Bullies are deeply insecure people, who try to conceal their self-doubt behind their bluster and their nasty attacks on anyone who criticizes them. They eventually have a melt-down when they're confronted with their bullying, because their worst fear is to have their inadequacies exposed.
1
There must be a clinical term for it in scientific “Bully Boy” studies, but I’m not sure what it is, maybe something like “displacement.” Whenever Donald launches one of his scurrilous attacks, it seems he is always leading from a position of serious personal vulnerability that he is consciously or unconsciously seeking to disguise. Here is Fat Donald attacking fat women; there is Adulterer Donald attacking Hillary for her husband’s marital transgressions; there’s Tax-Avoidance Donald attacking Hillary for “pay-to-play.” Scratch the surface and there’s always dry rot.
2
Both candidates lie repeatedly, are not transparent, etc. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. No one to vote for on Election Day. HRC will probably win by a hair. Think I'll go to a movie all day on Election Day to escape a sad, sad reality. Then 8 years of HRC doing her unethical thing she has been doing for 20 years. Where is Jesus when we need him??
1
@Julia Alter,
False equivalence, in this case, is both a logical fallacy and a moral failure. Hope you find Jesus.
False equivalence, in this case, is both a logical fallacy and a moral failure. Hope you find Jesus.
1
False equivalence indeed.
I shouldn't be saying this, but a tremendous number of people are asking, "what gives with all that Donald Trump sniffling the other night?" Other candidates, they want to appear high energy, with a lot of stanima, but not for nosebleed Donald, he's gulping water like a little Marco Rubio and sniffing the air like he's a little, low energy prairie dog! That's all I'm asking, does Donald have a malformed deviated septum, or does he have a 30 year old cocaine habit that he developed from his Studio 54 party days back in the 80's? Look, I'm just passing along what some other people are asking, American people who are in the know and who think there's a tremendous chance that Donald is addicted to cocaine. I can hardly bring myself to discuss this because it's disgusting, it's just disgusting to think that the man that could be addicted to cocaine is weak, and a drug addict, and that he's running for President of the United States. It's just disgusting. And deceptive. And that's it.
7
Sitting here "plumply," I am enjoying your article "brilliantly."
Gaslighting is a technique deployed, often by psychopaths, where a person consistently lies and deceives to manipulate a victim into doubting their own reality. This is what Trump is doing to our country. It's a brain washing technique and it's working against many. Hillary pointing out what is clearly true, that Donald lives in his own reality and is acting crazy, is not "gaslighting" Donald. It's telling the truth in the face of her (and the country) being gaslighted over and over by this psychopath. To equate the two actions is to blame the victim for standing up and calling out the actions of a bad person.
12
Ha! Great analogy: the HRC bright red suit as a metaphorical matador's cape!
2
Trump thinks Putin supports him because he's smarter or whatever. His "huuge" brain can't comprehend that Putin views Clinton as the more formidable foe. He thinks he's better than Clinton in every respect. She showed the opposite to be true in the debate. What she did to Trump, Putin would do also - play him like a violin.
6
As a man, I will say this: the more women world leaders there are, the better off we will all be. Testosterone and level-headed, rational thinking do not mix well.
6
So true and does not speak well of ANY woman who plans on voting for this transparent sociopath.
1
The best post-debate analysis yet. Gas lighting, bait-n-Switch, vague innuendo, blatant belittling, and so many other tactics of the bully, the misogynist, the huckster, and the delusional authoritarian - classic cowards all. How in the world could so many of our countrymen -- and countrywomen! -- be taken in for so long by this malignant narcissist who is not even bright enough to conceal his naked motives and debilitating needs?
47
Gaslighting comes out of a person who is insecure and lacks internal confidence with themselves in comparison with others. That brings me to my second point. Truth of the matter, generally, men are deeply intimidated by women, so for eons they have been holding the masculine way as the standard for living and anything other was less than. I believe as a woman, that I do live closer to my feelings and emotions. And that this is not a curse, but rather a gift. Being in touch with my feelings and emotions serve to guide me in ways that my cognitive abilities alone cannot possibly do, they keep me whole, conscious and present. It doesn't mean I don't use my cognition as well. It means I have more of myself to bring to the table and to make choices and decisions by. When I'm not present to these parts of myself, I feel less energetic, less vibrant, and my decisions come from a weaker place. The eons of degradation for being "too" emotional by (insecure) men, their lack of understanding and appreciation of, and their deep fear of the opposite sex has produced an imbalanced standard of masculinity as the only way to be successful and to be respected. Therefore, we as women have endured daily insults as exampled in this article.
There is an imbalance of masculine energy out there in the world right now. To quote Warren Buffet, “If you want to succeed in business, put more women into leadership roles in the company.”
There is an imbalance of masculine energy out there in the world right now. To quote Warren Buffet, “If you want to succeed in business, put more women into leadership roles in the company.”
12
Or teach men that emotions are good things and that it's okay to have them, to be nice, caring, nurturing, positive and empathetic, and that they don't have to think with only half their brains but can use the whole darn thing. If they are allowed to be fully People and we are allowed to be fully People, then maybe there would be fewer angry men around, because that seems to be the only way that most men are allowed to be emotional without being called derogatory names.
Marea - NC
What wise comments.
I also wonder "where his mother was" in DJT's family of origin.
Carl Jung proposes an "anima" as well as "animus".
Some of us think DJT is a four year old.
WHY was this particular photograph (Joe Raedle for Getty Images), chosen by an editor ?
The "body language" shown by DJT (intrusive & controlling left arm), when a handshake would have been enough, tells reams.
What wise comments.
I also wonder "where his mother was" in DJT's family of origin.
Carl Jung proposes an "anima" as well as "animus".
Some of us think DJT is a four year old.
WHY was this particular photograph (Joe Raedle for Getty Images), chosen by an editor ?
The "body language" shown by DJT (intrusive & controlling left arm), when a handshake would have been enough, tells reams.
3
There is a big difference between the republican nominee's pattern of lying in a gaslighting fashion and what Hillary did in the debate. His pattern can't be separated from his personality. Hillary used trigger words as a political tactic, and it worked. She has self control; he doesn't.
Sexism and misogyny are so deeply embedded in our culture that when women dare to address it, an immediate backlash ensues: anonymous online trolls threaten rape or murder. Threatened males actually do abuse, rape, and murder. The quieter insidiousness is indeed gaslighting: women are said to be paranoid, crazy, entitled, emotional. They're mansplained and manterrupted.
A Hillary presidency will certainly transform all this, although, as in the shocking increase of white supremecy groups under Obama, it may take a while, perhaps even getting worse before it gets better.
Thanks for the good read.
Sexism and misogyny are so deeply embedded in our culture that when women dare to address it, an immediate backlash ensues: anonymous online trolls threaten rape or murder. Threatened males actually do abuse, rape, and murder. The quieter insidiousness is indeed gaslighting: women are said to be paranoid, crazy, entitled, emotional. They're mansplained and manterrupted.
A Hillary presidency will certainly transform all this, although, as in the shocking increase of white supremecy groups under Obama, it may take a while, perhaps even getting worse before it gets better.
