"What will Donald Trump and his supporters do if he loses a close race to Hillary Clinton?"
Pay more in taxes!
Pay more in taxes!
9
What is the purpose of the Trump campaign's call to enlist "poll watchers"? Are these people going to follow voters into the voting booth? Stand outside and harass voters? Who is going to organize this -- I don't know what to call it -- this insanity? In the face of this clearly illegal activity by the Trump campaign and (at least hypothetically) their "enforcers," what does the Federal Elections Commission plan to do to protect voters?
23
If the election is close and HRC wins by less than a landslide say goodbye to healthy four years of political activity. There will more No's from the No Party, perhaps a bit less than their race determined current policy.
But it will have been earned by Clinton, herself and her withering criticism of trunk rather than an aggressive listing of her immediate and coming agenda. Of course, if it's is more of the monied world and benefits to Wall St, we are sunk with both.
But it will have been earned by Clinton, herself and her withering criticism of trunk rather than an aggressive listing of her immediate and coming agenda. Of course, if it's is more of the monied world and benefits to Wall St, we are sunk with both.
3
This paranoia style has been around, notably with the republicans, for a long time. White republican males were outraged when Obama became president. The mere prospect of Clinton become president makes them apoplectic! Of course the republicans will yell bloody murder when she wins because the thought of estrogen topping testosterone is inconceivable. Matt Lauer proved that.
The real test will be for the media (including the Times) to find a way NOT to feed the paranoid hysteria with tabloid sensationalism!!!
The real test will be for the media (including the Times) to find a way NOT to feed the paranoid hysteria with tabloid sensationalism!!!
21
If Trump loses narrowly, he has only the Russians to blame. Obviously they couldn't succeed in hacking enough of the vulnerable voting machines to defeat HRC.
16
It is truly unbelievable to read some of the comments here by the Trump apologists who think the media has been unfair to him.
The media doesn't report ENOUGH on half of the outrageous things that come out of this buffoon's mouth.
Are we living in the same universe?
The media doesn't report ENOUGH on half of the outrageous things that come out of this buffoon's mouth.
Are we living in the same universe?
39
For many months I've been thinking about, worrying about, commenting on and watching Trump and his campaign delegitimize each pillar of American democracy: the Presidency, the Judiciary, the House/Senate, and finally the Vote. My fears, and the truths contained in this Opinion, are made too real to me through the accompanying photograph. I have to wonder if this couple understand or can understand what is happening and what may happen, regardless of whether Trump wins the election. I hope Mitch McConnell reads this Opinion and takes to heart the implications: I despair he will simply dismiss the warning. Republicans are again pushing their obstructionism, eg. no funding for Zika unless Planned Parenthood is defunded. Holding Zika funding hostage is reprehensible but for Republicans it's somehow fair play. How can Democrats compromise with this perverse thinking? Oh what a mess.
33
I agree completely with Hofstadter, but what's the point of Edsall's column? Is Clinton required to win by a popular landslide? Most political scientists agree that a popular vote landslide is unlikely in the present polarized political climate.
On the other hand, what if Clinton wins by an electoral landslide? That outcome in fact seems likely and is confirmed on a daily basis by the NYTimes Political Upshot: Clinton is almost assured of 238 electoral votes (as of 9/8) and the median prediction is that she will win about 350. Isn't that enough to claim real victory?
Al Gore lost by a contested popular count in a single state. Which is a rather different scenario from losing every state except the Deep Red South and the Western Plains (Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho), which is the realistic forecast for Trump.
But once again, What exactly is Edsall trying to say? We know the country is divided, and we know the Tea Party wing is paranoid. We'd like to invite them to another planet but the technology does not yet exist. If Edsall has a plan, I'd like to hear it.
On the other hand, what if Clinton wins by an electoral landslide? That outcome in fact seems likely and is confirmed on a daily basis by the NYTimes Political Upshot: Clinton is almost assured of 238 electoral votes (as of 9/8) and the median prediction is that she will win about 350. Isn't that enough to claim real victory?
Al Gore lost by a contested popular count in a single state. Which is a rather different scenario from losing every state except the Deep Red South and the Western Plains (Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho), which is the realistic forecast for Trump.
But once again, What exactly is Edsall trying to say? We know the country is divided, and we know the Tea Party wing is paranoid. We'd like to invite them to another planet but the technology does not yet exist. If Edsall has a plan, I'd like to hear it.
23
Why do you give this nonsense any press? Do you know how few people, percentage-wife, actually go to Trump's rallies? Do you know how very minute his influence would be if you, the media, didn't always breathlessly amplify his paranoid narcissism? You do realize you give his quack credibility, even as you pretend to debunk it?
At the very least, label it appropriately. "Trump spouts paranoid non-sense, as usual. Moving right along. How about a story about Veteran's mental health?"
At the very least, label it appropriately. "Trump spouts paranoid non-sense, as usual. Moving right along. How about a story about Veteran's mental health?"
41
To simplify matters, we are faced with only two vexing questions: 1) What will Trump supporters do if he loses; 2) What will Trump supporters do if he wins.
15
I did not read all the negative info on Lauer, so I don't know if anyone touched on the real issue.
Lauer was scared.
Trump admires Putin, who has a way with reporters, and people he's doesn't like.
The worst part of this, is Lauer became a sellout, and empowered Trump.
Lauer was scared.
Trump admires Putin, who has a way with reporters, and people he's doesn't like.
The worst part of this, is Lauer became a sellout, and empowered Trump.
20
Such a "mighty country" we are! Why should our today and tomorrow be so heavily dependent on one person - "the President?"
This just does not make sense! Whatever happened to? "I am the master of my fate I am the Captain of my soul."
I don't care about the white, black, brown American - its a disgrace that we still categorize USA using "colors."
I'd rather trust an algo! to trigger possible decisions and then a committee to decide which decision to go with?
This just does not make sense! Whatever happened to? "I am the master of my fate I am the Captain of my soul."
I don't care about the white, black, brown American - its a disgrace that we still categorize USA using "colors."
I'd rather trust an algo! to trigger possible decisions and then a committee to decide which decision to go with?
2
The fact that Gore conceded rather than fight what was so evidently a Supreme Court - Scalia- rigged election only speaks to his wisdom (yet retrospective foolishness ) in averting a constitutional crisis which in fact might have averted the coming to power of imperialist madness of the neo-conservatives with all the consequences including the economic depression whose outcome is the creation of the Tea Party, the nucleus of what are now Trump followers. If in fact there were more truth about perhaps there would be less paranoia. It is regretful that Senator Sanders did not run his Socialist campaign as an independent but out of fear of a Trump victory felt HRC was the lesser of two evils. Maybe there ought to be a good constitutional crisis and matters may just sort themselves out more honestly once all the chips have fallen were they belong.
4
Why are these paranoid loons worried about Hillary stealing the election, when everybody knows the real threat is Putin stealing it for his best friend Trump?
12
Not only will this egoist lose in November, but he'll lose by a lot. I feel like the media keep printing these stories to gin up the fear/excitement and keep us all worried. But he doesn't have a chance. Because the majority of moderates, of BOTH parties and unaffiliated independents, know a walking disaster when they see one.
For the damage he's doing to our country, and the ugly lies he's spouting, I was so glad to read recently that his hotel businesses are down 30% in their bookings. He deserves to lose money as well as the respect of the American people, if not the world. I hope that whoever once stayed at a Trump resort is already voting with their pocketbook, to show this bloviating Narcissus that his ugly rhetoric and hate-mongering isn't appreciated.
For the damage he's doing to our country, and the ugly lies he's spouting, I was so glad to read recently that his hotel businesses are down 30% in their bookings. He deserves to lose money as well as the respect of the American people, if not the world. I hope that whoever once stayed at a Trump resort is already voting with their pocketbook, to show this bloviating Narcissus that his ugly rhetoric and hate-mongering isn't appreciated.
11
My thought is that a lot of Trump's hard core support comes from people that are also hard core 2nd amendment supporters. Bundy operations in Nevada and Oregon have shown that armed opposition to government actions and policies is not fantasy. Nor were the armed insurgents compared to "radical Islamists" or terrorists. They had substantial moral support.
A citizen uprising that includes fires, looting, and general disorder is one thing, but an uprising by people that think they have constitutional right to use their arms to opposes a tyrannical government is another (scary) thing entirely. Does Trump understand that?
A citizen uprising that includes fires, looting, and general disorder is one thing, but an uprising by people that think they have constitutional right to use their arms to opposes a tyrannical government is another (scary) thing entirely. Does Trump understand that?
13
Given the hyperbolic and hysterical attacks against Trump and his supporters perhaps a better question is what will happen if Trump narrowly wins? Demonstrators at Trump rally's have been far more violent than Trump supporters.
5
Emergency,
This is off subject, so forgive me, but we are in a MSM vs Trump crisis. I just saw Giuliani tell Matthews on Hardball that our, the US Navy, is at WWI strength, and Chris Matthews simply let it go by.
Result: It's True!!
America's malevolent mayor is a liar of ineffable proportions, but thanks to Chris's inattention perhaps hundreds of thousands of viewers believe our navy is at WWI strength.
Please listen America; ONE Burke class destroyer could render helpless our entire WWI fleet if assembled in opposition. ONE Trident class sub carries more firepower than all the armies, navies and air forces assembled in all of human history.
Giuliani got away with it.
The magnitude of Giuliani's lies must be countered. People like Matthews and others must not let these lies of immense proportions slip by! This is how elections are won and lost!
Please, everyone reading this put the word out that Rudi is not a good man. He is propagating the worst lies and fear. Our navy is not at WWI strength. Our military is not 'depleted'.
Mark my words, we are going to wake up to POTUS Trump one day, and it will be the fault of our MSM.
This is off subject, so forgive me, but we are in a MSM vs Trump crisis. I just saw Giuliani tell Matthews on Hardball that our, the US Navy, is at WWI strength, and Chris Matthews simply let it go by.
Result: It's True!!
America's malevolent mayor is a liar of ineffable proportions, but thanks to Chris's inattention perhaps hundreds of thousands of viewers believe our navy is at WWI strength.
Please listen America; ONE Burke class destroyer could render helpless our entire WWI fleet if assembled in opposition. ONE Trident class sub carries more firepower than all the armies, navies and air forces assembled in all of human history.
Giuliani got away with it.
The magnitude of Giuliani's lies must be countered. People like Matthews and others must not let these lies of immense proportions slip by! This is how elections are won and lost!
Please, everyone reading this put the word out that Rudi is not a good man. He is propagating the worst lies and fear. Our navy is not at WWI strength. Our military is not 'depleted'.
Mark my words, we are going to wake up to POTUS Trump one day, and it will be the fault of our MSM.
20
Of course, if Trump wins, there's no way it will have been rigged. Despite the all-but-proven assumptions that Russia's been interfering in our election process in in a way that benefits Republicans, and the Trump/Putin facist bromance.
6
When did the paranoid style recede in American politics? In the 1980s, we had any number of Reagan supports like Sen. Alan Simpson whining about "comsymps" who dared to criticize the president. What was Nixon's southern strategy if not an appeal to racist paranoia? Bush father and son played on irrational fears (though George W. far more so than his father). Barack Obama has been called by several observers the most paranoid president since Nixon. That leaves Bill Clinton (and Hillary), who may be distinguished only for being the most artful in the paranoid style. We destroyed Iraq through sanctions justified through fear and hatred. With overt atrocities, George W continued what Bill had started more subtly (if the sanction-caused deaths of 500,000 can be called subtle).
The open question: What is behind Hillary Clinton's vicious aggressive streak? Fear? Paranoia? Anyone remember her "vast right-wing conspiracy" theory?
The open question: What is behind Hillary Clinton's vicious aggressive streak? Fear? Paranoia? Anyone remember her "vast right-wing conspiracy" theory?
3
I accept that many Trump supporters are adopting a paranoid style. It's appropriate to recall Hofstadter's ideas in this election year. However, it seems to me that many anti-Hillary Bernie Sanders supporters, Black Lives Matter activists, environmental activists, and others on the American Progressive Left are also totally convinced of their own virtue, and that they also feel they are fighting demonic forces, and therefore can really do no wrong. In their minds there seem to be no bad tactics, only bad targets. And the media contribute to this atmosphere by advancing Manichean narratives of Left and Right, Democrats and Republicans, good guys and bad guys. But the fact is that there are, or could be, many dimensions to our political discourse. We must listen carefully to our political opposition. They may have something important to teach us, at the very least about how they think. And we all need to remember to argue for or against ideas, not with name-calling or against personalities. The Left is not immune from these temptations. Above all, let us recall that we are fellow Americans, that there is in our Constitution grounds for us to consider ourselves one nation, indivisible. We should always strive to consider "those other guys" our loyal opposition, not our enemies, and to be the same thing for them in return.
3
I am more concerned about backlash if Trump wins. Despite the minimal coverage by the NYT, anti-Trump groups have displayed a lot more violence and disorder than anything seen by Trump supporters.
4
When I read this reference to Hofstadter, "the megalomaniac view of oneself as the Elect, wholly good, abominably persecuted, yet assured of ultimate triumph; the attribution of gigantic and demonic powers to the adversary," I wasn't sure if Mr. Edsall was referring to Trump or Hillary.
1
Thomas, Trump being Trump will do anything to deny the victory to Hillary.
Even if Hillary gets 340 Electoral votes compared to Trump's 180 ( that is my projection), he'll still not accept the defeat and concede quietly.
I can imagine the chaos on the election night with Trump's supporters ready to beat up anybody who didn't look White and young.
Yes, 'Trump's strongest supporters do in fact feel abominably persecuted. They are unlikely to fade away gracefully', like you said in this article.
So,I really think we're getting near a very dangerous territory by allowing Trump to dictate terms even after his defeat in the upcoming election.
Trump should've never been allowed to get the nomination of a major party like the Republican party is.
And now he's blackmailing his way to the White House by making all these accusations of voter fraud which was debunked by 'the Brennan Center at N.Y.U. Law School' who concluded that individual attempts to cast multiple votes, to register using a false name or other methods to vote more than once are so rare as to be inconsequential' as stated by you in this article.
But to Trump the sore loser and his supporters, even 8 cases of individuals knowingly casting invalid votes out of 3.6 million votes in New Jersey is a big deal and citing that as an example he'll call for total recount or simply tell the authorities to arrange for a fresh election until the outcome favors him.
That's what I call treason and he should be tried for that.
Even if Hillary gets 340 Electoral votes compared to Trump's 180 ( that is my projection), he'll still not accept the defeat and concede quietly.
I can imagine the chaos on the election night with Trump's supporters ready to beat up anybody who didn't look White and young.
Yes, 'Trump's strongest supporters do in fact feel abominably persecuted. They are unlikely to fade away gracefully', like you said in this article.
So,I really think we're getting near a very dangerous territory by allowing Trump to dictate terms even after his defeat in the upcoming election.
Trump should've never been allowed to get the nomination of a major party like the Republican party is.
And now he's blackmailing his way to the White House by making all these accusations of voter fraud which was debunked by 'the Brennan Center at N.Y.U. Law School' who concluded that individual attempts to cast multiple votes, to register using a false name or other methods to vote more than once are so rare as to be inconsequential' as stated by you in this article.
But to Trump the sore loser and his supporters, even 8 cases of individuals knowingly casting invalid votes out of 3.6 million votes in New Jersey is a big deal and citing that as an example he'll call for total recount or simply tell the authorities to arrange for a fresh election until the outcome favors him.
That's what I call treason and he should be tried for that.
6
Trump and his supporters are talking about rigged elections for one strategic purpose; to drive their turnout. His strategy from the beginning has been to turn out angry white voters in record numbers. Telling them over and over again that they are about to be robbed will inflame them and drive them to the polls. What we are seeing here is the culmination of some of the dirtiest tricksters methods coming together. The line for Trump's people extends back to the days of Roy Cohn and now includes some of his modern day counterparts in Roger Stone, Roger Ailes, and Bannon. Quite a witches' brew.
6
The Brennan study of voter fraud does NOT refute the idea that the elections are rigged. I doubt many people believe that individual voters are casting multiple ballots. Rigged elections are more likely to happen though tweaked parameters in the bowels of electronic voting machines. Strange events when tens of thousands of voters simply fall off the voting rolls (e.g. Brooklyn in the Democratic Primary). Florida was wierd in 2000. Ohio was wierd in 2004. Nevada, California, Arizona, and New York to name a few were disastrous in the Democratic primary. Now Russia might hack our system. FIX THE VOTING. USE PAPER BALLOTS. No other solution gets us out of this. Both the left and the right have a growing distrust of the fairness of our voting process. Is this conspiracy theory? That's what they said to the people who accused the catholic church of covering up pedophile priests. That's what they said about people suggesting that the NFL was hiding their knowledge of traumatic brain injuries. Of course the oil companies had no idea that global warming was happening. The tobacco companies are sure that cigarettes are not bad for you. its a conspiracy theory until its a fact. Voting may or may not be broken in the US. I think it is. A lot of other people do to. It does not matter if it is rigged or not. It has to be changed so the people believe it is fair.
5
I'm a Canadian. I know that automatically disqualifies me from criticizing American politics (hey we've screwed up too, we allowed Harper to run things for 10 years). Just one thing OK, my American friends who have moved to Canada are embarrassed by what is going on in their country. This political race is being watched by everyone in the world. All democracies are embarrassed, this race just feeds the terrorists recruiting game.
14
There's no question that the election will be rigged, but not in the sense Trump supporters think it will be. Rather, state legislatures and election boards are in about 10 states are seeking to rig the election by suppressing minority voters.
So, count me in the 34% of all voters who fear the election will be rigged, but don't call me paranoid. The election-rigging attempts have been well documented in study after study, and recognized for what they are by several federal appellate courts.
So, count me in the 34% of all voters who fear the election will be rigged, but don't call me paranoid. The election-rigging attempts have been well documented in study after study, and recognized for what they are by several federal appellate courts.
16
Mr. Edsall:
thank you for your careful research, analysis and summary.
one small quibble:
Mr. Hofstadter's writings were during a time when the Democratic Party
had successive and overwhelming majorities in the House of Representatives.
today,
DJT supporters may indeed feel aggrieved if their candidate does not prevail in the November election,
but the republican't party will almost assuredly retain control in the House one more time...
providing them with all the resources they need to continue to-do-nothing.
at the moment,
HRC appears to be suffering from a bout or two of indifference from voters whom she might-have-expected to vote for her...
independents, Senator Sanders' people, minorities who voted for President Obama and mildly agitated republican'ts may not turn-out in sufficient numbers to elect her or to make a dent in the House's make-up.
in the other camp,
DJT's rabid acolytes will not be deterred by any rational statements made to force them to reconsider - -
they are already convinced that all anti-DJT discussions are an effort by the MSM to simply continue the status-quo in DC.
and they will most assuredly vote, come-hell or high-water.
'course,
there is still lotsa time to pursue the uncommitteds and attempt to make history anew.
minimize the inevitable stumbles,
remain humble,
speak to the needs of the people,
demonstrate as real a level of caring as possible.
use DJT's own words and behaviors to present a cognitive difference.
fight on.
be well.
1
Trumps says, "We'll make America great again." This resonates with millions who feel left out .. Funny how we never heard from Hillary what her plans are.. She has yet to explain "WHY" she is running for President - as if she assumes we already know.. Well, I don't know and I don't think it's too much to ask for a simple explanation, not from a surrogate or website- but directly from her. If her miraculous work at her foundation helps millions around the globe- what makes her think she'll better serve humanity as POTUS? It's a step down if you ask me- The Presidency is the last place to be effective- just ask Obama.
2
So let me understand this:
the alt right has no issue with Bushes loss in 2000 but if they lose, its Rigged!
there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud BUT if the alt right loses, it's Rigged!
We are DOOMED!
the alt right has no issue with Bushes loss in 2000 but if they lose, its Rigged!
there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud BUT if the alt right loses, it's Rigged!
We are DOOMED!
5
The long time extreme, paranoid attacks on Obama and Clinton have an unfortunate result of making their supporters idealize them, as a defense. Thus we can't criticize their views and policies properly. They're seen as victims of the great Gop right wing conspiracy. This is what's holding back our politics from facing reality.
We swing from paranoia to over idealization. We have to recognize and guard against this. Otherwise our leaders, even the better ones, can get away with not representing us properly for a modern democracy. This may be the real damage Trump causes.
We see this lack of representation in our downward economic mobility, worse than other advanced nations, the weakening of the middle class, our gross neglect of infrastructure, our costly unfair health care for profit, our job offshoring and giving huge tax advantages to corporations, or lack of regulation of the big banks. And our handing over to the big money the financing of our elections.
We swing from paranoia to over idealization. We have to recognize and guard against this. Otherwise our leaders, even the better ones, can get away with not representing us properly for a modern democracy. This may be the real damage Trump causes.
We see this lack of representation in our downward economic mobility, worse than other advanced nations, the weakening of the middle class, our gross neglect of infrastructure, our costly unfair health care for profit, our job offshoring and giving huge tax advantages to corporations, or lack of regulation of the big banks. And our handing over to the big money the financing of our elections.
1
This matter could be easily resolved by bringing international observers to monitor the elections from countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Israel, and the Vatican.
Very easy, but I am afraid that the Trump campaign won't accept that.
Very easy, but I am afraid that the Trump campaign won't accept that.
