All good points, but you missed the biggest motivator: Supreme Court nominees.
135
Perhaps, at the end of November, both Mr. Trump and the Dr. Frankenstein that created him, the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE, will both go away.
That, my friends, is MY version of the "American Dream" with all the pseudo-conservative, greedy as hell, racist and xenophobic followers of the "Benito wannabes" as sunken as the Titanic.
That, my friends, is MY version of the "American Dream" with all the pseudo-conservative, greedy as hell, racist and xenophobic followers of the "Benito wannabes" as sunken as the Titanic.
70
NcConnel was despicable long before he decided to back Trump.
115
Context of comment: my d.o.b.is 9/21/38;
Trump's disorders are rarely treatable by even the
best mental health practitioners. What are Ryan and McConnell's excuses? In the court of public opinion can they also plead insanity? Or is it that the dominant discourse is now completely distorted by greed for Power Over ..rather than Power To, so retro re; misogyny, etc etc....that they can't tell the difference?
Hope Clinton will have some Republican cabinet members. For example: McCain, Katich..Jo-Ann Krestan
Trump's disorders are rarely treatable by even the
best mental health practitioners. What are Ryan and McConnell's excuses? In the court of public opinion can they also plead insanity? Or is it that the dominant discourse is now completely distorted by greed for Power Over ..rather than Power To, so retro re; misogyny, etc etc....that they can't tell the difference?
Hope Clinton will have some Republican cabinet members. For example: McCain, Katich..Jo-Ann Krestan
42
I hesitate to quote a David Brooks Favorite in commenting on a column by Dr. Krugman, but here goes:
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (sic) to do nothing" (the sic is that in the modern world it is "good men and women")
--Edmund Burke
Therefore, bless Mike Coffey, Kelly Ayotte, Lindsey Graham, John McCain and John Kasich, who have ripped Trump's behavior, unlike the gentle reproving he has received from McConnell and Ryan. There are still some quality people in the Republican Party. I have wondered where they were. Perhaps (to use an intentional military metaphor), Trump has finally gone a bridge too far.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (sic) to do nothing" (the sic is that in the modern world it is "good men and women")
--Edmund Burke
Therefore, bless Mike Coffey, Kelly Ayotte, Lindsey Graham, John McCain and John Kasich, who have ripped Trump's behavior, unlike the gentle reproving he has received from McConnell and Ryan. There are still some quality people in the Republican Party. I have wondered where they were. Perhaps (to use an intentional military metaphor), Trump has finally gone a bridge too far.
79
As a liberal living in Texas, I have to have the Trump vs. Hillary debate on a daily basis with people who believe the worst about both, and this is what I ask:
Who would you vote for: Nixon or Mussolini?
If you believe in the worst possible outcome for each candidate, then you're deciding between a sleazy politician and an unqualified egomaniacal fascist, and it's really not much of a decision.
Who would you vote for: Nixon or Mussolini?
If you believe in the worst possible outcome for each candidate, then you're deciding between a sleazy politician and an unqualified egomaniacal fascist, and it's really not much of a decision.
136
You could add jilted left wingers willing to risk Trump because Hillary isn't really left enough. Yearning for Utopia could yield Hell.
155
for all the smoke put out by the propaganda machine about Trump denigrating the Kahns
The fact remains their son was KIA because of Hillary's "mistake"
Breathless chutzpah in the face of that fact to use those parents...
The fact remains their son was KIA because of Hillary's "mistake"
Breathless chutzpah in the face of that fact to use those parents...
26
You're right, no one thinks Hillary would be a "pushover for terrorists and foreign aggressors", and she definitely has the "support of many retired military leaders". See John Allen at the DNC. That's precisely the problem. The wars she's so eager to start WILL be an unmitigated disaster for the US. With Trump, we at least have a CHANCE not to get drawn into more conflicts, whether to support NATO member who won't pull their weight, or otherwise.
19
I'll tell you exactly why mainstream Republicans are not panicking over Trump: They have a viable fallback. Trump committed a potentially fatal Machiavellian error by selecting someone as his VP who is acceptable to the GOP establishment. He SHOULD have picked someone that NO ONE would ever want to become president. Think Palin, Maine governor Paul LePage, heck - Gary Busey. By selecting Pence, he has left himself vulnerable to a bipartisan coup, should he actually get elected. Should this unthinkable come to pass, the first time Trump goes off the reservation with some actual, insane Trumpian policy action (giving bondholders a "haircut," abandoning NATO allies, etc.), and the Democrats start talking articles of impeachment, Republican leaders are going to quickly say, "Okay. Yeah, sure." After all, they'll effectively get one of their own without actually having to elect him at the top of the ticket. And then they can add to that that they told the voters not to elect that guy all along, anyway. No, if Trump IS elected, he likely won't STAY elected for a full term.
76
Aboard Trump Force One:
[Donald putts a good shot down the center aisle, the plane banks, and a few dozen golf balls roll out from under the seats by the emergency exit and go tumbling toward the steward carrying the treats and drinks. She panics.]
Steward: Ahhh! [Freezes, the balls roll about her ankles like sea foam.] Sir, help! [Donald come a-ruinnin', slips on a ball.]
Donald: Uhhh! [Catches himself barely, tweaks his back.] Owww, dang it. [Ivanka comes to see what happened.]
Ivanka: Oh, dear...Daddy are you alright? Daddy...Come on [Helps him get into a chair, ignores the steward who has nearly dropped her tray.] Daddy here. [Grabs a chew-toy candy from the tray.]
Donald: Oh Ivy, dear, thank you...Ohhh my back...[Chews on the large soft candy toy.] Honey you're so good to me...When are we gonna land? Had Paul heard from Vlad? [Steward squeezes by with the tray onto her destination.]
Ivanka: Yes, daddy, Vlad's plane is on time. You need to sit here and I'm gonna have a doctor look at your back when we land. [Donald squirms in his chair.] No fussing...Maybe we can move you to your throne in the front...I know, these small-people chairs are crap...hold on. [Kushner walks up.]
Kushner: What's all the hub-bub honey? [Looks at Donald.] Hey big guy, y'all right?
Ivanka: No, he tweaked his back trying to save the stewardess from crashing to the ground and dropping her tray. He's such a sweetie. [Pats Donald on the head.] I'm worried he won't be able to play with Vlad...
[Donald putts a good shot down the center aisle, the plane banks, and a few dozen golf balls roll out from under the seats by the emergency exit and go tumbling toward the steward carrying the treats and drinks. She panics.]
Steward: Ahhh! [Freezes, the balls roll about her ankles like sea foam.] Sir, help! [Donald come a-ruinnin', slips on a ball.]
Donald: Uhhh! [Catches himself barely, tweaks his back.] Owww, dang it. [Ivanka comes to see what happened.]
Ivanka: Oh, dear...Daddy are you alright? Daddy...Come on [Helps him get into a chair, ignores the steward who has nearly dropped her tray.] Daddy here. [Grabs a chew-toy candy from the tray.]
Donald: Oh Ivy, dear, thank you...Ohhh my back...[Chews on the large soft candy toy.] Honey you're so good to me...When are we gonna land? Had Paul heard from Vlad? [Steward squeezes by with the tray onto her destination.]
Ivanka: Yes, daddy, Vlad's plane is on time. You need to sit here and I'm gonna have a doctor look at your back when we land. [Donald squirms in his chair.] No fussing...Maybe we can move you to your throne in the front...I know, these small-people chairs are crap...hold on. [Kushner walks up.]
Kushner: What's all the hub-bub honey? [Looks at Donald.] Hey big guy, y'all right?
Ivanka: No, he tweaked his back trying to save the stewardess from crashing to the ground and dropping her tray. He's such a sweetie. [Pats Donald on the head.] I'm worried he won't be able to play with Vlad...
25
Senators McCain has said Trump does not represent the Republican Party? He is the head of the Republican Party. If Trump doesn't speak for it, who does?
73
Back, a couple of decades ago, Mary Shelly wrote a historical novel about a society, having created a monster in its own image, became outraged when they realized that they could not control it. That's precisely the pickle that the GOP has gotten itself into.
Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and RNC Chairman Reince Preibus all have been acting like they can control their Monster. But, Trum pas attacked a Federal Judge merely because of his Hispanic Heritage, imputed the parents of a Muslim soldier who was killed in combat, encouraged Russian President Vladirimir Putin to have his cyber-warriors to hack into our State Department Emails, nd the list goes on, and on, and ON;..;.
Besides the Monster in Shelley's novel, the people who brought Hitler to power also felt that they could control him. You say that6 today's Monster hasn't killed 20 million people. Well, neither did Hitler until after he was elected. And today, the types of warfare here much more heinous: germ warfare; IEDs; suicide bombing, cyber warfare, flying airliners into buildings, etc. Let's not forget Trumpentein's threat to bomb the families of Jihadists.
Does anyone really want to risk where he might take us?
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and RNC Chairman Reince Preibus all have been acting like they can control their Monster. But, Trum pas attacked a Federal Judge merely because of his Hispanic Heritage, imputed the parents of a Muslim soldier who was killed in combat, encouraged Russian President Vladirimir Putin to have his cyber-warriors to hack into our State Department Emails, nd the list goes on, and on, and ON;..;.
Besides the Monster in Shelley's novel, the people who brought Hitler to power also felt that they could control him. You say that6 today's Monster hasn't killed 20 million people. Well, neither did Hitler until after he was elected. And today, the types of warfare here much more heinous: germ warfare; IEDs; suicide bombing, cyber warfare, flying airliners into buildings, etc. Let's not forget Trumpentein's threat to bomb the families of Jihadists.
Does anyone really want to risk where he might take us?
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
45
Speak for yourself, Paul. I am a middle roader, more GOP than Dem, but I am surely not supporting Trump. Don't know many that are, actually, so once again, you have painted with a broad, but flawed liberal brush.
7
Ringing endorsement of hillary! She is not as bad as donald! Yippie!
17
Trump is a creation of Fox News. When you spend decades spewing the propaganda that we are under attack from every angle then nothing changes and the people you describe as Lucifers keep getting elected it's no wonder your victims want change at any expense.
59
“If you [Republicans] can’t publicly say you’ll vote for Clinton to guarantee that Trump isn’t elected, you’re quislings and cowards… As long as people like Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Reince Priebus. Michael Steele, Tom Cotton, Joe Scarborough, Kelly Ayotte, Scott Brown and others don’t have the courage to stand and drive a stake through the heart of the neo-facist branch of their party by publicly affirming an intention to work to assure that Donald Trump is soundly defeated, they’re complicit in the erosion of American liberties and the marginalization of their neighbors….
http://www.concordmonitor.com/Calling-out-Republicans-who-support-Donald...
That is the bottom line in defining who we are.
50
Some years ago here in Louisiana we had a governor up for office that was involved in some crooked dealings. I mentioned to my brother-in-law that he was a crook and that I couldn't vote for him. My brother-in-law replied "yeah, but he's MY crook". In much the same way the republicans are voting for Trump, he is THEIR bigoted narcissist, they will vote for him for what they can get from him.
37
McConnell and Ryan: Two Profiles in Courage.
NOT!
NOT!
81
I absolutely agree with you Paul. The problem is that in writing for the NYT you are mostly preaching to the converted. I really enjoy your editorials though, and wish they had a wider audience.
66
So far all we've heard from Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell since Trump called Russia to engage in cyberespienage on U.S. government computers is silence,when that should have been the point-the crossed line-for them to have withdrawn their support from Trump.Perhaps they have no problem with the Russians having hacked DNC and Clinton campaign emails and their release by a fugitive pedophilt.But it's a good possibility that the Russians have hacked the RNC's and Trump's computers too.WE don't know what Trump's tax returns reveal. The Russians probably do know.
By far Trump's attacks against Khizr and Ghazala Khan is the worst line he's crossed yet.I,unlike Trump a veteran,consider his attack on the parents and their religion as a whole an attack on their fallen Army son.Mr.Ryan's and Mr. McConnell's praise of the late Captain Khan seems incomplete unaccompanied as it was by a withdrawal of their support for Trump.
By far Trump's attacks against Khizr and Ghazala Khan is the worst line he's crossed yet.I,unlike Trump a veteran,consider his attack on the parents and their religion as a whole an attack on their fallen Army son.Mr.Ryan's and Mr. McConnell's praise of the late Captain Khan seems incomplete unaccompanied as it was by a withdrawal of their support for Trump.
65
I don't have an argument with Krug's assessment of this Holy mess! But, there are a couple of factors I would add. The negative view of HRC was manufactured by republicans. I'm not suggesting she's never done anything wrong or told a lie. But, then in 6 decades, I've never known a person, regular citizen OR politician who hasn't. FACT: just as racism is alive and well in the US, so is sexism. HRC pushed the envelope at a time when it still wasn't acceptable for a woman to have much if any influence in policy or politics. The few who did, were treated similarly. But they were not as prominent as HRC. FACT: she has NEVER been found to have done anything criminal. Maybe questionable. But, not criminal. FACT: Trump has had a life long career of questionable behaviors! As a presidential candidate he lies as if this was the age before the telegraph! He thinks no one will notice, or care. And his supporters don't. Even Ryan & McConnell. They support him because they they don't care about anything except getting re-elected. In other words they are as self-absorbed as Trump, they just don't publicly advertise it as he does! And they ARE all sexist.
Republicans strategy is if they repeat something often enough it becomes fact for the masses. HRC is the most qualified presidential candidate ever. How can voters choose Trump, perhaps the least qualified candidate ever? Republicans created this fantasyland & Trump. Most of these republicans HAVE to GO in November.
Republicans strategy is if they repeat something often enough it becomes fact for the masses. HRC is the most qualified presidential candidate ever. How can voters choose Trump, perhaps the least qualified candidate ever? Republicans created this fantasyland & Trump. Most of these republicans HAVE to GO in November.
126
Who are republicans and what if anything do they truly believe. Are they the ones who used to say "If you're against the war (Iraq) you're against the troops" as they sported all manner of Support Our Troops apparel and bedecked their cars with bumper stickers espousing this sentiment? Likewise with the first responders after 9/11 and how they made FDNY apparel a fashion statement.
Now they embrace a presidential candidate who belittles military heroes like Captain Khan and John McCain and fire department officials in Colorado who rescued him from a stuck elevator. He equates his work as a real estate developer as a "sacrifice" equal to that of parents who have lost a son in war. The republican Congress fought tooth and nail to forestall and deny medical benefits to those 9/11 first responders who are now suffering health issues resulting from their work on that tragic day. Make up you minds republicans, are our troops and first responders heroes or not?
Now they embrace a presidential candidate who belittles military heroes like Captain Khan and John McCain and fire department officials in Colorado who rescued him from a stuck elevator. He equates his work as a real estate developer as a "sacrifice" equal to that of parents who have lost a son in war. The republican Congress fought tooth and nail to forestall and deny medical benefits to those 9/11 first responders who are now suffering health issues resulting from their work on that tragic day. Make up you minds republicans, are our troops and first responders heroes or not?
143
Re: "...even if you don’t like Mrs. Clinton or what she stands for, it’s hard to see how you could view her possible victory with horror..."
It depends on the focal length of one's vision.
Look further down the road.
It depends on the focal length of one's vision.
Look further down the road.
20
The real question is what do you think is more dangerous? Someone who shoots off at the mouth and is likely to be reined in by the common sense and experience of the people he'll surround himself with while in the White House? Or a career politician who has demonstrated throughout her career that she'll bury others to advance her own agenda and enrich her family?
Hillary Clinton has proven herself to be (IMHO) a lying, cheating, amoral politician who cannot be trusted. Trump is an egoist and loudmouth.
Unless you have a better option, maybe this is the year that we turn the old saying on its head: Better the Devil you DON'T know (fully) than the Devil you DO.
Hillary Clinton has proven herself to be (IMHO) a lying, cheating, amoral politician who cannot be trusted. Trump is an egoist and loudmouth.
Unless you have a better option, maybe this is the year that we turn the old saying on its head: Better the Devil you DON'T know (fully) than the Devil you DO.
17
I disagree with your premise that there is a non-crazy component of Republicans. If a non-crazy person is sitting in a car while his crazy friends hold up a bank, and then that non-crazy just sits there or drives them to safety, the non-crazy is tried for the same crime. I think you get my drift.
How could there be a non-crazy part of republicans? This party has been on the wrong side of everything in the last 50 years. Wrong side of civil rights, wrong side of apartheid, wrong side of pollution, dumping, price gouging. Wrong on prescription drug coverage in medicare. And ohmigod the hypocrisy. Goldwater never found a water program he did not like, Dole never met a farm subsidy he did not like, Bush never met an energy handout he did not like, and they all wanted others to live ruggedly. They have been anti choice, anti women, anti minorities; against any government intervention to prevent robber banks and financial institutions, or polluting businesses. They have criminalized being poor, and produced a hate machine that works 24/7. They have hijacked religion. They have started wars and left others to clean it up fighting (let's start with Nicaragua, Iran Contra, Iraq). Every republican administration has left a huge economic mess and debt. They have squandered coin and life, created the ISIS, coddled dictators, and produced corrupt leaders who are in bed with big oil, big business interests.
Just who are these pristine Republican you speak of?
Kalidan
How could there be a non-crazy part of republicans? This party has been on the wrong side of everything in the last 50 years. Wrong side of civil rights, wrong side of apartheid, wrong side of pollution, dumping, price gouging. Wrong on prescription drug coverage in medicare. And ohmigod the hypocrisy. Goldwater never found a water program he did not like, Dole never met a farm subsidy he did not like, Bush never met an energy handout he did not like, and they all wanted others to live ruggedly. They have been anti choice, anti women, anti minorities; against any government intervention to prevent robber banks and financial institutions, or polluting businesses. They have criminalized being poor, and produced a hate machine that works 24/7. They have hijacked religion. They have started wars and left others to clean it up fighting (let's start with Nicaragua, Iran Contra, Iraq). Every republican administration has left a huge economic mess and debt. They have squandered coin and life, created the ISIS, coddled dictators, and produced corrupt leaders who are in bed with big oil, big business interests.
Just who are these pristine Republican you speak of?
Kalidan
131
If Donald Trump is your man,
You are unAmerican.
You are unAmerican.
57
you want despicable? how about the exploitation of an army officer's.ultimate sacrifice, the co-opting of his parents, turning his memorial into a political attack, just another of the lot...as a veteran and a democrat since before she was born, one question: mrs. clinton, have you no decency?
17
THIS:
(survey finds 61 percent of Republicans support Trump's call for Russian hacking) 61 % ! It is unbelievable. Is there NO point at which this 61 % would find Trump's behavior unacceptable ?
I know- its very naive to use the word Shocking nowadays, because nothing is taboo. Nothing is considered shocking anymore. A person is a fool to think something is. But it is truly shocking that a presidential contender & over half this sinking nation would call for a foreign dictator to attack our nation. Openly. Even the Donald himself realized what he had said went too far when he tried to walk it back saying it "Was a Joke". And still more than half this country's citizens approve of this.
So Sad So Sad If ever there was a time to be ashamed to be an American it is now. Yes, I know - Love it or leave. We should be saying the same of you 61 % !
(survey finds 61 percent of Republicans support Trump's call for Russian hacking) 61 % ! It is unbelievable. Is there NO point at which this 61 % would find Trump's behavior unacceptable ?
I know- its very naive to use the word Shocking nowadays, because nothing is taboo. Nothing is considered shocking anymore. A person is a fool to think something is. But it is truly shocking that a presidential contender & over half this sinking nation would call for a foreign dictator to attack our nation. Openly. Even the Donald himself realized what he had said went too far when he tried to walk it back saying it "Was a Joke". And still more than half this country's citizens approve of this.
So Sad So Sad If ever there was a time to be ashamed to be an American it is now. Yes, I know - Love it or leave. We should be saying the same of you 61 % !
33
We need the "Voice Of Reason".
John Stewart must come back!
John Stewart must come back!
48
The Republican party is a Mafia the way they blindly fall in lock step. I think the real Mafia is Republican as they do the bidding of the predominantly Republican military C.I.A.
Sound crazy? Nope!
It's the shadow government. Think about it.
Sound crazy? Nope!
It's the shadow government. Think about it.
10
In DT's tweet asking "what right does he (Mr Khan) have to criticize me?", DT actually proves Mr Khan's point for him: DT is seemingly unfamiliar with Mr Khan's RIGHT to "freedom of speech", a Constititionally-protected right!
Perhaps the more-relevant question that Mr Khan should've asked is not if DT had actually read the Constitution, but whether DT possesses the reading comprehension required to understand the abstract concepts contained therein, and possessesthe ability and desire to apply it to others in daily life.
Perhaps the more-relevant question that Mr Khan should've asked is not if DT had actually read the Constitution, but whether DT possesses the reading comprehension required to understand the abstract concepts contained therein, and possessesthe ability and desire to apply it to others in daily life.
50
Hear hear! I hope they do read this column and take these words to their foul hearts.
9
Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan not opposing the vile Donald Trump are bad enough. But how about the so called "moderate" Republicans: Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Susan Collins? Or George H. W. and W Bush? Or Bob Dole? Or John McCain? How can they remain silent after hearing Trump's despicable remarks about the Khan family? They've left it to conservative columnists like George Will, and Jennifer Rubin to call out Trump for what he actually is: an ignoramus, a lunatic, and a bully.
28
Regarding Captain Khan: Trump likes people who weren’t killed in action..
74
Wouldn't it be nice, albeit unrealistic, if Ryan, McConnell, and their hypocritical ilk were to read JFK's Pulitzer-winning and inspiring "Profiles in Courage," which focuses on politicians who placed truth and integrity above self-serving careerism.
26
It is times like this that make me appreciate my turn to atheism. If the earthly leaders of God's Own Party represent what God truly is about, then who "wrote" the Bible? Today's Republican Party is stuck in Genesis and shows no desire to read on from there...not that things get a whole lot better for the next 38 chapters.
The Republican candidate is scripturally ignorant and the devoted of the party are unable to screw up the courage to point out his shortcomings to him. So to prevent cognitive dissonance within themselves, they deny to themselves that they really didn't believe the basic truths in the first place.
Which scripture am I referring to, you ask? Take your pick: The Holy Bible, or the Holey Republican Mantra. With Trump, they're both in tatters.
The Republican candidate is scripturally ignorant and the devoted of the party are unable to screw up the courage to point out his shortcomings to him. So to prevent cognitive dissonance within themselves, they deny to themselves that they really didn't believe the basic truths in the first place.
Which scripture am I referring to, you ask? Take your pick: The Holy Bible, or the Holey Republican Mantra. With Trump, they're both in tatters.
11
Add to your condemnation of the self serving, cowardly Republicans who clearly know that, even from their ideological persepctive , that Hillary is the lesser of two evils....Bernie Sanders. He surely understand the stakes of his subtly half hearted endorsement of Hillary as he basks in his narcissistic limelight. There are selfish know nothing Democrats/Independents too.
7
Profiles in Courage will not have a sequel. dont know if an author could even find a group of individuals to write about. well not individuals from the current crop of statesmen on diisplay. both parties have troubles. i would like to think that both parties members have children. VOTE YOUR CHILDRENS FUTURE. also a bumper sticker could read dont be a chump dump trump
5
Orange is the new white. Supremacy.
15
As a former New Yorker who has lived outside Chicago, I have followed The Donald for many years. While my expertise is not in politics or mental health, I am fairly certain Donald never really wanted to be President and still does not want to sit in that chair; We all know, that as a narcissist, he just loves himself just a little too much. He is loving the attention for now, like any Big Baby. He is not mentally stable these days and it is beginning to show, unfortunately just a little too much for those many American voters who FAIL to recognize that fact. Thanks Paul Krugman, a Great Reflection that really makes America GREAT. Its called intelligent thought process.
35
Harikari kamikaze anyone? Ben Carson among those in your tally! Some people, I guess, will just vote the party ticket, without thinking. Some people happy to just follow the parade, join the club. Sigh...Testimony to the failures of our education system (educated immigrants do better accessing Ivy colleges, among other things - youth who got their first 5 years of primary school in Mexico do better at Stanford than those Mexican-Americans from Salinas), and failures of socialization overall.
7
If you have to ask why someone is supporting Trump, does it matter the answer?
His know-nothingism is at new level. Add in his bullying pulpit tactics and you have a dangerous mix of stupid and bold. A bully the American people need to reject.
His know-nothingism is at new level. Add in his bullying pulpit tactics and you have a dangerous mix of stupid and bold. A bully the American people need to reject.
8
After finding out that tRump is in bed with the Russians how could any American vote for him? tRump is a true Globalist. He cares more about his rich Russian friends than he does any American. If you can see that than it make everything else he has done make sense. Including saying all those awful things about John McCain and the other veterans.
44
I'm with you, Dr. Krugman. I don't get it either. We had an inkling of this lack of caring about the country when McCain wanted Palin to be his VP.
17
So Paul and Hillary have given up on the Bernie "dead enders" and are casting their lot with the Republicans who have a soul. Where are the "Bernie bros" going to go? After all, it was only 46% of the convention the DNC blew off and enough Trump scare stories will bring them in line. What the Democratic Party really needs is those nice Republicans who want to screw you over totally but have nice manners. Let's buddy up to them and forget our base. Ooh, you guys are soooo clever! Only the Democrats could louse up this election.
4
Paul must not get out much. When television shows such as Honey boo-boo and Duck Dynasty and the Kardashians are big hits, it should tell you something about the mentality of many Americans..
36
Here is the main un-American thing about Trump. He wants to bring back rule by a hereditary family power. That is precisely what we fought a revolution to rid ourselves of.
Trump wants to do this by eliminating all death and inheritance taxes. That effectively turns over power to unelected heirs who did NOT EARN THE MONEY, people like the Koch brothers. These heirs have only two goals, to expand their wealth and to expand their power. That is not democracy, it is not a good thing, and it is not fair.
Supporting Trump is un-American as well as vicious and stupid. Thomas Jefferson as governor of Virginia outlawed extreme inheritance, which is why estates no longer go entirely to the oldest male heir. We should do more of what Jefferson did, and which Abraham Lincoln supported. Similarly, capital gains should be taxed HIGHER than ordinary earned income, not at about half the rate that us earners pay as at present.
Go to YouTube watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec) to see what we should do. Thanks. [email protected]
w
Trump wants to do this by eliminating all death and inheritance taxes. That effectively turns over power to unelected heirs who did NOT EARN THE MONEY, people like the Koch brothers. These heirs have only two goals, to expand their wealth and to expand their power. That is not democracy, it is not a good thing, and it is not fair.
Supporting Trump is un-American as well as vicious and stupid. Thomas Jefferson as governor of Virginia outlawed extreme inheritance, which is why estates no longer go entirely to the oldest male heir. We should do more of what Jefferson did, and which Abraham Lincoln supported. Similarly, capital gains should be taxed HIGHER than ordinary earned income, not at about half the rate that us earners pay as at present.
Go to YouTube watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec) to see what we should do. Thanks. [email protected]
w
12
Dr. K. your column's title "Worthy of our Our Contempt" takes the cake, is the Republican's worst nightmare in a nutshell, wins hands down, hits pay dirt! Hooray and Hallelujah, yay and yippee, The GOP Tea Party Uncompassionate Conservatives and their leaders, Ryan and McConnell had it coming to them - that their Presidential nominee is totally "Worthy of Our Contempt" and they, for supporting him, are despicable.
13
Fact checking Tim Kaine - https://newsornotnews.com/2016/08/01/not-news-cutting-bills/
1
Dr. Krugman you absolutely nailed it why ordinary, rational Republicans are staying on board the Trump Titanic when you said, "And whatever one may say about ordinary voters, the real sinners here are Republican leaders — people like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell — who are actively supporting a candidate whom they know poses a danger to the nation." Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the parents of the fallen soldier, made exactly the same point in talking to Lawrence O'Donnell last Friday night. If Republican leadership is unwilling to renounce a candidate for such statements, it is tacitly endorsing them in its own desperate attempt to cling to power rather than to preserve our democracy. This contemptuous pronouncements started with his "He's not a war hero" attack on Sen. John McCain. McCain not only did not push back hard thereby legitimizing such statements and dishonoring all POWs, but has now endorsed Trump to save his own non-dishonorable skin i his bid fro re-election. So, "it's also despicable" that Trump is being enabled by a truly "irresponsible" Republican Party who would rather "Lock her up!" than ever jettison a man who the author of the "Art of the Deal" calls "heartless" and "soulless" and a "black hole." Let's hope they don't all drag us into it this November.
10
The word you are looking for, Mr. Krugman, is cowardice.
16
Bravo, Dr. Krugman!
20
Dear Professor Krugman,
The title of the column is appropriate, but you still cannot or will not include the Democratic Party and our broken two-party system as worthy of our contempt. With your very last breath, you will continue to support Hillary, no matter how much she lies.
The title of the column is appropriate, but you still cannot or will not include the Democratic Party and our broken two-party system as worthy of our contempt. With your very last breath, you will continue to support Hillary, no matter how much she lies.
9
Treasonous Donald Trump is despicable.
23
Hmmm: party or country first? What a conundrum.
13
"...indulging your feelings at a time like this amounts to dereliction of your duty as a citizen."
Same can be said about the Bernie or Bust contingent. If one morning we wake up to a Trump presidency they will be as much to blame as anyone.
Same can be said about the Bernie or Bust contingent. If one morning we wake up to a Trump presidency they will be as much to blame as anyone.
25
Krugman is a pretentious academic who's life is so different from the average american that he should be completely ignored: NY Times, please fire Krugman!
4
Donald's a danger because he wants to behave domestically the way we currently behave abroad. It's a reversal of the old " Today the country , tomorrow the world " .
3
Fifty-six years ago, late in the 1960 campaign, Jack Kennedy made a speech in which he likened most Republicans to elephants in the circus -- plodding along, each one following the tail of the one ahead...
It sounded funny then. Now, it's not...
It sounded funny then. Now, it's not...
21
Republicans = Treason
19
The thoughts I'm having the most trouble with are these: Trump has shown belligerence not only towards his Democratic Party critics; he has viciously attacked (his words applied to his truly more vicious attacks than what he received from Khan) those on the right side of the aisle - John McCain, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, are just a few of the names. His party, the Republican Party, has thus far shown no ability to rein in Trump's most objectionable behaviors. What makes them think they'll succeed once he has the mantel of power? How can they expect to know where he will stop?
31
It's down to the gender gap: The women of America will save us from white men.
28
In a battle of wits with Paul Krugman, the Donald is unarmed.
21
"And whatever one may say about ordinary voters, the real sinners here are Republican leaders — people like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell — who are actively supporting a candidate whom they know poses a danger to the nation."
Ryan and McConnell are not that different than Trump. Why should we expect them to denounce him?
Ryan and McConnell are not that different than Trump. Why should we expect them to denounce him?
17
McConnell and Ryan - the Jodl and Keitel of the Republican party. They deserve the same fate as the originals.
10
I love your intelligence and your fervor.
I've become almost maudlin about the issue of patriotism, something I thought I had buried next to a citizenship medal from elementary school.
You remind me to be proud to be an American, thoughtfull about national and local politics and mildly knowledgeable and concerned about economics.
And you are not afraid to use terms like "dereliction of your duty," and words like "sinners" and "despicable." You blog about "conscience," and you demonstrate that personal trait in every column you write. Thank you.
I've become almost maudlin about the issue of patriotism, something I thought I had buried next to a citizenship medal from elementary school.
You remind me to be proud to be an American, thoughtfull about national and local politics and mildly knowledgeable and concerned about economics.
And you are not afraid to use terms like "dereliction of your duty," and words like "sinners" and "despicable." You blog about "conscience," and you demonstrate that personal trait in every column you write. Thank you.
21
I think you've skipped the most important reason why Ryan, et al, continue to support Trump: the Supreme Court. They think they are playing the long game because they know the next president will shape the SCOTUS for a generation to come.
16
You, PK, write: "These (Republicans) are people who aren't racists...the great majority of these not-crazy Republicans are still supporting Mr. Trump for president. And we have a right to ask why."
Here is a direct answer to your question from a reader who responded to a comment by me (see PS) at Nate Cohn July 26.
John, Cologne, Germany wrote
"Larry:
You are partially correct. There are indeed many college educated people voting for Trump. Within my circle of family and friends, I can quickly think of more than a dozen college-educated men and women voting for him....My family/acquaintances are without exception good, decent, kind people who are not racist in the least... Most oppose illegal immigration...Most also oppose large-scale resettlement of Syrian refugees..."
John's reply to me got 60 recommends. I suggest that he, his family and friends, and 60 recommendrers may be the tip of a bigger iceberg than we wish to admit is out there.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
PS Since John misunderstood my comment I have requested anonymous contact with him. He, unlike the commenters I wrote about, calmly presents a view he feels is quite widespread and is therefore important. I hope he sees this and replies to your question, Professor Krugman.
Here is a direct answer to your question from a reader who responded to a comment by me (see PS) at Nate Cohn July 26.
John, Cologne, Germany wrote
"Larry:
You are partially correct. There are indeed many college educated people voting for Trump. Within my circle of family and friends, I can quickly think of more than a dozen college-educated men and women voting for him....My family/acquaintances are without exception good, decent, kind people who are not racist in the least... Most oppose illegal immigration...Most also oppose large-scale resettlement of Syrian refugees..."
John's reply to me got 60 recommends. I suggest that he, his family and friends, and 60 recommendrers may be the tip of a bigger iceberg than we wish to admit is out there.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
PS Since John misunderstood my comment I have requested anonymous contact with him. He, unlike the commenters I wrote about, calmly presents a view he feels is quite widespread and is therefore important. I hope he sees this and replies to your question, Professor Krugman.
12
Paul
Well said! Couldn't agree with you more.
We need to remember that all that is necessary for evil (Trump) to succeed is for good people to do nothing.
So, get off your couch and vote for Clinton this fall; even if you believe she is the lesser of two evils, that's the point.
Well said! Couldn't agree with you more.
We need to remember that all that is necessary for evil (Trump) to succeed is for good people to do nothing.
So, get off your couch and vote for Clinton this fall; even if you believe she is the lesser of two evils, that's the point.
15
How do you explain a 1.2% GNP? 95 million underemployed or unemployed? One third of households on social welfare?
6
"The willingness of some people who know better to support Donald Trump is understandable; it's also despicable." I wonder if there was a comparable faction in Nazi Germany.
16
Let's not forget to mention that Trump is promising to arrest his political opponent and put her in jail!
19
I admire the few Republicans currently in politics, notably John Kasich and Lindsay Graham, who speak out against Trump.
I appreciate Mitt Romney's current anti-Trump statements but I can't help remembering that Romney actively sought Trump's support in 2012. This helped to legitimize Trump, the great Birther.
The Republicans who try to distance themselves from Trump's comments but continue to support him as a nominee (that's you, Ryan) are particularly despicable.
I appreciate Mitt Romney's current anti-Trump statements but I can't help remembering that Romney actively sought Trump's support in 2012. This helped to legitimize Trump, the great Birther.
The Republicans who try to distance themselves from Trump's comments but continue to support him as a nominee (that's you, Ryan) are particularly despicable.
23
Someday we will need a Mount Flushmore for these Vichy Republicans. Stone Mountain, Georgia, would be a good site.
18
The return of Jesus would not be enough to convince GOP members that a vote for Hillary is the right thing to do. "He's an impostor!," McConnell and Cruz would chortle. "Look at those shabby clothes; this cannot be the Son of God!" Trump would yell.
The decades of Fox News and Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck hate speech that gave us the tea party, the birther movement, death panels and a badge of honor to anyone who showed disdain for the first bi-racial president cannot be undone in one election. It will take decades.
The decades of Fox News and Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck hate speech that gave us the tea party, the birther movement, death panels and a badge of honor to anyone who showed disdain for the first bi-racial president cannot be undone in one election. It will take decades.
27
What is clear is how Trump got the nomination. He got it by denigrating his primary opponents with name calling, lies and half-truths. His so called "policies" are outrageous dog-whistles to the base. The fact the Republican leaders haven't come down hard on this guy long ago is a disgrace that they will have to live with for a long time.
21
Just like bad cops don't speak up about bad cops, and get labelled corrupt themselves, so it is with the Repuglican party. The still decent ones should be speaking up, otherwise, they're just as bad as Trump and his conscienceless, hateful, un-American followers. You're either with us, or you're against us. Simple.
12
This shows (once again) that the party which speaks so bravely about America being the greatest is composed of sniveling cowards, following their current leader.
Bullies are cowards, you know.
Bullies are cowards, you know.
23
Ryan and McConnell, like all those Catholic bishops and cardinals, put their Party's interests ahead of the people. Instead of protecting the people, they have unleashed wolves among them.
20
Republican leaders supporting a dangerous man like Trump reminds me of the how the Pope made a deal with Hitler. Like the Republicans the Pope knew better but their own survival comes first.
17
Speaking of Republican Profiles in Courage, though his non-response to Trump's smear of the Kahn's is understandable, it is also morally inexcusable -- and despicable, as PK says.
Whose "his?"
From elsewhere in today's NYT:
"For most of the weekend, Mr. Pence was silent. His aides referred inquiries to Mr. Trump’s staff, and his lone public comment was a Twitter post about getting his hair cut in Indianapolis."
Mike barbers while The Donald immolates.
Whose "his?"
From elsewhere in today's NYT:
"For most of the weekend, Mr. Pence was silent. His aides referred inquiries to Mr. Trump’s staff, and his lone public comment was a Twitter post about getting his hair cut in Indianapolis."
Mike barbers while The Donald immolates.
15
The Clintons have always been Republican-lite: pro-growth, pro-business, some deregulation, pro-trade, strong on defense. The Clinton Gore Reinventing Government program reduced the size of the government payroll and promoted efficiency. It was a good program that got good results.
The Clintons did not satisfy Republicans, but they came close. Economists agree that the small ’94 tax increase was the correct and responsible thing to do. It brought down deficit spending. Debt used to be an issue the GOP cared about.
If McCain had been elected in ’08 he would have implemented Romney-care nationwide, the same as Obama-care, with no controversy.
The mandate was the GOP plan. The only people who opposed it were libertarians who were ok if 50 million were uncovered by insurance. Most people cannot afford to self-insure. The mandate is nothing more than the requirement to pay for a service you already use in THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN PAY FOR IT.
The mandate does not force you into a new transaction. The only reason people buy health insurance is to pay for care. Insurance is not like broccoli. Many people lead fine lives without eating broccoli. But life is brutal without insurance. (Most Republicans did not begin to opposed the mandate until Obama adopted it, in a questionable agenda to de-legitimize a constitutionally elected president.)
The Clintons did not satisfy Republicans, but they came close. Economists agree that the small ’94 tax increase was the correct and responsible thing to do. It brought down deficit spending. Debt used to be an issue the GOP cared about.
If McCain had been elected in ’08 he would have implemented Romney-care nationwide, the same as Obama-care, with no controversy.
The mandate was the GOP plan. The only people who opposed it were libertarians who were ok if 50 million were uncovered by insurance. Most people cannot afford to self-insure. The mandate is nothing more than the requirement to pay for a service you already use in THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN PAY FOR IT.
The mandate does not force you into a new transaction. The only reason people buy health insurance is to pay for care. Insurance is not like broccoli. Many people lead fine lives without eating broccoli. But life is brutal without insurance. (Most Republicans did not begin to opposed the mandate until Obama adopted it, in a questionable agenda to de-legitimize a constitutionally elected president.)
12
I have heard it said that a small to medium size privately held business is the last true dictatorship. This is all you need to know about Trumps preparedness and experience to be president of a democracy. And much to the Donalds dismay that is what he owns, a medium size business at approximately 20,000 employees in comparison to GE #10 with over 330,000 employees. That's right Donald you're not HUGE!
11
Please join me and a quickly growing list of conscientious voters who are supporting the only competent candidate in the race, Gary Johnson. Send Hillary and Donald off to the heap of wealthy (assuming Donald actually is) egotists who have only their own interests at heart. The country deserves...and needs...far better.
5
For years, the Republicans have made a habit of misrepresenting or conveniently ignoring their responsibility for much of what ails the country today: the fact that Reagan's "voodoo economics" accelerated the national debt; that Regan's CIA launched today's jihadists by by Islamic extremists in Afghanistan in the 1980s; that the Iraq invasion was a colossal blunder, which destabilized the MIddle East and paved the way for ISIS; that the Bush administration's mishandling of Hurricane Katrina resulted in unnecessary loss of lives; that tax cuts for the wealthy and permissiveness toward big banks led to the institutional collapses on Wall Street and the Great Recession. That all these calamities happened on THEIR watch. And so on. By failing to denounce Trump, today's "non-crazy" Republicans (McCain, McConnell, Ryan et al) are simply perpetuating their longstanding refusals to own up to past mistakes. Why expect anything different?
14
In my lifetime, I have never seen politicians as craven as Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell who KNOW what Trump is. They are morally bankrupt people and by not denouncing Trump over the Khan disgustingness they reveal themselves to the world. All for party over country. History is not going to forget or forgive them.
29
I was going to pass on writing a comment at all as its obvious that no one besides Hillary supporters are reading your column anymore but your comment about "they( the Republicans) know how dangerous he is for the country") is just such a blatant lie when compared to how dangerous Hillary is for the country, especially if you are of draft age or have draft age children and you aren't well connected or well off. Hillary has made no pretext of not being one hundred percent behind Israel "no matter what", wee guess what the no matter what is here, the coup in the Ukraine and the propoganda andA aggression towards Russia is all about The Neocons and Israel, often intertwined since the days of Kissinger; she is the canidate of choice of both A.I.P.A.C. And the neo conservatives who are interested in world domination such as Robert Kagan (The New American Century) Victoria Nuland , Michelle Fluornoy and with the money people to back it up including Sheldon Adelson and the laundry list (in Saturday's Times and W.S.J.)of hedge fund honchos who have donated 122,000,000.00 to Hillaries campaign So far. That their needs to be a draft is a forgone conclusion unless part of the plan is that the poor and middle class will volunteer since the jobs have disappeared and the military and possibly dying or someone else's cause seems a better option than staying home and dying slowly from lack of opportunities because Wall Street and fighting other people's wars has bled our nation dry.
4
Trump's lack of shame, his lack of honor, his racist behavior and remarks, his thin-skinned inability to withstand criticism from a grieving father...these alone make him unqualified for office.
Meanwhile, Republicans would rather read Hillary's emails that Putin hacked, than see what is actually in Trump's tax returns.
Meanwhile, Republicans would rather read Hillary's emails that Putin hacked, than see what is actually in Trump's tax returns.
22
Just more insanity from the hate-filled fascists on the left.
2
The biggest problem with the Trump candidacy and a vote for Trump, is the message it sends to people of color and Muslims--you are not real Americans and white people and Christians despise you. Sadly, even in a Trump loss that message of contempt will be sent and the 'other' will be reminded how 40 % of America feels about them. Anything other than annihilation of Trump at the polls is truly worthy of our contempt.
17
Paul,
Overlooked is the danger to our free press if Trump is elected. Around the world the free press is being eliminated or neutralized, not just in the usual places such as Russia and China, but also in Turkey and Israel, two of our allies. So with press bashing becoming fashionable, why wouldn't we believe a Putin admiring president wouldn't do it here?