Thanks for the good read.
81
In case it's not just a capitalization typo, 'we had “a fed doing political things”' referred to the Federal Reserve aka the Fed. The accusation by Mr. Trump is that the Fed is keeping interest rates low to help the incumbent and Sec. Clinton. If it IS just a typo, I don't know the syntax problem: 'things' is of course inelegant but is basically sufficient to communicate the meaning, at least to someone versed a bit in monetary policy.
5
Fantastic! Thank you!!
16
My favorite analysis of the debate so far.
7
Fact checking is so quick and easy now. The next debate should include a "raspberry" sounded every time a candidate lies outright. Not just fudges but outright states as fact those things that can be objectively refuted.
16
Apparently Mr. Trump has a theory that all media coverage is good for his ambitions in the long run. He does not seem concerned with whether the coverage is "good" or "bad" as long as the velocity of the coverage continues unabated. He said as much last year with his 5th Avenue wise crack.
“Where I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters. It’s incredible.”
He stokes absurd controversies too numerous to mention simply to dominate the headlines. If there were a rating similar to Nielsen that combined all TV coverage, printed news and commentary and all the social media buzz, then for 15 months he's been at the top. Possibly the most notorious man in modern times. This has been a media driven onslaught like none we have ever seen.
If he is right, then collectively we may all be nothing more than moths attracted to the brightest flame, regardless of the consequences. After all, that is how the media reacts. And like moths, we could get zapped.
We are all being punked. Probably what it means is that WE have to change.
11
Yes, we do need to change. Fast. We must increase community education and involvement
1
She won? Whoa, I've got to get my TV fixed!
3
There are none so blind as those who will not see!
5
Brava ! , Susan Dominus
Dominus Vobiscum !
Dominus Vobiscum !
8
That's what fascinated me the most leading up to - and during the debates. Sure, they both have faults - and in my opinion - missed some opportunities.
But the psychology of a debate between such starkly different personalities was - to me - fascinating.
I felt like, going in, this was going to be the age old argument between parent and child. The parent presents a cogent and well presented argument for why the child needs to do their homework or eat their vegetables, and the child responds with a farting sound and a tantrum. The argument isn't won - the debate is settled because the parent has the last word.
Well... kudos to Mrs. Clinton for making the absolute best out of an unwinnable situation, taking the high road in most instances, but still sinking to the level required to be effective.
Honestly can't wait for round 2. Good article!
But the psychology of a debate between such starkly different personalities was - to me - fascinating.
I felt like, going in, this was going to be the age old argument between parent and child. The parent presents a cogent and well presented argument for why the child needs to do their homework or eat their vegetables, and the child responds with a farting sound and a tantrum. The argument isn't won - the debate is settled because the parent has the last word.
Well... kudos to Mrs. Clinton for making the absolute best out of an unwinnable situation, taking the high road in most instances, but still sinking to the level required to be effective.
Honestly can't wait for round 2. Good article!
5
Ms. Dominus your column calls to my mind a recent column by Mr. Ross Douthat. He cited another pundit as referring to Mr. Trump as "'transgressive, volatile, carnivalesque, and . . . punk rock.'" As you indicate Trump is all of that and much more.
Transgressive? Yes! Mr. Trump knows no limits and clearly holds that the standards that apply to others do not apply to himself.
He never leaves the stage, as even punk-rockers do. He is always stage-center, consistently promoting his own self interest, no matter what the costs to others or the inconsistency of the means he employs in doing so.
His misdirection, lies, and inconsistencies disturb anyone who has not bought into his grotesque "alt-reality"--that "alt-reality" in which he, and he alone, is up to the task of solving all of our nation's ills.
Donald Trump lives in a truth-free, fact-free, post-post-modern world. For this candidate, there are no facts, merely interpretations--interpretations which he spins out on a reflexive spur of the moment, audience-centered basis, and with absolutely no regard for that minimum standard of sanity and rationality: self consistency.
None of the rules that apply to us benighted denizens from an earlier age--an age in which people believed in reasoned debate with reference to publicly accessible factual evidence--apply to him.
This Id-driven narcissist dwells in a world all his own--in a megalomaniacal dream-play where the gaslights flicker for all save him and his followers.
Transgressive? Yes! Mr. Trump knows no limits and clearly holds that the standards that apply to others do not apply to himself.
He never leaves the stage, as even punk-rockers do. He is always stage-center, consistently promoting his own self interest, no matter what the costs to others or the inconsistency of the means he employs in doing so.
His misdirection, lies, and inconsistencies disturb anyone who has not bought into his grotesque "alt-reality"--that "alt-reality" in which he, and he alone, is up to the task of solving all of our nation's ills.
Donald Trump lives in a truth-free, fact-free, post-post-modern world. For this candidate, there are no facts, merely interpretations--interpretations which he spins out on a reflexive spur of the moment, audience-centered basis, and with absolutely no regard for that minimum standard of sanity and rationality: self consistency.
None of the rules that apply to us benighted denizens from an earlier age--an age in which people believed in reasoned debate with reference to publicly accessible factual evidence--apply to him.
This Id-driven narcissist dwells in a world all his own--in a megalomaniacal dream-play where the gaslights flicker for all save him and his followers.
4
Gaslighting indeed. While reading the NYT's Fact Checking article, I realized everything, yes, everything, "Donald" said in the debate that made me think twice about Hillary was a lie. Donald is a world-class crazy maker. When he came out with the "Birther issue is over", at the same time saying, "Hillary started it and I'm finishing it", I felt sick to my stomach. How can Donald finish something he supposedly didn't start?
The sick stomach came because I realized if Donald was President, we all would be subjected to crazy making regularly, even daily. I was left wondering about every person who is willing to vote for Donald the crazy maker. Do that many people exist in our country who don't mind having their minds played with? Do that many people invite crazy making into their lives willingly? I run from gaslighters and crazy makers because this is the only logical, gut action to take in their presence. Who are these fellow citizens who embrace crazy makers?
The sick stomach came because I realized if Donald was President, we all would be subjected to crazy making regularly, even daily. I was left wondering about every person who is willing to vote for Donald the crazy maker. Do that many people exist in our country who don't mind having their minds played with? Do that many people invite crazy making into their lives willingly? I run from gaslighters and crazy makers because this is the only logical, gut action to take in their presence. Who are these fellow citizens who embrace crazy makers?
34
We all know Trump grew up with a stern, misogynistic and racist father. I'm guessing his mother was compelled to be compliant and obedient. It would be fascinating to investigate how Trump's relationships over time with his sisters,one a federal judge, factor into his total conviction that women are objects to be either admired if he wants to bed them, or degraded, humiliated and patronized if not. He has no place in his limited mind for smart, articulate, competent and highly effective women - in business or politics, except the one he takes credit for - his daughter. His marriages and political actions prove he's a modern neanderthal. And yet many women support this arrogant and contemptious clown "because he isn't a politician>" What are these women thinking?
11
dcbennett - Vancouver
Read http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/donald-trumps-immigrant-mother , to answer some of your "wonderings" about DJT's mother.