5
The election that was "rigged" occurred in 2000. The rigging was done by 5 members of the Supreme Court. What prevented a true constitutional crisis, and a subsequent uproar from the electorate, was Al Gore acting out of common sense to not challenge the court or take his case to the public. He lost, but it was NOT fair and square.
The unfortunate long-term result was 8 years of Bush-Cheney. But in the moment, democracy was preserved.
The unfortunate long-term result was 8 years of Bush-Cheney. But in the moment, democracy was preserved.
5
Here's the thing. If Trump loses a close one on November 8, then of course the "alt-right" and the Trump diehards will shout "Fixed! Rigged!" at the top of their lungs - and there will be no reasoning with them. But there will be others, neither Trump diehards nor part of the "alt-right", many of them in fact veering to the left politically, who will nod in silent agreement, recalling the e-mail leak in July about the DNC's shenanigans during the Democratic primary. For that, the powers-that-be in the Democratic Party will only have themselves to blame.
1
Americans... forced to choose between two of the worst candidates in voting History. THAT is the real crime!
2
The most crooked guy to run for president, maybe in the history of the Republic, says he will be robbed of his election victory? A guy who can't speak without lying. A guy who is so phony he has a weak gasp of reality. A guy who has the Russians trying to fix the election for him. He knows darn well there is an attempt to fix the election cause he's part of the attempted fix.
6
A largely self financed billionaire accuses US financial elites/special interests of throwing money at his opponent to control her like a puppet?
Yes, paranoid. But there's truth also--not that Hillary's unique. Our elections ARE controlled by big money--legalized as 'free political speech' by our supreme court, using the 1st amendment excuse. We've seen that the big money vets, picks, groom, and markets our candidates, and candidates position themselves to attract the big money when they decide to run in the 1st place.
While our news media NEVER talks about this, but actually reports on the fund raising contest in our elections. And then compares personalities, power plays and polls for our entertainment.
Public financing of elections, common in other world democracies, could tamp down the 'paranoid' in our politics, and let our leaders give us some representation for our taxation.
As long as big money works behind the scenes to set the parameters of platforms, paranoid accusations of rigged elections will flower---and have some basis in reality.
There are jokes about psychiatrists treating paranoids who realize that somebody really is out to get them, after all.
Yes, paranoid. But there's truth also--not that Hillary's unique. Our elections ARE controlled by big money--legalized as 'free political speech' by our supreme court, using the 1st amendment excuse. We've seen that the big money vets, picks, groom, and markets our candidates, and candidates position themselves to attract the big money when they decide to run in the 1st place.
While our news media NEVER talks about this, but actually reports on the fund raising contest in our elections. And then compares personalities, power plays and polls for our entertainment.
Public financing of elections, common in other world democracies, could tamp down the 'paranoid' in our politics, and let our leaders give us some representation for our taxation.
As long as big money works behind the scenes to set the parameters of platforms, paranoid accusations of rigged elections will flower---and have some basis in reality.
There are jokes about psychiatrists treating paranoids who realize that somebody really is out to get them, after all.
1
The real election fraud is the long time Republican effort to stop minority voters from casting their ballots. This goes back decades. William Rehnquist got his start harassing minority voters in Arizona in the early 1960's. He was rewarded by Republicans by being installed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In recent years, things have gotten worse in Republican controlled states. Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin have new voter restriction laws for the 2016 Presidential election. North Carolina and North Dakota passed such laws, but they have been overturned by the courts. Florida, West Virginia, Illinois, and South Dakota and Iowa passed such laws for the 2012 Presidential election. A few Republican politicians have confirmed and even bragged about the fact that these laws are designed to help Republicans, just as House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy bragged that the Benghazi hearings were set up by House Republicans to bring Hillary Clinton's favorable numbers down. Republicans are also very accomplished at dirty tricks to try to bring down Democratic votes, such as sending a "notice" that looks official to Democrats with the wrong date for elections.
6
Speaking of enlightenment has anybody pondered how important TPP is now, even moire so, to tax dodgers. Think about it. The major traders are cracking down, but oh how tempting those smaller Asian countries must be for Big Business. Why would Obama soil his legacy in pursuit of so Corpocratic an ideal unless he was a pawn himself?
1
Day after sorry day Donald Trump brings this country, and by extension our democratic institutions, into lower esteem in the eyes of our allies around the world. His pronouncements about a rigged election process really are the last straw. When I walked into my living room this evening my husband was watching excerpts of Trump's most egregious pronouncements being commented on by a French political pundit on a news program. Maybe it was partly my jet lag, but I had such a sudden choking feeling of frustration and anger at how high this loathesome man has risen in American politics, that I retreated to my bedroom and felt like weeping.
7
Reasonable people can disagree about the meaning of election fraud. For example, there are significant numbers of disenfranchised felons who nevertheless vote.
Left-wing people may think that it's absurd to prevent anyone from voting and that such rules are meant to be broken; to them, it's a justified form of civil disobedience. That felon voting helps Democrats is the cherry on the cake.
Being against felon voting is seen by certain left-wing people as bigoted and racist.
Thus, the author of this article doesn't mention felons voting as a potential problem. To him, it isn't one; on the contrary, the more, the merrier.
Left-wing people may think that it's absurd to prevent anyone from voting and that such rules are meant to be broken; to them, it's a justified form of civil disobedience. That felon voting helps Democrats is the cherry on the cake.
Being against felon voting is seen by certain left-wing people as bigoted and racist.
Thus, the author of this article doesn't mention felons voting as a potential problem. To him, it isn't one; on the contrary, the more, the merrier.
3
There is only one party systematically engaging in flagrant voter fraud, and deliberately rigging elections, and it is not the Democrats. Abetted by the virulent right wing partisan hacks on SCOTUS, the right has suppressed, purged and disenfranchised millions of Americans inclined to vote "D" rather than "R," and have been astonishingly blatant in their efforts. One need only look at the ongoing voter suppression in North Carolina, despite having been enjoined by federal judges, by the GOTP. From the folks who stole two successive elections by thuggish, racist gerrymandering, massive disenfranchisement, ballot tampering, polling place machinations, comes their latest racist, conspiracy-mongering dunce of a POTUS candidate to whine that if he loses, it will be due to a "rigged system." He should know, since his party perfected the art and has rigged election after election.
5
Mr. Edsall's column is truly blood-chilling because the conspiracy theories outlined by him and his commentariat predecessors are so evident in the rhetoric of figures who are terminally tendentious (Trump, Coulter) and those who, as vile as they are, should know better (Giuliani, Hannity).
Such figures flirt with treason because, in order to advance their own dark agendas, they call into question the legitimacy of American constitutional governance itself. These figures are hardly naughty children playing with matches. They are stage-managing a conflagration on the core body politic, promoting the noxious fiction that their particular victory is the only signal of a fair outcome.
So, the mantra is "We win; it was fair. We lose; the system was rigged." If a critical mass of voters adopts such a fantasy, then governance itself would be short-circuited, but nowhere as severely as if the conspiracists should actually win.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Such figures flirt with treason because, in order to advance their own dark agendas, they call into question the legitimacy of American constitutional governance itself. These figures are hardly naughty children playing with matches. They are stage-managing a conflagration on the core body politic, promoting the noxious fiction that their particular victory is the only signal of a fair outcome.
So, the mantra is "We win; it was fair. We lose; the system was rigged." If a critical mass of voters adopts such a fantasy, then governance itself would be short-circuited, but nowhere as severely as if the conspiracists should actually win.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
5
TRUMP's paranoid style? That's a laugh. In the same NYT we have today's top Times stories repeating Clinton's accusations re: Trump's praise of Putin. This coming right after endless Clinton team innuendo, whispers, hints, and accusations about supposed Russian hackers. The bit about the Russians ding the hacking is still completely unproven, remember? Calculated Hillary Clinton is no amateur in the paranoia department. The turn this election is taking toward McCarthy-style accusations is more disturbing to me than either of these two awful candidates.
2
Against who would disappointed Trump supporters vent their disappointment - Blacks, Hispanics, Moslems, Democrats? Will it be violent? Will police protect anyone? I do hope for calmness and find myself appreciate siting Obama's lack of vitriol.
8
Roger Stone's advice to Mr Trump echoes that of Hitler's minister of propaganda, Joseph Goebbels: "The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly - it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over."
16
Even if the Republican establishment wants Trump to lose and thus works to "rig" the election, doesn't that same establishment ALSO want down-ballot Republicans to WIN?
How exactly do you "rig" an election to make Trump lose but also make Republicans down the ballot win? You can't, it's an impossibility.
How exactly do you "rig" an election to make Trump lose but also make Republicans down the ballot win? You can't, it's an impossibility.
4
I think you're missing the point... It's not that some nefarious group is actively working to "rig" the upcoming election, it's that Trump is setting the stage for inflicting serious, permanent damage to the political system that has sustained this country since its inception - if and when he loses.
1
The stage for Trump's vote-rigging act was set by Republican Voter ID laws and GOP insistence that the voting process was prone to massive voter fraud. And lo and behold, now it will happen, eh?
4
New York Democratic primary outcome was suspect as well as Nevada, California and Massachusetts.
If the past is prologue to the future, as in Sanders verses the DNC and DWS, then can't blame some for a little paranoia about the November election.
If the past is prologue to the future, as in Sanders verses the DNC and DWS, then can't blame some for a little paranoia about the November election.
4
Even paranoids have enemies.
2
I have been a fan of Richard Hofstadter since graduate school. My favorite and most relevant of his quotes is that humans are "tissues of contradiction." Indeed.
3
Trump is ls right that the Clinton coronation has been bought & paid for. In fact, Trump is part of the team, playing the role of Clinton's weird, unacceptable, loudmouthed foil, who's deliberately insulted and alienated every conceivable demographic. The Clintons, with Trump's considerable help, have fixed it so there is no viable alternative to Hillary.
8
Is it just Trump who is "helping" HRC, or is it in fact the entire GOP, which has been absolutely slavish in its fawning over those same plutocrats, outdoing HRC by miles and miles? Just asking.
1
Tell a big fear story often enough, loud enough, and report long enough and it has a life of its own...independent of its truth or the facts.
12
"The Paranoid Style in American Politics Is Back"
It never left.
It never left.
5
You know, I'm kind of a big fan of Richard Hoffstadter, but I'm not so sure the millions of Americans who think the deck is stacked against them are all that far off. Back in July, the Times carried this illuminating piece from the Democratic convention in Philly: "After Lying Low, Deep-Pocketed Clinton Donors Return to the Fore" http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/29/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donors.html
And then just last week: "Where Has Hillary Clinton Been? Ask the Ultrarich"
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/us/politics/hillary-clinton-fundraisin...
With a governing class this blithely plutocratic, provided he make the right sorts of noises, the rise of a giant, loud-mouthed, demogogic, orange-haired orangutan like DJT should surprise no one.
And then just last week: "Where Has Hillary Clinton Been? Ask the Ultrarich"
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/us/politics/hillary-clinton-fundraisin...
With a governing class this blithely plutocratic, provided he make the right sorts of noises, the rise of a giant, loud-mouthed, demogogic, orange-haired orangutan like DJT should surprise no one.
4
In the 60's, William F. Buckley was terrified that The John Birch Society (Kochs' father was a founding member) would take over Republican conservatism. What would he say today? No matter how many facts are presented, they are not dissuaded. Please don't underestimate the number of voters he's attracting. Make sure you are registered NOW and VOTE in November!
27
The Republicans have a map for stealing an election from the 2000 election of George Bush. The Democrats should be worried about that.
24
They can't do it again, Scalia is dead.
2
While I don't foresee an uptick in KKK membership if Donald Trump loses to Clinton, I certainly think there will be some sort of a backlash-- quite possibly, by an already do-nothing Congress, that will continue to do-nothing.
In anycase, that is a small price to pay to keep Trump out of the White House.
In anycase, that is a small price to pay to keep Trump out of the White House.
7
This is just too rich. They stole the most critical election of my lifetime-- Al Gore-- who did WIN-- and supposedly lost Florida to a crooked election judge and even more biased Supreme Court. Give me a break! Who cares what they think! They are a bunch of stupid idiots. I've heard enough anti-intellectualism and I am tired of equal or even more time for people who don't read, who don't know where the Middle East is. Give me a civil crisis-- I'm ready. We all know the real agenda is to strip more money and power from the middle class-- using the ignorant voters to work against their own interests-- just too much!
15
John Cleese is a Trump supporter!?
2
Can he vote or is he a Brit? If He can't vote, who cares?
So, you're worried that Trump supporters will protest violently?!
Americans rolled over and shrugged it off when:
Bush v. Gore,
the Kenyan, Obama, became President,
DNC shenanigans to defeat Sanders,
Black voter suppression,
only 60% voter participation.
Something in the media, the capitalist economy, or the water has caused political anemia in the American populace.
Not that I wish for violence, but for significant protest; if only...
Americans rolled over and shrugged it off when:
Bush v. Gore,
the Kenyan, Obama, became President,
DNC shenanigans to defeat Sanders,
Black voter suppression,
only 60% voter participation.
Something in the media, the capitalist economy, or the water has caused political anemia in the American populace.
Not that I wish for violence, but for significant protest; if only...
4
The actual voting process and vote count may not be rigged, but when the choice in a presidential election is between Donald and Hillary -- neither of whom should be president -- then it should be clear that something, many things are wrong in our two party system nominating two such undeserving candidates.
If Hillary and Donald are the best the 2 major parties can offer, we voters need to turn to other parties. But the system is indeed rigged in suppressing those other parties.
If Hillary and Donald are the best the 2 major parties can offer, we voters need to turn to other parties. But the system is indeed rigged in suppressing those other parties.
7
And what happens if Trump gets just over 50% of the vote but loses in the Electoral College? What happens if it is a tie and it goes to the House? What if we have a 4-4 tie in a Supreme Court ruling on the results of the election? There is more fuel here for paranoia that one can imagine. Yet I think we have been here before and survived but never have we been here with the connectivity that exists today and the ability to put whatever story someone wants out there to become the truth.
4
When Richard J. Daley was mayor of Chicago, was there ever an election that was NOT rigged? Our political machines have an old tradition of stuffing ballot boxes. This is history, not paranoia.
3
Utter nonsense Steve. You sound like Trump, undermining the process in suspicion that you might lose-- then you have a reason for the loss other than ineptitude.
7
Donald Trump supporters do not read the NYT, sorry op ed writers.
They may read the WSJ, but I doubt it, and why should they when they can watch the cartoon version on Fox.
The debate moderators will be the gatekeepers, and history should not be kind if the moderators allow Trump to bluster and bully his way to the White House.
They may read the WSJ, but I doubt it, and why should they when they can watch the cartoon version on Fox.
The debate moderators will be the gatekeepers, and history should not be kind if the moderators allow Trump to bluster and bully his way to the White House.
17
Politics has to be riddled and replete with a truck loads of prevarications, and perambulations into unchartered territories, as well as jive jabs of the opponents at each other.
Without these, politics will belong to sacerdotal surroundings. An unsullied candidate is rara avis, and hence somebody with the unblemished record is all one can hope for, to put it in a laconic style.
If a blue-nosed puritan wanders into politics, he or she will soon be besmirched by one or the other, without adequately substantiating proof, probably by some pernicious persons.
Without these, politics will belong to sacerdotal surroundings. An unsullied candidate is rara avis, and hence somebody with the unblemished record is all one can hope for, to put it in a laconic style.
If a blue-nosed puritan wanders into politics, he or she will soon be besmirched by one or the other, without adequately substantiating proof, probably by some pernicious persons.
1
Please speak english when you write a comment.
9
Karen: Assuming you meant what you said with the intent of being taken at face-value and were not being facetious, that comment was in quite well-formed English.
We have a candidate Trump because facts and evidence are considered irrelevant. We can thank the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Fox News for mainstreaming the disregard of facts and evidence -- e.g., Chris Wallace of Fox, who will be the moderator for the presidential debate on October 19, said this: "“I do not believe that it’s my job to be a truth squad.”
18
The "paranoid style" in American politics has never gone away. Its purpose has always been to question the motives of authority or the legitimacy of certain groups to be considered American. The 8 year old Birther movement, led by Donald Trump, is a reflection of that style. Polls among Republicans have persistently shown large numbers believe he was a hidden Muslim or that he was out to confiscate all guns. Trump's entire campaign is an exploitation of the existence of the paranoid style, characterizing Latinos as criminals and rapists; and all Muslims here and abroad as potential terrorists. Regardless of Clinton's margin of victory, there will be close election states where the argument of a rigged system can be exploited. The uncertainty is how the Republican establishment will react to a possible Clinton victory: will they support the legitimacy of her election or will they join the paranoid.
8
This enlightening piece pretty much spells out what we already knew: Trump supporters are impervious to facts that do not fit their narrative. Hence, reasoning with them is an exercise in futility. They simply need to be defeated, and, one hopes, in a resounding way.
Then what? Severe repercussions? Could be. As the Times has shown in its frightening video, some of Trump's supporters are not particularly nice people.
I refuse to surrender to pessimism or to believe that modern society informed by reason is doomed to be replaced by a darker world animated by fascism, nationalism, or nihilism. Reason has defeated one -ism after another.
Those of us who recognize the threat posed by Trump and his supporters are today's soldiers of reason, and this -ism is ours to defeat. Be sure to vote this fall!
Then what? Severe repercussions? Could be. As the Times has shown in its frightening video, some of Trump's supporters are not particularly nice people.
I refuse to surrender to pessimism or to believe that modern society informed by reason is doomed to be replaced by a darker world animated by fascism, nationalism, or nihilism. Reason has defeated one -ism after another.
Those of us who recognize the threat posed by Trump and his supporters are today's soldiers of reason, and this -ism is ours to defeat. Be sure to vote this fall!
13
Trump and Hillary are both collectivists and advocates of unlimited govt. See Atlas Shrugged for more. Trump is an extreme Pragmatist. See mainstream intellectuals for more.
Citing "Atlas Shrugged" automatically disqualifies you from serious political discussion.
5
If there has been a stolen election in recent history, it's the 2000 election and it was stolen by Republicans. Sadly, putting the lie to anything Trump is all but a waste of time.
3
I will never get over the 2000 election, not only for the outcome-- Bush and team-- but for the aspersions that it cast on our election system in total. I believe it is a stain we shall never recover from. Gore should have said no to SCOTUS, insisted that "we need every last vote counted in Florida to the satisfaction of the American people, and I will die to defend that principle." That would have shown him to be a man of guts and grit. Then we could have lived with the sorry outcome, if that's the way the actual recount went. Then we would not hear a presidential candidate today besmirching the process that he has willingly inserted himself into.
1
Have we really gotten to the point where "normal" people are those who believe bizarre lies and groundless conspiracies without substantive evidence? What has become "normal" among American voters is both frightening and dangerous.
If Clinton wins the popular vote by one or two percent, regardless of the margin of victory in the Electoral College (assuming a Clinton win there), we may hear calls for violent overturning of the election. Some "so-called" normal people may be among those calling for violence. After all, isn't that what our cherished 2nd Amendment rights are for?
If Clinton wins the popular vote by one or two percent, regardless of the margin of victory in the Electoral College (assuming a Clinton win there), we may hear calls for violent overturning of the election. Some "so-called" normal people may be among those calling for violence. After all, isn't that what our cherished 2nd Amendment rights are for?
4
All points well taken. But if we look through the Trump smokescreen, the biggest real threat of rigged elections this year is the very methodical, unparanoid work of Republicans of many stripes - particularly in TX, NC -at the local level to restrict early voting, pre-registration, voting hours and polls. All done legally in the technical sense. All this following the invalidation of federal monitoring in the Supreme Court decision in 2013 on the Voting Rights Act. All done in the name of accusations of massive voting fraud by white Republicans, which when shown to be unsubstantiated, morphs into "perceptions" of same.
3
This election IS rigged – 1st: by the money-based 2 Party system and by Citizens United when unlimited amounts of money was allowed to flow into the candidates’ coffers and the democratic election system became rigged. It stifled new thoughts, new ideas and new solutions proposed by any of those who did not belong to the Dems or the GOP.
And 2nd: by an election system that archaic in its use of the Electoral College and super-delegates. The very foundation of the democratic system is one vote for each citizen and in this election we have seen the absolute abuse of that principle through corrupt ballot counting and suppression of voters’ registration processes.
We are looking at two of the worst presidential candidates we have ever had and without the option of any third party candidate, one of which, Bernie Sanders, won the popular vote in the primaries but was lost to corrupt manipulation of those votes.
We are the country so egotistical that we “bring Democracy” with warfare actions to other nations to ‘help them straighten out their paths” and yet demonstrate such blistering abuses of that process as noted above.
We are becoming the laughing stock of the world in this election with our egotism and failure to engender the very foundational practices of Democracy here at home. I sincerely fear that we will lose our standing as the protector of all citizens and the face of democracy in the 21st century – God help us…………
And 2nd: by an election system that archaic in its use of the Electoral College and super-delegates. The very foundation of the democratic system is one vote for each citizen and in this election we have seen the absolute abuse of that principle through corrupt ballot counting and suppression of voters’ registration processes.
We are looking at two of the worst presidential candidates we have ever had and without the option of any third party candidate, one of which, Bernie Sanders, won the popular vote in the primaries but was lost to corrupt manipulation of those votes.
We are the country so egotistical that we “bring Democracy” with warfare actions to other nations to ‘help them straighten out their paths” and yet demonstrate such blistering abuses of that process as noted above.
