Trump will never be the President Obama was.
99
The article is a treatise on a known set of facts written beautifully. One would ask, why state the obvious? Lest the people actually forget. A phenomenon like Obama White House happens very rarely - may be once in a few generations.
And that is precisely the point. The deep prejudice towards colored skins, extreme narcissism, and an over-inflated ego, all contributed to the epic rage in Donald Trump, to the extent that nothing else mattered. If were it not for Obama Presidency to succeed, it is doubtful if the bromance between Trump and Putin would flourish this way. Putin got hurt in the 8 preceding years politically and financially. Trump got hurt in his ego. Thus a pair was born.
The fact is that the damage done by Trump is far reaching. He has created new racial flares in the country. He has been successful to convince his large follower base that Russia is trying to help US not hurt us. By this delusional and dangerous ideology a vast section of population has completely closed their minds, eyes, and ears to everybody but Donald Trump. The loyalty is unconditional for them towards Trump. Because, he is seen as the last savior of their white race. These people come in 2 profiles - the poor who lacks education and awareness and binge watches Fox News, and the other the more affluent who gains from tax cuts over the dead bodies of middle class Americans. For the affluent class, the hate works like magic. Against minorities and immigrants who beat them by their hard work.
And that is precisely the point. The deep prejudice towards colored skins, extreme narcissism, and an over-inflated ego, all contributed to the epic rage in Donald Trump, to the extent that nothing else mattered. If were it not for Obama Presidency to succeed, it is doubtful if the bromance between Trump and Putin would flourish this way. Putin got hurt in the 8 preceding years politically and financially. Trump got hurt in his ego. Thus a pair was born.
The fact is that the damage done by Trump is far reaching. He has created new racial flares in the country. He has been successful to convince his large follower base that Russia is trying to help US not hurt us. By this delusional and dangerous ideology a vast section of population has completely closed their minds, eyes, and ears to everybody but Donald Trump. The loyalty is unconditional for them towards Trump. Because, he is seen as the last savior of their white race. These people come in 2 profiles - the poor who lacks education and awareness and binge watches Fox News, and the other the more affluent who gains from tax cuts over the dead bodies of middle class Americans. For the affluent class, the hate works like magic. Against minorities and immigrants who beat them by their hard work.
83
I miss the dignity and intelligence of President Obama. Every day.
133
"The sociopath will always accuse you of doing the very thing that they are guilty of themselves. They do this to deflect the attention from them."
Trump is jealous of most anyone who is better than he is. And that's gotta be tough, because most people are.
Most people you deal with in the course of a day are reasonably honest, sincere, respectful. All foreign concepts to Trump.
Think Pinocchio. He can't stop himself from lying. His nose doesn't grow, but in the eyes of most of the world, it might as well. He desperately wants to be a real boy but he doesn't know how. He ends up as a punchline on late night tv.
We're only six months in. There is only one way this is headed from here. And it's not upward.
Trump is jealous of most anyone who is better than he is. And that's gotta be tough, because most people are.
Most people you deal with in the course of a day are reasonably honest, sincere, respectful. All foreign concepts to Trump.
Think Pinocchio. He can't stop himself from lying. His nose doesn't grow, but in the eyes of most of the world, it might as well. He desperately wants to be a real boy but he doesn't know how. He ends up as a punchline on late night tv.
We're only six months in. There is only one way this is headed from here. And it's not upward.
59
All the horrible dictators of years past were destructive & vengeful. They never too successful at destroying the History books however.
... Trump was, is, and will always be a loser in the real world. The History books would only narrate his ugliness.
... Trump was, is, and will always be a loser in the real world. The History books would only narrate his ugliness.
92
Trump wishes to erase Obama's accomplishments and consign his election and administration to an historical footnote rather than regard it as the climactic evolution it truly signifies. He will not prevail, but his attitudes and the tragic fact that he appealed to a significant portion of our population attests to the enduring, poisonous effect of white racism. He personifies, in his rhetoric and actions, our legacy of slavery. It is the sin that clings to us, the ghost that haunts us. Maybe we should see these emanations from Trump as a blessing in disguise: he represents the truth about our country which we would rather not see, and if we cannot see it and name it, how can we correct it?
47
It is both, amusing and sad, to even think of the two men in a comparative way.
One, bright, articulate, moral, honorable, admired, witty, talented, and faithful.
The other, buffoonish, inarticulate, immoral, dishonorable, immature, cruel, and, faithful only to himself.
One, bright, articulate, moral, honorable, admired, witty, talented, and faithful.
The other, buffoonish, inarticulate, immoral, dishonorable, immature, cruel, and, faithful only to himself.
74
You're not the first to figure out Trump's obsessive compulsive obsession with his predecessor, President Obama. Trump already knows he can't match him in skill, oratorical ability, mannerisms or any other we the qualities we find in most every decent human being. Did I mention the color of his skin?
The best Trump can ever hope for is to be the man who followed President t makes Trump squirm in light of his history with bigotry.
The best Trump can ever hope for is to be the man who followed President t makes Trump squirm in light of his history with bigotry.
23
The best predictor of what Trump will do is Obama: whatever Obama did, Trump reverses.
Cuba, Russia, taxes, healthcare, immigration, climate change. Find an Obama policy, and you have a mirror image of Trump policy.
There's also humor and insight and competent staff, but those were Trump anti-traits before he'd even heard of Obama.
Cuba, Russia, taxes, healthcare, immigration, climate change. Find an Obama policy, and you have a mirror image of Trump policy.
There's also humor and insight and competent staff, but those were Trump anti-traits before he'd even heard of Obama.
8
It is not Trump's obsession, it is the media's obsession and so far both are getting away by swimming together in an intellectual blackhole.
5
"Obama was a phenomenon. He was elegant and cerebral. He was devoid of personal scandal and drenched in personal erudition. He was a walking, talking rebuttal to white supremacy and the myths of black pathology and inferiority. He was the personification of the possible — a possible future in which legacy power and advantages are redistributed more broadly to all with the gift of talent and the discipline to excel."
Thank you, this is a beautifully written column. I predict that if President Obama is successfully erased from our 'official' history and his legacy destroyed, that in the distant future he will have become the stuff of mythic legend...
Thank you, this is a beautifully written column. I predict that if President Obama is successfully erased from our 'official' history and his legacy destroyed, that in the distant future he will have become the stuff of mythic legend...
55
He is only good at fighting press. No legal bill passed and signed so far ! May be Mexican wall and not showing tax return will be done in next 4-years ?
18
This goes back to Obama poking fun of "The Donald" at that correspondents dinner (I think) years ago. I never thought I'd miss Nixon.
48
Excellent Mr. Blow! Tell it like it is: Trump's guiding "principle" of governance is based solely on political spite. Pure and simple. If Obama did it, Trump will undo it. Can't wait for the next president to undo Trump.
75
Don't forget the efforts of Mitch McConnell to obstruct and now repeal Obama's work. Despicable.
106
Dear Mr. Trump,
"Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."
Anon.
"Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."
Anon.
84
Yes, low brow, incurious ... our current 'president' is a complete disaster. But my brain cannot wrap itsel around what caused his ascendancy : racist, low info, red state so-called 'Americans' with no compassion and not one discerning thought... oh well, we certainly do reap what we sow and this coming crop debacle is about to ruin our Nation... Vote in 2018 as if all our lives depend on it... because they certainly do!!