Overlooked is the danger to our free press if Trump is elected. Around the world the free press is being eliminated or neutralized, not just in the usual places such as Russia and China, but also in Turkey and Israel, two of our allies. So with press bashing becoming fashionable, why wouldn't we believe a Putin admiring president wouldn't do it here?
10
GOP success the past three decades has been reliant on ALL Republicans towing the party line. But T-rump's idiotic musings often gather only 60% party support, which spells big trouble for Creepy Donnie.
10
I don't even know what an endorsement is any more. Speaker Ryan practically disavows everything Mr Trump has said but still "endorses" Mr Trump.
10
If Hitler was alive and running as a Republican, he would have support of the same folks who support Trump. because Clinton is worse.
2
You don't bring a knife to a gun fight. In this election you don't bring facts to a feelings fight. The neglect and disdain by both Parties has birthed this monster. If you listen to black Trump supporters all they want to do is shake up the system. The inchoate rage from the middle and lower middle classes is completely deserved. With Hillary you have the perception of the continuation of Bill's surrender to corporate America with NAFTA. With Trump you have a certifiable racist madman. If you've have had your face shoved in the mud by both Parties for the last 30 years what you have is the compulsion to destroy, because maybe something better can arise out of the ruins; it could hardly get worse for them.
So, while I completely agree with you that for the sake of the nation, and the world, Trump must be defeated you have to give some actual hope, not just policy recommendations. You have to bring hope to counter the rage and the despair. Hillary brings facts. Wonderful facts, well reasoned facts, indisputable facts; but, still, facts. Alas, this election will be won on feelings. All we can hope for, really, is that Trump will somehow self-destruct; and given that he has already survived a year of his runaway mouth, is that realistic?
So, while I completely agree with you that for the sake of the nation, and the world, Trump must be defeated you have to give some actual hope, not just policy recommendations. You have to bring hope to counter the rage and the despair. Hillary brings facts. Wonderful facts, well reasoned facts, indisputable facts; but, still, facts. Alas, this election will be won on feelings. All we can hope for, really, is that Trump will somehow self-destruct; and given that he has already survived a year of his runaway mouth, is that realistic?
11
Just one thing Mr. Krugman: Obama's administration was not "Center Left" It has always been Center or Center Right. This is why Bernie was so popular.
11
Americans prefer ignorance because Americans can't accept the truth of Bernie Sanders.
7
Calls a dead soldier a terrorist while his sons are out shooting lions. Trump is filth.
26
I disagree about you statement that being in the GOP and not supporting Trump is a career killer. It depends on how the election comes out. If Trump loses badly (one can only hope), then denying your support could eventually be viewed as a positive. It depends on how influential the "he lost because of YOU" crowd ends up.
5
It's really simple Paul, party Trumps country.
5
Fine editorial. I would add that the reason 'Republican leaders are actively supporting a candidate whom they know poses a danger to the nation' is because they lack courage. They simply lack courage.
10
The irony of the comparable, high negative ratings between HRC and Trump, is that Republicans (and their minions at FOX News and Talk Radio) are largely responsible for HRC's while Trump has managed to create his all on his own.
Ii is my hope that Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell will do the right thing a few weeks before the election by condemning their nominee and publicly switching their support to the only sane candidate, HRC. But we shall see -- this latest episode would be enough for real statesmen to condemn Trump. The Fourth Estate needs to continue to hold Republicans' feet to the fire until they do condemn him by questioning their statesmanship and their loyalty to the United States of America. This is where the Sunday Talk shows need to take this.
Ii is my hope that Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell will do the right thing a few weeks before the election by condemning their nominee and publicly switching their support to the only sane candidate, HRC. But we shall see -- this latest episode would be enough for real statesmen to condemn Trump. The Fourth Estate needs to continue to hold Republicans' feet to the fire until they do condemn him by questioning their statesmanship and their loyalty to the United States of America. This is where the Sunday Talk shows need to take this.
9
It is impossible to understand how the publicans continue to not condemn trump.
7
Non-crazy Republicans - An Oxymoron?
Non-crazy Republicans - Like the Tiger Beetle, an Endangered Species?
Non-crazy Republicans - The Silenced Minority.
Why do non-crazy Republicans support Trump? The Top Ten Answers:
10) They like the fact that Trump is growing their party - a demographic Democrats have not attracted: The Crazies.
9) They are intimidated. They are scared Trump will label them the way he did 'Low Energy Jeb!', 'Ly'n Ted', 'Little Marco'.
8) They fear the walking-crazy Republicans would come out of the woodwork to eat them.
7) The Koch brothers would pull the plug on their campaign finances.
6) They would no longer be invited for Tiger Beetle salad at Mar-a-Lago.
5) If they denounced Trump, next you would be asking them to acknowledge evolution and global warming.
4) They are all secretly denouncing Trump...to a priest in a confessional booth.
3) They are in a collective state of shock that Trump hasn't imploded on his own, saving them the embarrassment of admitting they have been recruiting and grooming America's crazies to the Republican Party.
2) They really are crazy themselves, but do a reasonable job of appearing sane.
1) They would be violating the Number 1 Republican Commandment: Party Above Country.
Non-crazy Republicans - Like the Tiger Beetle, an Endangered Species?
Non-crazy Republicans - The Silenced Minority.
Why do non-crazy Republicans support Trump? The Top Ten Answers:
10) They like the fact that Trump is growing their party - a demographic Democrats have not attracted: The Crazies.
9) They are intimidated. They are scared Trump will label them the way he did 'Low Energy Jeb!', 'Ly'n Ted', 'Little Marco'.
8) They fear the walking-crazy Republicans would come out of the woodwork to eat them.
7) The Koch brothers would pull the plug on their campaign finances.
6) They would no longer be invited for Tiger Beetle salad at Mar-a-Lago.
5) If they denounced Trump, next you would be asking them to acknowledge evolution and global warming.
4) They are all secretly denouncing Trump...to a priest in a confessional booth.
3) They are in a collective state of shock that Trump hasn't imploded on his own, saving them the embarrassment of admitting they have been recruiting and grooming America's crazies to the Republican Party.
2) They really are crazy themselves, but do a reasonable job of appearing sane.
1) They would be violating the Number 1 Republican Commandment: Party Above Country.
12
All I can think of is that when Hillary says "We can do this together" is ----- together with whom?
And this comes to mind:
with Wall St., elites, globalsists, open borders fanatics, crony capitalism, neocons, Hollywood, mainstream media,, failed foreign policy, "experts" that haven't been able to solve any problem, DWS/DNC, any and every identity/victim group, illegal aliens, and Bill (with all his baggage and unsolicited comments) among others.
While she gave a good speech, you look at her and see - corruption and ethical challenges, and an embrace of policies that don't really support the average working American citizen. I don't think she really changed minds as there was nothing really new that she proposes to change policies of substance, like Bernie or Trump did/does. And whatever you think of those candidates, they were/are able to bring some energy and new ideas to the election.
She's an establishment candidate, emphasizing a 3rd Obama term, she didn't really address the security issues domestically or internationally, and it showed the same lack of understanding of people's fears. She lectures and doesn't listen.
And Trump will continue to make his characteristic comments, but it's trash talk that doesn't take away from his issues, and at least he's trying. Hillary = nothing. And you know it Mr. Krugman. It would have been an election to remember if Bernie was nominated. Now.....it's going to be scandal after scandal for both . And Trump will win.
And this comes to mind:
with Wall St., elites, globalsists, open borders fanatics, crony capitalism, neocons, Hollywood, mainstream media,, failed foreign policy, "experts" that haven't been able to solve any problem, DWS/DNC, any and every identity/victim group, illegal aliens, and Bill (with all his baggage and unsolicited comments) among others.
While she gave a good speech, you look at her and see - corruption and ethical challenges, and an embrace of policies that don't really support the average working American citizen. I don't think she really changed minds as there was nothing really new that she proposes to change policies of substance, like Bernie or Trump did/does. And whatever you think of those candidates, they were/are able to bring some energy and new ideas to the election.
She's an establishment candidate, emphasizing a 3rd Obama term, she didn't really address the security issues domestically or internationally, and it showed the same lack of understanding of people's fears. She lectures and doesn't listen.
And Trump will continue to make his characteristic comments, but it's trash talk that doesn't take away from his issues, and at least he's trying. Hillary = nothing. And you know it Mr. Krugman. It would have been an election to remember if Bernie was nominated. Now.....it's going to be scandal after scandal for both . And Trump will win.
6
The saddest thing about this column, Professor Krugman, is that the people who need to read it probably won't.
14
this is exactly what many people are saying about the opposite. the writer writes for all of us.
1
The phenomenon Paul Krugman describes isn't just confined to Republicans. We should be asking this same question of members of the media. For instance, The New York Times itself reported that Maureen Dowd spoke to Donald Trump on Friday evening, and that Trump reaffirmed his comments regarding the statements he made concerning the Khans, the Gold Star parents whose son was killed in Iraq. Trump's public fight with a military family whose son was killed is shocking for anyone seeking to become the Commander-in-Chief, as are his statements that he sacrificed for the country through his business endeavors. Yet Dowd's column published sometime Saturday focused her criticism not on Trump, but on Barack Obama, whose support of Hillary Clinton Dowd alleges is a betrayal of Obama's principles.
Maureen Dowd must know that Trump is unfit for the presidency, yet she still cannot get off her hobbyhorses of Clinton hatred and Obama snark, and in so doing acts the part of a Trump propagandist. That is entirely contemptible.
Maureen Dowd must know that Trump is unfit for the presidency, yet she still cannot get off her hobbyhorses of Clinton hatred and Obama snark, and in so doing acts the part of a Trump propagandist. That is entirely contemptible.
33
In a book of reflections, Bernard Berenson recalled as a Jew hiding in Italy during World War II that all the Germans he knew were very opposed to Hitler and the Nazis, but they all wanted the German army to win the war. Is there a parallel here with Republicans who detest Trump but want their party to win the presidency? The German army was Hitler's army, and now the Republican Party is Trump's. You can't have the one without the other.
11
I think people do perceive more of a threat from Clinton than you are giving her credit for. I mean, I personally mostly agree with you, but you don't really think about how people with different priorities and lifestyles might process the same issues.
4
Enablers are seriously insecure. Its hard to understand blind allegiance, and therefore becoming part of something ugly or unsavory. If you attach yourself
to an obviously tainted Trumpet call, the coward in you is made of the same cloth. There are decent republicans I am sure: I just can't find them
to an obviously tainted Trumpet call, the coward in you is made of the same cloth. There are decent republicans I am sure: I just can't find them
2
As we watch 20th century Central European history replay itself as 21st century American farce, the GOP support of their duly elected nominee does not surprise me at all. What does surprise me is how many Democrats seem to have been drinking 30 years of the Republican kool-aid about Hillary Clinton.
But, I have little patience with the people who say that they will sit this one out because, you know, Hillary, Donald. You are the reason that politics in America has sunk so low. You won't vote, but I'll bet you will be among the most vocal critics of any administration. You can't change anything for the better or the worse by staying home.
But, I have little patience with the people who say that they will sit this one out because, you know, Hillary, Donald. You are the reason that politics in America has sunk so low. You won't vote, but I'll bet you will be among the most vocal critics of any administration. You can't change anything for the better or the worse by staying home.
6
Republicans will be voting for Hillary Clinton in droves.
9
Figures lie and liars figure. You talk about the current deficit, but of course, the US debt is a non issue to you. Who cares? Of course, if taxes are lowered, then you are the first to complain about the US debt. And all of those jobs? Maybe the make up for the 10 million lost by the recession. A recession that is still with us, if you care to look at the people you claim to be so caring about. Try unemployment in low income areas. I know you never mention Illinois, that high tax low production democratic forever state, but look at the problem in Back of the Yards. Why don't you try to solve an economic problem for a a change?
"But democracy isn’t about making a statement, it’s about exercising responsibility. And indulging your feelings at a time like this amounts to dereliction of your duty as a citizen."
This applies double for Sanders supporters who can't let go.
This applies double for Sanders supporters who can't let go.
8
My previous comment was apparently censored by The Times staff because I had the temerity to point out that Maureen Dowd, a columnist for The Times, has behaved exactly as Paul Krugman argues Republican politicians have behaved. Paul Krugman says that is worthy of our contempt, I agree, and wonder why anyone on The Times staff can think otherwise.
5
The way Trump sells out America, rolls over and sucks up to Putin, I can only begin to imagine how Putin will tug his strings and have him dance to his tunes to further Russia geo-strategic interests.
8
With his viscous, racist and anti-military attack on the Gold Star family of Capt. Khan, Trump has once again shown that he does not represent the values of the American People. To denigrate the mother of a service member who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, shows exactly what sort of beast Trump truly is.
It is time for all true Republicans to walk away from Trump. He doesn't have the least clue what it means to put your life on the line for your country. His disrespect and contempt for those who have, shows that he cannot be our Commander In Chief.
It is time to Choose, it is time to walk away from Trump,
It is time for all true Republicans to walk away from Trump. He doesn't have the least clue what it means to put your life on the line for your country. His disrespect and contempt for those who have, shows that he cannot be our Commander In Chief.
It is time to Choose, it is time to walk away from Trump,
9
"Opposing their party’s nominee, no matter how awful he is, would probably end up being a career killer."
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" [Mat 16:26, KJV]
Donald Trump is the Mephistopheles for our time and of our own making. Who, now, is our Dr. Faustus?
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" [Mat 16:26, KJV]
Donald Trump is the Mephistopheles for our time and of our own making. Who, now, is our Dr. Faustus?
4
Prof. Krugman is much more interesting to read when he writes about economics. I think one should do what he/she is best at. Otherwise, you risk loosing your reputation.
1
We expect our troops to put their lives into harms way, but Republicans like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell and others are unwilling to put their political careers into harms way.
19
Julian Assange this is a challenge to you. So Wikileaks can hack Hillaries emails but not Don the Cons returns or emails?
C'mon, fair is fair. I think they would be way more interesting and much better for the public good.
Julian Assange should prove he is truly impartial and in it for the pubic. Tell us about Mr. Trumps dealings with Putin - I'm sure there are emails- tell us what governments he's been favoring, tell us how many little guys he's screwed, and if theres nothing to hide it only works too Don the Cons advantage- c'mon, man up, do the right thing- or are you chicken?
C'mon, fair is fair. I think they would be way more interesting and much better for the public good.
Julian Assange should prove he is truly impartial and in it for the pubic. Tell us about Mr. Trumps dealings with Putin - I'm sure there are emails- tell us what governments he's been favoring, tell us how many little guys he's screwed, and if theres nothing to hide it only works too Don the Cons advantage- c'mon, man up, do the right thing- or are you chicken?
9
It's not about Trump. It's about the Party. The Party is sacrosanct. If there is a republican running for office, they will blindly follow him regardless of how terrifying he may be. You can see it in the posts carried by Brietbart and other ultra conservative blogs. They aren't focusing on how great their guy is (because they know he isn't great). They're re-hashing the same old garbage about Hillary's emails and hoping it'll finally stick.
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People wonder why political parties have such a bad name. Back when our Founding Forefathers came up with the idea, there were good reasons for them. But today they're really just an excuse for people not to think.
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People wonder why political parties have such a bad name. Back when our Founding Forefathers came up with the idea, there were good reasons for them. But today they're really just an excuse for people not to think.
6
There's a "whom" to fix in the last paragraph, but otherwise this is wisdom -- not that it will register with the people it might help.
2
I have siblings who are so scared of the liberal, Marxist leanings of the democrats that they go absolutely white with anger at the possibly of a democrat being elected; especially that democrat being a Clinton. These are well educated, responsible people who would bend over backwards to help you, as long as you don't tell them you're voting for any democrat, at any level. My sister has called me a "commie" because I supported Obama's health care act, and is raving about the dangers to our "values and freedoms" as Americans if Hillary gets elected. The orange bully saying ugly things about dead American servicemen's family's, and his attacks on John McCain (whom she was a huge supporter of for president) are dismissed as posturing in order to get the democrats and liberal media all riled up.
What they don't even consider is the fact that this isn't posturing on the orange one's part, it's who he is, and it's how he will run his administration. He has attacked friend and foe alike when they dare disagree with him throughout his life, so why would he be any different as president? The fact that republicans can't, or won't, see through this is scary enough, but the affect his candidacy is having on the psyche of this generation of educated American conservatives is truly frightening.
What they don't even consider is the fact that this isn't posturing on the orange one's part, it's who he is, and it's how he will run his administration. He has attacked friend and foe alike when they dare disagree with him throughout his life, so why would he be any different as president? The fact that republicans can't, or won't, see through this is scary enough, but the affect his candidacy is having on the psyche of this generation of educated American conservatives is truly frightening.
369
It's the von Papen delusion. The've got the tiger by the ears and they think they're steering.
9
Now we know for sure that Fox News, that purveyor of truth, justice and the American Way, has really been a cesspool under the leadership of Ailes. Anybody who doubts that needs to read Gabriel Sherman's latest article about Laurie Luhn in the NY Mag. The seeds of this insanity have always been there in the Republican Party, but until the Reagan years I remember some principled Republicans. Now they have all disappeared, and have been replaced by a miasma of their own making. There is no good outcome for this party. One would hope that the individuals in the party will figure this out before November.
5
It grows increasing hard to view Trump as fit for the Presidency. You cannot be more wrong about Hillary though. There is plenty that can go wrong. Many will rue the day should she prevail. (Likely as taking down Trump is looking more and more like shooting fish in a barrel.)
Maybe in the end it is Trump contempt, that embarrasses our country into worthiness again.
5
Reading most of the comments here, I feel like I've gone down the rabbit hole. The unbridled hatred of HRC shown here is completely beyond me, even more so when you consider what not voting, or - much worse! - voting for Trump, could mean for the country. I just cannot fathom it - but perhaps it's because I haven't had a television for the last 20 years?
7
Krugman's argument clincher lines are the best I have read anywhere as an anti-Trump argument: "democracy isn’t about making a statement, it’s about exercising responsibility. And indulging your feelings at a time like this amounts to dereliction of your duty as a citizen." Thank you for such clear thinking and respect for Republicans who DO have differences with the
Democrats.
Democrats.
3
Great – eleven million new jobs. How much do they pay per hour? What's the overtime/penalty rate? How does the shift work/scheduling work? What happens if you complain? How many hours does each employee have to travel to work and back every day over decaying bridges, through decrepit tunnels, on eroded road surfaces, driving an old car while black with a broken tail-light?
NYT reporters are amongst the best-paid entertainers in the global industry. They have little ken of what it's like to live on the margins -- job or no job. To live in crappy neighbourhoods where your home get broken into, burgled and trashed, your dog killed, while you're at your crappy job at your local MacDonald's Family Restaurant or slaving away at Walmart.
Very low income Americans live in fear: from the cops; from their boss; from the local thugs; from the fear of their decrepit car breaking down. The most important reason for an ACA, for example, is not to improve sickness care but to disentangle the right to sickness care from your employment and the tyrants who rule your life at work.
The NYT is probably the world's best newspaper produced in the English language. Nevertheless, it's a voice that speaks for the elite. Just about every Op-ed contributor reflects a relatively privileged worldview.
And so the paper, and its much heralded and venerable contributors, sing endlessly to the choir, preach endlessly to the already converted
NYT reporters are amongst the best-paid entertainers in the global industry. They have little ken of what it's like to live on the margins -- job or no job. To live in crappy neighbourhoods where your home get broken into, burgled and trashed, your dog killed, while you're at your crappy job at your local MacDonald's Family Restaurant or slaving away at Walmart.
Very low income Americans live in fear: from the cops; from their boss; from the local thugs; from the fear of their decrepit car breaking down. The most important reason for an ACA, for example, is not to improve sickness care but to disentangle the right to sickness care from your employment and the tyrants who rule your life at work.
The NYT is probably the world's best newspaper produced in the English language. Nevertheless, it's a voice that speaks for the elite. Just about every Op-ed contributor reflects a relatively privileged worldview.
And so the paper, and its much heralded and venerable contributors, sing endlessly to the choir, preach endlessly to the already converted
6
When you write about economics it is less a jumble of random thoughts.
Hillary "... as some kind of pushover for terrorists and foreign aggressors"? Hillary's bumbling foreign interventionism in defense of special interests and donors is what is dangerous. Hillary would mean more wars.
Examining and improving previous trade deals and our role in NATO is smart, not a betrayal of international commitments.
Hillary's litany of promises for everybody and the Democrat platform constructed to dupe Sanders supporters into remaining in the fold have either already been forgotten or never even been read by Hillary.
Hillary is hopelessly corrupt.
A vote for Hillary is a vote against the USA.
Hillary "... as some kind of pushover for terrorists and foreign aggressors"? Hillary's bumbling foreign interventionism in defense of special interests and donors is what is dangerous. Hillary would mean more wars.
Examining and improving previous trade deals and our role in NATO is smart, not a betrayal of international commitments.
Hillary's litany of promises for everybody and the Democrat platform constructed to dupe Sanders supporters into remaining in the fold have either already been forgotten or never even been read by Hillary.
Hillary is hopelessly corrupt.
A vote for Hillary is a vote against the USA.
3
This is the wrong approach. Many reluctant Trump voters are swallowing this bitter pill because they consider Hillary to be a dishonest, unethical candidate who doesn't care about people like them. ONLY Hillary can change their view. She can do it by converting from candidate Clinton to human being Clinton. It will take public media interviews, frank conversations with the American people via trusted voices and perhaps even some emotional apologies for past mistakes. It will be very hard for Hillary to do these things because they go against her nature but she should do it for the good of the nation.
62
There comes a point for all patriots where being an American should be more important than Party loyalty. Trump's attack of the Kahn family is an insult to all American forces, their families, and veterans. But Ryan and McConnell's bland apologies to the Kahns does not negate their multiple rejection of bills to support our military. And Trump's attempt to walk back his insults by changing the subject and implying again that all Muslims are terrorists belies the fact that many more Muslims have been killed by ISIS than any attack in the West.
Also, where does making millions of dollars equate with losing a son on the battlefield? This is beyond insulting.
Also, where does making millions of dollars equate with losing a son on the battlefield? This is beyond insulting.
5
Sometimes a pig is just a pig, Dr Kurgman. No matter how much lip stick you put on it or in this case orange skin, you are looking at not just angry, white, Republican male voters but voters that actually agree with Trump. Republican voters have been conditioned for decades by their leadership to vote against America’s interest. There are four presidential candidates in this year’s race which means everyone has a choice. If moderate Republican voters truly were repelled by Trump’s insane behavior and policies as well as hate HRC you would be seeing a surge in third and fourth party candidates in polling numbers and a decline in Trump’s polling numbers but that is not occurring. It is not only that Republican voters hate HRC, Obama and the Democrats but they truly believe what Trump is stands for and agree with him even if Trump is scamming them. Until you accept that this is fact and this is what the Republican Party has become you can’t move on. Stop trying to reason with people who are willing to vote for Trump and accept that this is the Republican Party in 2016 even with all the lip stick.
2
Accurately summarized reasons to despise the Republican Party
and Republicans who accept its platform and hypocritical leaders.
and Republicans who accept its platform and hypocritical leaders.
1
Ryan, McConnell, McCain, Rubio, and on and on and on - they know Trump is wrong on so many counts, so why the "support"? Because they think they can control him. Control in the same way as they limit Obama and have for 6 years. The re-boot for 2020 is already in the works. What about the good old USA? Well just let it burn for 4 years then "we'll fix it" and dump Trump. That's the GOP version of patriotism these days.
2
"The real sinners here are Republican leaders — people like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell — who are actively supporting a candidate whom they know poses a danger to the nation."
Maybe it's because Ryan and McConnell understand that Trump will be such a bad president that it's they who will be running the country. Remember McConnell's convention speech with its long list of awful Republican legislation that was blocked by Obama? The Congressional Republicans expect that a know-nothing, disengaged President Trump will sign whatever garbage legislation they put on his desk.
Maybe it's because Ryan and McConnell understand that Trump will be such a bad president that it's they who will be running the country. Remember McConnell's convention speech with its long list of awful Republican legislation that was blocked by Obama? The Congressional Republicans expect that a know-nothing, disengaged President Trump will sign whatever garbage legislation they put on his desk.
5
It is time to put country above party.It is way past time.Those who do not should be remembered for all time.
3
Here's the irony. Of the top 10 stories in the Times today, the first six are all about Donald Trump! With all this publicity, is Donald Trump actually winning the battle?
And here's another one. In all six stories about the decline of Republicanism into principled stupidity, I didn't see Sarah Palin mentioned even once.
I thought we were on the road to equal rights for women. Maybe not.
And here's another one. In all six stories about the decline of Republicanism into principled stupidity, I didn't see Sarah Palin mentioned even once.
I thought we were on the road to equal rights for women. Maybe not.
2
The simple fact that the Bushs , and Romney stand their ground and refuse to support Trump, has given me a whole new respect for them, and even more contenpt for people like Ryan and McConnell. I truly hope that all the spineless politicians are seen for the vaporous losers they are, and that they lose in the November election , as well as Trump.
9
McConnell and Ryan have never put the country first. When mcConnell made the decision over 7 years ago not to cooperate in any way and to try everythng they could to bring down President Obama, he was giving the finger to the country and Ryan supported this policy. They've always put their own career first.
13
This country, and all that it stands for, cannot withstand another 4 years of democratic socialism and debt. Time to kick out the dysfunctional establishment which no longer represents the will of the people.
2
A perfect storm…
How did this great country come to this?
An ignorant, ethically challenged, solipsistic vulgarian vs. someone who is inept & is unaccomplished despite being at the pinnacle of power for a quarter century—someone who is corrupt, treacherous, a criminal, an abuser of women and power.
Two pathological liars, two clinically sick people, two patently unfit nominees.
How did this happen?
In a word—corruption.
And in the case of Trump, Newton's Third Law. Trump was the masses' equal and opposite reaction to an intolerable force—GOP corruption.
Clinton was the result of her corrupt party machine's sheer mechanical advantage.
Don't miss the distinction: Trump—anti-corruption. Clinton—corruption.
Bob Herbert, NYT 2001: “The Clintons may or may not be led away in handcuffs someday. The Democratic Party overlooked…ethical red flags & made a pact w/… the devil…. So thoroughly corrupt it’s frightening”
Michelle Alexander: "There is such a thing as a lesser evil & Hillary is not it."
3
Of course, you are correct in what you say, but it is time (past it) to approach this problem differently. Your column leads with a picture of Trump, albeit a grumpy Trump (the kind apparently liked by too many Americans). You spend much of the time talking about Trump. Everyone spends their time talking about Trump. His genius is to dominate the news, especially TV. If you don't appear on TV, you don't exist in this country. When TV and the news show nothing but Trump, all others are crowded out. This was how he has eliminated his primary rivals and this is how he is now taking down Clinton. If these rivals don't "exist" because they are not on TV or in the paper except as a polite mention, Trump can reduce them into caricatures. Currently, Trump is running his campaign against a dark-skinned man and his veiled wife of Pakistani descent and thickly-accented English. In this benighted country, Trump will win this race. He knows this. Unwittingly, Trump has made every American journalist, you included, a foot soldier in his campaign, since all you do is talk about Trump. He knows that no publicity is bad publicity in this country. The only way to make this an even horse race is if the press devotes equal time to what Clinton says and does each day on the trial, as well as to Trump's ever-interesting tweets. So please, avoid the catnip. Write -- and encourage your colleagues to write -- articles and columns equally devoted to Clinton.
3
Ah nuts! First it was attack Bernie Sanders supporters and now it's attack establishment Republican voters who support their party candidate. You know that this drum beat for the Corporatist Democrats is getting really repetitive Dr, Krugman. You use the opposite argument about party loyalty on the Republicans than you used on Sanders supporters.
For what it's worth I will be voting for Dr. Jill Stein in November and can look myself in the eye in the mirror and know that I have made the right decision.
In my opinion neither of the duopoly party candidates are fit to serve as POTUS and both will be a disaster for the American Republic in their own very special ways. We need as a nation to work for a system that produces multiple candidates for POTUS not just two shills for Wall Street and the Plutocrats.
OK cue the "commenters from "Correct the Record" stage right to shout me down.
For what it's worth I will be voting for Dr. Jill Stein in November and can look myself in the eye in the mirror and know that I have made the right decision.
In my opinion neither of the duopoly party candidates are fit to serve as POTUS and both will be a disaster for the American Republic in their own very special ways. We need as a nation to work for a system that produces multiple candidates for POTUS not just two shills for Wall Street and the Plutocrats.
OK cue the "commenters from "Correct the Record" stage right to shout me down.
1
I was struck by the line that McConnell and Ryan would not stand up to Trump because it would be a career killer. Nice contrast with Captain Khan who walked out bravely and not only ended his career, but ended his life.
So for Ryan and McConnell and the other leaders, they are willing to endanger our country, which endangers the world. Hillary may not be a good pick, but she is obviously the better pick, and that is how we make choices.
Their spinelessness may lead to people losing their lives on a much greater scale than the 12 people in Captain Khan's platoon. But, I guess their career and their position is worth it to them.
So for Ryan and McConnell and the other leaders, they are willing to endanger our country, which endangers the world. Hillary may not be a good pick, but she is obviously the better pick, and that is how we make choices.
Their spinelessness may lead to people losing their lives on a much greater scale than the 12 people in Captain Khan's platoon. But, I guess their career and their position is worth it to them.
282
my thought about Ryan and McConnell is that they will/have sold their soul to the devil. I posit that they believe they will retain their majorities and have free reign once Trump wins--knowing and believing that he will bore of the nitty-gritty work of the presidency and they can run the country as their financiers see fit----good luck america! you suckers!
4
My mom often said, "A rat smells his own hole first." I believe the psychological term is 'transference'. When Mr. Trump accuses others, he's just revealing his own inclinations.
3
This reminded me of some of the Republicans who voted to impeach Nixon. See: http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20064351,00.html
Sarah Palin was the original red flag for the possibility of Trump. That Mcain was willing to put her in reach of nuclear codes should anything have happened to him and republicans went merrily along says it all. And if Trump is elected we could see a Palin, Carson, Cristie cabinet.
6
We know that she will not do what he would do. The question is what other things she will do. "The other guy is worse" is not enough. And we know that she will say anything to get elected.
3
Trump has exposed a lot of ugly things about America and one of the ugliest is the Republicans who support all of his ugliness. They are just like the people who watch someone getting raped and do nothing. Who is worst the rapist or the people who enable the rape? Without the underpinning of the Republican Party Trump is nothing. We do not need to feel sorry for them for ultimately they are a bigger problem than Trump.
2
On a winter vacation in Arizona, we overheard two couples discussing the primaries. The couples appeared to be fairly affluent, near retirement age if not already retired, and were staying at a golf resort near the restaurant where we all ate. The two men of the couples seemed to be playing a game of 'chicken' with each other, encouraging each other to vote for Trump as the tough-guy candidate who would 'straighten this country out.' The women were more cautious in their thinking: one seemed almost timid about disagreeing with her husband, but after hesitating a bit over her salad, she announced to her table that she just might vote for Hilary. The other woman sat up straighter and said, "me, too." I, and many other DEMS, are praying that those women and others like them will be courageous and break with the habits of years to break away from a chauvinistic opportunist braggart on his third trophy wife, and vote for someone who knows what being an older woman in a man's world is like.
12
If Biff becomes President we have back to the Future III. Instead of a Sports statistic book reaping in the coin for Biff, we have Russian organized crime propping up the Donald Duck. If Hillary becomes President we have the same scared, bitter White Men in the GOP fighting her every step of the way. The Chin will again announce, "Our primary Goal is to make (her) a one term President."
Back to the Future. Thanks alot!
Back to the Future. Thanks alot!
2
Republicans did this to themselves. They have gerryrigged the process at every step and eliminate whoever they consider unpure. They are down to 25% of the voters and going lower.
4
Let's neither overlook nor lightly dismiss that dark underbelly of the Tea-Party Republican base, racism. In Trump, they finally have a candidate who shares and gleefully vocalizes their bigoted, ignorant and racially divisive rhetoric. Acknowledging and promoting racism trumps all.
8
What is more contemptible than primary rigging and vote fraud? Yes, despite the denials of the corrupt Democrats, it happened, as lawsuits will prove. The Democrat Party may have always done some of that, but a lot of us are not going to reward your anti-democratic cheating with a vote for your equally corrupt candidate.
4
Interesting Paul but you could have taken your time to argue in favor of say Gary Johnson. He pretty much fits all of the policy positions you seem to support and yet he is not hated by a ton of people.
The problem liberals face is that their disgust for Trump is equal the conservatives disgust for Clinton.
Of course the media love this discourse but they should really stand up and demand equality for all players in the election. Please don't leave it up to Wikileaks.
The problem liberals face is that their disgust for Trump is equal the conservatives disgust for Clinton.
Of course the media love this discourse but they should really stand up and demand equality for all players in the election. Please don't leave it up to Wikileaks.
1
The Republican Party is not the military, but I can't help thinking of 1933, when Hindenburg and his military cronies made Adolf Hitler Chancellor of Germany, apparently in the belief that they could control him. Remind me how that worked out. Better yet, remind the Republican leadership.
7
When Trump is soundly defeated by the wise and courageous vote of the American people, we can then think about the lack of courage of the Republican leadership who know deep in their hearts that Trump, is, as Mr. Kahn, father of the Muslim captain killed in action in Iraq, a man with a black soul. Clinging to their desire to keep their base voters, their behavior to denounce a demagogue shows a serious lack of political courage this nation needs. Hopefully this lack will not be forgotten after Hillary Clinton will be seated in the Oval office.
Will Mr. McConnell's first words concerning our first female president be "to make sure that President Clinton will only be a one term president"?
Will Mr. McConnell's first words concerning our first female president be "to make sure that President Clinton will only be a one term president"?
3
According to Trump, he has been the victim of a "vicious attack" from the Khans...a gold star American couple whose boots he is not worthy to lick.
Leave aside the racism, the missing tax returns, the stiffed contractors, the victims of the "university" scam, the white supremacists in his base, the Infowars rallies. How is it Republicans are not ashamed to support such a petulant, whining, cowardly crybaby?
Leave aside the racism, the missing tax returns, the stiffed contractors, the victims of the "university" scam, the white supremacists in his base, the Infowars rallies. How is it Republicans are not ashamed to support such a petulant, whining, cowardly crybaby?
443
Hopefully, in four years we won't be reading in the Times about how Republicans are denying the failures of a Trump administration as they deny the failures of the Bush administration.
1
Almost One year, we listened Mr. Trump. Any sane person living in this nation didn't get who the Trump is so far just plain appalling. How on earth you can listen this guy, and make comparison for previous Republican presidents or presidential candidates.
Trump at the moment open his mouth reveals his real character, that character is not belong to a adult person.
that is all , discussing his ideas every week doesn't just make any sense.
Trump at the moment open his mouth reveals his real character, that character is not belong to a adult person.
that is all , discussing his ideas every week doesn't just make any sense.
4
It would be heroism worthy of Homer if Ryan and McConnell renounced their support of Trump. But those men aren't heroes. Meanwhile, let's consider the stand of the Koch brothers. They have publicly opposed Trump and will not be running ads against Hillary. Shouldn't they at least get an honorable mention?
3
It's really very simple, the Party which in 2008 ran on the slogan "Country First" is now running on the clear message of "Party First."
I despise Hillary Clinton and rue the day I will pull the lever for her election to the highest office in the land because no matter how repulsive she is, Trump makes her look like Mother Teresa!
I despise Hillary Clinton and rue the day I will pull the lever for her election to the highest office in the land because no matter how repulsive she is, Trump makes her look like Mother Teresa!
1
Mr. McConnel and Mr. Ryan are counting on the fact that Donald Trump cares little about domestic or foreign policy but will likely select at least one or two Supreme Court nominees. They are hoping to preserve majorities in both houses and 'ride the tiger' of an erratic and mentally unbalanced President. Besides, how can you demonize your opponent the way they have and then declare her the better candidate over the one your own Party chose? Irresponsible does not begin to cover it but self-interest is hard to overcome. Mr. Khan said it best when he said that history will not be kind to those who stood by while a man with no moral compass and no empathy took the White House.
4
Ryan and McConnell are also a danger to the nation. The only reason these 2 clowns were elected is because of the gerrymandering of Ryan's district and the stupidity of the voters of Kentucky.
9
A third-party Republican candidate would have been the right thing to do. But the biggest fear of either party, right or wrong, is losing an election.
Ryan and McConnell have justified their 'support' of Trump by telling themselves that someone has to monitor him if he gains the White House. They think they can keep him on some kind of leash of reasonable behavior. To come out against him publicly would impair this imagined power they feel duty bound to maintain. If we are honest with ourselves, we can understand how twisted our own thinking can get when we wish to justify something we know to be wrong. Blaming these guys may make some sense. But the real blame is on Trump. He is the one responsible for putting our democracy at risk. And he is the one who is despicable.
75
They good Republicans are in a state of denial, thinking they’ll be able to control the damage if he takes office. They’re wrong, I fear.
2
The problem is we're having a difficult time justifying both presidential candidates. But, that is beside the point, which you are arguing.
"It’s not hard to see why they’re (Ryan & McConnell) doing this. Opposing their party’s nominee, no matter how awful he is, would probably end up being a career killer."
I see it the opposite way... I think their support of trump is the career killer. If they displayed some true integrity and denounced him, it could be a career saver.
I see it the opposite way... I think their support of trump is the career killer. If they displayed some true integrity and denounced him, it could be a career saver.
7
My biggest question about Trump, and most republicans, is, what country do you live in? The way they talk about it in this election makes it seem like the country continued in the down hill fall that started under Bush/Cheney and is worse than it ever was in the depression. Who do they think believes this line of crap?
1
It not the facts the Republicans vote on, it is feelings. They feel Hillary will be worst than Trump so they will vote for the Donald.
Most others believe Hillary will be better based on the facts.
Most others believe Hillary will be better based on the facts.
1
The issue with Republicans supporting Trump is that they're blindly supporting a label, a brand if you will, namely "Republican".
Marketing teaches us that a brand is a "promise of value". In other words, if you buy brand X, you know exactly what you are getting. However, the Republican brand has clearly changed from what it was 8, 16, or 30 years ago.
Now along comes Trump, who lest anyone forget is a brand unto himself. Trump's whole business model is about negotiating deals where he lends his name in exchange for a share of the game: casino, "university", office tower. In politics, however, that business model doesn't work. In fact, it's a complete unknown. Hence, if you vote for Trump you have no idea what kind of president he will be. He's completely unpredictable on most policies.
Professional Republicans believe they have to support their brand, as co-opted by Trump, to get re-elected. I'm not so certain this is true, as too many regular voters see that Trump is clearly not one of them. In the long run, Republicans would do better to distance themselves from Trump to protect their brand. As it is, they are letting Trump destroy it.
Marketing teaches us that a brand is a "promise of value". In other words, if you buy brand X, you know exactly what you are getting. However, the Republican brand has clearly changed from what it was 8, 16, or 30 years ago.
Now along comes Trump, who lest anyone forget is a brand unto himself. Trump's whole business model is about negotiating deals where he lends his name in exchange for a share of the game: casino, "university", office tower. In politics, however, that business model doesn't work. In fact, it's a complete unknown. Hence, if you vote for Trump you have no idea what kind of president he will be. He's completely unpredictable on most policies.
Professional Republicans believe they have to support their brand, as co-opted by Trump, to get re-elected. I'm not so certain this is true, as too many regular voters see that Trump is clearly not one of them. In the long run, Republicans would do better to distance themselves from Trump to protect their brand. As it is, they are letting Trump destroy it.
2
Pointing out budget successes, despite their impressive nature, is something many of us realize and applaud. Nonetheless, you are preaching to the choir. Loyal readers are on your side.
You ask, "How, then, can rational Republicans justify supporting Mr. Trump, or even remaining neutral, which is in effect giving him half a vote?" How about this as an answer? "Bullheaded stupidity."
You ask, "How, then, can rational Republicans justify supporting Mr. Trump, or even remaining neutral, which is in effect giving him half a vote?" How about this as an answer? "Bullheaded stupidity."
2
Professor Krugman, Nobel prize winner for economics once again taking a swipe at Trump for a noneconomic reason. The Khans first viciously attacked Trump 's careless suggestion at the democratic convention that called for a ban on entry of Muslims from terrorist countries until such time it is clear what is going on with regard to the mass killings in the USA by ISIS or ISIS inspired terrorists. The father of the brave soldier made a hypothetical outrageous derogatory comment that if Trump was the president the Khans would not have been allowed entry and their son would not have made the ultimate sacrifice. Trump acknowledged the service of the son and paid tribute to the son but then questioned why the mother did not say anything, which was taken as an insult. Both Trump and the father Khizr Khan owe apology to each other and should meet to exchange apologies and make peace.
2
PK says "We have a right to ask why," and I completely agree. I've been walking around for a very long time now both thinking and saying out loud, "Why? Why? WHY???"
I may not have cared for GOP candidates in the past and I may have been deeply disappointed when some were elected, but I never once thought that their times in office would lead to the destruction of this country. I think that if he is elected, DJT's inability to think or speak straight combined with his narcissism and his deep-seated need to rule and win at any cost will lead America straight over a cliff into an abyss the likes of which we haven't yet imagined. It's unfathomable to me that we are in this place.
Thanks, Fox.
I may not have cared for GOP candidates in the past and I may have been deeply disappointed when some were elected, but I never once thought that their times in office would lead to the destruction of this country. I think that if he is elected, DJT's inability to think or speak straight combined with his narcissism and his deep-seated need to rule and win at any cost will lead America straight over a cliff into an abyss the likes of which we haven't yet imagined. It's unfathomable to me that we are in this place.
Thanks, Fox.
3
It needs to be remembered that:
Trump did not make the death of Khan's son a political issue. Khan and the Clinton campaign did that.
Trump did not kill Khan's son. Khan's fellow Muslims did, and would kill more Americans here if given the chance.
Trump did not vote for the Iraq war in which Khan's son was killed. Hillary Clinton did.
The Khans have made no public outcry about any act of Islamic terrorism here in the US. Trump has.
The Khans said that Trump has made no sacrifice of a loved one to defend America. Neither have the Clintons.
The Khans opened this can of political worms. Now they deserve whatever pushback they receive. They have dishonored the memory of their son. They are not free of shame.
Trump did not make the death of Khan's son a political issue. Khan and the Clinton campaign did that.
Trump did not kill Khan's son. Khan's fellow Muslims did, and would kill more Americans here if given the chance.
Trump did not vote for the Iraq war in which Khan's son was killed. Hillary Clinton did.
The Khans have made no public outcry about any act of Islamic terrorism here in the US. Trump has.
The Khans said that Trump has made no sacrifice of a loved one to defend America. Neither have the Clintons.
The Khans opened this can of political worms. Now they deserve whatever pushback they receive. They have dishonored the memory of their son. They are not free of shame.
4
Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. -glad I've had practice typing this because I think I'll be typing it everyday for a while.
4
Yes, we know that preaching to the choir isn't very productive. But articles like this, completely steeped in common sense and clear-thinking, should be a wake up call to all Americans. We have everything to fear from a Trump win. Not only Americans, but people everywhere around the world. Good job---again---Mr. Krugman.