Read http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/donald-trumps-immigrant-mother , to answer some of your "wonderings" about DJT's mother.
Very good article. Trump is the gold standard of being easily provoked. Not nearly as smart or clever as he thinks he is. Now we know, Putin isn't the only international leader who owns Donald.
1
The Trump votes rests on an anything else has to be better than what we have now notion.
The results might be pain ending, as would stepping off a platform in front of a subway train.
Why would you vote for a man you wouldn't lend money to, who brags about cheating others out of their due? That taxpayers are suckers.
A huckster whose beliefs and actions (4 wives) are the antithesis of middle American beliefs.
Those that vote for him are viewed as suckers to be taken.
A flock to be sheared and butchered.
So follow the Judas goat to those promised green pastures.
Muslims, and illegals, you have to go to the showers first.
The results might be pain ending, as would stepping off a platform in front of a subway train.
Why would you vote for a man you wouldn't lend money to, who brags about cheating others out of their due? That taxpayers are suckers.
A huckster whose beliefs and actions (4 wives) are the antithesis of middle American beliefs.
Those that vote for him are viewed as suckers to be taken.
A flock to be sheared and butchered.
So follow the Judas goat to those promised green pastures.
Muslims, and illegals, you have to go to the showers first.
6
Speaking of the Presidential look, I see Mr. Trump has had his hair re--carved.
13
Great summary. I hear Twitter is looking for investors. Perhaps the Donald will be satisfied as becoming the King of Tweets. But seriously, is it possible he has an early form of dementia as evidenced by his word mixups? My 91 year old mother has it, and it is called "aphasia".
2
I wouldn't read too much into his aphasia. I have it a little bit when I am tired and stressed. The thing is, if debating Hillary is that tiring and stressful, that once again proves that he isn't up to the job. She looked like she was positively enjoying herself. I believe a challenge energizes her.
1
It is also called (seriously) word salad.
1
Nailed it. Thanks!
5
Cokehead Trump questions Hillary's record over the last 30 years. In that time, Hillary secured permanent healthcare and financial help for the police officers and firefighters who responded ro 9/hill, restored small businesses in rural upstate New York, got healthcare for 8 million poor kids of all races, and brokered landmark cease-fires, sanctions, and climate deals. In the past 30 years, Trump was being a tax cheat, outsourcing his clothing lome jobs, flip flopping from Republican to liberal Democrat and back, scamming poor people with a fake university, cheating on two wives one of whom accused him under oath of raping and beating her, stiffing small business contractors who worked on his projects, and hiring illegal immigrants and foreign guest working over Americans.
Now Cokehead Trump wants to sell out Europeans to the terroristic, America-hating, gay-hating tyrant Putin. Trump is under investigation by the CIA for sending his campaign to meet with Russian spies in Moscow. Hillary loves America and has actually improved it in the last 30 years. Cokehead Trump is a dangerous, selfish, anti-American fraud who has never done anything for anyone but himself.
Now Cokehead Trump wants to sell out Europeans to the terroristic, America-hating, gay-hating tyrant Putin. Trump is under investigation by the CIA for sending his campaign to meet with Russian spies in Moscow. Hillary loves America and has actually improved it in the last 30 years. Cokehead Trump is a dangerous, selfish, anti-American fraud who has never done anything for anyone but himself.
37
this is a great essay, Dominus captured both Trump and Clinton perfectly. how in the WORLD any thinking person can support the half-crazed egomaniac is beyond me. the guy is dangerous. nobody is perfect, some of our best presidents have had personal and official flaws, presidents are human beings by the way, but emotional problems, irrational thinking and probable narcism should disqualify.
11
Cass County - Rancho Mirage
...... and speaking in "word salad" should disqualify, also.
...... and speaking in "word salad" should disqualify, also.
I have to argue that a person's inner self can indeed show up on his or her face. In the case of Carly Fiorina, there's a meanness in the eyes, in the way the mouth is held and even in the chosen hairstyle. So, despite the fact that Trump is already a longtime sexist jerk and no one to talk, the switch from "face" to "persona" is just not as far fetched as the one from "look" to "stamina," which is pure deflection.
And Trump's sniffing? I'm betting it was the result of a recent tuck around the nose that's covered in makeup but still healing. Vanity, thy name is Trump.
And Trump's sniffing? I'm betting it was the result of a recent tuck around the nose that's covered in makeup but still healing. Vanity, thy name is Trump.
2
Trump reminds me of an abusive ex. It is the opposite of compelling. The advice is, as always: run!
24
Trump ISSSS the abusive ex. Literally and figuratively!
1
The mainstream press has done a disservice to the country in normalizing Trump's authentically boorish behavior. Trump is no Johnny-come-lately chauvinist, he is a founding member of the club. It is imperative to point this out so that people of all ages understand this is who he is: not a person with annoying tics, but a pathological misogynist and bigot. It appears people of color have figured this out, when will white people of good conscience?
27
Totally true. She played him and he walked right into it. He couldn't help himself. He is so easily baited . It was like taking candy from a baby.
He became so undone he blathered, babbled & bloviated himself into a miasma of incomprehension.
What a show!!
He became so undone he blathered, babbled & bloviated himself into a miasma of incomprehension.
What a show!!
50
I just dont know for the life if me how anyone can vote for this man . But people need a change but this man is not the answer !!!
13
I read (too) many articles about the debate, but yours is the first one to mention the unmissable red pants suit. When she came on, I didn't know what to think, except "strange attire". Now I think it was a stroke of genius. Kudos to her sartorial advisers. Red flag to bate a bull, indeed.
35
My favorite post-debate tweet: "I see Hillary came dressed in the blood of all the men who have underestimated her."
4
Thanks Hillary, I needed that. Women everywhere needed that .
45
I've come to realize that Donald's references to "stamina" are likely meant to be dog-whistles about alpha male sexual performance.
It would be hilarious to see someone retort to his next reference to stamina with something like: "Donald, your insistence on your stamina may remind too many voters of advertisements for certain performance-enhancing drugs."
It would be hilarious to see someone retort to his next reference to stamina with something like: "Donald, your insistence on your stamina may remind too many voters of advertisements for certain performance-enhancing drugs."
19
Karl writes: "I've come to realize that Donald's references to "stamina" are likely meant to be dog-whistles about alpha male sexual performance."
Hm. "In case of a debate lasting more than 90 minutes, please consult your doctor..." Should we read anything into the fact that DJT's, er, performance seemed to flag in the first third of that time period?
Hm. "In case of a debate lasting more than 90 minutes, please consult your doctor..." Should we read anything into the fact that DJT's, er, performance seemed to flag in the first third of that time period?
Who has been gas-lighted are the supporters of Hillary Clinton. White Water, Filegate, ChinaGate, TravelGate, LooterGate, Russian Uranium Deal, Email Scandal, and who among any proud American could ever forget Bengahzi and the video! Not so sure Ambassador Stevens would vote for Hillary even if he had had his requests for more security honored. Trump may not be the perfect candidate to represent our party for the presidency, but the millions upon millions of Deplorables who stand with Trump do know anybody BUT Hillary is the perfect choice. My Ohio vote among many other educated Ohioans will stand with Trump!