And Charles M Blow? Keep on keeping on... you are a treasure !!
And Charles M Blow? Keep on keeping on... you are a treasure !!
40
Obama, one of the best. Trump, the absolute worst.
45
I hope this doesn't sound crude, but in addition to his ethics, will, and intelligence, Obama is simply, physically, a beautiful person. How unbearable Trump must find that, how crucial to erase it.
44
The only silver lining to all this, is that all that absurd negative obstructionist garbage from the far right throughout Obama's presidency is getting its day in the sun (with a unified majority in Congress no less) to try it's best to deliver on all its absurd rhetoric over the last 8 years - instead of succeeding, it is collapsing on itself, on its own hollow spiteful substance-lacking vindictive vacuousness.
If there is any karma and righteousness in the world (which I believe there is) the pendulum will swing back hard after the long and drawn out train wreck of the Trump government.
If there is any karma and righteousness in the world (which I believe there is) the pendulum will swing back hard after the long and drawn out train wreck of the Trump government.
38
Having the title of President it turns out is nothing. Obama as an honorable man is worth a million DTs.
37
Thank you Charles. I hope I can call you by your first name as I feel a kinship to you.
Please keep on with your articles on toxic Trump. He is reprehensible and that is the nicest word I have for that lunatic.
I've said it before and I will say it again, Trump is not and will never be my president.
We had the best. Need I say more?
Please keep on with your articles on toxic Trump. He is reprehensible and that is the nicest word I have for that lunatic.
I've said it before and I will say it again, Trump is not and will never be my president.
We had the best. Need I say more?
42
Charles Blow appears pretty seriously invested in the notion that racism caused Trump's election. But he never seems to ask himself why so many white voters voted 2X for a black man with a Muslim sounding name, and then turned around and voted for Trump in 2016. "Racism" seems like a dubious explanation.
Might "economic anxiety" be part of the answer? No, apparently that is a "myth" according to "recent research."
Well, you don't have to do much research in contemporary America to find people living paycheck to paycheck, worried about losing jobs or healthcare, or foundering under massive student loans or other debt.
Economic anxiety is real in our country It is pervasive. Anyone who doesn't see that isn't looking very hard--perhaps because acknowledging it suggests that Barack Obama was a mediocre president who didn't accomplish much toward helping the US deal with its most pressing problems.
Might "economic anxiety" be part of the answer? No, apparently that is a "myth" according to "recent research."
Well, you don't have to do much research in contemporary America to find people living paycheck to paycheck, worried about losing jobs or healthcare, or foundering under massive student loans or other debt.
Economic anxiety is real in our country It is pervasive. Anyone who doesn't see that isn't looking very hard--perhaps because acknowledging it suggests that Barack Obama was a mediocre president who didn't accomplish much toward helping the US deal with its most pressing problems.
14
Given the deserved disdain most Europeans show toward Trump, some enterprising person over here could probably make a lot of money selling Obama and Hillary bumper stickers to American overseas travelers. One of those on a suitcase would sidestep a lot of snarky questions from Europeans.
20
I'm not a psychologist but I know from personal experience the patterns of behavior of a pathological narcissist and, as it appears to me, Trump follows the pattern to perfection. Basically, such individuals suffer profound lack of self-esteem and have a need to parasitically latch onto an object of envy, who they wish to emulate, while simultaneously having the need to destroy the living breathing object of their envy. Trump's Obama obsession is clear, yet he also has a constant pattern of tearing down people, who in any way, shape or form threaten his ego. The only ones who have a chance of evading his wrath are the yes men and women who he has surrounded himself with, as evidenced by the recent cabinet meeting where each member started out, as they spoke one-by-one, by praising the Emperor's new clothes.
65
Thank you for writing this, Charles. I too was struck by the findings reported by Thomas Edsall that "racial resentment" was more important for Trump voters than "economic adversity."
In this light, the election of Mr. Trump makes a little more sense. He is a direct and logical outcome of the longstanding and horrible Republican propaganda program of welfare queens, Willie Hortons and other symbols of racial resentment and hate.
In this light, the election of Mr. Trump makes a little more sense. He is a direct and logical outcome of the longstanding and horrible Republican propaganda program of welfare queens, Willie Hortons and other symbols of racial resentment and hate.
62
"For Trump, the mark of being a successful president is the degree to which he can expunge Obama’s presidency."
Let's all hope, then, that President Trump is extremely successful!
Let's all hope, then, that President Trump is extremely successful!
3
Thank you Mr. Blow. President Obama set a high bar for the office. I miss him terribly, but I wish him well and thank him for his service. Out of all the candidates running for this office, we may have chosen the least of those candidates to occupy the White House. He is merely a placeholder and seems unable to accomplish anything of great importance. He can do some harm. We can weather that. We need to get back on track. God bless the United States of America.
31
The look on trump's face during the Correspondents's Dinner during Obama's speech said it all! The barbed wit and humor in the speech showed the elegance and intellect from Obama. Trump's clumsy and mean speech at the Al Smith dinner showed what a barbarian he is.
Because Obama is biracial, many were hoping he would fail on every count. It seems as though trump was among them. Because he didn't and is still held in high esteem, it must drive trump crazy, hence this obsession.
Trump will never, never achieve the heights that Obama achieved and he knows it.
Because Obama is biracial, many were hoping he would fail on every count. It seems as though trump was among them. Because he didn't and is still held in high esteem, it must drive trump crazy, hence this obsession.
Trump will never, never achieve the heights that Obama achieved and he knows it.
9
Trump suffered some sort of psychic break or horrible trauma at age 10-13 that stopped his emotional development at that age.
His hard base voters are similarly stunted emotionally at this level. This has nothing to do with intelligence, education level or professional success.
It does have to do with insecurities, deep anger issues, and personal and professional relationships.
Yes, emotional 12 year olds can become billionaires.
They are stunted. Not adults.
His hard base voters are similarly stunted emotionally at this level. This has nothing to do with intelligence, education level or professional success.
It does have to do with insecurities, deep anger issues, and personal and professional relationships.
Yes, emotional 12 year olds can become billionaires.
They are stunted. Not adults.
37
The debater who used to get tired of his losing arguments and began banging the table with his shoe has now morphed into the progressive robot who merely dismisses his enemy and - often - all those who voted for him as either crazy or stupid.
How sad that CM can't share a single political issue of the day, having been sent here by one of his blog teachers. but the fake-psychiatrist theme is really inventive, we've only seen two hundred better versions.
How sad that CM can't share a single political issue of the day, having been sent here by one of his blog teachers. but the fake-psychiatrist theme is really inventive, we've only seen two hundred better versions.
2
This article mirrored my own thoughts; that Trump is so jealous of Obama, he wants to eradicate him from the map. Oh...how I miss the verbiage and articulateness of our wonderful and past president, who was such an inspiration.
Sigh.
Sigh.