5
Thanks you, Dr. Krugman. Once again you have penned a rational, reasonably explanation of the Trump phenomenon. While McConnell and Ryan may not have created Trump (he steamrolled a very weak field of potential opponents in the primaries), they are not running away from him. I don't know what the party can do now that he is their nominee, and Pence would be almost as bad. Let's rise above his nativism, bigotry and hatred, get to the polls in November, and make the only acceptable choice. Even if you supported Sanders, there is NO other choice than Secretary Clinton. 2000 was not that long ago; we don't need another Ralph Nader in the race.
5
Donald Trump is a danger, but more of the corrupt and blustery type (think Silvio Berlusconi) than the militaristic genocidal type (think Bibi Netanyahu). After four years of Trump, the USA would be a pathetic shadow of its former self, but would not likely be involved in more foreign wars. Trump is not an adventurer in the Bush/Cheney mold. On the other hand, does anyone here worry about Hillary the Conqueror? She who voted for the Iraq holocaust, has called Edward Snowden a criminal for revealing the unconstitutional intrusion of the NSA into Americans' privacy, who unsuccessfully pushed Obama for more war in Syria and Libya? Does she not scare anyone else? On the economy, Hillary is "conventional," meaning she was the Senator from Goldman Sachs, down with every trade deal, until Occupy and Bernie made income fairness and Americans' jobs important again. Then, Hillary suddenly saw the light and claims she will block TPP and make free college! Overall, while Trump is a clear and present danger, Hillary is an obscure and likely danger of even greater magnitude. No wonder Americans are struggling to decide!
6
Makes me wonder where those "patriots" are in the republican "leaders". Career killer for certain. Now, if the crazies would simply think, the fence sitters vote, we just might see a change. One can only hope.
As a Canadian observer, I worry about America. I see in Donald Trump a bottom feeder who ridicules and mocks others while styling himself as "smart". Yet, when the eloquent Mr. Khan spoke out against Trump at the Democratic Convention, it was Trump who sought pity portraying himself as "viciously" attacked when Mr. Khan spoke directly to the presidential candidate saying "you have sacrificed nothing and no one" and it was Trump who spoke of wanting to punch out certain speakers at the convention (presumably Biden among them) who dared give their take of this buffoon. Trump is a moron and dangerous at that. What does that say about those who support him? For these people, as Irene Peter said, "Ignorance is no excuse - it's the real thing."
2
Many of us came to conclusion long ago that there are simply no more reasonable Republicans left.
6
McConnell and Ryan are career politicians -- their core ideology is getting elected and accumulating power. Doing the right thing (like resisting a deranged American Mussolini) when it could threaten their electability runs directly counter to their most cherished value -- themselves in power.
4
Krugman asks why the "great majority of these not-crazy Republicans are still supporting Mr. Trump for president. And we have a right to ask why".
It would be an interesting question, if Krugman were honestly interested in getting at the truth instead of (as is his wont) slinging feces at his opponents.
There is Krugman's sly exploitation of the ambiguity of the word "support." I doubt that any not-crazy Republicans support Trump in the sense of embracing his views (if he has any). But some may hold their noses and vote for him as the lesser evil.
Even the word "Republican" is a sheer manipulation when used by Krugman. All along Krugman has tried to tie Trump's rise to the Republican establishment. But, to quote Pres. Obama, "what we heard in Cleveland last week wasn’t particularly Republican – and it sure wasn’t conservative." Politically Trump is far closer to Paul Krugman than to Paul Ryan.
Indeed, Trump won the Republican endorsement by riding an insurgency driven mostly by disaffected DEMOCRATS and ex-Democrats who have been driven out of the Democratic Party by its policies of racial exclusion (no white males need apply because they are part of a privileged caste. Haha!).
So why might not-crazy Republicans consider Trump the lesser evil? Well, Trump will be checked by Congress, but Clinton might not be. 4 years of hell sure beats an eternity in hell. If the Democrats succeed in their goal of politicizing the Supreme Court, that's what we might face.
It would be an interesting question, if Krugman were honestly interested in getting at the truth instead of (as is his wont) slinging feces at his opponents.
There is Krugman's sly exploitation of the ambiguity of the word "support." I doubt that any not-crazy Republicans support Trump in the sense of embracing his views (if he has any). But some may hold their noses and vote for him as the lesser evil.
Even the word "Republican" is a sheer manipulation when used by Krugman. All along Krugman has tried to tie Trump's rise to the Republican establishment. But, to quote Pres. Obama, "what we heard in Cleveland last week wasn’t particularly Republican – and it sure wasn’t conservative." Politically Trump is far closer to Paul Krugman than to Paul Ryan.
Indeed, Trump won the Republican endorsement by riding an insurgency driven mostly by disaffected DEMOCRATS and ex-Democrats who have been driven out of the Democratic Party by its policies of racial exclusion (no white males need apply because they are part of a privileged caste. Haha!).
So why might not-crazy Republicans consider Trump the lesser evil? Well, Trump will be checked by Congress, but Clinton might not be. 4 years of hell sure beats an eternity in hell. If the Democrats succeed in their goal of politicizing the Supreme Court, that's what we might face.
5
Ultimately, in the event Donald Trump loses the election--a likely but not guaranteed possibility--the pertinent question will be what is the Republican Party's lessons learned?
Will it be that they need to broaden their base and run someone who isn't crazy, or will it be that Donald Trump had the right idea and they merely need to run a somewhat more polished version of Trump?
Will it be that they need to broaden their base and run someone who isn't crazy, or will it be that Donald Trump had the right idea and they merely need to run a somewhat more polished version of Trump?
2
If Clinton wins, people like Ryan and McConnell will probably offer the following excuse for their current support: "We knew he was crazy, and we thought it wise to maintain some kind of relationship with him so that we might have a better chance to buffer that craziness in the event that he was elected." Saying the same thing a different way, they will claim that their current behavior is a clandestine act of profound patriotism.
5
Krugman has written a simple and elegant column, and I think he is absolutely right. Are any of his target audience listening? Would they listen to him, or the Times, or any media? I just don't know.
Are there any GOP leaders with the moral fibre not only to denounce one of Trump's statements, but to denounce Trump as a candidate and endorse Clinton as the only available alternative? Krugman's right, it is despicable. Johnson and Stein are despicable for threatening to draw votes from Clinton. Sanders is becoming despicable for leading interviews with his pet issues and not with a message to support Hillary, period. The historian in me points back to the rise of other fascist strong men and shivers. Where the hell is the outrage?
Thanks Paul, but I wonder if anything will come of it.
Are there any GOP leaders with the moral fibre not only to denounce one of Trump's statements, but to denounce Trump as a candidate and endorse Clinton as the only available alternative? Krugman's right, it is despicable. Johnson and Stein are despicable for threatening to draw votes from Clinton. Sanders is becoming despicable for leading interviews with his pet issues and not with a message to support Hillary, period. The historian in me points back to the rise of other fascist strong men and shivers. Where the hell is the outrage?
Thanks Paul, but I wonder if anything will come of it.
3
This is the best editorial I've read this year on why the Republican candidate should not be elected. Mr Trump is now saying, after disparaging the military, to concentrate on terrorism. Is he for real? Turning our own population against each other and appealing to our worst base fears against "the other" are sowing the seeds of terrorism in our own country. Trump is a narcissist whose love of self exceeds love of country. Vote Clinton!
3
I'm appalled that so many seem willing to squander their vote in the cause of hatred. Does love of country mean nothing to those who would put a buffoon in the White House?
4
Ryan and McConnell didn't support Trump election as the Republican candidate, but they couldn't prevent it. Because Trump didn't care enough to put any effort into it, they were able to get all of their policies favoring the top 1% into his Party platform. They are now waiting for Trump to go down in flames in the election. They will then step back in control of a House and (they hope) a Senate with their agenda to favor the rich and ignore working people.
Problem is, there is still almost 100 days before the election and Trump feels the need to make some attention grabbing statement virtually every day. How many more "Judge Gonzalez", "encourage Russian espionage", "undermine NATO", "encourage Russia to keep Crimea", "trash a Gold Star mother" statements can Ryan and McConnell turn a blind eye to without killing their own careers?
Problem is, there is still almost 100 days before the election and Trump feels the need to make some attention grabbing statement virtually every day. How many more "Judge Gonzalez", "encourage Russian espionage", "undermine NATO", "encourage Russia to keep Crimea", "trash a Gold Star mother" statements can Ryan and McConnell turn a blind eye to without killing their own careers?
2
Here's why: they (many moderates) think HRC is pandering to Bernie's supporters -- and she is. I have family members who are swing voters and who choose candidates from each party, who are now voting for Trump. They think he's just saying what he has to say to appease the far right and get elected. They think HRC has gone to far to the left and they're concerned about the free, free, free mentality of the far left. I think if HRC wants to win the election she needs to do what her husband did: move more to the center and appeal to the swing voter.
5
Krugman makes a pretty bold statement when he says "people like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell...are actively supporting a candidate whom they know poses a danger to the nation." Obviously, Krugman thinks he has rational, well documented arguments to support his conclusions, but we have not reached the point yet where Krugman is the only reasonable person with whom other reasonable people may not differ. I find these sorts of pseudo-intellectual articles as despicable as he finds people who support Trump.
2
Most authoritarian rulers gain and hold power by persuading people that they are victims. Putin is a classic example; so was Hitler, Mussolini, and the demagogues who brought us genocide in Rwanda and Serbia. Once you are convinced you have been victimized, anything is possible, it justifies all manner of response, up to and including genocide. Listen carefully to Trump: this is his M.O.: he has convinced large numbers of people in this country--low-income white males in particular--that they are victims: of political correctness, of women, of Muslims, of immigrants, of blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities. He is taking them down a dark, dark road, the end of which is not in sight.
3
I've been alive long enough to remember that there were Republicans in Congress who would have voted to remove Richard Nixon from office as articles of impeachment were being readied against him. Sometimes you have to stand up for your principles, even if you think it will ruin your political career. The American people have a way of supporting folks who stand up for, to borrow a phrase from JFK, profiles in courage.
Those who support the Donald, even as he insults his way through the election cycle, are exhibiting the exact profile of cowardice. Surely Paul Ryan knows the Donald is hanging him out to dry?
Those who support the Donald, even as he insults his way through the election cycle, are exhibiting the exact profile of cowardice. Surely Paul Ryan knows the Donald is hanging him out to dry?
2
The two party system isn't working any more. Blaming the voters for the lack of choice is not exactly useful.
1
"It’s not hard to see why [Ryan and McConnell are] doing this. Opposing their party’s nominee, no matter how awful he is, would probably end up being a career killer."
Only if their career is politics. Businesses and the media would line up to hire the guys who stopped Trump as well-paid corporate shills or lobbyists.
Only if their career is politics. Businesses and the media would line up to hire the guys who stopped Trump as well-paid corporate shills or lobbyists.
1
While I myself am undecided (I was a Rubio supporter), I do feel the need to point out there are a number of Republicans who have made it absolutely clear they will NEVER vote for Trump.
I don't think Clinton can win by running solely on an "I'm not Trump" platform. She is going to have to move somewhat to the right on guns (a big issue in rural America) and on border controls. Also, heroin. Why haven't I heard anything about the heroin epidemic?
I don't think Clinton can win by running solely on an "I'm not Trump" platform. She is going to have to move somewhat to the right on guns (a big issue in rural America) and on border controls. Also, heroin. Why haven't I heard anything about the heroin epidemic?
We know Trump supports two things (he'll get around to telling us how he'll do it sometime): cutting taxes for the wealthy and bringing down employee wages.
Just the same tripe we've had.
It's the same tripe for another in a long-line of "chickenhawk" Republicans who never served, who did everything they could not to get drafted and yet they'll attack those and their families who did if they don't look or believe like him.
As vile as it seems, I'm sure there's active work going on now to pull another "Swift Boat" attack now on Mr. Khan and his family.
Just the same tripe we've had.
It's the same tripe for another in a long-line of "chickenhawk" Republicans who never served, who did everything they could not to get drafted and yet they'll attack those and their families who did if they don't look or believe like him.
As vile as it seems, I'm sure there's active work going on now to pull another "Swift Boat" attack now on Mr. Khan and his family.
2
No one is asking the obvious question. Was the GOP primary election already hacked by the Russians to make Trump the GOP nominee.
1
Paul Krugman is exactly right: Donald Trump is worthy of our contempt. He's a clear danger to all of us. Republicans who pretend this presidential race is just "politics as usual" are making a serious mistake. Those who tolerated Hitler or thought he could be "controlled" made a similar mistake.
2
As Paul Krugman aptly observes, "democracy isn't about making a statement, it's abut exercising responsibility. And indulging your feelings at a time like this amounts to dereliction of your duty as a citizen." Although Mr. Krugman was speaking about rank-and-file Republicans who refuse to consider voting for Hillary Clinton, he could have just as well be referring to die-hard supporters of Bernie Sanders who also cannot bring themselves to vote for her.
4
Lock-stepping is forgivable for those unaware that Trump and his divisive fear-based rhetoric, uninformed ideas, and obnoxious behavior are bad for our country and dangerous for the world. But doing the same thing is a blight and stain on the moral character of those who are aware and even acknowledge the dangers this self-obsessed man-child across the board poses yet knowingly get on board anyway. Maya Angelou once observed that "When we know better we do better." But she apparently never met the likes of a Paul Ryan and a Mitch McConnell (who also decided to make President Obama a one termer regardless the consequences) and similar others who show their unethical hand while holding their collective noses to vote.
3
Everything in this column applies not only to saner Republicans, but to Sanders die-hards who continue to denounce Clinton and are eager to throw their votes away on the Green Party. Shame on them if their ideological rigidity helps elect Trump.
2
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke 1729-1797
5
If and when the polls indicate a separation between Trump and Clinton, the Republican "leadership" will dampen their support of Trump and increase the severity of their criticism. Right now, they believe there is a chance he could win and they don't want to be on the wrong side of that.
Moving away from Trump means moving away from the white world that they live in and a Southern dominated party that lives off the implicit and explicit racism that is the foundation of their position as a major party. This election has revealed the emptiness of the Republican party, the lack of ideas and the inflation of candidates and so-called intellectuals by the conservative media who are nothing more than paid political operatives with "no there there." Voters who are still hanging onto the belief that the Republican party is some kind of intellectual and moral bastion of American values can't give them up without giving up a great deal, perhaps more than they are capable of losing at this time.
Moving away from Trump means moving away from the white world that they live in and a Southern dominated party that lives off the implicit and explicit racism that is the foundation of their position as a major party. This election has revealed the emptiness of the Republican party, the lack of ideas and the inflation of candidates and so-called intellectuals by the conservative media who are nothing more than paid political operatives with "no there there." Voters who are still hanging onto the belief that the Republican party is some kind of intellectual and moral bastion of American values can't give them up without giving up a great deal, perhaps more than they are capable of losing at this time.
1
Although I have read almost all of Mr. Krugman's pieces on the op-Ed pages of the Times for many years, I believe that it is true to say that I have literally never agreed with his opinions. Until now. In short, the very last word of his piece today not only perfectly captures the essence of the current Republican nominee, but also anyone who is willing to willfully disregard all of the obvious red flags that this nominee raises literally every day. Despicable.
251
Two separate issues here: GOP leaders and rank-and-file.
For the latter, I think for a lot it is a simple analogy: My country, right or wrong; my mother, drunk or sober; my party, reasonably sane or bat guano crazy. For some others, they're completely incapable of parsing his statements (understandable, since they often make no sense at all, as in his retort to the Muslim soldier's parents); they just hear general noises, like the whaa-whaa of the adults in a Peanuts cartoon.
For the leadership, though ... I think they thought they could control Trump. That he would drum up enthusiasm, and when the time came they could discard him. They gave him free rein, and now they're being dragged along behind, foot caught in the saddle and the stampede gaining on them. Yes, it's despicable, but to oppose Trump now would mean throwing out your entire adult life and starting from scratch. So they clamber back up into the saddle and hang on for dear life.
Charles Koch has reportedly declined to put his power behind Trump, but he's throwing his resources into the states and counties. *Pay attention, liberals, progressives and moderates*; this is how the 'conservatives' got as far as they have in the first place. Trump is the 'ooh, shiny' distracting you while the right wing builds up its power base. Yes, be sure to vote for Hillary; but don't forget to water those grass roots, because that's where the weeds are taking over.
For the latter, I think for a lot it is a simple analogy: My country, right or wrong; my mother, drunk or sober; my party, reasonably sane or bat guano crazy. For some others, they're completely incapable of parsing his statements (understandable, since they often make no sense at all, as in his retort to the Muslim soldier's parents); they just hear general noises, like the whaa-whaa of the adults in a Peanuts cartoon.
For the leadership, though ... I think they thought they could control Trump. That he would drum up enthusiasm, and when the time came they could discard him. They gave him free rein, and now they're being dragged along behind, foot caught in the saddle and the stampede gaining on them. Yes, it's despicable, but to oppose Trump now would mean throwing out your entire adult life and starting from scratch. So they clamber back up into the saddle and hang on for dear life.
Charles Koch has reportedly declined to put his power behind Trump, but he's throwing his resources into the states and counties. *Pay attention, liberals, progressives and moderates*; this is how the 'conservatives' got as far as they have in the first place. Trump is the 'ooh, shiny' distracting you while the right wing builds up its power base. Yes, be sure to vote for Hillary; but don't forget to water those grass roots, because that's where the weeds are taking over.
4
I read these editorials in this paper and while I agree, I feel a sense of despair. You're basically preaching to the choir, Mr. Krugman. Most of the readers of the NY Times agree with you (at least about the horror show that Mr. Trump is). Until people over at the WSJ or NYPost or Fox News develop a conscience or grow a pair, this rational thinking will never reach the audience that is planning to vote for Trump. Moreover, there's a large percentage of the electorate that is so disgusted by this whole election cycle they are planning to sit it out, and (trust me I've tried) no amount of reasoning seems to be able to persuade them how vital their support is on making sure this country doesn't head down the road to disaster. If we wind up with a President Trump, future historians will write how the American citizenry complacently or recklessly allowed ourselves to destroy our nation.
3
"Yet the great majority of these not-crazy Republicans are still supporting Mr. Trump for president. And we have a right to ask why."
Because, it's not about doing what is best for the country, it's about power.
Because, it's not about doing what is best for the country, it's about power.
Maybe it is time for Krugman to write a column on why voters should support Hillary after her use of a private email server, and lying about whether classified information was kept in it. I find that he cleverly avoids any mention of this issue.
1
Paul, this election is a referendum on the Emancipation Proclamation, nothing more, nothing less.
1
"Yet the great majority of these not-crazy Republicans are still supporting Mr. Trump for president. And we have a right to ask why." If you are going to ask them anything, I do, ask them if they just say they support Trump or is it because he is their party's nominee? Ask them if that they just support their party's nominee does that mean once in the voting booth they will vote Trump or no nominee for President? Polls indicate 20%-25% of GOP voters sat they will vote for Hillary. So if all your GOP friends "swear" that are voting Trump? Some are lying.
"But even if you think the Obama economy should have been better, the fact is that we’ve added 11 million private-sector jobs; stocks are way up; inflation and interest rates have stayed low; the budget deficit has withered away."
Average incomes -- down.
People exiting the workforce -- up
Black teen unemployment rate -- 31%
People on food stamps -- 45 million
Cherry picking statistics, Mr. Krugman, will convince those already in the tank for Obama/Hillary that the economy is just fine. But I stopped reading your article the minute you said the economy isn't a disaster. Voters know better. To suggest otherwise reinforces that Hillary is a liar. Just one of many reasons to vote against her.
Average incomes -- down.
People exiting the workforce -- up
Black teen unemployment rate -- 31%
People on food stamps -- 45 million
Cherry picking statistics, Mr. Krugman, will convince those already in the tank for Obama/Hillary that the economy is just fine. But I stopped reading your article the minute you said the economy isn't a disaster. Voters know better. To suggest otherwise reinforces that Hillary is a liar. Just one of many reasons to vote against her.
3
Wow, over 90 comments already? The Trolls for Trump are out in force, aren't they? No surprise there, but is Trump surfing the wave of mass insanity, or is it surfing him?
"Party first" is EXACTLY why the fabulous founders hated political parties. They were quite clear and explicit about that hatred, mo matter how fuzzy and even insane the hatreds of today's so-called Republicans have become. Too bad the founders' many innovations didn't include coalition government, but that was a later idea.
When you try to analyze the angry trolls' comments in support of the Donald, you are forced into three outcomes: Each troll is (1) Sincerely insane and completely detached from reality, (2) Profoundly ignorant and incapable of learning, or (3) Faking (1) and/or (2) for some rational reason. I think the most rational reasons for (3) are being paid by the post or pure hatred of America translated into wanting the worst leadership possible in the White House.
For a while I thought Trump was faking it, but now I can't tell. No prior evidence that he was such a great actor, but if he's faking it he deserves an Oscar, at least.
Country first? Not for today's so-called Republican Party.
Party first, and a fist for the country.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Donald_Trump_presidential_campaign...
There is no shame in some people, but I bet that list will come back to haunt them.
"Party first" is EXACTLY why the fabulous founders hated political parties. They were quite clear and explicit about that hatred, mo matter how fuzzy and even insane the hatreds of today's so-called Republicans have become. Too bad the founders' many innovations didn't include coalition government, but that was a later idea.
When you try to analyze the angry trolls' comments in support of the Donald, you are forced into three outcomes: Each troll is (1) Sincerely insane and completely detached from reality, (2) Profoundly ignorant and incapable of learning, or (3) Faking (1) and/or (2) for some rational reason. I think the most rational reasons for (3) are being paid by the post or pure hatred of America translated into wanting the worst leadership possible in the White House.
For a while I thought Trump was faking it, but now I can't tell. No prior evidence that he was such a great actor, but if he's faking it he deserves an Oscar, at least.
Country first? Not for today's so-called Republican Party.
Party first, and a fist for the country.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Donald_Trump_presidential_campaign...
There is no shame in some people, but I bet that list will come back to haunt them.
1
"...It’s not hard to see why they’re doing this. Opposing their party’s nominee, no matter how awful he is, would probably end up being a career killer."
Therein is the heart of the matter. GOP politicians like Ryan and McConnell don't buck Trumpism because they know that they'd be "primaried" out of their jobs by extreme right wing money from the likes of the Kochs, Adelson, Scaife, et. al. Citizens United and party "reforms" have produced horribly unintended results.
In the good old days the Party controlled the money. No more. Does anyone think a Donald Trump would have had a prayer of being nominated if the the major parties still operated in "smoke-filled rooms?" As bad as they appeared, they never put anyone like a Trump forward as a presidential candidate. In fact, they protected the public from the wacko-birds, as Sen' McCain calls them.
Therein is the heart of the matter. GOP politicians like Ryan and McConnell don't buck Trumpism because they know that they'd be "primaried" out of their jobs by extreme right wing money from the likes of the Kochs, Adelson, Scaife, et. al. Citizens United and party "reforms" have produced horribly unintended results.
In the good old days the Party controlled the money. No more. Does anyone think a Donald Trump would have had a prayer of being nominated if the the major parties still operated in "smoke-filled rooms?" As bad as they appeared, they never put anyone like a Trump forward as a presidential candidate. In fact, they protected the public from the wacko-birds, as Sen' McCain calls them.
"I find much to admire in the real Hillary, who is nothing like the caricature."
Unlike the caricature who is entirely like the real Donald Trump.
Unlike the caricature who is entirely like the real Donald Trump.
1
We don't have a clear understanding of Trump's policies. The man is clearly posturing to get elected and we don't know what comes next. Thousands of journalists can't pin him down. I put plenty of the blame on them.
To say 'normal' Republicans are following along because he's the party nominee is incorrect. I still can't vote for him and it looks worse every day.
BUT, to think Clinton is a good choice and America will be in a better place is so wrong too. Let's first address your Obama economic record- we have an artificially low interest rate environment that has virtually no yields thus causing a move to stocks which buoys the market. The earnings of companies are not resulting in a 18000+ Dow. The jobs in the private sector are not middle class or living wage jobs. The unemployment rate is low due to excluding those who have quit working. You get the picture ... It's all smoke and mirrors and don't forget the the 10 trillion in US debt to keep this mirage going.
So that leaves Clinton. A family of liars that have left wreckage of people in their wake. Look at the scandals to name a few - Whitewater to Travelgate to Benghazi to the Server and other The Clinton Foundation itself. No group of politicians have had more scandal surrounding them than the Clintons.
So this is who we want leading our country?
No Thanks. The choices are rotten and we as Amercan citizens should be ashamed that we couldn't encourage other leaders to step up and LEAD,
The 2 major party candidates are fatally flawed and as a lifelong Republican I have left the party but I won't go the way of the Democrats either. God Help Us!
BUT, to think Clinton is a good choice and America will be in a better place is so wrong too. Let's first address your Obama economic record- we have an artificially low interest rate environment that has virtually no yields thus causing a move to stocks which buoys the market. The earnings of companies are not resulting in a 18000+ Dow. The jobs in the private sector are not middle class or living wage jobs. The unemployment rate is low due to excluding those who have quit working. You get the picture ... It's all smoke and mirrors and don't forget the the 10 trillion in US debt to keep this mirage going.
So that leaves Clinton. A family of liars that have left wreckage of people in their wake. Look at the scandals to name a few - Whitewater to Travelgate to Benghazi to the Server and other The Clinton Foundation itself. No group of politicians have had more scandal surrounding them than the Clintons.
So this is who we want leading our country?
No Thanks. The choices are rotten and we as Amercan citizens should be ashamed that we couldn't encourage other leaders to step up and LEAD,
The 2 major party candidates are fatally flawed and as a lifelong Republican I have left the party but I won't go the way of the Democrats either. God Help Us!
1
Go ahead and rant on and on about Trump. It doesn't take a rocket scientist (or for that matter an economist) to figure out he's a disaster waiting to happen.
The real problem is not with Trump or the GOP. It's with the Democrats. They could be enjoying a cakewalk to the Oval Office if they had a presidential candidate who wasn't the 2nd least most disliked nominee in history. But, instead they pick HRC.
Talk about foot-shooting...particularly in light of the anti-establishment mood of the country. So instead of a run-away, we're facing the possibility of a mugging at the polls in November (including a huge loss of opportunity for changes in the composition of the House and Senate). Shame on the Donkeys.
The real problem is not with Trump or the GOP. It's with the Democrats. They could be enjoying a cakewalk to the Oval Office if they had a presidential candidate who wasn't the 2nd least most disliked nominee in history. But, instead they pick HRC.
Talk about foot-shooting...particularly in light of the anti-establishment mood of the country. So instead of a run-away, we're facing the possibility of a mugging at the polls in November (including a huge loss of opportunity for changes in the composition of the House and Senate). Shame on the Donkeys.
2
The problem is that Republicans who aren’t racists, respect patriots even if they’re Muslim, believe that America should honor its international commitments, and in general sound like normal members of a normal political party would have a had time filling a booth at McDonalds.
1
I was a republican until very recently. I will hold my nose and vote for Hillary.
3
I find it inconceivable 61% of Republicans support hacking Clinton’s emails. Can’t they perceive our armed forces could be in harms-way; how dangerous it would be having the intelligence of this country in the hands of hackers, even Isis? Do they know that neither Trump nor any members of his family have even served for this country? He’s never served the public either.
Trump was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He’s has a glamorous lifestyle; extravagant mansions with all amenities; selecting the best resorts and tourist attractions. He knows how to maneuver the news media; what say to be the story of the day and to be in the limelight, free of charge. We know he loves to bit the drum; but with no perception as to what people must go through to survive since he’s never worn those shoes.
It’s a fact, that the Republican Party “economic injustice” has caused havoc amongst the people – to favor the rich, they paralyzed the labor movement and now, not many people have employers either. Many Republican that used to favor the party feel betrayed; disenfranchised; that the system is rigged and found in Trump all remedies. Now, Republicans are in disarray not sure how to handle Donald Trump who might become their next president. The Republican Party handed over its “reins” to Donald Trump, a sharp-shooter.
Trump was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He’s has a glamorous lifestyle; extravagant mansions with all amenities; selecting the best resorts and tourist attractions. He knows how to maneuver the news media; what say to be the story of the day and to be in the limelight, free of charge. We know he loves to bit the drum; but with no perception as to what people must go through to survive since he’s never worn those shoes.
It’s a fact, that the Republican Party “economic injustice” has caused havoc amongst the people – to favor the rich, they paralyzed the labor movement and now, not many people have employers either. Many Republican that used to favor the party feel betrayed; disenfranchised; that the system is rigged and found in Trump all remedies. Now, Republicans are in disarray not sure how to handle Donald Trump who might become their next president. The Republican Party handed over its “reins” to Donald Trump, a sharp-shooter.
1
When I try to put some logic to all of this, which is perhaps futile, I sometimes wonder if it has become a game to Trump: He wants to find if he can say or do something to heinous that it will actually get the likes of Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell to say enough is enough. Apparently, he can't. Each time he pushes the envelope out a little further, it is that much harder for them to admit how weak and wrong they have been.
1
I was born and raised a Republican. Some of my best friends are Republican. Trump will cut taxes on job creators. That's huge. Trump will lessen regulation of private enterprise. That's huge. On foreign policy Trump can be kept on the reservation (Henry is one of his advisors). He is unlikely to take us to war if Russia resists our appropriation of its border states. Frankly there is not that much profit to be made in those few states, so we can take the hit on that. Huge. On immigration, if he builds up the border wall and increases deportations that is unlikely to substantially reduce the labor pool from Mexico and there will be money to made in policing our immigrants and building walls. He can be brought around on negotiating favorable international intellectual rights for our job creators. Its a little worrisome what he might do to those who cross him the wrong way. We don't need another Nero who aligns himself with the mob and then uses government to wage war against any and all other oligarchs that he rub him the wrong way or threatens his interests. We've come along way since individual oligarchs were free use the government to imprison each other or appropriate another oligarch's property. We don't want to turn into the Philippines. That is the true danger of Trump for reasonable Republicans, but all business involves risk.
Trump tweets because that is as far as his attention span can go. He attacks because he has no plans or programs and tweeting is an ideal attack mechanism. When he tweets, it only goes to his followers. EVeryone else gets it because of the media which has been very very generous to Trump.
1
You left out perhaps the most important consideration, the Supreme Court. If the GOP can lock that up, in addition to the stranglehold on the House that they already own, and maintain their Senate majority, not to mention state governments, then President Trump can be managed. That is McConnell's stated thinking, and no doubt the same for Ryan and others as well.
3
More concerning than Mr. Trump is the idea that something approaching half the population approves of this "just trust me" approach: " I am the only one who can save you-- come with me if you want to live". No details of programs, no description of what direction he might move in, just "trust me". Big Daddy will fix it if he wants to. But only if he wants to. I am deeply disappointed in anyone who is buying into this government by Big Daddy.
We don't need Big Daddy to fix all our problems (besides which, it is perfectly obvious to anyone who is paying attention that Mr. Trump, that ultimate trust fund baby, hasn't got a clue what to do), we need to be adults, pull up our big boy and big girl pants, and work on our problems together, like adults do. Mutual respect would be a good thing. A sneering, posturing, ignorant authoritarian cartoon figure running the country would not be a good thing.
We don't need Big Daddy to fix all our problems (besides which, it is perfectly obvious to anyone who is paying attention that Mr. Trump, that ultimate trust fund baby, hasn't got a clue what to do), we need to be adults, pull up our big boy and big girl pants, and work on our problems together, like adults do. Mutual respect would be a good thing. A sneering, posturing, ignorant authoritarian cartoon figure running the country would not be a good thing.
236
"And whatever one may say about ordinary voters, the real sinners here are Republican leaders — people like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell — who are actively supporting a candidate whom they know poses a danger to the nation."
Yes, and it's these leaders, particularly Ryan, whom the more sane Republican voters look to for guidance. So, when he throws his hat in for Trump he brings millions along. The irony is that Hillary is the more conservative of the two. But, Ryan is not really a conservative, more of a me-and-mines Ayn Randian. His support of Trump is purely selfish, nothing to do with his so-called Catholic values, nothing to do with what would be good for America -- it's about what would be good for his political career. He wants that hardcore base on his side when he decides to run.
Yes, and it's these leaders, particularly Ryan, whom the more sane Republican voters look to for guidance. So, when he throws his hat in for Trump he brings millions along. The irony is that Hillary is the more conservative of the two. But, Ryan is not really a conservative, more of a me-and-mines Ayn Randian. His support of Trump is purely selfish, nothing to do with his so-called Catholic values, nothing to do with what would be good for America -- it's about what would be good for his political career. He wants that hardcore base on his side when he decides to run.
3
Traditional republicans welcomed tea-party zealots into the party and are now paying the price. The traditionalists need to take back their party.
3
One thing that we don't hear enough about is that Trumps economic plan (if you can call it that) coupled with steep tariffs on trade will surely usher in rampant inflation and wage suppression. Why isn't this talked about more?
4
From the moment that Senator McConnell declare that his major policy goal was to ensure President Obama's failure, it was clear that McConnell had abandoned any integrity he possessed. Paul Ryan, who had appeared to be a rare, not-crazy Republican, has now left his own integrity behind. Both have discredited themselves as political leaders of the future; loss of integrity perceived plainly by the public, is irreversible.
2
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." - Upton Sinclair
This maxim cuts two ways here. In a nation that gave a candidacy to George Wallace and reelected a GW Bush, it does not speak well of Pro. Krugman that he thinks he can derail the man by invoking "contempt." (It's as though Paul's resides in a different nation than the one in which his readers live, maybe one where the limos are always the new model and the ice in one's drink is glacial.)
For instance having recently read Nassim Taleb's two books "The Black Swan" & "Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder" I can attest that that author holds economists in general in contempt as the epitome of the professional liar. I take Mr Taleb's reading of the Krugmans of this world as literary not personal, just as readers should take Krugman's contempt of Trump.
This maxim cuts two ways here. In a nation that gave a candidacy to George Wallace and reelected a GW Bush, it does not speak well of Pro. Krugman that he thinks he can derail the man by invoking "contempt." (It's as though Paul's resides in a different nation than the one in which his readers live, maybe one where the limos are always the new model and the ice in one's drink is glacial.)
For instance having recently read Nassim Taleb's two books "The Black Swan" & "Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder" I can attest that that author holds economists in general in contempt as the epitome of the professional liar. I take Mr Taleb's reading of the Krugmans of this world as literary not personal, just as readers should take Krugman's contempt of Trump.
A great many Americans are hateful people; every society has them. Yet, several issues the Donald Duck raises, even if in a bizarre way, should be revisited, e.g., (1) what is the role for NATO today, and what is the appropriate US contribution to the defense of Europe if the Europeans themselves don't care to contribute; (2) several current and proposed trade agreements allegedly have raised US GDP somewhat, but have the losses, e.g., jobs, income, property values in declining areas, been deducted from the alleged gains in efficient resource allocation; (3) does the US have the right combination of public expenditures and taxes to make the (federal) public sector economically efficient?
The Trumpster has backing, not only by those who hate as a matter of principle, but also from those who see in the Democratic nominee the same old, same old. Slick Willy calls her a "change maker" and Obama says she is a promise of continuity. Selina Meyer anyone: change in continuity or continuity in change?
The Trumpster has backing, not only by those who hate as a matter of principle, but also from those who see in the Democratic nominee the same old, same old. Slick Willy calls her a "change maker" and Obama says she is a promise of continuity. Selina Meyer anyone: change in continuity or continuity in change?
1
I know many people that will vote for this narcissistic , loathsome Trump. I question myself why? Why is relative. We all know that they get the wrong information everyday, from cynical pundits, talking heads,FOX,CNN.... groups of interest from Internet.. etc. One should not be surprised because america hypocrisy is famous all over the world, obviously citizens behavior is result of this environment. I am not going to give a list of wrong things America did for decades until now.We need to stop the nonsense of exceptionalism. Until we realize that all nations around the globe deserves respect, our people here will behavior like the ignorant Trump . Commonsense is a gift. Racism is not in the DNA's sequence. We need a new generation to change that. I think that we to focus , to achive the best. Republicans are going backwards about everything . We can not have vision for the future, with political parties, or groups of interests, instigating the population against each other, or feeding them with ignorance . We need progressives. We need to go ahead. Don't forget to vote. We need to take Senate, and if possible the House too. Hillary needs to be very strong on her first debate with Mr. buffoon.We know the difference, but when we are dealing with Sociophat, the scene is different.
I am a Rep 4 Hillary. I was at the DNC Thursday. I wear my Rep For Hillary button with pride.
As I was waiting for the Acela back to NYC from Philly I was speaking with some very prominent Dems. The first class car I was included Lestor Holt and David Gergen and a host of celebrity political types.
A few Dems asked why do so many Reps support Trump. I said all the smart ones are for Hillary; they will vote for Hillary to negate a Trump vote.
I conceded that I am a NJ/NY Rep which in most states would make me a Democrat.
Don the Con and his populist facade is quickly fading like ratings on a sitcom/reality show that was once interesting and now dull.
I am confident that although many Reps will not vote for Don the Con some will for the same reason many Dems voted for Bernie. Frustration. Disenfranchisement. NAFTA, TPP etc and the loss of good paying jobs, a tax base that eroded so quickly that the local schools are poor, little opportunity.
Bernie could have easily been the Dem choice if the Dems did what the Reps did. If they allowed a dozen candidates to compete and watch the outside solidify his base of the disenchanted. But they were smarter ... Bernie almost pulled it off.
What we need to be asking is why did some many in both parties get drawn to extremes, extremes that both don't trust the gov't, feel like corporations own the gov't, and are tired and frustrated?
This is less about Trump and Bernie then a referendum on our current state of affairs.
As I was waiting for the Acela back to NYC from Philly I was speaking with some very prominent Dems. The first class car I was included Lestor Holt and David Gergen and a host of celebrity political types.
A few Dems asked why do so many Reps support Trump. I said all the smart ones are for Hillary; they will vote for Hillary to negate a Trump vote.
I conceded that I am a NJ/NY Rep which in most states would make me a Democrat.
Don the Con and his populist facade is quickly fading like ratings on a sitcom/reality show that was once interesting and now dull.
I am confident that although many Reps will not vote for Don the Con some will for the same reason many Dems voted for Bernie. Frustration. Disenfranchisement. NAFTA, TPP etc and the loss of good paying jobs, a tax base that eroded so quickly that the local schools are poor, little opportunity.
Bernie could have easily been the Dem choice if the Dems did what the Reps did. If they allowed a dozen candidates to compete and watch the outside solidify his base of the disenchanted. But they were smarter ... Bernie almost pulled it off.
What we need to be asking is why did some many in both parties get drawn to extremes, extremes that both don't trust the gov't, feel like corporations own the gov't, and are tired and frustrated?
This is less about Trump and Bernie then a referendum on our current state of affairs.
2
In a graph in today's paper 9% of the voters approx. voted for each one of their respective parties nomination. It also says that 88 million people do not vote at all in elections;about 70 million will vote in the general election but not in the primaries. 60 million votes in the primary. These two candidates are going after a majority of these 70 million voters and hoping that the others who supported them in the primary stay with them.
Today you are trying to sway 'certain sensible' republicans to come to the other non republican side to vote democratic and chose another questionable character for the president for the WH. Interesting angle instead of your usual criticism of DT. Having these decent sensible regular republicans help you to vote the candidate of your choice through them realizing and coming to their senses.
Why does America (CONGRESS) not pass legislation to require all voters to register and vote on a national election day, with a day off from work with pay to vote in our election process. Then perhaps we would get a vote by all peoples and not just some republicans and some democrats and leave all others out of the process.
Today you are trying to sway 'certain sensible' republicans to come to the other non republican side to vote democratic and chose another questionable character for the president for the WH. Interesting angle instead of your usual criticism of DT. Having these decent sensible regular republicans help you to vote the candidate of your choice through them realizing and coming to their senses.
Why does America (CONGRESS) not pass legislation to require all voters to register and vote on a national election day, with a day off from work with pay to vote in our election process. Then perhaps we would get a vote by all peoples and not just some republicans and some democrats and leave all others out of the process.
Donald the spit storm of all spit storms are beginning to rain down on your odd hued orange dome. Your time of defying logic and reason is coming to an end. All people of good will and good conscience are finally getting to understand what a spineless, lying sack of refuse that you are.
Senator John McCain a naval pilot who was shotdown from the skies over North Vietnam and was a horribly abused prisoner of North Vietnam for nearly 6 six years knows you for what you are
All the families of senseless gun violence know your fealty (that means brotherly support) for the NRA is steeped in the blood of their loved ones.
Every combat veteran alive be they WWll vets, Korean War vets, Vietnam War vets, up to veterans now in combat hold certain truths to be absolute. On the field of battle we are one under our flag. On the field of battle the soldier who sacrificed her/his life to save another's that their skin color, religion, sexual identity and political beliefs are meaningless. The greatest sacrifice one can make is to give your life so others may live.
Sacrifice Donald is not declaring 6 bankruptcies to save personal wealth at the expense of your employees and small creditors
Sacrifice donald is not hiring 1000s of employees; sacrifice donald would be when hard financial times hit you make do with less and not fire those employees.
donald the spit storm is here I suggest that you do the only honorable thing left for you to do.
Senator John McCain a naval pilot who was shotdown from the skies over North Vietnam and was a horribly abused prisoner of North Vietnam for nearly 6 six years knows you for what you are
All the families of senseless gun violence know your fealty (that means brotherly support) for the NRA is steeped in the blood of their loved ones.
Every combat veteran alive be they WWll vets, Korean War vets, Vietnam War vets, up to veterans now in combat hold certain truths to be absolute. On the field of battle we are one under our flag. On the field of battle the soldier who sacrificed her/his life to save another's that their skin color, religion, sexual identity and political beliefs are meaningless. The greatest sacrifice one can make is to give your life so others may live.
Sacrifice Donald is not declaring 6 bankruptcies to save personal wealth at the expense of your employees and small creditors
Sacrifice donald is not hiring 1000s of employees; sacrifice donald would be when hard financial times hit you make do with less and not fire those employees.
donald the spit storm is here I suggest that you do the only honorable thing left for you to do.
1
Why do people line up behind the Trump-style strongman/thug? They may or may not be Republicans. After all, Donald Trump isn't a Republican. The Republican Party doesn't seem to exist anymore; it certainly has no coherent leadership. Rather, Mr. Trump is simply a Russian-style thug, something he appears to admire. His backers are willing to accept an end to democratic governance in exchange for someone who will stuff it down the throat of the people they don't like, the people whose energy and creativity have made their life comparatively hard and rendered them uncompetitive. The problem is, I'm not sure they can articulate much an "it" on their own -but Mr. Trump can- and lack the depth of intellect that enables them to see they are bringing the American experiment in responsible, constitutional self-government to an end. As I recall, Mr. Trump said that America had become a banana republic. I think that if we send this sewer rat to the white house, the U.S. military will find it in the national interest to intervene. Then, truly, we will be indistinguishable from a banana republic.
1
The Supreme Court, unfortunately that could be why conservatives might end up voting for their con man.