3
Until your last sentence, I thought your point was that there have been so many false conspiracy theories against Clinton, largely disproven by investigations, that the public was effectively "gaslit" into believing these nutty things.
22
Yes, that's it. "Gaslight" - perfect analogy. This movie should be aired as much as possible between now and the election so there is an understanding of how this process works. We are not used to be mind-gamed on the scale and scope that Trump is employing. My friends and I are waiting for his claim that the Earth is flat - to see how many people run out to get rappelling gear to see what's on the underside of the planet.
11
Please, PLEEZ, Secretary Clinton, please challange the insane idea that DT somehow possesses the business acumen to deal with the national economy. This is a man who has declared bankruptcy 6 times. SIX. Think about that. That means he declared once. We can give anyone a pass for 1; people make mistakes, they learn hard lessons etc. But then, he declares a SECOND time. That should give serious pause. TWO bankruptcies. If my neighbor the housebuilder had declared TWICE, he probably wouldn't get my business. Too risky. But Donald Trump then declare a THIRD time. THREE Bankruptcies. Think about that. But that's not it yet. He declares FOUR times. And then FIVE times. And finally SIX times. SIX times he's squandered his creditor's money. SIX. Count that out on your fingers. Think about just what that means. Now tell me this is a man you want anywhere near the public trust....
Am I the only one who see's the patent absurdity of his self-serving claims to be a business genius? Where are you press? Where are you HRC? This is shooting fish in a barrel.
Am I the only one who see's the patent absurdity of his self-serving claims to be a business genius? Where are you press? Where are you HRC? This is shooting fish in a barrel.
9
Great writing - right on target blowing up Trump's gaslighting technique and concluding with a glowing Hillary-as-matador metaphor. Bravo.
1
Oh, yes, offering Trump a tissue would have been amazing.
I heard a report that 27% say Trump won the debate. Did those people watch the whole thing? Do they think someone who performed like that should be our representative to the world? To Putin?
I heard a report that 27% say Trump won the debate. Did those people watch the whole thing? Do they think someone who performed like that should be our representative to the world? To Putin?
2
Hillary won the debate: stock market up 100+ points today.
10
Trip Gabriel:
"Not everyone thought Mr. Trump appeared unprepared for the White House.
Barb Haag, a retired teacher of the emotionally disturbed, said Mr. Trump’s interruptions did not bother her. “Kids interrupt you all the time if they have a point to make,” she said."
The mentality and maturity of a child -- kind of sums it all up. Presidential? Not really. There was one adult on that stage last night, and one man-child. Seriously bad dudes who gaslight are evil, but at least they're evil adults. So not a very apt analogy re: Trump.
"Not everyone thought Mr. Trump appeared unprepared for the White House.
Barb Haag, a retired teacher of the emotionally disturbed, said Mr. Trump’s interruptions did not bother her. “Kids interrupt you all the time if they have a point to make,” she said."
The mentality and maturity of a child -- kind of sums it all up. Presidential? Not really. There was one adult on that stage last night, and one man-child. Seriously bad dudes who gaslight are evil, but at least they're evil adults. So not a very apt analogy re: Trump.
3
The term "pathological liar" is tossed around so often that it tends to lose much of its power and meaning. But in Donald Trump's case, it's not only deadly accurate but literal. He lies so often and so automatically that it's a virtual default setting, like a screen saver that kicks in after 20 seconds of inactivity. It's also possible that, because fabrication is what he leads with, he doesn't entirely remember what he said even moments before. In other words, that was true THEN; this is true NOW. Alternate realities are his normal, and if called on it, he simply denies with sufficient repetition and force until it goes away. And since he has been able to shuck and jive and bluster his way through everything in his life up until now, he simply doesn't know another way.
To this same end, the man has no attention span, hasn't needed one, and therefore can't be taught to behave with anything approaching actual focus. So when people talk about how he's "going to act Presidential" or "take this seriously with genuine preparation," it's not feasible because he doesn't know how any more than a toddler would. Similarly, he is incapable of not taking the bait when goaded because he has no 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear and certainly no Reverse -- only 4th gear. He is also all REACTIVE and no REFLECTIVE. As such, he is incapable of learning from his mistakes and evolving in the campaign going forward.
To this same end, the man has no attention span, hasn't needed one, and therefore can't be taught to behave with anything approaching actual focus. So when people talk about how he's "going to act Presidential" or "take this seriously with genuine preparation," it's not feasible because he doesn't know how any more than a toddler would. Similarly, he is incapable of not taking the bait when goaded because he has no 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear and certainly no Reverse -- only 4th gear. He is also all REACTIVE and no REFLECTIVE. As such, he is incapable of learning from his mistakes and evolving in the campaign going forward.
13
trump is unstable.
6
Trump is a true criminal personality. Two comments he made last night really stood out (among many others). When reminded by Clinton that he greedily took advantage of the housing crisis, he gloated "That's business". When questioned about not paying any federal taxes in a previous tax filing, he smirked "I'm smart". Yes, criminals think they are smarter than the rest of us chumps. When will we catch on to this criminal personality? Why does the media treat him as if he is normal?
27
Caroline, I'm thinking that after November he will realize that he would have been better off not to have sought the presidency. Before, his name had a certain clout, but now we've all had the chance to see what a stuffed shirt he is.
Shine a national klieg light on a gaslighter and watch the gasbagger emerge. What Shakespeare would have done with such a character. Mr. Trump is a tale told by an idiot. Full of sound and fury--and signifying nothing. He has strutted and fretted his hour upon our stage for far too long.
Out, out, brief candle
Out, out, brief candle
6
Yep. Nailed it. This is what Trump's been doing all along.
What a spunky lady, that Hill! And think what her sharpness has done to counter ageism (and not only sexism).
3
Trump is crazy.
1
I'm sitting here laughing. Nicely written. I just wish this election was funny.
1
Are you serios? This is why very shortly this publication will be obsolete. Clinton has an actual mental issue being a pathological lier. Keep doing what you're doing. You are only proving your own guilt. "We the people" use this behavior as strength. "We the people" are done with this corrupt publication. You're just to arrogant to see it.
1
Next time I will have a stop watch; how many times did Drumpf just bull on through his time limit, or just plain interrupt his opponent and get away with it. The moderator needs to be able to cut off the microphone of Mr. Bullhorn Foghorn.
10
Right. That was so frustrating and annoying.
1
it's not reverse-gaslighting if he actually is crazy.
2
So nice to see his "reality" corrected in real time. He is solely interested in making his reality our reality, which is why we should loudly reject him and give him as little power as possible.
3
In your guts you know he's nuts.
Congratulations to Hillary Clinton for a splendid performance.
Congratulations to Hillary Clinton for a splendid performance.
31
If only she could win! Donald's tone is so utterly condescending, you would think we are all living in IsIs ruled Raqqa.
That will reach MoDo to write positive things about Trump, as she did up until six weeks ago. At one point, Dowd sort of bragged at her access, that he returned her calls.