We are becoming the laughing stock of the world in this election with our egotism and failure to engender the very foundational practices of Democracy here at home. I sincerely fear that we will lose our standing as the protector of all citizens and the face of democracy in the 21st century – God help us…………
3
Actually, from my location as an American abroad, you're half right - folks see the nomination of Trump as unfathomable. But (Putin aside) they really really like Hillary and can't understand why any American wouldn't vote for her.
And they are not laughing; they are terrified.
And they are not laughing; they are terrified.
2
I yes I enjoy the 11 chains around my neck soaring to heaven when they pull me up my goddess wives And now one of my wives is the goddess without the belly button being always served and my crown jewel
Who cares if she came to seduce me to rub elbows with Typhon and his schemes because now with the saint having merged with her both willingly , I can now fully trust her bow my head and bend my knee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0QDgGtcwHI
as the heavenlies come down to earth
Who cares if she came to seduce me to rub elbows with Typhon and his schemes because now with the saint having merged with her both willingly , I can now fully trust her bow my head and bend my knee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0QDgGtcwHI
as the heavenlies come down to earth
1
As I have said, the primaries and general election in 2016 were rigged.
Now I, President Donald J. Trump, have with my good brain seen that the 2020 elections are also rigged and I have directed the FBI and our armed forces to enforce the indefinite delay of these phony elections.
Now I, President Donald J. Trump, have with my good brain seen that the 2020 elections are also rigged and I have directed the FBI and our armed forces to enforce the indefinite delay of these phony elections.
4
The couple in the picture look so happy to be supporting Trump.
6
First element of this theme is: why do so many Americans believe in conspiracies, rigged elections, black UN helicopters waiting to invade, etc? It's very striking that other countries don't seem to have these prominent, wacky conspiracists, do they? Second, why is it that when their guy, George W., wins in a bizarre circus of an election in 2000, there wasn't a peep about rigged elections, but, in 2016, when there guy loses (we have to hope), then there's all this chest-thumping and teeth gnashing about The Elite rigging the election? It's all very bewildering. Maybe Americans need a better, national, standardized election system, eliminating the machinations at the state level?
13
Of course we need national elections, but the Powers that Be like this chaos-- it keeps the true believers in the confederacy so ginned up on states rights and other nonsense that we can never move forward in ways that would benefit We the People.
5
As with many things, when the republicans do it, it is ok. When the democrats do anything at all - unethical or not (ie fabricated) - republicans attempt to destroy them. Republicans are counting on an ill-informed voter with a very short memory.
3
oops. I meant 'their'
1
Is the GOP House majority's infamous Hastert-Boehner-Ryan Rule anything other than institutionalized anti-democratic demagoguery?
Is its continued enforcement a clear indication of Republican paranoia?
Is the GOP's unprecedented thoughtless obstructionism an obvious symptom of severe paranoia?
I acknowledge that just because the GOP establishment is paranoid, it does not mean that the peasants with pitchforks are not out to get them.
Hence, current Republican politicians reasonably fear being populist-Tea-Party torpedoed in the primaries. They are rational agents who put self-interest--re-election and continued personal power--above all other interests, just as their favorite economists tell them they should.
Hence they display little in the way of productive leadership.
Hence the ascendancy of Trump.
Hence the emerging power of a fearsome alt-right.
The GOP, as the Republican Primary Debates exemplified, is clearly the party of ideas. Sure it is.
No fear here--no evidence of paranoia.
Can the GOP survive its fear-driven pursuit of short-term interests and degenerative fragmentation?
Once this disastrous election cycle is behind us, will our vaunted two-party system remain intact?
As so many Republican politicians and their media cheerleaders--the Limbaughs, Hannitys, Savages, and their favored "news" source, Fox News--hammer home on a daily basis:
BE AFRAID! BE VERY, VERY AFRAID!
OUT THERE, IN HERE, THOSE "OTHERS" ARE OUT TO GET US!
Is its continued enforcement a clear indication of Republican paranoia?
Is the GOP's unprecedented thoughtless obstructionism an obvious symptom of severe paranoia?
I acknowledge that just because the GOP establishment is paranoid, it does not mean that the peasants with pitchforks are not out to get them.
Hence, current Republican politicians reasonably fear being populist-Tea-Party torpedoed in the primaries. They are rational agents who put self-interest--re-election and continued personal power--above all other interests, just as their favorite economists tell them they should.
Hence they display little in the way of productive leadership.
Hence the ascendancy of Trump.
Hence the emerging power of a fearsome alt-right.
The GOP, as the Republican Primary Debates exemplified, is clearly the party of ideas. Sure it is.
No fear here--no evidence of paranoia.
Can the GOP survive its fear-driven pursuit of short-term interests and degenerative fragmentation?
Once this disastrous election cycle is behind us, will our vaunted two-party system remain intact?
As so many Republican politicians and their media cheerleaders--the Limbaughs, Hannitys, Savages, and their favored "news" source, Fox News--hammer home on a daily basis:
BE AFRAID! BE VERY, VERY AFRAID!
OUT THERE, IN HERE, THOSE "OTHERS" ARE OUT TO GET US!
4
I'm sorry. Did I miss something? Didn't the "system" produce two major party candidates that have approval ratings in the low 30 or 40 percentiles? Didn't the DNC actively seek to prevent a Sanders' nomination without telling anybody? Didn't the supreme court vote along partisan lines to "elect" Bush and then disavow it's own justification for the ruling? Don't we have the the least effective healthcare in the developed world and no single payer despite a vast majority who support it? Isn't money the only thing that afters in a general election? How's that for "legitimacy"? If the system's not rigged, it's deeply flawed.
8
It's a brilliant strategy really, counter-intuitive. Even as you're working (& have been for many years) to rig the election, soften up the electorate to the idea that it's *the other side* that's doing the rigging.
I'm thinking Ireland or Tahiti if Trump wins in this stupid stupid country.
I'm thinking Ireland or Tahiti if Trump wins in this stupid stupid country.
2
There is no doubt that both Trump and his most ardent followers perfectly fit the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) definition of paranoid personality disorder: "individuals who have a pervasive, persistent, and enduring mistrust of others, and a profoundly cynical view of others and the world. Paranoid Personality Disorder is referred to as a Cluster A personality disorder, which involve “ odd or eccentric “ behavior patterns (Esterberg, Goulding, & Walker, 2010). Persons with PPD are hypervigilant to physical, verbal or social attacks, and do not trust others, and therefore tend to have few if any close or intimate associates. They tend to be aloof, cold, distant, argumentative, and frequently complain."
Ain't it grand that our "free " election may be determined by people who have a serious personality disorder? Not much attention has been paid to personality disorders because they are not treatable with pharmaceutical products, ergo, there is no monetary motive to study them. But statistics indicate that 70% of the individuals in prison have one or more personality disorders.
Hillary Clinton deserves a "crown in heaven" for her forbearance in the face of the paranoid attack strategy of the Republican party.
Ain't it grand that our "free " election may be determined by people who have a serious personality disorder? Not much attention has been paid to personality disorders because they are not treatable with pharmaceutical products, ergo, there is no monetary motive to study them. But statistics indicate that 70% of the individuals in prison have one or more personality disorders.
Hillary Clinton deserves a "crown in heaven" for her forbearance in the face of the paranoid attack strategy of the Republican party.
9
Having read most of the comments, I'm afraid it's too late, Mr. Edsall.
1
All this talk by the Democrats that Russia is involved in manipulating the election is clearly paranoid. The DNC hack showed that the DNC was unfairly favoring the Clinton campaign. But Clinton is out on the stump claiming that Russia is working with Trump which is unfounded and clearly self serving. Trump's brand of, if I lose then the election is rigged nonsense plays well with 2nd amendment types. Clinton's talk of Russian manipulation is regarding the electorate as stupid.
2
Well that's better NYTimes and Mr. Blow.
There are today 6 articles abasing Mr. Trump. For a minute earlier this week, all the Clinton supporters were crying foul, when there were a few articles "dissing" Mrs. Clinton-talk about paranoia!
So please make up your mind, so that the Clintonites will come back to read your newspaper and feel like they did for the most part of the year; that is to say that the NYtimes and a majority of its' writers are pro-Clinton.
There are today 6 articles abasing Mr. Trump. For a minute earlier this week, all the Clinton supporters were crying foul, when there were a few articles "dissing" Mrs. Clinton-talk about paranoia!
So please make up your mind, so that the Clintonites will come back to read your newspaper and feel like they did for the most part of the year; that is to say that the NYtimes and a majority of its' writers are pro-Clinton.
1
I'm not paranoid and there may be no evidence of a rigged system but as long as our votes are totaled by computers and there is not adequate paper trail my fear is that elections can indeed be stolen by unscrupulous malefactors, of which there are many.
2
Donald Trump is everything they accuse Hillary of being and doing. The media gladly buy into these myths and perpetrate them, and not just FOX or Rush Limbaugh, but the so-called mainstream media.
Trump spent a year or more revving up this crowd by declaring that Obama is illegitimately in office -- born in Africa. He then opened his campaign by calling Latinos rapists and declaring an end to immigration of all Muslims.
That sealed the deal with the people in this picture, because their beliefs dictate that they are superior to any person of color. There is a word for that.
Trump spent a year or more revving up this crowd by declaring that Obama is illegitimately in office -- born in Africa. He then opened his campaign by calling Latinos rapists and declaring an end to immigration of all Muslims.
That sealed the deal with the people in this picture, because their beliefs dictate that they are superior to any person of color. There is a word for that.
2
It doesn't need a journalist to see this coming as I commented about it 5 months back: 'win or loose Drumpf has awoken the zombies that will run amok and go crazy America after November 8, the real danger to America'.
3
Donald Trump's campaign has been built around insinuation and outright fabrications, from the lines like "somethings going on out there" to "Obama supports ISIS". With so much repetition of these statements, people begin to believe they are true, especially when it fits into their narrative.
Trump's preemptive strike that if he loses it will be because the vote is rigged should make every thinking person in this country shiver. Here is a man who knows no bounds in his lust for power.
Trump's preemptive strike that if he loses it will be because the vote is rigged should make every thinking person in this country shiver. Here is a man who knows no bounds in his lust for power.
82
Donald Trump's campaign has been built around insinuation and outright fabrications, from the lines like "somethings going on out there" to "Obama supports ISIS".
Obama and Hillary played their key parts in handing large parts of Libya and Syria to ISIS. This was after Obama claimed, during the 2012 presidential elections, that he ended the war in Iraq and left it with a stable government. We also have homegrown ISIS attacks in the US. The junior varsity has grown under Obama. Russia has a military presence in Syria and the Cold War rhetoric has been revived.
Support ISIS? You figure it out.
Obama and Hillary played their key parts in handing large parts of Libya and Syria to ISIS. This was after Obama claimed, during the 2012 presidential elections, that he ended the war in Iraq and left it with a stable government. We also have homegrown ISIS attacks in the US. The junior varsity has grown under Obama. Russia has a military presence in Syria and the Cold War rhetoric has been revived.
Support ISIS? You figure it out.
I keep thinking that if the Donald really wants to mess with a Clinton Presidency he will remain quiet when he looses. A year later, he will come out with a tell all biography in which he explains how he and Hillary came up with the idea of him running as a Republican, and the whole birther thing, after Hillary lost to Barak Obama in 2008.
Even if, this was a complete 100% lie, which I assume it would be. Saying this in public would effectively destroy the Democratic party and sully both Hillary's and Bill's Presidencies.
That said, I don't see Trump as being that subtle.
Even if, this was a complete 100% lie, which I assume it would be. Saying this in public would effectively destroy the Democratic party and sully both Hillary's and Bill's Presidencies.
That said, I don't see Trump as being that subtle.
2
One of my favorite Hofstadter quotes: "We Americans are always trying to raise the standard of living and the same principle now seems to apply to standards of hating." (1952, revised 1964) Any 'student' of politics and history should read all of Hofstadter's books - no political education is complete without them.
4
If Trump wins, imagine the harmony and cooperative spirit he will bring to our troubled government. If Trump loses, he can join the faculty of Trump University. He has lot to offer. His expertise in birth certificates and the JFK assassination only hint at the other things he knows about.
9
Win or lose, Trump supporters will be dissatisfied and likely embark on the 'blood spilling' to 'rewew' the democracy. They will view a loss, regardless of margin, as evidence the system is rigged and outraged at 4 more years of un-American government and society; if he wins, they will still not get what they want, because Trump and the 2 houses can't deliver, and will either blame Trump or blame whoever Trump blames, continue to be outraged.
4
The main election fraud is the one organized by the GOP to eliminate voters from the rolls (as documented by the Brennan center). There is one point here which is problematic: Gore accepted defeat in 2000 although he was the rightful winner of the election. 2000 was rigged by the Bush brothers, Fox and the Supreme Court. Gore should have stood his ground which is also the ground of a sound democracy. But unless there is an October surprise with additional leaks about Clinton, Trump will be soundly defeated, maybe thrashed like Goldwater in 1964 (whose rantings inspired Hofstadter to write his indeed prescient text). What will not go away is the dissatisfaction of the losers of globalization and the fascist leanings it engenders.
7
The "paranoid style" is not unique to the right wing. You see it whenever the left reacts to proposed abortion restrictions as "attacking women's rights", "treating women as second-class citizens" and "violating the separation of church and state". The purpose of this phrasing is to frighten women and secularists who have no interest in getting abortions.
Nutty comment: even women who have no "intention of getting an abortion" do not want religion intruding into the town square, and we do not want the State or Religion intruding into a woman's choice to become a parent or not.
3
Actually, the purpose of this phrasing, as you put it, is to describe the actions of a few trying to impose their religious beliefs on others.
3
“This is a potentially dangerous outcome for the country,” Masket added.
Interesting comment. What do you do if you feel the system is rigged? You refuse to play the game. How do you avoid that endgame? By preventing it from happening.
I am very concerned for Hillary's safety during the remainder of the campaign (and to a lesser extent, for that of The Donald). We have never had a presidential nominee assassinated before in this country. It's not something any sane person wishes to contemplate.
But the animosity exhibited up to this point in our inordinately long selection process for a leader will unhinge more of the lunatic fringe. Any action to stop the electoral process from playing out in the normal manner would throw legitimacy to the winds and make chaff of our democratic process.
Is is time to sequester both candidates in safe houses, limiting their exposure to only the scheduled televised debates?
Chevy
South Hadley, MA
Interesting comment. What do you do if you feel the system is rigged? You refuse to play the game. How do you avoid that endgame? By preventing it from happening.
I am very concerned for Hillary's safety during the remainder of the campaign (and to a lesser extent, for that of The Donald). We have never had a presidential nominee assassinated before in this country. It's not something any sane person wishes to contemplate.
But the animosity exhibited up to this point in our inordinately long selection process for a leader will unhinge more of the lunatic fringe. Any action to stop the electoral process from playing out in the normal manner would throw legitimacy to the winds and make chaff of our democratic process.
Is is time to sequester both candidates in safe houses, limiting their exposure to only the scheduled televised debates?
Chevy
South Hadley, MA
5
Well, a paranoid disposition is a necessary and healthy aspect of a functioning democracy. If liberty (construed as an ability to influence one's own political fate) is the most precious possession of the citizen, it will be inevitable to question whether one has really exercised one's liberty, or whether one has been influenced or corrupted by some interest.
Americans living after WW2 have much to be paranoid about, of course. Eisenhower's "military-industrial complex" leads directly to Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49, a fascinating exploration of the paranoia that results when citizen cannot tell where the real political choices are made in her society, and who consequently feels that America is false, unreal, illusory-a land of endless influences working on you from every angle and depth.
Paranoia is not pathological in our society, but on the contrary, like anxiety and depression, the mind's ordinary reaction to an extraordinary situation.
Americans living after WW2 have much to be paranoid about, of course. Eisenhower's "military-industrial complex" leads directly to Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49, a fascinating exploration of the paranoia that results when citizen cannot tell where the real political choices are made in her society, and who consequently feels that America is false, unreal, illusory-a land of endless influences working on you from every angle and depth.
Paranoia is not pathological in our society, but on the contrary, like anxiety and depression, the mind's ordinary reaction to an extraordinary situation.
11
Its good to know that egalitarian nihilists are sane. Given their fascist lust for unlimited, unsystematic, unprincipled, short-range govt, it would be horrible if they were bonkers. Oh, wait...
1
Yes, a lot of truth in this--"citizen cannot tell where the real political choices are made ...that America is false, unreal, illusory-a land of endless influences working on you from every angle and depth. "
With big money setting the parameters of politics, we the people are customers, so politics is marketed to us with advertising techniques. And the news media, supposed to inform us, is making fortunes from our prolonged, phony campaign drama, lasting about 5 times longer than other nations, and costing billions more. That's the style of politics Edsall should write about--causing paranoia .
With big money setting the parameters of politics, we the people are customers, so politics is marketed to us with advertising techniques. And the news media, supposed to inform us, is making fortunes from our prolonged, phony campaign drama, lasting about 5 times longer than other nations, and costing billions more. That's the style of politics Edsall should write about--causing paranoia .
Trump did not bring back the paranoid style of politics. It never really went away. You give him way too much credit. All he did was take the paranoid political discontent already crafted by the GOP for the better part of the past 30-40 years and ran with it. I seriously doubt that Trump ever expected to win the primaries, let alone the election. By making our election system out to be rigged, he is giving himself the ultimate out. For guys like Trump, winning is always the result of their unique brilliance, and therefore, losing must be the fault of someone else. Trump's history reveals that he is used to getting what he wants and he does not play fairly. He has cheated, lied, and bargained his way through his business successes and failures without missing a beat. Why would anyone expect anything more from him as a presidential candidate?
Ultimately, we have to put this fiasco on the GOP primarily for making paranoia a mainstay of their platform, and to a lesser extent the Democratic party for failing to do their job on so many fronts and feeding into the paranoia. For example, making such a concerted effort to thwart Sander's campaign in favor of Clinton has turned too many Democrats against the party, who now intend to vote for Trump or a third party candidate.
Ultimately, we have to put this fiasco on the GOP primarily for making paranoia a mainstay of their platform, and to a lesser extent the Democratic party for failing to do their job on so many fronts and feeding into the paranoia. For example, making such a concerted effort to thwart Sander's campaign in favor of Clinton has turned too many Democrats against the party, who now intend to vote for Trump or a third party candidate.
8
Wcdessert Girl--Whenever Republicans are "in charge" there is fear, hatred, suspicion, and paranoia. They know no other way, since they are incapable of governing.
3
The Democrats had to put up with George W. when he and his ilk prevented certain people from voting in Florida, while his brother was governor. A lot of us had trouble believing the Supreme Court could side with the flagrant denial of voting rights to large segments of the population in Florida. People in other countries were perplexed that our system is rigged in such a way that a person could win the popular vote and lose the election. A head of state of one of the African counties wrote a witty statement that if this situation had happened in a third world country, people would be pointing fingers about a fixed election.
Trump is setting up his excused for not winning, while the Republicans are doing every thing in their power to deny voting rights to people they think will vote Democrat. If there is a fix in this election it will be the Republicans who are orchestrating it.
Trump is setting up his excused for not winning, while the Republicans are doing every thing in their power to deny voting rights to people they think will vote Democrat. If there is a fix in this election it will be the Republicans who are orchestrating it.
5
The problem is that no matter who wins, the country will be on the verge of a Civil War. Half the country hates the other half and will not stand behind the victor in the November election. Imagine if Trump managed to get into a hot war with China or Russia - imagine the outcry and the civil disobedience. If Clinton wins, we may be left with the specter of Trump advising "Second Amendmenters" to rectify the outcome. Bad either way. Bad for Republicans. Bad for Democrats.
2
A picture is worth a thousand words. Do you want the people dressed in prison garb, and others of the same persuasion, to decide our future?! They are not even adults.
10
Paranoia, as political motor, NEVER left American politics and so it cannot be 'back.'
Andy Grove famously said 'even paranoids have enemies.' True then, true now
If Mr Edsall has to go back to 1964, I fear for his relevance to contemporary debate
- -
The click-through itself, per Hofstader is relevant
" a style of mind that is far from new and that is not necessarily right-wing"
(1) note 'style' (vs content)
(2) NOT necessarily right-wing - OMG
=
Your point, Sir?
Or, 'Point, Trump' (tennis usage of 'point')
The e-world I trawl, and troll, has tin-hats galore, left / right / center, and other-worldy/ off-world altogether
BUT JOO-mania unites all points on the spectrum,
-
Fascinating for a clinician: I have a PhD in a related branch of psychology
Hofstadter says almost as much"
" I am not speaking in a clinical sense, but borrowing a clinical term for other purposes. I have neither the competence nor the desire to classify any figures of the past or present as certifiable lunatics."
Doesn't stop others though from offering/ opining on Trump's compos mentos,
Or me, on Ms Clinton
Andy Grove famously said 'even paranoids have enemies.' True then, true now
If Mr Edsall has to go back to 1964, I fear for his relevance to contemporary debate
- -
The click-through itself, per Hofstader is relevant
" a style of mind that is far from new and that is not necessarily right-wing"
(1) note 'style' (vs content)
(2) NOT necessarily right-wing - OMG
=
Your point, Sir?
Or, 'Point, Trump' (tennis usage of 'point')
The e-world I trawl, and troll, has tin-hats galore, left / right / center, and other-worldy/ off-world altogether
BUT JOO-mania unites all points on the spectrum,
-
Fascinating for a clinician: I have a PhD in a related branch of psychology
Hofstadter says almost as much"
" I am not speaking in a clinical sense, but borrowing a clinical term for other purposes. I have neither the competence nor the desire to classify any figures of the past or present as certifiable lunatics."