57
It's not just Trump. Some of the Republican zeal for destroying the Affordable Care Act derives from what is has been the Republican raison d'être ever since the Reagan era, cutting taxes and facilitating the transfer of the nation's wealth to the wealthy. But much of the zeal and current urgency derives from the spiteful, hateful partisan desire to eradicate the illegitimate [Black] usurper Obama from the history books. That hatred has been the main thing Republicans have fed their loyal voters for the last eight years, camouflaging the fact that the Republican agenda offers nothing for 99.9% of Americans.
If Republicans believe condemning at least 22 million people to sickness and death-- in what can only be called a genocide-- is what's necessary to achieve their imperatives of enriching the wealthy and annihilating Obama's legacy, they'll do it without the slightest pang of regret or compassion. The wealth care bills passed in the House and temporarily delayed in the Senate are proof that Republicans care only about keeping their jobs and their majority by exclusively satisfying their donors and most loyal voters. Everyone else in the country is expendable and irrelevant.
Trump cares only about feeding his ego, building his brand, and enriching his businesses. The country exists solely to help him do that. Today he apparently believes adopting the Republican agenda will further those goals. There's no way to know what he will believe tomorrow.
If Republicans believe condemning at least 22 million people to sickness and death-- in what can only be called a genocide-- is what's necessary to achieve their imperatives of enriching the wealthy and annihilating Obama's legacy, they'll do it without the slightest pang of regret or compassion. The wealth care bills passed in the House and temporarily delayed in the Senate are proof that Republicans care only about keeping their jobs and their majority by exclusively satisfying their donors and most loyal voters. Everyone else in the country is expendable and irrelevant.
Trump cares only about feeding his ego, building his brand, and enriching his businesses. The country exists solely to help him do that. Today he apparently believes adopting the Republican agenda will further those goals. There's no way to know what he will believe tomorrow.
28
What a coincidence! In today's Opinion Pages, Charles Blow and Susan Chira ("Who Likes Trump's Tweets and Why") each paint quite a picture of Trump supporters: white racist misogynists bent on reversing social progress out of their own insecurity and fear. Economics may have had less to do with Trump's shocking victory that we first thought. (I can't help but wonder if the majority of the women who support Trump haven't experienced physical/emotional abuse in their personal lives and unconsciously believe they deserve it. I say this with the greatest sadness and concern.)
Hey, wait a minute: There are no coincidences. As someone recently told me: "Coincidence is the form God takes when s/he wants to stop by without attracting attention."
Hey, wait a minute: There are no coincidences. As someone recently told me: "Coincidence is the form God takes when s/he wants to stop by without attracting attention."
24
Charles has hit the nail on the head. Trump is trash. Always has been. Always will be. He knows it. Can't admit it. Can't change it. Sadly his trashiness is spilling over to our country.
53
President Obama. a wonderful person, our country was blessed to have him as our President, many accomplishments, always sincere, and always in the best interest of our country. The country, and the world community would be well served with the impeachment of this incompetent, unfit dishonorable current
president. The congress should find the backbone, guts, and propriety to remove
this President.
president. The congress should find the backbone, guts, and propriety to remove
this President.
31
Not everyone is as enamored of Obama as Charles Blow or the New York Times. Many of us were counting the days until he left office. He was not the wonder boy as they have made him out to be. He did not create any miracles or do anything spectacular that other presidents have not accomplished. If he had been so wonderful, Hillary Clinton would be in the White House right now and the house and senate would be occupied by more democrats. His fans have put him on a pedestal and it is puzzling as to why? He did not do anything unusual while in office. He was rather ordinary in many respects.
5
Obama strengthened American standing in the world. He used reputation points to tighten sanctions on Russia and to negotiate a useful treaty with Iran.
He didn't start any wars. He ended American military involvement in Iraq. Had Republicans not thwarted him, he would have closed Guantanamo. And he brought affordable healthcare to 35 million Americans or so.
I only wish those accomplishments were "ordinary".
Pedestal? No. He should have let all the Bush tax cuts expire. He should have pushed for the public option and a total repeal of the Patriot Act. He should have created more controls and transparency around the use of military drones.
He should have withdrawn at last from Afghanistan. My children graduated from college not knowing one day with the country at peace.
But I count the days until we have an ordinary president again.
He didn't start any wars. He ended American military involvement in Iraq. Had Republicans not thwarted him, he would have closed Guantanamo. And he brought affordable healthcare to 35 million Americans or so.
I only wish those accomplishments were "ordinary".
Pedestal? No. He should have let all the Bush tax cuts expire. He should have pushed for the public option and a total repeal of the Patriot Act. He should have created more controls and transparency around the use of military drones.
He should have withdrawn at last from Afghanistan. My children graduated from college not knowing one day with the country at peace.
But I count the days until we have an ordinary president again.
60
Uhh - let's see - perhaps you forgot:
Stopping the Great Recession from becoming a depression. GM, GE, IBM and a whole bunch of banks would have been roadkill.
Bringing some moral authority back to the US by ending the torture and brining our troops home from a war we didn't need to be in.
Making Bin Laden into a has been.
Bringing health care to people with pre-existing conditions.
Attempting to do something about global warming.
Bringing back fiscal balance
All this with a level of opposition that was unparalleled...
And with a lot of grace and charm.
Now - I personally blame Obama for being too reserved. He should have used the bully pulpit more and could have accomplished a lot more.
Unfortunately- all we have now is a bully.
Stopping the Great Recession from becoming a depression. GM, GE, IBM and a whole bunch of banks would have been roadkill.
Bringing some moral authority back to the US by ending the torture and brining our troops home from a war we didn't need to be in.
Making Bin Laden into a has been.
Bringing health care to people with pre-existing conditions.
Attempting to do something about global warming.
Bringing back fiscal balance
All this with a level of opposition that was unparalleled...
And with a lot of grace and charm.
Now - I personally blame Obama for being too reserved. He should have used the bully pulpit more and could have accomplished a lot more.
Unfortunately- all we have now is a bully.
28
Trump is a fraud, no matter which way the wind blows. And an unrepentant 'racist'. Given that he is celebrated by his enablers, it doe not bespeak well for our persistent racist attitudes, an ethnic discrimination that diminishes us to mere idiotic vulgarity.
24
The sign of strength in a man is when he stands tall facing his adversaries who try again and again to destroy him, his person, his very existence, when they try to lynch him with symbolic rope. But the strong man knows who he is and he goes forth, not to be denied. Obama is the epitome of this man. He is a man of personal strength and moral rectitude. Trump will never get close to this kind of honor and will end his days a weak, angry, defeated man.
BHO, we love you!
BHO, we love you!
53
I think you are correct. I also think that Obamas's legacy is still being formed and shaped by Obama himself. Hopefully he will remain silent about the worst of Trumps's jabs. And hopefully he will find a path for continued service. In time Obama will be viewed in a much larger continuum. Obama's most important contributions may be still to come. Have faith.
44
The bottom line is that DT will never achieve admiration among the people he wants the most, his peers if he has any true supporters. He does not care about the working class.
31
trump is a piece of trash.
my intellectual comment for the day.
my intellectual comment for the day.
67
To borrow a phrase, Trump is to honor, integrity and intelligence what Jeffrey Dahmer was to fine dining. In every measure of men, Obama trumps him... effortlesslly. There is neither enough money nor power on the planet to create in Trump even a faint similarity to Barack Obama. Join me in praying for America.
