacy is
an expression of that perpetual pumping of hate - filled lies into the minds of a
downtrodden population.
I drove from NYC to Rochester last month and the only AM stations coming through were right wing talk radio . . for hundreds of miles at a time.
It's going to get worse before it gets better. Thanks to Limbaugh. Beck. Savage. Orally. Hannitty et al.
an expression of that perpetual pumping of hate - filled lies into the minds of a
downtrodden population.
I drove from NYC to Rochester last month and the only AM stations coming through were right wing talk radio . . for hundreds of miles at a time.
It's going to get worse before it gets better. Thanks to Limbaugh. Beck. Savage. Orally. Hannitty et al.
1
Here is an incident at a recent Trump rally that is really, really scary. The Trump campaign instructed local police to eject a group of black students sitting quietly waiting for Trump to speak. They were not being disruptive,they were not protesting, they were merely curious.
The point is not so much that Trump's people ordered the local police to remove the students, the scary part is that the local police obeyed orders from the Trump campaign and not from their superior officers.
The point is not so much that Trump's people ordered the local police to remove the students, the scary part is that the local police obeyed orders from the Trump campaign and not from their superior officers.
1
"It’s unpleasant to have to play politics on this personal level."
Seriously unpleasant indeed. Very seriously. But let's contemplate, for a moment, the Southern Strategy. Just contemplate the principles and assumptions that led to its creation.
So here we are. Reaping the whirlwind of the Southern Strategy. And I couldn't agree more. It is unpleasant.Though most of us can think of less dainty language, particularly given the tenor of the Republican campaign.
Seriously unpleasant indeed. Very seriously. But let's contemplate, for a moment, the Southern Strategy. Just contemplate the principles and assumptions that led to its creation.
So here we are. Reaping the whirlwind of the Southern Strategy. And I couldn't agree more. It is unpleasant.Though most of us can think of less dainty language, particularly given the tenor of the Republican campaign.
The GOP owes the country an apology. Not for Trump, who is exposing how shallow their lucrative shakedown supply-side 'conservatism' has been for so many. Their extremism and refusal to compromise has brought our country to this point, where a Donald Trump is winning the GOP nomination.
Maybe this time what's left of the party will take a look without the ideological blinders on.
How about that----the voters do matter after all. That's what Trump's showing Romney, Paul Ryan, Koch Bros and Adelson. SuperPac Money pushing a rigid ideology can't buy this primary.
Trump's doing the country a favor.
It would be great to have him against Sanders, the two who are calling out the rot in the system, though one has a record and actual policies. Which would give Democrats a better chance in the general, with an unimpeachable candidate once Social Democrat was defined.
This is an election of disruption, the first signs of la revolution. The 1% should take heed---there are more of us and, from looking at Trump fans, there is sustained anger.
Maybe this time what's left of the party will take a look without the ideological blinders on.
How about that----the voters do matter after all. That's what Trump's showing Romney, Paul Ryan, Koch Bros and Adelson. SuperPac Money pushing a rigid ideology can't buy this primary.
Trump's doing the country a favor.
It would be great to have him against Sanders, the two who are calling out the rot in the system, though one has a record and actual policies. Which would give Democrats a better chance in the general, with an unimpeachable candidate once Social Democrat was defined.
This is an election of disruption, the first signs of la revolution. The 1% should take heed---there are more of us and, from looking at Trump fans, there is sustained anger.
Rational arguments of "betrayal" as the way to attack Donald Trump will as they already have been totally ineffective. As a psychologist, it is clear to me that we are dealing with the irrational, an anger complex, that the threatened, primarily composed of Southern white males, Republican base feels about the overly intellectual, Wall Street-oriented Republican establishment. As Paul Krugman notes today, these voters are fed up with this "con" game. They have already decapitated the leadership in the House of Representative by voting out Eric Cantor and then succeeding in toppling Speaker John Boehner, the ultimate Republican establishment leaders. Donald Trump is the "perfect storm" that rationality is futile to disarm and defeat. He is the billionaire outsider, anti-establishment, and face of the angry base that wants to complete the revolt against the establishment with an non-politician outsider with a visceral message of "manifest destiny" cloaked as "Make America Great Again."
You don't seem to understand, David, that Trump has energized a segment of the population, many of whom never identified themselves as republicans before Trump came along. These people don't care what Mitt Romney has to say because they see these establishment republicans as a big part of the problem.
Meanwhile, Trump lambasts the decision to go into Iraq, defends most of what Planned Parenthood does for women, rejects funding from the likes of Adelson and the Kochs declaring his independence from Citizens United and promises to raise taxes on the rich. All of this is driving the GOP leadership nuts but they deserve it.
When people in your party refused to object to the birther movement denying our president his country of origin and even his religion, that was a continuation of decades of republican rot. The fact that Trump supporters see this and oppose the establishment is a major reason why Trump will win the nomination over the likes of Cruz and your candidate Rubio.
Meanwhile, Trump lambasts the decision to go into Iraq, defends most of what Planned Parenthood does for women, rejects funding from the likes of Adelson and the Kochs declaring his independence from Citizens United and promises to raise taxes on the rich. All of this is driving the GOP leadership nuts but they deserve it.
When people in your party refused to object to the birther movement denying our president his country of origin and even his religion, that was a continuation of decades of republican rot. The fact that Trump supporters see this and oppose the establishment is a major reason why Trump will win the nomination over the likes of Cruz and your candidate Rubio.
1
While David Brooks and the rest of the "real" Republicans are wringing their hands Paul Krugman nailed it today.
Trump's Con is exposing the entire Republican Con for what it is: a party bankrupt of ideas and real solutions who have stoked hatred and fear for generations.
The party of Lincoln! Don't make me barf. It is the party of obstructionism whose sole mission is to protect from prosecution and empower banks and the upper class while stripping the middle class of unions, the right to vote and access to medical care. Make America white again is indeed his real message and the Republicans deserve exactly what they have created whether it is Trump, Cruz or Rubio. All are dysfunctional.
Trump's Con is exposing the entire Republican Con for what it is: a party bankrupt of ideas and real solutions who have stoked hatred and fear for generations.
The party of Lincoln! Don't make me barf. It is the party of obstructionism whose sole mission is to protect from prosecution and empower banks and the upper class while stripping the middle class of unions, the right to vote and access to medical care. Make America white again is indeed his real message and the Republicans deserve exactly what they have created whether it is Trump, Cruz or Rubio. All are dysfunctional.
Talk about lies. How about, proof of citizenship is needed to prevent voter fraud? Or, abortion clinics need to meet hospital standards to protect women's health, or Planned Parenthood is a black market for fetal tissue? Then there's, tax cuts for the wealthy create jobs, or, Obamacare kills jobs. Don't forget, Saddam had weapons of mass destruction, or George Bush kept us safe. And of course, the mother of all lies, the science is unclear whether humans cause climate change.
These are all bread and butter lies of the Republican Party, used to undermine democracy, endanger women's health, restrict women's freedom to control their bodies, kill poor people, start wars, funnel the countries resources to the military, destroy the country's social net, and free polluting corporations to make money by destroying life on earth.
Now, what was this about calling a credit card company during a class break?
These are all bread and butter lies of the Republican Party, used to undermine democracy, endanger women's health, restrict women's freedom to control their bodies, kill poor people, start wars, funnel the countries resources to the military, destroy the country's social net, and free polluting corporations to make money by destroying life on earth.
Now, what was this about calling a credit card company during a class break?
1
Talk about lies. How about, proof of citizenship is needed to prevent voter fraud? Or, abortion clinics need to meet hospital standards to protect women's health, or Planned Parenthood is a black market for fetal tissue? Then there's, tax cuts for the wealthy create jobs, or, Obamacare kills jobs. Don't forget, Saddam had weapons of mass destruction, or George Bush kept us safe. And of course, the mother of all lies, the science is unclear whether humans cause climate change.
These are all bread and butter lies of the Republican Party, used to undermine democracy, endanger women's health, restrict women's freedom to control their bodies, kill poor people, start wars, divert the country's resources to the military, destroy the country's social net, and free polluting corporations to make money by destroying life on earth.
Now, what was this about calling a credit card company during a class break?
These are all bread and butter lies of the Republican Party, used to undermine democracy, endanger women's health, restrict women's freedom to control their bodies, kill poor people, start wars, divert the country's resources to the military, destroy the country's social net, and free polluting corporations to make money by destroying life on earth.
Now, what was this about calling a credit card company during a class break?
1
Leaders of the GOP at all levels across the nation have "earned the right to be heard"? Really? Those are the very people responsible for Trump's rise. They've spent the last 7 years depicting the twice-elected President of the United States as illegitimate, and undeserving of even the minimal amount respect and courtesy the holder of that office is entitled to. Let's see them first stand up and say "mea culpa, mea culpa." Then they can chase and destroy the monster they've created.
1
I agree with everything David says in today's column excepting the final comment: that Trump has 'more courage than his opponents'. Courage is about overcoming fear -- or proceeding in spite of it -- which has merit. What Trump is about is a toxic mix of bravado and a craven need for beating up real or imagined adversaries. He adopts a persona and plays with rules that ensure he cannot lose: if the opposition proves superior its foremost exponent is demeaned, discounted, emasculated; if not, Trump is hyperbolically enhanced. There is nothing courageous about playing a game with all the rules stacked in your favor [even if it is mostly taking place in your own psyche]. My sense is that as President -- should such a calamity befall this wonderful country of ours -- this man's voracious appetite to diminish the opposition will not be sated. He will seek new prey. Will Congress suffice? Or will this sad need for self-definition by humiliating another require a foreign nation to feed upon?
I think this is missing the point. Ideas are not at stake here. It is purely emotional and all of the "factual" arguments about Trump are not going to fly. There is a core of deeply unhappy citizens - both educated and uneducated whites - who have lost in the economy of the past two decades, have been told again and again that one party or the other is going make things better, but then are told again and again how bad it is, how the country is overrun with Muslim terrorists or Mexican criminals, and that all leaders are frauds. They don't even really believe that Trump is going to really change things. They are simply following their anger with someone who is seen as strong. It is mindless but unlikely to be derailed by the anti-Trump Republican elites.
Liberals have had their way in America for the past 25 years. Most of their most important goals have now been largely achieved, and the country is considerably better for it.
But liberals have not been content to rest on their laurels. They have pressed on relentlessly with politically-correct agendas that are often extreme and sometimes absurd leaving millions of Americans feeling despised, isolated and disrespected in their own country; and feeling alone in a world where rapid economic change is calling into question many of values and certainties they once counted on. That is why Trump is winning.
But liberals have not been content to rest on their laurels. They have pressed on relentlessly with politically-correct agendas that are often extreme and sometimes absurd leaving millions of Americans feeling despised, isolated and disrespected in their own country; and feeling alone in a world where rapid economic change is calling into question many of values and certainties they once counted on. That is why Trump is winning.
1
Mitt Romney is Jeb Bush with teeth. Drumph would take him down in a New York minute. Yes, it's true that Romney had the labor union turncoats behind him in the last election. The guys who tell you endlessly how they'd have made their retirement nest egg alone without all those "slackers" the very union that made themselves provided. Nothing like an investment portfolio to make a guy feel like king {blank}.
As repulsive as Trump can be, he's got his share of the 47%ers & he'd crush Layoff King Willard while the latter was still concerned about his sweaty armpits.
As repulsive as Trump can be, he's got his share of the 47%ers & he'd crush Layoff King Willard while the latter was still concerned about his sweaty armpits.
1
Amusing that the establishment people who have fostered this fear-driven, always negative, 1%er environment for decades somehow have moral authority over Trump. I am a moderate democrat, but would rather see Trump than some of the other hypocrites. Yes, Trump has made horrible remarks, and he is a misogynist, perhaps racist, and narcissistic - how is that different than many in the republican elite? Why are we so worried about SCOTUS? Redistricting - voter ID? Why are we so worried about immigration policy? All these policies are not antithetic to what Trump says; he has simply, and effectively, tapped into the anger that republican leaders have quietly nuanced into the dialogue today (and rambunctiously by Fox and Rush etc.) And, actually, he may have a more middle-of-the-road approach than some of these holier than thou right-wingers.
All true Mr. Brooks but what you fail to mention is that Mr. Trump's demeanor has been the stock and trade of the Republican "establishment" for several election cycles. For far too long Republican politicians have been mining the darkest elements of the body politic; our fear and insecurity, and warping it into policy that, ironically, perpetuates social and economic structures that cause fear and insecurity. The chickens have come home to roost. Until the Republican party can honestly look at the three fingers pointing back at themselves as they wag their index finger at Trump, they carry no credibility.
1
David,
These Trump people are committed to this idiocy. They really do think that a "carnival barker" that has made his life of shamming and scamming would be their choice for President. What's worse is that they will absolutely not listen to the opposing arguments. They are that intransigent and dumb. Trump intuitively zoomed in on this demographic group, knowing that they represented a huge chunk of the Republican voter-public, thus he just simply mirrored their thoughtless emotions in his speeches and (more importantly) on his incessant Twitter output.
He is being carried to prominence by a witless and scared herd of inbred sheep while no good sheepdog has been on duty.
These Trump people are committed to this idiocy. They really do think that a "carnival barker" that has made his life of shamming and scamming would be their choice for President. What's worse is that they will absolutely not listen to the opposing arguments. They are that intransigent and dumb. Trump intuitively zoomed in on this demographic group, knowing that they represented a huge chunk of the Republican voter-public, thus he just simply mirrored their thoughtless emotions in his speeches and (more importantly) on his incessant Twitter output.
He is being carried to prominence by a witless and scared herd of inbred sheep while no good sheepdog has been on duty.
I think the real diagnosis of Donald Trump is that he says whatever he thinks will get him what he wants in the moment. If it's the 1990's and he wants to be accepted in NYC, he's "very pro-choice." If it's 2016 and he's running for the GOP nomination, not so much. At the end of the day, he's a salesman and that means diagnosing with great precision what he thinks his audience wants to hear, whether he believes it or not. Marco Rubio hit it on the head last night, "he makes promises in the moment that he has no intention of keeping."
It's amazing to me how many lies, blatant exaggerations, and distortions he has made and it never really seems to catch up with him because of his "aura of success." Last night Chris Wallace put the lie to how he would balance the budget which showed that if you dig even an inch below the surface, all of his claims fall apart. Let's hope the deep examination of his record, with all its contradictions, continues in earnest.
It's amazing to me how many lies, blatant exaggerations, and distortions he has made and it never really seems to catch up with him because of his "aura of success." Last night Chris Wallace put the lie to how he would balance the budget which showed that if you dig even an inch below the surface, all of his claims fall apart. Let's hope the deep examination of his record, with all its contradictions, continues in earnest.
1
Trump is only the vessel for the rise of authoritarianism in our country. The problem is how the right, and its political vessel, the GOP has stoked and triggered authoritarianism in his constituency. Facts or flaws he presents are of not consequence for them. To quote an important commentary by Amanda Taub in Vox, "The rise of American authoritarianism", she explains, "Trump embodies the classic authoritarian leadership style: simple, powerful, and punitive." This is an important read for anyone concerned with the direction that is likely to continue by as many if not more than half our voters, and until understood, is unlikely to change for many a year. The long term damage - a significant erosion of civil liberties and the rule of law as we know it.
Look in the mirror Mr. brooks. You do not come with clean hands. Trump is only the hyperbolic exaggeration of what every Republican has promulgated in the last 40 years with the implementation of the Southern strategy and the the friends of big business. They have promoted give aways to business, ignored environmental concerns, disdain any government regulation, believed cutting taxes would mean HUGE growth and trickle down to the serfs and free trade would create a dynamic economy. In the mean time they blamed immigrants and people of color for every problem and made their constituents believe that those were the people we stealing their tax dollars through social programs so we must destroy the any and all social welfare programs. None of this is new, It's just more vulgar. I don't recall you calling them out until the entire party and structure was threatened. You and many other in the commentariat should look in the mirror. This is on your hands too!
It is not just Trump but the GOP that is the "Great Betrayer". The Republican leadership has for decades nurtured anti-government, anti-education sentiments among the most vulnerable segments of society, the very people for whom healthcare, education, and economic security are a daily challenge. Democrats may have lost their southern base during the civil rights movement. Maybe now is the time to win them back. The Democrats offer not handouts, but shared prosperity: protections against corporate greed and shifts in the market, medical care through a broad-based tax system to which all contribute, and support for anyone seeking education or retraining to lift themselves up economically. I like to believe we are in this together. The GOP leadership would have you alone and fearful. That is a betrayal of what it means to be American.