Doesn't stop others though from offering/ opining on Trump's compos mentos,
Or me, on Ms Clinton
1
If Trump loses by a narrow margin, his supporters will take to the streets and burn Washington down, just like the Al Gore supporters did in 2000. Oh, they didn't?
2
In 2000, the State of Florida stripped thousands of mostly African-American voters of their constitutional right to vote, giving Florida to Bush.
When the Supreme Court investigated the Florida results, they GAVE the state as a gift to Bush, even though Gore had most votes in Florida and in the country as a whole.
When Congress investigated, only black Congressional representatives through there was a problem.
So it is certainly not completely irrational to think that another massive electoral fraud could happen, as your article suggests.
It's like flying in an airplane. There are certainly people whose fear is completely irrational (most airplanes don't crash). But there are rational reasons to fear flying in an airplane (sometimes terrorists blow them up or equipment fails or pilots make a bad call).
When the Supreme Court investigated the Florida results, they GAVE the state as a gift to Bush, even though Gore had most votes in Florida and in the country as a whole.
When Congress investigated, only black Congressional representatives through there was a problem.
So it is certainly not completely irrational to think that another massive electoral fraud could happen, as your article suggests.
It's like flying in an airplane. There are certainly people whose fear is completely irrational (most airplanes don't crash). But there are rational reasons to fear flying in an airplane (sometimes terrorists blow them up or equipment fails or pilots make a bad call).
1
The picture at the head of this op-ed caused me to wonder if these are actually Trump supporters dressed up as cons, or cons acting as Trump supporters. But the fact is that they are a white uneducated couple conned by King Con, aka, Donald Trump.
5
I lived in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, from the 1992 to the 2000 elections. I would always hear from my Democratic colleagues, one in particular, that Republicans did everything possible to hinder Democrats at the polls. A that time, from 1992 to 1996, I voted Democratic mostly and I never encountered such opposition at the polls. This reflects a certain "paranoia," actual and imagined, that has been long held by Democrats toward Republicans. Now the paranoia is projected by the Republicans. I believe Trump interjected into the campaign to provide an excuse to explain why if he does not win. I believe it reflects the certainty of an Democratic victory in November.
2
This whole essay on "The Paranoid Style" is yawn-worthy to the cognoscenti.
National elections in this country have seldom been "rigged," (at least since Landslide Lyndon and that mystery stuffed ballot box in 1948, or maybe Kennedy's primary win over Humphrey in 1960), but this mundane fact about relatively "clean" elections in the US avoids the patent fact that our SYSTEM is rigged.*
Sanders and Warren continually point out that the monied and powerful interests have captured and corrupted the political class so that our rigged SYSTEM produces results that perpetuate our acceleration into oligarchy.
The economic and social frustration of Trump voters is reflected back to them by Trump's "rigged" comments. The fact that they cannot differentiate a rigged election from a rigged economy isn't wholly their fault -- it's how our rulers like them, desperate and confused.
*A recent exception to this truism is the abhorrent Wasserman Schultz tanking the entire DNC for Hillary, but that was mere party corruption, not outright theft . . . or maybe it was. Even the SCOTUS coup against Al Gore was accomplished through ostensibly legal means.
National elections in this country have seldom been "rigged," (at least since Landslide Lyndon and that mystery stuffed ballot box in 1948, or maybe Kennedy's primary win over Humphrey in 1960), but this mundane fact about relatively "clean" elections in the US avoids the patent fact that our SYSTEM is rigged.*
Sanders and Warren continually point out that the monied and powerful interests have captured and corrupted the political class so that our rigged SYSTEM produces results that perpetuate our acceleration into oligarchy.
The economic and social frustration of Trump voters is reflected back to them by Trump's "rigged" comments. The fact that they cannot differentiate a rigged election from a rigged economy isn't wholly their fault -- it's how our rulers like them, desperate and confused.
*A recent exception to this truism is the abhorrent Wasserman Schultz tanking the entire DNC for Hillary, but that was mere party corruption, not outright theft . . . or maybe it was. Even the SCOTUS coup against Al Gore was accomplished through ostensibly legal means.
2
The question shouldn't be what Trump supporters will do if he loses by a small margin, but what it means for the US if he wins by a small margin.
This election is very unbecoming for a presidential election. Elections should be about policies, not about who is the less unpopular candidate. Mr. Trump's answers to policy questions are either "my policies are great/tremendous/the best" or just radical and meant to appeal to xenophobic people.
In the end this election is way more emotional because it is about people, not policies. This emotions make people way more susceptible for any kind of theories why and how this elections are rigged. I'm not saying that it shouldn't be looked into if there are any doubts about the system or the election being rigged. That should always be done in a democracy. But don't let your emotions guide you. Stay true to facts.
Whoever wins the election, democracy - and the US - have lost already.
This election is very unbecoming for a presidential election. Elections should be about policies, not about who is the less unpopular candidate. Mr. Trump's answers to policy questions are either "my policies are great/tremendous/the best" or just radical and meant to appeal to xenophobic people.
In the end this election is way more emotional because it is about people, not policies. This emotions make people way more susceptible for any kind of theories why and how this elections are rigged. I'm not saying that it shouldn't be looked into if there are any doubts about the system or the election being rigged. That should always be done in a democracy. But don't let your emotions guide you. Stay true to facts.
Whoever wins the election, democracy - and the US - have lost already.
5
Aren't we being a little reactionary here? It would be one thing if Trump and his nativist views were drawing an ever larger number of adherents but that is not the case. The vast majority of this country unequivocally rejects his brand of populism which includes people of color, women, sexual minorities, and those with a college degree, groups that are mostly expanding their numbers. Trump's followers are largely over 50 and white and their numbers are shrinking. It will definitely not be a pretty four years but as Winston Churchill said, "When you're going through hell, keep going."
3
An organized armed insurrection requiring a military response seems unlikely, but pockets of disorganized violent resistance, like we saw against the BLM in Nevada and Oregon, seems likely in deeply red states. But all bets are off if Trump himself declares the election was stolen from him, and calls on the Second Amendment people to protect the Constitution, and his call is joined by major figures in the paranoid right, such as Limbaugh.
1
Well I know what they should do; what we all should do.
That is to work together to make The United States the best ( supposedly ) country in the entire world, but a beacon for humanity.
That of course would mean you put country over party over self.
That is to work together to make The United States the best ( supposedly ) country in the entire world, but a beacon for humanity.
That of course would mean you put country over party over self.
2
As usual, the Right is paranoid about the wrong candidate. It was President Obama who raised taxes on the rich and helped get healthcare for 20 million people. It is Mrs. Clinton who proposes raising taxes on the rich further, to fund college and trade education for the middle class.
Mr. Trump on the other hand, represents the elite business interests, who want tax cuts for the rich and corporations. His proposal to eliminate the estate tax is a slap in the face to the 99%. Restricting trade and immigration will hurt the many to perhaps help a few.
The Right is wrong again; it pains me to see Republicans provide a list of grievances and then choose the candidate who intends to ignore them.
Mr. Trump on the other hand, represents the elite business interests, who want tax cuts for the rich and corporations. His proposal to eliminate the estate tax is a slap in the face to the 99%. Restricting trade and immigration will hurt the many to perhaps help a few.
The Right is wrong again; it pains me to see Republicans provide a list of grievances and then choose the candidate who intends to ignore them.
2
Donald J. Trump running for "Conspiracy in Chief"…with his paranoid, conspiracy theorist supporters….cheering him on.
Critical thinking skills and rationality…sorely missing with this entire group…starting with their "cult leader".
Critical thinking skills and rationality…sorely missing with this entire group…starting with their "cult leader".
1
The odds do not favor a narrow Clinton victory. The media loves a horse race. She will win by a landslide; there's more danger of her thinking she has a mandate than of Trump fans causing more than two minutes worth of trouble. Princeton Election Consortium has proven expert at prediction using poll aggregation, and their Bayesian is 93% likelihood of a Clinton win. The Senate stands at 50-50; that is the place for a push.
1
Edsall, thank you once again for your usual thoughtful and incisive depiction of events and for backing it up with so many quotes and background.
But besides lamentations over limitations, what do we do about it? That is the question! I wish you (or any or all of us) could apply your intelligence beyond description to prescription. Many NY Times readers recognize this problem. But how can we help save this nation from unraveling? In some ways it was easier for the great generation to save us from Hitler in war than excise this cancer within ourselves. Like cancer, the threat is us, transformed so harder to eliminate.
How do you convince that percentage of Americans who will simply not listen to facts? 0.00004 should be convincing. But current human behavior science has shown over and over that often humans actually double down on their beliefs when shown factual evidence that they were wrong. Nevertheless we have to solve that problem, not only for this election, response to climate change, balancing of the secular and the sacred, but more......our survival as a democracy.
Everyone of us of this mindset must first get out the vote, and convince others of the danger. Then we must somehow normalize the coverage of the media. I keep hearing comments blaming the media, yet have seen no change in their behavior (e.g. last night). I spent a lifetime teaching at the college level hopefully to improve critical thinking in the populace -- what more can you and I do now?
But besides lamentations over limitations, what do we do about it? That is the question! I wish you (or any or all of us) could apply your intelligence beyond description to prescription. Many NY Times readers recognize this problem. But how can we help save this nation from unraveling? In some ways it was easier for the great generation to save us from Hitler in war than excise this cancer within ourselves. Like cancer, the threat is us, transformed so harder to eliminate.
How do you convince that percentage of Americans who will simply not listen to facts? 0.00004 should be convincing. But current human behavior science has shown over and over that often humans actually double down on their beliefs when shown factual evidence that they were wrong. Nevertheless we have to solve that problem, not only for this election, response to climate change, balancing of the secular and the sacred, but more......our survival as a democracy.
Everyone of us of this mindset must first get out the vote, and convince others of the danger. Then we must somehow normalize the coverage of the media. I keep hearing comments blaming the media, yet have seen no change in their behavior (e.g. last night). I spent a lifetime teaching at the college level hopefully to improve critical thinking in the populace -- what more can you and I do now?
1
Whenever an amoral demagogue gains the attention of an already discontented people, as history reveals, the outcome is never good. A fire is sparked and then fanned by rage and bluster, until calm reason is no longer heard. It would seem that widespread resentment of current conditions, leading to distrust of governmental figures, creates a fertile ground for mass manipulation by anyone who, with enough passion, can offer a "solution", however irrational and destructive. Those who allow themselves to be blinded to reality by theatrics provide an unbalanced rabble-rouser with the support needed to mesmerize them into followers. It is then, very difficult to deal with the consequences.
2
Misdirected analysis. The real question is to what extent is the rabidly anti-Trump media going to display its paranoia if Trump wins a close election. Based on its performance throughout the election cycle, we can probably expect an even more detached-from-reality behavior, if that is possible, than has already been on display so far.
2
What did you expect with a group of low i.q., bigotry, and so much more that is a cancer on our society. This election will determine whether the great American experiment in direct democracy can continue or will we have a "Peronist" President Trump.
3
The only ones calling the November election rigged are those who are psychologically projecting their neurotic attempt to rig that election through bogus accusations of voter fraud by Democratic voters.
4
When is "I hate Roy Cohn day" again?
3
Every day!
2
"Do"?
Well, for one, Giuliani will finally be put in a rest home.
Roger Ailes will keep paying out millions to the women he abused.
Paul LaPage will fondly thumb through his binders, though mutely.
Newt Gingrich will buy jewels and tour Greece.
Ann Coulter will become the "New Blonde" on Trump's new tv show.
Paul Manafort will become Putin's new KGB trainee.
Libertarian Johnson will buy a geography book and look up "Alleppo".
And Trump will make a new fortune from his Washington DC hotel.
All rooms will be bugged and he'll use the tapes to blackmail the Republican Party.
The Republicans will pay up.
"Do"?
The very purpose of the Republicans is to never "do" anything.
They are the "Party of NO!", the "Party of Stupid".
They all make up a cult and cults always turn on their own.
Eventually they will drink their kool-aid and stab each other in the back.
...hopefully, that will be soon....
Well, for one, Giuliani will finally be put in a rest home.
Roger Ailes will keep paying out millions to the women he abused.
Paul LaPage will fondly thumb through his binders, though mutely.
Newt Gingrich will buy jewels and tour Greece.
Ann Coulter will become the "New Blonde" on Trump's new tv show.
Paul Manafort will become Putin's new KGB trainee.
Libertarian Johnson will buy a geography book and look up "Alleppo".
And Trump will make a new fortune from his Washington DC hotel.
All rooms will be bugged and he'll use the tapes to blackmail the Republican Party.
The Republicans will pay up.
"Do"?
The very purpose of the Republicans is to never "do" anything.
They are the "Party of NO!", the "Party of Stupid".
They all make up a cult and cults always turn on their own.
Eventually they will drink their kool-aid and stab each other in the back.
...hopefully, that will be soon....
7
He's willing to risk destroying the country to win. How creepy can a guy be....
8
The republican party has not believed in democracy for such a long time I am having a hard time pin pointing when it might have begun. Perhaps when Nixon made a treasonous deal with the Vietnamese about the peace treaty Johnson was negotiating.
Or it could have been Reagan in Philadelphia Mississippi.
But it was cinched when Bill Clinton was elected and the republicans in congress spent the next eight years trying to de-legitimize him. They did the same thing with Obama.
Maybe the alt-right T rump supporters will rise up in armed rebellion and we can finally see them all off to prison.
There is no difference between the alt-right and Giuliani or Gingrich. They are all false patriots, bigots, and stupid.
Or it could have been Reagan in Philadelphia Mississippi.
But it was cinched when Bill Clinton was elected and the republicans in congress spent the next eight years trying to de-legitimize him. They did the same thing with Obama.
Maybe the alt-right T rump supporters will rise up in armed rebellion and we can finally see them all off to prison.
There is no difference between the alt-right and Giuliani or Gingrich. They are all false patriots, bigots, and stupid.
5
So how will the national media and Democrats respond if Trump wins by a small percentage?
11
Would it matter? Trump would be president: everyone would have a lot more to worry about than what FOX News or the Democratic Party thinks about the situation.
1
This particular Democrat will retire and emigrate
We're scaling the wall into Canada.
1
If Richard Nixon had positive attributes the one that stands out the most was his refusal to contest the 1960 election because he did not want to delegitimize Kennedy's election. Trump may well win and will the Clintons also concede? America is so divided, so fractured by race, politics, and culture it doesn't seem likely that we can ever come together again. Frankly, that makes us easy pickings for demagoguery, our enemies and a weak, if not stillborn, future.
1
Eli Sagan, in "The Honey and the Hemlock," his study of democracy in ancient Greece and modern America, argues that paranoia is the poison that destroys a free society, for reasons Edsall makes clear. Writing in the early 1990s, Sagan judged that the people of this country barely managed to constrain their mutual distrust enough to preserve our system of government.
The long history of American political disorders amply supports Sagan's interpretation. The popularity of conspiracy theories, stretching back to the founding generation's obsession with monarchist plots and their descendants' fear of Catholic hostility to democracy, exemplifies an ugly strain in American thought that seems endemic to our diverse society.
But not even in the most divisive election in our history, the presidential contest of 1860, did a candidate claim in advance that his defeat would prove that electoral fraud had decided the outcome. In this sense, Trump represents a new level of distrust of the electoral process. With him, of course, one can never know if his statements reflect his true opinion. Many of his followers, however, will readily endorse his claim.
While GOP leaders may discount Trump's comments, they share the blame for any popular acceptance of them. The party's efforts on the state level to limit voting, on the bogus assertion that fraud threatens the system, simply feeds the paranoia that represents the true danger to our democracy.
The long history of American political disorders amply supports Sagan's interpretation. The popularity of conspiracy theories, stretching back to the founding generation's obsession with monarchist plots and their descendants' fear of Catholic hostility to democracy, exemplifies an ugly strain in American thought that seems endemic to our diverse society.
But not even in the most divisive election in our history, the presidential contest of 1860, did a candidate claim in advance that his defeat would prove that electoral fraud had decided the outcome. In this sense, Trump represents a new level of distrust of the electoral process. With him, of course, one can never know if his statements reflect his true opinion. Many of his followers, however, will readily endorse his claim.
While GOP leaders may discount Trump's comments, they share the blame for any popular acceptance of them. The party's efforts on the state level to limit voting, on the bogus assertion that fraud threatens the system, simply feeds the paranoia that represents the true danger to our democracy.
117
Thank you for this timely historical reminder.
When the electorate thoughtlessly succumbs to demagogues and plutocratic oligarchs, it is curtains for democracy--whether in Ancient Greece or Contemporary America.
But as Hegel noted almost two centuries ago: The lesson of history is that humans do not learn the lesson of history.
And as Aristotle noted in his "Politics" (updated paraphrase): When the mindset of the merchant class becomes the dominant mindset of a polity, everything is up for sale--all honor, all virtue, and all of a nation's ideals.
The above are clear indications that the humanities are a counter-force to the major trends of our times.
The oligarchs of the market place have a clear interest in seeing the humanities defunded or underfunded--just as they were in Margaret Thatcher's Great Britain--and in convincing parents that their children should pursue higher education solely with a view to future employability.
An educated, critically reflective electorate and thoughtful consumers are doubtlessly threats to the oligarchic forces of unfettered, individualistic capitalism--and to the ascendancy of authoritarian, narcissistic, megalomaniacal demagogues.
When the electorate thoughtlessly succumbs to demagogues and plutocratic oligarchs, it is curtains for democracy--whether in Ancient Greece or Contemporary America.
But as Hegel noted almost two centuries ago: The lesson of history is that humans do not learn the lesson of history.
And as Aristotle noted in his "Politics" (updated paraphrase): When the mindset of the merchant class becomes the dominant mindset of a polity, everything is up for sale--all honor, all virtue, and all of a nation's ideals.
The above are clear indications that the humanities are a counter-force to the major trends of our times.
The oligarchs of the market place have a clear interest in seeing the humanities defunded or underfunded--just as they were in Margaret Thatcher's Great Britain--and in convincing parents that their children should pursue higher education solely with a view to future employability.
An educated, critically reflective electorate and thoughtful consumers are doubtlessly threats to the oligarchic forces of unfettered, individualistic capitalism--and to the ascendancy of authoritarian, narcissistic, megalomaniacal demagogues.
2
Mr Lee,
I knew Eli Sagan well! How nice to see him quoted. I remember when he was thinking and writing in the mornings at his Martha's Vineyard house we were not allowed to bother him even if he Walked by us on the deck! At dinner though the conversation was lively. He and his family were very generous in their hospitality to me as a young man.
I knew Eli Sagan well! How nice to see him quoted. I remember when he was thinking and writing in the mornings at his Martha's Vineyard house we were not allowed to bother him even if he Walked by us on the deck! At dinner though the conversation was lively. He and his family were very generous in their hospitality to me as a young man.
1
Everything with Trump is projection. If he claims that the Pennsylvania election will be stolen from him, you can bet he is working to steal the election for himself.
And it's all too plausible. Pennsylvania is a huge swing state, and it uses electronic voting machines with no auditable record. The election can be stolen undetectably.
And it's all too plausible. Pennsylvania is a huge swing state, and it uses electronic voting machines with no auditable record. The election can be stolen undetectably.
14
"Among all voters, 34 percent predicted a rigged election." Yes, and at the risk of sounding like one of the paranoiacs, we have the Republican Party in Florida and five conservatives on the US Supreme Court to thank for that. The "recount" and Bush v. Gore have cast a pall over every presidential election since.
21
Risibly, this article is itself more than a little paranodal.
Well ... look what Trump has done for the country ... isn't it just wonderful :(
3
Both options in body the very worst of our political system, greed narcissism and lust for power.
Neither can be trusted, you might as well plus somebody out from the general public and give them a shot.
Neither can be trusted, you might as well plus somebody out from the general public and give them a shot.
I look forward to Mr. Edsall's and Mr. Hofstadter's extended thesis on the paranoia inherent in the liberal political establishment. Labeling fifty million voters as potential wacko extremists seems a bit overboard to me.
Mr. Edsall might want to consider how Clinton voters would respond to a close vote in her favor, or heaven forbid, if SHE lost in a close election. We all know that liberals and progressives are not prone to violence or other untoward behavior, but the magnanimity of this election, especially an unlikely close voter count, could create an unprecedented reaction from normally sane folks.
Mr. Edsall might want to consider how Clinton voters would respond to a close vote in her favor, or heaven forbid, if SHE lost in a close election. We all know that liberals and progressives are not prone to violence or other untoward behavior, but the magnanimity of this election, especially an unlikely close voter count, could create an unprecedented reaction from normally sane folks.
2
Richard Hofstadter will not be writing anything more since alas, he died in 1970. The Paranoid Style in American Politics appeared in 1964, and is available online at http://harpers.org/archive/1964/11/the-paranoid-style-in-american-politics/
1
We should be careful to not mistake legitimate observations and conclusions for paranoia, and I'm afraid Edsell does so here. The fact that Gore conceded the 2000 election does not mean the election was clean. If I assault my neighbor and he decides not to press charges, that doesn't mean I didn't assault him. The evidence was overwhelming; perhaps few people care because the State-directed voter fraud targeted Black voters, but the fact is 2000 was a corrupt and "stolen" election.