57
It would be such sweet revenge to have another person of color become POTUS in 2020! Racism was the root of the 2016 elections and it has exploded into full view under Trump. All the ugliness of the GOP policies & initiatives driven by the white 'black money' from Koch borthers & Mercer foundations all have a serious undercurrent of racism. Obama was classy & Trump is trashy! No doubt about this.
31
So we are 5 months into this Gothic Horror Story. I can see no happy outcome for this impending train wreck. Trump has totally trashed the Office of President. It's going to take more than Servpro to clean up this mess. And for the "preachers daughter" to make excuses for his child-like behavior, speaks volumes for her so-called "christian values!" Like father - like daughter.
38
I wholeheartedly agree with another commenter - Dan Shipp - that the principle cornerstone of Trump's insatiable drive for the presidency was laid at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner, where President Obama "roasted" Trump mercilessly for his birtherism, among other things. Trump had it coming, brought it on himself, but I'm convinced that the ember laid in Trump's belly at that dinner burns as hotly as ever.
Now, five months into the gaudeville of the Trump administration, we've seen ample proof that Trump is largely motivated by vengeance, as witness his deliberate humiliation of Mitt Romney at a private dinner billed (by Trump surrogates - and sadly, by many news outlets who bought into yet another Trump lie - as an "interview" for the position of Secretary of State. And, of course, as witness Trump's brick by brick attempt to tear down any legislative or executive structure with President Obama's name on it or associated with it without regard to the damage is many or does do to the nation, as written here by Mr. Blow.
Trump isn't half the man President Obama is, and can't hope to be one scintilla of the president Obama was. Trump is a tiny, tiny person.
Now, five months into the gaudeville of the Trump administration, we've seen ample proof that Trump is largely motivated by vengeance, as witness his deliberate humiliation of Mitt Romney at a private dinner billed (by Trump surrogates - and sadly, by many news outlets who bought into yet another Trump lie - as an "interview" for the position of Secretary of State. And, of course, as witness Trump's brick by brick attempt to tear down any legislative or executive structure with President Obama's name on it or associated with it without regard to the damage is many or does do to the nation, as written here by Mr. Blow.
Trump isn't half the man President Obama is, and can't hope to be one scintilla of the president Obama was. Trump is a tiny, tiny person.
53
To bad Mr. Trump, no matter how much you undo Pres. Obama's legacy, you can't remove the man. You will go down as the worst President ever to hold the office. The one thing that you will have until the end of time, your name will be synonymous with blustering failure.
45
Trump's attempts to deligitimize the first black president completely backfires on him. It just makes us appreciate Obama's character so much more.
48
The spirit of Barack Obama, his benevolent intentions for the American people - these cannot be erased. When Democrats take back the government, Mr. Obama's achievements could be resurrected, dusted off, and made even better. He will never be "erased" by the least popular president in American history.
36
Yes, Trump achieved some level of wealth (not as much as he pretends) but has never achieved anything close to standing.
16
Huckabee speaks regularly to God and God approves her work for Trump...
Real good!
Real good!
2
President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. That says a lot about who Mr. Obama is. Period.
13
So many of the barbs Trump aims at his adversaries seem to be prjections of his own issues and insecurities. His insinuation that Obama didn't author his biography "Dreams of my Father", for example, can be viewed against the recent blasts from his own ghostwriter (http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/07/25/donald-trumps-ghostwriter-t... who regrets his role and time spent with his subject. Crooked Hillary? Trump has many associations with shady characters (e.g. The Making of Donald Trump" by David Cay Johnston) and stiffs those he does business with (https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/09/28/i-sold-trump....
Obama's character and achievements elude Trump in every possible way.
Obama's character and achievements elude Trump in every possible way.
24
Please leave Obama out of it already, the comparison and mention that Trump's inferiority complex causes him to want to obliterate Obama from the history books is becoming a dead horse theme in these columns. Just bash Trump, there's plenty to write about without bringing up 44.
Obama wasn't that great for the average American. Wall Street got bailed out, Main Street got foreclosures. We're still in Afghanistan, Guantanamo is still open, parts of the Arab world are worse off than when 43 left office. Inequality is worse than ever. Obama was mostly center-right masquerading as a Democrat, 4 decades ago he would have been asked to switch parties. But when the GOP took a sharp turn to the right, the Democrats jerked on the steering wheel in the same direction.
Besides throwing the obstructionist and incompetent Republicans out of office, this country needs a Democratic president that's center-left, not only not cozy to large corporations but openly hostile to them. You know, "they are unanimous in their hate for me- and I welcome their hatred." Reminds me of someone the NYT either ignored or vilified?
Obama wasn't that great for the average American. Wall Street got bailed out, Main Street got foreclosures. We're still in Afghanistan, Guantanamo is still open, parts of the Arab world are worse off than when 43 left office. Inequality is worse than ever. Obama was mostly center-right masquerading as a Democrat, 4 decades ago he would have been asked to switch parties. But when the GOP took a sharp turn to the right, the Democrats jerked on the steering wheel in the same direction.
Besides throwing the obstructionist and incompetent Republicans out of office, this country needs a Democratic president that's center-left, not only not cozy to large corporations but openly hostile to them. You know, "they are unanimous in their hate for me- and I welcome their hatred." Reminds me of someone the NYT either ignored or vilified?
9
Eloquent assessment, and a very sad one.
I've been around for a while, and though there have been many previous instances of a new president reversing some of his (so far) priorities, I don't remember any who were so obsessed. Reagan took Carter's solar panels off of the White House roof, a rather petty stroke, but he never publicly demeaned him.
If Trump wants to be remembered favorably, he'd better grow up.
I've been around for a while, and though there have been many previous instances of a new president reversing some of his (so far) priorities, I don't remember any who were so obsessed. Reagan took Carter's solar panels off of the White House roof, a rather petty stroke, but he never publicly demeaned him.
If Trump wants to be remembered favorably, he'd better grow up.
12
"For Trump, even plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act aren’t so much about creating better policy as they are about dismantling Obama’s legacy."
Come on! They are not at all about policy; they are only, completely and absolutely about erasing Obama, who is everything Trump will never be, which can be summed up in one word: admirable.
Come on! They are not at all about policy; they are only, completely and absolutely about erasing Obama, who is everything Trump will never be, which can be summed up in one word: admirable.
25
President Obama tried his best, to do what was best for the entire country; within the pretzel logic parameters of DC politics. In doing so....he can smile now. Thank you, MR. President you have made me proud to be American.
28
Hey Donnie, don't look now... the whole world is laughing at you and the US...
You're sad...
You're sad...
24
History will record Obama in very esteemed light, whereas Trump will be an embarrassing footnote to a country temporarily taken over by racist hatred coupled with economic resentment, electing a sad, pathetic, incompetent aging grifter locked into his Shakespearean tragedy of trying to prove his worth to his long deceased, loveless tyrannical father.
47
Wow! Yes. Beautifully said. Thank you.
12
the only thing i'd disagree with is that obama's elegance, education, erudition, lack of scandal and apparently impressive home life were rebuttals to white supremacists....it would be proof to them that his white mother made it all possible.