Now she knows how the Clintons feel when they read her screeds about them.
Now she knows how the Clintons feel when they read her screeds about them.
3
Teach, not reach. Ugh
The biggest way in which Trump is Reverse-Gaslighting is in what he is offering his supporters. Anyone who looks closely at his domestic economic policies has to understand that his base will be thrown under the bus if he is elected.
1
Trump looks to me like a "Russian court jester" Zhirinovski, even less than that.
1
If I were tasked with debating Donald Trump, I would want to have a little Trump doll with me, loaded with recordings of things Trump likes to deny saying. Then when he contradicts himself, the rebuttal could be handled by pressing the right button on the doll.
2
The man is ignorant. How did we get here? Will there even be a second party when this is over? Will it be a new party? Maybe we can have the middle of the road Democrats and middle of the road Republicans ( there still there, but hiding), get together. We just need a leader to rally around. There has to be somebody. How about Condi? She would be perfect. Female, black, experienced to the utmost, very smart, and savvy; And she speaks Russian. Condi, please help!
1
The NYT is running several columns today blaming Trump's crudeness -- his interrupting Clinton, his derogatory descriptions of the bodies of some women -- on the fact he is a man. One of the articles even calls his interruptions "manterrupting," a play (I suppose) on the equally annoying "mansplaining."
Let's recognize this for what is, folks: sexism. Trump interrupts people because he is rude. He talks about women's bodies the way he does because he is crude. He does these things because he is not -- forgive the use of the supposedly antiquated term, but there are still quite a number of us about -- a gentleman. It has nothing to do with the fact he is male.
It is just as sexist to locate the origin of Trump's rudeness in his crotch as it is to assume a person can't be president because she has a vagina.
Let's recognize this for what is, folks: sexism. Trump interrupts people because he is rude. He talks about women's bodies the way he does because he is crude. He does these things because he is not -- forgive the use of the supposedly antiquated term, but there are still quite a number of us about -- a gentleman. It has nothing to do with the fact he is male.
It is just as sexist to locate the origin of Trump's rudeness in his crotch as it is to assume a person can't be president because she has a vagina.
27
"a play (I suppose) on the equally annoying "mansplaining."
Obviously abg has never had something you know and maybe just explained re-explained by a man who thinks he knows it better than you. Or offered an idea in a group to have it ignored only to have everyone congratulate the man who offers the exact same idea.
By putting a name to it, we take away the power it has to demean a whole gender. Annoying? Maybe that's because you do it?
Obviously abg has never had something you know and maybe just explained re-explained by a man who thinks he knows it better than you. Or offered an idea in a group to have it ignored only to have everyone congratulate the man who offers the exact same idea.
By putting a name to it, we take away the power it has to demean a whole gender. Annoying? Maybe that's because you do it?
1
I felt like I was watching the conspiracy theorist who had one too many and tried to convince everyone that the President is really a spy.
More definitions from the Trump Dictionary
Presidential
pre-zə-ˈden(t)-shəl
Me.
Used in a sentence:
When I wear my red Make America Great cap over my gold bouffant, it brings out the carrot colored undertones of my bloated, clownish-looking man-baby face and combined with my cheap garish tie made by underpaid Chinese factory workers, I look very presidential.
Presidential
pre-zə-ˈden(t)-shəl
Me.
Used in a sentence:
When I wear my red Make America Great cap over my gold bouffant, it brings out the carrot colored undertones of my bloated, clownish-looking man-baby face and combined with my cheap garish tie made by underpaid Chinese factory workers, I look very presidential.
2
Sanders supp. weighing in here.
This article, together with Hillary´s debate performance, is reconciling me with Sanders´s loss as I see it brings some quite important benefits to the fore of an entirely different stake that has a yuge importance of its own, to which Sanders with all his good will could never have contributed the essential quality that our society is still badly needing.
It is still clear to me that the 2016 Campaign more than anything in history has proven a former president of the USA right beyond our worst imagination, when he said that America is not a democracy any more.
It is still clear to me that the New York Times has bankrupted on its essential task to report, when a scarce amount of other reporters lead by Richard Charnin did their dear duty of a holy job in laying bare the mother of all election frauds that happened to take place in the Democratic primary of our times and the NYT, FiveThirtyEight, PolitiFact and all other mainstream media ignored their primal task and so insulated and silenced the brave ones who spoke out and stifled the spreading of the most essential information voters have a right and a claim to: to be informed when they are betrayed of their votes and the evidence is exposed.
It is also clear to me that Hillary Clinton is beholden to her donors, entirely independent from her gender, which will be decisive for the way she will shape her presidency.
Still I wish her well and good luck and if I had a vote, she´d get it
This article, together with Hillary´s debate performance, is reconciling me with Sanders´s loss as I see it brings some quite important benefits to the fore of an entirely different stake that has a yuge importance of its own, to which Sanders with all his good will could never have contributed the essential quality that our society is still badly needing.
It is still clear to me that the 2016 Campaign more than anything in history has proven a former president of the USA right beyond our worst imagination, when he said that America is not a democracy any more.
It is still clear to me that the New York Times has bankrupted on its essential task to report, when a scarce amount of other reporters lead by Richard Charnin did their dear duty of a holy job in laying bare the mother of all election frauds that happened to take place in the Democratic primary of our times and the NYT, FiveThirtyEight, PolitiFact and all other mainstream media ignored their primal task and so insulated and silenced the brave ones who spoke out and stifled the spreading of the most essential information voters have a right and a claim to: to be informed when they are betrayed of their votes and the evidence is exposed.
It is also clear to me that Hillary Clinton is beholden to her donors, entirely independent from her gender, which will be decisive for the way she will shape her presidency.
Still I wish her well and good luck and if I had a vote, she´d get it
4
By her grasp of substance and delivery, including her relaxed composture and maturity, Hilary has proven that it is now time to rewrite our gender playbook. The debate proved that there is no new Trump --the telepromter candidate we have seen these past two weeks is simply faux. Trump is Trump. He has the body of a seventy years old man with the temparament of a tantrum-throwing four year old boy. He is very unrestrained, boorish, and the reality of truth is unimportant for him. Further confirmation - unfit to be president!
4
The camera may not lie but sometimes it enlarges. It - or they - saw fit to deliver Mrs Clinton's image magnified during the split screen scenarios. She appeared larger than Mr Trump to my eye, just as the letters in the (I believe) Declaration behind her were larger than those on the same background behind Mr Trump. She appeared closer to viewers thereby as well. Deliberate? An equalizing gaze? Autofocus issues? One's tempted to say that there are no accidents, only opportunities.
I cannot imagine how anyone with a sense of good manners and/or wanting the best for our country can consider this man for president.
9
Hillary is more of a man than Trump will ever be, and more of a woman than he will ever get.
44
The craziest of all, for me, is the idea that it helps to attack a woman over her husband's infidelities; and, worse, mentioning them in an oblique way--"I was going to do it, but it would have been too mean." Tactically, strategically, this is wrong, wrong, wrong on every level.
3
Are we crazy to want to see the records of his actual financial transactions? He wants us to equate his taxes with yet more emails.