There are many more examples of voter fraud...evidence shows that ballots in poor communities of color (like mine) are far less likely to be counted. In many polling places in Detroit I've seen boxes of uncounted ballots still sitting there more than a week after the election has already been called, and this occurs in cities across the country. Speaking of Detroit, the election of Mike Duggan was unquestioned by the media despite overwhelming evidence of fraud, including hundreds, perhaps thousands, of write-in ballots with identical handwriting and several dozen paid "election volunteers," with no credentials or approval, in charge of ballots.
This is not paranoia. This is observation, and any reasonable person would conclude that elections in the US are not very trustworthy. The chances of a national election being stolen through the kind of fraud Trump cites are almost zero, but let's not insult peoples' intelligence with the suggestion that voter fraud does not occur.
There are many more examples of voter fraud...evidence shows that ballots in poor communities of color (like mine) are far less likely to be counted. In many polling places in Detroit I've seen boxes of uncounted ballots still sitting there more than a week after the election has already been called, and this occurs in cities across the country. Speaking of Detroit, the election of Mike Duggan was unquestioned by the media despite overwhelming evidence of fraud, including hundreds, perhaps thousands, of write-in ballots with identical handwriting and several dozen paid "election volunteers," with no credentials or approval, in charge of ballots.
This is not paranoia. This is observation, and any reasonable person would conclude that elections in the US are not very trustworthy. The chances of a national election being stolen through the kind of fraud Trump cites are almost zero, but let's not insult peoples' intelligence with the suggestion that voter fraud does not occur.
3
"The fact that Gore conceded the 2000 election" means that he conceded. That is the point. This opinion piece is not about the unlikelihood of voter fraud, it is about the danger that Trump will do something ungentlemanly if he loses a close race.
"Hofstadter describes the paranoid style as made up of certain preoccupations and fantasies: 'the megalomaniac view of oneself as the Elect, wholly good, abominably persecuted, yet assured of ultimate triumph; the attribution of gigantic and demonic powers to the adversary.'"
Hofstadter's description does not apply solely to Trump supporters or primarily to the alt-right members among them.
The GOP is so obviously a loosely sutured Frankensteinian Monster. It's suture sites are now, more than ever before thanks to Trump's ascendancy, subject to stress.
How long have GOP politicians and cheerleaders played to the paranoia of the Party's supporters?
The GOP's white base, due to demographic trends, is losing political clout. Its political leadership is well aware of this and has long pursued anti-democratic strategies in order to cling to power: gerrymandering, voter suppression, appeals to divisive "social/moral" issues, identification with a shallow militaristic "patriotism" and a narrowly construed Christian fundamentalism, branding all socially beneficial programs as "socialism", the Hastert-Boehner rule, etc.
The GOP's mantra: Republicanism (unfettered capitalism) good, democracy (socialism) bad.
The GOP is a house divided. The GOP's central contradiction has been thoroughly exposed. The tensions between its plutocratic, oligarchical establishment and the various factions of its pseudo-populist Trump-Cruz (and even alt-right) base defy effective resolution.
Hofstadter's description does not apply solely to Trump supporters or primarily to the alt-right members among them.
The GOP is so obviously a loosely sutured Frankensteinian Monster. It's suture sites are now, more than ever before thanks to Trump's ascendancy, subject to stress.
How long have GOP politicians and cheerleaders played to the paranoia of the Party's supporters?
The GOP's white base, due to demographic trends, is losing political clout. Its political leadership is well aware of this and has long pursued anti-democratic strategies in order to cling to power: gerrymandering, voter suppression, appeals to divisive "social/moral" issues, identification with a shallow militaristic "patriotism" and a narrowly construed Christian fundamentalism, branding all socially beneficial programs as "socialism", the Hastert-Boehner rule, etc.
The GOP's mantra: Republicanism (unfettered capitalism) good, democracy (socialism) bad.
The GOP is a house divided. The GOP's central contradiction has been thoroughly exposed. The tensions between its plutocratic, oligarchical establishment and the various factions of its pseudo-populist Trump-Cruz (and even alt-right) base defy effective resolution.
97
> "Hofstadter describes the paranoid style as made up of certain preoccupations and fantasies: 'the megalomaniac view of oneself as the Elect, wholly good, abominably persecuted, yet assured of ultimate triumph; the attribution of gigantic and demonic powers to the adversary.'"
Ie, egalitarian nihilists.
Ie, egalitarian nihilists.
1
This is very impressive analytical journalism. However, shocking, the well-documented facts suggest that a substantial number of people might start thinking seriously about "Second Amendment solutions," employing thier military hardware and attempting to subvert the military and police. Once a subcultaral mindset of armed resistance gets into place, it is impossible to predict specific long-term dangers but it is prudent to assume that there will be dangers of some sort. As someone who spends a lot of time in South America, I can state that the Trump phenomenon has already harmed the reputation and the interests of the United States. If the United States is thoroughly corrupt and/or politically violent, how can other countries trust the very idea of representative government? Russian propaganda here is widely accepted.
There are some parallels, imperfect to be sure, to the late 60s and early 70s. I was one of the young people who did not believe a thing the government said. I was in the echo chamber. I stood silent when others called for armed resistance. A big difference is that the radicals of those days were militarily naive and had no support from within the armed forces and police.
How can we get out of the current mess? In the late 70s, many of us simply grew up, got jobs, and started families. In the 2020s, we can only hope that the Trumpsters will age out of their own echo chamber.
There are some parallels, imperfect to be sure, to the late 60s and early 70s. I was one of the young people who did not believe a thing the government said. I was in the echo chamber. I stood silent when others called for armed resistance. A big difference is that the radicals of those days were militarily naive and had no support from within the armed forces and police.
How can we get out of the current mess? In the late 70s, many of us simply grew up, got jobs, and started families. In the 2020s, we can only hope that the Trumpsters will age out of their own echo chamber.
3
This begs the question of what the Left will do if Trump is elected. "Paranoia" is defined as "ungrounded fear." If Hillary is elected, it will be because a great many voters have a justifiably legitimate fear.
1
I like the picture at the top of the column. They look like a couple of extras in a Keystone Cop movie. I'm not sure that's what they intended.
2
Don't fret, Tommy, Trump will win.
1
There's no guarantee of that -- and such a patronizing response to legitimate concerns Edsall brings up doesn't help. Try harder next time, OK?
if the election is close, it will continue the Trump stain on the Republican Party for a generation. But if Hillary thumps Trump, the GOP will have to dump the kooks and reform around the center.
2
And yet in the same edition, the NYT Editorial Board writes an Op-Ed, 'Voter Suppression in North Carolina'.
8
Anyone have a source for Hofstatder's allusion about history teaching us how things do NOT happen? I'd love to know.
When you think about stolen elections, what comes first to mind?
3
This election is like no other. "Orange Caligula" (Thanks Samantha Bee) will most likely lose, but that will not be the end of "it" and "its'" minions.
Orange Caligula does NOT deal in facts or the truth, only in riling up the base and making "its'" followers feel maligned, prosecuted and abused, no matter what the "real" truth is.
Orange Caligula will not go away after this election, and will most likely try and overthrow our government thru force via a media take down. Think of it this way, Faux NONEWS lives in a sewer of fecal matter. When orange Caligula loses, "its" next move will be to take over that disgusting excuse faking itself as a "news" (sic) organization. Orange Caligula will buy the media empire or create its own (more likely).
With this platform of media exposure unencumbered by non supporters, orange Caligula will have unfettered access to spew forth "its" and "its'"unhinged sycophants bile of lies and conspiracy theory's. Oh the fun and joy of it all, can't we all just wait for this "event"...NOT!!!
No matter what happens this election season, orange Caligula will not fade into the sewer quietly, and that is going to be very dangerous for our countries freedoms and the world's stability.
It's gonna get interesting folks, real interesting!?!?
Orange Caligula does NOT deal in facts or the truth, only in riling up the base and making "its'" followers feel maligned, prosecuted and abused, no matter what the "real" truth is.
Orange Caligula will not go away after this election, and will most likely try and overthrow our government thru force via a media take down. Think of it this way, Faux NONEWS lives in a sewer of fecal matter. When orange Caligula loses, "its" next move will be to take over that disgusting excuse faking itself as a "news" (sic) organization. Orange Caligula will buy the media empire or create its own (more likely).
With this platform of media exposure unencumbered by non supporters, orange Caligula will have unfettered access to spew forth "its" and "its'"unhinged sycophants bile of lies and conspiracy theory's. Oh the fun and joy of it all, can't we all just wait for this "event"...NOT!!!
No matter what happens this election season, orange Caligula will not fade into the sewer quietly, and that is going to be very dangerous for our countries freedoms and the world's stability.
It's gonna get interesting folks, real interesting!?!?
5
The election system is rigged ???
Well one example of this is that the wrong person won the Debbie (AIPAC) Wasserman Shultz primary.
Well one example of this is that the wrong person won the Debbie (AIPAC) Wasserman Shultz primary.
2
You think it would be bad if Trump loses? What if he wins? What will the megalomaniac and his paranoid legions do then?
3
He is already saying that the Dems were cheating and there hasn't even been an election yet. What is WITH this guy?
7
The solution to this problem is to WRITE IN BERNIE SANDERS for president. Come on, people, we can do it. FEEL THE BERN!
It has to be the lowest point in American history that we get 2 clowns running for POTUS.
Trump can't blame it on the Russians--he's been pushing them to get involved and Putin in a friend. I guess if Hillary wins, ISIS will be behind it so they can continue the war unabated. More money for the M-I complex (and that is not a vitamin).
It has to be the lowest point in American history that we get 2 clowns running for POTUS.
Trump can't blame it on the Russians--he's been pushing them to get involved and Putin in a friend. I guess if Hillary wins, ISIS will be behind it so they can continue the war unabated. More money for the M-I complex (and that is not a vitamin).
"Me Again", I believe that's a spectacularly bad idea. And I say this as a long time, devoted Bernie supporter.
Recent pills show the race between Clinton and Trump drawing closer. If voters begin pulling their votes for Clinton and instead writing in for Bernie, realistically what do u think will happen?
It may give Trump enough of an edge to win - there is no way Bernie can. And while I don't particularly like Clinton, I do respect her intelligence and qualifications. There is a huge difference between Clinton and Trump - Trump knows nothing about our political system, doesn't believe in it, and is happy to tear it down along with our country. If my 5 yr old grandchild were as reckless and irresponsible as Trump, I would seek psychiatric help for her.
They say "Politics is the art of the possible". Electing Bernie is, sadly, impossible. Electing Trump is unfortunately very possible.
Please consider voting for Clinton and let's work together in 4 years on Bernie's campaign.
Recent pills show the race between Clinton and Trump drawing closer. If voters begin pulling their votes for Clinton and instead writing in for Bernie, realistically what do u think will happen?
It may give Trump enough of an edge to win - there is no way Bernie can. And while I don't particularly like Clinton, I do respect her intelligence and qualifications. There is a huge difference between Clinton and Trump - Trump knows nothing about our political system, doesn't believe in it, and is happy to tear it down along with our country. If my 5 yr old grandchild were as reckless and irresponsible as Trump, I would seek psychiatric help for her.
They say "Politics is the art of the possible". Electing Bernie is, sadly, impossible. Electing Trump is unfortunately very possible.
Please consider voting for Clinton and let's work together in 4 years on Bernie's campaign.
2
Well I have a conspiracy theory. The Trump forces are promoting the rigged election theory to justify any violent or public displays of resistance to the election of Clinton.
We have seen his followers are trouble makers, many of them Terry McVeigh types who are just looking for some excuse to foment public unrest. They are not above insurrection, and Trump knows that. There is a large segment of the public that belives the crooked Hillary charge. This is right out of the Main Kampf play book, and preceeded Christalnach, the attacks on th "Crooked Jews. Trump has been calling Hillary "crooked" just as the saying attributed to Joseph Goebbels, "Tell a lie, a big enough lie and it will come to be believed."
Hillary has to call him on that tonight, and present his crooked deals. She has to get mad, even call him a pathelogical liàr.
We have seen his followers are trouble makers, many of them Terry McVeigh types who are just looking for some excuse to foment public unrest. They are not above insurrection, and Trump knows that. There is a large segment of the public that belives the crooked Hillary charge. This is right out of the Main Kampf play book, and preceeded Christalnach, the attacks on th "Crooked Jews. Trump has been calling Hillary "crooked" just as the saying attributed to Joseph Goebbels, "Tell a lie, a big enough lie and it will come to be believed."
Hillary has to call him on that tonight, and present his crooked deals. She has to get mad, even call him a pathelogical liàr.
32
Psychological projection is essential to the paranoid style of US politics, according to Hofstadter.
That's why Trump supporters gleefully clamor 'Hillary For Prison', even though Donald Trump has a rich documented record of law-breaking and is one of America's most famous unindicted felons:
1. hiring illegal immigrants at most of his businesses going back decades, including the 200 Polish demolition workers who cleared the ground for Trump Tower
2. Underpaying staff by failing to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act at a number of his businesses
3. Breaching legal contracts and stiffing contractors as a matter of routine
4. Paying little to no income taxes even though he's a billionaire; a corrupt poster child for tax evasion and avoidance schemes
5. Importing illegal immigrant models (and wives) for personal profit
6. 'Contributing' to state Attorney Generals whenever they smelled a Trump scam in their respective states
7. Defrauding consumers nationwide at Trump University and at Trump Institute
8. Flagrantly breaking New Jersey casino law and violating its casino license when Sugar Daddy Fred Trump lent Little Donald $3.5 million by purchasing gaming casino chips that were never used.
http://articles.philly.com/1991-04-09/news/25780577_1_casino-control-act...
Donald Trump is a walking criminal enterprise, not to mention a pathological liar.
America's lowlife right-wing can't get enough of America's most famous lowlife, Donald Trump.
That's why Trump supporters gleefully clamor 'Hillary For Prison', even though Donald Trump has a rich documented record of law-breaking and is one of America's most famous unindicted felons:
1. hiring illegal immigrants at most of his businesses going back decades, including the 200 Polish demolition workers who cleared the ground for Trump Tower
2. Underpaying staff by failing to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act at a number of his businesses
3. Breaching legal contracts and stiffing contractors as a matter of routine
4. Paying little to no income taxes even though he's a billionaire; a corrupt poster child for tax evasion and avoidance schemes
5. Importing illegal immigrant models (and wives) for personal profit
6. 'Contributing' to state Attorney Generals whenever they smelled a Trump scam in their respective states
7. Defrauding consumers nationwide at Trump University and at Trump Institute
8. Flagrantly breaking New Jersey casino law and violating its casino license when Sugar Daddy Fred Trump lent Little Donald $3.5 million by purchasing gaming casino chips that were never used.
http://articles.philly.com/1991-04-09/news/25780577_1_casino-control-act...
Donald Trump is a walking criminal enterprise, not to mention a pathological liar.
America's lowlife right-wing can't get enough of America's most famous lowlife, Donald Trump.
289
Yes, a walking criminal enterprise. Trump has the mind set of a criminal and dictator---that others are to be utilized for his benefit. A might makes right philosophy, using modern marketing techniques of US big money politics.
Our big money politics and news media give scope to this type. WE need a remake of the Wizard of Oz, but with the darkness of US politics as the theme. We are not in Kansas anymore and the American Dream is a dream.
Our big money politics and news media give scope to this type. WE need a remake of the Wizard of Oz, but with the darkness of US politics as the theme. We are not in Kansas anymore and the American Dream is a dream.
2
What will Trump say when he loses? He will say “It was rigged”.
He has already hinted he will blame others for his loss.
Judging from his rallies, his supporters will blame the Media….Jews….Blacks…etc
The election will not be close. It is impossible to win the Presidency in 2016 with only 1% of the African American vote. Latinos/African American demographics show that they will decide all future Presidential elections.
The Republicans have built a Party which demonizes the core group of people who will decide elections.
A party which caters to the “Rich “as its “base” cannot win the Presidency anymore.
He has already hinted he will blame others for his loss.
Judging from his rallies, his supporters will blame the Media….Jews….Blacks…etc
The election will not be close. It is impossible to win the Presidency in 2016 with only 1% of the African American vote. Latinos/African American demographics show that they will decide all future Presidential elections.
The Republicans have built a Party which demonizes the core group of people who will decide elections.
A party which caters to the “Rich “as its “base” cannot win the Presidency anymore.
4
The media should quit pretending that Clinton's imperfections are in any way equal to Trump's dangerous ideas, ignorance, and temperament. Please share these documented reasons to support her, read by 14,500: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/open-letter-sanders-supporters-scott-s-sm...
3
The scary thing here is that the total lack of evidence for voter fraud will do nothing to stop this craziness. I'm beginning to understand how the few sane people living in Germany in the 1930s must have felt as they watched their political system get pushed over an abyss.
8
See _The Ominous Parallels_ for a philosophical view of Germany's collapse into Nazism and its current relevance.
What goes around comes around. See 2000 election for more info.
And what is Aleppo?
To which Mr. Trump will today Tweet:
“It’s a place that my good friend Vladimir
and I are looking at for a possible hotel-gambling casino. One that is gonna make my old Taj Mahal in Atlantic City look like chicken feed."
To which Mr. Trump will today Tweet:
“It’s a place that my good friend Vladimir
and I are looking at for a possible hotel-gambling casino. One that is gonna make my old Taj Mahal in Atlantic City look like chicken feed."
5
This merits a couple of additional reads and a read or two of your primary sources. In other word, your piece works at a rewardingly deep academic level for those of us who are hungry, but often disappointed readers. Thank you.
2
"What will Donald Trump and his supporters do if he loses a close race to Hillary Clinton?" My guess is they'll complain on the Internet and talk radio and then fall asleep next to a McDouble, like always. Trump supporters don't have a history of walking past their mailboxes, much less marching on Washington. We'll be fine.
Also, the only thing separating Gingrich and Giuliani from the alt-right is their lack of Internet-savvy. Maybe next time use different examples than people who hold no office and whose fame in 2016 centers on racist trolling and the failure of the media and tech industry to develop effective filters for low-quality content.
Also, the only thing separating Gingrich and Giuliani from the alt-right is their lack of Internet-savvy. Maybe next time use different examples than people who hold no office and whose fame in 2016 centers on racist trolling and the failure of the media and tech industry to develop effective filters for low-quality content.
5
Do the Trump supporters have some legitimate gripes? If so, shouldn't we be looking into what actions are needed to allay them?
1
too right. Trump does raise some fair questions. Sadly, they are lost in the barrage of garbage he spouts at ever-increasing volume every day. he is not the right messenger for those issues.
3
The angry orange haired walrus with the messia complex will likely not go quietly into the night when he loses. He may well linger on to incite the alt-right and his rabid crowd - armed as I mentioned earlier.
4
"the megalomaniac view of oneself as the Elect, wholly good, abominably persecuted, yet assured of ultimate triumph; the attribution of gigantic and demonic powers to the adversary."
And this doesn't describe Hillary's view of the political scene? It fits her like a glove. That's why as much as people loathe Trump, they dislike Hillary only a little bit less.
Worst election ever.
And this doesn't describe Hillary's view of the political scene? It fits her like a glove. That's why as much as people loathe Trump, they dislike Hillary only a little bit less.
Worst election ever.
1
Thanks to Mr. Edsall for detailing the modus operandi of the Trump campaign: wallowing in self-pitying victimhood.
What will Trump and his supporters do if they *win*?
That's even more frightening.
That's even more frightening.
182
They will be even angrier and more paranoid when a President Trump cannot or will not carry out his campaign promises to them. They will turn on him, accusing him of being part of rigged system.
Don't know about the election, but the media coverage is rigged against Trump most of the times. But again, if you ask the media, they will rubbish these claims as being preposterous. A classic holier-than-thou attitude.
10
are Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, etc. etc. part of the media rigged against Trump?
was Matt Lauer last night rigged against Trump? don't worry; Putin and Julian will take care of things
was Matt Lauer last night rigged against Trump? don't worry; Putin and Julian will take care of things
14
aunshuman CT: Fox news, the Brietbart report, The Wall Street Report and many other media outlets are shamelessly pro-Trump. Your are the victim of Trump's media campaign to convince you that is true.
3
The only reason Trump is where he is today was the massive coverage the media gave him early in the primaries - good or bad - putting his name on front page or TV screen media embeds his name in the minds of those who don't really think but simply react to continuous imaging.
Trump is trying to stir up paranoia in his supporters to set up an excuse for losing. But he is lying, and he knows it. He himself is not paranoid. His monstrous ego simply won't allow him to admit to a fair-and-square defeat.
132
Surprised at no mention of republican control of most state election machinery/eligibility. Would this not have the effect of "rigging" and influence of election results? Would appreciate a comment on this point.
2
The vast middle of this country is going to spit out the Democrat candidate the way my ancient, over-weight cat spits out veterinary medicine in a hair ball.
Donald J. Trump may be a blustery show man with displays of ignorance about conventional statecraft matters everywhere, but I believe at the end of the day the mass of our low-information voters will decide that Trump is likable. His family is likable.
The Clintons are just weird. Their attention to their own self-interest and hidden agendas is so total, their public personas so insincere, that I often wonder how close to the edge they are to tipping over and becoming genuine monsters.
Donald J. Trump may be a blustery show man with displays of ignorance about conventional statecraft matters everywhere, but I believe at the end of the day the mass of our low-information voters will decide that Trump is likable. His family is likable.
The Clintons are just weird. Their attention to their own self-interest and hidden agendas is so total, their public personas so insincere, that I often wonder how close to the edge they are to tipping over and becoming genuine monsters.