6
Before you rush to judgment, don't you think just a drop of that blackness completely eviscerates all that "white goodness"? That's the reality millions live with. Obama remains black, too late for the supremacists to claim him now!
14
lateef.....i know the one drop rule, but i recall the nonsense in the nba several decades ago about a starting five needing one white guy to run the show.
4
Stupid = ignoring all of these: a candidate's sexual assault history, their failures at running businesses, their friendships with Roy Cohn and Roger Stone, their dog whistling racist and violent public displays, their praise for dictators like Putin and Jong Il, their past acting gigs as John Miller and John Barron bragging about DJT, their lack of knowledge on how government works. Let's exchange "stupid" for "critical thinking skills."
1
An insightful column. Generally, Trump makes all differences of opinion into personal attacks on those he either disagrees with or whom he perceives as having wronged him. Lacking the knowledge and the intellectual sophistication to debate opponents on the basis of their respective policy positions, he instead resorts to childish name calling.
However, his attacks on his predecessor, President Obama, go beyond that. They reveal even more about Trump. They reveal a man who is at once -- terribly insecure and extremely racist. Trump may not be the brightest bulb in the marquee, but he's smart enough to know deep down that Barack Obama is not only a better, fundamentally decent, more likeable person than he is, but also that #44 is a lot smarter, a lot more articulate than he is. For an insecure man like Trump, that must drive him crazy.
Trump is also a bigot, as demonstrated by the Federal housing discrimination lawsuit that he and his father settled back in the 1970s. Plus, there are charges that Fred Trump was once arrested for participating in a KKK rally in NYC. The apple does not fall far from the tree in that family. Combine the inherent Trump bigotry with President Obama's obvious intellectual superiority and you have the recipe for #45's obsession with trashing Obama and all his accomplishments.
However, his attacks on his predecessor, President Obama, go beyond that. They reveal even more about Trump. They reveal a man who is at once -- terribly insecure and extremely racist. Trump may not be the brightest bulb in the marquee, but he's smart enough to know deep down that Barack Obama is not only a better, fundamentally decent, more likeable person than he is, but also that #44 is a lot smarter, a lot more articulate than he is. For an insecure man like Trump, that must drive him crazy.
Trump is also a bigot, as demonstrated by the Federal housing discrimination lawsuit that he and his father settled back in the 1970s. Plus, there are charges that Fred Trump was once arrested for participating in a KKK rally in NYC. The apple does not fall far from the tree in that family. Combine the inherent Trump bigotry with President Obama's obvious intellectual superiority and you have the recipe for #45's obsession with trashing Obama and all his accomplishments.
32
Blow hits the nail on the head, and calls Trump's blatant and not-so-blatant racism exactly what it is. He has appointed a racist Senator to be the top law enforcement official in the land. He makes no bones about his bigotry against Arabs, Islamics of all races and Mexicans. In contrast, the mainstream media (the NYT and NPR included) tiptoe around the issue of the president's racism and his own documented racist history; religiously report, often with little or no comment or context ("re-tweet" if you will) every one of the president's vile pronouncements--however off-the-cuff and whether just hateful or out-and-out falsehoods-- thereby demonstrating the "why" of Mark Twain's pronouncement that "lies are halfway 'round the world before the truth can get its boots on." That Charles Blow is African American should make no difference, but all Americans, of all backgrounds, have the responsibility to continue to call out our president for his racism and misogyny whenever we hear it, which, sadly, is almost daily. It must not be allowed to flourish.
22
45's motiviation is to undo everything President Obama did..It's what wakes him up every morning.....I'm saddened that we have an 'enabler" congress that supports him just to get their conservative agenda in place.
How sad for us!
How sad for us!
17
Totally meaningless that Mr. Obama was black, he was a horrible president and if Mr. Trump is successful in erasing even half of what Mr. Obama "achieved" he will go down as a great president, tweets and all.
4
He's already gone down.
9
It would be wrong to give Obama credit for all of this, but during his administration we saw the following:
• Unemployment cut in half
• Biggest job growth in manufacturing since the ’90s
• Auto industry breaking sales records
• Stock market tripled
Now, what was your problem with his administration? You gave no evidence whatsoever.
• Unemployment cut in half
• Biggest job growth in manufacturing since the ’90s
• Auto industry breaking sales records
• Stock market tripled
Now, what was your problem with his administration? You gave no evidence whatsoever.
10
It's not just Obama's legacy. Trump is determined to set the social justice clock back one hundred and fifty years. He also wants to negate the work of both Roosevelts, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter and Clinton. Welcome to Gilded Age II.
14
At least they built pretty nice buildings during the Gilded Age... knowing Trump's tastes...
2
I watch Trump rip, tear, claw or chisel at anything that bears Obama's name and all I can think of are the stories I read in archaeology books of how the Egyptians would scratch our the names and likenesses of particular rulers who had fell out of favor or committed some travesty towards the larger society. Here, we have the travesty actively defacing the reminders of one of the most scandal-free, high-minded presidents we've ever had. Instead of being respected for saving the nation from the Great Recession, Obama is being subjected to a hundred insults and indignities, both great and small.
15
Although Mr. Trump is certainly a strange bird, one must be reminded that – until now – he has never in his life been a politician.
Personally, I do not believe that he is hostile to Mr. Obama nor to any of his predecessors, and I also do not believe that he gained his office due to simmering public hostility towards any of them. Rather, I believe that he gained his office because of public disgust at the "political order of things" of which Mr. Obama was merely the most-recent manifestation (and Mrs. Clinton would have been the next one).
In true American fashion, the American public threw a monkey-wrench into this "well-oiled political machinery." They elected a non-politician who was filthy rich already – but, not from politics.
Unfortunately, Mr. Obama's oh-so conventional Presidency is likely to prove to be the last one that is "conventional," maybe for quite a long time. A new President who promised to "drain the swamp" is not likely to be speaking too-favorably about the existing political order of things.
Personally, I do not believe that he is hostile to Mr. Obama nor to any of his predecessors, and I also do not believe that he gained his office due to simmering public hostility towards any of them. Rather, I believe that he gained his office because of public disgust at the "political order of things" of which Mr. Obama was merely the most-recent manifestation (and Mrs. Clinton would have been the next one).
In true American fashion, the American public threw a monkey-wrench into this "well-oiled political machinery." They elected a non-politician who was filthy rich already – but, not from politics.
Unfortunately, Mr. Obama's oh-so conventional Presidency is likely to prove to be the last one that is "conventional," maybe for quite a long time. A new President who promised to "drain the swamp" is not likely to be speaking too-favorably about the existing political order of things.
3
I think you will find that Trump already made money from politics - it is just that he was not doing it from an elected position. In a June 2015 interview Trump said, “Look, politicians are all talk, they’re no action. They don’t do the job, they don’t know what they’re doing. I know them better than anybody, Howie. I deal with all of them. And, you know, I make contributions to many of them. They’re friends, they’re this. It’s smart. It’s called being an intelligent person and a great business person. ... But the truth is that, you have to be able to get along with—if you’re gonna be a business person, even in the United States, you wanna get along with all sides because you’re gonna need things from everybody. And you wanna get along with all sides, it’s very important.”