1
I only watched the first five minutes. Trump went south so fast, I was having a very hard time believing what I was hearing. I sort of laughed off all his prior antics in the primaries, etc. and speculated that he'd get real at this debate. Well, he did get real, it was only last night that I finally realized he is completely unhinged, maybe I was in my own reality to hope that prior to last nite, it was all just one long horrible bad dream. It was so painful to watch, I couldn't and decamped with a magazine and social media. A stunningly deplorable performance; now of course, Giuliani is advising that the Donald skip the next debates. As much as he'd like to duck, the opprobrium and blowback would be so severe, he might just as well go the long haul. What a poor critter, I actually started to feel sorry for him!
2
I have often wondered how men, in the heat of an argument, can dare to say, "You're too emotional!" when they, the men, are puffed up, turning purple, bulgy eyes, yelling, pointing fingers or clenching their fists and pounding their desks, to the women who are standing calmly on the other side of their desks and who are quietly waiting for the verbal storm to pass.
17
The suggestion that he was afraid to release his tax returns because they would show that he's not as wealthy as he claims was a critical point. He became so unbalanced at that point and he never recovered.
3
Plain and simple, she looked presidential and he looked like a sniffling lying misogynist who makes ridiculously childish facial expressions while listening to Hillary speak like an adult who has prepared for the job. He is rude and extremely negative. Our country is not in a shambles.
She is experienced, successful and qualified, not to mention intelligent and empathetic. While he is happily ignorant of many important presidential issues, and has no inclination to learn more. He is a bully of the utmost, a terrible business man, and should never have gone as far as he has. Anyone who supports him is supporting a racist, whether they think they are a racist or not. Shameful.
Hillary has my support. The world is counting on the rest of you to keep the crazy man out of the White House. So am I.
She is experienced, successful and qualified, not to mention intelligent and empathetic. While he is happily ignorant of many important presidential issues, and has no inclination to learn more. He is a bully of the utmost, a terrible business man, and should never have gone as far as he has. Anyone who supports him is supporting a racist, whether they think they are a racist or not. Shameful.
Hillary has my support. The world is counting on the rest of you to keep the crazy man out of the White House. So am I.
Perhaps another apt filmic comparison is to Ingmar Bergman, whose outlook, like Trump's, was always bleak, dark, pessimistic, and often utterly incomprehensible to many.
One of the biggest challenges for the media this cycle is comprehending that YES, a major party Presidential Nominee IS bold faced lying about dozens of things including saying he never said things we have on tape of him saying. When you dare challenge him, he gets nasty, blames THE MEDIA for making up something they didn't makeup and goes back on the trail repeating the same lie. HOW CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE? A sane person asks. Perhaps we are mistaken? Perhaps we missed an interview where he said what he claims he said? It's IMPOSSIBLE for a person to be a pathological liar and get those close to the White House! OH NO IT'S NOT!
In the last couple of weeks and I pray for the remainder of the campaign the media finally realizes what America saw last night. YES, the Republican nominee for President has horrible anger management issues, IS a racist and does lie endlessly and gets furious and never budges should you challenge his version of events.
IT'S TIME THE MEDIA PUT AN END TO THIS NOW. We are indeed in a crisis and voters have to be told "No folks, we have a real villain one step from the Presidency and have to do something."
In the last couple of weeks and I pray for the remainder of the campaign the media finally realizes what America saw last night. YES, the Republican nominee for President has horrible anger management issues, IS a racist and does lie endlessly and gets furious and never budges should you challenge his version of events.
IT'S TIME THE MEDIA PUT AN END TO THIS NOW. We are indeed in a crisis and voters have to be told "No folks, we have a real villain one step from the Presidency and have to do something."
Ha! I love it. I also kept hoping Hillary would offer him a Kleenex, and ask if he was ok in a soliciting tone. Maybe he could have used a chair or a cold compress. The funny thing is, if Trump hadn't hammered away on Clinton's stamina and health in a ridiculous manner, Democrats would have never gone there. They (we)don't behave that way. But turn about, etc.
And the microphone dilemma. Either it wasn't working well and he couldn't be heard, or it was working too well and made his breathing into sniffing. Another case of two opposites within minutes of each other.
He not only made Hillary change her ideas based on what he was saying, but he made NATO become aware of terrorism. What a guy!
The most offensive and not at all amusing however was Trump's insistence a couple of times that he did the country a favor by making Obama produce his birth certificate. Thoroughly insulting and disgusting and racist. This needs to be revisited in EVERY debate.
And the microphone dilemma. Either it wasn't working well and he couldn't be heard, or it was working too well and made his breathing into sniffing. Another case of two opposites within minutes of each other.
He not only made Hillary change her ideas based on what he was saying, but he made NATO become aware of terrorism. What a guy!
The most offensive and not at all amusing however was Trump's insistence a couple of times that he did the country a favor by making Obama produce his birth certificate. Thoroughly insulting and disgusting and racist. This needs to be revisited in EVERY debate.
No one respects women more than DJT. So, every one of you is worse than he is.
He is also the least rascist person. So, every one of you is more rascist thn he is.
No one know more about (fill in blank) than he does, you dummies.
Sniffle.
He is also the least rascist person. So, every one of you is more rascist thn he is.
No one know more about (fill in blank) than he does, you dummies.
Sniffle.
It's never about appearance, Mr. Trump. It's about the candidate's ability to do the job.
Excellent article. And I felt exactly the same about Clinton offering him a tissue. If only she had!
You can fool some of the people some of the time, but (let's hope) you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
It's amazing in this Information Age that so many gullible people bought into Trump.
It's amazing in this Information Age that so many gullible people bought into Trump.
You "need" a presidential look when you have nothing left to offer and you're a shallow jerk.
I'd rather have a president who does their homework, is knowledgeable, and can get along with heads of state without embarrassing the country.
I'd rather have a president who does their homework, is knowledgeable, and can get along with heads of state without embarrassing the country.
You had me laughing so hard with the Gaslight analogy. So true! While watching the debates,saw 4 Republican voters supporting Trump choke on his being gaslighted by Hillary,& like a flash they had stopped supporting him. By the end of the debate,when he didn't shake the moderators hand,all hell broke loose. They broke out in tiny hands comments. Trump trumped himself.Hallelujah for karma. As to his sniffles,probably just an after effect of the Donald Club 54 days, or his seething reaction to what was happening to him. My best impression of The Donald at the debate was when he arrived on stage,he made great use of botox,hairspray & someone finally got his makeup color right,though orange is the color this Fall. I here that the October surprise will be Hispanic hackers will be releasing his taxes. Arriba!
Still waiting for Donny to realize neither President Obama or Bill Clinton are running against him. His lack of focus is almost as bad as his stream of outright lies.
Please stop citing Tweets. It's not journalism. It's lazy.