Interesting how the same folks who claim that Bernie supporters should suck it up and support Hillary because she's the party's choice are criticizing those in the GOP who do suck it up and support their party's candidate. It seems to me that it should be one way or the other; party members should either stick with their party in both camps or (in my opinion correctly) they should support whoever they are most in agreement with, no matter what party that person may come from.
Republicans of late are in fact nothing better than an old west lynch mob who found a leader. Or did the leader find them? Either way, all the savages are a match.
8
I do wish Paul would get back to talking about economics, and leave the Trump bashing to the rest of the columnists.
Yes, it's true. It's always very suspicious when a candidate doesn't release their tax returns. But honestly, if you can't already see that Trump is a maniac, then I don't think tax returns are going to change your opinion.
Let's get back to economic analysis, eh Paul? There are lots of important things going on. How about more on Europe's (Germany's) destruction of Greece? That is an ongoing horror show that not enough people are talking about.
Yes, it's true. It's always very suspicious when a candidate doesn't release their tax returns. But honestly, if you can't already see that Trump is a maniac, then I don't think tax returns are going to change your opinion.
Let's get back to economic analysis, eh Paul? There are lots of important things going on. How about more on Europe's (Germany's) destruction of Greece? That is an ongoing horror show that not enough people are talking about.
Trump's role in history will be to have made it easy for Americans,
for the first time, to vote for a woman for president.
for the first time, to vote for a woman for president.
1
Donald Trump remains the most unregulated public figure I have ever seen. His puerile outbursts and attacks stand alone in the pantheon of bullying and thin skin.
3
Where is Trump registered to vote? Does he spend 181 days in Florida so he can claim all of its tax benefits -- income, estate, corporate?
Is Trump Tower just a stage set, while his actual domicile is in Mar-a-Lago.
Surely he keeps meticulous records so that we he has his numerous audits he can choose which is which? Does he pay NYS and NYC taxes to maintain the roads, police, firefighters, hospitals, schools, and other public services that he uses one a regular basis? Is he really a Florida resident, and what kind of Florida taxes does he pay? Surely, those facts can be found out easily, at a County Clerks' office.
Is Trump Tower just a stage set, while his actual domicile is in Mar-a-Lago.
Surely he keeps meticulous records so that we he has his numerous audits he can choose which is which? Does he pay NYS and NYC taxes to maintain the roads, police, firefighters, hospitals, schools, and other public services that he uses one a regular basis? Is he really a Florida resident, and what kind of Florida taxes does he pay? Surely, those facts can be found out easily, at a County Clerks' office.
1
It’s clear that the top levels of the Republican Party have become as monstrous as Trump himself. The reason they are sticking with Trump is obvious: They know that Clinton will be in the position of appointing a pro-choice, pro-voting rights, pro-labor and anti-NRA Supreme Court. What’s more, with Ginsburg almost certain to retire in the next four years, all it takes is for either Breyer or Kennedy to die or retire for Clinton for this new majority on the Court to last for the next 20-30 years. The Republicans in power right now are ideologues who are willing to risk the safety, security and economic well-being of America and the entire world to maintain their dishonest and undemocratic political system. The moderate Republican Party is gone. What’s left is the party of Trump, the party of the Koch brothers and Ayn Rand worshipers, the party of Roger Ailes and Rush Limbaugh, the party of the Christian Right and the party of the NRA. They have come so close in the past few years, what with Citizens United and phony Voter-ID laws, to tightening a vise around American democracy to keep themselves in power, and they will say and do anything, even dissemble for and work to elect a madman, to finalize their plan.
2
I was all or trump until this last week. he has shown what little spine he truly has, he cant even support a gold star family. he lost my vote and hrc has won. as a registered republican I am not happy about this but I must put country first.
650
"Rational Republicans" do not form a majority of the GOP any longer. Most have Hillary Derangement Syndrome, subsequent to years of Obama Derangement Syndrome. So Ryan and McConnell have had their spines removed so they can continue to lead the party.
2
Most Republican leaders have proven themselves cowards of the first order, or worse! Let's at least give Mitt Romney his due for speaking out against Trump consistently and forcefully. All the others are rotten to the core and would sell out their own mothers.
2
The Republican leadership establishment no doubt thinks it can keep control over a Trump Presidency. In the time of the ascent Hitler, the business and political establishments of Germany made that same mistake.
3
John Kasich has many flaws but he has been consistent in not giving even the slightest hint of approval to this "it's all about me and my hot wife and daughter" candidate. For those that worry Hillary will pull this country too far left, split your ticket. But we need to be mindful not to elect those who dig in their heels, but to elect thoughtful, educated candidates who are willing to reach across the aisle to compromise for the good of us all. If you vote thoughtfully, the country and the supreme court nominees will be further left than you want but also further right than I want. There are many prominent Republicans who have the courage, despite attacks, not to support the misogyny of Donald J Trump. Be mindful when you are alone in the voting booth. Hillary has her faults but she also has a soul.
1
It's a time of change in the U.S. Who knows its true dimensions. An ignorant demagogue on the right, and a Trumanesque (Bernie's no more liberal than Harry Truman was) maverick--not even a Democrat--on the left have captured the imagination of a good percentage of the 9% of the American population that decided who the candidates will be. (I just read it, it was only 9%.)
So, it's a weak democracy we have in the first place. Most people don't care (a lot of the remaining 91%.) So we are susceptible to a lot of things. This is the first time that it's real trouble. The Civil War was real trouble. Trump is no Civil War, but who knows what he would be if he got the chance.
We need to understand things. We need to understand what happened and what is happening to our democracy.
So, it's a weak democracy we have in the first place. Most people don't care (a lot of the remaining 91%.) So we are susceptible to a lot of things. This is the first time that it's real trouble. The Civil War was real trouble. Trump is no Civil War, but who knows what he would be if he got the chance.
We need to understand things. We need to understand what happened and what is happening to our democracy.
1
Paul
You cherry pick the issues of less concern with Hillary. She will attempt to drop all restrictions on abortion and transgender encroachments on the privacy of others. She will allow and encourage even more illegal immigration than Obama. She is extremely divisive. She is a serial liar and a thief. She and bill are constantly surrounded by scandal, including allegations of rape and murder and profiting from deals with the worlds worst dictators. And then there is the Supreme Court of course. She and Bill have had their time in the White House - it's time for a radical new approach.
You cherry pick the issues of less concern with Hillary. She will attempt to drop all restrictions on abortion and transgender encroachments on the privacy of others. She will allow and encourage even more illegal immigration than Obama. She is extremely divisive. She is a serial liar and a thief. She and bill are constantly surrounded by scandal, including allegations of rape and murder and profiting from deals with the worlds worst dictators. And then there is the Supreme Court of course. She and Bill have had their time in the White House - it's time for a radical new approach.
1
Ms Clinton nomination is a very bitter pill for progressives.
The Clintons earned $ 139 million in the last 7 years by selling access to political power to the financial elites in the form of speeches the content of some has not been disclosed. NO candidate in the history of the United States so enriched him/her self prior to running for office.
Mr. Sanders, on the other hand , never enriched himself.
A Clinton victory would mean continued dominance of the financial elite - too big to be jailed.
The Clintons earned $ 139 million in the last 7 years by selling access to political power to the financial elites in the form of speeches the content of some has not been disclosed. NO candidate in the history of the United States so enriched him/her self prior to running for office.
Mr. Sanders, on the other hand , never enriched himself.
A Clinton victory would mean continued dominance of the financial elite - too big to be jailed.
3
"Opposing their party’s nominee, no matter how awful he is, would probably end up being a career killer."
Supporting him might well end up to be the nail in the coffin. Who really wants people who are willing to ignore, racism, xenophobia, prejudice of every kind and worse, to "do their duty" and keep their jobs? Shades of history.
Supporting him might well end up to be the nail in the coffin. Who really wants people who are willing to ignore, racism, xenophobia, prejudice of every kind and worse, to "do their duty" and keep their jobs? Shades of history.
2
The only economy Don Trump is going to expand is his own by running for President and garnering all that free publicity from the Television industry that made him our unreality TV star. I blame N.B.C. and all the others for making this nightmare possible.
2
As a moderate republican, I do take some offence to your statement we support Mr. Trump and all he stands for. Mr. Trump has no place in our American political system. Mr. Trump has shown that he unqualified for any public office. I do not agree with Hillary Clinton on many issues but she is very qualified to be president and I believe would make a good one.
It is about time that Republican Party part ways with Mr. Trump or they will likely loose not only the presidency but many seats congress.
In conclusion, Mr. Trump is unfit and the News media should stop giving him free exposure with every statement that he utters. It would be better if Americans just said NO MORE TRUMP every time he attempts to speak.
It is about time that Republican Party part ways with Mr. Trump or they will likely loose not only the presidency but many seats congress.
In conclusion, Mr. Trump is unfit and the News media should stop giving him free exposure with every statement that he utters. It would be better if Americans just said NO MORE TRUMP every time he attempts to speak.
1
Of course Republican establishment figures, including most particularly House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should repudiate Donald Trump's candidacy, not just his craziest, most bigoted ideas. But in all fairness, we have to respect just how courageous it would be for a political party's leadership to reject the party's own standard-bearer.
The most comparable situation I can think of on the Democratic side actually didn't come to pass. But had George Wallace won the Democratic nomination instead of being shot by a would-be assassin the day before Wallace won the Michigan and Maryland primaries, it's fair to wonder whether Democratic leaders would have shown the courage we now ask of Republican leaders.
The House Speaker then was Carl Albert, a moderate Democrat from Oklahoma, and the Senate Majority Leader was Robert Byrd, a conservative Democrat from West Virginia. At that time, Byrd had not yet renounced his youthful membership in the KKK or his filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
I think it's certain that Byrd would not have stood against his own party had Wallace won the nomination in 1976, and I think it's doubtful that Albert would have.
I don't say any of this to justify the lack of courage Ryan and McConnell are showing, but to underscore that cowardice can be bi-partisan - it all depends, as Carl Albert himself liked to say, on whose ox is being gored.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
The most comparable situation I can think of on the Democratic side actually didn't come to pass. But had George Wallace won the Democratic nomination instead of being shot by a would-be assassin the day before Wallace won the Michigan and Maryland primaries, it's fair to wonder whether Democratic leaders would have shown the courage we now ask of Republican leaders.
The House Speaker then was Carl Albert, a moderate Democrat from Oklahoma, and the Senate Majority Leader was Robert Byrd, a conservative Democrat from West Virginia. At that time, Byrd had not yet renounced his youthful membership in the KKK or his filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
I think it's certain that Byrd would not have stood against his own party had Wallace won the nomination in 1976, and I think it's doubtful that Albert would have.
I don't say any of this to justify the lack of courage Ryan and McConnell are showing, but to underscore that cowardice can be bi-partisan - it all depends, as Carl Albert himself liked to say, on whose ox is being gored.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
1
Krugman should stick to economics. Edward Snowden showed that we have big brother heading our government. Than we have Obama and executive orders. This should sound similar to a novel written around 1948. Not sure it matters who we elect with this as a background in government. We are in trouble with our system and in need for reform. But the people running for our highest office ignore it.
The economic numbers are good, Dr. Krugman? Let's take a look, anemic growth, enormous debt, massive black youth unemployment and unprecedented middle class dissatisfaction. One event has partially saved the Obama economic catastrophe, that is, the collapse in the price of petroleum and he certainly cannot begin to take credit for that. Come down from that Ivory Tower!
3
Sung on behalf of the GOP to the tune of the Marine Corps hymn
From the Halls of Willy Horton
To the chads of Orlando
To damning gay marriage
We can never go too low
We endorse Trump our savior
Though he's a real A-hole
We just need him to stop saying
The way we really want things to go
PS you can't endorse a little just like you can't be a little pregnant.
From the Halls of Willy Horton
To the chads of Orlando
To damning gay marriage
We can never go too low
We endorse Trump our savior
Though he's a real A-hole
We just need him to stop saying
The way we really want things to go
PS you can't endorse a little just like you can't be a little pregnant.
1
I don't believe Trump can win simply because his support is too shallow and narrow; both Trump characteristics. GOP leadership acquiescence to Trump jeopardizes their hold on both the Senate and Congress never mind gaining the White House. That said, the most promising part of another Clinton administration, is that this time its progressive wing is ascendant. Thank You Senator Bernie Sanders! This 'revolution' is just beginning, in my opinion. Democrats understand now more than ever that the economy is like a train. It does what we wish it to do and how we wish it to be done and financed. Among the Constitutional rights are the one to have a seat on that train! Republicans never figured this out. So they invented fairy tales like tax cuts for the rich somehow benefit everyone else. Fairy tales just produce blunders, and Republicans have given us a whole series of these the first 16 years of this century. It will be a relief to put these ideological fairy tales and their blunders behind us. In the rear view mirror but not forgotten.
1
"...while we won’t know about a Clinton presidency until or unless it happens, I find much to admire in the real Hillary, who is nothing like the caricature."
My favorite take away from this excellent op-ed Dr. Krugman. I wish it could be shouted from the rooftops.
My favorite take away from this excellent op-ed Dr. Krugman. I wish it could be shouted from the rooftops.
2
The economy is doing well, but the people aren't. There has not been anywhere near enough financial recovery for most households since 08' in terms of earnings increase or real estate values. I also think Mr. Trump is unacceptable as POTUS, but his opponent seems like a monolithic continuation of the miasma most real Americans face. Remember, Mr. Obama's team prosecuted no Wall Streeters of any consequence for the insane damage they caused. Congress has yet to come up with any legislation that will protect us like Glass-Steagal did (I realize it is dated). From whatever affiliation, new leadership needs to get the profits to the people and protect them from further government-sanctioned theft.
1
I am looking forward to and hoping for a Hillary Clinton presidency. I have admired her for decades and I have supported her for years. She is not a "lesser of two evils" candidate: she is a strong, well-qualified, incredibly smart politician who has my positive vote and is supported by millions of people. We are not a vocal as the "Hillary Haters".
The list of qualifications is far longer than the list of mistakes she has made. She will make appointments to the Supreme Court that will keep moving American forward and not backward.
Yesterday I had a sad thought: America was built on Trump's values. Native Americans massacred, tens of thousands of slaves brought to the country, years of racism and sexism. My vote will help keep America from going back to those founding values.
The list of qualifications is far longer than the list of mistakes she has made. She will make appointments to the Supreme Court that will keep moving American forward and not backward.
Yesterday I had a sad thought: America was built on Trump's values. Native Americans massacred, tens of thousands of slaves brought to the country, years of racism and sexism. My vote will help keep America from going back to those founding values.
7
Trump's respond to father of fallen soldier wasn't smart. Pence gave better one.
But having said that I find shameful that parents used tragic death of their son and their grief as a political weapon. I believe their appearance and speech were orchestrated by the democrat politicians and therefore is not genuine to me.
The circumstances of the death of captain Humayun Khan (however tragic they are) have nothing to do with combat - he was killed by a suicide car bomb fitted with an improvised explosive device. When that happens to the people in the mosque or market nobody called them heroes.
But having said that I find shameful that parents used tragic death of their son and their grief as a political weapon. I believe their appearance and speech were orchestrated by the democrat politicians and therefore is not genuine to me.
The circumstances of the death of captain Humayun Khan (however tragic they are) have nothing to do with combat - he was killed by a suicide car bomb fitted with an improvised explosive device. When that happens to the people in the mosque or market nobody called them heroes.
1
Wow! That's a despicable point even Trump has not made uptill now. Maybe, he will soon: soldiers who are blown up are not heroes. Soldiers who get shot are heroes (because, you know: guns, guns, guns)...
If it's not clear to callous people like you and Trump who have sacrificed nothing, Captain Khan sacrificed himself, told his soldiers to hit the ground as he approached the hostile vehicle to stop it. Had he not approached the vehicle ahead of all the soldiers, there would have been more deaths.
Do you think even the military was political in awarding the bronze star? Do you think the recognition of Captain Khan was political (a decade before the election)?
Your comment just reinforces why this election is between people who lack empathy, inclusiveness and are blindly partisan to the achievement of their political goal versus those that instead listen to the "better angels of our nature". Yes, the Party of Lincoln must now choose between Donald Trump and Abraham Lincoln.
If it's not clear to callous people like you and Trump who have sacrificed nothing, Captain Khan sacrificed himself, told his soldiers to hit the ground as he approached the hostile vehicle to stop it. Had he not approached the vehicle ahead of all the soldiers, there would have been more deaths.
Do you think even the military was political in awarding the bronze star? Do you think the recognition of Captain Khan was political (a decade before the election)?
Your comment just reinforces why this election is between people who lack empathy, inclusiveness and are blindly partisan to the achievement of their political goal versus those that instead listen to the "better angels of our nature". Yes, the Party of Lincoln must now choose between Donald Trump and Abraham Lincoln.
4
When thinking about this election, consider two tidbits from ancient Greek history: First, when things became too scary, they occasionally had elections where they voted to appoint a dictator. They didn't just vote in a candidate who became a dictator, they voted the candidate into the position of dictator. Second, more than once, when their aristocrats felt threatened by the democratic process, they opened the gates of the city and invited in a hostile army.
Those who don't study history are doomed to repeat is.
Those who don't study history are doomed to repeat is.
4
Extremely negative descriptive personal terms like contempt and despicable should be reserved for the most inhuman inhumane evil human character and personal flaws in both words and actions. While political policy disputes are worthy of civil sincere disagreement, dispute and debate. We are an all too humanly complicated mixture of the moral and immoral and everything in between who are incapable of certain judgment of each other. Judgment should be left to the divine and to history.
2
It is amazing how a GOP that strictly defended Military, Foreign Policy, Trade, has been hijacked and the candidate on top has left no brick in this party they could possibly hand on. It has been for some time that GOP had not the guts to speak out, nailing its members down to sign stupid tax pledges that are the cause for the demise of this country and its Middle Class. They could not even come out and distance themselves from an insane candidate who's vile spill or unfiltered dirt coming out of his mouth does not even stop at Gold Star families. The acceptance of the GOP to accept the crazy talk about Obama's birth certificate, their rejection of election outcome for Obama and their endless work to erase this President shows their nastiness and total loss of honesty. And indeed we need all to be very worried that Trump will not stop anywhere and if its not his way, he will drive the country into the ditch. Can we permit this or can anyone left in the Republican party truthfully say its still better then Hillary in Office. No its not! Hillary may have flaws, one thing nobody can do is to erase her record of service and fighting for the poor and families. This election will present a question to most voters: Are you prepared to elect an insane and dangerous candidate, someone who has not told us anything about economy, international affairs, middle class, education, student loans except to build a stupid wall or someone educated and able to lead.
1
We already know that Trump is a dangerous bully. We need the information from his tax returns. The media went after Romney about this, now they need to go after Trump. He creates a smoke screen with outrageous head-line grabbing insults to deflect attention from this important issue. Come on, journalist, push Trump about his tax returns.
8
I rarely agree with Paul. But this time, he has this absolutely right.
I now consider myself a former Republican, as there is NO WAY I could ever support Trump. I made that decision last year, and his continually offensive statements reinforce my decision.
I now consider myself a former Republican, as there is NO WAY I could ever support Trump. I made that decision last year, and his continually offensive statements reinforce my decision.
11
It's all about tribalism and instinct. The Republican tribe has a malevolent buffoon as their nominee. But he is their buffoon and instinctively they will support him, no matter what.
4
The shame is truly shared by all Republican elected officials who continue to support Trump as their standard bearer. They truly have "sold their souls" to the devil. I'm waiting for Trump's lawyers to serve Mr. Kahn with a "cease and desist" order for his withering and accurate depiction of Trump. After all, what's one more lawsuit to the guy who tries to step on anyone who dares criticize him?
7
But Trump has trouble paying even the lawyers who represent him…
Mr. Khan's patriotic comments are necessary, he has nothing to fear after exercising his First Amendment rights in his rebuke of Trump. You can bet Donald has no well-worn copy of the Constitution in his pocket or anywhere else.
Mr. Khan's patriotic comments are necessary, he has nothing to fear after exercising his First Amendment rights in his rebuke of Trump. You can bet Donald has no well-worn copy of the Constitution in his pocket or anywhere else.
1
The thing you forgot to mention was the supreme court. I think for some people that issue alone would be enough to convince them to vote along party lines.
1
Hillary might end up being regarded as one of our best presidents. But she needed Bernie to push her there. She needed our movement to make her great. I don't give the credit to a single person in most cases. Lincoln was almost singularly responsible for his own greatness. Hillary won't be great without our help.
Trump won't end America even if he is elected. Bush junior did his best to end this nation, and he failed. We're still here!
Trump won't end America even if he is elected. Bush junior did his best to end this nation, and he failed. We're still here!
1
These are not good days to call yourself a republican. People who support this dictator-in-waiting have sold their soul to the devil. Their candidate has shown no ability to moderate, to repent for his worst comments even as we enter the final election cycle. He's proven many Americans are no better than the Germans in the 30s or the Italians.
6
"Despicable" is a far too gentle epithet for human action that supports a 1933 nationalist look-alike, even one completely dependent on a teleprompter and hairspray.
9
Because.....if you look even slightly like someone from the historical past, who is totally unrelated to you, then you must be JUST LIKE THAT PERSON.
Ted Cruz strangely resembles the late Lyndon Baines Johnson, so I guess he is Johnson reincarnated? Huh?
ALL politicians use teleprompters, including Obama.
Most of them do use hairspray -- face makeup -- mascara! why? so they photograph well on TV.
Remember 1960? are you old enough? Richard Nixon lost because he looked awful on TV. Nixon did not wear makeup. Nobody since has made THAT mistake.
Your messiah/savior Obama wears LIPSTICK on camera, because he has very dark lips that photograph strangely.
Hillary Clinton wears tons of makeup, hairspray and very likely a hairpiece to fill out her thin, wispy hair. She looked "natural" as Secretary of State, which is to say tired, old, haggard. She quit in 2013, and clearly had a LOT of plastic surgery -- she looks great -- and a flattering new hairstyle.
If she was blonde and wore her hair in a bun -- would you see the resemblance between Hillary and Evita Peron?
Ted Cruz strangely resembles the late Lyndon Baines Johnson, so I guess he is Johnson reincarnated? Huh?
ALL politicians use teleprompters, including Obama.
Most of them do use hairspray -- face makeup -- mascara! why? so they photograph well on TV.
Remember 1960? are you old enough? Richard Nixon lost because he looked awful on TV. Nixon did not wear makeup. Nobody since has made THAT mistake.
Your messiah/savior Obama wears LIPSTICK on camera, because he has very dark lips that photograph strangely.
Hillary Clinton wears tons of makeup, hairspray and very likely a hairpiece to fill out her thin, wispy hair. She looked "natural" as Secretary of State, which is to say tired, old, haggard. She quit in 2013, and clearly had a LOT of plastic surgery -- she looks great -- and a flattering new hairstyle.
If she was blonde and wore her hair in a bun -- would you see the resemblance between Hillary and Evita Peron?
Yes, there are Republicans who must personally find Trump grotesque, although they would never dare say so aloud. But their own positions have been so bankrupt, they would have little ground on which to stand for calling out The Donald. Paul Ryan contorts himself justifying his support for Trump while acknowledging that Trump’s latest horrible statement was just that, but this supposed ‘man of principle’ also rejected allowing President Obama to nominate a Supreme Court Justice, based on “principle.’ Mitch McConnell undoubtedly worries that Trump’s run will turn the Senate Democratic, but this is a man determined to enfeeble President Obama, no matter the national cost. John McCain supports Trump, even though he was personally skewered as a POW, but this is the same man who cheaply blamed President Obama for everything from the destruction in Iraq to the carnage at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Marco Rubio won’t walk away from Trump even after being clobbered by him, but he goes after President Obama for supporting the immigration reform he once championed.
The ‘mainstream’ Republicans have sold their own integrity for a destructive partisanship and have no legs on which to stand, let alone run away from Trump.
The ‘mainstream’ Republicans have sold their own integrity for a destructive partisanship and have no legs on which to stand, let alone run away from Trump.
383
One silver lining of a Trump presidency is that Assange would probably get waterboarded day and night.
There are no silver linings to a Trump presidency in my opinion! Plus, I'm against waterboarding.
5
During this time, with all of the justifications for Mr. Trump and the need to maintain "party unity" ahead of the good of the country I am reminded of the sentiment from Dante: "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality."
6
Another view of the Khan brouhaha, from Charles Hurt in an essay on "The Hill":
"Stop for a moment and ask yourself how exactly the Clinton campaign arrived at the decision to trot out the Khan family in the middle of their highly-choreographed, exhaustively produced convention?
Were they just looking to give voice to the parents of a soldier? That would be a first. Did they want parents of anyone who had died abroad in the defense of their country? Gee, why not pick the parents of one of the fallen warriors who died defending the U.S. consulate in Benghazi? Oh, that’s right. They would have called Hillary Clinton a liar. Can’t have that.
No. Politicians like Hillary Clinton do not see people like Capt. Humayun Khan as a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice on a foreign battlefield in defense of his country.
Politicians like Hillary Clinton see him only a demographic, a dispensable political pawn to be scooted around an electoral map, the way generals used to move armies across giant maps of the lands they were invading."
Trump would have been better advised to ignore Khan altogether.
"Stop for a moment and ask yourself how exactly the Clinton campaign arrived at the decision to trot out the Khan family in the middle of their highly-choreographed, exhaustively produced convention?
Were they just looking to give voice to the parents of a soldier? That would be a first. Did they want parents of anyone who had died abroad in the defense of their country? Gee, why not pick the parents of one of the fallen warriors who died defending the U.S. consulate in Benghazi? Oh, that’s right. They would have called Hillary Clinton a liar. Can’t have that.
No. Politicians like Hillary Clinton do not see people like Capt. Humayun Khan as a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice on a foreign battlefield in defense of his country.
Politicians like Hillary Clinton see him only a demographic, a dispensable political pawn to be scooted around an electoral map, the way generals used to move armies across giant maps of the lands they were invading."
Trump would have been better advised to ignore Khan altogether.
4
Perhaps it was in response to the cons' dragging out the relatives of Benghazi attack victims, or their dragging out marines to "swift boat" Hillary regarding Benghazi. [I have to think that many in the armed services must be feeling deep shame for seeing how some of their compatriots could be bribed to lie about being told to "stand down"]
Maybe we need (another) congressional committee to investigate Benghazi.
Maybe we need (another) congressional committee to investigate Benghazi.
1
Or perhaps as a counterpoint to the parent of a fallen soldier who died in Benghazi, who appeared at the RNC? Point and counterpoint should always be present in debate.
Captain Khan would not have been in Iraq AT ALL -- except that Crooked HIllary voted to invade Iraq.
How'd that work out? how many hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis have died? how many US soldiers have lost their lives or been horribly crippled?
Thanks to CROOKED HILLARY.
How'd that work out? how many hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis have died? how many US soldiers have lost their lives or been horribly crippled?
Thanks to CROOKED HILLARY.
"It’s not hard to see why they’re doing this. Opposing their party’s nominee, no matter how awful he is, would probably end up being a career killer."
Am I the only one who sees the possible arrival of a tipping point? If The Donald has a few more episodes of (beware: euphemisms ahead) ill-advised statements, pointless public arguments, immature Twitter feuds and a demonstrated obliviousness to world events, soon it may be a bigger liability for Ryan, McConnell, et al. to stand by their man than to break ties. Sure, it's unprecedented for the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader not to support their nominee -- party unity and all that rot -- but this whole election cycle is chock full of unprecedented occurrences.
We're still weeks away from the first debate. Before Election Day, look for more dominoes to fall. It's hard to imagine that we've not already passed the point of every high-ranking Republican not wanting to be tainted by the stench of their classless candidate.
Am I the only one who sees the possible arrival of a tipping point? If The Donald has a few more episodes of (beware: euphemisms ahead) ill-advised statements, pointless public arguments, immature Twitter feuds and a demonstrated obliviousness to world events, soon it may be a bigger liability for Ryan, McConnell, et al. to stand by their man than to break ties. Sure, it's unprecedented for the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader not to support their nominee -- party unity and all that rot -- but this whole election cycle is chock full of unprecedented occurrences.
We're still weeks away from the first debate. Before Election Day, look for more dominoes to fall. It's hard to imagine that we've not already passed the point of every high-ranking Republican not wanting to be tainted by the stench of their classless candidate.
5
We don't know about regular moderate Republican voters (if they even exist) but we do know about the elders of what used to be the Republican party. I won't be surprised that we don't hear before election day that the Bushes, Romney, and McCain are voting with Clinton. (But I will be very surprised if any of the Cheneys do!)
3
Supporting the party's candidate is a career killer? How's this: For "old school" Republicans- those few who are reasonable, and actually want to legislate- their only hope for the party they used to know to survive is to vote for Hillary. To support Trump is to hammer the last few nails into the coffin that they've carefully built themselves by bringing all these crazies in, in the first place. Trump is just the last iteration of the tail wagging the dog.
4
I want to believe that when these republicans you write about actually find themselves in the privacy of the voting booth, common sense and logic will prevail and they will vote for Secretary Clinton or simply not vote.
4
It's simply about abortion. Rightwing Republicans see Trump as the "moral choice" because he has promised to apppoint the "right" Supreme Court judges. Over the years, everything has devolved to this one issue. Period.
3
Trump is not anti-abortion.
Trump is actually somewhat to the left of Clinton. He is closer to Bernie Sanders than to Clinton.
Trump OPPOSES the TPP and will see it is NEVER signed.
Hillary will sign the TPP on her first day in office.
Trump is actually somewhat to the left of Clinton. He is closer to Bernie Sanders than to Clinton.
Trump OPPOSES the TPP and will see it is NEVER signed.
Hillary will sign the TPP on her first day in office.
1
Politicians who have no qualms about helping a mentally unstable individiual become president are a danger to the country.
5
WhileI agree with your analysis it doesn't help to demonize the oposition. To try to understand a "Trump voter" consider this. If I am a Republican leaning voter here's how it looks to me. With Clinton taxes go up, gun rights go down, and Spanish speakers, muslims, gay and transexuals become the norm. With Trump taxes go down, I keep my guns and straight Christian english speaker are still the norm, my culture is intact. To speak to and reach others I must first understand them.
2
"Demonization," means you turn your opponents into caricatures. It doesn't mean that you tell the truth about them.
1
@Bob
Your analysis doesn't hold water. You get to keep your gun, your taxes stay the same unless you make a lot more money, which disqualifies your anger, regardless who wins, the LGBT community has always been here as have Muslims, and what was that last bit? Si, habla Espanol?
Your analysis doesn't hold water. You get to keep your gun, your taxes stay the same unless you make a lot more money, which disqualifies your anger, regardless who wins, the LGBT community has always been here as have Muslims, and what was that last bit? Si, habla Espanol?
1
They are repelled by the idea that Hilary Clinton will change the shape of the Supreme Court for 20 years. They prefer to suffer with Trump for 4 years or hope he will resign.
2
" On the other side, anyone watching her opponent has to be very, very worried about his authoritarian streak....
"How, then, can rational Republicans justify supporting Mr. Trump?"
I am not sure that authoritarianism is such a big worry to all folks on the right. They are not all libertarians. And some percentage of them (15% - 20%?) are probably inclined to follow an authoritarian/fascistic leader, out of general approval for his point of view.
"How, then, can rational Republicans justify supporting Mr. Trump?"
I am not sure that authoritarianism is such a big worry to all folks on the right. They are not all libertarians. And some percentage of them (15% - 20%?) are probably inclined to follow an authoritarian/fascistic leader, out of general approval for his point of view.
Donald Trump should do the first decent thing he's ever done in this campaign and resign the nomination. If he won't do it, the powers that be in the Republican Party should make him do it. Enough is enough.
4
How? and why? if the GOP didn't want to nominate the guy WHO WON THE PRIMARIES, fair & square, they should have done so at the convention.
They didn't. It's over. Trump WON.
They didn't. It's over. Trump WON.
1
I agree with you Mr. Krugman and also find people supporting Trump and those who don't vote against him irresponsible and despicable. There's the facist neighbor next door, an original from Bavaria DE, who seems star-strucked. He's been in this country, in New York City, for around 60 years and now at 80 gets seduced by Trump - from his birther smear campaign of Mr. Obama until now. We've discussed and argued the points many times over the years and I try to correct the Trump lies but the arguments do not stick. I guess Trump is like an arryan dream come true for him. I can't socialize with him anymore. I block him from my phone and instruct the doorman not to give him my information. One last thing: this thing about old people wanting to turn back the clock is very real and very scary right now.
3
You sure are a real humanitarian and great example! you are HATING ON an 80 year old man!
Why? because you don't think he has the right to vote for the candidate of his choice!
Think about that. YOU ARE HATING ON A 80 YEAR OLD NEIGHBOR, who has never done you any harm.
Why? because you don't think he has the right to vote for the candidate of his choice!
Think about that. YOU ARE HATING ON A 80 YEAR OLD NEIGHBOR, who has never done you any harm.
The Republicans are tribal. During the Obama term, they proved this over and over again. If they were willing to go against the best interests of the country to destroy Obama why wouldn't they also back an abomination of a candidate who could end up destroying this country. What has been exposed here is that their loyalty is not about deeply held convictions and principals rather they have a blind loyalty to Party. Trump has his "America First" movement, Republicans have their "Party First" movement.
4
You've described the core problem with Trump, whose lack of character is embarrassing -- and dangerous -- because, as you observe, he's the showboating embodiment of crazy. Consequently, his gassy, bellicose utterances no longer seem very shocking. We expect him to behave idiotically because that's who he is: a bulbous orange geyser of hot air and bad breath.
Thanks to the Republican convention, we now know beyond any doubt that poor Disgraceful Donald is incapable of seeing how odious and ludicrous he is. But you apply reality-based standards such as rationality to reach crazy people like Trump and his army of lemmings because they can't conceive that there's a concrete world that exists beyond the boundaries of their own mental illness. Which brings up the question: Why aren't presidential candidates subject to the same rigorous mental health screening required of others seeking high security clearances?
Trump's followers find his well-promoted disregard for facts, logic, diplomacy and basic human decency comforting. They don't want to have to think, and he doesn't present them with the discomforting challenge of reason. Like small children, they prefer to be unthinking slaves to their darkest fears and feelings, while Daddy Donald promises to make everything miraculously OK because, well, he's magic.
Thanks to the Republican convention, we now know beyond any doubt that poor Disgraceful Donald is incapable of seeing how odious and ludicrous he is. But you apply reality-based standards such as rationality to reach crazy people like Trump and his army of lemmings because they can't conceive that there's a concrete world that exists beyond the boundaries of their own mental illness. Which brings up the question: Why aren't presidential candidates subject to the same rigorous mental health screening required of others seeking high security clearances?
Trump's followers find his well-promoted disregard for facts, logic, diplomacy and basic human decency comforting. They don't want to have to think, and he doesn't present them with the discomforting challenge of reason. Like small children, they prefer to be unthinking slaves to their darkest fears and feelings, while Daddy Donald promises to make everything miraculously OK because, well, he's magic.
221
Please stop talking about Trump all the time. We have some experience here in Italy. The more attention you pay to a demagogue the happier he his. That's his game. Don't spend miles of redundant and ineffective space on him. I know it sells well, but you will involuntarily favour his victory. Don't comment every one of his delirious observations. That is exactly how Berlusconi won and reigned Italy for two decades. Learn from our mistakes. We are paying so much for them.
8
I don't think the majority of Republican approve of Trump's behavior but their tendency to accede to power means they will defer to him regardless of the things he does and says.
2
"Just doing their duty"?
It's interesting that almost all thoughtful right leaning pundits are denouncing Trump as dangerous and vacuous.
But most GOP congressmen are falling in line, placing job security above country.
Then there are the "evangelicals" fawning over a candidate who displays no discernible "Christ-like" behaviors or values.
A crazy world.
But most GOP congressmen are falling in line, placing job security above country.
Then there are the "evangelicals" fawning over a candidate who displays no discernible "Christ-like" behaviors or values.
A crazy world.
4
Yes, absolutely worthy of our contempt on innumerable fronts.
What scares me perhaps the most, though, is the tenacity of his crazed, racist, mysogynistic, xenophobic, anti-intellectual supporters in the face of hundreds of Trump's mind-bogglingly horrible utterances. If anyone thinks that the Bernie Babies were tenacious after their leader lost the primary fight, just imagine what the Trumpeteers will be like if Hillary is elected.
Polarization in 2016? It will pale in comparison to polarization in 2017 and beyond.
What scares me perhaps the most, though, is the tenacity of his crazed, racist, mysogynistic, xenophobic, anti-intellectual supporters in the face of hundreds of Trump's mind-bogglingly horrible utterances. If anyone thinks that the Bernie Babies were tenacious after their leader lost the primary fight, just imagine what the Trumpeteers will be like if Hillary is elected.
Polarization in 2016? It will pale in comparison to polarization in 2017 and beyond.
1
This is a column that very much needed to be written.
I would say, however, that after the things that Trump has said in the past week, neither he nor those who continue to support him are worthy of our contempt: they are beneath it.
I would say, however, that after the things that Trump has said in the past week, neither he nor those who continue to support him are worthy of our contempt: they are beneath it.
1
What has happened to this nation's moral compass? It wasn't that long ago that Republican senator George Allen's political aspirations were sunk when he used the term "macaca" in describing a democratic volunteer at one of his rallies. Folks from both parties found this unacceptable and Allen later apologized. Trump has gone way beyond this moment in his campaign, has offered no apologies for his insults and racist rhetoric, and yet he is embraced by his supporters, and Republican party leaders Ryan and McConnell refuse to denounce him directly when he insults a Mexican judge, and a muslim family that has made the ultimate sacrifice for this country, just to name a few incidents. Trump has made bigotry and racism acceptable in America. I imagine George Allen could now use the term "macaca" with impunity if he so choses.
3
Let's face it: Anyone who has read this column today, and anyone who has read the comments section here, would not vote for Trump. But Trump voters, and supporters, and 'regular' Republicans, and even McConnell and Ryan, are not reading this column. They're watching Fox News, and reading right-wing blogs that are saying equally terrible things about Hillary Clinton today.
They, including those Senators and Reps, actually believe that Hillary would be worse for the U.S. than Trump would be. They are not pretending, or struggling with their decision. It's not even a career calculation. They are extremely concerned by a potential liberal-leaning Supreme Court. Don't expect to see Ryan or McConnell or McCain come around.
They, including those Senators and Reps, actually believe that Hillary would be worse for the U.S. than Trump would be. They are not pretending, or struggling with their decision. It's not even a career calculation. They are extremely concerned by a potential liberal-leaning Supreme Court. Don't expect to see Ryan or McConnell or McCain come around.
5
There is nothing "normal" about "normal members of a normal political party" who "respecxt patriots even if they are Muslim" Even?
Religion is a belief which like any belief can only be personal. Beliefs of any sort, religious or not, have no place in our political discourse.
As individuals we are either free or we are not. Belief has nothing to do with this observation and in fact belief is the antithesis of freedom..
Religion is a belief which like any belief can only be personal. Beliefs of any sort, religious or not, have no place in our political discourse.
As individuals we are either free or we are not. Belief has nothing to do with this observation and in fact belief is the antithesis of freedom..
'Religion is a belief which like any belief can only be personal. Beliefs of any sort, religious or not, have no place in our political discourse.'
I'm an atheist, but I'd argue strongly with that, in that religion is more than just 'I like chocolate, you like vanilla' or 'I say po-tay-to, you say po-tah-to.' Religion is a form of philosophy and as such, it generally includes a strong underpinning in ethics; and your ethics do, or should, guide your political decisions. Granted, both the Inquisitors who tortured and forcibly converted Jews and the White Rose protestors who stood up for Jews against the Nazis cited their Christian beliefs. But I doubt anyone would argue that it was OK for a Christian to stand by and watch Jews being carted to Auschwitz and say, 'I may object to this, based on my Christian beliefs; but this is a political matter, and my Christian beliefs are strictly personal, and therefore has not place in political discourse'. White Christians and Jews joined the Freedom Riders in the Jim Crow South based on their faith.
Beliefs that do not govern your actions in the public sphere are frankly worthless and spineless. Belief may be personal, but the personal is political, or it is nothing.
I'm an atheist, but I'd argue strongly with that, in that religion is more than just 'I like chocolate, you like vanilla' or 'I say po-tay-to, you say po-tah-to.' Religion is a form of philosophy and as such, it generally includes a strong underpinning in ethics; and your ethics do, or should, guide your political decisions. Granted, both the Inquisitors who tortured and forcibly converted Jews and the White Rose protestors who stood up for Jews against the Nazis cited their Christian beliefs. But I doubt anyone would argue that it was OK for a Christian to stand by and watch Jews being carted to Auschwitz and say, 'I may object to this, based on my Christian beliefs; but this is a political matter, and my Christian beliefs are strictly personal, and therefore has not place in political discourse'. White Christians and Jews joined the Freedom Riders in the Jim Crow South based on their faith.
Beliefs that do not govern your actions in the public sphere are frankly worthless and spineless. Belief may be personal, but the personal is political, or it is nothing.
1
I think McConnell, Ryan, and some of the other Republican leaders are under the impression that they'd be able to control Trump and keep him in line if he became President. But I also think that's a delusion. Trump is like the ultimate Tea Party candidate, backed by enough loyal followers that members of Congress will fall into line behind him out of fear of being defeated in primaries in their home states by more Trumpist candidates. Add to that Trump's brutal treatment of any opposition, and give him control of the Supreme Court, and he'll be a dictator, pure and simple.
3
This is exactly right! The GOP leadership is counting on being able to control this monster. Delusional AND gutless.
1
I commend Paul Krugman for this article, except for one statement. What does he mean when he says "the budget deficit has withered away?" As an economist, he probably has a way to 'explain' that, but as an ordinary citizen, all I see is one heck of a huge number.
3
The non-crazy Republicans face some very difficult choices :1) formally support Trump, and he hope he loses. If he does lose, no damage done. If Trump wins and the presidency is a disaster, you're forever labeled as an unprincipled Trump yes-man. 2) Don't support him, and pray he loses. Little damage done. If he wins, fearfully await his retaliation. 3) act undecided, and hope he loses. If he wins, you might still face retaliation because of your silence. The decision the non-crazies have to make is driven by fear more than principle it seems - fear of losing your job to Trump's vindictive and ruthless retaliation, and fear of what your endorsement might cost the country and later, your career as well. A Faustian bargain or martyrdom. All I have to is check a box for the status quo or the perilous unknown. Amazing that so many Americans are choosing the latter, endangering our country in return for the hope personal greatness.
2
I am a life long liberal Democrat who won't be voting for Clinton because of her foreign adventurism. Her record and her foreign policy advisors currently want more US forces in Syria. That is a deal breaker for me.
Her advocacy for removing Qaddafi left a mess and strengthened ISIS, her vote to invade Iraq started the whole mess. "Avoid foreign entanglements" is good policy so I will avoid Clinton.
Russia could invade Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania tomorrow and we've seen in the Ukraine what NATO and Europe will do - sanctions - i.e. nothing. The EU is too afraid of losing Russian natural gas.
The environmental items are now at a point where they can succeed based on solely on economics.