2
It's been said, but it's worth repeating. Donald Trump didn't invent the racist, bigoted, callous, and insulting things that he's been spouting. The Republican Party has embraced and ridden them to election victories for decades. Mr. Trump is only repeating them out loud. The truth is, the Republican Party's revulsion should not be about Mr. Trump's character - much the same can be said about most Republican apparatchiks. The Republican Party should be horrified about itself, it's utter lack of principle, and what it has been espousing since Reagan, all in the name of the lust for power. It's message is bankrupt and anti-American, and to win elections, they've made nice with hate-filled people. The turkeys have flown home to roost. Maybe the only benefit of this experience a realization of the soul-searching that the GOP needs to do. Do I think they will do it? No.
1
A superficial commentary. The real issue is the stew Republicans spent years simmering that allowed Trump to emerge. Now the GOP complains the main course isn't to their liking, though they hand-picked every ingredient. Racism, bigotry, inequality, hatred of government, denigration of the poor, zero human empathy, etc. In short, every trait we'd abhor in an individual concentrated and amplified onto a national party. I'd say let them choke on it except it's our collective throat.
4
There has been a treasure trove of information about Trump for years. Quite honestly, I can't understand why it has not been used sooner. There is no mystery here. All this information is readily available.
The fact that so many people Googled Trump University after a recent debate speaks volumes. If all his supporters knew even the basic facts about Trump, they would not have to do this.
As a resident of NYC I have had to put with the circus we call Donald Trump for years. And this includes, his wives and kids as well. All this has been in the news for years, so no one is actually defaming Trump by bringing it up. It is actually old news.
The fact that so many people Googled Trump University after a recent debate speaks volumes. If all his supporters knew even the basic facts about Trump, they would not have to do this.
As a resident of NYC I have had to put with the circus we call Donald Trump for years. And this includes, his wives and kids as well. All this has been in the news for years, so no one is actually defaming Trump by bringing it up. It is actually old news.
The entire Republican Party has been a scam for the last 40 years. It promised that tax cuts for the rich would help the poor and middle class, when in reality those tax cuts just benefited the 1% and left everyone else poorer. It has preyed on the desire to "protect life" with anti-abortion policies that just make life miserable for individual women. It lied to the American people about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq so that it could go to war to protect the profits of the fossil fuel industry. Most importantly, it denies the existence of human caused climate change with phoney science. If you want to look for a scam artist, look at yourself, David Brooks.
1
Republican officials haven't built trust and rapport with people. They have done precisely what Trump has done but with a great deal more subtlety. Officials have long preached and promised fiscal responsibility, social values, homeland security, strong family values, and moral rectitude.
What officials have actually delivered is far removed from that preached and promised--mushrooming debt, wink-wink to pro-life and one-man one-woman marriage, the 9/11 attacks followed by utterly devastating and counterproductive wars, philandering men flaunting their behavior, and a refusal even to pretend to work for the people.
Donald Trump perfectly personifies everything Republican officials actually ARE. Small hands require lying, bluster, and Big Talk.
What officials have actually delivered is far removed from that preached and promised--mushrooming debt, wink-wink to pro-life and one-man one-woman marriage, the 9/11 attacks followed by utterly devastating and counterproductive wars, philandering men flaunting their behavior, and a refusal even to pretend to work for the people.
Donald Trump perfectly personifies everything Republican officials actually ARE. Small hands require lying, bluster, and Big Talk.
1
Brooks is out in the philosophical weeds. His conservatism that he so desperately wants is an illusion. Cooked up by his intellectual heroes of the past. It has some aspects the ring true but the execution has been the worst. This is why we have Trump.
The Conservatives(Liberals too of course) promise what they know they can't deliver.
They continue to discard the good in search of the perfect so we are now left with the good discarded or discredited and the perfect impossible to achieve.
When you promote ignorance by denying valid scientific principles and thus education you get Trump.Rubio,Cruz and yes Kasich. They all denied evolution as a valid scientific principle.
The roads open to the GOP are all dead ends.
The Conservatives(Liberals too of course) promise what they know they can't deliver.
They continue to discard the good in search of the perfect so we are now left with the good discarded or discredited and the perfect impossible to achieve.
When you promote ignorance by denying valid scientific principles and thus education you get Trump.Rubio,Cruz and yes Kasich. They all denied evolution as a valid scientific principle.
The roads open to the GOP are all dead ends.
I think the Republican Party may need to concede this battle, in order to live to fight another day. There's no "successful" scenario in which this election turns out well for the GOP, whether it's a brokered convention that rjects the primaries and nominates a white knight (which will permanently cost the party a chunk of its base), or Trump getting the nomination and winning the general (which will permanently undermine the United States abroad and wreak havoc domestically).
Better to just let Trump win the nomination, then let him lose in November... and lose badly.
Yeah, it would mean another Clinton in the White House, but the country "survived" that before and it's "survived" eight years of Obama. Same with Democratic majorities in Congress and a liberal majority on the Supreme Court. No sane, sober conservative can seriously claim that this would be worse executive management than a barking-mad casino huckster would bring. But in the meantime, a devastating loss would effectively repudiate Trumpism as a political movement (like Mondale's loss in 1984 did with the Big Labor/Great Society brand of Democratism), and let the mainstream, adult leadership of the GOP re-assert itself in 2020.
Better to just let Trump win the nomination, then let him lose in November... and lose badly.
Yeah, it would mean another Clinton in the White House, but the country "survived" that before and it's "survived" eight years of Obama. Same with Democratic majorities in Congress and a liberal majority on the Supreme Court. No sane, sober conservative can seriously claim that this would be worse executive management than a barking-mad casino huckster would bring. But in the meantime, a devastating loss would effectively repudiate Trumpism as a political movement (like Mondale's loss in 1984 did with the Big Labor/Great Society brand of Democratism), and let the mainstream, adult leadership of the GOP re-assert itself in 2020.
But is not betrayal the common trait of the modern, Movement Conservative, Republican Party. For 35 years you have been promising your white working class supporters prosperity and the restoration of the privileges of "White Americans" that their grandfathers took for granted in th1940s, 50s, and early 60s, and to put "those People" and all the uppity women who started to come along in the 70s in their place. And instead, they find all their jobs have been outsourced to China and they are working lawn care jobs at minimum wage when they can find them. With "those People." An on "those People" is President of the United States, twice elected. Republicans promised tax cuts for the rich and wars abroad would solve all these problems. But the base never got the pony. The platforms of Rubio and Cruz promise just as much plutocratic oligarchy as Trumps, who at least throws a bone to the working class with his opposition to trade deals and immigration and while preserving Social Security and Medicare and to limit US adventurism abroad. It is this bone, not his other faults, that causes Mr. Brooks to detest Donald Trump.
The fact that the establishment, the owners of the political system, are so scared of Trump, and Sanders, speaks volumes tho millions of people. Those supporting Cruz, Rubio, and Clinton, candidates who are bought and paidf for by selfish interests with an agenda inimical to the growth and prosperity of the middle class, are either ignorant about what's at stake or so well off that their interests are against the middle class, and democracy. Trump and Sanders stand for a whole lot more than anything the establishment press wants to talk about. The fact that the press so vehemently opposes Trump reveals its complicitness and shameful bias in the buying and selling of our political system.
It's great that Republican establishment leaders have begun to take a stand against Trump. But I'm concerned that their opposition so far has been "for the good of the Republican party." Their overriding concern ought to be the good of the country, and of the entire world.
If Republican leaders believe Trump is as terrible as they say, but nonetheless Trump becomes the nominee, those Republican leaders owe it to their country and to the world to do everything they can to ensure that Trump loses the general election - regardless of the consequences for their party. As I see it, those leaders would have only two options - endorse the Democratic nominee or run an establishment Republican as an independent or third-party candidate for president.
It's always a good test of a partisan proposal to ask how the proposal would work if the parties were reversed. But there are no parallels in recent Democratic Party history. The closest I can come is the George Wallace candidacy in 1976. He lost, badly, but had he won I have no doubt that I would have voted for Gerald Ford in the general election - not for the good of the Democratic Party, but for the good of the country, and the world.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
If Republican leaders believe Trump is as terrible as they say, but nonetheless Trump becomes the nominee, those Republican leaders owe it to their country and to the world to do everything they can to ensure that Trump loses the general election - regardless of the consequences for their party. As I see it, those leaders would have only two options - endorse the Democratic nominee or run an establishment Republican as an independent or third-party candidate for president.
It's always a good test of a partisan proposal to ask how the proposal would work if the parties were reversed. But there are no parallels in recent Democratic Party history. The closest I can come is the George Wallace candidacy in 1976. He lost, badly, but had he won I have no doubt that I would have voted for Gerald Ford in the general election - not for the good of the Democratic Party, but for the good of the country, and the world.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
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The Great Revealer or The Great Exposer would be more appropriate. It must be hard for Brooks and others like him who have made their careers providing "intellectual" cover for the GOP. What exactly were the principles behind the "southern strategy," Reagan's dog-whistles and the neo-con lies that forced war on Iraq?
Trump has laid bare the fact that the GOP agenda has been built on the backs of bigoted, misogynistic, uneducated white poor. These people were consistently conned by the GOP; now they are mad as hell and while the GOP establishment would like them to remain politely silent, Trump has given them voice. What has he betrayed, other than establishment con artists? Really, he has exposed and revealed the establishment for the Big Con that it is. Compared to the Big Con, Trump is a crude, small-scale con artist who lacks finesse.
Whether you like it or not, Trump is doing the country a huge service. And, if there are any sensible leaders remaining in the GOP, he has given them cover to reboot the party and rebuild it on firm ethical, social, humane principles assuming these are not strange concepts to all of them.
Trump has laid bare the fact that the GOP agenda has been built on the backs of bigoted, misogynistic, uneducated white poor. These people were consistently conned by the GOP; now they are mad as hell and while the GOP establishment would like them to remain politely silent, Trump has given them voice. What has he betrayed, other than establishment con artists? Really, he has exposed and revealed the establishment for the Big Con that it is. Compared to the Big Con, Trump is a crude, small-scale con artist who lacks finesse.
Whether you like it or not, Trump is doing the country a huge service. And, if there are any sensible leaders remaining in the GOP, he has given them cover to reboot the party and rebuild it on firm ethical, social, humane principles assuming these are not strange concepts to all of them.
1
Mr. Brooks, I write as someone who used to vote Republican far more in the past, but while your attitudes may have decades ago provided the thought foundation of a serious party, today you support a Republican centrism that no longer exists.
Trump is a fundamentally unserious candidate, but who on that stage is anymore? Just a few short years ago Cruz and Rubio were the vanguard of the emerging Tea Party movement - leading the very obstructionism that they are decrying in this campaign. And today they are looked at as the moderate, serious candidates? Sorry, but the deepening dysfunction we're seeing on that stage is far broader than any one candidate.
In fact, it's deeper than any of the candidates. They are responding to an electorate and a base that the party has cultivated to hate the government, and has centered far too much on the politics of nativist white identity while the party serves a narrow, wealthy elite. Look at Kasich today! Try to contrast his pandering to the unschooled base that doesn't want to get any smarter with the man he was in the 90s, who set up a successful partnership with Congressional Democrats to balance the budget.
Despite misgivings about portions of the Democratic agenda, I am going to vote enthusiastically for Sanders or Clinton. The Republican Party has been in a death spiral for years, and this spectacle is only about continuing to dig their hole. They have a lesson to learn, and even a massive loss may not yet teach it to them.
Trump is a fundamentally unserious candidate, but who on that stage is anymore? Just a few short years ago Cruz and Rubio were the vanguard of the emerging Tea Party movement - leading the very obstructionism that they are decrying in this campaign. And today they are looked at as the moderate, serious candidates? Sorry, but the deepening dysfunction we're seeing on that stage is far broader than any one candidate.
In fact, it's deeper than any of the candidates. They are responding to an electorate and a base that the party has cultivated to hate the government, and has centered far too much on the politics of nativist white identity while the party serves a narrow, wealthy elite. Look at Kasich today! Try to contrast his pandering to the unschooled base that doesn't want to get any smarter with the man he was in the 90s, who set up a successful partnership with Congressional Democrats to balance the budget.
Despite misgivings about portions of the Democratic agenda, I am going to vote enthusiastically for Sanders or Clinton. The Republican Party has been in a death spiral for years, and this spectacle is only about continuing to dig their hole. They have a lesson to learn, and even a massive loss may not yet teach it to them.
1
Whatever the credentials of the anti-Trump Republican forces and the degree to which their attacks are accurate- the hope is that they will chip away at his support- and help result in a brokered Republican convention. I think their efforts are useful two fold: (1) The may slow down this fascist sufficiently to prevent him from getting the nomination and (2) If he should get the nomination, they will significantly weaken him in the general election. I think the attainment of (1) is well worth (2)- and even if your focus is more selfish than patriotic- if Trump can't win the general election than (1) is your best shot any way.
I also believe that not only Republican politicians, but a broad spectrum of public figures need to join in. Not only will this add credibility to the attacks and broaden their appeal- it will forestall sycophants like Governor Christie from too readily joining his camp.
Finally, the moral element to this effort can not be underestimated. I have significant difficulties with Cruz as well- and Rubio is not much better. Kaisch is credible as a political leader- but also a major long shot. And while Trump's supporters have a voice- if they should get there way, the most dangerous man in the world right now will have control of the world's greatest military.
I also believe that not only Republican politicians, but a broad spectrum of public figures need to join in. Not only will this add credibility to the attacks and broaden their appeal- it will forestall sycophants like Governor Christie from too readily joining his camp.
Finally, the moral element to this effort can not be underestimated. I have significant difficulties with Cruz as well- and Rubio is not much better. Kaisch is credible as a political leader- but also a major long shot. And while Trump's supporters have a voice- if they should get there way, the most dangerous man in the world right now will have control of the world's greatest military.
Watching from the vantage point of Canada's deep freeze, this presidential election is the most fascinating I've witnessed in my lifetime. I never imagined that the major topic in a race for the U.S. presidency could come down to a choice between shallowness and substance.
The whole exercise on the Republican side is arguably the result of a dumbed down culture being relentlessly force fed way too much drivel such as 'reality' TV concoctions à la "Gun Hugging Swamp Housewives of Duck Mysogyny", or some such nonsensical brain deadening misinfotainment.
Luridly captivating as it is, what Republicans have foisted on the electorate is their very own version of gutter inspired shrillness and vapidness.
The new American mantra should now be: God save America from itself. I, for one, am praying for it to be so.
The whole exercise on the Republican side is arguably the result of a dumbed down culture being relentlessly force fed way too much drivel such as 'reality' TV concoctions à la "Gun Hugging Swamp Housewives of Duck Mysogyny", or some such nonsensical brain deadening misinfotainment.
Luridly captivating as it is, what Republicans have foisted on the electorate is their very own version of gutter inspired shrillness and vapidness.
The new American mantra should now be: God save America from itself. I, for one, am praying for it to be so.
Mr. Brooks, please spend some time thinking seriously then writing about why a candidate like Trump with so many personal foibles, moral transgressions, and sham business enterprises has bested the Republican Party.
Could it be that the Party has done everything possible to advantage the elites and undermine the middle class? Think bail out with bonuses, trade agreements that shipped jobs overseas, tax loopholes which leave secretaries paying more of their income in taxes than their bosses, Citizens United that sold Congress to corporations and billionaires ... And the Party is continuing to undermine Trump supporters. Republicans are blocking legislation to prevent US companies from incorporating abroad to avoid taxes. Republicans are undermining the Constitution by refusing to perform their duty of providing Advice and Consent upon a Supreme Court nominee - to attempt to maintain the conservative majority on the Court responsible for Citizens United, undermining the Voting Rights Act and other decisions that help keep elites in control of the Party.
These may be some of the reasons even decent people are supporting such a flawed candidate - the Republican Party has tried to put lipstick on the pig too many times but is still wallowing in the mud.
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings." Like Cassius and Brutus, Americans are no longer willing to be underlings to a Republican Party that undermines their interests.
Could it be that the Party has done everything possible to advantage the elites and undermine the middle class? Think bail out with bonuses, trade agreements that shipped jobs overseas, tax loopholes which leave secretaries paying more of their income in taxes than their bosses, Citizens United that sold Congress to corporations and billionaires ... And the Party is continuing to undermine Trump supporters. Republicans are blocking legislation to prevent US companies from incorporating abroad to avoid taxes. Republicans are undermining the Constitution by refusing to perform their duty of providing Advice and Consent upon a Supreme Court nominee - to attempt to maintain the conservative majority on the Court responsible for Citizens United, undermining the Voting Rights Act and other decisions that help keep elites in control of the Party.