Ned Resnikoff explored this idea in greater detail with a great article over in Medium: https://medium.com/@resnikoff/phantasmagoria-3beac7fe516d#.5qdy5plmr
His thesis is that Trump is practicing the art of "unreal politics", as espoused by "Russia's Karl Rove", Vladislav Surkov. BBC documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis describes the Surkovian style of politics in 2014:
"His aim is to undermine peoples’ perceptions of the world, so they never know what is really happening... The underlying aim, Surkov says, is not to win the war, but to use the conflict to create a constant state of destabilized perception, in order to manage and control."
His thesis is that Trump is practicing the art of "unreal politics", as espoused by "Russia's Karl Rove", Vladislav Surkov. BBC documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis describes the Surkovian style of politics in 2014:
"His aim is to undermine peoples’ perceptions of the world, so they never know what is really happening... The underlying aim, Surkov says, is not to win the war, but to use the conflict to create a constant state of destabilized perception, in order to manage and control."
Not sure what the point if this column is...
Don't worry, at the end of the film "Gaslight" Ingrid Bergman comes to her senses and sanity and her husband is arrested. Let's hope that Americans inclined to vote for Trump come to their senses too by November.
Has anyone pointed out that DJT was wearing a blue tie, rather than his usual red one?
He lies with such conviction I suspect he believes the lies in the moment, divorced from the truth. What a horrifying characteristic for a Commander in Chief.
1
I know tons of Trump supporters. Literally. They know he's prone to saying one crazy thing one moment, denying it the next, and clarifying it the next. And they don't care. For some reason, they're willing to give this thrice-divorced, quad-bankrupted, emotionally-challenged, silverspoon-fed man the benefit of the doubt that whatever he said last was the thing he really meant all along. I don't understand it. And what really galls me is that they're not even willing to consider the possibility of extending the same privilege to Ms. Clinton.
Sexism, much?
Sexism, much?
8
Last night we saw who was stronger and smarter. Being a rude bully makes you neither. That worked on his primary opponents, but it's not going to work with Hillary. She debated Barack Obama! An egotistical narcissist like Trump is child's play in comparison. So vulnerable--the baited by a Tweet line is meaningful, not just clever. And it doesn't get old. No one needs to gaslight him--he does it to himself. Great presidential material.
2
It's time: Crazy Donald.
2
Well said.
I'd like to offer a name for Trump for all and sundry to use:
BABY FACE TRUMP
what a cartoon -- him throwing spoons and miss from his highchair in a fit of pique
BABY FACE TRUMP
crying and whining in his gold plated crib: She isn't nice, boo hoo!"
BABY FACE TRUMP
sucking his trump thumb sitting in a corner pouting, red-faced and wearing a bib that says: Make Me Great Again!
BABY FACE TRUMP
use it, steal it, get it out there.
BABY FACE TRUMP!!!!
MAKE ME GREAT AGAIN! BOO HOO HOO
I'd like to offer a name for Trump for all and sundry to use:
BABY FACE TRUMP
what a cartoon -- him throwing spoons and miss from his highchair in a fit of pique
BABY FACE TRUMP
crying and whining in his gold plated crib: She isn't nice, boo hoo!"
BABY FACE TRUMP
sucking his trump thumb sitting in a corner pouting, red-faced and wearing a bib that says: Make Me Great Again!
BABY FACE TRUMP
use it, steal it, get it out there.
BABY FACE TRUMP!!!!
MAKE ME GREAT AGAIN! BOO HOO HOO
4
How is it that Hillary Clinton keeps getting a pass on her complete failure to address the issue of the outsourcing of American jobs?
I'm no Trump supporter. I don't think stealing other countries' oil, or immigrants' wages, is sound policy. I don't think the problem is that China or Mexico stole our jobs. (American corporations stole our jobs, with assistance from both of our major parties). I do think that outsourcing is a problem, and I would venture that at least some of Trump's voters are voting for him on that issue alone, and not because of racism.
How can Clinton allow the Republican to run to her left on the issue of jobs? The Democrats used to own that issue, for nearly my whole life. And yet Clinton cannot simply agree that outsourcing is bad for America, and that there are solutions that don't treat the problem as inevitable.
If she loses this election it will be because she continues to avoid this issue. If she wins it will be because Trump's personality makes him unfit to be president, and because he and many of his policies are racist. He would lose in spite of his position on American jobs, not because of it.
It seems to me that Clinton would rather forfeit winning the election than move any further to the left on the issue of jobs. (Note, this is not an issue of "trade." We can trade with the world without permitting our jobs to be shipped to other countries.)
I'm no Trump supporter. I don't think stealing other countries' oil, or immigrants' wages, is sound policy. I don't think the problem is that China or Mexico stole our jobs. (American corporations stole our jobs, with assistance from both of our major parties). I do think that outsourcing is a problem, and I would venture that at least some of Trump's voters are voting for him on that issue alone, and not because of racism.
How can Clinton allow the Republican to run to her left on the issue of jobs? The Democrats used to own that issue, for nearly my whole life. And yet Clinton cannot simply agree that outsourcing is bad for America, and that there are solutions that don't treat the problem as inevitable.
If she loses this election it will be because she continues to avoid this issue. If she wins it will be because Trump's personality makes him unfit to be president, and because he and many of his policies are racist. He would lose in spite of his position on American jobs, not because of it.
It seems to me that Clinton would rather forfeit winning the election than move any further to the left on the issue of jobs. (Note, this is not an issue of "trade." We can trade with the world without permitting our jobs to be shipped to other countries.)
1
They give him a microphone with sniffles.
He had no chance.
He had no chance.
Like a Boss Hillary! Like a Boss
Donald you're fired
Donald you're fired
Someone on Twitter said "Clinton came dressed in the blood of men who'd underestimated her". Meaning the red dress, and everything else.
It seems fitting that a woman who has been the target of so many conspiracy theories, unbridled sexism, and unsubstantiated rage for so long -- simply because she has the audacity to be intelligent and qualified -- should be the person to so competently and thoroughly dismantle a candidate like Donald Trump.
No Republican was able to do it during the primary because they needed Mr. Trump's hardcore supporters. That meant they couldn't forcefully call out birtherism for being a racist lie, for example. Indeed, many of them have fed the same fears about a foreign-born president for years. And they couldn't rip into his tax proposals since they're not too dissimilar from the Republican party's core philosophy of tax cuts that tend to favor the wealthy.
Hillary Clinton had the confidence of a person who had seen it all before and knows that beneath it all, Trump's candidacy is based on little more than swagger.
No Republican was able to do it during the primary because they needed Mr. Trump's hardcore supporters. That meant they couldn't forcefully call out birtherism for being a racist lie, for example. Indeed, many of them have fed the same fears about a foreign-born president for years. And they couldn't rip into his tax proposals since they're not too dissimilar from the Republican party's core philosophy of tax cuts that tend to favor the wealthy.
Hillary Clinton had the confidence of a person who had seen it all before and knows that beneath it all, Trump's candidacy is based on little more than swagger.
Regarding “very against-police judge”, “a fed doing political things”, etc., I thought it reminded me of something....Buffy Speak!
Yay! Truth in the eye and ear of the beholder. Thank you. Even with the sound turned off.
I am very happy with Lester Holt today. By and large (aside from significant fact checks), he let Trump do Trump. The rudeness, interruptions, shouting, distortions (lies) were all out there in full view. As was Hillary's skill.