There is a reason she received $43M from hedge funds while Trump received a few thousand. They will get a big tax break from Clinton.
The economy is in a bubble sustained by unsustainable central bank policies. Might as well get it over with now - it will hurt more later.
Her advocacy for removing Qaddafi left a mess and strengthened ISIS, her vote to invade Iraq started the whole mess. "Avoid foreign entanglements" is good policy so I will avoid Clinton.
Russia could invade Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania tomorrow and we've seen in the Ukraine what NATO and Europe will do - sanctions - i.e. nothing. The EU is too afraid of losing Russian natural gas.
The environmental items are now at a point where they can succeed based on solely on economics.
There is a reason she received $43M from hedge funds while Trump received a few thousand. They will get a big tax break from Clinton.
The economy is in a bubble sustained by unsustainable central bank policies. Might as well get it over with now - it will hurt more later.
3
I am one of the "not crazy" Republicans who could no sooner vote for Trump than light a cat on fire just for the fun of it. My second biggest disappointment of this election year (the biggest being Trump's candidacy) is that Paul Ryan cannot get himself to reject Trump outright. It is not enough to rebuke individual statements. If he aspires to be the standard bearer of the ethical, intellectual conservative movement, he must reject Trump in toto.
9
Dereliction of duty has become the republican party's modus operandi. Total obstruction of President Obama's administration from the very first day-- including a record number of filibusters during 2009-2010, extreme gerrymandering of districts--up to and including the absolute disregard of President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland. We could go farther back in history to find extreme dereliction of duty by republicans, but the past 8 years should be more than adequate to demonstrate their utter disregard for the welfare of the country and its future.
3
My father is supporting Trump. My father: Loving, hard working, married an immigrant (my mother), naval officer, engineer, lawyer, claims he voted for Obama. He's fed up with seeing middle America struggle. He's fed up with debt. He's ready for a revolution. But he's 77 years old, and doesn't have to live with the consequences of a Trump presidency.
5
My kids who are young, they first cast their vote for Obama. They are skipping the elections this year. They do have to live with the consequences of a Trump presidency but they cannot get themselves to vote for Hillary. Here in MA their vote will just not matter, either way, whether they cast their vote for Hillary or not.
3
Unless you expect your dad to die IMMEDIATELY...of course he will live with the consequences. A healthy 77 year old can expect to live well into his 80s, if not beyond.
BTW: do you think it helps Democrats when you tell older voters (60+) that you hope they die? or that they are worthless and stupid? or that they don't have the right to hold an opinion that differs from your own?
Especially when older voters VOTE in large numbers -- far more reliably than blacks, hispanics or young voters.
I voted for Obama in 2008. I regret that vote. I am voting for TRUMP in 2016!
BTW: do you think it helps Democrats when you tell older voters (60+) that you hope they die? or that they are worthless and stupid? or that they don't have the right to hold an opinion that differs from your own?
Especially when older voters VOTE in large numbers -- far more reliably than blacks, hispanics or young voters.
I voted for Obama in 2008. I regret that vote. I am voting for TRUMP in 2016!
I am crying.
Many women—I am one of them—find this nomination sad, retrogressive, immoral, dangerous.
Many dispute the nature of the historical marker attached to her nomination, seeing it as involving G-men & jail—not gender
Men are crying, too…
Carl Bernstein was one of them, but his view has been blurred by expediency, it seems. (NYT—7/28/16) In 2007 he spoke with courage & clarity.
It is perversely fitting that this corrupt woman achieved her life's obsession by corrupt means—from the collusion, confirmed by WikiLeaks, to the Clinton boot in the face of Liberty, witness the Comey non-indictment indictment non sequitur/Lynch kissing the Godfather's ring on tarmac.
I cry for democracy.
Hillary—obstructor extraordinaire—scrubbed server to DoD specs to vaporize email about yoga, a wedding & a funeral. Should have been enough to raise red flags—if not courage—for Comey Why didn't it?
Putin has the email—Re-read Comey's answers to Gowdy.
We know "D" stands for demagoguery, but enough already. Nothing to hack—she destroyed the evidence.
Trump's request was simple. He asked Putin to check his cache/produce emails, which, Mrs Clinton, impact national security only if you are guilty. (Oops.)
Our democracy hangs by one frayed thread—that we are all equal before the law.
Saving our democracy is in the hands of Putin. How far we have fallen.
I am crying. We, all of us, should be crying.
6
Several thoughts . . . Republicans, leaders and others need to “do the hard thing” and work for the good of the country, not their party. And that means denouncing Trump in favor of Hillary Clinton. Yes, it is hard, even painful but it is Right.
The “political correctness” of Donald Trump is merely a license for at best extremely bad manners and at worst the kind of meanness that puts us all in danger. And further it approves lazy knee-jerk thinking over thoughtful reasoning.
I’m beginning to think we should all be Independents, perhaps that would remove this dangerous false patriotism that places loyalty to party over country. I always thought that while you may gravitate towards one party or the other you voted for the person best qualified regardless.
I think the media needs to do some hard, truthful reporting without all the false equivalencies. It is a reach to find something equally awful to say about Hillary Clinton. The statements about Donald Trump are obvious in that they come directly from his words. That’s not so much true about Hillary Clinton. Perhaps, for example one might say “polls do find that x percentage of the American people do not think Hillary Clinton is trustworthy even though careful fact checking has found that she is among the most truthful of politicians” etc. These damming but not really true statements need to be followed up by that kind of traditional reporting . . .
The “political correctness” of Donald Trump is merely a license for at best extremely bad manners and at worst the kind of meanness that puts us all in danger. And further it approves lazy knee-jerk thinking over thoughtful reasoning.
I’m beginning to think we should all be Independents, perhaps that would remove this dangerous false patriotism that places loyalty to party over country. I always thought that while you may gravitate towards one party or the other you voted for the person best qualified regardless.
I think the media needs to do some hard, truthful reporting without all the false equivalencies. It is a reach to find something equally awful to say about Hillary Clinton. The statements about Donald Trump are obvious in that they come directly from his words. That’s not so much true about Hillary Clinton. Perhaps, for example one might say “polls do find that x percentage of the American people do not think Hillary Clinton is trustworthy even though careful fact checking has found that she is among the most truthful of politicians” etc. These damming but not really true statements need to be followed up by that kind of traditional reporting . . .
1
It's simple. GOP leaders have chosen power over principle. They did it all the way back in 2008 when they vowed to block Obama at every turn, even if it meant opposing things the country needed - and still needs. From financial recovery to coping with Zika, they've chosen to try to make Obama fail even if it takes America down in the process.
As for those regular people in the party who have qualms about Trump, Newt Gingrich let the cat out of the bag when he told a CNN interviewer during the DNC convention that people don't vote on facts - they vote on their feelings. The GOP has deliberately worked to make people angry and afraid to get their votes - because facts are not on their side. It's called lying, in other words. Again, it's power over principle.
As for those regular people in the party who have qualms about Trump, Newt Gingrich let the cat out of the bag when he told a CNN interviewer during the DNC convention that people don't vote on facts - they vote on their feelings. The GOP has deliberately worked to make people angry and afraid to get their votes - because facts are not on their side. It's called lying, in other words. Again, it's power over principle.
4
If ever there was an example of why presidential candidates must submit to psychiatric evaluation to get on the ballot, Donald Trump is it.
4
They may be supporting Trump because they have a plan to impeach him once he gets to office or a plan to get rid of him somehow before he gets to office. Or they know that he's going to quit once he gets bored. Then they can put in the person that they really want.
Or all they care about is who goes on the Supreme Court.
I'm not surprised that the republicans would put their party before the country. They do that whenever a democrat is in office.
Or all they care about is who goes on the Supreme Court.
I'm not surprised that the republicans would put their party before the country. They do that whenever a democrat is in office.
3
Republican leaders guaranteed an Obama administration would be the end of civilization as we know it. Now they remain silent on an actual threat. Profiles in courage indeed.
3
It's astounding that we are even having this conversation. The idea that Trump could be elected president because the Republican Party can't seem to find a sane candidate is beyond belief.
4
I can't believe when i see Donald Trump as a candidate of presidency of the most powerful state of the world! These days seem like a beginning of a dystopian story about how the end of the modern world started. I want to ask a question for Trump supporters; "Would you let an ordinary taxi driver to be a captain of an international multi billion worth space station ?"
3
I think it was pretty disgusting Mr. Kahn initiated insults as he insinuated Trump has never read the Constitution. I think the setup is just another press example of how the Socialistic Democratic Party of America wants to skirt issues like how Hillary will decimate the economy and business.
2
No, Mr. Khan ASKED if Mr. Trump had read the Constitution. Of course he implication was that he hadn't—or that if he had, he wasn't paying attention (which is incontrovertibly correct; just read the interview where Trump doesn't even know how many Articles are in the Constitution).
All Trump had to do was say "I have of course read the Constitution"—as opposed to comparing business success to the sacrifice of a child for one's country, or insulting the mother who sacrificed that child—and he would have emerged unscathed as he (unfortunately) always does.
All Trump had to do was say "I have of course read the Constitution"—as opposed to comparing business success to the sacrifice of a child for one's country, or insulting the mother who sacrificed that child—and he would have emerged unscathed as he (unfortunately) always does.
2
I bet that 95+% of Americans could not pass the citizenship test required of immigrants wanting to become U.S. citizens, including some knowledge of the Constitution. Do you really think that Trump is in the 5% or less that could?
1
Those well-thinking Republicans Krugman refers to make me think about the leaders of the Catholic People Party in the Weimar Republic at time Hitler was this crazy little man who had won an election. They thought he could be controlled by them like they had always been in control of government. We now know they weren't! The anger stirred up in the population swept them away.
It might just happen again. Not in the same fashion, sure.
Now, knowing the history, taking that risk is demonstrating an utter lack of responsibility.
It might just happen again. Not in the same fashion, sure.
Now, knowing the history, taking that risk is demonstrating an utter lack of responsibility.
1
Trump is not the problem.
The problem is a mislead and irrational segment
of the public that respond to Trump's pronouncements
as though they are the new call to patriotism.
They are not.
The problem is a mislead and irrational segment
of the public that respond to Trump's pronouncements
as though they are the new call to patriotism.
They are not.
1
Hillary Clinton, warts and roses, is no pushover for anybody. While toughness may not be her most endearing quality, it is what it is, indisputably. For Donald Trump's loud, whiny, victimizing, ersatz macho, Hillary is a real tough gal; John Wayne in a pantsuit.
For those who "think the Obama economy should have been better," consider the all outcomes of his predecessor: catastrophe on all fronts, in spades. Not nearly the horror of a Trump presidency perhaps, but catastrophic nonetheless.
Oh yes, there was Medicare Part D, which would today be destroyed by any imaginable GOP administration, passed into law but never paid for.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
For those who "think the Obama economy should have been better," consider the all outcomes of his predecessor: catastrophe on all fronts, in spades. Not nearly the horror of a Trump presidency perhaps, but catastrophic nonetheless.
Oh yes, there was Medicare Part D, which would today be destroyed by any imaginable GOP administration, passed into law but never paid for.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
2
Donald Trump presents an opportunity to focus on facts and evidence. Many of the Republican arguments are based on unsupportable evidence and non-facts. (Crime and illegal immigration are up, they say. There are still problems in these areas, but the facts are the opposite.)
Since many Republicans are willing to separate themselves from Donald Trump in a way they don't for other candidates, they may be willing to look at the facts and non-facts with a more open mind.
Since many Republicans are willing to separate themselves from Donald Trump in a way they don't for other candidates, they may be willing to look at the facts and non-facts with a more open mind.
2
There is a Republican talking point about responsibility. Instead of government handouts, people should pick themselves up by their boot straps, and so on.
After the damage done by this party over the years, the Republicans are the greatest hypocrites. Their policies led to two unpaid for, continuous ruinous wars. Their deregulation and lack of oversight nearly destroyed the financial system. And the end result, huge deficits, the loss of 100s of thousands of jobs a month, foreclosures on millions of homes, and near collapse of the world financial markets.
Between 2006 and 2008 they lose the house, senate, and presidency. Efforts are made to correct the situation. And of course, the Republicans, instead of working on solutions, spend the time from 2009 until now, blaming the Obama administration for everything they led the country into.
There are no good hearted, rational Republicans. The word now only implies irrational partisans that constantly need a hand out every time they drive the ship of state a ground. Don't ever expect a thank you from them when others must save the country from their self made catastrophes.
After the damage done by this party over the years, the Republicans are the greatest hypocrites. Their policies led to two unpaid for, continuous ruinous wars. Their deregulation and lack of oversight nearly destroyed the financial system. And the end result, huge deficits, the loss of 100s of thousands of jobs a month, foreclosures on millions of homes, and near collapse of the world financial markets.
Between 2006 and 2008 they lose the house, senate, and presidency. Efforts are made to correct the situation. And of course, the Republicans, instead of working on solutions, spend the time from 2009 until now, blaming the Obama administration for everything they led the country into.
There are no good hearted, rational Republicans. The word now only implies irrational partisans that constantly need a hand out every time they drive the ship of state a ground. Don't ever expect a thank you from them when others must save the country from their self made catastrophes.
What does it say about democracy within the Republican party if other party members like Ryan has to toe the line and has to back Donald Trump, or else it's a career killer? An Authoritarian leader for an authoritarian party sounds like a match. As for Krugman - I think he finally hit it on the nail. The problem is also Republican voters who cannot think objectively. Their team (party) winning at all cost is more important than the nation.
1
The conundrum of the GOP is that their members love power and party more than this nation. Regardless of the shouting religiously USA! USA!' their hearts are not the nation. The want the rich to succeed while the nation languish. How can patriots turned blind eye to the state and conditions of national infrastructure?
1
There is no depth to which today's GOP, and its candidate, would not sink to. Like tar sands pipeline spills into rivers, it proves far more toxic and difficult to clean up than anyone ever imagined. Trump is a clueless, narcissistic demagogue, fomenting hate along the campaign trail. Those who know better, who still support him and enable all the vitriol he spews, are entirely despicable — putting spite over country and our future stability.
1
Enough moralizing. We're safe from a Marat administration. The election is effectively over. The odds of Trump running the Electoral College table are nil. McConnell, Ryan, et al, know it. Their silence is in the service of self-interest.
"If Hillary Clinton is elected we know there will be an election in 2020. Otherwise all bets are off."
Bravo/brava to the poster below who so perfectly summed up the threat of the Trump candidacy.
This sentence deserves its own space.
Bravo/brava to the poster below who so perfectly summed up the threat of the Trump candidacy.
This sentence deserves its own space.
1
RIP the party of Lincoln, the party of Trump, the successor to the party of emancipation is the party of hate, exclusion and bigotry.
RIP the party of Eisenhower, the party of Trump has greenlighted Russia to redraw the map of Europe.
RIP the party of Reagan, the party of Trump will erect walls not tear down “this wall”.
Lincoln, Roosevelt, Reagan, your descendants continue to evoke your name in vain; their hatred of Hillary trumps their love of country, their desire to overturn Roe v Wade is so great that they are ready to experiment with authoritarianism and fascism.
History is taking note.
RIP the party of Eisenhower, the party of Trump has greenlighted Russia to redraw the map of Europe.
RIP the party of Reagan, the party of Trump will erect walls not tear down “this wall”.
Lincoln, Roosevelt, Reagan, your descendants continue to evoke your name in vain; their hatred of Hillary trumps their love of country, their desire to overturn Roe v Wade is so great that they are ready to experiment with authoritarianism and fascism.
History is taking note.
1
"But democracy isn’t about making a statement, it’s about exercising responsibility" and similarly the presidency a responsibility, not a trophy.
1
Trump aside, the people I find most deserving of disdain are Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan. By failing to disavow Trump--not just his ignorant, tone-deaf comments, but the man himself--these two Republican "leaders" place themselves in Trump's column. Once again it's a case where they place party over country, trying to protect their own fiefdoms by tacitly supporting the most inappropriate candidate in the GOP's history.
Ryan and McConnell should never be allowed to claim to be part of "The Party of Lincoln" ever again.
Ryan and McConnell should never be allowed to claim to be part of "The Party of Lincoln" ever again.
683
These people are not only placing their narrow self interests (which I believe are as simple as remaining in power) above us all, as in "party over country" but really they are managing their personal privilege as in "me above the entire world". Picture North Korea in a tiff with Trump and the nuclear consequences. Do you imagine that these stay within our borders? Ryan has stated that Trump is not fit to have the destruction of the world in his hands (Ie the nuclear codes), but that "our policies and PRINCIPLES are better served by him than President Clinton". Try to make sense of that. He characterizes his support of Trump as a principled decision. These self serving people have spent years purposefully gerrymandering their districts to eliminate voters of color, who soon will no longer be "minorities", and this is what they are preparing for. These are the same people who refused to believe that Obama won a 2nd term and tried to deny it for a few days. When Hillary wins, will she be able to take office or will we fall into civil war?
2
Neither are stupid people. The spectre of John Boehner always lurks in the background for them both. If they like their jobs (and the obviously do) they keep their mouths shut. Otherwise, the Kochs will come after them with a vengeance in the primaries.
Thank you Citizens United!
Thank you Citizens United!
At least one comment asks "How can this possibly be happening?" Well I asked the same thing when the vote recount was stopped in Florida and a conservative Supreme Court put the Republican nominee and frat boy in the White House. I asked that when we went to war with the country that did not attack us on 9/11 under the direction of same frat boy and the former head of Halliburton, Dick Cheney. I asked that when no one went to jail after lying us into war and helping to set the Middle East up in flames. And now I am asking how a narcissistic sociopath and Russian sympathizer is acceptable to most of the GOP leadership and half of the American people. KA
3
Because Obamanomics has failed, and the Middle East is on fire.
Krugman has no explanation for a 1.2% with such low interest rates.
Krugman has no explanation for a 1.2% with such low interest rates.
1
The Middle East has been on fire in various stages since the end of World War I and the Sykes-Picot Agreement. We have added fuel to the fire since the 50s and our overthrow of the Iranian government. Both Democrat and Republican administrations have been complicit in the situation we now face. Neither party has any answers.
If Krugman were to comment on the anemic economic growth, he would still find a way to blame the Republicans.
If Krugman were to comment on the anemic economic growth, he would still find a way to blame the Republicans.
As a Democrat abroad I am an outside/inside onlooker. My daily life offers a perspective on the world outside the U.S:, while my birth, mother tongue and education maintain my ability to relate to the world inside. It is an unenviable position.
In the States there is a fatal inability to recognize quality when external factors interfere. The current controversy over the Gold Star parents or the slanders against Obama illustrate my point. When the father began to speak at the DNC, it should have been obvious that he was an intelligent and educated man with a just cause---albeit a man with brown skin and an accent. The many Obama fantasies arise not from the man, but from his color and from a stubborn refusal to recognize in a black man qualities usually reserved for whites: intelligent, educated, well-spoken, graceful, gracious in demeanor.
This pernicious inability to distinguish between a black/brown thug and a black/brown aristocrat extends to another category of 'other': women. It is behind the epithets used to dehumanize Clinton, while the true delinquent is praised for 'telling it like it is'. It is a reason to despair in a shrinking world in which white is a color among many and true aristocracy is measured with a different yardstick.
An iconic foto which illustrates the heart of the dilemma is that of Obama bent double to allow a little black boy who already knew he was 'different' to touch his hair and be assured it was the same as his own. It shames me.
In the States there is a fatal inability to recognize quality when external factors interfere. The current controversy over the Gold Star parents or the slanders against Obama illustrate my point. When the father began to speak at the DNC, it should have been obvious that he was an intelligent and educated man with a just cause---albeit a man with brown skin and an accent. The many Obama fantasies arise not from the man, but from his color and from a stubborn refusal to recognize in a black man qualities usually reserved for whites: intelligent, educated, well-spoken, graceful, gracious in demeanor.
This pernicious inability to distinguish between a black/brown thug and a black/brown aristocrat extends to another category of 'other': women. It is behind the epithets used to dehumanize Clinton, while the true delinquent is praised for 'telling it like it is'. It is a reason to despair in a shrinking world in which white is a color among many and true aristocracy is measured with a different yardstick.
An iconic foto which illustrates the heart of the dilemma is that of Obama bent double to allow a little black boy who already knew he was 'different' to touch his hair and be assured it was the same as his own. It shames me.
1
When you listen to Trump talk, you realize he has no idea how the economy works in America. His knowledge is limited to bankrupcies, non paymet of bills, and defaults.
Trump's non service to this country with phony letters from a greedy doctor of a none existing bone spur kept him from being drafted. Played sports in school without any problems.
At the most, the IRS is looking at 2013 taxes, not 2014 which he has not released. With extension, the 2015 taxes are due three week before the election but he is not go to show that either.
They are auditing him because he has a track record of inaccurate prior returns.
Everything to Trump is a con job, even the Presidency.
Clinton has problems, but some are made up by the Republicasn party who offer no proof of their accusations.
History will show Clinton the much better choice of the two.
And it time for a women, my grandaughters need it.
Trump's non service to this country with phony letters from a greedy doctor of a none existing bone spur kept him from being drafted. Played sports in school without any problems.
At the most, the IRS is looking at 2013 taxes, not 2014 which he has not released. With extension, the 2015 taxes are due three week before the election but he is not go to show that either.
They are auditing him because he has a track record of inaccurate prior returns.
Everything to Trump is a con job, even the Presidency.
Clinton has problems, but some are made up by the Republicasn party who offer no proof of their accusations.
History will show Clinton the much better choice of the two.
And it time for a women, my grandaughters need it.
4
"Clinton has problems, but some are made up by the Republicasn party..."
Is deliberately lying one of those problems "made up by the Republicans"? Is that the role model you want for your granddaughters?
Is deliberately lying one of those problems "made up by the Republicans"? Is that the role model you want for your granddaughters?
The claim of 11 million jobs created is a) incorrect and b) fails to adjust for population increase
Number of jobs, January 2009, 135.543 million
Number of jobs, April 2016, 143, 877 million (latest available data)
Jobs created under the Obama administration 8. 452 million
Population of US, January 2009, 305.52 million
Population of the US, April 2016, 322.07 million
Increase in population looking for jobs, 16.55 million
Data US Dept of Labor
Number of jobs, January 2009, 135.543 million
Number of jobs, April 2016, 143, 877 million (latest available data)
Jobs created under the Obama administration 8. 452 million
Population of US, January 2009, 305.52 million
Population of the US, April 2016, 322.07 million
Increase in population looking for jobs, 16.55 million
Data US Dept of Labor
4
Unfortunately there is another reason Trump receives support, including silent support, from his supporters. They like his authoritarianism; they want a "big leader" to believe in; they love his mockery of their perceived "betters" and "enemies"; and most of all, they crave being told "Follow me; I know what to do". Now is the time for all who fear for democracy under a Trump presidency to stand up. Otherwise the USA and world is in danger of permitting a new and real Ahab to pursue his (many) Moby Dick(s), imperiling all our lives.
2
I disagree with Mr. Krugman's comment: "Opposing their party’s nominee, no matter how awful he is, would probably end up being a career killer."
On the contrary, Ryan, McConnell, Rubio, McCain et al put party above country in endorsing Trump in the first place. It seems to me that their continual embrace of the creep will doom the GOP, and hence their careers.
On the contrary, Ryan, McConnell, Rubio, McCain et al put party above country in endorsing Trump in the first place. It seems to me that their continual embrace of the creep will doom the GOP, and hence their careers.
1
We don't have two parties.
We have a party that wants to govern, has ideas, considers details and consequences. You may not like those ideas but they are serious and open to debate.
Then we have a bunch of morons who are enabled by a bunch of cowards (Two top cowards are Ryan and McConnell).
We have a party that wants to govern, has ideas, considers details and consequences. You may not like those ideas but they are serious and open to debate.
Then we have a bunch of morons who are enabled by a bunch of cowards (Two top cowards are Ryan and McConnell).
3
While Trump is extremely scary, the problem is that Clinton is pretty scary, too. Her hawkish foreign policies could get us into a war with Russia or China.
There is no good choice in this election. But the choice between horror and risk is clear.
There is no good choice in this election. But the choice between horror and risk is clear.
CC, the one thing that is wrong with Hillary's candidacy which makes her a difficult choice for so many of us, is that she and the party are beholden to big big money. Which means greater access to her for the wealthy, powerful and super connected. Ordinary citizens will not have their say in that kind of democracy that Hillary represents.
2
One of my questions is... which of the Trump children will be Secretary of Defense. Since arriving in America as immigrants from our WWI and WWII enemy Germany, no one in the Trump family has ever served in the U.S. military. From the little information that's available, it also looks like the Drumphs likely shirked and avoided military service while still in their fatherland.
3
To answer your question I only have to look at a letter to the editor that appeared in my local paper, The Akron Beacon Journal this morning.
To paraphrase:
The writer believes that the Constitution is under attack by "liberal, secular, progressives" who are hell bent on taking away the right of free speech, freedom of religion, and of course the right to bear arms. These rights bestowed on us through our Founding Fathers come directly from our "Creator" The writer goes on to say that it doesn't matter how likable the candidate is, a victory for Hillary Clinton will mark the end of the greatest nation on earth.
It's a religion, this type of conservatism, impervious to reason and facts. Letters with similar content appear in the ABJ often, at least twice a week. Why our little paper prints them is another matter.
To paraphrase:
The writer believes that the Constitution is under attack by "liberal, secular, progressives" who are hell bent on taking away the right of free speech, freedom of religion, and of course the right to bear arms. These rights bestowed on us through our Founding Fathers come directly from our "Creator" The writer goes on to say that it doesn't matter how likable the candidate is, a victory for Hillary Clinton will mark the end of the greatest nation on earth.
It's a religion, this type of conservatism, impervious to reason and facts. Letters with similar content appear in the ABJ often, at least twice a week. Why our little paper prints them is another matter.
3
The only ones dumber than Trump's supporters and enablers are the ones who didn't vote in the primaries; and those who will not vote in the actual election.
2
It is a matter of faith, gospel even, among Republicans that "Obama has destroyed the country," and that "Hillary is corrupt and untrustworthy." When I ask my Republican interlocutors for specifics, they either change the subject or say they just "know" these things are true. The script never changes.
4
Dr. Krugman said "But let’s be serious: no non-crazy person, even on the right, thinks that this president is acting like a dictator, or that the woman he wants to succeed him would threaten basic liberty." Well, I guess free political speech is not a basic liberty and neither is being able to benefit from the fruits of your labor. How ironic that the freedoms protected by the Constitution that Khizr Khan would wave in Trumps face is most under attack by progressives like HRC. An HRC presidency means a progressive Supreme Court totally willing to ignore constitutional protections of liberty in the name of building the progressive utopia. That would be an unrecoverable disaster.
Paul, please don't sugar coat it. "Contempt" is too mild a word for Trump. This odious piece of human debris deserves new words to describe his completely irresponsible brutishly crude behavior.
Trump the man-child is the bully we all knew in high school who we wished some day would get his comeuppance. Trump never did, because Trump, as Mister Khan so eloquently stated, "never sacrificed anything". Those words of Mr. Khan will haunt Trump for the rest of the campaign. The Man Who Sacrificed Nothing will be attached to Trump as sure as The Man With No Name was attached to the character in those Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns.
And by those who still fervently support Trump we shall know them for what they are. Using Trump as a conduit for their hate, their prejudice, their shortcomings in life and genital appendages, people so coarse, so impolite, so disgustingly horrid they see Trump as a surrogate for expressing their feelings of anger and hate to the world. From today on, ask a Trump supporter how they continue to defend this demagogue. Don't allow them to bash Hillary and get off subject. Keep it on the target of your query, where it deserves to be, on Trump.
There are options besides voting for Hillary, including voting down ticket or not at all. Anyone who continues to stand behind Trump needs some explaining to do. Perhaps a psychological evaluation should also be recommended. Beware of Trump disciples. They are deeply disturbed.
DD
Manhattan
Trump the man-child is the bully we all knew in high school who we wished some day would get his comeuppance. Trump never did, because Trump, as Mister Khan so eloquently stated, "never sacrificed anything". Those words of Mr. Khan will haunt Trump for the rest of the campaign. The Man Who Sacrificed Nothing will be attached to Trump as sure as The Man With No Name was attached to the character in those Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns.
And by those who still fervently support Trump we shall know them for what they are. Using Trump as a conduit for their hate, their prejudice, their shortcomings in life and genital appendages, people so coarse, so impolite, so disgustingly horrid they see Trump as a surrogate for expressing their feelings of anger and hate to the world. From today on, ask a Trump supporter how they continue to defend this demagogue. Don't allow them to bash Hillary and get off subject. Keep it on the target of your query, where it deserves to be, on Trump.
There are options besides voting for Hillary, including voting down ticket or not at all. Anyone who continues to stand behind Trump needs some explaining to do. Perhaps a psychological evaluation should also be recommended. Beware of Trump disciples. They are deeply disturbed.
DD
Manhattan
3
McConnell, Ryan and the top Republicans who are staying silent, refusing to publicly repudiate Trump, remind me of the defendants on trial in "Judgement at Nuremberg," whose sole defense was they were just going along with Nazism, doing their duty. History will surely treat these political mutes harshly should Trump be elected, and then turn this country onto a path to ruin.
4
It's Bush and the Republicans who left us with an economy prostrate and crippled. It took President Obama to try and get us off the floor and walking again. That he wasn't able to accomplish it fully was due to Republican obstruction from day one of the Obama presidency. If Obama said we needed this and that, republicans said NO or just ignored whatever the president saw as a fix for the economy and jobs. Our infrastructure is in dire need of overhauling and Obama said we needed to have done that as it would also have supplied badly needed jobs. Republicans wouldn't even bring the issue up for a vote. So much for republican concern about jobs. Republicans obstructionists just could never get over a black man winning two presidential elections--FAIRLY.
5
In a contest between a lunatic and a liar, Krugman is criticizing those who won't support the liar and accusing them of partisanship. Many Republicans see Trump as a wild card that might turn out OK while HRC is a known negative they can't support. In that light their reasoning makes some sense although personally I can't support either one. As usual Krugman needs to go look in the mirror.
3
Hillary's lack of veracity is much overblown while Trump lies from one moment to the next and is crazy to boot.
2
Most of the Trump voters I know will vote Republican no matter what because they are convinced the Democrats are the party of "far left liberals" who want to replace America with a communist state. Their ideology has replaced actually looking around to see what is happening in reality. I have started calling these voters "orange dog Republicans" because they will apparently vote for an orange dog before they vote for a Democrat.
3
As usual, Mr. Krugman argues his case beautifully. I disagree with one point: I think it is the Republican leaders' support for Trump is what will wind up killing their careers. Those that have disavowed him early will wind up looking good--including Ted Cruz, god help us.
2
Those Rebublicans who see the horror of a Trump presidency should do whatever they can to keep him from succeeding. This includes supporting Clinton. Anything short to that, like voting for a third party candidate, is an empty "feel good" gesture.
2
I look at the Trump campaign and its supporters with fascinated horror.
Trump is obviously a no nothing, undemocratic, megalomaniacal authoritarian with delusions of godhood, and common guttersnipe manners.
That he's got the support, fervent or otherwise, of large numbers of Republicans, is quite telling.
Trump must not be voted into power.
Trump is obviously a no nothing, undemocratic, megalomaniacal authoritarian with delusions of godhood, and common guttersnipe manners.
That he's got the support, fervent or otherwise, of large numbers of Republicans, is quite telling.
Trump must not be voted into power.
4
My contention with your theme, Paul, is that there are only two viable alternatives, both of which many of us find less than ideal. With such small numbers supporting either DJT or HRC, this is the election cycle in which voters can really have some sway. Rather than choose the lesser of two evils I am leaning Green. Better that than swallow the old saw about splitting support being a vote for the other party. It's time we exercise our real choices. Too bad Bernie will not be on the ticket.
If Trump wants to go backward and "Make America Great Again," he should look at the republicans' platform in the 1950s. It sounds a lot like today's democratic platform. But that is not going to happen because the GOP have devolved into a cult today, following a demagogue and dismissing all facts that conflict with their ideology.
2
We have seen the movie about otherwise good people supporting an evil man for the country's top leadership position before. It's titled Nazi Germany. Republican politicians supporting Trump need only look to their antecedents to appreciate the consequences for our country should they somehow get this blustering autocrat into office.
2
This election is so frightening it wouldn't surprise me to see atheists praying in the streets. An orange, maniacal buffoon is leading a large part of America over a cliff they may never recover from.
Most of our politics and politicians have never been anything to admire, but the current crop has the whole world frightened. I won't join the atheists praying in the streets, but I will vote and that's all the rest of us can do.
Most of our politics and politicians have never been anything to admire, but the current crop has the whole world frightened. I won't join the atheists praying in the streets, but I will vote and that's all the rest of us can do.
5
Dr.Paul Krugman has ignored a basic tenet of Democracy - every citizen has an equally valued vote. When Republicans abhor the prospect of voting for Secretary Clinton, their view has the Same Respect as Democrats who welcome the chance to vote for her. No Less. That is Democracy. Secretary Clinton, in Public Service, had a prime Responsibility to nurture her Public Image - each & every leader in a Democracy does. It is the most basic Necessary Quality. It is a hard fact that Secretary Clinton did not recognise this basic leadership Need. And did not Act Effectively on it for many decades. And is paying the Price in this Race.
1
In times like this, one questions his/her loyalties. If one is loyal to the party/team/cult, then the choice is simple. Go with what the leaders hand you down as the direction. The greater responsibility - years later, when we look back - is with the leadership. They have not been able to come up with a better candidate who can reflect the GOP ideals and execute on the policy.
2
Mr. Krugman; it might be a good time to remind readers what might happen economically to our nation if Trump became president. You have to imagine that foreign investors will no longer trust the United States of America (and any of it's financial commitments) and investment will dry up. Just like the EU took a hit after Brexit, so too would out economy. And, a rebound might take years to adjust, if ever. Of course, after that happens, Trump will find someone to blame. Meanwhle, the very people he is appealing to will be in worse shape then they are already.
2
Brexit has not been the disaster predicted. It is even now looking like it will boost the economy of some of the poorer parts of the UK. Time will tell. Texans knew W was a disaster in the making. He trashed Texas so why would he do any better in the White House? It is true that 8 years later we still have not recovered. Nor will we recover if Hillary is elected as the GOP will likely still control the House and Senate.
Trump justified his attack on the Khans because Mr. Khans "viciously" attacked him and the Republicans are defending Trump. And yet, I've not heard one word from the "evil" Hillary Clinton attacking Pat Smith, who didn't pull a Constitution out of her pocket but actually suggested from the podium of the RNC that Clinton should be in prison. I also haven't heard Hillary call Christie "fat," "dumpy", "dopey" or "loser" even though he led a Salem witch trial at the blood-thirsty Republican convention.
How can we even think of electing a President who answers every single perceived criticism with an insult? Barack Obama's fingers would be calloused and the man would have gotten no sleep over the past eight years if he had dashed off libelous Tweets every time he was criticized. Just responding to the Donald's insults alone would have taken a year of his presidency.
How can we even think of electing a President who answers every single perceived criticism with an insult? Barack Obama's fingers would be calloused and the man would have gotten no sleep over the past eight years if he had dashed off libelous Tweets every time he was criticized. Just responding to the Donald's insults alone would have taken a year of his presidency.
10
As much as I respect Mr. K and enjoy his columns, I had to gasp in disbelief at the last line in paragraph 6 of this column, "...the budget deficit has withered away." The last time I checked the budget deficit had increased by about 70% since January 2009. The Republicans make much of this fact in their ritual Obama bashing. Of course they don't account for the reasons why the deficit has expanded so much, namely the terrible aftermath of the Great Bush Recession, but still, "withered away" seems like a stretch.
1
Budget deficits have come down as there has been genuine efforts to put out a balanced budget. You are confusing National Debt with budget deficit. The National Debt is up and will go up regardless of who is sitting in the Oval Office.
1
Budget deficit is different from national debt.
1
According to OMB the deficit has FALLEN from $1.4 trillion when Obama took office to $615 billion this year. Under Bush it went from a SURPLUS of $128 billion in 2001 to a deficit of $1.4 trillion when he left office.
1
Trump said he " ... could 'shoot somebody and (he) wouldn't lose voters". Attacking the mother of an American Muslim war hero was in effect the shot heard round the nation but this time Trump didn't get away with it and has lost support. The delicious irony of course is that Trump wants to ban Muslims from coming to America, and it is a Muslim couple who have shown Donald Trump as the petty thin-skinned bigot that he is and may very well have helped to sink Trump's delusion of grandeur about becoming president.
Now Trump has been saying it's not Muslims he wants to ban but people from geographic regions, as if a whole lot of Syrian Buddhists are anxiously awaiting approval for refugee status.
While Hillary Clinton has her faults, she's no racist and certainly not the monster Trump and his kind make her out to be. She's certainly not the habitual liar Trump is. The worst thing you can say about Trump though and never about Clinton is that Trump is so predictable. It was inevitable he would twitter away all night, after seeing Mr. Khan at the democratic convention read Trump the riot act. Trump's swollen ego bruised to the bone, instead of saying nothing or just issuing a short comment about respecting an American war hero, Trump once again took to the gutter to pull out of it a trashy attack on that war hero's mother. He didn't attack the father but went for the woman and considering Trump's misogynistic attacks throughout this campaign, that too was highly predictable.
Now Trump has been saying it's not Muslims he wants to ban but people from geographic regions, as if a whole lot of Syrian Buddhists are anxiously awaiting approval for refugee status.
While Hillary Clinton has her faults, she's no racist and certainly not the monster Trump and his kind make her out to be. She's certainly not the habitual liar Trump is. The worst thing you can say about Trump though and never about Clinton is that Trump is so predictable. It was inevitable he would twitter away all night, after seeing Mr. Khan at the democratic convention read Trump the riot act. Trump's swollen ego bruised to the bone, instead of saying nothing or just issuing a short comment about respecting an American war hero, Trump once again took to the gutter to pull out of it a trashy attack on that war hero's mother. He didn't attack the father but went for the woman and considering Trump's misogynistic attacks throughout this campaign, that too was highly predictable.
3
When will decent Republicans turn on and denounce Trump?
After he insults a Gold Star family? After he hires an operative for Putin's plans in Ukraine? After denouncing a Federal Judge because he has Mexican heritage? When he refuses to release his Tax Returns where we can learn his true Net worth, philanthropy, or business with Manafort and foreign powers or their subordinates?
When will Republicans recognize that Trump is not normal, not party to normal behavior and normal discourse? Party loyalty demands that members protect the principles of their Party and protect them from a person clearly outside what is normal.
Are Republicans willing to have Trump refuse to release his taxes? Shouldn't decent Republicans demand that Manafort who has been a political operative for a Putin ally, who is also Trump's Campaign manager be investigated by the FBI? Shouldn't the FBI investigate Trump and Manafort?
After he insults a Gold Star family? After he hires an operative for Putin's plans in Ukraine? After denouncing a Federal Judge because he has Mexican heritage? When he refuses to release his Tax Returns where we can learn his true Net worth, philanthropy, or business with Manafort and foreign powers or their subordinates?
When will Republicans recognize that Trump is not normal, not party to normal behavior and normal discourse? Party loyalty demands that members protect the principles of their Party and protect them from a person clearly outside what is normal.
Are Republicans willing to have Trump refuse to release his taxes? Shouldn't decent Republicans demand that Manafort who has been a political operative for a Putin ally, who is also Trump's Campaign manager be investigated by the FBI? Shouldn't the FBI investigate Trump and Manafort?
423
Joseph Huben,
Assuming the FBI and other US intelligence agencies do not shout their intentions from the rooftops, I have good hopes they are already investigating.
Assuming the FBI and other US intelligence agencies do not shout their intentions from the rooftops, I have good hopes they are already investigating.
a politician is only concerned with getting reelected. a statesman is concerned with doing best for the country. paul ryan and mitch mcconnell are politicians. the truth is that they are committing political suicide by their support of donald trump. they could show their courage by repudiating trump and would likely have a brighter future should they do so, as well as doing what is best for the country.
3
In a country with a sane citizenry, all Hillary would need to do is stand by and let the Donald implode by constantly exploding. This election will be a referendum on the sanity of the American public.
5
"Is there any reason to believe that a Clinton victory would lead to irretrievable disaster?"
- Oh, yes. As Yanis Varoufakis stated one is put in the despicable position of voting for Hillary to keep Trump out, but all it takes is to look at her sadistic response to the death of Gaddafi among other things: "Anyone who watches the mutilation of a leader, even if this leader is a beast, for such a long time and claps and enjoys it should not be near the nuclear button, should not be Commander-in-Chief, should be at home."
What will it take for Krugman to admit that HRC's sole qualification in this election is that she-is-not-Trump? Until then, we have to put up with a whole list of logical fallacies that even someone of his putative cadre has to either knowingly or unknowingly resort to:
argumentum ad temperantiam
argumentum ad metum
Survivorship bias
argumentum ad populum
Fallacy of relative privation
- Oh, yes. As Yanis Varoufakis stated one is put in the despicable position of voting for Hillary to keep Trump out, but all it takes is to look at her sadistic response to the death of Gaddafi among other things: "Anyone who watches the mutilation of a leader, even if this leader is a beast, for such a long time and claps and enjoys it should not be near the nuclear button, should not be Commander-in-Chief, should be at home."
What will it take for Krugman to admit that HRC's sole qualification in this election is that she-is-not-Trump? Until then, we have to put up with a whole list of logical fallacies that even someone of his putative cadre has to either knowingly or unknowingly resort to:
argumentum ad temperantiam
argumentum ad metum
Survivorship bias
argumentum ad populum
Fallacy of relative privation
2
Varoufakis is a picture perfect example if you let an-albeit studied man-, but without any real political experience drive a country over the cliff.....The desaster that he caused with mad statements and game theory, is truly closer to the present Trojan treason Horese named Trump......
1
There are plenty of reasons a Clinton presidency would be a disaster. Her hawkish persona and intentions are going to keep the USA embroiled on wars for the next 4 years if she gets the presidency. Being a woman is going to make her feel she has to do more than a man, be more aggressive and intransigent and less tolerant. She may have broken a glass ceiling but its still spiky up there, easy to get cut.
She is seriously dangerous!
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article45220.htm
She is seriously dangerous!
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article45220.htm
1
The man is not well, and America is in denial? It does sound as if the Republicans are behaving oddly, putting their interests first unto the death for fear of another Democratic President. Party affiliation first with one's 'Buddies', Americans next, and never has our Country needed strong leadership more.
The truth? If Obama were on the Republican Ticket, and Hillary Clinton on the Democrat, I would vote for the former without blinking. But Trump? America is not a joke. This charade has run its course, and is stale with stench and slime.
We have a President for The People, an extraordinary one, but we are determined to be self-defeatists. Hillary Clinton is making this American feel more secure for our future. It will not be easy, but I believe the Republicans will be more accommodating when a bipartisanship effort is required to restore our Country.
At least we are now paying attention to the need for National Infrastructure and Job Creation, which was raised in the mid-90s, and placed on a low-shelf for a rainy domestic day.