Uh, speak for yourself, sir -- and Trump, likable? Good good, what a ludicrous comment. And for being so "weird," seems that Bill Clinton managed to win the presidency twice and is considered to be one of the best presidents of the modern age.
Nice try shilling for Trump -- but no one is buying it.
Nice try shilling for Trump -- but no one is buying it.
Recourse to the paranoid style in the GOP and among its media cheerleaders is indeed widespread, but Nominee Trump, by providing aid and comfort to the alt-right is increasing GOP paranoia to an unprecedented extent.
In the last two decades it has become more and more evident that the Republican Party is a loosely sutured Frankensteinian Monster.
The Trump candidacy has made these many suture sites ever so obvious and has exposed them to ever greater stress.
Nominee Trump's main legacy may well be that of providing this walking cadaver with a new guidance system: an alt-right brain firmly sutured within its moldering skull. The GOP's spastic lurchings will doubtlessly continue, with a rightward bias that will guarantee that it's circuitous path is anti-democratically and demagogically centered.
Can the GOP survive this foray into the nightmare domain of Gothic horror?
Indeed, will our two-party system be intact once this election season comes to its ignominious end?
In the last two decades it has become more and more evident that the Republican Party is a loosely sutured Frankensteinian Monster.
The Trump candidacy has made these many suture sites ever so obvious and has exposed them to ever greater stress.
Nominee Trump's main legacy may well be that of providing this walking cadaver with a new guidance system: an alt-right brain firmly sutured within its moldering skull. The GOP's spastic lurchings will doubtlessly continue, with a rightward bias that will guarantee that it's circuitous path is anti-democratically and demagogically centered.
Can the GOP survive this foray into the nightmare domain of Gothic horror?
Indeed, will our two-party system be intact once this election season comes to its ignominious end?
2
In the last two decades it has become more and more evident that the Republican Party is a loosely sutured Frankensteinian Monster.
The Trump candidacy has made these many suture sites ever so obvious.
Nominee Trump's main legacy may well be that of providing this walking cadaver with a new guidance system: an alt-right brain firmly sutured within its moldering skull.
Can the GOP survive this foray into the nightmare domain of Gothic horror?
Indeed, will our two-party system be intact once this election season comes to its ignominious end?
The Trump candidacy has made these many suture sites ever so obvious.
Nominee Trump's main legacy may well be that of providing this walking cadaver with a new guidance system: an alt-right brain firmly sutured within its moldering skull.
Can the GOP survive this foray into the nightmare domain of Gothic horror?
Indeed, will our two-party system be intact once this election season comes to its ignominious end?
2
One need only look at world events or open a history book to notice that tribalism and paranoia are inherent in the human species. Racism and mistrust of foreigners runs through American culture, the Statue of Liberty notwithstanding. There are places around this Great Nation of Ours where the Civil War never ended. Trump gives voice to the deepest strains of racism and hatred of foreigners that live inside many of us. His popularity demonstrates how easy it is to mesmerize people if you yell hate-filled, paranoid lies and slogans in a loud, confident voice. We're genetically hard-wired to follow the leader, be he Hitler, Mussolini, Putin or Trump, especially when such demagogues appeal to our fears and egos by invoking notions of victimhood and superiority over others. Paranoia in general, and over the election outcome in particular, is a perfect way to throw the country into a crisis. But that's exactly what Trump wants. Let's incite the Brown Shirts.
There's a playbook at work here. It's a tactic of demagogues to do something and then accuse the opponent of doing that exact thing. It's a pre-emptive strike against the truth. Republicans have been redistricting the country in order to win Congressional races for a while now (read David Daley's book "Ratf**ked") yet we're to believe that the Democrats have some hidden special sauce to steal elections.
There's a playbook at work here. It's a tactic of demagogues to do something and then accuse the opponent of doing that exact thing. It's a pre-emptive strike against the truth. Republicans have been redistricting the country in order to win Congressional races for a while now (read David Daley's book "Ratf**ked") yet we're to believe that the Democrats have some hidden special sauce to steal elections.
2
Deep reflection of the dangers of an extreme right faction, willfully unaware of the travails in politics (the art of the possible, firmly grounded in reality, and its facts, and the truth, and justice), and raising false conspiracy theories on the basis of crazy assumptions that their narrow concepts are dogma, hence, inviolable, and destined to become reality if only wished hard enough. Although luck and serendipity may play a role, the fact that Ms Clinton has the upper hand in knowledge and experience, and a steady hand to boot, is a guarantee that, with voter's awakening, she will become the next president of the United States, the alt-right fantasies notwithstanding, and the potential for violent upheaval placated by a sense of honest assessment of the truth.
1
I don't care if Hillary wins by a single electoral college or popular vote. Whether she wins narrowly or by a few more percentage points, there will still be enough of the neanderthals who support Trump to do plenty of damage. Until this week, I never believed for a second that Trump could win, but the media's deference to him has made it all too likely. I am really scared for the first time.
4
Mr. Edsall has the most serious and prescient political analyses on the NYT, and this article does a great job reminding us of the sometimes cyclical nature of our American history. Themes recur, and we can learn from the past and from the insight of people like Hofstadter, and we need people like Mr. Edsall to remind us of them.
4
Regardless of the outcome of the election, I foresee a Mussolini ending for Trump.
If Hillary wins, the pitchfork brigade will be out of control.
If Trump wins, these same people will be in for a rude awakening when he delivers nothing, and ever so slowly come to realize they've been pawns.
If Hillary wins, the pitchfork brigade will be out of control.
If Trump wins, these same people will be in for a rude awakening when he delivers nothing, and ever so slowly come to realize they've been pawns.
4
I forgot where I lived in Brooklyn last night and confronted a man in a natural food store who was telling the cashier that she'd be better voting for Trump because Hillary is a crook, so I asked him if he could site an example of her crookery---he couldn't. The conversation devolved. He said the media protects her--the opposite is true. When I asked if he knew who footed the bill for the billionaire's bankruptcies, the man claimed no one did-that no one has to pay when there's bankruptcy. I managed to get out that the small business owners who had provided to Trump's corporations suffered losses while Trump personally profited in his glitzy dwellings. When I left I was (still, yes--not used to it yet) astounded at the utter lack of facts and knowledge about anything on which his opinion was based.
What is really needed is a continual barrage of facts about bankruptcy, the failure to build business but profiting on their destruction, the corruption in paying off AG's--presented in a way un connected to Hillary, and possibly not connected to Trump directly, either This is nothing short of a necessary public service.
What is really needed is a continual barrage of facts about bankruptcy, the failure to build business but profiting on their destruction, the corruption in paying off AG's--presented in a way un connected to Hillary, and possibly not connected to Trump directly, either This is nothing short of a necessary public service.
26
If Trump loses he will be claiming "voter fraud" only because he can't possibly imagine losing. His ego is so puffed up he can't imagine any scenario other than him winning.
4
One of the alt-right's concerns is gun ownership. We should be very concerned that they are armed, many heavily armed. If Trump loses as described, th result could be really ugly.
6
Trump, the Republicans and whomever else who has an axe to grind will harass, haunt, taunt and demean Hillary for the next 8 years.
And she will do what she has always done, brush it off and keep it moving.
I'm not worried about her, but I am concerned about Bill. He has a tendency to insert foot in mouth. He needs to go play golf or do something to stay out of the way.
And she will do what she has always done, brush it off and keep it moving.
I'm not worried about her, but I am concerned about Bill. He has a tendency to insert foot in mouth. He needs to go play golf or do something to stay out of the way.
3
I believe extremists who are ignorant, racist, xenophobic, paranoid, misogynist, bullys and skin heads deserve to be held up to ridicule by the vast majority of decent, caring, more intelligent citizens who populate the U.S.
3
Trump is the most anti-Christ of Christians, the most counter-revolutionary of revolutionaries, the most unpatriotic of super patriots, the most atheistic of religious zealots, the arch-criminal of the law-abiding, perhaps even the greatest practitioner of hate among preachers of love. He is literally the golden boy of Fascism.
8
*Golden boy* -- ouch.
Each State's official tabulation, each county voter authority, each local precinct, and each voting machine is certified, guarded and maintained by various human beings.
Supervisors and officials do not derive nor exist in vacuums of virginal purity.
We human beings are biased in degrees and in various ways.
Idealistic neutrality is a theoretical construct.
We do certainly have presiding precinct poll watchers from the two major political parties and other traditional safe-guards.
My perception is that some deliberate cheating and accidental mistakes most probably take place.
Therefore, the notorious hanging chads horror did happen.
Miscounts--deliberate and not--probably happen.
Post election legal challenges are inevitable.
Judges/ultimate deciders are both popularly elected and appointed/approved by politicians.
Justices aren't derived from "sterile realities,"
Thus it's about a complex human system, and is not impenetrable to rigging.
1
> Idealistic neutrality is a theoretical construct.
Its mysticism. Theory is conceptually induced from observation. See Aristotle, Bacon, Newton.
Its mysticism. Theory is conceptually induced from observation. See Aristotle, Bacon, Newton.
Touche.
You won't catch me arguing semantics, and especially with higher i.q.'s.
http://www.blackwellreference.com/public/tocnode?id=g9781405106795_chunk...
How would Wittgenstein phrase it?
You won't catch me arguing semantics, and especially with higher i.q.'s.
http://www.blackwellreference.com/public/tocnode?id=g9781405106795_chunk...
How would Wittgenstein phrase it?
This has been the style this campaign. "Oh, the worst thing that can happen is going to happen!!! Sander's supporters won't back Clinton. Never Trumper's will upset his convention." And then of course, nothing happens. If the media didn't have hype, what would they do all day? And all his isn't new anyway. What was the birther movement but an attempt to overturn the last election, deny it's results? It fizzled out as well. There will always be paranoid people, there probably were some during the cave man days. But why don't we wait until something actually happens before bemoaning it?
23
The birther movement didn't fizzle out, it helped to yield up Donald Trump as a presidential candidate. One of the arguments for not waiting "until something actually happens before bemoaning it" is that if Trump or his idiot followers prevail, it's game over for the planet. Speaking of planets . . . oh, nevermind.
1
The "paranoid style" was born at the birth of the nation in the factional politics of mutual interests that the Founding Fathers feared and warned about in "The Federalist Papers". The Presidential Commission on Debates is a two party partisan private entity that has no interest in any other factional party political competition.
Trump is the tiny tip spear messenger of a message from his "legion" or "gang". Trump is Reagan without the acting, political and rhetorical experience and talent.
Trump is the tiny tip spear messenger of a message from his "legion" or "gang". Trump is Reagan without the acting, political and rhetorical experience and talent.
38
Perhaps missunderstood, but Federalist Papers were cautioning against "self interest" in favor of "[Unions] mutual interests.
Perhaps [re]reading of No. 1 will provide guidance. For example "So numerous indeed and so powerful are the causes which serve to give a false bias to the judgment, that we, upon many occasions, see wise and good men on the wrong as well as on the right side of questions of the first magnitude to society. This circumstance, if duly attended to, would furnish a lesson of moderation to those who are ever so much persuaded of their being in the right in any controversy. And a further reason for caution, in this respect, might be drawn from the reflection that we are not always sure that those who advocate the truth are influenced by purer principles than their antagonists."
Perhaps [re]reading of No. 1 will provide guidance. For example "So numerous indeed and so powerful are the causes which serve to give a false bias to the judgment, that we, upon many occasions, see wise and good men on the wrong as well as on the right side of questions of the first magnitude to society. This circumstance, if duly attended to, would furnish a lesson of moderation to those who are ever so much persuaded of their being in the right in any controversy. And a further reason for caution, in this respect, might be drawn from the reflection that we are not always sure that those who advocate the truth are influenced by purer principles than their antagonists."
All that the GOP and Trump are doing is playing on our fears that everything is rigged against the ordinary citizen. What they aren't saying is that they are the ones doing the rigging. Which party has supported limiting our reproductive rights for women and family planning? Which person has talked the most about building a wall between us and Mexico even as all immigration from there has been dropping? Which party has supported big businesses desires for no unions, absolute rights for employers to do whatever they want whenever they want to their employees? And which party is denying us a fully staffed Supreme Court on the flimsy excuse that Obama is not representing the people of the United States even though he doesn't leave office until January 21, 2017?
The GOP cannot be said to represent America: not the America that most of us live in where reality consists of worrying that our government will do nothing because the GOP won't let it do anything, worrying about diseases being ignored because the GOP wants to limit what Planned Parenthood can do, worrying about losing everything to medical costs because healthcare is still unaffordable. And which party dislikes Obama so much that it was willing to write a treasonous letter to a foreign power undermining Obama's authority?
The GOP has excelled in paranoia politics. And many believe them because they feel they have no voice. They feel that corporations are heard and listened to more. And they may be right.
The GOP cannot be said to represent America: not the America that most of us live in where reality consists of worrying that our government will do nothing because the GOP won't let it do anything, worrying about diseases being ignored because the GOP wants to limit what Planned Parenthood can do, worrying about losing everything to medical costs because healthcare is still unaffordable. And which party dislikes Obama so much that it was willing to write a treasonous letter to a foreign power undermining Obama's authority?
The GOP has excelled in paranoia politics. And many believe them because they feel they have no voice. They feel that corporations are heard and listened to more. And they may be right.
4
I first began hearing the conspiracy theories about the Clintons when I tuned into Limbaugh for laughs. He would spin these dramtic stories straight out of a spy novel about how the Clintons had Vince Foster killed and the CIA was in on the cover-up. Remember travelgate?
Honestly, I think there are a few things going on here. You have weak minds that are vulnerable to this sort of thing. Then you have people like FOX/Breitbart who benefit by running with these crazy stories and/or making them up themselves and finally you have the DOnald Trumps of the world. The Donald is a demagogue. Think about it: when he creates a conspiracy, he weaken his opponent. But he strengthens himself - if he loses, he just says well of course we lost, they rigged it in the star chamber. If he wins, he says, "Look! I even beat these guys."
It is a sick country
Honestly, I think there are a few things going on here. You have weak minds that are vulnerable to this sort of thing. Then you have people like FOX/Breitbart who benefit by running with these crazy stories and/or making them up themselves and finally you have the DOnald Trumps of the world. The Donald is a demagogue. Think about it: when he creates a conspiracy, he weaken his opponent. But he strengthens himself - if he loses, he just says well of course we lost, they rigged it in the star chamber. If he wins, he says, "Look! I even beat these guys."
It is a sick country
3
More to the point: how will Clinton supporters react to a Trump victory?
The reaction of Clinton supporters and the left to a potential Trump victory is already in plain view.
Obama has gone to extraordinary lengths to delegitimize him abroad in public forums, even in press conferences with foreign leaders.
At home, every effort has been made to dismiss him as "unfit" and "dangerous," even using words like "psychopath."
There will be no respect for Trump as President should he win and we are unlikely to hear any lectures about "respecting the office of the Presidency" as we did about Obama.
We are likely to be in for a rough four years regardless of the outcome of this election.
Obama has gone to extraordinary lengths to delegitimize him abroad in public forums, even in press conferences with foreign leaders.
At home, every effort has been made to dismiss him as "unfit" and "dangerous," even using words like "psychopath."
There will be no respect for Trump as President should he win and we are unlikely to hear any lectures about "respecting the office of the Presidency" as we did about Obama.
We are likely to be in for a rough four years regardless of the outcome of this election.
1
I get the innuendo but the answer is plain: they'll say that the country has a vast number of idiots. Apple to oranges, really. Did I mention they'd be right?
1
It never occurred to me that Trump's supporters would see him as being "fit" for the office, or "safe," or "stable." I thought they liked him precisely because he's so obviously not Presidential material.
You are right that it is not polite to call him a "psychopath." Narcissistic personality disorder is a psychiatric disorder, but it's different from psychopathy or sociopathy.
You are right that it is not polite to call him a "psychopath." Narcissistic personality disorder is a psychiatric disorder, but it's different from psychopathy or sociopathy.
Despite all the unsubstantiated hot air being blown around about Hillary Clinton's cronies rigging the election, there actually appears to be enough evidence for government officials to take seriously the notion that hackers affiliated with Russia might actually tamper with the election.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/intelligence-comm...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/intelligence-comm...
1
"stabbed in the back" Where have I heard that phrase before?
2
Keep fear alive...again! Fascists always with the same play book. Shows you how little original thought those fools have.
8
Unfortunately, it works.
1
What is the point of all these quotes and references to Hofstadter? It should be clear by now that the most fearful thing for[ Trump is to be a LOSER. It is even worse for him than having short fingers. He will say and do anything to avoid being a loser, so focus on that aspect of the campaign. [NB: a winner would be celebrating has tax returns.]
The media have enabled him to the extent that they have lowered the bar to such a degree that expectations are so low that they are almost always exceeded. Clinton has created such high expectations for herself, in part for her celebration of a very mediocre career, one based on name recognition rather than on accomplishment, that she invariably falls short.
In this election cycle the only real choice is who gets to make nominations for justices to the Supreme Court and for Appellate Court judges - Donald the Dunce or Hillary the Hawk.
The media have enabled him to the extent that they have lowered the bar to such a degree that expectations are so low that they are almost always exceeded. Clinton has created such high expectations for herself, in part for her celebration of a very mediocre career, one based on name recognition rather than on accomplishment, that she invariably falls short.
In this election cycle the only real choice is who gets to make nominations for justices to the Supreme Court and for Appellate Court judges - Donald the Dunce or Hillary the Hawk.
2
It's incredible that claims of a rigged election come from Trump and others in the GOP when THEY'RE the ones trying to influence the outcome with various modes of voter suppression.
46
Not incredible... it's Propaganda 101.
2
There is only one party systematically engaging in flagrant voter fraud, and deliberately rigging elections, and it is not the Democrats. Abetted by the virulent right wing partisan hacks on SCOTUS, the right has suppressed, purged and disenfranchised millions of Americans inclined to vote "D" rather than "R," and have been astonishingly blatant in their efforts. One need only look at the ongoing voter suppression in North Carolina, despite having been enjoined by federal judges, by the GOTP. From the folks who stole two successive elections by thuggish, racist gerrymandering, massive disenfranchisement, ballot tampering, polling place machinations, comes their latest racist, conspiracy-mongering dunce of a POTUS candidate to whine that if he loses, it will be due to a "rigged system." He should know, since his party perfected the art and has rigged election after election.
4
The GOP and Democratic leadership, along with all former Presidents, could join in a television ad stating their belief that the American election system for all its faults, is conducted fairly, responsibly, and with no evidence over the years of systemic vote fraud.
Silly me.
Silly me.
3
After reading this column, I began to wonder, "are we witnessing the beginning of the end of America as we know it - a constitutional Republic which uses the democratic process to choose its leaders?" It is possible that our government is collapsing upon itself due to the political rot which has accumulated over the generations. It isn't Trump, Hillary, or either party that is causing this collapse. It is a collective us.
11
pretty funny stuff coming from the party that gerrymanders its way to victory on a regular basis.
I recall reading Hofstadter many years ago and recognizing the truth of what he said. What I don't remember him citing is the mechanism that such a paranoid stance uses: projection. What the excluded and angry persons who use this mode of thinking do is to say "of course. If I were in their position I would rig the election however I could." And, speaking historically, such people have done exactly this: intimidating voters, excluding people on the basis of race, making it difficult for certain suspect persons to register, and so on. And of course they expect their opponents to act similarly.
And there is little the other side, or neural forces can do about such thinking other than their major and total defeat -- think the South in the Civil War -- once things get to such a stage.
Of course, if the Fairness Doctrine were still in effect, some of this might have been blunted over time.
And there is little the other side, or neural forces can do about such thinking other than their major and total defeat -- think the South in the Civil War -- once things get to such a stage.
Of course, if the Fairness Doctrine were still in effect, some of this might have been blunted over time.
2
The more urgent issue is the profoundly doomed presidency that HRC faces if the GOP holds on to the Senate. The right's paranoia is an ever shifting banquet of shame-based mental illness. A close election will prove brutal but not as cataclysmic as a presidency with no muscle. The alt-right will always find lots of reasons why they were cheated. Being cheated is a fundamental requirement of being an alt-righter. This election has two irreducible parts, both of which require Democratic victories. I can't imagine the consequences if both don't materialize.
3
I hope that Trump's unsuitability for ANY elected office becomes clear in the presidential debates. The nonsense spewed last night by Trump should have been refuted on the spot. I hope the moderators in the debates do better in wxposing Trump's state of reasoning ability, state of knowledge and state of mental health.
4
“This is a potentially dangerous outcome for the country,” Masket added.
Nowhere near as catastrophic as a Trump win would be.
I am alarmed at the decline in judgment and civility in the people of the United States. The fact that Mr. Trump won the nomination in a major political party is already a potentially dangerous outcome for the country.
Nowhere near as catastrophic as a Trump win would be.
I am alarmed at the decline in judgment and civility in the people of the United States. The fact that Mr. Trump won the nomination in a major political party is already a potentially dangerous outcome for the country.
11
With Democrats or those to the left of them rioting, marching through the streets calling for the death of cops, exaggerating and misusing statements to claim oppression, threatening to or beating up people including journalists (reported - not paranoia) trying to get at Trump physically at his rallies in masses, taking over rallies and our elected officials even taking over the floor of the House - this author is worried about a few of the crazies on Trump's side who do virtually nothing? Yes, I know, a couple - and I think it was just two - of his supporters who are clearly ignorant people too - punched people who tried to ruin their political rally. Not the same thing.