These may be some of the reasons even decent people are supporting such a flawed candidate - the Republican Party has tried to put lipstick on the pig too many times but is still wallowing in the mud.
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings." Like Cassius and Brutus, Americans are no longer willing to be underlings to a Republican Party that undermines their interests.
The problem with talking about Trump's unscrupulous quest for money & his tendency to betray people is that he is not alone in this. The other politicians are, to a great extent, employed by their large contributors to disregard the public's interest in favor of the contributors'. Rubio, for example, has taken money from the corporation that created the now bankrupt Everest for-profit colleges. That company lied about the employability of its graduates, and which is one reason why its students have one of the highest default rates in our nation's federal student loan program. Since those schools participated in a federal program, the Senate (with which Rubio apparently has given up all but titular involvement) can & should address the issues Everest et al raise about higher education & ripping off students who want to get ahead. But Rubio will not go against his pay masters.
The bottom line is that the ethical differences between Trump & his competitors are more those of style, not substance, except in those issues where Trump takes more honest stands than the Republican establishment would like (e.g., his observation that the Bush administration lied about Iraq). Even in this most recent debate, it was both Trump and Rubio who brought up penis size, but only Trump is getting the blame.
As for Romney's speech, it may have made many factual points, but it seems as much a self-serving salvo in his own backdoor quest for presidency as an attempt to speak truth to power.
The bottom line is that the ethical differences between Trump & his competitors are more those of style, not substance, except in those issues where Trump takes more honest stands than the Republican establishment would like (e.g., his observation that the Bush administration lied about Iraq). Even in this most recent debate, it was both Trump and Rubio who brought up penis size, but only Trump is getting the blame.
As for Romney's speech, it may have made many factual points, but it seems as much a self-serving salvo in his own backdoor quest for presidency as an attempt to speak truth to power.
Brooks is a likable guy. His flaw is that he believes in a philosophy of government that is a failed theory because it is such a pretty theory. Trump really is not any different than any other Republican candidate of the last 20 years; find the social issues that emotionally move people (race, class, abortion, birth control, gun control, etc; cynically exploit them to get elected and then proceed with actions that increase the power of the oligarchy. Sounds like bait and switch to me. Because he is such an introspective person, I expect one day for him to recant his loyalty to the theory of the few for something more human. Until then, he will suffer from the conflict of supporting causes and people who he really does not like or agree with. I hope he gets there one day.
Trump has just dumbed down and personified the Republican message to its core "conservative values": the use of hate, fear, greed, jealousy, bigotry to institutionalize oppression, and regression in the name of profits; completely reminiscent of the "my way or the highway" governance of those who continue to worship in the churches of emperors and kings.
We should reject those ideas and go back to the "core values" of democracy.
That said, this whole charade appears to be designed to channel the party into accepting, the unacceptable, ie, a better snake oil salesman with some hint of "human values". Kasich is the "chosen" nominee, the one that Republican establishment cannot endorse until the pain of losing is so palpable that the 'far right' has no choice but to rally behind him. His white horse appears to be patiently waiting in the wings.
We should reject those ideas and go back to the "core values" of democracy.
That said, this whole charade appears to be designed to channel the party into accepting, the unacceptable, ie, a better snake oil salesman with some hint of "human values". Kasich is the "chosen" nominee, the one that Republican establishment cannot endorse until the pain of losing is so palpable that the 'far right' has no choice but to rally behind him. His white horse appears to be patiently waiting in the wings.
My party was hijacked by Christian radicals and financial thieves. My first wakeup call was back in the Savings and Loan days when the party got rid of regulations and other Republicans immediately raided and destroyed that industry. For decades my party has fought for things that hurt Freedom and Personal Liberty, my party has shut down congress over issues that I do not agree with and often oppose. My party has shown that a 3 legged stool of my father's party are missing from the current Republican platform:
1. Personal Freedom (I do not care about religion and should not have to i America.)
2. Efficient Government (Not no government, I want roads and sewers and schools.)
3. Public Service (I want those who need a safety net to have one, when Americans are healthy and secure America is strong.)
The Republican Party has created this mess where it really does not represent anything that any American could be proud of. I was for Kasich until the guy wearing magic underwear told me what to think, tomorrow I will vote Trump at the Kansas caucus, in November I will vote for Hillary.
1. Personal Freedom (I do not care about religion and should not have to i America.)
2. Efficient Government (Not no government, I want roads and sewers and schools.)
3. Public Service (I want those who need a safety net to have one, when Americans are healthy and secure America is strong.)
The Republican Party has created this mess where it really does not represent anything that any American could be proud of. I was for Kasich until the guy wearing magic underwear told me what to think, tomorrow I will vote Trump at the Kansas caucus, in November I will vote for Hillary.
1
Books has a pattern. He writes "thought" pieces which are occasionally insightful but usually banal and sophomoric. This, it seems, gives him the gravitas to be a political pundit. His political commentaries are usually republican/conservative boilerplate. I suspect that many of such commentaries are produced by template software without much effort on his part.
Now he is jumping on the anti-Trump bandwagon. Trump is not the kind of dignified gentleman the Republican. party nominates to be the figurehead for the wealthy class to achieve even more greedier initiatives.
I suspect that Brooks has been given his marching orders (get Trump), and he is following through like a good soldier. I am anti-Trump and I don't disagree with his condemnations. However, in this time of great crisis, I find this hypocritical poseur to be a royal pain.
Now he is jumping on the anti-Trump bandwagon. Trump is not the kind of dignified gentleman the Republican. party nominates to be the figurehead for the wealthy class to achieve even more greedier initiatives.
I suspect that Brooks has been given his marching orders (get Trump), and he is following through like a good soldier. I am anti-Trump and I don't disagree with his condemnations. However, in this time of great crisis, I find this hypocritical poseur to be a royal pain.
1
It is probably too late to do anything about Trump's nomination. The efforts to stop him are admirable and even, in some cases, politically courageous. But, I suspect that the rank and file Republican politicians will betray Romney and those who have attempted to stand up to Trump and fall in line behind Trump after August.
For all their attacks on Trump last night and over the last few weeks all three of Trump's opponents said they would vote for him if he got the nomination. All three said they would vote for a bigoted, misogynist, who has no respect for decency and human rights. They could have said they would not vote for him because he was a divisive, race baiting, demagogue who threatens the principles upon which this nation was built, but they did not. They continue to claim that Clinton would be worse than Trump.
No reasonable human being can believe that a President Trump would be better for this nation than a President Clinton. For all her flaws she believes in racial equality, religious freedom, economic justice, human rights, and freedom of speech. Can anyone honestly say that about Trump?
Trump supporters, drunk on the anger he whips up, are being seduced by a grotesque, frat boy. I hope we don't all wake up on the morning of November 9th horrified by what we let happen the night before. That walk of shame will be four years long and Trump will gloat about his conquest on social media the entire time.
For all their attacks on Trump last night and over the last few weeks all three of Trump's opponents said they would vote for him if he got the nomination. All three said they would vote for a bigoted, misogynist, who has no respect for decency and human rights. They could have said they would not vote for him because he was a divisive, race baiting, demagogue who threatens the principles upon which this nation was built, but they did not. They continue to claim that Clinton would be worse than Trump.
No reasonable human being can believe that a President Trump would be better for this nation than a President Clinton. For all her flaws she believes in racial equality, religious freedom, economic justice, human rights, and freedom of speech. Can anyone honestly say that about Trump?
Trump supporters, drunk on the anger he whips up, are being seduced by a grotesque, frat boy. I hope we don't all wake up on the morning of November 9th horrified by what we let happen the night before. That walk of shame will be four years long and Trump will gloat about his conquest on social media the entire time.
Yes, it's been clear for many years that Trump is a lying, scheming, amoral, adulterous, business failure. He never pays his contractors, dodges all debts, bankrupts his companies and ruins his investors. He is a narcissistic bully who isn't too clear on reality.
All of that has been very clear to those who are willing to see it. But the problem here is with Trump supporters. They buy the lies, they love the racist hatred, they approve of the total ignorance because it reminds them of them.
So it may well be too late, Trump is probably going to get the GOP nomination, because there are millions of absolute fools out there, and they're all voting for Trump. It's unfortunate that so many Americans are so colossally idiotic and racist, but the evidence is undeniable. We can only hope and pray that they are not the majority.
The upside is, if they are the majority and Trump gets to be president, then America will have been proven to be a failure and will absolutely deserve its utter destruction. If we elect this shouting racist pumpkin, then we should no longer exist.
All of that has been very clear to those who are willing to see it. But the problem here is with Trump supporters. They buy the lies, they love the racist hatred, they approve of the total ignorance because it reminds them of them.
So it may well be too late, Trump is probably going to get the GOP nomination, because there are millions of absolute fools out there, and they're all voting for Trump. It's unfortunate that so many Americans are so colossally idiotic and racist, but the evidence is undeniable. We can only hope and pray that they are not the majority.
The upside is, if they are the majority and Trump gets to be president, then America will have been proven to be a failure and will absolutely deserve its utter destruction. If we elect this shouting racist pumpkin, then we should no longer exist.
2
What's so annoying to people like David is the way that Trump lays bare the reality of the entire Republican party. Trump's really not different from the party at all.
Trump University. Sure, a scam. But the Republican party has been a great ally of the for profit colleges that scam people all the time. And has worked overtime to undermine our system of public education and turn it over to the private sector where it can be just another profit center.
Trump Mortgage. Sure, a shady operation. But the Republican party has been a great ally of the payday lenders and all the rest, right on up to protecting Wall Street banks from any meaningful regulation.
Trump's betrayal of his first wife? How about Newt Gingrich?
And then of course we have the racism. Trump is simply overtly racist while the Republican Party tries desperately to keep its racism under wraps. But it isn't called a Southern Strategy for nothing.
David's list of Trump's trespasses is simply the list of Republican trespasses writ small.
And the wailings of people like David and Mitt Romney will have no effect whatsoever. Those who support Trump don't care. Because the flip side of Trump is that he's made it OK for them to express their rage at the people who've been screwing them over for so long.
If David and his establishment friends want to contemplate something truly frightening, imagine a future candidate who can unite the forces now supporting both Trump and Bernie.
It's the anger stupid.
Trump University. Sure, a scam. But the Republican party has been a great ally of the for profit colleges that scam people all the time. And has worked overtime to undermine our system of public education and turn it over to the private sector where it can be just another profit center.
Trump Mortgage. Sure, a shady operation. But the Republican party has been a great ally of the payday lenders and all the rest, right on up to protecting Wall Street banks from any meaningful regulation.
Trump's betrayal of his first wife? How about Newt Gingrich?
And then of course we have the racism. Trump is simply overtly racist while the Republican Party tries desperately to keep its racism under wraps. But it isn't called a Southern Strategy for nothing.
David's list of Trump's trespasses is simply the list of Republican trespasses writ small.
And the wailings of people like David and Mitt Romney will have no effect whatsoever. Those who support Trump don't care. Because the flip side of Trump is that he's made it OK for them to express their rage at the people who've been screwing them over for so long.
If David and his establishment friends want to contemplate something truly frightening, imagine a future candidate who can unite the forces now supporting both Trump and Bernie.
It's the anger stupid.
1
Once again, Mr. Brooks refusing to look for the root cause of the rise of someone like Trump. No examination of the decades long effort by Republicans, including himself, to dumb down the electorate so that folks vote against their best interests. Endless dog whistles about welfare queens and illegal aliens, implications that getting an abortion was avoiding God's purpose, pretending to care about budget deficits while promoting huge, regressive tax cuts with no intention of paying for them. Sorry Mr. Brooks. It must be difficult to look in the mirror these days.
This man is not suited to the POTUS. Period.
1
If the Republican establishment is now speaking up and speaking against Trump, why are his 3 opponents for the nomination going to support him, if he wins that nomination???
3
It is unlikely that these (hardly) revelations presented by the GOP candidate of the 1% will sway the snarling, feral 47% right wing GOP base that is supporting Trump (or Cruz or Rubio). But that base is not enough for the long haul. Hillary Clinton can take him apart in a general election with everyone participating. I'm rooting for Trump to win the nomination. It would serve the Southern-Strategy party right.
2
Sorry, David, too late. That Trump Train done left the station, dragging you and the rest behind it.
4
Pardon me but why are Trump's business practices any worse than Romney's Bain Capital? Mitt is a holier than though hypocrite. Get used to it Mr. Brooks, the GOP's inherent evils are now exposed for all to see. Go Donald.
4
The ghosts of Archie Bunker and George Wallace have reincarnated in D Trump. The real and the unreal are alive in equal parts in this modern miasma. If elected he will never serve those who flock to him unless they are the wealthy few like him. It’s raining pyrite and his many fans are fooled.
2
One can't help but think about Bernie Madoff...
The Trump phenomenon exists only because right-leaning voters do not trust the Republican establishment.
So what makes you think they will listen to Mitt Romney?
So what makes you think they will listen to Mitt Romney?
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And, when did M=Romney become a big gun? He's a one-term Governor, failed candidate who showed himself to be a con artist when he spoke of "the 47%."
2
Of course all of this is true, David. But it is all, as you say, personal politics, having to do with the strange and often dishonest life that Donald J. Trump has led. But: so what? The millions who are voting for Trump are expressing not their love or even trust in this man, but their complete disgust and revulsion for the Republican Party and its far greater, long-term dishonesty and betrayal of masses of people in favor of the few. I am saddened to see that, once again, you are falling in line in order to try to save the .01% against the people. I have never voted for a Republican in my life, but in this instance, and against every other instinct, I would vote for Trump in a primary just to insure the destruction of the arrogant GOP -- which, make no mistake, will go back to the same old class warfare against the middle and lower classes. No sympathy here. You should be lecturing them, not criticizing Trump.
2
Mr. Brooks, your party has not been devoted to family values or fiscal responsibility for a very long time. It is rather a guttural party of grift and greed. Why are you a GOP voter Mr. Brooks?
Oh, for pity's sake.
Your Party has spent 45+ years promising Republican voters that if they just voted for the R not the D, their troubles would be over: their taxes would take flight, jobs would come rolling in, Those People (You Know Who!) would be put in their place, and America would be white and bright again.
Your entire Party, in short, was a kind of mega Trump University. Its platform was always chump bait.
The reality was pure bait-and-switch. GOP voters, roiled by appeals to race, religion, and rage, were promised pie in the sky but got offshored jobs, dying infrastructure, a befouled environment, a shattered safety net, and the vanishing away of workplace and legal rights.
The people were trumped at every turn by the bright boys of the GOP. Meanwhile, the rich got richer, and the pundits cheered.
Now, here's a candidate who delivers the standard post-Reagan dog whistles--a little more noisily, assertively, crudely, sure, but same old tune.
Yet there's unease among the oligarchs. Will he deliver for them? They need to be sure he'll work with them to destroy what's left of the safety net through privatization, transfer even more of the nation's wealth to the 1%, shatter legal access for the ordinary citizen--the whole nine yards.
You know all this, David: you've been selling it for years, in your genteel way.
So please, enough with the trumpery. To quote Mitt Romney, the man of the hour, You Built This. Do at least have the grace to own it.
Your Party has spent 45+ years promising Republican voters that if they just voted for the R not the D, their troubles would be over: their taxes would take flight, jobs would come rolling in, Those People (You Know Who!) would be put in their place, and America would be white and bright again.
Your entire Party, in short, was a kind of mega Trump University. Its platform was always chump bait.
The reality was pure bait-and-switch. GOP voters, roiled by appeals to race, religion, and rage, were promised pie in the sky but got offshored jobs, dying infrastructure, a befouled environment, a shattered safety net, and the vanishing away of workplace and legal rights.
The people were trumped at every turn by the bright boys of the GOP. Meanwhile, the rich got richer, and the pundits cheered.
Now, here's a candidate who delivers the standard post-Reagan dog whistles--a little more noisily, assertively, crudely, sure, but same old tune.
Yet there's unease among the oligarchs. Will he deliver for them? They need to be sure he'll work with them to destroy what's left of the safety net through privatization, transfer even more of the nation's wealth to the 1%, shatter legal access for the ordinary citizen--the whole nine yards.
You know all this, David: you've been selling it for years, in your genteel way.
So please, enough with the trumpery. To quote Mitt Romney, the man of the hour, You Built This. Do at least have the grace to own it.
2
"It’s unpleasant to have to play politics on this personal level. But this is a message that can sway potential Trump supporters, many of whom have only the barest information on what Trump’s life and career have actually been like."