2
American voters didn't elect Trump. The Electoral College did. Let's call out this false trope whenever we see it. Trump lost American voters by almost three million votes.
The vast majority of Americans see Trump for the incompetent, vindictive little man he is. The American public has never supported Trump. and probably never will.
Is the phrase "drain the swamp" supposed to be ironic?
The vast majority of Americans see Trump for the incompetent, vindictive little man he is. The American public has never supported Trump. and probably never will.
Is the phrase "drain the swamp" supposed to be ironic?
9
Everything Mr Blow says is correct
By racism was one of the keys to Trump's victory. From the "birther" movement Trump started on.
And it worked - Trump received the majority of votes from white men and women
He tapped into this despicable vein and it just keeps on working for him.
By racism was one of the keys to Trump's victory. From the "birther" movement Trump started on.
And it worked - Trump received the majority of votes from white men and women
He tapped into this despicable vein and it just keeps on working for him.
17
President Obama was elected by the young people to erase the 400 years history and to be free of social constraint. The "Internet Kids" are watching. They made the history and they will write the history.
13
Trump is Tanya Harding to Obama's Nancy Kerrigan, ruminating, not understanding why people like him so much, and going to whatever lengths necessary to take him out, while the rest of us roll around on the ground crying "why, why why!?"
10
If "President" Trump is trying to erase the Obama legacy, his actions every day just make it better. The contrast becomes so much clearer with every tweet. The Obama Administration may not have been perfect but it was full of graciousness, dignity and intelligence. What a difference.
21
A sad but true commentary.
7
This isn't just true of Trump: it has been the Republican agenda since 2009.
19
I have been shocked by some of the irrational antipathy to Obama that I have seen from people that I otherwise find quite reasonable. There are things that one could say to criticize the Obama administration, but they just go with the gut (and the Fox & Breitbart smears). Shameful, really.
8
Interesting quote from Trump about Obama being the last black president. The hope for America is (which is very distant now) is that we could have a president who is decent and is a minority, in this case black. Trump does see it a bit differently.
I hadn't realized it. Trump doesn't see Obama's "poor" performance as relating to him as a person. He sees it as a result of his blackness and ethnicity. So to Trump, Obama's blackness was tested and failed according to him.
I hadn't quite realized Trump may have seen it that way. I thought he was more subtle in his dog whistles but that's as loud as you can get. Trump believes Obama's blackness failed because that's the primary way he defines Obama.
I hadn't realized it. Trump doesn't see Obama's "poor" performance as relating to him as a person. He sees it as a result of his blackness and ethnicity. So to Trump, Obama's blackness was tested and failed according to him.
I hadn't quite realized Trump may have seen it that way. I thought he was more subtle in his dog whistles but that's as loud as you can get. Trump believes Obama's blackness failed because that's the primary way he defines Obama.
12
One cannot help but infer from the majority of the comments posted by the Times, that the majority of its subscribers and reporters, consist of the liberal left. The same group that projected an 85% probably that Clinton would win (LOL). Their singular view is truly disturbing which explains why they can layoff a significant portion of their staff. No one needs that many yes men!
2
Please do not forget that Trump holds much hatred for President Obama due to the humiliation he suffered at the Correspondents Dinner a few years ago. I'm sure Trump has carried that on his back and now that hatred is spewing forth in the form of his attempted destruction of all that Obama has created. Trump will never be able to wipe Obama from the history books.
15
I agree with you 100%. That's when the hatred started. You could see it in Trumps eyes. I often wonder if President Obama regrets that.
6
I voted for, and am pleased with, the poised, cerebral, strategic, judicious and cooperative leader, President Obama, who attempted collaboration amongst the peoples of America and the peoples of the World.
We should strive to find and elect another to follow.
The world would rejoice.
We should strive to find and elect another to follow.
The world would rejoice.
28
"Ecoonomic anxiety" breeds racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic tendencies. I will still contend, contrary to The Nation's supposed findings, that economic desperation brought Trump to the White House. With almost 40 percent of the work force not working, and over half who do not earning enough to live on (these figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the month before the election), a desperation not seen since the Great Depression is threatening to take hold of our nation. Those numbers, if we can believe them coming out of a Trump administration, are only getting worse. Mechanization and globalization are not going away. A way forward to bring Americans a living wage at a guaranteed job must be found. Or blood will flow.
4
There are way too many people on Earth. Way more than can be reasonably accommodated. We are going to breed ourselves into extinction. And it will not be a pleasant process.
10
Yes, the more of us there are, the less we are worth to each other. Our value is fast going negative.
3
While I agree that mechanization and globalization are not going away, I think your figures are exaggerated. We didn't have a 40 percent unemployment rate in October 2016. It was under 5 percent. I doubt that we had that kind of unemployment even in the most depressed counties.
5
Even more eager to dismantle Obama's accomplishments: The Republican Party, via McConnell, Ryan, and Friends. Trump is just the vehicle (one they can use and, later, blame) to implement their agenda.
22
My. Trump's numerous moral, ethical, and character shortcomings as well as his lack of government experience were manifest all through the presidential campaign. In spite of this, he overcame 16 mostly credible primary challengers, a well financed and organized general election opponent, the near universal opprobrium of the fourth estate, and the opposition of the Republican Establishment to become President of the United States. Why did this happen? Are there really that many "stupid" people that would elect such a man President of the United States?
No. Mr. Trump was elected because a very large block of voters was disaffected and harmed by the policies of BOTH parties over the past 35 years and they decided to discomfit the Establishment of BOTH parties. Neither multiple tax cuts nor numerous social programs were able to overcome the financial and social disruption wrought by globalization, technology and bipartisan indifference to their misery. The people wanted disruption of the status quo and they elected someone who promised to do it.
No. Mr. Trump was elected because a very large block of voters was disaffected and harmed by the policies of BOTH parties over the past 35 years and they decided to discomfit the Establishment of BOTH parties. Neither multiple tax cuts nor numerous social programs were able to overcome the financial and social disruption wrought by globalization, technology and bipartisan indifference to their misery. The people wanted disruption of the status quo and they elected someone who promised to do it.
5
Because millions of nihilists have given up on ever bettering themselves, and only want to drag others down to their own level.
14
Democrats are not losing major elections because of racism...that's absurd...even delusional. The inconvenient truth is that no matter which Republican won last November...& let's be clear Hillary was going to lose to whoever they put up...variations of the exact same thing would still be happening. Had Cruz or Rubio been elected does anyone think they would delay over-turning all the Obama-era rules and laws. The only difference is Trump is blunter, cruder, and in a way more honest about his intentions. If Trump resigned today does anyone believe that Pence would act differently...he wouldn't.
We are losing because progressives, liberals & so-called cultural elites (.i.e Blow) have chosen to start a cultural war with working class voters who are our natural allies. Right now on jobs, education, & many other issues, we no longer have a clear message. There's no unity around what is wrong with America & what is the better country we want to build. We go out of our way to alienate the very voters we need to win tough races. Do you really think calling people who voted for Trump racists...as Blow is so fond of doing...is going to turn things around? Are you kidding me? And you expect their vote? Everybody put down the crack pipe & take a long hard look in the mirror. Is this working; is this the way forward? No, it isn't. We have to stop the cheap shots and condescension. We need these people. We have met the enemy. It isn't Trump, it's us. We need to drain our own swamp.