Eleanor Roosevelt might have been standing by the side of Hillary. She was the epitome of stability, and like the Democrat Nominee, prepared to take up the gauntlet for her Country. Less than a hundred years from now, Americans may be paying dear to see a production entitled 'The Madness of King Donald Trump' on Broadway.
The truth? If Obama were on the Republican Ticket, and Hillary Clinton on the Democrat, I would vote for the former without blinking. But Trump? America is not a joke. This charade has run its course, and is stale with stench and slime.
We have a President for The People, an extraordinary one, but we are determined to be self-defeatists. Hillary Clinton is making this American feel more secure for our future. It will not be easy, but I believe the Republicans will be more accommodating when a bipartisanship effort is required to restore our Country.
At least we are now paying attention to the need for National Infrastructure and Job Creation, which was raised in the mid-90s, and placed on a low-shelf for a rainy domestic day.
Eleanor Roosevelt might have been standing by the side of Hillary. She was the epitome of stability, and like the Democrat Nominee, prepared to take up the gauntlet for her Country. Less than a hundred years from now, Americans may be paying dear to see a production entitled 'The Madness of King Donald Trump' on Broadway.
1
The responsibility of the media to make a decent work, and have a responsible journalism to give the best of all work they do to the public is essential . We have a media that pledge only to corporations , because they 're corporations obviously. About 43% of citizens will not change their minds even if Trump do something tragic. Why this situation became so clear? The media feed the angry and the hungry for change. Republican's politicians detest President Onama, and progressives. They use FOX TV, Indecent talk heads to lie and provoke fear about every race and everything. Shame became their ability to keep with bigotry, misogyny.How can we do better.? Impossible because we have a system that focus only on profit. Everything that we have is material .Most people are very cold. They don't care. We create monsters every day, individualists, hollow human beings.Trump is a product of the environment our society created.He Open the gate for many like him. We only Hope to keep him out ..of the White House.
1
The same goes for the "Republican" columnists in the NYT. I am astounded that David Brooks and Ross Douthat, for all of their statements about how awful Trump is, cannot state unequivocally that they (a) are not voting for Trump and (b) are extorting their Republican audience to also not vote for Trump. What gives? Pride? I would say to normal Republicans that the honorable way out is to do just this, i.e., openly oppose Trump and call for his defeat at the voting booth, and simultaneously lay the groundwork for resurrecting the Republican Party in 2017. They need to get out of the "conservative vs. liberal" mentality, worrying about who will nominate Supreme Court justices for example, and realize that a Trump presidency would sink them as well as the rest of us.
3
Give Brooks and Blow a month or so. Douthat is stooge. Don't look for him.
Supreme court appointments seem to be driving a lot of people's thinking -- an issue not mentioned here. That concern falls along the ideological/religious fault line that Prof. Krugman doesn't give credence, not withstanding his other observations, with which I agree.
Another point may be that elections to power of persons who will "shake up the system" tend not to do so in a good way - Hugo Chavez comes to mind as a recent example. Worst case scenarios abound in European history.
1
Republicans have put party and tax cuts for the rich before country since Reagan's voodoo trickle down economics. So I'm not surprised at all by their tolerance if not support of Trump. And Trump does promise still more tax cuts for their rich puppet masters. Country comes after party and God with them.
2
It looks like Mr. Trump himself is tired of the madness that is his presidential run. Otherwise even he would know that his behavior this past weekend is insane. He might have to resort to standing on Fifth Avenue...
The real problem will be for his Republican cohorts running for office in the future, with all the baggage they created for themselves, once our country wakes up from the nightmare that is this presidential campaign.
The real problem will be for his Republican cohorts running for office in the future, with all the baggage they created for themselves, once our country wakes up from the nightmare that is this presidential campaign.
1
Tennessee is a red state if ever there was one. It's also very religious, and people are taught from childhood to trust their faith unquestioningly. Most of the people I've gotten to know have powerful feelings about their church, and these spill over into politics. They close their eyes and ears to facts that don't fit their beliefs, and put up a wall of anger and denial when they feel threatened. These people aren't supporting Donald Trump per se; they're supporting their vision of the Republican party. And that's the way it's going to be.
1
Republicans who want to vote Trump that they are doing so out of some kind of reflexive fealty to the republican party that, if anything, is even more averse to the idea of America than Trump the individual man.
My friends counter that Trump will have good advisors, which is tantamount to saying that rule by secret republican cabal is fine with them. A vote for Trump is a vote for a Newt-Cheney-McConnell-DeMint-Kyl-etc. presidency. The cabal is being assembled behind the scenes even now.
If Wikileaks wants a target, that's who they should be going after. Failing to do so makes Wikileaks complicit in the republican party's plan to appropriate America as a private plaything. Clinton's email is small-time stuff compared to the real threat to the world that is developing.
My friends counter that Trump will have good advisors, which is tantamount to saying that rule by secret republican cabal is fine with them. A vote for Trump is a vote for a Newt-Cheney-McConnell-DeMint-Kyl-etc. presidency. The cabal is being assembled behind the scenes even now.
If Wikileaks wants a target, that's who they should be going after. Failing to do so makes Wikileaks complicit in the republican party's plan to appropriate America as a private plaything. Clinton's email is small-time stuff compared to the real threat to the world that is developing.
It is indeed despicable that the leaders of the Republican party support Trump and if they think this will save their careers they are very wrong. If Trump is elected and declares martial law they, along with the rest of us, will be falling off that cliff. But they will be blamed because they were the enablers of this fiasco.
1
I believe that the biggest reason why the " non extreme" Republicans support Trump is Supreme Court nominations. Decisions such as Citizens United change the DNA of our society. That is what they desperately want to control.
1
Enjoying my made in the USA Ford Hybrid, my 3.25% mortgage and despite Brexit my retirement accounts are still up. My 27 year old daughter has health care she can afford and my 30 year old son born with a congenital heart defect can never be denied. Can Trump fix this?
He wants to and with Paul Ryan's help he will. This feeling the Bern voter is with her.
He wants to and with Paul Ryan's help he will. This feeling the Bern voter is with her.
10
Republicans who now support Trump are divided into the following:
1. Love Trump for his message and what he will bring to the office.
2. Hate Hillary Clinton and how rules don't apply to her. She is entirely untrustworthy.
I believe the latter is far more frequent than the former.
1. Love Trump for his message and what he will bring to the office.
2. Hate Hillary Clinton and how rules don't apply to her. She is entirely untrustworthy.
I believe the latter is far more frequent than the former.
1
It is time for experts to tell us how to adapt to a Trump presidency, nothing they say will change the outcome of the election, but teaching us how to prepare for the perfect storm that may well be coming could save lives, and careers.
1
It would be foolish for anyone to expect principled leadership from Senator McConnell. This after all is the man who at the height of the financial crisis announced that his number one priority was making sure that President Obama would be a one-term president. He has gone on to further distinguish himself by unconstitutionally denying a hearing to the President's nominee for the Supreme Court. Mr. Krugman is correct in calling the Republican leadership to account for putting their self-interest ahead of the best-interest of the country. Unfortunately, at least in the case of Senator McConnell it is entirely consistent with past behaviour.
2
Dr. Krugman for many Republicans this election is about the Supreme Court, and shifting the Court to the right with the nomination of a conservative Justice. They do not care if their candidate is the devil himself (which he may be), as long as they can control the nomination of the next Supreme Court Justice. They are willing to sacrifice this country's good name, and all the values we have stood for in the past for one goal,
1
I have 10 times more respect for the mobs idolizing the ''successful business man'' who will ''make America great again''--a man who does not exist-- than I do for all the sell-outs who knowingly support an emotionally unstable, unserious, racist fraud. At least the mob is often motivated by real economic pain rather than greed or partisan servility. The mob is manipulated by right-wing media identity politics & manufactured Hillary-hatred. The sell-outs are just opportunistic, and manipulating themselves with their convoluted rationalizations, evasions and wishful thinking. The party leadership has proved long ago that's willing to sacrifice anyone--racial minorities, LGBT people, women--in order to get its upward redestribution policies enacted. Now we know it's willing to sacrifice the security of the whole country and world stability.
467
I heard a pollster on NPR say that only 15% of trump voters support him out of economic concerns. The rest just don't like feeling they are losing status in a multicultural society.
3
Republicans have been purposely whipped up into a frenzy, and even once sane Republicans can no longer see straight when it comes to Hillary Clinton. That is obvious when even the NYT's favorite conservative commenter complete with green check by his name is now a full-throated supporter of Donald Trump. We've seen that commenter go step by step, from initial skepticism, to turning the corner and finally becoming a full-in supporter. It's been painful to see him convince himself that Trump is a perfectly rational choice, when that is plainly not the case. There's a contagion abroad in the Republican Party. Something in the water, perhaps?
1
"Opposing their party’s nominee, no matter how awful he is, would probably end up being a career killer."
So, basically, career protection trumps judgement, morals, beliefs, faith, standards, and integrity? I've suspected this for quite some time. It also indicates a complete lack of courage. Let's just call them Trump's Toadies.
So, basically, career protection trumps judgement, morals, beliefs, faith, standards, and integrity? I've suspected this for quite some time. It also indicates a complete lack of courage. Let's just call them Trump's Toadies.
1
Could it be that Paul Ryan, Mitch MCconnell and so many other Congressional Republicans are hoping for an impeachable offense by the man?
a) They were comfortable knowing that if nominated he'd likely have a conservative VP. Which they got.
b) As Geral Ford said, as Minority Leader, "An impeachable offense is whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment).
So, by mid-spring the trickster had demonstrated himself to be a pathological liar and bullying nincompoop. How many lies and / or treasonous or near treasonous acts will it take before a Republican Congress decides to cut its loses and raise one of their own to President? They know by now he can't be shut up, and it's clear as day he's a security risk and there's every chance he will say something that can be construed as treasonous (he almost done it once already). I ask you, what would you do?
Could this be the Republican's Trojan Horse? A vote for Donald is a vote for Pence and the Republican establishment.
a) They were comfortable knowing that if nominated he'd likely have a conservative VP. Which they got.
b) As Geral Ford said, as Minority Leader, "An impeachable offense is whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment).
So, by mid-spring the trickster had demonstrated himself to be a pathological liar and bullying nincompoop. How many lies and / or treasonous or near treasonous acts will it take before a Republican Congress decides to cut its loses and raise one of their own to President? They know by now he can't be shut up, and it's clear as day he's a security risk and there's every chance he will say something that can be construed as treasonous (he almost done it once already). I ask you, what would you do?
Could this be the Republican's Trojan Horse? A vote for Donald is a vote for Pence and the Republican establishment.
A very large percentage of the electorate votes Republican regardless of any information about the candidate, perhaps 40%. They are low information about any issues at all. And a sizable group are just angry in general (about their economic status, abortion, gun control, gay rights) and they believe that pushing the button for TRUMP help assuage that anger in some respect.
Unfortunately these are people who will not reflect on the merits of the candidates. Add that to the people who still reflexly hate Obama and will vote Trump just to spite him. Now we are up to about 45%.
Unfortunately these are people who will not reflect on the merits of the candidates. Add that to the people who still reflexly hate Obama and will vote Trump just to spite him. Now we are up to about 45%.
My brother, whom I have known for 65 years, is voting for Trump. My brother is a college-educated man, who, prior to his retirement, held a well-paying, white-collar job. He is a historian by avocation and he has not demonstrated any inclination, as far as I can tell, towards racism, sexism or xenophobia. He’s actually a pretty nice live-and-let-live kind of guy. He says he’s voting for Trump because he believes Trump will appoint non-activist Supreme Court justices who will follow the Constitution and not interpret it. It doesn’t seem to matter to him that Trump has probably never even read the Constitution. None of the other things Trump has said or done or not done seem to matter either. For me, it is not the ignorant, misogynistic, racist lunk-headed Trumpeters who are so scary. It is the people like my brother.
16
Krugman is making a pitch to "mainstream" republicans who are put off by the vulgar, race-baiting, and demagogic Trump. It's a pitch that warrants repeating, not only in the matter of national security, where, for example, Trump demonstrates his approval of Putin's revanchism and unconcern for our Article 5 responsibility to our NATO allies with alarming frequency, but also in the prospect of a bankruptcy-seasoned President Trump as chief fiduciary of our still recovering economy... if the prospect of a commander and chief as a Putin admirer doesn't upset "traditional" republicans, then perhaps a direct threat to their financial portfolios will.
1
There is a good reason that someone like Paul Ryan supports Trump for President. It's all in his budget, a budget that Krugman has criticized before. It is a supply-side wish list that would bankrupt the country by giving the rich the rest of the money left in the country, punishing future elderly by eliminating Social Security and Medicare (imagine millions of future old folks begging on the streets), and all the other wishes of the right. If they get Trump into the White House, they will control all branches of government, and the middle class and poor will be on the streets in the future, federal lands will be given to the states, gun control, don't need it, and on and on. Ryan and McConnell think that Trump will be bored with the job and is clueless, and they can run the country - into the ground.
2
What we are going through has given rise to my recalling the words of Thomas Paine when we were about to become a country. "December 23, 1776. THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." We all ought to apply this to denying Trump our presidency! When I listen to that blowhard, my soul aches. His random acts of viciousness appall me and I am an ex-Marine. It is one thing to disagree with someone's policy. It is quite another to attack them personally and in such an evil way. If my children behaved that way, I would have taken stern measures to change their attitude. When he attacked the mother of an Army Captain who gave his life for his country, it was the final straw for me. So, I implore my Republican friends to answer the call of our country over the call of the party. We, who love this country, cannot allow this megalomaniac become our President.
904
Thank you for your service to our country, Paul, and thank you for this post.
If the nightmare becomes reality, I genuinely believe that Drumpf will be impeached within 100 days. The next question is whether he subverts democracy entirely with the complicit Republican leadership, or whether they finally take a stand. They keep saying they will keep him in check if he's elected, but why should we believe them? They won't put country before party now. Why would they suddenly feel patriotism later? Instead, he'll offer them a "deal" and they'll take it. So then the question is whether our country survives...
269
Impeachment would be the best outcome for the country, even if means a President Pence for 3 years. The worst outcome? Someone taking out Trump because the Secret Service [which includes minorities, women, and others whom Trump has insulted] "looked the other way." This would be awful, but the way things are going, anything is possible. Truth is truly stranger than fiction, and getting stranger by the day....
I have a bad feeling that Ryan and McConnell (the coat hanger and the turtle) have colluded to support Trump, with impeachment in mind. Pence can be pushed over and Ryan becomes president. And who would fight to keep Trump in the White House?
Why would Drumpf be impeached? Who would impeach him?
If he's elected, down-ballot voting will bring him a GOP Senate and GOP House. As promised, he'll deliver them a GOP Supreme Court, plus all the pennies the rest of us schnooks have on a golden platter. What's not to like?
If he's elected, down-ballot voting will bring him a GOP Senate and GOP House. As promised, he'll deliver them a GOP Supreme Court, plus all the pennies the rest of us schnooks have on a golden platter. What's not to like?
1
"Yet the great majority of these not-crazy Republicans are still supporting Mr. Trump for president. And we have a right to ask why." Why Mr. Krugman? It's the same reason tens of millions of French people supported the Vichy government that collaborated with Hitler. The contemporary Vichy Republicans are selfish, greedy, and stupid but when push comes to shove, at some very atavistic level, they also find something agreeable in Trump. Maybe they won't march with his brownshirts but they won't get in their way either.
Sure, most of the Republican Party leaders can't stand Trump, know he is incompetent (Trump proves this on a daily basis), and realize he has gone way too far beyond the typical GOP dog whistling. BUT:
1. Trump proved to be the candidate who far outdid any of the other GOP candidates left in the bottom of the barrel, so how could the GOP WIN/capture the presidency without sponsoring the candidate who gets the most Republican votes in the primaries?
2. Since the GOP only reflects and represents the interests of the rich (a tiny percentage of the electorate), the party realized a long time ago it had to entice a much larger percentage of the not-wealthy citizenry to vote for its candidates. Ergo, the patchwork quilt of working class whites, evangelicals, small business people, and tea party rebels. The one thing the 1% and these groups can agree on: "government is the problem" and it must be "drowned in the bathtub." This is all we need to know.
3. So if the goal is to severely weaken, even eviscerate government, what better choice than the inexperienced, incompetent, insult con-man Donald Trump.
Actually, my guess is the party economic intellectual Paul Ryan and the party obstructionist tactician Mitch McConnell believe that (a) they can get the GOP Congress to smash through a bunch of horrible right-wing legislation and (b) give Trump orders to sign it.
So, Krugman is right. The GOP is the Contemptible Party of Contempt (on many grounds and at many levels).
1. Trump proved to be the candidate who far outdid any of the other GOP candidates left in the bottom of the barrel, so how could the GOP WIN/capture the presidency without sponsoring the candidate who gets the most Republican votes in the primaries?
2. Since the GOP only reflects and represents the interests of the rich (a tiny percentage of the electorate), the party realized a long time ago it had to entice a much larger percentage of the not-wealthy citizenry to vote for its candidates. Ergo, the patchwork quilt of working class whites, evangelicals, small business people, and tea party rebels. The one thing the 1% and these groups can agree on: "government is the problem" and it must be "drowned in the bathtub." This is all we need to know.
3. So if the goal is to severely weaken, even eviscerate government, what better choice than the inexperienced, incompetent, insult con-man Donald Trump.
Actually, my guess is the party economic intellectual Paul Ryan and the party obstructionist tactician Mitch McConnell believe that (a) they can get the GOP Congress to smash through a bunch of horrible right-wing legislation and (b) give Trump orders to sign it.
So, Krugman is right. The GOP is the Contemptible Party of Contempt (on many grounds and at many levels).
1
Trump is dissembling. He cannot take the pressure. This is a man who sees every disagreement as a criticism and every criticism as a personal attack. He is incapable of ignoring criticism and must attack his critics. As this campaign continues and he is subject to nearly daily attacks by Clinton, Kaine, Warren, Sanders, Bill Clinton, President Obama, and others, he will try to respond to every criticism offering vicious hateful attacks. As big as mistakes like attacking the Khan family are, his mistakes will get worse. He has no self control. There will come a time fairly soon when McConnell, Ryan et al will need to cut losses. Once their polling shows not only that Trump cannot win but that his hate mongering and abusive behavior may cause the Republicans to lose the Senate and perhaps the House, then they will have to disavow him unconditionally. And I can see Pence resigning as candidate when eventually he realizes that he just cannot live with himself and with Trump.
3
M.I.Estner, I'm afraid you are too kind. As horrendous as Drumpf is, the Bush/Cheney gang did immense destruction to this and other countries in their 8 years at the helm, and nothing happened to them.
The GOPers will do their best to get Drumpf in and keep him there to do their bidding. If they were going to cut him loose, they'd have done it already.
Even Senator John McCain, after being personally insulted for "getting captured" by the VC during his heroic military service, even after announcing his anger at Drumpf for belittling he Kahn family who lost their hero son in Iraq, has yet to wash his hands of this filth. No, those of us with any sense have to go it alone in this election, and hope the GOPers don't manage to keep too many African Americans from the polling places -- a serious problem thanks to the GOPer Supremes striking down Section Four of The Voting Rights Act. Do not look to GOPers for help.
The GOPers will do their best to get Drumpf in and keep him there to do their bidding. If they were going to cut him loose, they'd have done it already.
Even Senator John McCain, after being personally insulted for "getting captured" by the VC during his heroic military service, even after announcing his anger at Drumpf for belittling he Kahn family who lost their hero son in Iraq, has yet to wash his hands of this filth. No, those of us with any sense have to go it alone in this election, and hope the GOPers don't manage to keep too many African Americans from the polling places -- a serious problem thanks to the GOPer Supremes striking down Section Four of The Voting Rights Act. Do not look to GOPers for help.
1
The current "center left" Democratic Party is so far to the right of the historical center of political thought that it is laughable to consider them "left" at all. The policies that they support as "political realists" in modern times are far to the right of those of the Nixon administration.
Republicans have leveraged the votes of disaffected white working class voters for years by focusing attention on social issues at election time, with promises of a return to the "good old days" while enabling / encouraging businesses to export jobs to other countries.
Republicans have leveraged the votes of disaffected white working class voters for years by focusing attention on social issues at election time, with promises of a return to the "good old days" while enabling / encouraging businesses to export jobs to other countries.
1
My neighbors are strong Trump supporters. They listen to Rush Limbaugh and watch Sean Hannity at Fox News. They don't care about facts or policies. They've been brainwashed by hate speech for a long time, and Trump is the bravado character who protects the values of the white people which is in extinction according to them, and consider Obama a Muslim not even born in the US, and a black man that doesn't deserve to be president.
They are part of the party of Trump. The party of the bullies.
They are part of the party of Trump. The party of the bullies.
1
And, of course, anyone who disagrees with your assessment is "non-sane" or uneducated or any number of other derogatory descriptions and aspersions. I am not a Trump supporter and I understand that the GOP engages in the same type of behavior but I would expect more from you, Dr. Krugman.
Can we please get away from name calling anyone with whom we disagree? I am not a supporter of HRC (I rather loathe her) but I understand there are reasonable people who are.
My surprise is that anyone can be surprised by the amount of cynicism that exists in our country today.
Can we please get away from name calling anyone with whom we disagree? I am not a supporter of HRC (I rather loathe her) but I understand there are reasonable people who are.
My surprise is that anyone can be surprised by the amount of cynicism that exists in our country today.
What it amounts to is an utter failure of the two-party system we use to choose our Presidential candidates. See the article on the front page of today's Times: the candidates were chosen by a whopping 9% of the American electorate. And they are the two least popular people ever selected to run for President. We have been given bad candidates because the system is irretreivably broken.
2
I am hopeful that the country may, once again, be saved by its diversity. Immigrants, minorities, responsible Republicans, and the vast majority of Democrats will never vote for Trump. Our obligation now, as citizens, is to spend every available minute for the next 98 days persuading and motivating everyone we know to get out and vote. Write letters to a few friends in swing states; knock on a few doors; pick up the phone and call an old friend. If Democrats can simply increase turn out by 5% in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania then Trump won't have a chance.
Heed President Obama's call to arms: "Don't boo, VOTE!" (and motivate others to do the same).
Heed President Obama's call to arms: "Don't boo, VOTE!" (and motivate others to do the same).
2
You speculate that for Republican leaders failure to support the party's nominee, even if that candidate is a danger to the nation, would be a career killer. Is that because the Republican Party no longer cares about the country but only about the party in true Stalinist fashion? Or is it because McConnell and Ryan are, as they have been for 8 years, more motivated by hatred for Democrats than love of conservative policies?
I think it's more certain that any GOP leader that supports Trump will kill their career no matter the outcome of the election. If Trump wins the voters will be so furious at the disaster that will be Trump's Amerika that, if the elections of 2018 is allowed to happen, every Republican up and down the ballot will be defeated. If Trump loses the GOP will be looking for scapegoats, No one, regardless of position in the Party will be safe from the purge that will ensue.
I think it's more certain that any GOP leader that supports Trump will kill their career no matter the outcome of the election. If Trump wins the voters will be so furious at the disaster that will be Trump's Amerika that, if the elections of 2018 is allowed to happen, every Republican up and down the ballot will be defeated. If Trump loses the GOP will be looking for scapegoats, No one, regardless of position in the Party will be safe from the purge that will ensue.
A Clinton victory would mean a continued dominance of the financial elite that enriched the candidate personally
Read the NY Times, of 4 days ago:
"After Lying Low, Deep-Pocketed Clinton Donors Return to the Fore"
That IS a problem for progressives
Ms Clinton utters the right words, but she refuses to tell the American people what she told Goldman Sachs - for all the money she pocketed.
That IS a problem for progressives.
And worthy of contempt.
--------------------
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/29/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donors.html
Read the NY Times, of 4 days ago:
"After Lying Low, Deep-Pocketed Clinton Donors Return to the Fore"
That IS a problem for progressives
Ms Clinton utters the right words, but she refuses to tell the American people what she told Goldman Sachs - for all the money she pocketed.
That IS a problem for progressives.
And worthy of contempt.
--------------------
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/29/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donors.html
3
Ah, so Hillary Clinton is under some sort of responsibility to divulge contents of a speech made to a private group - but Donald Trump can still get away with not releasing his tax records? Given his affection for Putin (expressed earlier and then later denied when convenient), given that the IRS has said (at least twice) that there is no impediment to releasing those records - I have to ask.
What is Donald hiding? I won't speculate further, except to say - that it would be very easy for Donald to diffuse this question of where his money is going and who it is supporting - and perhaps even more important - who is supporting him?
For myself, as a progressive -that is a MUCH, MUCH bigger question.
What is Donald hiding? I won't speculate further, except to say - that it would be very easy for Donald to diffuse this question of where his money is going and who it is supporting - and perhaps even more important - who is supporting him?
For myself, as a progressive -that is a MUCH, MUCH bigger question.
308
During political campaigns, candidates say a lot of things they don't really mean about each other. That's how things work. But now the campaign is over - Bernie Sanders himself has shaken hands with Hillary Clinton and put the campaign rhetoric behind him. It's time for you to get past yesterday's talking points, too.
12
This is a terrible dilemma, not just for Republicans but for the country as a whole. This is because Republican leadership recognizes that Trump carries a lot of support from the right, the long-time well-spring of GOP power. The GOP is terrified that it may be witnessing its own dissolution, that a significant proportion of this country's voters have slipped over the edge of rational behavior and have gone bonkers. A healthy democracy is founded on an educated electorate that possesses the critical abilities to make rational decisions. Is this the beginning of the end of the American experiment in democracy? Are we moving inexorably to banana republic insanity?
Dr Kruger,
How eloquent your arguments and how well targeted are the voters you are trying to make a final appeal to. I remember watching a movie about the way Hitler turned even against friends as he gained power, the case with Mr. Trump is no different in my mind. As I sit in SE Asia, I worry about the Trump statements effect on all Asian leaders and those statements have had major tolls. The people of this area worry that all assistance to maintain peace may be gone with the next US Election.
Some of the people from the back woods may think that the US does not need Asia but they would be sorely mistaken, If Asia falls to Xi and Putin, America can kiss her liberty goodbye. Africa is a cake walk for Xi and Putin if India is toppled. Japan, S. Korea and the rest have not a prayer without the best guns of the US to back them. The US also need Europe to be a strong ally and that could not be if eastern Europe fell to Putin.
So, Whether we Americans like it or not, we need our friends as they need us and we do not, can not have a POTUS sewing heavy dissension all through our ranks and friends.
For an Honorable World Peace
How eloquent your arguments and how well targeted are the voters you are trying to make a final appeal to. I remember watching a movie about the way Hitler turned even against friends as he gained power, the case with Mr. Trump is no different in my mind. As I sit in SE Asia, I worry about the Trump statements effect on all Asian leaders and those statements have had major tolls. The people of this area worry that all assistance to maintain peace may be gone with the next US Election.
Some of the people from the back woods may think that the US does not need Asia but they would be sorely mistaken, If Asia falls to Xi and Putin, America can kiss her liberty goodbye. Africa is a cake walk for Xi and Putin if India is toppled. Japan, S. Korea and the rest have not a prayer without the best guns of the US to back them. The US also need Europe to be a strong ally and that could not be if eastern Europe fell to Putin.
So, Whether we Americans like it or not, we need our friends as they need us and we do not, can not have a POTUS sewing heavy dissension all through our ranks and friends.
For an Honorable World Peace
1
Starting last August with his comment about John McCain a steady stream of absurdities have poured from Trump's mouth on a regular basis. I've often wondered when he will reach the point where a comment "cannot be topped." It appears that that point will never be reached. I cannot fathom why his supporters accept this. Never before have we had a Presidential candidate who had uttered such stuff. The frightening thing is that he could win. Like another demagogue who lived in Europe not too many years before my birth (1946) the people around him thought that they could control him. I think that they are making a big mistake.
4
PK -- it's all about the Supreme Court, at the end of the day. Republicans, even GOP moderates, are desparate that the Court will swing far left with Clinton as President, ignoring the fact that unless the Democrats win control of the Senate, we are likely to see a 4-4 split on the bench for years to come.
This is reason enough for Democrats to win the White House and the Senate. And to be joined by thinking Republicans who believe in country first.
This is reason enough for Democrats to win the White House and the Senate. And to be joined by thinking Republicans who believe in country first.
4
Not since McCarthy has the Republican leadership shown such cowardice.
Once again they fail to denounce a blowhard who has found an issue that terrifies the public - a con man who has proven just how untrustworthy he is in so many actions, bankruptcies, and slanders.
The leadership knows full well that the candidate's delusional promises cannot work and are probably unconstitutional, and that they most likely would not actually support most of his promises if they ever came to Congress.
And yet they timidly parry all criticism in hopes of protecting the candidate just enough to save their own jobs, regardless of what damage would come to the country.
Where in the Republican party is the Joseph Welch who will call out the lies of their candidate and perhaps save some respect for their party?
Senator McConnell, Congressman Ryan, "At long last, have you no sense of decency?"
Apparently not.
Once again they fail to denounce a blowhard who has found an issue that terrifies the public - a con man who has proven just how untrustworthy he is in so many actions, bankruptcies, and slanders.
The leadership knows full well that the candidate's delusional promises cannot work and are probably unconstitutional, and that they most likely would not actually support most of his promises if they ever came to Congress.
And yet they timidly parry all criticism in hopes of protecting the candidate just enough to save their own jobs, regardless of what damage would come to the country.
Where in the Republican party is the Joseph Welch who will call out the lies of their candidate and perhaps save some respect for their party?
Senator McConnell, Congressman Ryan, "At long last, have you no sense of decency?"
Apparently not.
5
As an 80 year old voter, I shudder at the thought of the two choices we have for president of the United States! Having said that, I shudder even more at the prospect of Donald Trump actually becoming president! While Hillary is no prize, I do want someone to represent this country who has a modicum of intellect, treats people with dignity, cares about their fellow man and this planet, and who will work for all Americans. Call me old and silly, but I am going to vote for the devil I know, Hillary; the devil I don't know is too dangerous for this country!
335
Good choice, and we all may actually be surprised that despite all the stuff made up of her, she may turn out to be one of the greatest Presidents of this nation.
I am older than you and do not "shudder" at the prospect of Hillary as president. In fact, I welcome it. Who among us doesn't have blemishes. The reasons you give, "...I want someone to represents country who has a modicum of intellect, treats people with dignity, cares about their fellow man and this planet and who'll work for all Americans." are sufficient for a full throated vote for Hillary. In fact she has way more than than a "modicum "of intellect.
Thank you for your vote. I'm sorry it does not bring you joy. I believe the Democratic Party is about to revive the New Deal that saved my parents and grand parents and she will provide the leadership for it. My grand children are going to need it. How about yours?
I have been reflecting on a presidential election nearly 50 years ago. At that time I commented to a colleague from Argentina that many of us feared Barry Goldwater, if elected, might start a nuclear war. He responded that he didn't fear that at all. His fear was that when he and his wife returned to Argentina, they would probably be killed. This was the time that 30,000 Argentinians disappeared. Kind of puts a different perspective on an election.
In economic terms Trump disqualified himself when he suggested that our debt could be restructured. Even suggesting it, by a candidate, weakens America and makes our debt more expensive. Imagine going to a bank and saying, 'Please give me a rate for a loan and understand I just might not want to make all the payments,
There is a reason the dollar is the most respected financial instrument in the world and why US debt is highly desired around the world.
There is a reason the dollar is the most respected financial instrument in the world and why US debt is highly desired around the world.
I can't believe that this Trump position isn't near the top of everyone's list of Trump disqualifications. The idea that the US could go to its creditors and shake them down for some debt relief without huge ramifications is mind blowing.
Conservative Republican leaders are, apparently, hoping that they could successfully collar and leash Trump should we be proved insane enough to elect him. Donald Trump wants his Precious. Republican heads want control of governmental processes. As comprehensive and the DSM is, it does not contain within it a diagnosis for this particular disorder.
1
A presidential candidate has to do homework so as to at least try and make sound judgements on issues such as foreign affairs and domestic policies. Platitudes and insults just don't cut it. Trump however has shown time and again he not only is too lazy to do his homework but just doesn't care to do it. In place of any intellectual curiosity about the issues at hand, Trump just speaks off the top of whatever that thing is on his head, clueless to even the fact that Putin stepped over the line and the Russian border into Ukraine long ago.
When the father of the American Muslim war hero said that Trump has no empathy and characterized Trump as having a soul that is black, we had the classic definition of a sociopath, and that makes Trump a danger to all of U.S. Trump should never even have his finger near a nuclear button.
When the father of the American Muslim war hero said that Trump has no empathy and characterized Trump as having a soul that is black, we had the classic definition of a sociopath, and that makes Trump a danger to all of U.S. Trump should never even have his finger near a nuclear button.
A 5 star column, as is usual, by Professor Krugman as far as it goes, but what we really need to focus on is the sources of Trumps finances, by this I mean his business finances but the possibility of a beyond corruption taint of his campaign finances exist as well. Trump has been through bankruptcy 6 times, as a result no U.S. bank will do business with him. Let this sink in a moment, Trump is a billionaire who any self respecting loan officer would cross the street to avoid being seen with. So where does Trump get credit? There are ominous reports of Russain fat cats being his source, ominous because Vladimer Putin has turned Russia back into a dictatorship in all but name so said fat cats are under Putin's thumb. Meanwhile Trump has proposed recognition of Russia's annexation of the Crimia, proffes to know nothing about other Russian aggression against the Ukraine and virtually emasculating NATO. Due to NYT guidelines about throwing around labels I'll leave it to you, gentle reader, to infer my drift. On second thought, I'll go as far as to say Trump is the Manchurian Candidate come to life but that's still putting it mildly.
1
You've asked the right question but unfortunately you don't have a right answer. Sure we might say its about exercising responsibility and essentially falling on their sword (sacrificing their career for the sake of doing the right thing for a larger cause). Unfortunately, giving a the prescription and actually following it are two different things. - kind of like telling an overweight person to loss weight doesn't really help them do the things they need to do to loss the weight.
All too often we have seen people who should have known better stand silent or even support the rise of demagogues. Mussolini, Hitler, and even Putin as examples.
History tells us that rarely is there the courage of those who might have made a difference to actually stand up and make a difference. I'm afraid the hope that the Paul Ryan's of the Republican Party will stand up against Trump is extremely unlikely. There will be very few most of them and most will be the ones who already have nothing to lose.
all too often
But democracy isn’t about making a statement, it’s about exercising responsibility.
All too often we have seen people who should have known better stand silent or even support the rise of demagogues. Mussolini, Hitler, and even Putin as examples.
History tells us that rarely is there the courage of those who might have made a difference to actually stand up and make a difference. I'm afraid the hope that the Paul Ryan's of the Republican Party will stand up against Trump is extremely unlikely. There will be very few most of them and most will be the ones who already have nothing to lose.
all too often
But democracy isn’t about making a statement, it’s about exercising responsibility.
2
The United States has had its share of demagogues. In the 1930's we had Huey Long, the Kingfish, well described in Robert Penn Warren's "All the King's Men". President Franklin Roosevelt believed that the two most dangerous men in the 1930's were Huey Long and Douglas MacArthur. We also had an alcoholic Republican Senator from Wisconsin who, with the encouragement of "Mr. Republican" Robert A. Taft, pursed a reign of terror in the early 1950's until he was finally taken on by Edward R. Murrow and the Senate "condemned" him in 1954. In 1968 we had the segregationist governor of Alabama run a racist Third-Party campaign for President. But this is the first time in American history that a major political party has nominated a person who is a genuine, authentic demagogue for the Office of President of the United States of America.
The fate of American democracy is in much greater danger today than it was when we faced the combined military forces of Mussolini's Italy, Hitler's Germany and Hirohito's Japan. That threat was external. The threat we face today is far more dangerous as it is internal. After the delegates completed the Constitution and submitted it the the states for ratification a woman asked Benjamin Franklin: "What have you wrought?" Franklin responded: "A republic if you can keep it." This is our greatest test to see if we can keep it. If Hillary Clinton is elected we know there will be an election in 2020. Otherwise all bets are off.
The fate of American democracy is in much greater danger today than it was when we faced the combined military forces of Mussolini's Italy, Hitler's Germany and Hirohito's Japan. That threat was external. The threat we face today is far more dangerous as it is internal. After the delegates completed the Constitution and submitted it the the states for ratification a woman asked Benjamin Franklin: "What have you wrought?" Franklin responded: "A republic if you can keep it." This is our greatest test to see if we can keep it. If Hillary Clinton is elected we know there will be an election in 2020. Otherwise all bets are off.
5
Trump is not only "a danger to the nation", but also to the world, as is seen keenly in Europe. I don't think the US will elect him, although I admit to being wrong in my view that, like an inflated party balloon, he would rise high, before, emitting loud gas, zooming about in all directions before falling withered to the floor, forgotten under the confetti. My worry is that the jihadists identify his election as serving their cause, given that--like Bush--he would attack an oil fire with a powerful hose, spreading flames around the world, and therefore will stage attacks on the USA running up to the election.
1
For otherwise sane Republicans supporting Donald Trump, there is one issue that dominates all others: the Supreme Court, which is not mentioned in this piece. I think the otherwise sane Republicans believe that the checks and balances of power will restrain Trump during the four years he will be in office, assuming he is not impeached during that term. But he will make Supreme Court picks, if President, beginning with Scalia's replacement. And for many Republicans, that is all that really matters. For them, Donald Trump becomes a useful idiot, and they must not believe that he can be as dangerous for the country, or the world, that many of us fear he will be.
1
The villain is not Trump himself.... there are Donald Trumps under every rock. As Krugman points out, the true villains are the Republican elite, the enablers, who allow their personal interests to take priority over their principles. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
4
Donald Trump puts on a demonstration of what a buffoon he is on an hourly basis. He will soon be coming to your city to show off his buffoonness for all to see (except to the select media he bars from his rallies). Why would anyone even for a moment pick him over any sane American with reasonable govt. experience and demonstrated intelligence? Because they dislike, no, hate, the other part of America more. They can't even see what an idiot he is because they are blinded by partisanship. This is much worse than the "beer goggles" effect of a college student picking up someone unsuitable in a bar and then waking up the next morning aghast at their choice.
Take the "I support Trump pledge"!
1. I realize that Trump says & tweets ridiculous things on an hourly basis.
2. I fully realize that he has threatened to weaken America's commitments to Europe, which could encourage Russia to grab eastern Europe back, which could bring massive war.
3. I understand he mocks people with disabilities in a sickening display of insensitivity.
4. I understand he has said he will tell America's military to carry out illegal acts, including torture and the assassination of the families of suspected terrorists.
5. Yes, he wants incredibly big tax cuts for the wealthy.
Here's the pledge: I support him regardless of his inexperience, his numerous bankruptcies, multiple marriages and previous "Studio 54" lifestyle" because, you know, he's not her.
Take the pledge, then look in the mirror.
527
Mr. Krugman, your argument is cogent and well-reasoned.
It will therefore, by definition, be ignored by the unreasonable and logically challenged. And that currently included the overwhelming majority of Trump supporters.
As for the less logically challenged among current Republicans, which presumably includes many Republican legislators and high ranking officials, their silence on Trump once again shows that party and power are more important than nation and decency. But this is no great revelation, either--so it has been for a very long time.
We'll see if some in that crowd step up and say they'll break party ranks. the interesting speculation is what degree of Trumpian depredation would it take to push them over that edge.
It will therefore, by definition, be ignored by the unreasonable and logically challenged. And that currently included the overwhelming majority of Trump supporters.
As for the less logically challenged among current Republicans, which presumably includes many Republican legislators and high ranking officials, their silence on Trump once again shows that party and power are more important than nation and decency. But this is no great revelation, either--so it has been for a very long time.
We'll see if some in that crowd step up and say they'll break party ranks. the interesting speculation is what degree of Trumpian depredation would it take to push them over that edge.
4
Have reasonable Republicans no shame supporting someone dangerous to our country. He names lots of problems, but his main solution is believe me or trust me when he tells more lies than truths and has swindled as many little people as possible. His other solutions are often illegal, unconstitutional, impractical, impossible, ridiculous, or stupid. He is not someone with most voters would want to be friends.
Most Republicans support him because they hate the other candidate and they want to win Congress, They distrust elites, but want an elite doctor, lawyer, and college for themselves and their family. They want government benefits for themselves but not for others.
Most Republicans support him because they hate the other candidate and they want to win Congress, They distrust elites, but want an elite doctor, lawyer, and college for themselves and their family. They want government benefits for themselves but not for others.
2
In 2008 we were given a similar choice - between the devil we knew, (Hillary Clinton), or a relatively unknown Barack Obama. We chose Obama. Now, eight years later, we face a similar choice between the devil we still know and Donald Trump.
There is a school of thought that if you're getting under the skin of the establishment of both parties, you must be doing something right. Trump seems to be doing that, in spades.
Further, we can reasonably extrapolate that a Clinton presidency would be a continuation of the status quo. So, endless wars, blind obeisance to the Wall Street elite, diminishing of American sovereignty to internationalist interests, perhaps another near doubling of the national debt as Obama has done from $11 trillion to $19 trillion - under Hillary would it go to $40 trillion if she served two terms? It's only fiat money anyway, right?
Trump, at least in his speeches, favors a long overdue America First policy that would call for a re-evaluation of the status quo, perhaps keeping the good parts that are working, but give more of the cost and more of the responsibility to others who have long sucked on the teat of American largesse, getting a largely free ride, at our expense. Is he perfect? Of course not. But neither has Obama been, either.
There is a school of thought that if you're getting under the skin of the establishment of both parties, you must be doing something right. Trump seems to be doing that, in spades.
Further, we can reasonably extrapolate that a Clinton presidency would be a continuation of the status quo. So, endless wars, blind obeisance to the Wall Street elite, diminishing of American sovereignty to internationalist interests, perhaps another near doubling of the national debt as Obama has done from $11 trillion to $19 trillion - under Hillary would it go to $40 trillion if she served two terms? It's only fiat money anyway, right?
Trump, at least in his speeches, favors a long overdue America First policy that would call for a re-evaluation of the status quo, perhaps keeping the good parts that are working, but give more of the cost and more of the responsibility to others who have long sucked on the teat of American largesse, getting a largely free ride, at our expense. Is he perfect? Of course not. But neither has Obama been, either.
2
Your description of the status quo is counterfactual. Obama will go down in history as a successful president. If Trump is elected, there's a pretty good chance history will come to an end.
1
And who are the biggest 'teat' suckers of American wealth? The corporations that pay no tax? The subsidised corporate 'farmers' that drive out families from the rural areas? The subsidised mega-stores that destroy small retail business throughout America? Perhaps it is the sports franchises that blackmail cities and states into building them elaborate stadiums with corporate sky boxes?
It is most definitely NOT the less developed nations of the world who receive less from the US as a proportion of GDP than from any other 'developed' nation.
Clueless, thy name is the American Trump supporter!
It is most definitely NOT the less developed nations of the world who receive less from the US as a proportion of GDP than from any other 'developed' nation.
Clueless, thy name is the American Trump supporter!
1
Having carefully watched the train wreck that is the Trump campaign for quite a while, I can only conclude that Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell still think - God knows why - that if Trump gets elected he will somehow be controllable. Clearly, he isn't.