I always have to say after slamming a one-sided story about Trump in this and other media - I don't support him at all. I think he's potentially dangerous. Unfortunately, the Dem. candidate is as dishonest as he is, though more knowledgeable, it looks like she is corrupt too and promises to continue ruinous policies. But, please, worry about the assassination of cops and the murderous dystopia in urban cities (mostly run by Democrats) before you worry about Trump supporters - some of whom I know, and all of them are busy working or going about their lives, not acting on paranoia.
Get ready. There will be articles on the right claiming that if Trump wins, Obama will declare martial law and refuse to hand over the government. This happens every election now. It will be silly and so is this article.
I always have to say after slamming a one-sided story about Trump in this and other media - I don't support him at all. I think he's potentially dangerous. Unfortunately, the Dem. candidate is as dishonest as he is, though more knowledgeable, it looks like she is corrupt too and promises to continue ruinous policies. But, please, worry about the assassination of cops and the murderous dystopia in urban cities (mostly run by Democrats) before you worry about Trump supporters - some of whom I know, and all of them are busy working or going about their lives, not acting on paranoia.
Get ready. There will be articles on the right claiming that if Trump wins, Obama will declare martial law and refuse to hand over the government. This happens every election now. It will be silly and so is this article.
Hillary is dishonest and corrupted, what is your evidence? Provide even one small example of her being corrupted. Did she take bribes, or give any as a bribe? Dishonest, what do you call dishonest? Did she swindle any one who did a job for her? Did she get people to invest in an adventure, pay herself big bucks then put it into bankruptcy where the other investores lost every thing?
Is there a RICO charge and a fraud charge aginst her going to trial in federal court? What kind of twisted reasoning are you using to arrive at your conclusios?
Is there a RICO charge and a fraud charge aginst her going to trial in federal court? What kind of twisted reasoning are you using to arrive at your conclusios?
26
I'm not sure how a person can admit that Trump is dangerous but then say that there is nothing to worry about if he loses the election and convinces his followers -- nearly half of the country, if it's a close vote -- that the process is illegitimate.
2
Some fine coalition the Republicans have gathered. Capitalists gaming the system, globalisation losers, racists, religious bigots, and southern pride revanchists. Dear Americans, please make sure that this glass of witches brew won't be half full in November.
5
Chilling commentary.
That Trump thinks he is the rightful successor to the Presidency is frightening in and of itself. Compounding this is the ire and vitriol he's unleashed among that certain segment of the population.
In our history, voter fraud has been minimal at most, yet voter suppression (largely perpetrated by the GOP) has been rampant. Stirring up this irrational fear of fraud and rigged elections will only anger the Trump base pre-emotively and incite them to do who knows what when their candidate loses. Surely there are cooler heads in the GOP who can lead the party to some sense. The system is indeed broken, but it's Trump and his legions who have been responsible for jamming the works.
That Trump thinks he is the rightful successor to the Presidency is frightening in and of itself. Compounding this is the ire and vitriol he's unleashed among that certain segment of the population.
In our history, voter fraud has been minimal at most, yet voter suppression (largely perpetrated by the GOP) has been rampant. Stirring up this irrational fear of fraud and rigged elections will only anger the Trump base pre-emotively and incite them to do who knows what when their candidate loses. Surely there are cooler heads in the GOP who can lead the party to some sense. The system is indeed broken, but it's Trump and his legions who have been responsible for jamming the works.
6
The fact is the deep divisions exist across the country with some states actually in a separate nation (Red vs Blue) not since the civil war has such a divide existed and it is quite possible if not inventible that the "United " states will np longer exist either in a practical or political sense.
2
Uh, let's see: I'm pretty much absolutely positive that Trump's hoard of anti-gubmint anti-intellectual anti-everything know-nothings will go right back to being anti-everything and won't change their tune one tiny bit...
Trump's supporters are the same people who think Ronnie Raygun is the best president ever in the history of the entire world, and if nothing in the past near-forty years has changed that, then Trump losing this election won't change that either.
They'll still vote republican no matter what every election cycle. Even if republican politicians personally set on fire all the houses of their voting base, the know-nothings will still vote for whoever has that little R after their name.
Trump's supporters are the same people who think Ronnie Raygun is the best president ever in the history of the entire world, and if nothing in the past near-forty years has changed that, then Trump losing this election won't change that either.
They'll still vote republican no matter what every election cycle. Even if republican politicians personally set on fire all the houses of their voting base, the know-nothings will still vote for whoever has that little R after their name.
10
I guess I'd rather deal with his election loss than his election win,
27
Mr.Edsall,
I agree with you that it is "worrying that the legitimacy of the election — and potentially of future elections — could be compromised."
It is a fact that the legitimacy of the Democratic primary WAS compromised and that's how we ended up with the worst democratic presidential candidate in history.
It is hard to ignore the FBI warning, the fraud in the Democratic primaries and remember how Bush got elected for a second term pretty much due to fraud, and then blame the 'notion' of this on Trump?
Ignore these realities? If that makes sense, then no wonder these two clowns are up for US president to begin with.
However, there is indication that electronic voting machines that produce no paper receipt or paper anything, used in many states, are using software that could corrupt election results. Problem is no one has been allowed to examine the machines, the software or the outcomes in any of those states.
In the many legal challenges to these machines, the courts have ruled that there must be evidence that the software is corrupt before the court will give the plaintiffs authority to examine the machines, the databases, the results and/or the software. Of course, there is no ability to obtain proof without examining the machines, the software, etc. A classic "Catch-22".
So, as long as states use paperless, electronic voting machines, the possibility of election corruption is undeniable and should be a towering concern to all voters.
I agree with you that it is "worrying that the legitimacy of the election — and potentially of future elections — could be compromised."
It is a fact that the legitimacy of the Democratic primary WAS compromised and that's how we ended up with the worst democratic presidential candidate in history.
It is hard to ignore the FBI warning, the fraud in the Democratic primaries and remember how Bush got elected for a second term pretty much due to fraud, and then blame the 'notion' of this on Trump?
Ignore these realities? If that makes sense, then no wonder these two clowns are up for US president to begin with.
However, there is indication that electronic voting machines that produce no paper receipt or paper anything, used in many states, are using software that could corrupt election results. Problem is no one has been allowed to examine the machines, the software or the outcomes in any of those states.
In the many legal challenges to these machines, the courts have ruled that there must be evidence that the software is corrupt before the court will give the plaintiffs authority to examine the machines, the databases, the results and/or the software. Of course, there is no ability to obtain proof without examining the machines, the software, etc. A classic "Catch-22".
So, as long as states use paperless, electronic voting machines, the possibility of election corruption is undeniable and should be a towering concern to all voters.
12
Still beating the tin drum. Feel the Bern? ...Anyone? Anywhere? Get over it. That clown got buried...by the great majority of voters.
1
How are you all falling for this? It is Trump who is hoping to have his Russian friends hack the voting systems and subtly steal the election, so he can be America's "Little Putin."
By defending the system as "un-rigged," you will all be caught flat-footed if Trump's Russian friends can steal the election.
There is a difference between the "mature distrust" and "candid" view of human nature found in The Federalist Papers, and the "paranoid style," as the former has a sense of balance and defers to fact. However, "positive thinking" is the self-indulgence of people waiting to be victims. (See the sad tale of the American in Thailand in today's edition.)
Trump and the Russians are a problem to worry about. Sure, sure, Trump might try to de-legitimate his likely electoral loss and dream of a coup, but I am more worried about Russians hacking our voting systems in key states on Trump's behalf.
By defending the system as "un-rigged," you will all be caught flat-footed if Trump's Russian friends can steal the election.
There is a difference between the "mature distrust" and "candid" view of human nature found in The Federalist Papers, and the "paranoid style," as the former has a sense of balance and defers to fact. However, "positive thinking" is the self-indulgence of people waiting to be victims. (See the sad tale of the American in Thailand in today's edition.)
Trump and the Russians are a problem to worry about. Sure, sure, Trump might try to de-legitimate his likely electoral loss and dream of a coup, but I am more worried about Russians hacking our voting systems in key states on Trump's behalf.
10
Dangerous stuff. Not that it will make a bit of difference in the minds of Trump supporters but it may be smart to bring international observers in.
8
International observers: to Mississippi, Mo., Texas and Florida, checking on North Carolina
2
The only fraud going on is the fraudulent and unconstitutional changes to voting requirements by GOP controlled state legislatures. The GOP sees fraud everywhere because they're doing it, they assume everyone else does, too.
62
The pollsters who work for the media know that a tightening race and "division" drama produces the most ad revenue so it is in their best interest to conduct polls in such a manner to reflect a tightening race. When it comes to polls always remember the three biggest lies, lies, damned lies and statistics. The media is the true interferers in our election.
17
If the vast middle of this country cannot see through what Professor Edsall describes so tellingly, then we are indeed lost. Isn't there ever going to be a moment when responsible Republicans speak up forcefully about the grave danger the country faces from within?
326
No, not right now. There are no responsible Republicans. That's the main problem, here. Some day, they might wake up, but I have my doubts. Moderate, clearer thinking young people will have to slowly displace their older, regressive party veterans, as they retire and die off. It will take a generation, however, to shed the likes of a Jason Chaffetz or Paul Ryan.
3
Responsible Republicans HAVE spoken up forcefully about this threat, but the people with the reins aren't listening. Reince Priebus knows full well that Trump is on the verge of destroying his party, but he refuses to act because he's afraid of getting Wasserman-Shcultz'd out of a job.
There's just not enough responsible Republicans left to turn the party around.
There's just not enough responsible Republicans left to turn the party around.
3
All the "responsible Republicans" are in the cemetery. They died long ago.
3
Mr. Trump’s dark conspiratorial attitudes toward President Obama and Mrs. Clinton were in plain view again last night.
As hard as it may be for some of us to get our heads around this, Mr. Trump still remains fully convinced that President Obama was an illegitimate President who was born in Kenya; and I, for one, appreciate his honesty and candor in not denying this.
Believing that Barack Obama has been an
illegitimate President, means that Mr. Trump is now on the verge of becoming President fully convinced that he is legally and morally justified in altering, reversing, circumventing, ignoring, working around and even violating any of the laws, rules, regulations, diplomatic agreements and public policies entered into by the Obama administration during the past eight years.
No presidential candidate in my lifetime has ever provided the American people with a more honest and open display of the paranoid style of thinking he intends to employ while governing this nation. When this election is over not a single one of us other than children below the age of 14 will be able to make the claim that Mr. Trump failed to inform us that he is a mentally unstable man.
As hard as it may be for some of us to get our heads around this, Mr. Trump still remains fully convinced that President Obama was an illegitimate President who was born in Kenya; and I, for one, appreciate his honesty and candor in not denying this.
Believing that Barack Obama has been an
illegitimate President, means that Mr. Trump is now on the verge of becoming President fully convinced that he is legally and morally justified in altering, reversing, circumventing, ignoring, working around and even violating any of the laws, rules, regulations, diplomatic agreements and public policies entered into by the Obama administration during the past eight years.
No presidential candidate in my lifetime has ever provided the American people with a more honest and open display of the paranoid style of thinking he intends to employ while governing this nation. When this election is over not a single one of us other than children below the age of 14 will be able to make the claim that Mr. Trump failed to inform us that he is a mentally unstable man.
81
One small problem here: American politics quite obviously *is* rigged. And paranoia, if not justified in the form practiced by Trump supporters, is an altogether appropriate response to a long-stand conspiracy (yes, conspiracy) devoted to shifting wealth from the poor and middle-class to an increasingly permanent and hereditary elite exempt from tax laws and criminal statutes.
Could the evidence be any plainer? What does one say when a candidate's family -- former president, would-be president and daughter -- has received over a hundred million dollars in outright giveaways from corporate America, for doing absolutely nothing? And that's the *better* candidate....!
How would a rationale person, looking at Hillary Clinton's history, and then Trump's, regard such a system? With sweetness and light? Or with the reasonable conviction that American politics plays the public for suckers, in the interests of the people who fund it?
Could the evidence be any plainer? What does one say when a candidate's family -- former president, would-be president and daughter -- has received over a hundred million dollars in outright giveaways from corporate America, for doing absolutely nothing? And that's the *better* candidate....!
How would a rationale person, looking at Hillary Clinton's history, and then Trump's, regard such a system? With sweetness and light? Or with the reasonable conviction that American politics plays the public for suckers, in the interests of the people who fund it?
It is one thing to be paranoid, but for years right-wing Republicans and Party leaders and spokespersons have taken it a step further. They seem to believe that they must not only be paranoid but must work night and day identifying and demonizing those who are deemed responsible. They spew hate for immigrants who are supposedly responsible for taking jobs, they hate racial minorities for supposedly causing crime and terrorism, they despise the poor and disadvantaged for supposed laziness and being "responsible" for imaginary levels of government spending, they hate women for daring to have minds of their own, they blame teachers and teachers unions for all the imagined ills of public education and finally revile Democrats and liberals for supposedly masterminding the whole "conspiracy." This is dangerous and will eventually explode into something much worse unless people take a stand and reject this kind of dangerous, nihilistic extremism which began long before Trump!
16
Trump is a creation of the media. Once upon a time, a a lying, bully and egotist wouid be shouted down by all responsible people.
Under the banner of "balance" and political correctness, the media passively sits by while Trump spews lie after lie.
We will soon see that the greatest threat to our democracy are Trump's lies about "a rigged election". Since his words have gone unchallenged, resentment of his followers will result in total dysfunction. How long after a loss, will Trump be telling his adherents to use "second amendment" remedies ?
While it is probably too late, the mdia must stop his bullying and stand up for the truth.
Under the banner of "balance" and political correctness, the media passively sits by while Trump spews lie after lie.
We will soon see that the greatest threat to our democracy are Trump's lies about "a rigged election". Since his words have gone unchallenged, resentment of his followers will result in total dysfunction. How long after a loss, will Trump be telling his adherents to use "second amendment" remedies ?
While it is probably too late, the mdia must stop his bullying and stand up for the truth.
46
What in the heck is Alt right anyway? Not conservative conservatives? Not GOP Republicans? I flat don't get what people mean by it.
1
It's an umbrella term for white nationalists. Here is text from the essay:
"While clearly on the fringes of politics, the so called alt-right — white nationalists and hard-line opponents of immigration who oppose multiculturalism and defend a particular vision of western values — has become an influential force in politics."
"While clearly on the fringes of politics, the so called alt-right — white nationalists and hard-line opponents of immigration who oppose multiculturalism and defend a particular vision of western values — has become an influential force in politics."
6
If you don't know or understand what the alt-right is, or wha it means, then you are the typical uneducated white male who supports Treacherous Trump. Come man, READ & LEARN! America's future, our future, depends on it.
1
An outstanding article by Dwight Garner appeared in the Times on April 11, 2016 in which he compared Willie Stark -- the protagonist of Robert Penn Warren’s 1946 novel “All the King’s Men” -- to Donald Trump. There are many differences between the two men, which Garner points out, but the similarities are astounding.
Here is Stark’s political adviser Jack Burden -- his name now would be Stephen Bannon, Kellyanne Conway or Roger Ailes --advising him on the best ways to exploit the prejudices and weaknesses of his supporters:
“Just stir ’em up, it doesn’t matter how or why, and they’ll love you and come back for more. Pinch ’em in the soft place. They aren’t alive, most of ’em, and haven’t been alive for 20 years. Hell, their wives have lost their teeth and their shape, and likker won’t set on their stomachs, and they don’t believe in God, so it’s up to you to give ’em something to stir ’em up and make ’em feel alive again. Just for half an hour. That’s what they come for. Tell ’em anything. But for Sweet Jesus’ sake, don’t try to improve their minds.”
Read the book again even if you read it in high school -- it remains powerful -- and watch the two movie versions of it, if you haven’t. I prefer Broderick Crawford’s depiction of Stark to Sean Penn’s, but both are first class.
Warren was early in understanding the type of man Trump is.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/12/books/all-the-kings-men-now70-has-a-to...
Here is Stark’s political adviser Jack Burden -- his name now would be Stephen Bannon, Kellyanne Conway or Roger Ailes --advising him on the best ways to exploit the prejudices and weaknesses of his supporters:
“Just stir ’em up, it doesn’t matter how or why, and they’ll love you and come back for more. Pinch ’em in the soft place. They aren’t alive, most of ’em, and haven’t been alive for 20 years. Hell, their wives have lost their teeth and their shape, and likker won’t set on their stomachs, and they don’t believe in God, so it’s up to you to give ’em something to stir ’em up and make ’em feel alive again. Just for half an hour. That’s what they come for. Tell ’em anything. But for Sweet Jesus’ sake, don’t try to improve their minds.”
Read the book again even if you read it in high school -- it remains powerful -- and watch the two movie versions of it, if you haven’t. I prefer Broderick Crawford’s depiction of Stark to Sean Penn’s, but both are first class.
Warren was early in understanding the type of man Trump is.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/12/books/all-the-kings-men-now70-has-a-to...
43
Willie Stark, for all his flaws, did start out with a moral center and a desire to do good for his fellow citizens. Eventually he became so embedded in the corrupt system that he was his own undoing. Trump was empty and vacuous from the start, the idea of the common good has never entered his head
4
.....the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country....
In an interview with Gilbert in Göring's jail cell during the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials (18 April 1946
In an interview with Gilbert in Göring's jail cell during the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials (18 April 1946
4
Talk about paranoid. The NYT lefties (Hilarious supporters) still maintain that the Bush-Gore election was stolen through the courts despite the fact that the Gore camp was initiator of the original legal action in the courts and the fact that Bush did win the popular vote in Florida (even as later determined by the NYT).
3
But George Bush was the one who sued in federal court. It was as if he opposed federal meddling in states' affairs unless it would get him elected.
And there's nothing in this piece about the 2000 election being stolen through the courts. The point about Al Gore's gracious American concession rests on the fact that he got more popular votes than Bush.
And there's nothing in this piece about the 2000 election being stolen through the courts. The point about Al Gore's gracious American concession rests on the fact that he got more popular votes than Bush.
3
Interesting that Richard Hofstadter's name arises again in this disorganized political time. This political theorist was a dominant voice in academia from the 40's through the 60's. It was the time when the WWII industries came to the fore in the civilian space. It featured a newly disenfranchised female half of the population--after building bombers during the war. Religion came to be questioned as communism rose to the fore. Think about it, none of the issues raised then have been satisfactorily answered as of today. Industry and business still beat up consumers. Women are still scratching for recognition. Religion is still highly conflicted over its role.
What to make of Trump? All he wants is to take the country back to the glorious time pre-WWI when men ruled the roost, industry was largely agricultural and religion rarely became confrontational. The church sat fixed and tall on the public square.
The times they are a-changin', but very slowly.
What to make of Trump? All he wants is to take the country back to the glorious time pre-WWI when men ruled the roost, industry was largely agricultural and religion rarely became confrontational. The church sat fixed and tall on the public square.
The times they are a-changin', but very slowly.
12
it's back!? it never left.....
15
The paranoid style isn't back, it was never gone. From Goldwater to Nixon's Southern Strategy, to Reagan, Bush I, Bush II, and now Trump, the Republican Party has been playing the dog whistles of paranoia and racism for half a century. And, no, the cause is not economic. Trump supporters have fared better and are better off economically than most demographic groups. Racism, xenophobia and prejudice are an unfortunate part of many people's makeup, as proven by the success of politicians who exploit the dark corners of human nature.
107
Historical racism--- combined with economic insecurity/inequality, worsening in recent times, as big money rules our elections. Any basis for change depends on campaign finance reform to public financing, using other democracies as a role model. Eventually economic equality, health care, education and jobs policies will then have a chance. with reduced polarization and resentments used by politicians to get votes.
1
And if Ms. Clinton loses? Those darn Russians up to their heathen tricks?
4
I honestly believe we have reached a collective tipping point with regards to Donald Trump.
I still have not met or talked with one person who admits to supporting him or voting for him.
I speak to people all around the country and at least half of my friends are conservative or Republican or both.
The people know a fraud and a con man when they hear and see him. On these counts he is not subtle.
Just recently it was revealed he made large political contributions to the attorney generals and judges hearing his fraud case at the state level, and that worked until it didn't.
When it didn't, he attacked the Mexican heritage of the Federal Judge who could not be bought.
After the burning wreckage of his career in business, I don't believe thinking Americans need more bad news about Trump.
His observation that he could murder someone in public without phasing his supporters is a rare true statement from Donald.
We need a balanced focus on the 30 years of public service Secretary Clinton has given to the public.
She could have taken a cushy corporate job sans criticism from her lessers.
She could have shunned responsibility for building the Clinton Initiative that helps tens of millions around the world with 2% overhead, no salaries to the Clintons. and is A rated by Charity Watch.
She was named the most admired woman in the world by Gallup for 20 years in a row, more times than any man or woman in history.
She is making history.
I'm bored with Donald.
I still have not met or talked with one person who admits to supporting him or voting for him.
I speak to people all around the country and at least half of my friends are conservative or Republican or both.
The people know a fraud and a con man when they hear and see him. On these counts he is not subtle.
Just recently it was revealed he made large political contributions to the attorney generals and judges hearing his fraud case at the state level, and that worked until it didn't.
When it didn't, he attacked the Mexican heritage of the Federal Judge who could not be bought.
After the burning wreckage of his career in business, I don't believe thinking Americans need more bad news about Trump.