Surely it is clear by now, David, that Trump's supporters do not care about details like this. In fact, the more you attack Trump along these lines, the firmer his support will become. And the GOP has created it's own electoral rules that will ensure his nomination. Read your colleague Timothy Egan's op-ed today about what his supporters know and want. It's too late, mate. The GOP let this genie out of the bottle many years ago.
Surely it is clear by now, David, that Trump's supporters do not care about details like this. In fact, the more you attack Trump along these lines, the firmer his support will become. And the GOP has created it's own electoral rules that will ensure his nomination. Read your colleague Timothy Egan's op-ed today about what his supporters know and want. It's too late, mate. The GOP let this genie out of the bottle many years ago.
I began to shudder while reading your first sentence and saw the phrase "big guns," thinking: "Haven't we already been subjected to too much discussion about the size of the candidates' genitals?"
After all these years, I think that the Republicans have finally found the missing Weapons of Mass Destruction!
However, I'm pretty sure that the world doesn't ever want to witness Trump versus Putin arguing over who has the bigger arsenal.
After all these years, I think that the Republicans have finally found the missing Weapons of Mass Destruction!
However, I'm pretty sure that the world doesn't ever want to witness Trump versus Putin arguing over who has the bigger arsenal.
Don't act like this happened in a vacuum. This is culmination of many small movements in the Republican party over many years. The real lies are the lies Republicans tell themselves about the Republican party. Trump is showing you the truth, and the truth hurts.
I just can't decide if the Trump candidacy is more a case of reaping what you sow or chickens coming home to roost. Any insight on that, Mr. Brooks?
I just can't decide if the Trump candidacy is more a case of reaping what you sow or chickens coming home to roost. Any insight on that, Mr. Brooks?
1
Any man who sees greatness only in his own reflection is incapable of recognizing greatness in other people, much less restoring greatness to our beloved country.
I believe that Mr. Trump's greatest strength is also his greatest weakness: his wealth. If all Americans offended by his infantile behavior and caustic remarks begin a boycott of Trump products and services, and of the stores and establishments that market and support Trump products, the financial implications to Mr. Trump and potential personal economic ruin would quickly cause him to exit the race. So, to all Americans who love our country and are scared about the direction Mr. Trump is taking us, let's begin the boycott today. We do not need the Establishment of any party or the media to direct us, we can just start. Today. Now.
I believe that Mr. Trump's greatest strength is also his greatest weakness: his wealth. If all Americans offended by his infantile behavior and caustic remarks begin a boycott of Trump products and services, and of the stores and establishments that market and support Trump products, the financial implications to Mr. Trump and potential personal economic ruin would quickly cause him to exit the race. So, to all Americans who love our country and are scared about the direction Mr. Trump is taking us, let's begin the boycott today. We do not need the Establishment of any party or the media to direct us, we can just start. Today. Now.
The rise of Donald Trump?
America politically seems caught between the threat of evil (right wing) and incompetence (left wing). Of course the right has demonstrated incompetence and the left evil, but let the rough distinction stand. It is easy to accuse the right wing of evil and to have hopes in the left wing, but I find it difficult to understand why the left wing would take itself as so obviously right when historically only in largely white, European nations has the left wing demonstrated anything like competence.
The usual picture historically and worldwide, is that of awful right wing impulses (dictatorship, fascism, authoritarian impulses) contrasted with left wings such as the Cuban or Chinese or the Soviet push. The only way for the left wing in America to defeat conclusively the right wing is to demonstrate constant intellectual integrity and competence which obviously it does not do whether you want to talk about all the ridiculous censorship on college campuses or government organization.
If the left wing cannot demonstrate competence--if left wings in Europe cannot preserve a union, if China cannot stop polluting, etc. etc.--it will simply not do to call right wings evil and leave it at that. People will by default fall to questionable organization than experience total social incompetence of the left wing. It is rather obvious if anyone has the integrity to study history and politics.
America's choice is simple: Intellectual integrity, competence or evil.
America politically seems caught between the threat of evil (right wing) and incompetence (left wing). Of course the right has demonstrated incompetence and the left evil, but let the rough distinction stand. It is easy to accuse the right wing of evil and to have hopes in the left wing, but I find it difficult to understand why the left wing would take itself as so obviously right when historically only in largely white, European nations has the left wing demonstrated anything like competence.
The usual picture historically and worldwide, is that of awful right wing impulses (dictatorship, fascism, authoritarian impulses) contrasted with left wings such as the Cuban or Chinese or the Soviet push. The only way for the left wing in America to defeat conclusively the right wing is to demonstrate constant intellectual integrity and competence which obviously it does not do whether you want to talk about all the ridiculous censorship on college campuses or government organization.
If the left wing cannot demonstrate competence--if left wings in Europe cannot preserve a union, if China cannot stop polluting, etc. etc.--it will simply not do to call right wings evil and leave it at that. People will by default fall to questionable organization than experience total social incompetence of the left wing. It is rather obvious if anyone has the integrity to study history and politics.
America's choice is simple: Intellectual integrity, competence or evil.
One thing Trump is betraying are the lies told by the Republican leaders to their followers. The bought-and-paid-for politicians, and the disastrous trade deals that have benefitted corporations at the expense of workers. Conservative middle-class Americans have been shafted by the Republican leadership. The usual dog whistles of guns, god, and abortion just won't cut it anymore.
1
A plea: stop saying politically incorrect when you mean racist. Racism is a big part of his appeal. What's sickening and scary is not Donald Trump himself, but the huge number of followers he has. This is the fruit of Republican race-baiting since Nixon's Southern Strategy.
2
Can credibility go less than zero? Mr. Brooks is testing that theory. For every Mitt Romney there are 20,000 Trump voters and supporters.
Guys like Romney and Brooks are seeing they have absolutely totally completely zero power in politics. In the case of Trump they probably help him by talking about him.
If Bernie Madoff says don't buy that stock don't buy that stock you will probably ignore him but if you do anything you will BUY that stock. Trump supporters thank Romney and Brooks.
Guys like Romney and Brooks are seeing they have absolutely totally completely zero power in politics. In the case of Trump they probably help him by talking about him.
If Bernie Madoff says don't buy that stock don't buy that stock you will probably ignore him but if you do anything you will BUY that stock. Trump supporters thank Romney and Brooks.
As Republicans like David Brooks and Mitt Romney understandably, albeit belatedly, start to hit the panic button about Donald Trump, the response of many Democrats and progressives amounts to a gleeful "we told you so!" and "the alternatives are just as bad". I don't understand this short-sighted response. Yes, it's tempting to point to the usual suspects of the Tea Party, Fox News and anti-Obama hysteria. And, yes, the Republican options are few at this point. But if your neighbour's house was about to go up in flames, would you stand by and say "well, it's your own fault, you should have done x, y and z"? Or would you help them to try to put out the flames and save your sermonizing for another day? Because, guess what? Those flames could just as easily destroy the house your living in too - because Donald Trump could actually be elected President of your country. Instead of rubbing your neighbours' noses in the error of their ways, why not help them out - and, as Brooks and Romney recommend - start to blast the truth about Trump's many lies from the rooftops in hopes that his supporters will see him for the shameful, self-serving con artist that he is?
Mr. Brooks, you may be fatigued by this meme, but it continues to be the most concise and apt:
Chickens. Coming. Home. To. Roost.
And mind you, nobody is saying this with relish. There's no juicy vindication here. It's horrifying, and for you to not be taking a single step towards acknowledging your complicity is astounding.
Chickens. Coming. Home. To. Roost.
And mind you, nobody is saying this with relish. There's no juicy vindication here. It's horrifying, and for you to not be taking a single step towards acknowledging your complicity is astounding.
2
Yesterday afternoon, I watched live coverage of Trump addressing a crowd in Maine after Mitt Romney attacked him. An hour of my life that I will never get back. It confirmed what I already knew about Donald Trump, that he is an intellectually lazy, vulgar, incoherent egomaniac. But I also learned something new.
He is BORING.
They should take entrance polls and exit polls at one of his campaign events; I bet he loses people. Imagine the international leaders around the world who live in fear that they will have to sit next to him at some state dinner as he rambles on about the only thing he can talk about, his real estate deals. I'd rather be waterboarded. Every Trump supporter should be locked in a room with this man for an hour before they head to the voting booth.
He is BORING.
They should take entrance polls and exit polls at one of his campaign events; I bet he loses people. Imagine the international leaders around the world who live in fear that they will have to sit next to him at some state dinner as he rambles on about the only thing he can talk about, his real estate deals. I'd rather be waterboarded. Every Trump supporter should be locked in a room with this man for an hour before they head to the voting booth.
3
Donal Trump is vulgar, deceitful and, in many ways, despicable. But he is saying things we all know to be true but no one else can say with the force that he can.
"Free trade" is not free. It has cost the workers of America millions of jobs. They've been left to work at Burger King. (Corollary -- we don't BUILD anything anymore. Our infrastructure is third world.)
The military budget is chock full of waste. We could cut many billions and still be the strongest military power in the world.
Everyone else on the stage (including the Democrats) are beholden to the corporations and big money that fund their campaigns. Most especially the big money that supplies the military and big finance.
Others have said similar things. But with Trump, it has more power. One of the top 0.001%ers telling people that money (including his own) has corrupted the system. It's like Nixon, the ardent anti-communist, going to China.
I fear for the country if Donald Trump gets elected. But "Little Marco," "Lying Ted" and Kaisich don't seem to have a chance. And what will Hillary say when Trump lays into her about taking millions from Goldman Sachs? It's going to be ugly.
"Free trade" is not free. It has cost the workers of America millions of jobs. They've been left to work at Burger King. (Corollary -- we don't BUILD anything anymore. Our infrastructure is third world.)
The military budget is chock full of waste. We could cut many billions and still be the strongest military power in the world.
Everyone else on the stage (including the Democrats) are beholden to the corporations and big money that fund their campaigns. Most especially the big money that supplies the military and big finance.
Others have said similar things. But with Trump, it has more power. One of the top 0.001%ers telling people that money (including his own) has corrupted the system. It's like Nixon, the ardent anti-communist, going to China.
I fear for the country if Donald Trump gets elected. But "Little Marco," "Lying Ted" and Kaisich don't seem to have a chance. And what will Hillary say when Trump lays into her about taking millions from Goldman Sachs? It's going to be ugly.
1
The objective of a con man is to convince you with his own cool conviction. If you can generate self-doubt in the Donald he will stop convincing the populace. First step, find out what angers him. One way to do that is to frustrate his ability to talk unimpeded to audiences. He protects that with body guards that manhandle people but they can only manhandle a few. Frustrate his ability to con and you'll anger him; when he loses his convincing cool, you'll have him.
Its not just Donald. Its all of them. Its Ted, shutting down the government. Its Marco, not showing up to the Senate. Its Chris, who abandoned his state to his ambition and then his soul. Its Ben who has no idea why he is up on stage. Its The Republican Party, reaping what it has sown for quite some time. the party of Lincoln has been killed by the bigots. Kind of a horrible irony, isn't it.
2
Mr. Brooks, I think it's pretty obvious that actual voters could care less what Mitt Romney thinks. In fact, it is precisely because Trump is outside the established "rich takes all" Republican clique, that people love him. And Trump's moral "baggage" pales in comparison to Clinton's. In actuality, the only decent person running at this point has been betrayed by the NY Times and people like you, which is Sanders, and as a result, so the country has been betrayed. All the self-righteous speeches about Trump now are so much hot air. After all the political dust has settled, Trump will be the nominee. That 47 percent that Mitt Romney so disdainfully dismissed are probably thrilled that they finally have a Republican candidate outside the stodgy, self-serving establishment that has ignored them for decades.
166
Republicans seem to be stepping on their own message. Isn’t the whole reason for their existence to make life easier for “job creators” so they can better “unleash their creative energies”? Apparently Trump is so awful because he uses the tools provided by thoughtful GOP red-tape cutters. Is this really the best reason you can come up with for putting another GOP sausage in the Whitehouse?
The beginning where Brooks gets all excited about Mitt Romney taking on the Orange One had me wondering when the “ha, kidding!” would come in. Mitt “Trump is a delight! A much better businessman than me!” Romney??? Are you kidding me? The ignorance bordering on contempt by the Brooks/Romney class of the life led by Trump voters, the 35 years of careful training and encouragement in paranoia and resentment, the happy fantasy that what they really want are bigger, faster, more frequent raises for the billionaire donor class, it is all pretty amazing.
The beginning where Brooks gets all excited about Mitt Romney taking on the Orange One had me wondering when the “ha, kidding!” would come in. Mitt “Trump is a delight! A much better businessman than me!” Romney??? Are you kidding me? The ignorance bordering on contempt by the Brooks/Romney class of the life led by Trump voters, the 35 years of careful training and encouragement in paranoia and resentment, the happy fantasy that what they really want are bigger, faster, more frequent raises for the billionaire donor class, it is all pretty amazing.
1
Do not understand why a gifted writer and perceptive analyst like DB would join the growing chorus of sore losers, establishment politicians who want to frustrate the general will, and deny Mr. Trump, truly the vox populi for "petits blancs" who have been cowed into silence by their own representatives, whom they put into office, and who then turned around and betrayed them.When ROMNEY, having begged DT for an endorsement in 2012, then makes a speech denouncing his former sponsor, --well, that really takes the cake. While I respect DB for having raised a son who is not a coward--fighting in the IDF takes courage-- his reticence on taking a stand on the conflict is not praiseworthy. DT is the only candidate who has not pandered to the pro Israeli lobby, and has said complimentary things about the good work of Planned Parenthood, which is commendable. All the others r shameless panderers re both ISRAEL and opponents of PP.If DT continues to win, and is denied the nomination by backroom "manigances" at the convention, the proverbial dogs of war, figuratively speaking, would be unleashed, and the result would be havoc. Avertissement:Let the democratic process unfold and respect the will of the people. Romney is irrelevant and hypocritical.Recall that his father's career ended when he visited VN in 1968 and complained that the generals had "brainwashed him!"Not a very glorious family history.
Crowd mentality is terrifying. I keep thinking of Harper Lee's famous line that defines compassion: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
Donald Trump is so far removed from our skin that this can't happen for him. No imagination. (Maybe if we were talking about foreskin...) So, individual voters, imagine how it feels to be on the wrong side of Donald Trump:
YOUR spouse cheats on you and there's no empathy. YOU'RE laughed at. YOU got nothing for your education dollars except debt and broken promises. YOU were denied your rightful court settlement because of loopholes built in to rig a Trump system. YOU were snookered into believing that the name Trump was too big to fail and took out a questionable mortgage based on that belief. YOUR family was rounded up to be deported because of your religious beliefs. (Substitute "Lutheran" or "Baptist" for "Muslim" and see how that skin fits.)
Each of us must feel, personally, the individual pain of all of Trump's past and (shudder) future decisions AS IF THOSE DECISIONS WERE PERSONALLY HEARTBREAKING AND DAMAGING TO EACH VOTER. (They were and are.)
The current crowd mentality will have us goosestepping to a new national anthem, wearing patches that identify us by our religion or party, and passing rigged reading tests before being allowed to vote.
Trump supporter, do you really care about anyone? Even yourself?
Donald Trump is so far removed from our skin that this can't happen for him. No imagination. (Maybe if we were talking about foreskin...) So, individual voters, imagine how it feels to be on the wrong side of Donald Trump:
YOUR spouse cheats on you and there's no empathy. YOU'RE laughed at. YOU got nothing for your education dollars except debt and broken promises. YOU were denied your rightful court settlement because of loopholes built in to rig a Trump system. YOU were snookered into believing that the name Trump was too big to fail and took out a questionable mortgage based on that belief. YOUR family was rounded up to be deported because of your religious beliefs. (Substitute "Lutheran" or "Baptist" for "Muslim" and see how that skin fits.)
Each of us must feel, personally, the individual pain of all of Trump's past and (shudder) future decisions AS IF THOSE DECISIONS WERE PERSONALLY HEARTBREAKING AND DAMAGING TO EACH VOTER. (They were and are.)
The current crowd mentality will have us goosestepping to a new national anthem, wearing patches that identify us by our religion or party, and passing rigged reading tests before being allowed to vote.
Trump supporter, do you really care about anyone? Even yourself?
2
So, David Brooks, why does Trump have more energy than the other candidates? Why is Donald Trump winning, in the first place?
Trump is a super-salesman. He could sell you the "Brooklyn Bridge", with ease. He has convinced millions that he should be president, even though he has zero government experience.
Trump is trying to teach us that we still need super-salespeople. The ads are not enough. We need leaders who sell themselves and what they believe in. We need leaders who sell us hope for the future. Trump's ideas are ridiculous and dangerous and he is dangerous. But selling is critical to leadership.