But I noticed Professor Krugman a couple of times referred to the governance of President Obama as "center-left". For me, it's been much closer to center-right. Any president with even a slight "left" orientation would have done things quite differently. For example, the existing anti-trust laws would have been vigorously enforced. Since those laws are on the books, their enforcement could not have been blocked by Congress.
A "center-left" president would also have instructed his Justice Department to robustly investigate and prosecute the "masters of the universe" in finance who brought down the economy in 2008. There have been so many studies exposing massive criminal behavior that led up to the 2008 collapse that to deny it is no longer credible. But under President Obama, it was hands off the mega-wealthy, and post-meltdown bonuses to the criminals at AIG.
Professor Krugman's columns used to be more critical of President Obama's policies, but since the primaries started, he's been painting what for me is a somewhat false picture of President Obama, and certainly Bernie Sanders. I wonder why.
But I noticed Professor Krugman a couple of times referred to the governance of President Obama as "center-left". For me, it's been much closer to center-right. Any president with even a slight "left" orientation would have done things quite differently. For example, the existing anti-trust laws would have been vigorously enforced. Since those laws are on the books, their enforcement could not have been blocked by Congress.
A "center-left" president would also have instructed his Justice Department to robustly investigate and prosecute the "masters of the universe" in finance who brought down the economy in 2008. There have been so many studies exposing massive criminal behavior that led up to the 2008 collapse that to deny it is no longer credible. But under President Obama, it was hands off the mega-wealthy, and post-meltdown bonuses to the criminals at AIG.
Professor Krugman's columns used to be more critical of President Obama's policies, but since the primaries started, he's been painting what for me is a somewhat false picture of President Obama, and certainly Bernie Sanders. I wonder why.
12
There is no point in expecting integrity from people who have none. There is no sense in expecting self-sacrifice or truth from individuals who have put their party above their country for decades.
This is the bottom of the slippery slope the GOP started down with Nixon's Southern Strategy, then Reagan's "state's rights" kickoff and his "trickle down", then W. Bush's catastrophic presidency, then McConnell's cowardly and racist attempts to de-legitimize and sabotage President Obama from day one of his presidency.
Now, we have a erratic, unhinged, blowhard leading the GOP, who embraces and spreads racism, xenopobia, and sexism in his quest for power. Some Republicans undoubtedly agree with his opinions, so they remain silent. Others, like Ryan, care so much about their positions and its powers that they will gladly go-along to get-along if it means they can retain their station.
I have never felt such a visceral uncertainty and fear about the stability and the future of my nation as I do with the possibility of a Trump presidency. This will allow the worst aspects of our society free-reign, and I shudder to think what monstrous acts and opinions will result.
Republicans remain silent, because they think things will still be fine for them, even if Trump does win. They don't see the danger in his instability.
That's the problem with authoritarians- they always think they'll be wielding the club, they never fathom that they could find themselves on the blunt end of it.
This is the bottom of the slippery slope the GOP started down with Nixon's Southern Strategy, then Reagan's "state's rights" kickoff and his "trickle down", then W. Bush's catastrophic presidency, then McConnell's cowardly and racist attempts to de-legitimize and sabotage President Obama from day one of his presidency.
Now, we have a erratic, unhinged, blowhard leading the GOP, who embraces and spreads racism, xenopobia, and sexism in his quest for power. Some Republicans undoubtedly agree with his opinions, so they remain silent. Others, like Ryan, care so much about their positions and its powers that they will gladly go-along to get-along if it means they can retain their station.
I have never felt such a visceral uncertainty and fear about the stability and the future of my nation as I do with the possibility of a Trump presidency. This will allow the worst aspects of our society free-reign, and I shudder to think what monstrous acts and opinions will result.
Republicans remain silent, because they think things will still be fine for them, even if Trump does win. They don't see the danger in his instability.
That's the problem with authoritarians- they always think they'll be wielding the club, they never fathom that they could find themselves on the blunt end of it.
30
Those who stand with Trump, knowing well that for multiple reasons he is wholly unfit for the presidency, and even dangerous, are annealing themselves to an indefensible legacy with which they'll have to dance for years. Why is doing a Right Thing -- placing principle/character over party "loyalty" -- so difficult for so many? Of course, that's a rhetorical question.
25
On the surface, there seems to be a contradiction between Republican values and the refusal of Trump supporters to put the nation above the party. One can't be an intelligent patriot and champion of Christian virtue and think that Trump will be good for the nation. But there's no contradiction for the modern GOP, which has fallen into naked self-interest and a kind of end-times nihilism.
25
Unfortunately it is not about the economy. If it were, Clinton would win by a landslide, given Trump's ideas. It is not even about national security, which would also mean an easy Clinton win. It is not about character or experience or knowledge, all giving Clinton the clear edge.
It is about hate and fear. And that's a card authoritarians have always used to their advantage.
Only love and a calm evaluation of the dangers we face will defeat hate and fear.
It is about hate and fear. And that's a card authoritarians have always used to their advantage.
Only love and a calm evaluation of the dangers we face will defeat hate and fear.
27
Trump would make Joseph Goebbels proud.
You're right, it IS about hate and fear, which happens to be the strategy used so effectively by Paul Manafort in his numerous paid consultantships with foriegn countries, not the least of which is the Ukraine.
For those who feel that they've been losing "their" country and their privileges to minorities and women and the well-educated, Obama and HRC represent their complete and lasting defeat. As a man of color and as a woman, Obama and HRC are their worst nightmares come true. Their candidacies (and victories so far) embody the deepest fears of many traditionalists, so we should not be surprised if the traditionalists turn to an apparent savior who so vividly embodies their fantasies of autonomy, impunity, wealth, fame and domination of women.
21
I'm not going to comment on Trump, whom I oppose. I do take issue with Dr. Krugman's chareterization of Obama's presidency and a potential Clinton's presidency. I see Obama's presidency as a disaster for progressive values. He left Wall Street criminals off the hook. He left tortures off the hook. He vastly expanded the corporate-controlled warranteless surveillance system. He deported more undocumented workers than any president in recent history, breaking up tens of families. He has continued imperial wars in the Middle East. He has gone after whistle-blowers like no president in history, with the dubious use of the Espinage Act.
Regarding Hillary Clinton, she has taken millions of dollars in contributions from the Wall Street criminal racketeering cartel. She's a warmonger. She's advocated for policies that have been destructive to workers an minorities.
I for one could never vote for HRC. I'm voting for Jill Stein. I changed my Party registration from Democrat to No Party Preference after 30 years as a loyal Democrat because I can't be part of an utterly corrupt political Party any longer.
Regarding Hillary Clinton, she has taken millions of dollars in contributions from the Wall Street criminal racketeering cartel. She's a warmonger. She's advocated for policies that have been destructive to workers an minorities.
I for one could never vote for HRC. I'm voting for Jill Stein. I changed my Party registration from Democrat to No Party Preference after 30 years as a loyal Democrat because I can't be part of an utterly corrupt political Party any longer.
6
Because this article is an editorial, Mr. Krugman is certainly entitled to his one-sided opinion.
However, Mrs. Clinton certainly has "baggage" in her ascendency to the Presidential nomination. Benghazi, private e-mail server, Bill and Mrs. Clinton receiving about $ 150,000,000.00 in speech fees from somewhat questionable sources (Saudi Arabia, Big Oil, Big Business), the DNC e-mails and only the head of the DNC resigns.
Mrs. Clinton certainly is above Mr. Trump in terms of mud-slinging and derogatory comments,and for this reason and other qualities, Mrs. Clinton is the better candidate. Nevertheless, some in-depth reporting by the NYTimes needs to be addressed. regarding Mrs. Clinton less quality attributes need to be addressed.The American Public deserves to know BOTH sides of this very important election.
However, Mrs. Clinton certainly has "baggage" in her ascendency to the Presidential nomination. Benghazi, private e-mail server, Bill and Mrs. Clinton receiving about $ 150,000,000.00 in speech fees from somewhat questionable sources (Saudi Arabia, Big Oil, Big Business), the DNC e-mails and only the head of the DNC resigns.
Mrs. Clinton certainly is above Mr. Trump in terms of mud-slinging and derogatory comments,and for this reason and other qualities, Mrs. Clinton is the better candidate. Nevertheless, some in-depth reporting by the NYTimes needs to be addressed. regarding Mrs. Clinton less quality attributes need to be addressed.The American Public deserves to know BOTH sides of this very important election.
1
Mr. Mendoza,
This is not the election to "send a message." A vote for any 3rd party candidate is a vote for Trump. Please reconsider. Put your efforts into electing progressives to school boards, city councils, state legislatures - it will bear great fruit and be a much more powerful use of your energies.
Nancy
This is not the election to "send a message." A vote for any 3rd party candidate is a vote for Trump. Please reconsider. Put your efforts into electing progressives to school boards, city councils, state legislatures - it will bear great fruit and be a much more powerful use of your energies.
Nancy
1
I appreciate this clear-eyed view of the Obama and subsequent (possibly) Clinton presidency. I enthusiastically supported Obama when he ran - I cried with relief and joy when he took the stage at Grant Park in Chicago the night of the 2008 election, sure that the eight year nightmare of the Bush catastrophe was coming to an end.
To say that I've been disappointed in Obama is an understatement. Everything from bringing on Wall Street honchos as financial experts, to expanding the wars, using more and more drones, ostensibly to target insurgents but killing hundreds of innocents, not pursuing single payer healthcare nor allowing the public option a seat at the table. It's sickening.
And now we're given the choice between an obnoxious baffoon and a warmongering Wall Street crony - ha ... some choice.
Bernie Sanders was my guy - and it's been obvious from the start of his campaign that he was set up by the DNC to fail. Even through news outlets like the once-credible NY Times. Now that the e-mails have been exposed, the outrage has been directed at Russia, rather than the content and intent of those e-mails. Shame.
BTW, I'm with you Mr. Mendoza - I'm going with Jill Stein if she shows up as a choice here in this red, red state.
To say that I've been disappointed in Obama is an understatement. Everything from bringing on Wall Street honchos as financial experts, to expanding the wars, using more and more drones, ostensibly to target insurgents but killing hundreds of innocents, not pursuing single payer healthcare nor allowing the public option a seat at the table. It's sickening.
And now we're given the choice between an obnoxious baffoon and a warmongering Wall Street crony - ha ... some choice.
Bernie Sanders was my guy - and it's been obvious from the start of his campaign that he was set up by the DNC to fail. Even through news outlets like the once-credible NY Times. Now that the e-mails have been exposed, the outrage has been directed at Russia, rather than the content and intent of those e-mails. Shame.
BTW, I'm with you Mr. Mendoza - I'm going with Jill Stein if she shows up as a choice here in this red, red state.
1
Krugman: "And whatever one may say about ordinary voters, the real sinners here are Republican leaders — people like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell — who are actively supporting a candidate whom they know poses a danger to the nation."
Ryan and McConnell are not patriots They, like Trump, have made no sacrifices for the nation. They are "deadbeats" with no interest in doing any real work -- e.g., filling the Supreme Court vacancy or doing anything about the crumbling infrastructure.
Their interest is in keeping control of Congress, holding on to political power; it is not protecting the nation from danger and advancing the public/common good. The question that I keep asking about Republicans in Congress is this: Why do we keep paying these "deadbeats" generous salaries and funding their rich health and pension plans?
Ryan and McConnell are not patriots They, like Trump, have made no sacrifices for the nation. They are "deadbeats" with no interest in doing any real work -- e.g., filling the Supreme Court vacancy or doing anything about the crumbling infrastructure.
Their interest is in keeping control of Congress, holding on to political power; it is not protecting the nation from danger and advancing the public/common good. The question that I keep asking about Republicans in Congress is this: Why do we keep paying these "deadbeats" generous salaries and funding their rich health and pension plans?
52
"Ryan and McConnell are not patriots They, like Trump, have made no sacrifices for the nation." "Why do we keep paying these "deadbeats" generous salaries and funding their rich health and pension plans?"
If you truly want to go down that road, include the leadership in the Democratic Party. Any "sacrifices" made by those career politicians?
If you truly want to go down that road, include the leadership in the Democratic Party. Any "sacrifices" made by those career politicians?
You're forgetting the Supreme Court. The next president will (one hopes) finally get to fill Scalia's seat, and there's a very good chance of other vacancies on the court in the next four years. Even if Clinton goes with relative centrists like Garland, her appointees will inevitably tug the court to the left and possibly create the first liberal majority in decades. From a conservative point of view, that would be a disaster that would take a generation or longer to recover from.
7
To ScottLauck: But how can the Republicans count on Trump to offer up appropriate candidates? This man seems to have no allegiances to anyone/thing except for himself.
Its interesting that you see Hillary Clinton as a center-left politician. I see her as a hawkish, corporate owned neoliberal who is clearly to the right of center. The "center" in this country is defined by people who favor continuing social security, and not negotiating it away; by people who do not support invading other countries or using the CIA to install violent dictatorships; by people who support doing something about climate change; by people who favor single payer healthcare and higher taxes on corporations and the extremely wealthy. Hillary only shows up n the center if you include the recently developed "off-the-charts: right wing neoconservatives in the average.
I'm a progressive. I don't expect every politician to work for ideals that are quite as liberal as mine, but in order for me to vote for a candidate, they have to be a bit more progressive than Richard Nixon or Henry Kissinger.
I'm a progressive. I don't expect every politician to work for ideals that are quite as liberal as mine, but in order for me to vote for a candidate, they have to be a bit more progressive than Richard Nixon or Henry Kissinger.
4
Your reading of Clinton is a valuable corrective. There are reasons to worry about the continuation of the Democrat approach to governance. BUT, BUT, BUT, please do not push Trump on a troubled nation. Trump will NOT bring about the progressive reformation. He might bring about American fascism. In any event, what he will bring is much worse than Clinton's approach. Spend your energy building a progressive base with as much clout as the corporations to push for a better candidate in the future. Please reconsider and vote for Clinton.
Nancy
Nancy
If you read the letters to the editors in the WSJ you would think a Clinton presidency will lead to a national disaster.
You would believe Mr. Obama has shredded the constitution, and been dictatorial. These are subscriber to the paper, probably not people who will end up in a food line, but are convinced Hillary is their enemy. They do not like Trump, but hate Hillary, and the WSJ has encouraged that belief. Their columnists, Henninger, Strassel, and others have been attacking her for over 20 years now.
so yeas, what you call reasonable Republicans, are emotional wreck when it comes to Hillary.
You would believe Mr. Obama has shredded the constitution, and been dictatorial. These are subscriber to the paper, probably not people who will end up in a food line, but are convinced Hillary is their enemy. They do not like Trump, but hate Hillary, and the WSJ has encouraged that belief. Their columnists, Henninger, Strassel, and others have been attacking her for over 20 years now.
so yeas, what you call reasonable Republicans, are emotional wreck when it comes to Hillary.
21
WSJ was a great, if a bit conservative, paper and absolutely stellar in their business analyses. I learned a lot from it for years. Then, in one instant, they lost all credibility the day Rupert Murdoch bought them. Lie with the dogs, get up with fleas.....
As a conservative, I still picture Hillary as that obnoxious man hater of 25 years ago ranting, raving and swaggering on 60 minutes about baking cookies and not standing by her man like Tammy Wynette. I will never forgive her for that as I believe that's who she is under the veneer. Combine that with her many examples of dishonesty, a stated desire to raise taxes on the successful, and grant amnesty, and her candidacy is a non-starter.
Unfortunately, I also cannot support Trump who is not a conservative. I'm left with Garry Johnson, who while not ideal, is an adequate protest vote. And no, Paul, I do not believe that voting my conscience for a third party is somehow being derelict in my duties of a citizenship or giving Trump a half a vote.
Unfortunately, I also cannot support Trump who is not a conservative. I'm left with Garry Johnson, who while not ideal, is an adequate protest vote. And no, Paul, I do not believe that voting my conscience for a third party is somehow being derelict in my duties of a citizenship or giving Trump a half a vote.
1
I think your reasoning is defective, not honorable as you seem to believe.
Here is a specific example of how "mainstream" Republican senators up for re-election have handled Trump:
Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio is seeking re-election against former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. Portman's TV campaign features his portfolio as a former U.S. Special Trade Representative and Federal Budget Director. He is positioning himself as an effective, no-nonsense, business-savvy politician who is bipartisan and whip smart.
But on Trump, all he will say, robot-like, is "I will support the Republican Party ticket." Which means, if he is speaking truthfully, that Portman is supporting the man at the top of the ticket that would rip up current trade agreements, "renegotiate" federal debt, and put in place trillions of dollars of new tax cuts.
He's getting away with this deliberate, insincere obfuscation because the RNC and numerous SuperPacs are pouring millions into Portman's campaign. Should he win re-election, which is likely, will he be a voice of reason in the Senate? Or, if Trump is elected, will he be obligated to follow the new President's policies and, in the process, destroy his own life's work?
Talk about trying to thread the needle . . .
Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio is seeking re-election against former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. Portman's TV campaign features his portfolio as a former U.S. Special Trade Representative and Federal Budget Director. He is positioning himself as an effective, no-nonsense, business-savvy politician who is bipartisan and whip smart.
But on Trump, all he will say, robot-like, is "I will support the Republican Party ticket." Which means, if he is speaking truthfully, that Portman is supporting the man at the top of the ticket that would rip up current trade agreements, "renegotiate" federal debt, and put in place trillions of dollars of new tax cuts.
He's getting away with this deliberate, insincere obfuscation because the RNC and numerous SuperPacs are pouring millions into Portman's campaign. Should he win re-election, which is likely, will he be a voice of reason in the Senate? Or, if Trump is elected, will he be obligated to follow the new President's policies and, in the process, destroy his own life's work?
Talk about trying to thread the needle . . .
12
Also despicable is how the Clintons have parlayed their political careers into a vast fortune of hundreds of millions of dollars. Is it better to have a smart con artist (or a family of them in this case) in charge of the country, or an egotistical intellectual dwarf? I guess I have to go with the con artist, knowing she will swindle all of us, using her office to further fill her family's treasury, but will be a little less likely to spread chaos and ignite mushroom clouds. This is what the two-party system has laid on us: always a choice between two mendacious, lying devils. When will we get a multi-party system that truly represents ALL of us?
8
Like the multi-party system that brought the UK Brexit? No thanks. It appears those "smart" Europeans can be stupid too.
Perhaps when you get a parliamentary system of government you will develop a true multi-party system. Until then, good luck!
1
At the end of the day, Republicans voters reliably vote republican, if for no other reason than because Democrats in office equals gun confiscation and on-demand abortion and debasing the currency to give free money to lay-abouts of color and questionable citizenship status. It's really as simple as that.
Democratic voters don't reliably vote. They frittered away the Gore election because he was either too nerdy or because Nader satisfied their inner narcissistic. They frittered away the Kerry election because they were disappointed in his inability to fend off a ridiculous character assassination. They frittered away the Obama presidency because mid-terms aren't exciting. But at least Obama was exciting enough to inspire enough Democrats to register and vote.
Will HRC inspire enough Democrats to register and vote? This is the question, and it's the only think worth working for.
You're not going to reach Republicans.
Democratic voters don't reliably vote. They frittered away the Gore election because he was either too nerdy or because Nader satisfied their inner narcissistic. They frittered away the Kerry election because they were disappointed in his inability to fend off a ridiculous character assassination. They frittered away the Obama presidency because mid-terms aren't exciting. But at least Obama was exciting enough to inspire enough Democrats to register and vote.
Will HRC inspire enough Democrats to register and vote? This is the question, and it's the only think worth working for.
You're not going to reach Republicans.
34
Has anyone considered that Trump might have Alzheimer's? His aggression and poor impulse control seem consistent with early symptoms recently released in a questionnaire that my father exhibited and could occasionally be observed in Ronald Reagan as well. This would explain why Trump's family seems to see him in a more favorable light. Nobody wants to acknowledge a loved one is in decline.
23
I've been saying that all year. If you watch him in interviews of 10 years ago and earlier he is much more lucid than now, and his vocabulary much more diverse and sophisticated. His vocabulary and word usage today is approximately at the elementary school level.
He's always been this way. As William F. Buckley-arch-conservative--observed years ago, when Trump looks in a glass he sees only his reflection.
It's hard to understand how Trump could have the support among senior that the polls purport to show. Trump says he will "renegotiate" public debt, a large chunk of which is a couple trillion dollars of bonds held by the Social Security Trust fund.
That means that current and soon-to-be recipients of Social Security payments say they'll vote for a guy who has said he wants to "welch" on the government's debt to them. Really?
Trump has "walked back" pretty much every thing he's said during the campaign, so who knows what he will actually do--I'm sure he doesn't. But the Republican leadership makes no secret that it wants to kill and privatize social security, so he would have congressional support.
I have misgivings about Ms Clinton, but I feel I have to vote for her if only in self-defense.
That means that current and soon-to-be recipients of Social Security payments say they'll vote for a guy who has said he wants to "welch" on the government's debt to them. Really?
Trump has "walked back" pretty much every thing he's said during the campaign, so who knows what he will actually do--I'm sure he doesn't. But the Republican leadership makes no secret that it wants to kill and privatize social security, so he would have congressional support.
I have misgivings about Ms Clinton, but I feel I have to vote for her if only in self-defense.
18
The truly frightening and shocking thing is that Donald Trump still commands close to 40% of the popular vote despite defining himself as spectacularly ill equipped to be commander in chief. Who is supporting him? You can understand those whose financial lot has not improved since the recession of 2008-2009. But even then it should be clear that Trump does not care one iota for these people and never has cared for them. Who are the other supporters outside of family and friends and paid staff? Certainly not the handicapped and the citizens of color.
Trumps values are clearly not America's values. To quote Eugene Robinson who is supporting this "ignorant windbag full of incoherent bluster?"
Trumps values are clearly not America's values. To quote Eugene Robinson who is supporting this "ignorant windbag full of incoherent bluster?"
27
I think his candidacy is indicative of a few disturbing facts. 1. Our educational system is broken. Critical thinking is not really taught. 2. Our media system is not serving the public. 3. The populace as a whole feels disengaged from the national leadership. The high level of political rancor over the last 20 years means that scurrilous attacks are increasingly seen as "normal." The public's capacity for outrage is diminished, and its moral compass is broken.
9
"True, a Clinton victory would mean a continuation of the center-left governance we’ve had under Barack Obama, which would be a big disappointment for those who want a turn to the right." Incorrect. Republicans aren't concerned about a turn to the right. They are concerned with power. Being in control of government and spending taxpayer dollars the way they want to spend them and enacting legislation to keep themselves in office indefinitely. It is true that Donald Trump is as crazy as a "Peach Orchard Boar" and would be a threat to our existence but would someone please tell Hillary Clinton that when she is the "Email scandal hole" to stop digging. HRC is counterfeit but she gets my vote because the alternative is Donald Trump and his minions.
7
It is quite obvious that the progressive strategy is to ignore Hillary and demonize Trump. That is the only possible path for the Dems to win the White House -- and pretending that somehow a continuation of Obama's policies would be a good thing.
But the key is keeping the focus off of Hillary.
But the key is keeping the focus off of Hillary.
Who's "pretending" that continuing Obama administration polices is a good thing? It absolutely would be a good thing, and it would be even better if Congress would stop blocking the rest of these policies.
Instead, what's astounding is the people who have worked themselves into a lather believing that Obama's policies have been a "disaster." On what planet do you live?
Obama has the highest approval rating of any national politician by far, and his popularity has only risen as people learn more about the alternatives.
Instead, what's astounding is the people who have worked themselves into a lather believing that Obama's policies have been a "disaster." On what planet do you live?
Obama has the highest approval rating of any national politician by far, and his popularity has only risen as people learn more about the alternatives.
And doesn't that just tell you everything you need to know about Trump? Any situation in which you want the public to focus on your political opponent is just about as damning an indictment of them as possible.
It's not a question of the policies; it's a question of the person. Too many people despise Clinton, as a person. Even if they agree her policies won't be so bad, they simply don't want t*her* being the person who represents them.
Mind you, IMHO Trump as a person is even worse, but apparently that's not how many people feel. Just saying.
Mind you, IMHO Trump as a person is even worse, but apparently that's not how many people feel. Just saying.
5
There has been a 25 year unrelenting campaign of hatred toward Hillary. It has been so vociferous that many have allowed the implications to go un-responded to or even accepted rather than argue the point.
Point is, Hillary is not perfect but she is not the demon the uber right has unrelentingly attacked over the years. The destruction of her image has been their goal, not the truth. It is like a ball player being dissed because he only hits 850 and not 1000.
She is all star quality, regardless of what the right wing propaganda machine says. Anyone who believes Limbaugh, Beck and Ailes has not objectivity in politics and are unreliable resources.
Point is, Hillary is not perfect but she is not the demon the uber right has unrelentingly attacked over the years. The destruction of her image has been their goal, not the truth. It is like a ball player being dissed because he only hits 850 and not 1000.
She is all star quality, regardless of what the right wing propaganda machine says. Anyone who believes Limbaugh, Beck and Ailes has not objectivity in politics and are unreliable resources.
16
I think that you make some of Mr. Krugman's argument for him: you don't know her as a person--you only know the projection that we see largely through decades of assault from the right.
I think we need to tone down the hyperbole a bit, less the left loses further credibility. Yes, Trump is a horrible choice for president. We saw the damage that an unqualified person of little intellectual curiosity can do at the helm of the country in W's administration -- and Trump makes W look like the most prepared candidate in history. But let's stop spreading the falsehood that Trump is going to turn the US into a dictatorship. He may be authoritarian at heart, but the Constitution hamstrings him from turning the US into a Banana Republic. The truth is that many republican voters make the same case for Trump as Krugman makes for Hillary -- How bad could it be?
4
It could be very bad, if Trump is beholden to foreign powers with a vested interest in co-opting the USA. If Putin and/or other powers have unfettered access to all of our systems - financial, military, utilities, etc. - through Trump, then our country will be in grave danger for a very long time. Putin's tentacles will be very difficult to eliminate once they are present; the very nature and tenor of our country is in peril, and then we may need those armed militias to fight for our country. I never EVER thought that I could be in favor of the militias, but a future with President Trump is a world turned upside down. That's the difference between Trump and Clinton - she will never sell out the USA. He would sell his own mother, never mind us.
1
Toning down the hyperbole in an election that includes Mr. Trump is going to be almost impossible. No matter how much hyperbole the dems bring to the table, they will never match him for sheer volume of hot air.
I don't know... invading another country on false pretenses bad. Or, maybe losing 800,000 jobs a month bad. That kind of bad.
There is a logical reason to support Trump. Policy. If you believe in the Republican agenda then you have a much better chance of pushing this forward in a Trump administration than in a Clinton administration. Especially if, as rumored, Trump has agreed to turn policy over to his Vice President while he concentrates on Making America Great again.
The second reason to support Trump is pure tribalism. For some people loyalty is more important than truth or justice. Policemen have a "blue wall of silence" when it comes to misconduct by their fellow officers. Sports fans will cheer their team's players even when they are convicted of abuse or cheating. Parents will cover up their children's crimes. So Trump may be a dispicable bigot who disrepects the military and makes a mockery of Christian values, but as long as he is their dispicable bigot they will vote for him.
The second reason to support Trump is pure tribalism. For some people loyalty is more important than truth or justice. Policemen have a "blue wall of silence" when it comes to misconduct by their fellow officers. Sports fans will cheer their team's players even when they are convicted of abuse or cheating. Parents will cover up their children's crimes. So Trump may be a dispicable bigot who disrepects the military and makes a mockery of Christian values, but as long as he is their dispicable bigot they will vote for him.
14
Those may be explanations, but they are not reasonable.
I think the comment on tribalism, unfortunately, is correct.
Indeed, it is despicable if Republicans put party loyalty ahead of the greater good of the nation. They support Trump and believe that once elected, he would be more reconciliatory and act “presidential." The GOP folks are convinced that Trump would do what they say. Unfortunately they seem to be as injudicious as Trump. I fear he would be worse than Silvio Berlusconi, whose autocratic nature is said to be closest to that of the emperor Tiberius, and who ran Italy for personal gain. At least - in public - Berlusconi was more of a crooner than a commander of a goon squad. It is predictable how the nation would emerge from a Hillary Clinton presidency. Yet with Trump, there is no assurance that America would be recognisable after his four-year term.
18
"Indeed, it is despicable if Republicans put party loyalty ahead of the greater good of the nation."
Isn't THAT exactly what has been happening during the Democrat primaries?
Isn't THAT exactly what has been happening during the Democrat primaries?
Today’s fears about insufficient living wage jobs and the covert manipulations of the super rich, plus worry about the future of the country are very similar to concerns this country experienced between the end of the Civil War (1865) and World War I. (1914). Woodrow Wilson's administration felt it was imperative to confront this growing anarchy with a number of major decisions including increasing federal spending on large infrastructure projects, raising taxes on the very wealthy up to 90%, and encouraging America to "make the world safe for democracy" by involving us in World War !. War against a common foreign enemy has great power to give a country unity of purpose.
1
Regarding Mr Trump, I despise the man for his statements, but feel pity for him, as I suspect that may indeed be mentally ill. When it comes to his minions, however, such as Mr Manafort, I have nothing for them but contempt. They are sane and have made the calculated decision to support a rabble-rousing hatemonger to achieve personal power for themselves. They are despicable excuses for human beings.
39
There is nothing at all wrong with Obama's center-left governance and its continuation. The economy has come back way back, jobs are plentiful, more people have health care, we are addressing climate change, and effective diplomacy has replaced war.
But too many Republicans, both its leaders and followers, simply cannot accept these facts, admit ithem publicly, and get on with engaging to build on this progress.
For some of them, its a selfish fear of more taxes and regulations. For those in power, they are completely beholden to and handcuffed by the NRA and the super PACS that own them.
But for all of them, they couldn't stand to admit just how wrong they've been for decades on end.
But too many Republicans, both its leaders and followers, simply cannot accept these facts, admit ithem publicly, and get on with engaging to build on this progress.
For some of them, its a selfish fear of more taxes and regulations. For those in power, they are completely beholden to and handcuffed by the NRA and the super PACS that own them.
But for all of them, they couldn't stand to admit just how wrong they've been for decades on end.
33
The Greedy Old Parody of a Party is composed of cowards. Their leaders have not got the spine to refuse to endorse a man who is patently unqualified to serve as the president of anything at all. They have twisted themselves into knots trying to find an acceptable way to endorse and not endorse him. The truth is that they are more interested in power than they are in governing. What will they do if Trump is elected and then starts to govern the way they've accused Obama of governing? What will they do if Trump does attempt to withdraw the United States from NATO or any other military or economic alliance we've been in? Given their record of endorsing him I can't envision them doing an about face and saying he's wrong or vetoing what he does.
It's one thing to be a party member of any party. It's quite another to endorse an unsuitable, frightening candidate whose campaign has no control over him and who has no control over the pathway between thought and speech. The only conclusion I can come to is that the GOP does support this man, wants him to do what he's doing, and doesn't care about the actual costs of the damage he's doing or will do. What a shameful situation. What a callous way to try to take over the White House: by allowing a man who is not truly a Republican, but an opportunist and a blowhard, to be the party nominee. I fear for our country if this man is put into the presidency. So should the GOP.
It's one thing to be a party member of any party. It's quite another to endorse an unsuitable, frightening candidate whose campaign has no control over him and who has no control over the pathway between thought and speech. The only conclusion I can come to is that the GOP does support this man, wants him to do what he's doing, and doesn't care about the actual costs of the damage he's doing or will do. What a shameful situation. What a callous way to try to take over the White House: by allowing a man who is not truly a Republican, but an opportunist and a blowhard, to be the party nominee. I fear for our country if this man is put into the presidency. So should the GOP.
42
My sentiments exactly. Thanks for writing this. It saved me the time of trying to say it so well myself.
1
What you forget, is that unlike the DNC who actively pushed for their own candidate, disregarding the alternative pushed by the People, Trump is popular, and was voted in by the People. It's called Democracy and it isn't perfect, but it reflects what the street wants over what the party elites want.
Ironic that what happened at the DNC and what Liberal readers push for qualify as totalitarianism, and that's what they're accusing Trump of, although his rise happened according to democratic rules, and despite the party big wigs' opposition. The irony isn't lost on everyone, and it does NOT play in favor of the "Democrats".
Ironic that what happened at the DNC and what Liberal readers push for qualify as totalitarianism, and that's what they're accusing Trump of, although his rise happened according to democratic rules, and despite the party big wigs' opposition. The irony isn't lost on everyone, and it does NOT play in favor of the "Democrats".
I'm not sure it's helpful to draw a firm distinction between rationality and feelings. Political campaigns are about persuasion. There was much choreographed feeling on display at last week's DNC for the Democratic rank and file. It was just a very different kind of emotion—positive and hopeful in stark contrast with fearful Republican imagery.
There are rational reasons for large numbers of voters to want to throw the bums out after so many cycles of broken promises and empty rhetoric. Trump breaks the Republican mold for the rank and file by promising to bring back jobs by renegotiating trade agreements. His logic is certainly open to critique, but it does at least present a cause and effect narrative. As wedge politics it is pretty good too because it draws the Clintons and NAFTA into the story. It gives Trump the appearance of common cause with real, legitimate anger on the left.
It is really Trump's stand on issues like free trade that gives the party establishment nightmares, and his general lack of passion for shrinking government. They are silent because if they openly criticize him they risk the kind of Trump retaliation that has already neutered every one of their preferred Presidential candidates. Trump has inoculated himself against both rational and emotional attack by abandoning economic hypocrisies that give him appeal to educated voters and embracing issues that will motivate the rank and file to get out and vote.
There are rational reasons for large numbers of voters to want to throw the bums out after so many cycles of broken promises and empty rhetoric. Trump breaks the Republican mold for the rank and file by promising to bring back jobs by renegotiating trade agreements. His logic is certainly open to critique, but it does at least present a cause and effect narrative. As wedge politics it is pretty good too because it draws the Clintons and NAFTA into the story. It gives Trump the appearance of common cause with real, legitimate anger on the left.
It is really Trump's stand on issues like free trade that gives the party establishment nightmares, and his general lack of passion for shrinking government. They are silent because if they openly criticize him they risk the kind of Trump retaliation that has already neutered every one of their preferred Presidential candidates. Trump has inoculated himself against both rational and emotional attack by abandoning economic hypocrisies that give him appeal to educated voters and embracing issues that will motivate the rank and file to get out and vote.
3
"Trump has inoculated himself against both rational and emotional attack by abandoning economic hypocrisies that give him appeal to educated voters"
Oh, you kinda like Trump. That's what I ever thought: leftists should be liking Trump - it's not by accident that Sanderista loonies are on the same page with Trumpkins; protectionism, pro-Putin, etc. "Educated" voters embrace statism, loathe free markets and free trade, son;t think entitlements should be reformed in any way, and anyone repeating the stale anti-"neoliberal" slogans is "enlightened" and "honest". Including crazy Trump. After all, there was a time were "anti-globalists" were predominantly leftist.
Oh, you kinda like Trump. That's what I ever thought: leftists should be liking Trump - it's not by accident that Sanderista loonies are on the same page with Trumpkins; protectionism, pro-Putin, etc. "Educated" voters embrace statism, loathe free markets and free trade, son;t think entitlements should be reformed in any way, and anyone repeating the stale anti-"neoliberal" slogans is "enlightened" and "honest". Including crazy Trump. After all, there was a time were "anti-globalists" were predominantly leftist.
It doesn't say much for the Republican establishment that they are horrified by Trump's stance on free trade while remaining silent about his stance on women, immigrants, blacks, Muslims, crazy walls, NATO, etc.
1
What Krugman doesn't say is that most of the 11 million jobs created have gone to a lot of foreign nationals or are in the low-paying service sector. As far as the large stock gains, they only truly help the wealthiest among us. The GDP has been on a downhill fall for many months. Liberals need to stop painting a rosy picture that is only seen by those in great financial shape in the first place.
4
First, it is not true that most of the job gains are in low-paying service sector: the largest gains over the past year have been in healthcare and professional and business services. http://cepr.net/publications/graphic-economics/ge-job-growth-by-sector-j...
Second, real GDP has been increasing by about 1-4% per quarter for the past two years. That's not as high as we'd like, but it's not "downhill". http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm
Third and most importantly, while the economic picture isn't particularly rosy, the alternative is a candidate who thinks US treasury bonds are negotiable and can be turned into toilet paper at his whim. That might have a little economic impact, don't you think?
Second, real GDP has been increasing by about 1-4% per quarter for the past two years. That's not as high as we'd like, but it's not "downhill". http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm
Third and most importantly, while the economic picture isn't particularly rosy, the alternative is a candidate who thinks US treasury bonds are negotiable and can be turned into toilet paper at his whim. That might have a little economic impact, don't you think?
6
Agreed. I'm quite tired of elitist Democrats crying that the Apocalypse is nigh only to stop saying the Apocalypse is nigh once they take office, all the while maintaining policies very similar to establishment Republicans. You can't have it both ways, Democrats! Voters that elect you are tired of your hands-off treatment of Wall Street and your purist neoliberal policies, all while saying you've done things differently just because you placed the name Democrat in front of your elected office. And no one is fooled about the type of "jobs" "gained" during the Obama presidency. It's a crappy economy and no amount of Department of Labor statistics will convince anyone otherwise, except maybe the H1B visa holders in my community. This is another motivating factor for many Trump voters, I think.
hey chris, jobs is jobs. the wealthiest? Great financial shape? what jobs exactly would you like brought back? Mr Obama helped the auto industry to its best year ever, solar and wind sector has been adding jobs. The percentage of insured people has risen dramatically among the lowest earners. If you are looking for tech jobs then become qualified and willing to work al whatever wage is offered. If you are talking garment or other factory jobs look to your Repugnicans who endorse outsourcing. Those will never come back unless you want to make $1.00 per hour with no benefits or pay $50 for a t-shirt. The world has changed and i understand your confusion but you've got to do what millions of others have done, stop complaining, go back to school and educate educate educate or be happy washing dishes
1
Who is this column directed to? I'm skeptical that there are a lot of sane Republican voters who still support Trump and don't think that Clinton won't ruin the economy (the coming entitlement crisis!), or that she won't be a foreign relations disaster (Iran might get nukes!), or that Obama/Clinton did not/will not act like a dictator. Not too many of these people are supporting Trump, I think.
(Though one type of Republican voter who might still side with Trump, or at least refuse to vote for Clinton, is one that thinks that widespread abortion is a kind of mass murder. If you really do believe that mass murder is happening every day, and that one candidate is likely to appoint judges who let it go on while the other candidate is maybe going to appoint judges who are against it, then you may want to vote for the latter candidate even if there's lots of other things wrong with him. That's not crazy to me; it's just based on false beliefs about abortion.)
Then there are the Republican politicians. At least some of them are sane, probably, and they might be a little more informed about policy issues than the average voter. Why are they supporting Trump? Well, some of the sane ones aren't. Some who are supporting Trump (Ryan comes to mind) are venal, and just want power, and think that the best way to get it is to toe the party line but distance himself from Trump's eventual political implosion. The others might still think that Trump could be managed.
(Though one type of Republican voter who might still side with Trump, or at least refuse to vote for Clinton, is one that thinks that widespread abortion is a kind of mass murder. If you really do believe that mass murder is happening every day, and that one candidate is likely to appoint judges who let it go on while the other candidate is maybe going to appoint judges who are against it, then you may want to vote for the latter candidate even if there's lots of other things wrong with him. That's not crazy to me; it's just based on false beliefs about abortion.)
Then there are the Republican politicians. At least some of them are sane, probably, and they might be a little more informed about policy issues than the average voter. Why are they supporting Trump? Well, some of the sane ones aren't. Some who are supporting Trump (Ryan comes to mind) are venal, and just want power, and think that the best way to get it is to toe the party line but distance himself from Trump's eventual political implosion. The others might still think that Trump could be managed.
6
The fact that some prominent Republicans have gone on record as opposing Trump suggests that those who support him are not what Professor Krugman wants to believe they are. They are most likely more like Trump and his rank and file supporters than any of us (other than the most cynical) wanted to accept. What this says about our country and what it bodes for the election are too awful to contemplate.
8
as usual, spot on. but i think there is an additional dynamic at play here. the majority of republicans who support trump are largely white, uneducated men. and some of them are probably really decent people, struggling to keep their lives and those of their families afloat. but they have had a black president for eight years and are facing the prospect of a woman president for four years, or eight if she lands a second term. they are facing the stark reality that their world of living in a white majority country, largely run by white men, is fading and fading pretty fast. the demographics of the united states is changing faster than they can keep up with, or want to accept, and they will do anything to hold onto to the america that reflects who they are and fit into, even if it means voting for trump.
10
While I tend to agree with your premise, rather than being an understandable rude awakening, these older, less educated whites are acting both immaturely and irresponsibly. It reflects that 7th grader testosterone addled "well then just nuke it" approach to life.
1
I would like to suggest that it is not a career killer - a Republican with the strength to follow principle, to put country first will become the leaders in the reconstruction. Philosophically the party has been invaded - you can collaborate with the Vichy government join the resistance or flee to England and fight from there; the role of de Gaulle is currently open, who has the courage to claim it?
6
"Philosophically the party has been invaded" -- I disagree. The strain of virulent racism, xenophobia, and social regression Trump is exploiting has been a power base for the GOP for decades. Previous moderate Republican candidates have exploited it with dog-whistle politics to pursue their own more intellectual agenda: Trump embraces it entirely.
It's not an invasion, it's an insurrection.
It's not an invasion, it's an insurrection.
1
Unfortunate analogy. The De Gaulle/Vichy context was that of a France invaded by foreign troops. De Gaulle wanted to kick them out, as did the "Resistance". Vichy was collaborating with the invaders.
In the current US context, one of Trump's arguments is that Illegal Immigration by mostly Mexicans and Central Americans is hurting the country. Liberals contend that Diversity being the country's number one priority, the right thing to do is to keep the current Legal/Illegal Immigration levels going, if not boost them.
So in the current context, Republicans would be the Resistance, Trump would be De Gaulle, so-called "Undocumented Immigrants" would be German troops, and Democrats and Liberals would be Vichy, French Nazis, and collaborators.
It seems Leftists have a hard time with Logic, and understanding the intertwined repercussions of policies on seemingly separate phenomena, (the apparent inability to understand the effect of more population on a declining job market being but one aspect of the problem).
In the current US context, one of Trump's arguments is that Illegal Immigration by mostly Mexicans and Central Americans is hurting the country. Liberals contend that Diversity being the country's number one priority, the right thing to do is to keep the current Legal/Illegal Immigration levels going, if not boost them.
So in the current context, Republicans would be the Resistance, Trump would be De Gaulle, so-called "Undocumented Immigrants" would be German troops, and Democrats and Liberals would be Vichy, French Nazis, and collaborators.
It seems Leftists have a hard time with Logic, and understanding the intertwined repercussions of policies on seemingly separate phenomena, (the apparent inability to understand the effect of more population on a declining job market being but one aspect of the problem).
I agree with everything in this column. The tacit endorsement of a genuine danger to our democracy using the ugly argument that at least he's better than Hillary Clinton makes my head spin. Ryan and McConnell deserve to be tied like an anchor to any nasty comment or action committed by Donald J. Trump.