We are losing because progressives, liberals & so-called cultural elites (.i.e Blow) have chosen to start a cultural war with working class voters who are our natural allies. Right now on jobs, education, & many other issues, we no longer have a clear message. There's no unity around what is wrong with America & what is the better country we want to build. We go out of our way to alienate the very voters we need to win tough races. Do you really think calling people who voted for Trump racists...as Blow is so fond of doing...is going to turn things around? Are you kidding me? And you expect their vote? Everybody put down the crack pipe & take a long hard look in the mirror. Is this working; is this the way forward? No, it isn't. We have to stop the cheap shots and condescension. We need these people. We have met the enemy. It isn't Trump, it's us. We need to drain our own swamp.
10
DJT is exhibiting crab mentality.
Crabs at the bottom of a pot are forever pulling down the crabs at the top.
DJT will undo whatever Obama did.
Crabs at the bottom of a pot are forever pulling down the crabs at the top.
DJT will undo whatever Obama did.
9
Dear Mr. Blow,
You are so right on. Everything Obama is and stands for, decency , elegant and eloquent a family man with great integrity and very smart is the complete opposite of Trump. He is vulgar with a big mouth full of lies and not fit for the job.
I am embarrassed of him, he is a disgrace.
You are so right on. Everything Obama is and stands for, decency , elegant and eloquent a family man with great integrity and very smart is the complete opposite of Trump. He is vulgar with a big mouth full of lies and not fit for the job.
I am embarrassed of him, he is a disgrace.
31
Trump is pathologically competitive and envious There is no doubt that his envy and hatred of Obama was a prime motivator to win the Presidency
We have gone from the sublime with Obama as President to the Ridiculous with Trump as president
Racism played a major role in this election
Bravo to Charles Blow for pointing it out
We have gone from the sublime with Obama as President to the Ridiculous with Trump as president
Racism played a major role in this election
Bravo to Charles Blow for pointing it out
8
Trump is like the malignant character in Shakespeare's play Othello who says, "He hath a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly." Trump cannot stand his own ugliness shown all the more in the beautiful dignity and competence of President Obama.
229
Yes, forget Julius Caesar (not the best political analogy for these times). Time for Othello...
2
Why didn't I think of that! Othello is my favorite Shakespeare tragedy. Trump's lies are as mean-spirited, if not as lethal, as Iago's, too.
5
Behind the day to day stupidities and moral outrages of the current president, the GOP has made a strategic calculation that, in the worst case scenario they don't need a president to enact their majority-count agenda, and in the best case scenario his clownishness would act as a smokescreen to distract us from real issues and decisions. In two to four years, they could enact an agenda that would affect the next generation and keep them afloat. Americans, you pay taxes, you and your children are sent to foreign wars, your families depend on some kind of health care, you or your kids want a good education and future opportunities, at some level you want to believe in human decency and integrity: is this all you would ask of your government? Is your only wish that they carry on like this, in a world apart from and far above you, using your money to expand their businesses and dragging your good name, and the place you hail from, in filth at every opportunity?
11
Articulate and well crafted, Mr. Blow.
What I have found myself reflecting upon is that, regardless of what happens in these United States, Barack Obama became a citizen of the world and a symbol of responsible leadership.
As hard as the sick-joke in the Oval Office tries to destroy the Obama legacy, he will never succeed because it's out of his hands and ours. That is the significance of the recent Pew Research report.
For the record, I am totally against any presidential pardon for Donald Trump.
What I have found myself reflecting upon is that, regardless of what happens in these United States, Barack Obama became a citizen of the world and a symbol of responsible leadership.
As hard as the sick-joke in the Oval Office tries to destroy the Obama legacy, he will never succeed because it's out of his hands and ours. That is the significance of the recent Pew Research report.
For the record, I am totally against any presidential pardon for Donald Trump.
24
Amen to that
6
An insecure bully who learned nothing in Kindergarten can't stand that the smart kid he bullied became his boss.
14
actions first, then emoluments, Ralphie.
1
Charles, I am glad you debunked that trope about the "economic anxiety" tsunami that was engaging the orange one's supporters and correctly puts that support emanating from the racism , bigotry, and misogyny that is the core of their being. One thing that can be learned about the election of the orange one is that their are some old deep wounds festering in your society and it is now finally time to deal fairly with them or see your nation destroyed.
13
Trump is disappearing before our eyes: The Incredible Shrinking Tweet.
5
I have a small quibble here: on Twitter, Tweet is the word for the message, not the messenger; in Trump's case, the messenger is called a Twit.
11
Trump is the message. McLuhan was wrong.
1
One can only try to imagine the psychological torture and subsequent trauma the current president must have suffered as a child to perform the daily buffoonery that he does and has done in his years before the public eye .
His sheer envy ,which leads him to absolutely hate Barack Obama , must have started quite early in his life. D
His sheer envy ,which leads him to absolutely hate Barack Obama , must have started quite early in his life. D
20
100% spot on!!!
12
The punch line of what is going on in American politics is Donald Trump's and the Republican Party's embrace of "Make America White Again."
It's a nauseating and a sad state of affairs that few people see the bigots that are out there doing EVERYTHING they can to erase President Obama's legacy. The 'white' powers that be are lying when they say they are just trying to redress bad legislation. If that were true, why aren't they addressing the other 200 plus years of bad politics AND why is it that everything President Obama touched been torn asunder?
Are we proud yet?
It's a nauseating and a sad state of affairs that few people see the bigots that are out there doing EVERYTHING they can to erase President Obama's legacy. The 'white' powers that be are lying when they say they are just trying to redress bad legislation. If that were true, why aren't they addressing the other 200 plus years of bad politics AND why is it that everything President Obama touched been torn asunder?
Are we proud yet?
16
Trump is a baby. Instead of working to improve himself, he tries to bring down people who are better than him. And make no mistake, Barack Obama is twice (at least) the man than Donald Trump.
17
My heart's already broken. Comparing our present excuse for a human being with President Obama is sad in every way.
You mention "pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris climate agreement and reversing an Obama-era rule that helped prevent guns from being purchased by certain mentally ill people." Each one of these things has been turning great accomplishments into instantaneous great losses. What a waste. I hope we have time to get ourselves back on track.
It's good to have a model like President Obama, especially in crazy times like these. I hope and assume that Mr Obama is holding himself in reserve and that he'll reappear on the scene when the time is right. I have a dream of Obama and Clinton and others stepping up to help the Democrats, in cooperation with the remaining normal Republicans, back into power.
Meantime the news of the day is our president ranting about someone's face lift. Madness.
You mention "pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris climate agreement and reversing an Obama-era rule that helped prevent guns from being purchased by certain mentally ill people." Each one of these things has been turning great accomplishments into instantaneous great losses. What a waste. I hope we have time to get ourselves back on track.
It's good to have a model like President Obama, especially in crazy times like these. I hope and assume that Mr Obama is holding himself in reserve and that he'll reappear on the scene when the time is right. I have a dream of Obama and Clinton and others stepping up to help the Democrats, in cooperation with the remaining normal Republicans, back into power.
Meantime the news of the day is our president ranting about someone's face lift. Madness.