It's interesting to listen to some of the right wing commentators on the radio trying to make believe their listeners that Donald Duck won the debates. These people are clearly delusional.
Thank you Susan, I thought there was something wrong with me.
I like the matador, unabashedly dressed in red, skewering the bull time and time again. How many times did the bull lunge and miss. She played him well. The finale was to gore the bull with his own words. Magnificent! Bravo. The bull dragged himself away muttering revenge.
The gaslighting theory raises the issue of whether Trump really is going crazy - an obvious sociopath who is all façade and no substance, who's never done this kind of thing before, and with a an eggshell-fragile ego to boot, being put under the biggest spotlight in the world - I expect we'll see the final decompensation any day now.
That's the strength of crazy--they are geniuses at getting normal people to wonder if they are the crazy ones. Maybe Trump really didn't say the things he patently said. Maybe Hillary really did start the birther thing. Maybe he does have a secret plan to destroy ISIS. Trump is masterful at it and it throws off people who generally tell the truth, trust others, believe people actually want to solve problems and expect reason. We need to stop giving Trump the benefit of the doubt. The lights really are flickering. He really is a totally self-serving liar.
That pat on the back says it all. The Donald Duck Trumpet is condescending to all women, as though he is their Gawd and savior. It is utterly disgusting to see the bass tid treating a seasoned politician as though she were a shrinking violet.
How do we get this clown off the ballot?
How do we get this clown off the ballot?
“offered him a tissue..”
Oh that WOULD have been priceless!!!
“Mom she’s touching me--she’s touching me!!”
Oh that WOULD have been priceless!!!
“Mom she’s touching me--she’s touching me!!”
Trump is what he was raised to be; a spoiled little rich kid used to getting his way. All Donnie's life, Daddy took care of everything. Little Donnie didn't need to answer to anyone, not teachers, not classmates, not girl-friends, not wives, not vendors...no one. Donnie just gets his way, no explanations and, especially, no apologies necessary. Just bulldoze the situation, just like he bulldozed people's homes in Atlantic City for his casinos, only to declare bankruptcy.
No, Trump is who he is, as are his supporters; the Republican nationalists who have been rabidly waiting for eight years under that black usurper for their Great White Hope to emerge, and enact their revenge on the country.
Although many despair the rise of this unfit poseur, the paradox is that this election will prove the resilience of our democracy, when rational citizens repudiate this demagogue and his intolerant and ignorant minions. Trump can't happen in our country. We are, in the end, better than this.
No, Trump is who he is, as are his supporters; the Republican nationalists who have been rabidly waiting for eight years under that black usurper for their Great White Hope to emerge, and enact their revenge on the country.
Although many despair the rise of this unfit poseur, the paradox is that this election will prove the resilience of our democracy, when rational citizens repudiate this demagogue and his intolerant and ignorant minions. Trump can't happen in our country. We are, in the end, better than this.
Oh, wow! And you didn't even have to use the word narcissist....it was strongly implied. I loved the term ""unfit poseur," as well as "rabidly waiting...under...usurper." You nailed it! Wow!
1
Here's the unfettered truth: Whenever people actually see Hillary, as oppose to hear mostly men's opinions of her, they are flabbergasted and pleasantly surprised by how smart, warm, funny and competent she is.
Go Hillary. Yes, you've had to dance backwards and in high heels, but you will win in the end.
Go Hillary. Yes, you've had to dance backwards and in high heels, but you will win in the end.
As a staunch Hillary supporter I deeply resent your slam at men. You don't know if it's mostly men and why turn it into a gender thing, anyway? From a political perspective all you can accomplish is to alienate people - mostly men - who might be on the fence but leaning towards voting for her. An injudicious comment all around.
1
An insightful and well argued piece that is pretty well insulated from being dissembled by rational thinking. Unfortunately, it also goes to the heart of what our founders most feared for the survival of democracy, an uneducated public. High anxiety and low information are the best friends of a used car salesman and a demagogue.
This is one of the three lead stories in the Times right now, each anti-Trump. The fourth is "Hillary, at ease, seems utterly herself."
Seems fair and balanced.
Seems fair and balanced.
On the picture of Clinton and Trump at the end of the debate: get your hands off her, you freaking twit. Being pawed without our permission is just one more indignity that women know only to well.
This makes my day! Thank you, Ms. Dominus.
Mr. Trump still obviously believes that white men will carry him to the White House. He panders to them because he thinks they will be enough. Fortunately for our great country, it is not enough. He is still bigoted, saying that blacks who live in big cities can't walk down the street without getting shot. And implies that it is all their fault. Trump is a man who has no idea how much he belittles women and minorities; he truly believes that what he says is true, and he is incapable of learning differently.
He has embraced and exaggerated the GOP's traditional stance of being, at the very very least, standoffish regarding women and minorities, particularly those who "don't know their place." If Trump were even half as much of a genius as he claims, he would figure out how wrong he is about his bigotry, but he has not once shown any insight into this issue or any other issue.
I remember the 50s and 60s. No way I want to go back there!
He has embraced and exaggerated the GOP's traditional stance of being, at the very very least, standoffish regarding women and minorities, particularly those who "don't know their place." If Trump were even half as much of a genius as he claims, he would figure out how wrong he is about his bigotry, but he has not once shown any insight into this issue or any other issue.
I remember the 50s and 60s. No way I want to go back there!
I spent much of the night hoping that Hillary would take a more prosecutorial approach, and become more forceful when Trump interrupted. But in retrospect, I think she played it precisely right. She showed a human side, a female side if you will, and one we can all relate to.
She was June Cleaver to Trump's Eddie Haskell.
Hillary, last night, didn't try to impress us as an imitation of a man. She displayed a woman's sensibility--she cares about those things women care about (and all of us should care about). About violence, and war, and children. And she showed us how a person with female sensibilities can be a decision maker and a leader; how, after generations of male leadership, female leadership has become a necessity.
She didn't just win the debate last night, she led the way to a change in how women are perceived. Little girls can grow up to believe that they can become leaders without having to change who they are. And little boys can grow up with a new kind of respect for them.
That job is not done, but Hillary has pointed the way.
She was June Cleaver to Trump's Eddie Haskell.
Hillary, last night, didn't try to impress us as an imitation of a man. She displayed a woman's sensibility--she cares about those things women care about (and all of us should care about). About violence, and war, and children. And she showed us how a person with female sensibilities can be a decision maker and a leader; how, after generations of male leadership, female leadership has become a necessity.
She didn't just win the debate last night, she led the way to a change in how women are perceived. Little girls can grow up to believe that they can become leaders without having to change who they are. And little boys can grow up with a new kind of respect for them.
That job is not done, but Hillary has pointed the way.
Bill, I couldn't agree more with your comment and your words beginning with "Little girls can grow up to be... and little boys can grow up to respect... touch me to the core of my being. TY
Ahh, yes - that 'Presidential Look'. Red-faced, spluttering, mouthing off whatever irrelevant phrases come to mind. How can anyone possibly take Donny seriously again?