================================================
In 1949, Arthur Miller gave us "Death of a Salesman". He predicted the future where selling has been rejected. Trump, in this crazy way, is bring sales back to politics. In this way, he is making history...
Now, I hope that the real candidates, Democratic and Republican will start to sell themselves and their hopes for America... Time to wake up!
THANK YOU DONALD!
=================
Trump is a super-salesman. He could sell you the "Brooklyn Bridge", with ease. He has convinced millions that he should be president, even though he has zero government experience.
Trump is trying to teach us that we still need super-salespeople. The ads are not enough. We need leaders who sell themselves and what they believe in. We need leaders who sell us hope for the future. Trump's ideas are ridiculous and dangerous and he is dangerous. But selling is critical to leadership.
================================================
In 1949, Arthur Miller gave us "Death of a Salesman". He predicted the future where selling has been rejected. Trump, in this crazy way, is bring sales back to politics. In this way, he is making history...
Now, I hope that the real candidates, Democratic and Republican will start to sell themselves and their hopes for America... Time to wake up!
THANK YOU DONALD!
=================
1
The media...and that is YOU ....David Brooks....needs to help..yes...
HELP....restore the image of the Republican Party....and START NOW
talking about the ONLY viable GOP candidate...on last night's....stage
John Kasich..
JUST DO IT...and DO IT NOW...start talking about the ONLY GOP candidate
worthwhile supporting...NO EXCUSES...and yes I am MAD at YOU...!!!
HELP....restore the image of the Republican Party....and START NOW
talking about the ONLY viable GOP candidate...on last night's....stage
John Kasich..
JUST DO IT...and DO IT NOW...start talking about the ONLY GOP candidate
worthwhile supporting...NO EXCUSES...and yes I am MAD at YOU...!!!
Nixon's Southern Strategy, Regan's Philadelphia Mississippi launch, Bush's Florida ... Drumpf. Perhaps, we get what we deserve ...
3
Thanks David. Your analysis, as usual, is spot on. It's amazing what name recognition, a bank account and ego can do. Trump has never served in elected office, never worked out complex social issues through coordinated, careful and respectful efforts to work with folks of all walks of life, has no qualms about making up facts, and is constantly inconsistent in his positions on key issues (see http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/will-the-real-donald-trump-please-......
It’s not like he’s an unknown entity. Rick Reilly's hilarious 2003 book ‘Who's Your Caddy? describes Rick’s 3 hour job caddying for Trump, noting: “Trump very much likes attention. For himself, yes, but also for his hotels, his apartments, his casinos, his office buildings… his golf courses. He understands the value of free publicity. He craves it, lives for it, screams for it.” As you note, this describes Trump 'to a T'.
Since November, Gov. Kasich’s ads have said Trump isn’t worthy of the presidency. The ads were honest, forceful and direct. Gov. Kasich is smart as a whip, has a super record of cutting taxes and costs, and works well with both sides of the aisle. As chair of the House Budget Committee, his good judgement resulted in a budget surplus. He has a refreshingly candid approach to issues, responds to and doesn't dodge questions, and has a great sense of humor. The nation would be well served if Gov. Kasich were elected in 2016. And it would sure be fun seeing him debate Hillary…
It’s not like he’s an unknown entity. Rick Reilly's hilarious 2003 book ‘Who's Your Caddy? describes Rick’s 3 hour job caddying for Trump, noting: “Trump very much likes attention. For himself, yes, but also for his hotels, his apartments, his casinos, his office buildings… his golf courses. He understands the value of free publicity. He craves it, lives for it, screams for it.” As you note, this describes Trump 'to a T'.
Since November, Gov. Kasich’s ads have said Trump isn’t worthy of the presidency. The ads were honest, forceful and direct. Gov. Kasich is smart as a whip, has a super record of cutting taxes and costs, and works well with both sides of the aisle. As chair of the House Budget Committee, his good judgement resulted in a budget surplus. He has a refreshingly candid approach to issues, responds to and doesn't dodge questions, and has a great sense of humor. The nation would be well served if Gov. Kasich were elected in 2016. And it would sure be fun seeing him debate Hillary…
1
If you cannot offer an alternative candidate, what is the point of this article? On election day, you don't get to vote 'against Trump'. You have to actually vote FOR somebody. Otherwise, just stay home.
The Republicans are often effective because of their party discipline. The leaders issue talking points and the rank and file march in lockstep. After Super Tuesday, the Republican “establishment” unleashed the dogs. Romney, McCain and many others followed orders. I didn’t think that I would see David Brook running with the pack.
1
Apparently, the “Teflon Don” is now the Republican Party’s Grendel.
There is a striking resemblance, however.
There is a striking resemblance, however.
1
Mr. Brooks:
In April 2011, during the last presidential cycle, you wrote the following about Donald Trump:
A child of wealth, he is more at home with the immigrants and the lower-middle-class strivers, who share his straightforward belief in the Gospel of Success, than he is among members of the haute bourgeoisie, who are above it. Like many swashbuckler capitalists, he is essentially anti-elitist.
Now, I don’t mean to say that Donald Trump is going to be president or get close..…But I do insist that Trump is no joke. He emerges from deep currents in our culture, and he is tapping into powerful sections of the national fantasy life. I would never vote for him, but I would never want to live in a country without people like him.”
You identified much that was wrong with Trump, but at the end of the column you chose to hug it out, rather than go for the knockout. As a member of the “haute bourgeoisie,” you were above it all. Trump didn’t run, but Romney still had a tough time getting the nomination; R-money didn’t exactly feel the pain of those “lower-middle-class strivers” and they knew it.
Four years later, along comes Donald Trump once more. This time around, he’s willingly sacrificed immigrants, and in doing so, unleashed the base. Who let the dogs out? Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. And there’s absolutely nothing that Mitt Romney or you, Mr. Brooks, can say to the Republican electorate that will bring them to heel.
In April 2011, during the last presidential cycle, you wrote the following about Donald Trump:
A child of wealth, he is more at home with the immigrants and the lower-middle-class strivers, who share his straightforward belief in the Gospel of Success, than he is among members of the haute bourgeoisie, who are above it. Like many swashbuckler capitalists, he is essentially anti-elitist.
Now, I don’t mean to say that Donald Trump is going to be president or get close..…But I do insist that Trump is no joke. He emerges from deep currents in our culture, and he is tapping into powerful sections of the national fantasy life. I would never vote for him, but I would never want to live in a country without people like him.”
You identified much that was wrong with Trump, but at the end of the column you chose to hug it out, rather than go for the knockout. As a member of the “haute bourgeoisie,” you were above it all. Trump didn’t run, but Romney still had a tough time getting the nomination; R-money didn’t exactly feel the pain of those “lower-middle-class strivers” and they knew it.
Four years later, along comes Donald Trump once more. This time around, he’s willingly sacrificed immigrants, and in doing so, unleashed the base. Who let the dogs out? Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. And there’s absolutely nothing that Mitt Romney or you, Mr. Brooks, can say to the Republican electorate that will bring them to heel.
282
Thanks, Mr. B., for indicating that we learn about "ethics" in our journalism classes. (In my case: UCLA.) However, maybe some of The Donald allure is that politics can be entertainment!
Congrats on hopping on the Mitt Romney bandwagon, too!
Congrats on hopping on the Mitt Romney bandwagon, too!
So where were all of you members of the GOP-inclined chattering class when Trump was just beginning in the presidential race? You all took your time to start the truth-telling. Maybe the media is part of the problem here.
2
David, really?! To use the vernacular so loved by the GOP, and Fox, as shown last night, what an impotent argument. The big guns?
Romney is nothing but a more polished, and less tanned, version of Trump. What a joke, Romney to lead the rescue from the hands of Trump.
The only thing betrayed by Trump in this election cycle is how devoid of ideas and leadership the GOP has become. The secret is out. Yours is a party of envy, deceit and greed.
Big guns indeed.
Romney is nothing but a more polished, and less tanned, version of Trump. What a joke, Romney to lead the rescue from the hands of Trump.
The only thing betrayed by Trump in this election cycle is how devoid of ideas and leadership the GOP has become. The secret is out. Yours is a party of envy, deceit and greed.
Big guns indeed.
2
Brooks totally misses the point. An establishment Republican, the very embodiment of everything that enrages Trump's supporters, goes after Trump tooth and nail. The result? Not some rational epiphany but rather proof that here is someone who is finally standing up for the much abused and ignored working white guy and challenging the established politicos who have abused him for so long. Romney's screed will only increase Trump's popularity among this his core group of supporters.
Sounds like David Brooks is ready to feel the Bern.
If you really want to confront those types of business practices that the GOP defend so passionately then you should vote for Sanders. No more Reagan/Bush/Clinton/Bush betrayals. They allowed Wall street to run the show.
Trump's not much worse than holier than thou major Republican Mitt Romney. In fact Trump is more honest about being a total jerk.
If you really want to confront those types of business practices that the GOP defend so passionately then you should vote for Sanders. No more Reagan/Bush/Clinton/Bush betrayals. They allowed Wall street to run the show.
Trump's not much worse than holier than thou major Republican Mitt Romney. In fact Trump is more honest about being a total jerk.
1
Good luck with that.
1
And yet despite all of this hand wringing and concern every other candidate on stage along with the speaker of the House, the senate majority leader and many other leading republicans have all stated that if Trump is the nominee they will support him. Why all of the bloviating about how awful Trump is if when it comes down to the final choice and Trump is the nominee all the "good" Republicans will back him 100%. What hypocrisy.
1
What does this say about the people who support and will vote for the Drumpf? Ugly Americans indeed.
2
Donald Trump's frightening campaign aside, I never thought I would ever see Mr. Brooks pen a piece like this. Laying down with the fleas is not the way to oppose Donald Trump. Maybe the Republicans could moderate their policies for starters and work with the Democrats to actually address the country's many problems. Instead, they created this beast. But to just heap more vitriol into the campaign -- really, Mr. Brooks, Marla Maples? -- is just sad, and especially for this esteemed writer.
2
David Brooks and his fellow Republican pundits, personalities and courtesans, as offended as they may feign being, bear substantial responsibility for this appallingly vulgar spectacle. A spectacle that, if it continues, will do great harm to America's democracy. As another reader noted the chickens coming home to roost are the same chickens David Brooks helped hatch.
3
This isn't about Trump - he is just a reflection of angry voters who have been force-fed Republican slop for the past 8 years or more.
You want to show courage? How about writing about how we got to this sad and frightening place. Eight years of non-stop assault on the president's persona - he was born in Kenya, he hates America, he wants to ration healthcare for your grandmother. That's just the tip of the iceberg.
You and others did not protest loud enough when the time is right, and here we are now in a very scary place, with an openly racist authoritarian shattering turnout records in the republican primary.
You and your friends created the anger - Donald Trump just co-opted it.
You want to show courage? How about writing about how we got to this sad and frightening place. Eight years of non-stop assault on the president's persona - he was born in Kenya, he hates America, he wants to ration healthcare for your grandmother. That's just the tip of the iceberg.
You and others did not protest loud enough when the time is right, and here we are now in a very scary place, with an openly racist authoritarian shattering turnout records in the republican primary.
You and your friends created the anger - Donald Trump just co-opted it.
1087
I laughed out loud at the idea that Mitt Romney would be considered a "big gun" of the GOP. Here in Western New York the Erie County GOP Chair endorsed Trump just hours after Romney spoke, referring to the 2012 nominee as "a has been" and "a joke."
Brooks' belief the Romney is any traction with voters shows how out of touch with reality the professional pundit class has become.
Brooks' belief the Romney is any traction with voters shows how out of touch with reality the professional pundit class has become.
17
I never thought I would ever see Mr. Brooks pen a piece like this. Laying down with the fleas is not the way to oppose Donald Trump. Maybe the Republicans could moderate their policies for starters and work with the Democrats to actually address the country's many problems. But to just heap more vitriol into the campaign -- really, Mr. Brooks, Marla Maples? -- is just sad, and especially for this esteemed writer.
10
For most of my life I was a Republican. The George W. Bush Presidency cured me of that deluded state. Walter Scott said: "O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." When Karl Rove, aided by Fox Broadcasting, set out to inoculate the electorate against facts and to build an electoral base of the credulous, he created the political environment that Trump is exploiting. Shame on all of us.
28
Face it David, Drumpf is the perfect embodiment of your party right now. Are you saying that an elitest class of party leaders will ban together in order to overrule the duly elected choice of the people ? Sorta of a reverse American Revolution? That's your governing model? Only the elites are capable of making the correct choice?
16
After generations of politicians that promise one thing and deliver little or nothing; who fail to legislate but instead are forever running for office or reelection, its no wonder our frustrated electorate is supporting non politician outsiders. Your so polite political correctness must be replaced with sensible policies that move America forward.
What we need is something new and not more of the same to awaken the future candidates and elected officials of the future to avoid party partisanship and embrace economic and social progress to renew the passion of Americans to achieve positive outcomes.
What we need is something new and not more of the same to awaken the future candidates and elected officials of the future to avoid party partisanship and embrace economic and social progress to renew the passion of Americans to achieve positive outcomes.
3
I am mystified about what all the whining on the GOP side is about? Aren't Trump, Cruz and Rubio precisely what they have been pining for, for decades ,since the Gipper left us? Haven't most Right Wing comments on the 'net been about bashing, smashing and dropping A bombs and deadly poison gas on our enemies-and on NYC and all "libtards" too? We as a nation have allowed vicious Nazi-Thug talk like this to go unanswered and uncorrected for too long. It's now become legitimate! We've have allowed our children to become so desperate that they no longer want to participate in our broken political shadow plays. So, this Isn't the USA that they wanted? in which the government lies cooling, drowned, dead, stiff and cold in the tub the GOP ran for it?
America has lost its ideals and concepts of public service. I can no longer even get children to recognize what Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts are today, so ravelled up in the narcotic sleeve of video games. But America does nothing to encourage them-not even to demand universal military service of teens, which most would take for the benefits in this economy.
If the Times doesn't like this-stop giving them front page coverage. Once upon a time,the NYTimes was allowed to be that powerful-that it could crush a party single handedly-but not if it keeps giving crazy libertarians column inches.
America has lost its ideals and concepts of public service. I can no longer even get children to recognize what Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts are today, so ravelled up in the narcotic sleeve of video games. But America does nothing to encourage them-not even to demand universal military service of teens, which most would take for the benefits in this economy.
If the Times doesn't like this-stop giving them front page coverage. Once upon a time,the NYTimes was allowed to be that powerful-that it could crush a party single handedly-but not if it keeps giving crazy libertarians column inches.
7
Actually David, it is you and your Republican colleagues ( those who know better, that is) that are responsible for the Frankenstein Trump. You're DNA is all over him as you remained silent or worse apologetic while the lunatics took control of your party, the Senate and the House.
Even last night, not one of the two supposed "mainstream" candidates Rubio, Kasich, had the courage to break with Trump when asked if they would support him. You and your party deserve what you get. The rest of us do not.
Even last night, not one of the two supposed "mainstream" candidates Rubio, Kasich, had the courage to break with Trump when asked if they would support him. You and your party deserve what you get. The rest of us do not.
8
What is the evidence that the "Republican leaders" are any better than Trump? Please tell me the last positive accomplishment they have had? Desert Storm?
5
Now if we can balance the books with a follow-up column, "Hillary Clinton, the Great Virago", we can look forward to making an informed choice in November. At this point do we stop blaming George Bush? No, of course not..
1
The best thing that could happen to the Democratic and the Republican parties is to have Trump for the nominee. Honestly as a lifelong liberal, I feel that his ideas have to be better and more thoughtful?? than those of Cruz or Rubio or the House Republican agenda.
1
Trump is the quintessential candidate of the Republican Party: voodoo economics, xenophobia, white supremacism, reckless foreign policy, racism. Why is the "establishment" then so afraid, when in essence he is no different than his two closest competitors, not much different than their last candidate? For now the Republican Party was able to hide its own radicalism enough to attract voters who still saw it as the conservative Grand Old Party. Like Trump the GOP is a sham operation, attracting voters with empty promises, and getting away with betrayal and fraud. With Trump unwittingly exposing the true dystopian nature of the party, he will reduce its voter appeal to less than 25% of the electorate. The GOP will lose BIG: the White House, the Senate and the House.
5
Which is worse - the betrayal of a bunch of already extremely rich people who, no doubt, were no angels themselves or the betrayal of literally millions of working and middle class citizens in your own country? Please admit that Obama and the "blue dog" Democrats have joined the Republicans in that last betrayal.