This weekend, General John Allen made the rounds of Sunday TV, and clarified his disgust with the prospect of a Trump presidency. As a military man, his greatest concern was the potential of constitutional crisis should Trump order the military to commit torture.
As a civilian, my biggest fear is a power grab by a candidate who clearly does not understand the limits of Presidential power. The longer he goes unchallenged, and the greater the silence from Ryan and McConnell, the greater the danger.
It's appalling that so many support him and are willing to hand off the democratic principles so many of them love to profess with their flag waving may put him in the White House.
It's one thing to test our constitution through "normal" things like voter suppression, and quite another to have to unexpectedly defend it if absolute power is imposed by a Chief Executive that assumes he can do anything he chooses.
This weekend, General John Allen made the rounds of Sunday TV, and clarified his disgust with the prospect of a Trump presidency. As a military man, his greatest concern was the potential of constitutional crisis should Trump order the military to commit torture.
As a civilian, my biggest fear is a power grab by a candidate who clearly does not understand the limits of Presidential power. The longer he goes unchallenged, and the greater the silence from Ryan and McConnell, the greater the danger.
It's appalling that so many support him and are willing to hand off the democratic principles so many of them love to profess with their flag waving may put him in the White House.
It's one thing to test our constitution through "normal" things like voter suppression, and quite another to have to unexpectedly defend it if absolute power is imposed by a Chief Executive that assumes he can do anything he chooses.
33
Roger Stone, a political consultant and operator, was fired from Trump's campaign months ago. But Stone, a longtime dirty trickster for Republican candidates, and a close friend and confidant of Trump's for 30 years, has constantly been seen at Trump events since and was present at the Republican convention. Many believe given Stone's history of dirty tricks, he simply left the Trump campaign in name only.
This morning Roger Stone tweeted that Khizr Khan is actually an agent of the Muslim Brotherhood. This is a charge that the
Republicans have made repeatedly, for years, about Hillary's longtime assistant Huma Abedin, including trying to pull her down in constant Congressional investigations - attempting to smear her because her father was a Muslim scholar and her mother, a Pakistani, is a professor in Saudi Arabia.
Trump, Roger Stone and the Republican Party are racists who have no shame.
This morning Roger Stone tweeted that Khizr Khan is actually an agent of the Muslim Brotherhood. This is a charge that the
Republicans have made repeatedly, for years, about Hillary's longtime assistant Huma Abedin, including trying to pull her down in constant Congressional investigations - attempting to smear her because her father was a Muslim scholar and her mother, a Pakistani, is a professor in Saudi Arabia.
Trump, Roger Stone and the Republican Party are racists who have no shame.
98
I think we have entered the 'post-shame' era. Reality and its implications are for losers, in the minds of a sizable number of 'leaders' and those who can't tolerate or think about what 'losing,' or change, more accurately, may mean to them. Democracy these days really does appear to be a tenuous institution. And for those who write, including in these comments, parsing DJ's words, we need to address the reality Dr. Krugman is addressing, which is what he intends and what he means, which he shamelessly wishes to sidestep repeatedly. We're humans, not robots, and we know what DJ is. Let's not confuse ourselves parsing phrases and looking for 'deniability' that does not exist.
3
Lots of culpability to go around Paul.
You picked the easy target vis a vis the conventional Republican base and traditional leadership.
In case you haven’t noticed the Trump and Hillary negatives are mostly neck and neck.
The unvarnished truth is that the pickle we are in (a serious one for sure), the no win game of the least worst choice, comes thanks to the utter dysfunction of our corrupt and ossified two party system — that is both the the Blue and the Red.
You picked the easy target vis a vis the conventional Republican base and traditional leadership.
In case you haven’t noticed the Trump and Hillary negatives are mostly neck and neck.
The unvarnished truth is that the pickle we are in (a serious one for sure), the no win game of the least worst choice, comes thanks to the utter dysfunction of our corrupt and ossified two party system — that is both the the Blue and the Red.
4
Two things not equal to the same thing are not equal to each other.
1
This column makes a strong and rational political argument for the "center" to vote for Mrs. Clinton. Your argument is sound and strong in terms of US international standing. However, based on the US political history Americans vote their pocketbooks so I believe that distinguished economist should examine the proposals of Mr. Trump and Mrs Clinton and determine the economic consequences of their proposals.
Maybe it is so obvious to professionals in your field but I suspect that it is not so obvious to Americans. There have been recent books that describe the negative economic consequences of a persistent and growing gap in the distribution of income, jobs, and wealth and some of the books have offered policy prescriptions for increasing the share of the national wealth and earnings to all Americans such as raising the minimum wage and increasing the access of all Americans to education and retraining to acquire skills that a more relevant to the market. Then there are other books that envision new markets and jobs with public goods that will broadly share with the economy. "Silent Earth" by Dr. James Powell, the inventor of superconducting Maglev, and I have proposed a strategy for bringing greater prosperity by investing in a 300 mph passenger and freight truck carrying system to complement our aging transport system. We also propose an international funded project to create space solar for the World and an R&D program on a process to make fuels from air and water.
Maybe it is so obvious to professionals in your field but I suspect that it is not so obvious to Americans. There have been recent books that describe the negative economic consequences of a persistent and growing gap in the distribution of income, jobs, and wealth and some of the books have offered policy prescriptions for increasing the share of the national wealth and earnings to all Americans such as raising the minimum wage and increasing the access of all Americans to education and retraining to acquire skills that a more relevant to the market. Then there are other books that envision new markets and jobs with public goods that will broadly share with the economy. "Silent Earth" by Dr. James Powell, the inventor of superconducting Maglev, and I have proposed a strategy for bringing greater prosperity by investing in a 300 mph passenger and freight truck carrying system to complement our aging transport system. We also propose an international funded project to create space solar for the World and an R&D program on a process to make fuels from air and water.
5
The fact that the Republican Speaker of the House and the Majority Senate Leader are not demanding that candidate Trump release his tax returns to clear up his financial interest from Putin's oligarchy is deplorable.
It is bad enough that McConnell and Ryan support a racist demagogue with views that are antithetical to any major political party.
Now they would support a Republican candidate with political and financial ties to Russia calling for the US to withdraw from NATO and NAFTA while allowing nuclear proliferation.
It is stunning that no one from Trump's camp will admit to changing the GOP platform at the last minute to support Russia's effort to annex the Ukraine.
Someone did it from Trump's camp, but they don't have the gall to admit who or why.
Meanwhile the Russians are now involved in influencing America's political election in Trump's favor, just as they are doing with other right-wing pro-Russian parties in Europe like Marine Le Pen.
Trump cannot be shamed, as he is shameless.
But any Republican who stands silent while Dictator Donald "I and I Alone" Trump attempts to seize power through Russian state help and financing will be held in contempt with Benedict Arnold for generations to come.
It is bad enough that McConnell and Ryan support a racist demagogue with views that are antithetical to any major political party.
Now they would support a Republican candidate with political and financial ties to Russia calling for the US to withdraw from NATO and NAFTA while allowing nuclear proliferation.
It is stunning that no one from Trump's camp will admit to changing the GOP platform at the last minute to support Russia's effort to annex the Ukraine.
Someone did it from Trump's camp, but they don't have the gall to admit who or why.
Meanwhile the Russians are now involved in influencing America's political election in Trump's favor, just as they are doing with other right-wing pro-Russian parties in Europe like Marine Le Pen.
Trump cannot be shamed, as he is shameless.
But any Republican who stands silent while Dictator Donald "I and I Alone" Trump attempts to seize power through Russian state help and financing will be held in contempt with Benedict Arnold for generations to come.
50
As a Canadian, watching these events from north of the border, it is almost impossible to comprehend that Trump might get elected. For all of his other apparent faults including his lack of self control, the ultimate disqualifier is his bigotry. His actions and statements have displayed clear racism and sexism and general intolerance towards anyone who challenges him. People will agree or disagree on substantive issues and proposed policies. Many people obviously have real concerns about Clinton's personal characteristics as well. But, from this vantage point, the deal breaker is bigotry. Your great country cannot have someone so intolerant and disrespectful of others as its leader. If Trump manages to win, I imagine that the world reaction will be complete disbelief.
17
"But democracy isn't about making a statement, it's about exercising responsibility."
Given the truth in this and the excellence of this article, it's hard to add anything to this, however.... In our democracy, we elect officials every two to six years. The horizons of the candidates reflect this--just promise enough to get to the next election. The big domestic issue is usually jobs and the state of the economy, and with foreign policy, war or its avoidance. The first is usually expressed by GDP/unemployment, and the latter--many will disagree with what i,m about to say, and i acknowledge there are real problems and threats out there--with the state of adventurism of our military-industrial-complex. This what people are used to hearing; this is what candidates run on, i.e. policies that will fit in a 2-6 year time frame.
Then their is Global Warming, man-made change in the atmosphere/climate that has been progressing little by little since the 1850s, but in recent years as GHGs have accumulated, more rapidly. The problem is still seen by many as decadal, so why address it now; the answer being because there is a tipping point, a point beyond which it will very difficult to impossible, to do anything about it. The science says one way or another, we are now at that point. Forget 2-6 years, this needs to be brought to the forefront.
Exercising responsibility here would be adding to our Bill of Rights "the Right to a livable atmosphere; clean air and clean water".
Given the truth in this and the excellence of this article, it's hard to add anything to this, however.... In our democracy, we elect officials every two to six years. The horizons of the candidates reflect this--just promise enough to get to the next election. The big domestic issue is usually jobs and the state of the economy, and with foreign policy, war or its avoidance. The first is usually expressed by GDP/unemployment, and the latter--many will disagree with what i,m about to say, and i acknowledge there are real problems and threats out there--with the state of adventurism of our military-industrial-complex. This what people are used to hearing; this is what candidates run on, i.e. policies that will fit in a 2-6 year time frame.
Then their is Global Warming, man-made change in the atmosphere/climate that has been progressing little by little since the 1850s, but in recent years as GHGs have accumulated, more rapidly. The problem is still seen by many as decadal, so why address it now; the answer being because there is a tipping point, a point beyond which it will very difficult to impossible, to do anything about it. The science says one way or another, we are now at that point. Forget 2-6 years, this needs to be brought to the forefront.
Exercising responsibility here would be adding to our Bill of Rights "the Right to a livable atmosphere; clean air and clean water".
7
Did Trump actually call for hacking? Or did he say that having hacked and probably having obtained, "deleted emails that had been subpoenaed," he'd love for the Russians to expose them? The video I watched of him speaking confirms my view, but there may be others I did not watch. Please, correct me.
PS The obvious test of the utility of his statement is not the hype surrounding the twisted misrepresentation of what he said, but whether Congress would reject the emails because of their source if offered them.
No I don't support Donald, just truth in criticism.
PS The obvious test of the utility of his statement is not the hype surrounding the twisted misrepresentation of what he said, but whether Congress would reject the emails because of their source if offered them.
No I don't support Donald, just truth in criticism.
5
"Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you are able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will be rewarded mightily by the press."
1
If you support truth in criticism, as you claim, then I suggest you again watch the video of Trump (it disgusts me to actually have to write his name) inviting Putin and the Ruskis to hack Mrs. Clinton's email.
1
I agree with Mr Krugman entirely. I find myself horrified at the prospect of a Trump presidency. Today I am visiting friends in Tallin, Estonia, a country that was ravaged by the Soviets. Most people have relatives who were put on trains to Siberia( mostly intellectuals and professional people). Estonians are proud of the fact that they have paid their fair share of Nato. It is beginning to sound like Trump is ready to hand the Baltic States back to Putin. This idea is a total outrage. Trump's connection to the neo-soviet regime suggests that he is more interested in cozying up to oligarchs than defending US interests and Nato countries. How can this possibly be happening?
23
Because Donald Trump is uneducated and ignorant about history just like the true believers who support him. However, the Republican so-called leaders like McCain and, above all, Paul Ryan know better but are more worried about holding onto their jobs than speaking the truth.
1
Donald Trump is not a leader. With explicit support by the next two leading Republicans, Ryan and McConnell, they are effectively showing they are not the leaders they profess to be and have abdicated their roles. For them, it's party over country. They are confused.
Mr. Ryan is up for election in his home district. It would be worthwhile to have someone of Mr. Bernie Sanders standing to park themselves in Mr. Ryan district and do their best to defeat him. A new, more sensible, leader in the Republican party may emerge.
Mr. Ryan is up for election in his home district. It would be worthwhile to have someone of Mr. Bernie Sanders standing to park themselves in Mr. Ryan district and do their best to defeat him. A new, more sensible, leader in the Republican party may emerge.
22
This is the first time in the memories of many people that the choice of voting for a president is not about "who do you like"? This election is about who is suited to lead the country. Trump is most unsuitable: he knows no history, is contemptuous of minorities and women, hasn't a clue about the workings of Congress and generally, has never held any office other than president of his own corporation, and is generally speaking, an ignorant man.
What we have to consider in this election is what Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a man with years of good government and successful business experience, common sense, diplomatic skills, high achievement and fairness called for: someone who is "sane and competent". It's not just a President we're voting for here, it's for a sane and competent leader at home and on the world stage.
What we have to consider in this election is what Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a man with years of good government and successful business experience, common sense, diplomatic skills, high achievement and fairness called for: someone who is "sane and competent". It's not just a President we're voting for here, it's for a sane and competent leader at home and on the world stage.
55
Sorry to have to disagree: I like Hillary Clinton!
18
Great! All the more reason to vote for her.
1
What Dr. Krugman says about Republican leaders is correct and easy to point out. It would be less comfortable for him to address the failure of Democratic leaders to do everything in their power to prevent a Trump presidency. For almost a year now, it's been apparent to anyone paying attention that Trump is a dangerous but very talented candidate while Hillary is safe but a very flawed candidate. Democratic leaders had a responsibility, not just to their party but to the country as well, to at least try to find, encourage and support better candidates. But that could have been a career killer within the Democratic Party. So they didn't.
Certainly, Mr. Trump represents a failure of Republican leadership. But, should he become President, some of the blame will rest with the Democratic establishment as well. There'll be plenty to go around.
Certainly, Mr. Trump represents a failure of Republican leadership. But, should he become President, some of the blame will rest with the Democratic establishment as well. There'll be plenty to go around.
4
This seems just a little bit strange.
Why should Democratic leaders have been choosing the Democratic candidate? We, the Democratic party members, made the choice and WE CHOSE CLINTON!
Or didn't you notice that?
Why should Democratic leaders have been choosing the Democratic candidate? We, the Democratic party members, made the choice and WE CHOSE CLINTON!
Or didn't you notice that?
16
Why is anyone surprised that republican leaders continue to endorse Trump? The reality is that they have poisoned the minds of their base to such an extent that this is the ultimate result.
When you spend decades and most specially the last 8 years in racist derogatory rhetoric and are willing to play games with the integrity of the US government by attempting to forgo payment on debt, is anyone surprised that you would also endorse Trump?
These are not leaders, these are people seeking to stay in power and continue to benefit their sponsors for financial gain. If you have any doubts, just look at where they go when and if they leave office and then check how much money they have made during and after serving, there is your answer.
When you spend decades and most specially the last 8 years in racist derogatory rhetoric and are willing to play games with the integrity of the US government by attempting to forgo payment on debt, is anyone surprised that you would also endorse Trump?
These are not leaders, these are people seeking to stay in power and continue to benefit their sponsors for financial gain. If you have any doubts, just look at where they go when and if they leave office and then check how much money they have made during and after serving, there is your answer.
25
"These are not leaders, these are people seeking to stay in power and continue to benefit their sponsors for financial gain. If you have any doubts, just look at where they go when and if they leave office and then check how much money they have made during and after serving, there is your answer."
Sounds like you have described most of the powerful politicians in Washington from both parties, including the Clintons.
Sounds like you have described most of the powerful politicians in Washington from both parties, including the Clintons.
Just who are these non-crazy Republicans who are supporting Trump? From my interactions with a number of them who are professionals and well educated, it boils down to this: they believe that they are financially insulated from the worst that a Trump presidency would bring and they are either indulging their disdain for the "others" through Trump or all they really care about are tax cuts and especially the elimination of the estate tax. All their Fox News fueled Hillary hating rants and Wall Street Journal supposedly serious editorial waving are simply pretexts for indulging their own selfish material interests like the good Republicans they are.
35
"don’t be surprised if a majority of Republicans approve of his attack on the parents of a dead war hero"
Yes, he was a fine man, and his parents suffered a horrible loss when he was killed in that foolish war. They have my sincere condolences, even as I recognize that nothing we can say to them can really help the depth of their loss.
Still, the Democrats are making a mistake in the way they are using this terrible tale. It plays well to the home team, but it is not reaching those they need to influence, except to drive them away.
This presents foreign immigrant Muslims against Donald Trump, speaking with a strong "enemy" accent.
Now I agree that we ought not to make all Muslims our enemy, nor all immigrants, as we have seen too much of. It has been going on for awhile, featuring anti-Muslim movement sorts like Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Pamela Geller. They've been getting disgusting levels of sympathy, and not only from Republicans.
The people who are not already on side are seeing this very differently. There seems to be no recognition of this angle on the story, but it is certainly being heard where it matters among voters who've been poisoned against Muslims and immigrants.
Yes, he was a fine man, and his parents suffered a horrible loss when he was killed in that foolish war. They have my sincere condolences, even as I recognize that nothing we can say to them can really help the depth of their loss.
Still, the Democrats are making a mistake in the way they are using this terrible tale. It plays well to the home team, but it is not reaching those they need to influence, except to drive them away.
This presents foreign immigrant Muslims against Donald Trump, speaking with a strong "enemy" accent.
Now I agree that we ought not to make all Muslims our enemy, nor all immigrants, as we have seen too much of. It has been going on for awhile, featuring anti-Muslim movement sorts like Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Pamela Geller. They've been getting disgusting levels of sympathy, and not only from Republicans.
The people who are not already on side are seeing this very differently. There seems to be no recognition of this angle on the story, but it is certainly being heard where it matters among voters who've been poisoned against Muslims and immigrants.
2
@Mark Thomason
Clawson, Mich
Of course the Democrats would have to be doing wrong according to you. They always are. After all they shouldn't have nominated Clinton in your opinion. In fact there is no evidence Trump's behavior is gaining him support amongst moderate Republicans quite the reverse. Of course the rabid white nationalist right aren't going to move but then Trump could murder his mother on stage and they'd still be cheering him.
Clawson, Mich
Of course the Democrats would have to be doing wrong according to you. They always are. After all they shouldn't have nominated Clinton in your opinion. In fact there is no evidence Trump's behavior is gaining him support amongst moderate Republicans quite the reverse. Of course the rabid white nationalist right aren't going to move but then Trump could murder his mother on stage and they'd still be cheering him.
14
OTOH if only Trump's mother had murdered him...
Oh well, just kidding.
Oh well, just kidding.
I don't think it's possible to try to bring on board those who believe all muslims are the enemy. The best we can do is peel away those who are slightly less racist. If we can move the national political boundary from "liberal" vs "conservative" to "white nationalists" vs "everyone else", we're in great shape.
1
Yes, professor, but you didn't mention SCOTUS.
I actually don't believe Republican voters supporting Trump are smart enough to understand that SCOTUS is the real prize, but McConnell, Ryan et al. certainly do. These two guys (and other Republican leaders) understand that they need to do everything in their power to get Trump elected so that he gets to pick the next 1-3 justices.
We've already seen the tremendous benefit that a 4-4 split on the Court has had versus the Court when Scalia was on the bench. The 4-4 Court has let stand the appellate court's ruling that the Texas law piling absurd restrictions on abortion access is unconstitutional. It also affirmed the appellate court's ruling that public employees who don't join unions may be required to pay fees for the union's collective bargaining activities, a big win for organized labor. And the 4-4 Court is sure to let stand the appellate court's ruling that the North Carolina legislation on voter IDs is unconstitutional.
If we don't elect Hillary, the insane Republican ideologies will be the "gift" that keeps on giving for the next 30 years -- and perhaps even longer, as Republican justices uphold more and more State restrictions disenfranchising Democratic voters.
I actually don't believe Republican voters supporting Trump are smart enough to understand that SCOTUS is the real prize, but McConnell, Ryan et al. certainly do. These two guys (and other Republican leaders) understand that they need to do everything in their power to get Trump elected so that he gets to pick the next 1-3 justices.
We've already seen the tremendous benefit that a 4-4 split on the Court has had versus the Court when Scalia was on the bench. The 4-4 Court has let stand the appellate court's ruling that the Texas law piling absurd restrictions on abortion access is unconstitutional. It also affirmed the appellate court's ruling that public employees who don't join unions may be required to pay fees for the union's collective bargaining activities, a big win for organized labor. And the 4-4 Court is sure to let stand the appellate court's ruling that the North Carolina legislation on voter IDs is unconstitutional.
If we don't elect Hillary, the insane Republican ideologies will be the "gift" that keeps on giving for the next 30 years -- and perhaps even longer, as Republican justices uphold more and more State restrictions disenfranchising Democratic voters.
75
I agree that court appointments are likely a big reason mainstream Republicans continue to back Trump. However, can they be confident that a mercurial egomaniac like Trump will nominate justices that align with GOP priorities? A decade ago, Trump was pro-choice and spoke in favor of gay marriage. A few years from now, who knows what he'll believe?
And even if he does, Trump has the potential to stain the GOP's reputation for a generation. Its party leaders shouldn't be worrying about the next two supreme court justices: they should be worrying about the next eight.
And even if he does, Trump has the potential to stain the GOP's reputation for a generation. Its party leaders shouldn't be worrying about the next two supreme court justices: they should be worrying about the next eight.
One has to remember that the Republicans Mr. Krugman is speaking of get their news from the spin masters at Fox. I'm not making excuses for them, but most of them are busy enough with their lives that politics is a secondary or tertiary priority to them. Consequently, they typically devote little, if any, critical thought to what's presented to them on Fox. They simply go with their feelings.
I think the best way to reach these people is to appeal to their parental instincts. Run some ads showing Trump as a playground bully, whom their kids recoil from, and end by asking them to take a cue from their kids.
I think the best way to reach these people is to appeal to their parental instincts. Run some ads showing Trump as a playground bully, whom their kids recoil from, and end by asking them to take a cue from their kids.
12
These people have always been with us: At the founding they were known as "Torries." They supported King George and resisted becoming a part of the Revolution. They were wrong-headed then and looking across the span of issues in the years since, they have been wrong all-along. It's only now, with Faux News, a network of radical ringmasters filling the airwaves with ignorance and the internet to boost the volume, that they have had the power to reach out and persuade the masses with their mastery of lies and propaganda. Once they reached "critical mass" the McCains, Ryans, and McConnells were doomed by their lust for power and control.
9
The "normal members of a normal political party" are the very ones who have failed and defrauded this country -- lying brazen about their intentions, not giving a fig for the public interest and replacing policy talk with emotion and cant -- happy to glory, for example, in the supposed war heroism of others when its politically expedient but who wouldn't think of going themselves or sending their own children.
Trump didn't come out of nowhere. Thank, instead, "the normal members of a normal political party" who take their hundreds of millions in speaking fees, craft policy behind closed doors with lobbyists, and after planning and fighting illegal wars, glory in the deaths for which they're responsible. Meanwhile, the middle-class slides into the mud.
What did Dr. Krugman expect that only the serious and the subornable, those safely on the payroll, would dominate American elections forever?
Trump didn't come out of nowhere. Thank, instead, "the normal members of a normal political party" who take their hundreds of millions in speaking fees, craft policy behind closed doors with lobbyists, and after planning and fighting illegal wars, glory in the deaths for which they're responsible. Meanwhile, the middle-class slides into the mud.
What did Dr. Krugman expect that only the serious and the subornable, those safely on the payroll, would dominate American elections forever?
3
Republican Congressional leaders may think they could control Trump if he were president. Think again. This is a man who prides himself on listening to no one's advice but his own. Who reports to no board of directors. Who relishes authoritarianism, whether Putin's or his own. Who as a candidate criticizes, but as president would embrace, presidential executive orders and the powers of the commander-in-chief to wage war against his perceived enemies.
23
As a conservative and a lifelong Republican, I shudder at all the free stuff offered by the Democratic Party in its sharp turn to the left. As a volunteer tax-preparer, I see the mess that the Democrats' desire to micromanage everything has made of its (laudable) attempt to bring health care to everyone. Its nominee for President is so secretive that she used a private server for email while she was a cabinet officer and then had to pretend ignorance and incompetence to explain away the "mistake." She is so greedy that she sought and accepted a massive book advance immediately after being elected to the Senate, while her husband was still President. And she even accepted massive speaking fees from Wall-Street firms shortly before starting her campaign for President.
Yet, I have become a single-issue voter. Now and as long as I can determine who fits the category, I will vote against any Republican candidate who does not repudiate this year's Republican candidate for President. My list includes state and local candidates, as well as Congressional and Presidential candidates.
Yet, I have become a single-issue voter. Now and as long as I can determine who fits the category, I will vote against any Republican candidate who does not repudiate this year's Republican candidate for President. My list includes state and local candidates, as well as Congressional and Presidential candidates.
43
Dear Jeff T--
Bravo for your willingness to vote your conscience and break from your own party. That can't be easy.
But may I ask for clarification? Why is HRC "greedy" when she seeks a big advance for writing a book, or for taking speaker's fees? Surely the book advance didn't make her feel that there was a legislative quid pro quo with her publisher, and surely the moment was right for her to reach the widest audience for her message -- and take home the largest royalties. Sounds like good ol' capitalist thinking, something any conservative Republican understands. I agree it was bad judgment to take dough from Wall Street for speeches if you were going to run against Bernie Sanders, but running against any of the Republican candidates? -- well, it's hardly a cudgel they could bring to bear given where the money came from for their campaigns. So how come Hillary's "greedy" when any of the guys in the GOP would just have been making hay while the sun shone? Don't you have a double standard there?
Bravo for your willingness to vote your conscience and break from your own party. That can't be easy.
But may I ask for clarification? Why is HRC "greedy" when she seeks a big advance for writing a book, or for taking speaker's fees? Surely the book advance didn't make her feel that there was a legislative quid pro quo with her publisher, and surely the moment was right for her to reach the widest audience for her message -- and take home the largest royalties. Sounds like good ol' capitalist thinking, something any conservative Republican understands. I agree it was bad judgment to take dough from Wall Street for speeches if you were going to run against Bernie Sanders, but running against any of the Republican candidates? -- well, it's hardly a cudgel they could bring to bear given where the money came from for their campaigns. So how come Hillary's "greedy" when any of the guys in the GOP would just have been making hay while the sun shone? Don't you have a double standard there?
3
Mr. Khan's son was a real hero and patriot and Trump's remarks are despicable. But while rushing to get political mileage from the controversy, many seem to have forgotten that this precious brave life was lost in a war that was waged under false pretext, a war that Clinton had supported. My serious concern about an HRC presidency is involvement in more such conflicts- in the name of Democracy, human rights or whatever moral excuse one can find. Unfortunately I don't see islands of peace and democracy in places where we intervened under those pretexts. If these wars serve our dominance or maintain our superiority, at least our leaders should be honest to admit that, rather than pretending to wage them to save humanity.
7
It is fair to skewer the GOP establishment for their support or acquiescence in Trump, but it does no justice to the millions of working men and women who have been thrown on hard times by global trade and automation.
These working-class Americans, once proudly employed in manufacturing, have lost their jobs, status, self-respect, and hopes. Their lives and communities are shattered. They see the world changing around them, and they are not part of it. They are dying early from substance abuse, suicide and neglect.
The Democratic Party once gave them a voice, and fought on their behalf, but long ago turned to identity politics. They turned to the GOP, which made promises but never kept them.
Isolated, fearful, despairing and abandoned, they've now turned by the millions to an authoritarian demagogue who promises to restore their lives, and the country they once knew and loved. They have become susceptible to his false allure.
Theirs is an authoritarian response to loss, a phenomenon only recently understood by scholars. What these scholars have to tell us is alarming, and explains the sudden, rapid, unexpected surge of Trump support:
"The Rise of American Authoritarianism," Vox, http://tinyurl.com/zd3omo5
"When and Why Nationalism Beats Globalism," The American Interest, http://wp.me/p4ja0Z-Apc
"All Hollowed Out," The Atlantic, http://tinyurl.com/hrpwrlx
"This Is What the Future of American Politics Looks Like," Politico, http://tinyurl.com/go9ae3n
These working-class Americans, once proudly employed in manufacturing, have lost their jobs, status, self-respect, and hopes. Their lives and communities are shattered. They see the world changing around them, and they are not part of it. They are dying early from substance abuse, suicide and neglect.
The Democratic Party once gave them a voice, and fought on their behalf, but long ago turned to identity politics. They turned to the GOP, which made promises but never kept them.
Isolated, fearful, despairing and abandoned, they've now turned by the millions to an authoritarian demagogue who promises to restore their lives, and the country they once knew and loved. They have become susceptible to his false allure.
Theirs is an authoritarian response to loss, a phenomenon only recently understood by scholars. What these scholars have to tell us is alarming, and explains the sudden, rapid, unexpected surge of Trump support:
"The Rise of American Authoritarianism," Vox, http://tinyurl.com/zd3omo5
"When and Why Nationalism Beats Globalism," The American Interest, http://wp.me/p4ja0Z-Apc
"All Hollowed Out," The Atlantic, http://tinyurl.com/hrpwrlx
"This Is What the Future of American Politics Looks Like," Politico, http://tinyurl.com/go9ae3n
12
So now we are blaming automation as well. Perhaps you would have us ban the assembly line (after all, it does impose mind-deadening repetitive work on people.)
Smart phones (and electronic switching centers) should be banned too because they have eliminated tens of millions of jobs for telephone operators. By now, fully half of the entire population would be employed handling the phone calls for the other half.
Ron Cohen, I hope you see by now that your entire argument if fatally flawed.
Smart phones (and electronic switching centers) should be banned too because they have eliminated tens of millions of jobs for telephone operators. By now, fully half of the entire population would be employed handling the phone calls for the other half.
Ron Cohen, I hope you see by now that your entire argument if fatally flawed.
1
"How, then, can rational Republicans justify supporting Mr. Trump, or even remaining neutral, which is in effect giving him half a vote?"
Two very simple, one word answers:
1) Taxes
2) Pen
Taxes, as in big, big tax cuts for the wealthy.
Pen, as in one to sign all the laws and bills that the Republican controlled House and Senate will send in a steady stream onto the President's desk.
Everything else is completely meaningless.
Two very simple, one word answers:
1) Taxes
2) Pen
Taxes, as in big, big tax cuts for the wealthy.
Pen, as in one to sign all the laws and bills that the Republican controlled House and Senate will send in a steady stream onto the President's desk.
Everything else is completely meaningless.
8
I agree with Dr. Krugman. I am horribly disappointed in Paul Ryan. While I do not agree with his politics, and we all know his economic ideas are nonsense, at the very least, he was not an embarrassment. But, he became an embarrassment when he decided to fall in line with the party and support Trump. In contrast, I loathe Ted Cruz, but I admire that he has decided to not endorse Trump. It is perhaps the only positive thing he has done in public life.
59
No perhaps. It IS the only positive thing Cruz has done in public life.
But I cannot agree about Ryan, he definitely IS an embarrassment.
But I cannot agree about Ryan, he definitely IS an embarrassment.
1
Yes one wonders why partisans who know better would support a candidate with a history of mendacity, a public record of abject failure and whose business is in soliciting funds from foreign businesses in return for political favors, from foreign governments hostile to this country and from hedge fund plutocrats intent on destroying the American middle class. But you'd have to ask democrats why they continue to support this dangerous, self-involved statist despite this. Likely you would get as convoluted an answer as one does when asking their candidate about her foundation. That is, if their candidate deigned to hold a press conference with witnesses.
3
This is the type of caricature Mr. Krugman refers to.
1
Our only hope of avoiding a Trump presidency is the Obama coalition. White people, left to our own devices, will elect Trump. Think about that. Think about that hard. I am on my knees praying that black and latino voters can hold the line. Yes as a single white woman I am part of the Obama coalition but I understand where the big numbers come from. Pray we can hold the line. There will be no way to reverse the damage done by a Trump presidency. We will be done for.
49
I'm an older white male! Unfortunately, I have an education too, so Trump doesn't have a snowballs chance in H*** of getting my vote.
So there I am, a 'white person' left to my own devices who will NEVER EVER vote for Trump or anyone remotely like him.
So there I am, a 'white person' left to my own devices who will NEVER EVER vote for Trump or anyone remotely like him.
5
This may also perpetuate a caricature--of Trump. I have faith that if he gained the presidency, the rest of the system would shut him down rather than bend to his will. But let's hope it doesn't happen.
I understand Jim and God bless you, but sadly, the majority of whites will vote Trump.
The economic recovery is a sham. We've added jobs, but what kind of jobs? And it's merely keeping up with population growth. Our annual GDP growth rate is anemic.
That stocks have recovered is no surprise. Outside of the financial services sector, the drop in stock prices was more panic about what might happen -- a depression. Although if you compare stock prices pre recession to now -- the growth rate is rather anemic compared to post ww 2 growth rates. And some of that growth is an illusion -- at least in the dow -- achieved by flushing components like alcoa and GM and replacing them with apple and nike.
Deficit reduction -- Obama tripled the deficit in his first several years and only now has it returned to pre-Obama levels. Worse -- the debt is not sustainable if interest rates return even close to historic levels.
So -- nice try on the economy. But the bigger issue is HRC. Instead of castigating the Republicans for Trump, what about this power grasping, money grubbing candidate -- a candidate who wouldn't be even mentioned if she wasn't a she -- and her last name wasn't Clinton. The only accomplishment in her career that I can identify is her "success" trading cattle futures. And I suppose that brazenly lying her way through every scandal should be counted as well. And setting up the foundation -- that was smart.
A lot of Repubs might vote Dem -- if the Dems were offering a capable candidate with character rather than one who fit the PC mold.
That stocks have recovered is no surprise. Outside of the financial services sector, the drop in stock prices was more panic about what might happen -- a depression. Although if you compare stock prices pre recession to now -- the growth rate is rather anemic compared to post ww 2 growth rates. And some of that growth is an illusion -- at least in the dow -- achieved by flushing components like alcoa and GM and replacing them with apple and nike.
Deficit reduction -- Obama tripled the deficit in his first several years and only now has it returned to pre-Obama levels. Worse -- the debt is not sustainable if interest rates return even close to historic levels.
So -- nice try on the economy. But the bigger issue is HRC. Instead of castigating the Republicans for Trump, what about this power grasping, money grubbing candidate -- a candidate who wouldn't be even mentioned if she wasn't a she -- and her last name wasn't Clinton. The only accomplishment in her career that I can identify is her "success" trading cattle futures. And I suppose that brazenly lying her way through every scandal should be counted as well. And setting up the foundation -- that was smart.
A lot of Repubs might vote Dem -- if the Dems were offering a capable candidate with character rather than one who fit the PC mold.
6
It is true that many of the jobs are low paying jobs. But what is Trump plan to fix it. In a service and information economy, there is no substitute for education. Both Repubkicans and Democrats should be in favor of free community college. Dreaming about manufacturing jobs is pure fantasy.
19
So here is the answer to Krugman's question: they will excuse themselves with fictions about HRC they have been taught by GOP media surrogates, and ignore the reality of a candidate who openly encourages violence at his rallies, and would prefer to emulate the likes of Putin, Kim Jung Il, and Saddam Hussein. As a preamble, we hear that the brotherhood of "personal responsibility" has suddenly awakened to the fact that, no, each individual is NOT responsible for conditions in the job market. Rather than face an "we told you so" moment from the left, and place any blame on our Congress of saboteurs, they follow the wolf.
1
Are you willing to work for $12 an hour? I am, if I'm providing something good.
There are IMO only two ways that Donald Trump will lose. One involves peeling off some of the 40% who lack rationality (according to the NYT) and who will vote for the man. The current Joseph Welch moment with the father of the Muslim soldier might do this, but recall that this took time when it was first done with McCarthy, and took some "enforced soul searching" (to coin a term) when Republicans had to be convinced that Nikon should go after Watergate. It is my guess that further such stark encounters will still be needed to derail Trump.
The other route to defeat the man is by a truly massive get-out-the-vote push for the Dems.
Labeling Donald as "crazy" only works when the rats actually see that the ship (Party) is sinking.
The other route to defeat the man is by a truly massive get-out-the-vote push for the Dems.
Labeling Donald as "crazy" only works when the rats actually see that the ship (Party) is sinking.
10
"a truly massive get-out-the-vote push for the Dems" has been badly handicapped from the get go, by selecting a candidate with a two thirds disapproval rating, who then is offensive to 45% of her own side in a nasty intramural fight.
Sure the other side has the same problems. That doesn't get the vote turned out.
Sure the other side has the same problems. That doesn't get the vote turned out.
5
We need a bizarro sequel to the Kennedy best-seller entitled "Profiles in Cowardice." Let the first two chapters tell the stories of Ryan and McConnell. History will remember them that way, even without a sequel. I keep doing the reverse engineering, and the firdt cause inevitably turns out to be disdain for liberal-arts education, which provides the intellectual tools for healthy, disinterested questioning and skepticism, which sadly ain't on the RNC agenda. High-school graduates stop learning too soon, and so they gravitate to Daddy Trump to wake them from the resentments of their ill-preparedness.
12
Yes, they're supporting the nominee, even if he is Satan.
Republicans are afraid of their voters. I'd like to think Democrats are different, but I'm not sure. Suppose the Bernie thing really catches fire in the next few years, and someone who has the backing of Chomsky, as Jill Stein does, gets the nomination in the next election, or the one after. Would you support a Republican? For some people, there's simply no such thing as too far left. Should we be aghast that for some there's no such thing as too far right?
Republicans have been scaremongering about Muslims and Mexicans for forever, so how can it be surprising that someone who says he wants to ban the first and erect a massive barrier to keep out the second got nominated? By the same token, many on the left, including you, have been encouraging Bernie Sanders supporters by telling them -- and they see right through this, by the way -- that Clinton shares his goals, only she's an "incrementalist."
Socialism (How many "End Capitalism Before It Ends Us" signs did I see at Bernard's rallies?) is not a great idea that got hijacked and had its name tarnished. It's an awful idea. But because it aims to do great things, the rest of us have to suffer the consequences of the fact that do-gooders are incapable of perceiving its awfulness. This country needs reform, or it will have revolution, be it Trump now or a Sanders type in the future. Sanders is a good man. Trump isn't. But they both have awful ideas.
Republicans are afraid of their voters. I'd like to think Democrats are different, but I'm not sure. Suppose the Bernie thing really catches fire in the next few years, and someone who has the backing of Chomsky, as Jill Stein does, gets the nomination in the next election, or the one after. Would you support a Republican? For some people, there's simply no such thing as too far left. Should we be aghast that for some there's no such thing as too far right?
Republicans have been scaremongering about Muslims and Mexicans for forever, so how can it be surprising that someone who says he wants to ban the first and erect a massive barrier to keep out the second got nominated? By the same token, many on the left, including you, have been encouraging Bernie Sanders supporters by telling them -- and they see right through this, by the way -- that Clinton shares his goals, only she's an "incrementalist."
Socialism (How many "End Capitalism Before It Ends Us" signs did I see at Bernard's rallies?) is not a great idea that got hijacked and had its name tarnished. It's an awful idea. But because it aims to do great things, the rest of us have to suffer the consequences of the fact that do-gooders are incapable of perceiving its awfulness. This country needs reform, or it will have revolution, be it Trump now or a Sanders type in the future. Sanders is a good man. Trump isn't. But they both have awful ideas.
5
Social Security is socialism. Medicaid is socialism. Income tax even, to some.
Despicable Trump, despicable Ryan, despicable McConnell, yet they might win with low voter turnout. Our freedom and democracy are at stake.
If someone was asked by an un-named external enemy how to destroy the United States, the greatest and most powerful nation in the planet, without invasion or war, how would one go about doing it? Where, who and what would one attack and what kind of person would one need to be the leader and voice?
Would he if elected president, reject treaty obligations and treat them as terminable at will and default on the national debt and promise tax free status for a new ruling class? Would he reject science and make up his own facts and lie about every thing and see everything as a liberal plot? Will we repeat the German experiment of 1933 where the despicable rose to the top in a whirlwind of theft and slavery?
The answer is that we will soon know, because the Trump campaign and whatever that group is that nominated him, certainly not a normal political party, but conspiracy to destroy our freedom, will be the textbook example for future historians on the self destruction of the United States, for failure to pay the price of freedom, which is vigilance and civic duty. That is if we don’t get out to the polls and vote, vote, vote and get these anti-patriots out of our government. Nothing less than a landslide will protecting us from the clear and present danger of fascism.
If someone was asked by an un-named external enemy how to destroy the United States, the greatest and most powerful nation in the planet, without invasion or war, how would one go about doing it? Where, who and what would one attack and what kind of person would one need to be the leader and voice?
Would he if elected president, reject treaty obligations and treat them as terminable at will and default on the national debt and promise tax free status for a new ruling class? Would he reject science and make up his own facts and lie about every thing and see everything as a liberal plot? Will we repeat the German experiment of 1933 where the despicable rose to the top in a whirlwind of theft and slavery?
The answer is that we will soon know, because the Trump campaign and whatever that group is that nominated him, certainly not a normal political party, but conspiracy to destroy our freedom, will be the textbook example for future historians on the self destruction of the United States, for failure to pay the price of freedom, which is vigilance and civic duty. That is if we don’t get out to the polls and vote, vote, vote and get these anti-patriots out of our government. Nothing less than a landslide will protecting us from the clear and present danger of fascism.
23
"But there are times when you’re supposed to put such considerations aside."
Exactly right, Mr. Krugman.
Now, today is a moment that Gov. Mike Pence, the VP candidate running with Trump could make history by simply doing the right thing: assessing the words and subsequent treatment of Mr. and Mrs. Khan by the man who is at the top of the ticket.
The Khans, Gold Star parents whose mere presence on the stage, as well as the stirring words spoken by a father whose loss is carried with dignity and pride have shaken America awake.
Were Mr. Pence to remove his name from the ticket he would be remembered in political history as a hero whose conscience prevented him from abetting the election of the most un-American candidate in the history of the Republic.
It is hard to think of a single moral action that would, in this moment have more resonance.
Exactly right, Mr. Krugman.
Now, today is a moment that Gov. Mike Pence, the VP candidate running with Trump could make history by simply doing the right thing: assessing the words and subsequent treatment of Mr. and Mrs. Khan by the man who is at the top of the ticket.
The Khans, Gold Star parents whose mere presence on the stage, as well as the stirring words spoken by a father whose loss is carried with dignity and pride have shaken America awake.
Were Mr. Pence to remove his name from the ticket he would be remembered in political history as a hero whose conscience prevented him from abetting the election of the most un-American candidate in the history of the Republic.
It is hard to think of a single moral action that would, in this moment have more resonance.
33
It will never cross his mind.
What happened to this party that used to extol the virtues of "family values", God and country? It seems they have all disappeared and instead are sitting in awe of a reality TV host. WAKE UP!