His observation that he could murder someone in public without phasing his supporters is a rare true statement from Donald.
We need a balanced focus on the 30 years of public service Secretary Clinton has given to the public.
She could have taken a cushy corporate job sans criticism from her lessers.
She could have shunned responsibility for building the Clinton Initiative that helps tens of millions around the world with 2% overhead, no salaries to the Clintons. and is A rated by Charity Watch.
She was named the most admired woman in the world by Gallup for 20 years in a row, more times than any man or woman in history.
She is making history.
I'm bored with Donald.
202
David--Hear, hear! Well said. Please, just let this nightmare be over. Then, I pray we will hear no more from Don the Con, or his "surrogates."
4
How many people do you know that say "I'd never vote for him, but he's got a point" on this or that thing?
1
Blue State- I'd never vote for him but he HAS several points. A creditable populist could win against a blue dog Dem. But I'd never vote for Trump.
2
Paranoia in American politics today?
Science period should have a lot to say about paranoia in politics today--not just sciences such as the political or psychological but system dynamics of all types should be able to weigh in. For example, and to give a crude model, take our two major political parties. They are often considered broken along lines so that if the bottom drops out of society there will be a fracture reminiscent of the American civil war, which is to say our parties are often broken along southern/white, northern/multicultural lines today.
It is of course doubtful there will be political fracture as severe as the American civil war, but we are in a situation of mutual political party paranoia in society which spy masters can recognize as reminiscent of a cold war situation, which is to say the system dynamic in America is somewhere distant from a cool state of political debate and compromise and system creation between parties but is not as bad as a turbulent outright civil war situation.
We are somewhere in between in a paranoid spy craft state, each party suspicious, digging up dirt, snooping about and everyone is on edge--which of course means we need our psychologists, our spy experts, our scientists knowing of system dynamics to alert our nation as a whole that we are in a nasty yellow alert stage and that we had better get it together--prevent paranoia before outright panic but keep healthy paranoia of internal system compromise and foreign service.
Science period should have a lot to say about paranoia in politics today--not just sciences such as the political or psychological but system dynamics of all types should be able to weigh in. For example, and to give a crude model, take our two major political parties. They are often considered broken along lines so that if the bottom drops out of society there will be a fracture reminiscent of the American civil war, which is to say our parties are often broken along southern/white, northern/multicultural lines today.
It is of course doubtful there will be political fracture as severe as the American civil war, but we are in a situation of mutual political party paranoia in society which spy masters can recognize as reminiscent of a cold war situation, which is to say the system dynamic in America is somewhere distant from a cool state of political debate and compromise and system creation between parties but is not as bad as a turbulent outright civil war situation.
We are somewhere in between in a paranoid spy craft state, each party suspicious, digging up dirt, snooping about and everyone is on edge--which of course means we need our psychologists, our spy experts, our scientists knowing of system dynamics to alert our nation as a whole that we are in a nasty yellow alert stage and that we had better get it together--prevent paranoia before outright panic but keep healthy paranoia of internal system compromise and foreign service.
1
Hitler had been elected democratically after several losses. In his final bid the Jewish bankers joined with the industrialists in support, feeling that he could be easily controlled and would moderate once in office. He won. How did that work out?
88
Nope. Hitler and the Nazis were never democratically elected. The most votes they ever received were 37%. They achieved power through other means. All the more reason to fear Trump and the people with which he's surrounded himself.
3
Hitler wasn't "elected." He lost in '32 and was appointed Chancellor by Hindenburg in early '33. In other words, even the German generation that decimated Europe was, at first, sensible enough not to elect a psychopath.
What does that say about Americans' judgment by comparison?
What does that say about Americans' judgment by comparison?
2
What will Hillary Clinton do when Donald Trump wins the presidency?
23
In the unlikely event, and depending on the various state margins, she may challenge some critical results similar to the Bush-Gore race in 2000 and another court battle will ensue. On the other hand, once it is clear that the results are legitimate, she will accept them as, or more, gracefully than the most congenial Al Gore did back in 2000.
Then, she will continue to work along with the opposition to hold Trump's feet to the fire.
What I'm more worried about is what Trump will do in office to undermine his opponents, or worse.
Then, she will continue to work along with the opposition to hold Trump's feet to the fire.
What I'm more worried about is what Trump will do in office to undermine his opponents, or worse.
3
@Denise: It's not likely to happen, but if it does, she'll get a great job in the private sector and enjoy the rest of her life.
3
Denise New Jersey: nothing. She respects the principles on which this Democracy is based. Trump is a demagogue who is already screaming that the election is rigged and that "Second Amendmenters" might have a say in the resolution of that accusation.
That should answer your question.
That should answer your question.
9
Trump's egomania, paranoia and ultra-thin skin may turn his probable election loss into suing the government and hamstringing the election results for months if not years, thus throwing us into major chaos. Very, very scary.
6
The premises underlying predictive models such as the NYT’s must be divorced from polls, unless we’re due for a new prediction that gives the election pretty much a 50-50 chance either way. Virtually all major polls of the past week have Trump leading, tied or trailing Mrs. Clinton, but close to or within the margin of error.
Recognizing this, Tom now argues that the election could be close, but that Trump might lose by a thin plurality; and that if he does a “paranoid style” in politics will be validated.
We’ve ever NOT had such a style.
The 2000 Bush v. Gore U.S. Supreme Court decision is perpetually demonized by Democrats despite the fact that seven out of nine justices (including liberals) agreed that the Florida State Supreme Court exceeded its authority in ordering that disputed-vote counting continue in the teeth of Florida’s own law. Following Bush’s defeat of Kerry in 2004, Democrats charged vote-fraud in Ohio and elsewhere (a charge Kerry himself didn’t support). The pronounced dominance of Republicans in statehouse chamber majorities and the U.S. House of Representatives is constantly diminished by Democrats’ claims of “gerrymandering”. Some even make that claim for governors and U.S. senators, offices that CAN’T be gerrymandered.
So long as Democrats lose, there’s always a reason OTHER than their inability to make convincing arguments to the voters. Seems a lot like paranoia to me, and it has nothing to do with Trump.
Make better arguments; be less paranoid.
Recognizing this, Tom now argues that the election could be close, but that Trump might lose by a thin plurality; and that if he does a “paranoid style” in politics will be validated.
We’ve ever NOT had such a style.
The 2000 Bush v. Gore U.S. Supreme Court decision is perpetually demonized by Democrats despite the fact that seven out of nine justices (including liberals) agreed that the Florida State Supreme Court exceeded its authority in ordering that disputed-vote counting continue in the teeth of Florida’s own law. Following Bush’s defeat of Kerry in 2004, Democrats charged vote-fraud in Ohio and elsewhere (a charge Kerry himself didn’t support). The pronounced dominance of Republicans in statehouse chamber majorities and the U.S. House of Representatives is constantly diminished by Democrats’ claims of “gerrymandering”. Some even make that claim for governors and U.S. senators, offices that CAN’T be gerrymandered.
So long as Democrats lose, there’s always a reason OTHER than their inability to make convincing arguments to the voters. Seems a lot like paranoia to me, and it has nothing to do with Trump.
Make better arguments; be less paranoid.
3
One correction or should I say clarification, gerrymandering is very real in the house. While not so in the Senate and Governorships, it is the house that has passed over 60 resolutions repealing Obama care/
2
The 2000 election had a constitutional process in place once the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the Florida vote: At that point, neither candidate had a majority of electoral votes, and so the selection of president should have gone to the Congress, as it did in 1876 and in 1824. The "self-packing" Supreme Court made a partisan mockery of the court in 2000.
2
Sadly, all your post has 'proved' is that a little knowledge can be dangerous. For instance, you cite the SCOTUS decision in 2000, but seem totally unaware that the decision you cite was one of two, and NOT the one that decided the election. You also cite Democrats (a minority or them) claiming election fraud in 2004, yet seem totally unaware that not only have republicans been hollering about election fraud every cycle, but have actively undertaken a series of measures that they claim will prevent election fraud; while remaining unable to prove any such fraud exists. Of course, I am being ind in ascribing your lack of knowledge to innocence, it is quite obvios that you are not ignorant, instead merely deeply partisan, and are deliberately 'cherrypicking' which facts to acknowledge, hoping no doubt that a rational style of presentation will prevent anyone from seeing your post for whatit is, a deliberate attempt to distort reality, which seems to be the only way Trump supporters can rationalize their support.
6
The picture of the two Trump supporters says it all. These are minds seething with some inchoate rage that will not accept defeat gracefully. Conceding defeat and shaking the hand of the victor was an admirable feature of many American elections. No more. The US is veering into very dangerous water and both the Democratic and Republican party need to recognize the danger. One of the major challenges in the coming years will be to extinguish the fire started by Trump and his most ardent supporters.
135
I wish everyone would stop clutching their pearls here in the Times and care about why so many people are full of rage. Chalk it all up to people being stupid, you're missing something important. Votes come from the middle; why is some of the middle mad? Why are there more independents than party adherents?
1
You missed my point. Whatever the reason for the rage, justified or not, it is a destructive emotion and needs to be extinguished.
The worst possible path is to encourage it. People in power must pay attention to popular grievances but not look for scapegoats instead of solutions. There is no excuse for encouraging or tolerating bigotry. When emotions are raw cold showers are necessary.
The worst possible path is to encourage it. People in power must pay attention to popular grievances but not look for scapegoats instead of solutions. There is no excuse for encouraging or tolerating bigotry. When emotions are raw cold showers are necessary.
3
It's the Republicans, for whom winning is everything, that started this and own it lock, stock and barrel. They never accepted Clinton's legitimacy and carried on with awful smears through the Bush presidency (the attacks on John McCain in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004 were disgusting) and into the Obama presidency.
6
Republicans have been conducting this kind of dog whistle politics for decades. Trump has just taken it to the next level. As we need moderate and progressive Muslims (and other people of color) to step up and challenge the fanatical wing, so do we need Republican to completely disavow Trump and this paranoid style. And not just in words, when he's beat their butts, but early and often and forcefully— in deed, and in unison.
49
Women are used to loudmouth, bullying blowhards who back down like cowards when confronted. Men like Lauer et al. (i.e., "normal") are not experienced with this particular type of self-absorbed misogynist. Send the women in to moderate.
376
Just not Coulter and her ilk, right
3
Matt Lauer was so out of his league. He's used to doing features on the Today show about the world's longest piece of spaghetti and other such serious subjects.
5
It's because NBC news, along with the others, isn't really news in the traditional sense; they have 23 minutes to cover a vast country and the world and must take time for an uplifting segment as well. Just look at the ads during the news and you can figure out the audience.
4
What if, by the slimmest of margins, Trump wins the popular vote but Clinton dominates the electoral college? Consider the nightmare scenarios in light of this article.
52
The paranoid style never left, and it is mostly progressive, though not all. Mostly progressive only because most of the media is progressive. The conservative media is just as paranoid, only smaller.
3
Baloney!
13
Did you miss the main point of the article, which was thatit it the Trump campaign pushing this narrative of the election being fixed, and his supporters rallying around the notion?
9
Would this mean, for Trump supporters, that all the Republican governors, Republican dominated state legislative bodies, and the current Republican control of both houses of congress are also the result of voter fraud and thus illegitimate?
74
"Republican control of both houses of congress are also the result of voter fraud and thus illegitimate? "
As in the Dems getting more than 1 million votes nationally in the 2012 election but getting 33 fewer seats in the House ?? It is called gerrymandering which Reagan`s WH group snuck past a sleepy Republican SCOTUS.
As in the Dems getting more than 1 million votes nationally in the 2012 election but getting 33 fewer seats in the House ?? It is called gerrymandering which Reagan`s WH group snuck past a sleepy Republican SCOTUS.
4
"The election is rigged" mantra by Donald Trump is another example of his assault upon the legitimacy of our electoral process and hence upon the legitimacy of our government..... It is how Fascism starts.
523
To add to that thought, the Generals of the military have been "reduced to rubble", "Putin has an 82 percent approval rating... he thinks I am brilliant, I will take the compliment". "I am great only I can fix this". This really is how Fascism starts.
6
"stabbed in the back" and where have those words been used before.
2
I agree. The following indicators already exist in Trump's behavior and campaign:
Signs of Fascism:
Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
Supremacy of the Military
Rampant Sexism
Controlled Mass Media
Obsession with National Security
Religion and Government are Intertwined
Corporate Power is Protected
Labor Power is Suppressed
Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fraudulent Elections
“They Thought They Were Free” Milton Mayer
Signs of Fascism:
Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
Supremacy of the Military
Rampant Sexism
Controlled Mass Media
Obsession with National Security
Religion and Government are Intertwined
Corporate Power is Protected
Labor Power is Suppressed
Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fraudulent Elections
“They Thought They Were Free” Milton Mayer
2
What this article and Hofstadter's thesis reveals is that the USA is not mentally healthy. With the high percentage of political, religious and other types of paranoia rampant, not only do veterans need immediate access to mental health services but so do a significant number of non-military Americans. We simply will not put federal funding into mental health services.
If the paranoids among us unloose widespread outbursts of violence over losing the election, what will the federal, state and municipal governments do with "honest citizens" running wild in the streets protesting a massive conspiracy and a rigged election to deny them the rightful president? Waco and the Branch Davidians on a national scale? What a horror show the Trumpenoids will manufacture. The Gore-Bush / Supreme Court decision with Gore's acceptance of the "hanging chad" Florida election will seem like a gentlemanly difference of opinion. The Trump, Tea Party and alt-right forces will be thrilled to have the chance to bash heads or worse -- they are Second Amendment patriots and not averse to considering the federal and state police and military as the enemy. What are we facing? What did the GOP believe when they took on Trump to be their candidate? The Republican Party is guilty of malicious non-thinking aforethought. Talk about not considering the consequences of your actions.
If the paranoids among us unloose widespread outbursts of violence over losing the election, what will the federal, state and municipal governments do with "honest citizens" running wild in the streets protesting a massive conspiracy and a rigged election to deny them the rightful president? Waco and the Branch Davidians on a national scale? What a horror show the Trumpenoids will manufacture. The Gore-Bush / Supreme Court decision with Gore's acceptance of the "hanging chad" Florida election will seem like a gentlemanly difference of opinion. The Trump, Tea Party and alt-right forces will be thrilled to have the chance to bash heads or worse -- they are Second Amendment patriots and not averse to considering the federal and state police and military as the enemy. What are we facing? What did the GOP believe when they took on Trump to be their candidate? The Republican Party is guilty of malicious non-thinking aforethought. Talk about not considering the consequences of your actions.
90
My fear, right now, is that Trump will indeed win the election, because his supporters are so radicalized. On the other hand, Clinton supporters are not radicalized, with the same level of passion.
Trump supporters will surely vote and they will mobilize people to turn out on election day. But what about Clinton supporters? They may raise money for TV ads, but they are not so inspired, themselves.
Hillary Clinton needs to fire up her base, right now, or she loses.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a close election, I say, Trump wins, hands down!
Trump supporters will surely vote and they will mobilize people to turn out on election day. But what about Clinton supporters? They may raise money for TV ads, but they are not so inspired, themselves.
Hillary Clinton needs to fire up her base, right now, or she loses.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a close election, I say, Trump wins, hands down!
6
Trump is between the outcome for Romney (AND McCain) and the "margin of error". That is the simple way to put things.
It does not fit the narrative "he is a disaster for the GOP". Why simple fact is not stated. In fact his extra pull to the polls may be what saves a Senate that should have gone 52 or 53 Dem seats this cycle counted. Some catastrophe....a verbal spawn of pure spin.
As to paranoia...I am surprised this argument has not been turned on Hillary...as in we can not have someone in the Oval who sees everything as a "vast rightwing conspiracy" or due the Russkies...particularly when the later case is a dummied up bit meant to smokescreen the truth of hacked emails...
It does not fit the narrative "he is a disaster for the GOP". Why simple fact is not stated. In fact his extra pull to the polls may be what saves a Senate that should have gone 52 or 53 Dem seats this cycle counted. Some catastrophe....a verbal spawn of pure spin.
As to paranoia...I am surprised this argument has not been turned on Hillary...as in we can not have someone in the Oval who sees everything as a "vast rightwing conspiracy" or due the Russkies...particularly when the later case is a dummied up bit meant to smokescreen the truth of hacked emails...
1
The problem with this analysis is that Trump's paranoia is the result of outright lies and distortions. Clinton's 'paranoia' stems from reality (look at repeated costly Congressional hearings, chants to jail her or deport her, calls for the Russians to invade her emails, and the worst hints for '2nd amendment PPl to take her out).
11
my point is the ease of riposte to this type of thrust.
Except I would go further...if Russia had wanted Hillary out they would have "interfered" when Bernie would have beat her.
Reading about $120 million having been spent only to wind up in the margin of error should have Dems thinking about the grand strategy they have had...and changing course while there is time yet.
Except I would go further...if Russia had wanted Hillary out they would have "interfered" when Bernie would have beat her.
Reading about $120 million having been spent only to wind up in the margin of error should have Dems thinking about the grand strategy they have had...and changing course while there is time yet.
wow.
1
The GOP has aided and abetted the paranoid right takeover of it's party.
When the GOP was still half sane, they knew enough to keep them chained up in their dungeon. But as they were forced by demographic shifts to use more and more of the paranoid right's "beliefs" to hold onto power, they inevitably merged and became essentially indistinguishable.
The GOP don't yet have, and may never have a compelling reason to go back to "the good old days" when the alt right were intentionally marginalized.
Other than the presidency, they have significant built in advantages in the senate, congress and a large majority of state houses.
Hold on tight, this is going to get even uglier, whether Trump wins or not.
When the GOP was still half sane, they knew enough to keep them chained up in their dungeon. But as they were forced by demographic shifts to use more and more of the paranoid right's "beliefs" to hold onto power, they inevitably merged and became essentially indistinguishable.
The GOP don't yet have, and may never have a compelling reason to go back to "the good old days" when the alt right were intentionally marginalized.
Other than the presidency, they have significant built in advantages in the senate, congress and a large majority of state houses.
Hold on tight, this is going to get even uglier, whether Trump wins or not.
60
So what's the answer? To invite international election observers to monitor the US elections, much like the world does in places like Zimbabwe or South Africa?
If we need any more proof that this country is in deep trouble, this article provides it.
If we need any more proof that this country is in deep trouble, this article provides it.
97
I believe that was suggested or volunteered by observers several years ago and rejected. the south especially would be a good place to have 'em.
6
They already monitor out elections. So, with the Trump walking and talking fiasco, they may monitor even more.
Donald Trump has been building his enemies list for decades.
14
Mr. Edsall, thanks for this illuminating article. Like many, I've been quite concerned for any violence should the election be as close as it might be.
Frankly, in a Clinton win, I can't imagine Trump conceding. He and his avid supporters could really gum up our democracy with recounts, lawsuits, and other tactics designed to make a Democratic victory phyrric at best.
It's ironic that the paranoid are so trusting of polls but not election outcomes. I mean, how many people actually lie to pollsters? I'd imagine quite a few, particularly in an election as virulent as this one.
But with the level of fraud so miniscule it will take more than studies such as the 2007 Brennan Center at NYY Law School to convince Trump and his supporters that" its conclusion that voter fraud is so rare as to be inconsequential."
Nothing feeds Trump's ego, paranoia and obsessions like a good fight, no matter how outrageous it is.
Frankly, in a Clinton win, I can't imagine Trump conceding. He and his avid supporters could really gum up our democracy with recounts, lawsuits, and other tactics designed to make a Democratic victory phyrric at best.
It's ironic that the paranoid are so trusting of polls but not election outcomes. I mean, how many people actually lie to pollsters? I'd imagine quite a few, particularly in an election as virulent as this one.
But with the level of fraud so miniscule it will take more than studies such as the 2007 Brennan Center at NYY Law School to convince Trump and his supporters that" its conclusion that voter fraud is so rare as to be inconsequential."
Nothing feeds Trump's ego, paranoia and obsessions like a good fight, no matter how outrageous it is.
151
You read this publication and claim that "the paranoid are so trusting of polls." Quite strange indeed.
1
Trump as paranoic is ironic on so many levels.
1– Hillary "VRWC" Clinton is the personification of the paranoid personality
2– Her paranoia is Nixonian. Our forewarning about HC occurred 42 yrs ago when she was on staff of Watergate committee. Her congenital paranoia, reflexive lying, obstruction of justice, other ethical lapses, foreshadowed her entire adult life & was, in retrospect, one of the high points of modern historical irony
“Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.”—Heller
The fix is in.
What undermines Trumpian confidence in a fair election isn't a close election. It is Jim Comey.
July 2—HC—a Martha-Stewart sitting duck—is facing what is known in game theory as Morton's Fork—jail or jail—perjury or self-incrimination
Comey's sworn testimony to Congress: 1— All HC public email statements were lies—(see Comey answers to Gowdy), 2– FBI had “no basis to conclude HC lied to…FBI”
Analysis: Both Comey statements can be true only if HC wasn't asked any relevant questions or if HC refused to answer all relevant questions or if HC confessed to crimes. When cornered, HC typically takes functional 5th—"I don't recall" & multifarious variations to mitigate Mafia meme. Purpose of LL-BC tarmac tête-à-tête—Establish means to protect HC from perjury or self-incrimination. They chose functional-5th, no-incriminating questions or some combo
Conclusion: FBI 302 confirmatory. Functional-5th & no-incriminating questions were employed—The fix was in