2
The hand wringing of all the republican "elites" is misplaced. The people that need to be called to account are the primary voters themselves. There are way too many uninformed people in this nation who are barely knowledgeable about the process and they are jumping on the Trump bandwagon, qualifications be damned. He is a carnival barker and they don't care, he is barking what they want to hear.
It seems pretty evident that Trump is aware of this fact. He has not given any details about anything and he is still leading. Declarative statements about making America great again does not a policy make.
Stop with the obfuscation Mr. Brooks, the people voting for Trump are to blame, start calling them out.
It seems pretty evident that Trump is aware of this fact. He has not given any details about anything and he is still leading. Declarative statements about making America great again does not a policy make.
Stop with the obfuscation Mr. Brooks, the people voting for Trump are to blame, start calling them out.
5
So, it comes down to this. We aren't even going to discuss Trump's knowledge, his experience, his proposed policies. Rather, it's a full-force gale--party, candidates, process, media, opinion-makers, and even debate moderators, at Trump himself.
But the unacknowledged problem that all those people have--and Mr. Brooks finally gets around to it, is that Trump's supporters like what he says, and how he says it. He emits a vibe that an important portion of the GOP primary electorate is attracted to.
Some Trump voters will be turned off to him with new knowledge of those "personal" items that Mr. Brooks finds unpleasant--but necessary. But many will not--rather they will see it as another example of the Establishment trying to keep them down.
This may be necessary, but it's a failure. Not a tactical failure to go after Trump earlier for his personal issues, but a political and even moral failure for the GOP to have refused to challenge his policies in any meaningful way.
Maybe the events of the last 24 hours will change the arc of the campaign. But, it's not going to wash away the sourness many of us feel. Politics at its worst--personal, nasty, pandering politics.
http://goo.gl/QeKC5N
But the unacknowledged problem that all those people have--and Mr. Brooks finally gets around to it, is that Trump's supporters like what he says, and how he says it. He emits a vibe that an important portion of the GOP primary electorate is attracted to.
Some Trump voters will be turned off to him with new knowledge of those "personal" items that Mr. Brooks finds unpleasant--but necessary. But many will not--rather they will see it as another example of the Establishment trying to keep them down.
This may be necessary, but it's a failure. Not a tactical failure to go after Trump earlier for his personal issues, but a political and even moral failure for the GOP to have refused to challenge his policies in any meaningful way.
Maybe the events of the last 24 hours will change the arc of the campaign. But, it's not going to wash away the sourness many of us feel. Politics at its worst--personal, nasty, pandering politics.
http://goo.gl/QeKC5N
4
The irony, of course, being that Trump is a creation of Romney. And I don't mean the Republican courting of the rubes that buy into that kind of tough guy talk.
Romney was a venture capitalist whose stock in trade was buying companies, breaking them up under the banner of 'greater efficiencies, and selling off the pieces for more than was paid for the original. All so that investors could get back double their investment instead of a steady 5% to 7%.
But those inefficient pieces were American jobs, and workers were forced to take layoffs, pay cuts, loss of benefits, and loss of pensions. All that contributed to the growth of the 1% at the expense of American workers, with none of the 'trickle down' that was promised.
Republican voters are fools. They say they are against a government under the control of the business elites, yet Trump is a business elite. They hate a government influenced by lobbyists, but Trump and his industries are huge lobbyists, They hate the money that influences government but how else does a guy like Trump get hotels and casinos built, construction permits granted, zoning laws changed, and try to influence laws that regulate real-estate and construction and gambling and immigration and so on?
Trump is exactly what Romney and his kind have created and even exalted, only with a nasty side to him that the Romney's of the world have learned to buff out.
Romney was a venture capitalist whose stock in trade was buying companies, breaking them up under the banner of 'greater efficiencies, and selling off the pieces for more than was paid for the original. All so that investors could get back double their investment instead of a steady 5% to 7%.
But those inefficient pieces were American jobs, and workers were forced to take layoffs, pay cuts, loss of benefits, and loss of pensions. All that contributed to the growth of the 1% at the expense of American workers, with none of the 'trickle down' that was promised.
Republican voters are fools. They say they are against a government under the control of the business elites, yet Trump is a business elite. They hate a government influenced by lobbyists, but Trump and his industries are huge lobbyists, They hate the money that influences government but how else does a guy like Trump get hotels and casinos built, construction permits granted, zoning laws changed, and try to influence laws that regulate real-estate and construction and gambling and immigration and so on?
Trump is exactly what Romney and his kind have created and even exalted, only with a nasty side to him that the Romney's of the world have learned to buff out.
14
“He seduces people with confidence and promises. People invest time, love and money in him.”
I can only imagine that a lot of Trump supporters feel very comfortable with this style. They have been listening to this kind of verbal acid on the radio, television and on line regularly and they have come to believe this what honesty and integrity sounds like. And they now trust it to run our country.
How could this happen? You write that that you are now happy to see the big guns come out against Trump because “other Republicans have either retreated in silence or tentatively and ineptly criticized…” him. What did you expect? This has been the Republican establishment’s response over and over again. Where were the big guns over the outrageous birther comments? After the horrible shout “You Lie!”? The ridiculous challenge to the science of climate change? The list goes on.
The big guns have been wearing silencers on too many important issues for too long.
I can only imagine that a lot of Trump supporters feel very comfortable with this style. They have been listening to this kind of verbal acid on the radio, television and on line regularly and they have come to believe this what honesty and integrity sounds like. And they now trust it to run our country.
How could this happen? You write that that you are now happy to see the big guns come out against Trump because “other Republicans have either retreated in silence or tentatively and ineptly criticized…” him. What did you expect? This has been the Republican establishment’s response over and over again. Where were the big guns over the outrageous birther comments? After the horrible shout “You Lie!”? The ridiculous challenge to the science of climate change? The list goes on.
The big guns have been wearing silencers on too many important issues for too long.
6
Trump would not have been in a position to betray many if, back in the 1990s, the Big Banks had forced him into bankruptcy as they would have any other person.
The Times, in a story titled "Debt Deal For Trump On Plaza," outlined the many credit problems Trump had and how the banks rescued him time and again.
"Despite the formidable array of problems and the billions in debt facing Mr. Trump, he has managed to convince scores of creditors that they should grant him more time in which to try to increase the value of his deeply indebted assets and that they should release him from his guarantees for hundreds of millions of dollars of debt," The Times said. http://nyti.ms/1WZ8TWe
Big Banks, who are too big to fail, failed us by rescuing Trump who had too many big loans for the banks to let him fail.
The Times, in a story titled "Debt Deal For Trump On Plaza," outlined the many credit problems Trump had and how the banks rescued him time and again.
"Despite the formidable array of problems and the billions in debt facing Mr. Trump, he has managed to convince scores of creditors that they should grant him more time in which to try to increase the value of his deeply indebted assets and that they should release him from his guarantees for hundreds of millions of dollars of debt," The Times said. http://nyti.ms/1WZ8TWe
Big Banks, who are too big to fail, failed us by rescuing Trump who had too many big loans for the banks to let him fail.
4
Today's amusing visual is of a big gun, preaching morality while driving to Canada with a dog strapped to the roof of his car.
188
This may all be true, Brooks, but it's too little and too late now. Where were you with this analysis six months ago when it might have had any effect? Where were the other candidates (assuming one could be found who was halfway acceptable)? It's your party that has spawned this thing, this monster, and now all you're left with now is the ugly possibility that the monster your party has created could well walk off with the biggest prize of all.
2
With candidates like Rubio and Cruz to choose from, it's no wonder that people are voting for Trump. Some of the points in this editorial can be applied to them as well. None of the 3 are qualified to run the country.
1
Old-fashioned words describe Trump: scoundrel, cad. He has been a sophisticated con-man and grifter. Mark Twain deftly skewered his type with the "Duke" and the "Dauphin" ... "H'ain't the fools in town on our side? Ain't that a big enough majority in any town?" In the novel the people of Missouri catch up to them because they aren't moving down the river fast enough, and they are tar and feathered.
In real life and on a larger stage this is harder to do. The Donald is working a bigger longer con, and what he's selling many people are desperate to believe. It's going to be awhile before he's tar-and-feathered ... or worse.
And sadly there's a bigger problem: lots of people are going to listen to accusations against Trump and ask "How is that worse than the banks? How is that worse than the corrupt politics in Washington?" Trump is portraying himself as "I'm the con-man for the little guy, I'm YOUR con-man in a system that's been rigged to cheat you since day one!"
Why anyone older than about seven could be taken in by such an idea is perhaps the biggest question here: desperation, the belief that indeed the whole system is rigged and there are no honest men are probably the answers.
Having Rubio attacking Trump isn't very smart. Everyone sees that Rubio is nothing more than the overpaid catspaw of another billionaire, not a very smart one at that. Having Mitt Romney, the vulture capitalist, arguing that Trump is a fraud is even worse.
In real life and on a larger stage this is harder to do. The Donald is working a bigger longer con, and what he's selling many people are desperate to believe. It's going to be awhile before he's tar-and-feathered ... or worse.
And sadly there's a bigger problem: lots of people are going to listen to accusations against Trump and ask "How is that worse than the banks? How is that worse than the corrupt politics in Washington?" Trump is portraying himself as "I'm the con-man for the little guy, I'm YOUR con-man in a system that's been rigged to cheat you since day one!"
Why anyone older than about seven could be taken in by such an idea is perhaps the biggest question here: desperation, the belief that indeed the whole system is rigged and there are no honest men are probably the answers.
Having Rubio attacking Trump isn't very smart. Everyone sees that Rubio is nothing more than the overpaid catspaw of another billionaire, not a very smart one at that. Having Mitt Romney, the vulture capitalist, arguing that Trump is a fraud is even worse.
2
I wasted much of yesterday watching the spectacle of Romney and GOP operatives who are panicked over Donald Trump try to convince us of the chasm which exits between the Republican party and its current front-runner. And this morning David Brooks breathes a sigh of relief that "at long last - major Republicans are raising their heads" to highlight Trump's shortcomings (beyond those implied by candidate Rubio.) Tellingly, Mitt was forced back to Lincoln to come up with a Republican contrast to Trump. (The other night, Cruz had to repair to FDR and JFK to find examples of political leaders who called us to our better natures.) The fact is, Mr. Brooks, that it is no easy task unearthing differences between Donald Trump and your party. Some of us actually recall the Southern Strategy and the bogeys of "welfare queens," Willie Horton and the 47%. Are we supposed to believe that those Republican memes were designed to call us to our better angels? I can't come close to making the point as well as Andy Borowitz, "The GOP is worried that Trump's blatant bigotry will tarnish their brand of nuanced bigotry."
3
It's important to remember that the other front runner, Cruz, is disliked as much if not more than Trump within the party. Then there's Rubio, who can't help but appear like a neophyte in all this. And, finally, there's Kasich, who is evidently far too normal for the "base." So clearly the GOP has no good options at this point other than to focus on holding Congress.
David, I denounce the entire Republican party and yourself. I have a dream that this is the end of the party system as we know it. A severely weakened Republican party, A Democratic party will continue to play the neo-con cards and will be diminished. A third party, even a splintering in any number of smaller issued parties may spring up. America, no matter who has been in charge over the past decades has operated in a sewer of corruption, favoritism to special interests, and an insincere governing that has decimated over half of the population economically. No Mr. Brooks, I pray that the United States we have known after LBJ will perish from this earth.
1
All of what you say is true; none of it matters. Roughly 1/3 of the Republican party is in a suicidal mood.
3
It's not Trump per se. It's the fact that he has a base.
It's not the cult leader. Fringe people can always be counted on to pop up and spout nonsense. When 100s of people take a Jim Jones seriously, it says there is a social problem.
The Republican Party, including you, Brooks, 'mushroomed' and cultivated the Trump base and, in Trump campaign, "It's ALIVE!".
The real great betrayers of the country are those in the Republican and Tea Parties, including you, Brooks, who have raised this base in an echo chamber world.
It's not the cult leader. Fringe people can always be counted on to pop up and spout nonsense. When 100s of people take a Jim Jones seriously, it says there is a social problem.
The Republican Party, including you, Brooks, 'mushroomed' and cultivated the Trump base and, in Trump campaign, "It's ALIVE!".
The real great betrayers of the country are those in the Republican and Tea Parties, including you, Brooks, who have raised this base in an echo chamber world.
1
It will be interesting to see if Americans with cluster B personality disorders rally around Trump and embrace him as their standard-bearer, or if the nature of these disorders prevents them from uniting people as advocates, as has happened for autism, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental disabilities. Trump has had to deal with many of the life challenges that face people with serious personality disorders, and managed to thrive anyway, at least by materialistic measures.
It's just as much of a question whether Trump would be willing to accept support based on a realistic assessment of his abilities.
It's just as much of a question whether Trump would be willing to accept support based on a realistic assessment of his abilities.
The last Republican nominee - Willard Milton Romney (aka Mitt) spent his almost his entire adult life building a company who's only business is buying American companies and transferring them to his Communist Chinese partners.
Republican voters now know they can not trust their own politicians who's vision for America is piles of Cayman Island loot for themselves in a country without a manufacturing center. They know who are the "Great Betrayers."
Bet on Trump.
Republican voters now know they can not trust their own politicians who's vision for America is piles of Cayman Island loot for themselves in a country without a manufacturing center. They know who are the "Great Betrayers."
Bet on Trump.
4
I have to laugh.
"These weren’t just risks that went bad. They were shams, built like his campaign around empty promises and on Trump’s fragile and overweening pride."
In 2 sentences, this is the Republican party and all that it has wrought: supply side economics, bogus wars, voter suppression, and obstruction of science that doesn't match the priorities of their massive hubris. These aren't risks that went bad. They are shams built around empty promises.
"These weren’t just risks that went bad. They were shams, built like his campaign around empty promises and on Trump’s fragile and overweening pride."
In 2 sentences, this is the Republican party and all that it has wrought: supply side economics, bogus wars, voter suppression, and obstruction of science that doesn't match the priorities of their massive hubris. These aren't risks that went bad. They are shams built around empty promises.
7
Government, with NAFTA and China and the Great Recession, has cut the heart out of the American working class and, after getting trashed for 25 years(yes, Perot was right), the working class is justifiably lodging a protest vote. I understand it. I don't agree with Trump in anyway, but we must reckon with the causes. A week ago, GM announced they were importing Buicks from China to sell here in the states. There was no comment or concern about the impact on American auto workers. You don't give a hoot about the continuing erosion of manufacturing jobs(which has only enriched the 1%). Million of lives disrupted or destroyed. You have discounted and marginalized us. You don't see us. It doesn't justify Trump or his Gospel of Hate, but it resonates with the people the establishment has forgotten.
4
In other words, he's the perfect Republican Party candidate for President, right Mr. Brooks? This is merely the consequence of lies, propaganda, and dog-whistle calls to racism that the Republicans have indulged in for decades. Your party has successfully indoctrinated Trump's core of voters. It's worked marvelously and you're complaining about it . . . now? A little self-awareness, please! You're supposed to be an intelligent man. How could you stand all these years being in the same room with people like Jesse Helms, Lee Atwater, James Inhofe, New Gingrich, Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Steve King, Louis Gohmert, Dick Cheney, Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, David Vitter, Bobby Jindal, Roger Ailes, et al? Really, how could you do it without becoming terribly sick to your stomach? Are any of these people any more sane or less odious than Donald Trump? You didn't see this coming?
15
The problem is yes, many Republicans are finally denoucing Trump following his nod of tacit support for the KKK. But then they wink, admitting in the next breath that they will still support him if he is the party's nominee - negating all previous outrage. Until the so-called party elders unite and uneqivocably repudiate Trump and admit their role in creating this grotesque beast, they can only expect more Trumps to surface and carry the party's mantel.
4
Mr. Brooks, the only difference between Trump and the other GOP candidates is the shiny veneer of propriety and respectability. The GOP has been sticking it to working class people for years, gutting every single program or initiative for the public good. They have done it in beautifully cut suits, coiffed hair, using smooth and misleading language. With Trump, the veneer has been lifted. Trump reflects exactly the GOP that has been operating since Reagan. Bigotry, disdain for the poor, war profiteering, gutting any and all consumer/environmental/worker protections, making a mockery of our public schools--these are the hallmarks of your party. Pretending it isn't so just doesn't cut it anymore. Reap what you have sown.
6
LOL. Hucksters and liars teaming up to shoot down the best of them who is moving in on their turf at light speed. GOP = America's Great Betrayer.
6
Thanks, David, but where have journalists been for the last 9 months? How come no investigative reporting has shown light on Donald Trump's nefarious business practices? The media has been gleefully sitting on the sidelines watching and waiting for a dog fight.
416
Businessmen start businesses. Most fail. Most don't. Businesses exist for the purpose of making money. I realize that government workers and useless wastes of oxygen who scribble opinions for liberal newspapers don't realize this, but it's true. Even if Trump was a scam artist, can't a shyster also be a patriot? The man has grandchildren for crying out loud; even a huckster doesn't want to see them grow up in a Third World country. If Trump didn't get into this race (and he certainly didn't have to) no one would be seriously discussing the Third World INVASION (abetted by the two parties) that will dispossess our own posterity. Trump 2016!
1
Trump sounds like a master advocate of the Republican party's Trickle Down theory. In his case, all the money goes to him, and none of it trickles down; people just get flim-flammed. Essentially, the betrayal is obvious, but people including Cruz and Rubio still want the rest of us to believe it really works on the national scale and their tax plans are evidence. The entire party game plan is a betrayal David, face it.
2
David, ya seem like a nice fella, but as any farmer can tell ya, ya reap what ya sow. Even if Trump wheren't here, what have ya got? A tall Texan who's down on his knees every morning asking for something; And, hoping for Florida, Sen. Marco Rubio; and..., The Ohio Kid, what'shisname? That's it! Really ?? To be President? To walk in Obama's footsteps. Really???
3
What's so funny is this school scam is going on all over the country and all anyone is talking about is Trump U. He is just like all of them scams. If you look at Romney he is just as dirty, but he disguises himself better as a sheep. But, the truth is not one of those candidates can be trusted. I loved the Kasic add they played because it showed his true colors also. Rubio is but a puppet for the rich and will do anything for anyone. He is a little light weight and everyone knows it even the donors and that's why they are supporting him. Cruz is simply a phony Christian and I'd rather have trump then that bigot. I want Sanders, but if it had to be any of those fool I'd take Trump. At least he believes in healthcare for all, his trade position I agree with, and he's right about planned parenthood. I mean no one mentions that government money doesn't go to abortion and it's only 3 percent of what planned parenthood does. Besides just like Regan's just so no plan and locking people up for drugs more laws are not going to fix anything. People need to not want to abort a baby because they know it's a life.
4
Dear Mr. Brooks:
The reality that you fail to recognize is that the Republican Party has absolutely nothing to offer the white working class. Their support of Trump is an act of frustration and aggression against the party that has repeatedly failed them.
The Republican Party has no solutions to any of the problems of the working and lower middle class. More tax cuts for the rich will not bring them back into the fold. Promises about free trade's power to energize the economy wouldn't work anymore, either. The Republicans have no solutions for the American health care crisis which is the biggest cause of working class bankruptcy. The party has used racism to appeal to the anxieties of the white working class, while allowing cheap Mexican workers into the country.
The white working class is not ready to support Democrats, so they are trashing their own party. This will take a while to sort out.
The reality that you fail to recognize is that the Republican Party has absolutely nothing to offer the white working class. Their support of Trump is an act of frustration and aggression against the party that has repeatedly failed them.
The Republican Party has no solutions to any of the problems of the working and lower middle class. More tax cuts for the rich will not bring them back into the fold. Promises about free trade's power to energize the economy wouldn't work anymore, either. The Republicans have no solutions for the American health care crisis which is the biggest cause of working class bankruptcy. The party has used racism to appeal to the anxieties of the white working class, while allowing cheap Mexican workers into the country.
The white working class is not ready to support Democrats, so they are trashing their own party. This will take a while to sort out.
4
The Trump University scam has been known for months.
Where has the media been, while offering him all the free
time he needed to seduce the public? And where has
the Times been?
Where has the media been, while offering him all the free
time he needed to seduce the public? And where has
the Times been?
5
“Now, at long last, the big guns are being brought to bear”. Same can be said about Mr. Brooks and other conservatives pundits, at last Mr. Brooks rolled his sleeves and got in the fight with specifics attack lines against the villain, at last Mr. Brooks realized that the Barbarians are at the gates of his heavenly kingdom, almighty help you in your endeavor, whatever happens the GOP is not going to be the same.
The big problem is that all the "big guns" who go after Trump are made to look like chumps because they have all compromised themselves by accepting campaign contributions or endorsements from the Don. Hillary will certainly feel the sting of that when she debates him in the fall. Trump is a buffoon and a fool, but, like many good fools, he has exposed the the establishment as corrupted back-scratchers.
4
Mr. Brooks, didn't you make a mistake with your headline of your article? Should it not read, " The Republican Party The Great Betrayer!"
For decades the Republican Party has been bought by the donor class, preached racism, whispered secession, led the red neck peckerwood class of voters down the garden path and now are suddenly frightened by a cad who pulled the curtain back from all of the Republican wizards who for so long dominated Oz.
Get real Mr. Brooks, you were behind the curtain too and just don't like the glare of truthful publicity you all are suffering now.
For decades the Republican Party has been bought by the donor class, preached racism, whispered secession, led the red neck peckerwood class of voters down the garden path and now are suddenly frightened by a cad who pulled the curtain back from all of the Republican wizards who for so long dominated Oz.
Get real Mr. Brooks, you were behind the curtain too and just don't like the glare of truthful publicity you all are suffering now.
4
Heh, David. You site facts to the Low-Information-Voters who are backing Trump. Funny, just not ha-ha funny.
The Right deserves Trump. It is stupendous perfection watching the clown-show that is the GOP finally showing their true side.
The Right deserves Trump. It is stupendous perfection watching the clown-show that is the GOP finally showing their true side.
5
"He seduces people with his confidence and his promises. People invest time, love and money in him. But in the end he cares only about himself. He betrays those who trust him and leaves them high and dry."
Maybe this is what attracts his fan base in the Republican party. Perhaps they see this as being strong. Or is it that he is so openly brazen about it, when their other candidates choose to hide it instead.
Maybe this is what attracts his fan base in the Republican party. Perhaps they see this as being strong. Or is it that he is so openly brazen about it, when their other candidates choose to hide it instead.
David - you missed Rubio's policy speech about why we need more private higher education and less public education. Many of Rubio's and Bush's education policy favor profit making institutions from preschool through college over public schools. The state pays for capital costs for charter school over just education costs and profits. But when the private schools go bankrupt at an alarming rate, students are left holding the bag and debt, while private owners walk away in court. no private institution has been sanctioned for violations in 15-years while IRS or the DOE shuts these schools for numerous financial games. This is GOP education policy. Trump can go bankrupt at his whim - while 18-year olds are saddled with tuition debt for 25-years. no GOP candidate proposes any changes in this corrupt for profit system paid for by taxpayers invented under Reagan and Bush.
7
I wish Mr. Brooks would kindly take a step back. Decades of tax-cutting and anti-government rhetoric have left the nation with a crumbling infrastructure, and serious problems with our health care and educational systems. These problems are not addressed with substance, but with finger-pointing, hate speech, and more tax cuts. It is this that the nation is rebelling against, and in favor of the concept of American greatness. Why not address the weakness of the Republican Party platform on the issues, and encourage the candidates, and more importantly the electorate, to step up to reality? There seems to be very few adults in the room.
7
Speaking of the courage Mr. Brooks was talking about, will he support or not support Trump if he is the nominee. That gaping hole in his credibility gets larger every article he writes.
5
I recently came across a speech given by Wendell Phillips, the great orator and abolitionist, that made me feel much better about the Trump phenomenon. The speech, given to Harvard's Phi Beta Kappa Society on its 100th anniversary in 1881, advises scholars that the secret to America's unique democracy is that it gives the common man, however uneducated and uncouth, the same power as the elite gentleman or scholar, and explains brilliantly why that is a good idea, despite how messy it is as a governance system. I highly recommend it; W. Phillips was perhaps the best speech maker of his time and this particular masterpiece provides fresh perspectives for today's citizens on what the founders were up to when they put our system together.
6
Betrayal is a great theme David...like the 99% betrayed by the .01%. Republicans have no problem with that betrayal and ultimate rip=off of the American people because it's a Republican pro-business stance that concludes enriching the richest is good for job creation.
6
Funny, in 2008, Republicans didn't mind Sarah Palin carping about "real Americans." And even in 2016, Republicans haven't gotten themselves in a lather over Ted Cruz warning about "New York liberals like Chuck Schumer" and Cruz's henchman, Ken Cuccinelli, doubling down and explaining that "New York liberals" are people who like cheesecake and deli sandwiches. Nor have Republicans been repulsed by Cruz's statement that anyone who doesn't kneel to God every morning doesn't deserve to be President. Apparently the party prefers for its bigotry platform to be communicated through dog whistles, and not stated as blatantly as Mr. Drumpf prefers.
11
If Trump and Clinton win nomination, will you support Clinton? If Trump and Sanders win nomination, will you support Sanders?
428
Good start Brooks. Now, hear this: TRUMP IS NOT THE PROBLEM. HE'S A SIDE-SHOW TO THE REAL PROBLEM!!!.
Got it? Okay now. Look at this. Look at the Republicans in Congress and think about their constituency. No, not the 'tea party' types. No one at Trump rallies are grey-heads. They're all working age and younger.
Do you see anything yet, Brooks? Eh? That's right. Those are who the Republican Party has become. They are the real show. It is, after all, politics.
Do you have enough to conclude yet, Brooks? I think you do. It's like I told you the other day, you need a new party, a new conservative party. Because, as you know, Trump is no conservative, not like you and your friends anyway. So what are you and Romney and others going to do; try to wrest this mess of an election cycle from Trump in time for November?
No, you're not going to do that. I'm a liberal Democrat, but I recognize that conservatives in this country deserve representation. The reality is, Brooks, that the current Republican Party is leaving U.S. conservatives behind. You are not being represented.
Unless, you think you are. I don't think you are and I have been studying politics for 55 years. Start a new party, Brooks. You can be the leading light. Call yourselves the American Conservative Party. Try to make it in the main-stream. Try to leave the current Republican Party and their congressional constituency behind. Chance are, they do not deserve representation, not if they are ungovernable.
Got it? Okay now. Look at this. Look at the Republicans in Congress and think about their constituency. No, not the 'tea party' types. No one at Trump rallies are grey-heads. They're all working age and younger.
Do you see anything yet, Brooks? Eh? That's right. Those are who the Republican Party has become. They are the real show. It is, after all, politics.
Do you have enough to conclude yet, Brooks? I think you do. It's like I told you the other day, you need a new party, a new conservative party. Because, as you know, Trump is no conservative, not like you and your friends anyway. So what are you and Romney and others going to do; try to wrest this mess of an election cycle from Trump in time for November?
No, you're not going to do that. I'm a liberal Democrat, but I recognize that conservatives in this country deserve representation. The reality is, Brooks, that the current Republican Party is leaving U.S. conservatives behind. You are not being represented.
Unless, you think you are. I don't think you are and I have been studying politics for 55 years. Start a new party, Brooks. You can be the leading light. Call yourselves the American Conservative Party. Try to make it in the main-stream. Try to leave the current Republican Party and their congressional constituency behind. Chance are, they do not deserve representation, not if they are ungovernable.
5
Yes, Donald Trump has left a trail of betrayals for years, and he must never sit in the Oval Office. There is one group of people, however, to which he has been true. One group created Trump, and he has delivered as promised.
The group which got what they wanted is the print and broadcasting media. Editors and producers who needed to fill space and airtime with features likely to draw attention turned day after day, month after month, year after year to Donald Trump. The more outrageous the behavior, the better.
This mess did not descend upon America suddenly and by pure accident. The narcissist answered the call of those who now wring their hands.
The group which got what they wanted is the print and broadcasting media. Editors and producers who needed to fill space and airtime with features likely to draw attention turned day after day, month after month, year after year to Donald Trump. The more outrageous the behavior, the better.
This mess did not descend upon America suddenly and by pure accident. The narcissist answered the call of those who now wring their hands.
3
The rational message by Brooks and others to Trump voters is: Donald doesn't give a (choose your metaphor) about you, he was and always will be unashamedly self centered, at the end of his presidency, he will be much richer while "you" will have none of your problems solved and will be poorer.
There may be a problem with this message, while true, the voters may fully understand this, what they are saying is "the pox on all your houses", we are very unhappy and our aim is to make everyone miserable.
There may be a problem with this message, while true, the voters may fully understand this, what they are saying is "the pox on all your houses", we are very unhappy and our aim is to make everyone miserable.
1
Donald Trump IS the Republican Party. His ascendancy would have been impossible without a David Brooks explaining, hemming and hawing, and making excuses for 50 years of repugnant behavior.
E E Cummings:
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blue-eyed boy
Mister Death
E E Cummings:
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blue-eyed boy
Mister Death
5
Poor, Brooks, he has GOP amnesia, an incurable disease. It's an affliction suffered by most in the GOP.
It wasn't that long ago that Mitt Romney was flip flopping over issues like the Massachusetts Affordable Care Act, his one stellar achievement as the state's governor, and a woman's right to choose. And there were his remarks to wealthy donors about how most Americans just wanted a free ride, a divisive remark if there ever was one.
And only a GOP apologist like Brooks could so easily fail to recall the train wreck that was the Bush presidency. Two unfunded wars, orange alerts, a recession, high unemployment and a spent down budget surplus. The lies about WMDs were never atoned for.
Trump is no better and surely no worse than any of the GOP leaders from the past 30 years. Brooks' party worshiped The Donald for years, going to his temple of gold and begging for money and his affections. Now he has become a pariah. It's both hypocritical and laughable.
It wasn't that long ago that Mitt Romney was flip flopping over issues like the Massachusetts Affordable Care Act, his one stellar achievement as the state's governor, and a woman's right to choose. And there were his remarks to wealthy donors about how most Americans just wanted a free ride, a divisive remark if there ever was one.
And only a GOP apologist like Brooks could so easily fail to recall the train wreck that was the Bush presidency. Two unfunded wars, orange alerts, a recession, high unemployment and a spent down budget surplus. The lies about WMDs were never atoned for.
Trump is no better and surely no worse than any of the GOP leaders from the past 30 years. Brooks' party worshiped The Donald for years, going to his temple of gold and begging for money and his affections. Now he has become a pariah. It's both hypocritical and laughable.
3
As always, Mr. Brooks undercuts his own argument in the opening paragraph.
Mitt Romney is a Republican "big gun?" What?! That's it. That's the best they got? A former governor who lost a national election in a landslide? That's what passes for an elder statesman in the Republican party?
What you are looking at in Donald Trump is the culmination of 60 years of conservative ideological inbreeding.
Mitt Romney is a Republican "big gun?" What?! That's it. That's the best they got? A former governor who lost a national election in a landslide? That's what passes for an elder statesman in the Republican party?
What you are looking at in Donald Trump is the culmination of 60 years of conservative ideological inbreeding.
10
It's not surprising that a Trump could thrive in this country, that a huckster could succeed. But it is surprising that he has a following and these followers don't seem to be capable of even the most rudimentary critical thinking. Which then leads one to question if even "getting the word out" about Trump, as Brooks is doing, will have any deterrent effect.
4
The irony of seeing Mitt 'Etch-a-Sketch' Romney calling Trump a phony was delicious. And seeing him as the spokesman for the Republican establishment just seems to show how clueless they are. Mitt Romney who ran a way from Romneycare when he decided to pursue the nomination and tried to tack as far right as he could to win the Republican primaries is about as phony and as establishment as the Republicans get. Maybe Mitt's real objection is that much of Trump's support probably comes from teh '47%'.
5
As far as i am concerned, every one of them, including Romney, are in the same pod!
4
I wish Mr. Brooks would kindly take a step back. Decades of tax-cutting and anti-government rhetoric have left the nation with a crumbling infrastructure, and serious problems with our health care and educational systems. These problems are not addressed with substance, but with finger-pointing, hate speech, and more tax cuts. It is this that the nation is rebelling against, and in favor of the concept of American greatness. Why not address the weakness of the Republican Party platform on the issues, and encourage the candidates, and more importantly the electorate, to step up to reality?
7
"The burden of responsibility now falls on Republican officials elected or nonelected , at all levels" to stop Trump.
Now that the likelihood that Trump would win the GOP nomination is not only real but also very high, the responsibility to stop him no longer rests only on those officials, but on every decent American. There is undoubtedly plenty of schadenfreude among the Democrats. However, as his current hold on the GOP shows, it would be foolish to believe that Trump would be easily defeated by the Democrats' eventual nominee. That's because his support runs deeper than the polls suggest. I recently read about a popular southern state governor, who said when asked how he thought Trump would do in his state on Super Tuesday:
“Trump is going to win by 10 points, and I don’t know a single person who is voting for him.”
Got that? Trump, of course, won. Therefore, it would not be at all shocking if there are many Democrats or Independents out there who would go to the polls in November and secretly cast their ballots for Trump, tipping the election to him and proving conclusively that polls that show him to be widely disliked, despised even, were grossly wrong. That's not a chance that anyone who cares about this country should take. If Trump is the GOP nominee and even if it looks like he would lose the general by a 50-state landslide, do not take a chance because he seems to have nine lives. Go out and vote to make sure that he is, figuratively, dead and stays dead.
Now that the likelihood that Trump would win the GOP nomination is not only real but also very high, the responsibility to stop him no longer rests only on those officials, but on every decent American. There is undoubtedly plenty of schadenfreude among the Democrats. However, as his current hold on the GOP shows, it would be foolish to believe that Trump would be easily defeated by the Democrats' eventual nominee. That's because his support runs deeper than the polls suggest. I recently read about a popular southern state governor, who said when asked how he thought Trump would do in his state on Super Tuesday:
“Trump is going to win by 10 points, and I don’t know a single person who is voting for him.”
Got that? Trump, of course, won. Therefore, it would not be at all shocking if there are many Democrats or Independents out there who would go to the polls in November and secretly cast their ballots for Trump, tipping the election to him and proving conclusively that polls that show him to be widely disliked, despised even, were grossly wrong. That's not a chance that anyone who cares about this country should take. If Trump is the GOP nominee and even if it looks like he would lose the general by a 50-state landslide, do not take a chance because he seems to have nine lives. Go out and vote to make sure that he is, figuratively, dead and stays dead.
1
“Now, at long last, the big guns are being brought to bear”. Same can be said about Mr. Brooks and other conservatives pundits, at last Mr. Brooks rolled his sleeves and got in the fight with specifics attack lines against the villain, at last Mr. Brooks realized that the Barbarians are at the gates of his heavenly kingdom, almighty help you in your endeavor, whatever happens the GOP is not going to be the same.
1
Quite a task you've taken on Mr. Brooks.
The Donald may be a con artist. So what. He's running in the Republican primary -- a contest among con artists. The Donald is winning. That alone ought to make him the biggest of the con artists. There is one, one really big flaw in the argument.
The Donald too often slips up and tells the truth. Trump admits that George Bush conned us into the war in Iraq. Trump admits that his supporters need and value Social Security and Medicare. He even hints at raising taxes on the wealthy.
The Donald doesn't just dog whistle on race. He feverishly cranks the siren of racism. That's more candor than the Republican establishment can bear.
Let's all hope that The Donald continues to win and continues to speak the truth that shames the Republican establishment.
The Donald may be a con artist. So what. He's running in the Republican primary -- a contest among con artists. The Donald is winning. That alone ought to make him the biggest of the con artists. There is one, one really big flaw in the argument.
The Donald too often slips up and tells the truth. Trump admits that George Bush conned us into the war in Iraq. Trump admits that his supporters need and value Social Security and Medicare. He even hints at raising taxes on the wealthy.
The Donald doesn't just dog whistle on race. He feverishly cranks the siren of racism. That's more candor than the Republican establishment can bear.
Let's all hope that The Donald continues to win and continues to speak the truth that shames the Republican establishment.
6
Among Republican elites, few bear as much moral responsibility as you, David Brooks, for the cruel and deceptive policies of the GOP these last 20 years. Long their intellectual apologist and Great Rationalizer, I'm glad this reckoning is before you.
Having armed and primed the white working class into the ugly mob they've now become, they now threaten your party's house of cards. It's amusing to watch you squirm.
Having armed and primed the white working class into the ugly mob they've now become, they now threaten your party's house of cards. It's amusing to watch you squirm.
15
Et tu Brutus Brooks
5
To Brooks, Krugman, Bruni, Kristoff and the NYTime opinion edtors and the news editors:
YOU ALL are representative of the media which is giving America Trump. In your money grubbing approach to prominence and fame you all have happily joined the supermarket and internet tabloids appealing to the basest of our instincts; in this you have become Trump.
Disgusting.
You will have to see yourself in the mirror for at least 4 long grueling years.
Thanks.
YOU ALL are representative of the media which is giving America Trump. In your money grubbing approach to prominence and fame you all have happily joined the supermarket and internet tabloids appealing to the basest of our instincts; in this you have become Trump.
Disgusting.
You will have to see yourself in the mirror for at least 4 long grueling years.
Thanks.
6
I hate this but - Christian Conservative leaders should rent billboards in the Bible Belt with pictures of his scantily clad wife (the current one).
2
Mr. Brooks. You need to tell us why you will still or will not vote for this man and if or are going to vote for the Democratic nominee to ensure he doesn't become president.
4
Trump? Sanders? The political establishment? America?
Let me join in in the spirit of the times--think only of myself, call people names, care only about money. And I should get paid for the following observation my fellow stupid Americans. Much can be overcome in our sick political life by applying what we do for physical education--sports--in America to mental education.
In sports we locate talent, develop talent, understand that at edge of physical performance danger of injury increases, and we have doctors, trainers all at the ready at edge of physical performance to support athletes. And of course we know how brief the lifespan is for physical performance of a person.
Now take education, the mind, in America. We have no real push to locate or develop talent. Certainly have no recognition that the edge of mental performance is a danger zone (nervous breakdown, mental illness) like edge of physical performance and in requirement of close monitoring (doctors, trainers). And no recognition that high intellectual life is probably as brief as high physical life.
Both the right and left for various reasons are against the intellectual life in America. The right of course wants people rather lockstep (Christianity, military, corporate organization) and the left is extremely reluctant to elevate any individual over the collective (God forbid not enough of this group or that would be represented!). So that leaves me thinking of only myself, a sprinter of thought in America.
Let me join in in the spirit of the times--think only of myself, call people names, care only about money. And I should get paid for the following observation my fellow stupid Americans. Much can be overcome in our sick political life by applying what we do for physical education--sports--in America to mental education.
In sports we locate talent, develop talent, understand that at edge of physical performance danger of injury increases, and we have doctors, trainers all at the ready at edge of physical performance to support athletes. And of course we know how brief the lifespan is for physical performance of a person.
Now take education, the mind, in America. We have no real push to locate or develop talent. Certainly have no recognition that the edge of mental performance is a danger zone (nervous breakdown, mental illness) like edge of physical performance and in requirement of close monitoring (doctors, trainers). And no recognition that high intellectual life is probably as brief as high physical life.
Both the right and left for various reasons are against the intellectual life in America. The right of course wants people rather lockstep (Christianity, military, corporate organization) and the left is extremely reluctant to elevate any individual over the collective (God forbid not enough of this group or that would be represented!). So that leaves me thinking of only myself, a sprinter of thought in America.
6
The gig's up, David - the Big Con is over. The chickens have finally realized that Colonel Sanders isn't their friend, and they've for the most part been casting their votes based on racial animosity and other prejudices masked as "religious freedom," while the people they vote for gradually chip away at the foundation of what makes a middle class, especially a lower middle-class: Union busting, trade deals that export jobs, forced arbitration, speech = money, unfunded wars built on lies, tax cuts for the wealthy that don't pay for themselves, foreclosing bankruptcy options for people but not for corporations, and I could go on.
It's a vast shift of power and wealth upwards, and it started as a two-pronged attack: the Powell Memo and Nixon's Southern Strategy. Get the chickens to vote for Colonel Sanders and we can enact policies that benefit Colonel Sanders, chickens be damned.
But the con is up; the truth is out. I thank Donald Trump for making plain what a lot of people have seen for years: that it's all a lie based on racial animosity and "religious freedom" to discriminate. Bringing down Donald Trump a) won't work; and b) will fix nothing, till you start looking into the glass darkly.
It's a vast shift of power and wealth upwards, and it started as a two-pronged attack: the Powell Memo and Nixon's Southern Strategy. Get the chickens to vote for Colonel Sanders and we can enact policies that benefit Colonel Sanders, chickens be damned.
But the con is up; the truth is out. I thank Donald Trump for making plain what a lot of people have seen for years: that it's all a lie based on racial animosity and "religious freedom" to discriminate. Bringing down Donald Trump a) won't work; and b) will fix nothing, till you start looking into the glass darkly.
16
Trump supporters feel betrayed by the GOP elite and establishment. They are smart for feeling thusly. They are not smart for turning to Trump instead of the political opposition.
The Romney vs Trump circus made clear that class warfare is breaking out within the Republican party.
Trump narrates the return of working class jobs in the US via trade restrictions. He offers no details beyond 35% import tax, but it is an effective narrative framework. Jobs and riches for everyone, particularly for the left behind workers. It's a fiction, but a powerful one. Culturally his class warfare follows a dusty script from the Rosanne television show, one that never made it to air because it was laced with nativism and priomordialism (metaphorically speaking, of course).
Whereas Romney takes to the lectern to reiterate free trade and the rights of owners, share holders, and upper management. Culturally he poo poos the vulgarity of this upstart and his nascar ilk.
It's the Romneys that betrayed an angry portion of the GOP base for the past three decades. Yes, Trump likely will betray them too. But he's a relatively new grifter on the GOP street.
The Romney vs Trump circus made clear that class warfare is breaking out within the Republican party.
Trump narrates the return of working class jobs in the US via trade restrictions. He offers no details beyond 35% import tax, but it is an effective narrative framework. Jobs and riches for everyone, particularly for the left behind workers. It's a fiction, but a powerful one. Culturally his class warfare follows a dusty script from the Rosanne television show, one that never made it to air because it was laced with nativism and priomordialism (metaphorically speaking, of course).
Whereas Romney takes to the lectern to reiterate free trade and the rights of owners, share holders, and upper management. Culturally he poo poos the vulgarity of this upstart and his nascar ilk.
It's the Romneys that betrayed an angry portion of the GOP base for the past three decades. Yes, Trump likely will betray them too. But he's a relatively new grifter on the GOP street.
6
Yes, yes, David Brooks, thank goodness the GOP establishment is at last attacking il Donald. (They just needed a few pointers from John Oliver on how to do it.)
But, please, can you explain to us, once they have eliminated Trump, just who or what is supposed to fill the giant vacuum he leaves behind?
Because all I see is more vacuity. The disarray and disfunction remains. What a horror show.
But, please, can you explain to us, once they have eliminated Trump, just who or what is supposed to fill the giant vacuum he leaves behind?
Because all I see is more vacuity. The disarray and disfunction remains. What a horror show.
666
Paul Ryan. Beware.
2
Trump is gaming the GOP because the GOP has been gaming American voters for a long time. Trumpism is a result of republican governmental distrust. Take America for what it is or leave it to Trump.
4
Nice try, Mr. Brooks, after you and your media brothers and sisters have promoted DT to the point of nausea. Nice try after you have been a cheerleader and apologist for your precious "republican" party as they destroyed democracy in America the past 40+ years. The Young Republicans started this forced march to 3rd world status in the 1970s when they helped ALEC enthrone Nixon, then Reagan, as their operatives in the White House. Fortunately, they are a dying breed and WE can restore socially conscious democracy in America with equity and civility. Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton will lead the charge for 90% of us who have been bamboozled all these years.
19
The candidacies of Trump, Rubio, Cruz, and some others are the result of what you, Lord Brooks, and your masters have done and written for the past 20 years or more. You have shilled for the GOP for as long as you've been writing for the New York Times. You have compared Obama unfavorably to every Republican you know. What you have overlooked is that Obama has not had a scandal during his administration. He has not written treasonous letters to countries other presidents were negotiating with. He did not shut down the government. He has conducted himself with dignity and decency during his term while the party of Greasy Oily Popinjays has been having a massive tantrum and destroying this country in the process. The party of NO should go find another playpen to dirty. You should go with them because you, in your GOP delusion, didn't bother to think ahead and realize that anarchy is not the best way to run a country.
The GOP has enjoyed its power for far too long. Unfortunately because of their appeal to our darker sides through rants about welfare queens, job stealing immigrants (which they encouraged through the H-1B visas), and the useless government (also created by them) vast numbers of Americans voted for them. And you encouraged it while enjoying the fruits of all this corruption. You haven't lost your job, your home, your savings, your health, or anything. We have. We've lived on the edge. You know nothing about it. Nor does the GOP.
The GOP has enjoyed its power for far too long. Unfortunately because of their appeal to our darker sides through rants about welfare queens, job stealing immigrants (which they encouraged through the H-1B visas), and the useless government (also created by them) vast numbers of Americans voted for them. And you encouraged it while enjoying the fruits of all this corruption. You haven't lost your job, your home, your savings, your health, or anything. We have. We've lived on the edge. You know nothing about it. Nor does the GOP.
34
Why is Mr. Brooks so afraid of Donald Trump getting the nomination? Why does he think that Republican voters, all of a sudden, cannot be trusted? Where was he when they voted for so many vile candidates in the past?
The Republican Party is the holding company for the Tea Party. For the truthers and birthers. I argued with those folks IRW several years ago. They are known as the base of the G.O.P.
Mr. Brooks, just admit this: Trump is the Frankenstein Monster you and other “establishment” Republicans created years ago, but now he is a threat to you. Be honest. You reap what you sow.
The Republican Party is the holding company for the Tea Party. For the truthers and birthers. I argued with those folks IRW several years ago. They are known as the base of the G.O.P.
Mr. Brooks, just admit this: Trump is the Frankenstein Monster you and other “establishment” Republicans created years ago, but now he is a threat to you. Be honest. You reap what you sow.
20
"I don't care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right." -- Old Political Adage that seems to be working to Trump's advantage. Ironically, the one candidate who at least sounds sensible stands on the far right to the audience. Yet, it's the lunacy of the to the Govenor's right that captures the attention. Seems that if you want civility, then focus on it.
Nothing the "Real Republicans" say about Trump will dissuade his followers. Rather, they will cling to him even more tightly. Doesn't the GOP realize Trump voters already stopped listening to them?
11
The 2012 video depicts a beaming Romney and spouse smiling with delight and gratitude at Trump's endorsement blessing ceremony. Trump's reputation was clean enough then for pious Mitt.
From the podium, the very reverend Governor lacked only white robes as he delivered his political sermon, throwing many stones in a diatribe that did not hint of his own past corporate and campaign sins.
Romney and Trump share a history of wealthy families and controversial corporate success. As politicians, both radiate very hawkish defense stratedgies, but when it was time for them to serve in their country's military, they both had reasons to be elsewhere.
Mr Brooks, the term "major Republican" is an oxymoron of the first degree and has been for some time. There was no "major" candidate on last night's debate stage: those largely dangerous individuals stand well below any bar the United States of America should set. Where is the "exceptionalism" when you need it?
From the podium, the very reverend Governor lacked only white robes as he delivered his political sermon, throwing many stones in a diatribe that did not hint of his own past corporate and campaign sins.
Romney and Trump share a history of wealthy families and controversial corporate success. As politicians, both radiate very hawkish defense stratedgies, but when it was time for them to serve in their country's military, they both had reasons to be elsewhere.
Mr Brooks, the term "major Republican" is an oxymoron of the first degree and has been for some time. There was no "major" candidate on last night's debate stage: those largely dangerous individuals stand well below any bar the United States of America should set. Where is the "exceptionalism" when you need it?
16
I think Mr. Brooks that it is too late to stop Mr Trump momentum. I am still dumbfounded the way he has managed to be where he is but that's the reality of the Republican Party. To me it is very sad that the Republican Party used a failed candidate like Mitt Romney to do what they should have done months ago. Like I said it is too late.
4
Trump says in a microphone what you, in your salubrious voice have been saying in code. You call poor and minority people's culture incompetent and if only they lived as you do in your insulated superior world they , too, could be like you. I think you and your ilke's condescending attitude , racial and class bias has reached those you tricked. Don't call Trump a con without including yourself.
23
David, you've been a cheer leader for Rubio for months now. Oddly, if the GOP is successful in derailing Trump now (unlikely), it will be Cruz who steps up, not Rubio. A still bigger mess I'm afraid.
11
Apparently, Mr. Brooks, all the Republicans you can find to point fingers at Mr. Trump, are a bit short-fingered themselves.
Or, shall we say, "slight of hand?"
Or, shall we say, "slight of hand?"
5
The problem with having "Republican elites" go after Trump is that they are the wrong people to do it. We get our messages through the sifting of the media and the Repubs don't have the media on their side. Romney for instance was a credible, decent man who was portrayed by our media as a cunning leader of a company that took advantage of its employees. Where was that coverage when we needed it last summer and fall?
2
And as we all know, Mr. Brooks fancies himself a gentleman. He lives in a patrician past that likely has had very little to do with the experience of most Americans.
I would suggest that this situation has caused him no less an awakening than Scarlett O'Hara experienced in Gone with the Wind. His fanciful way of life is shattered and at an end.
Please, have some respect.