18
The remaining "normal" Republicans to which you refer could be housed in a broom closet.
7
Trump is just "Sad"
7
Your columns are my go to life preserver during these soul crushing days—thank you.
13
Thank you for this insightful article. If Trump is so bothered by the blackness of his predecessor, maybe Trump will be the last white POTUS. There are some accomplished Chinese-American, Hispanic-Americans, etc. that could more than adequately fulfill the Office of the President of the USA.
12
Surveys of American history specialists have awarded a high ranking in the upper quartile of Presidents to Obama. Trump, on the other hand, seems hands down certain to be ranked at the very bottom. His rage is only going to increase. Obama enobled us;Trump debases us.
19
The NYT wondered aloud about Obama's legacy, for months. Finally Trump has defined that legacy... as a lightweight politician who was not up for the tough fights to enact legislation. Obama was a likable and believable guy but pretty week as a politician.
6
Thank god for that, we don't like politicians, we like real people and Obama was real.
4
Thank you Mr. Blow for an excellent article! You make my week, please keep it up!
17
You are absolutely correct: Trump has never had and never will have the "cultural capital" he seeks. The New York cultural elites have always looked down on him, and they always will. THAT is what his candidacy was all about - "See! Look at me now!" Instead of emulating, he attacks. He has never learned that respect has to be earned - you must give it to get it. But Trump gives very little of anything. He pretends to be philanthropic, but is too frugal to actually practice philanthropy - he lacks generosity and empathy. All the gold on earth cannot buy character. He's just another low-life con artist - what you see is what you get.
32
True. Trump thought the presidency would bring him up. Instead he has brought the presidency down.
7
"[Obama is] ...a walking, talking rebuttal to white supremacy and the myths of black pathology and inferiority. He was the personification of the possible — a possible future in which legacy power and advantages are redistributed more broadly to all with the gift of talent and the discipline to excel."
In other words, what is possible in a truly meritocratic society, a society which, fully conscious of its racist and misogynist past, struggles in good faith to perfect its democratic ideals. A society where facts and science matter.
The present occupant of the White House is the antithesis of the above. A boisterous, narcissistic, philandering, ignorant demagogue. A pathological liar who, because of his sordid display of material wealth and crassness, is rejected in the very circles he craves approval, a sad loser.
In other words, what is possible in a truly meritocratic society, a society which, fully conscious of its racist and misogynist past, struggles in good faith to perfect its democratic ideals. A society where facts and science matter.
The present occupant of the White House is the antithesis of the above. A boisterous, narcissistic, philandering, ignorant demagogue. A pathological liar who, because of his sordid display of material wealth and crassness, is rejected in the very circles he craves approval, a sad loser.
32
Just the fact of an Obama presidency was proof that redistribution of power works, whatever you think of his record. And for white conservatives, that is reason number one that his legacy must be dismantled - this must never happen again.
11
I don't always agree with Charles Blow but this column strikes me as 1000% correct.
14
Trump is the perfect example of the white supremacy mentality. In America, it doesn't matter that he is a highly unqualified, uneducated, vile, arrogant, sexist, xenophobe, etc., because he is a white male.
33
Trump uses Obama's African heritage to stoke support from racists - plain & simple. Trump himself has no thoughts or values outside the pursuit of greed.
16
Trump is, and always has been, a racist. He hates and envies Obama at the very same time, so his fragile ego must come first.
22
Trump is a walking inferiority complex. To a pathological degree.
20
It is not just Trump. The entire GOP is behind this. Think back to the time after nov. 2008: thre were billboards with Obama as the Joker, Obama with Lenin and Mao, and more. The T-Party was and is 100% on board with this. Trump used this emotion to gain the presidency. It may be that some of the other GOP candidates in 2016 feel the same way as Trump, but they are hiding their true emotions. Trump, in contast, revels in rolling in the gutter.
16
Mitch McConnell boasted, in front of cameras, that "One of my proudest moments was when I looked Barack Obama in the eye and I said Mr. President, you will not fill this Supreme Court vacancy." The sheer brazenness of the disdain for the President and the exultant assurance of job dereliction on McConnell's part is mind-blowing. I have to believe that McConnell is also a racist, like DJT: the Kentucky senator's virulent hostility to President Obama went far beyond oppositional politics. No wonder he won't stand up to the tweeter in chief; McConnell is probably glad to have the distraction from his own foul deeds. I also cannot believe the dignity and grace with which Barack Obama handled such flat out contempt. He always put the country's good before himself; he is ten times the man that either DJT or McConnell is.
14
It may be simpler than Charles Blow thinks.
Trump wants to "be somebody," but it's hard for him to hold focus in the chaos of his mind, and he also has learned that he doesn't have many reliable tools of power. Most of the real tools -- power, skill, discipline, fitness, knowledge, even emotional intelligence -- require practice and a body of knowledge, and he's never been able to achieve that.
In Trump's chaos, the only reliable tools are a sense for weakness and a willingness to capitalize by attacking. In our America, a minority President and a woman seeking that office will always be vulnerable; there are just that many men that think their white male-ness is always the trump card.
Trump thought so too -- who imagines he would EVER have announced against a male Democrat?? No way. And having followed the trail of blood in the water to a painless victory, he really can't think of anything else to do.
Trump wants to "be somebody," but it's hard for him to hold focus in the chaos of his mind, and he also has learned that he doesn't have many reliable tools of power. Most of the real tools -- power, skill, discipline, fitness, knowledge, even emotional intelligence -- require practice and a body of knowledge, and he's never been able to achieve that.
In Trump's chaos, the only reliable tools are a sense for weakness and a willingness to capitalize by attacking. In our America, a minority President and a woman seeking that office will always be vulnerable; there are just that many men that think their white male-ness is always the trump card.
Trump thought so too -- who imagines he would EVER have announced against a male Democrat?? No way. And having followed the trail of blood in the water to a painless victory, he really can't think of anything else to do.
82
After watching Obama skewer Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Association dinner it was clear Donald was not happy. Of course after the ridiculous birther nonsense Trump instigated who could blame Obama?
Trump is a little man and now he takes great pleasure in his revenge on all thinks Obama. How anyone that voted for a man that was a categorically unfit for office as Donald Trump is beyond me.
But Hillary's emails.....we're now stuck with a little man doing petty little things and a Republican Party that doesn't seem to understand that even rats desert a sinking ship.
Trump is a little man and now he takes great pleasure in his revenge on all thinks Obama. How anyone that voted for a man that was a categorically unfit for office as Donald Trump is beyond me.
But Hillary's emails.....we're now stuck with a little man doing petty little things and a Republican Party that doesn't seem to understand that even rats desert a sinking ship.
13
Keep talking about tweets and there is no room for policy discussion. Trump is playing the media like a banjo. Attack Trump and leave the congress alone in their failure.
1
All true, Mr. Blow. Trump's motivation has been and will be to lift his leg on anything with an Obama label.
But it must also be said that Mitch McConnell and his ilk in Congress are driven by the same animus. They have been equally relentless in their efforts to obliterate Obama's fine legacy.
But it must also be said that Mitch McConnell and his ilk in Congress are driven by the same animus. They have been equally relentless in their efforts to obliterate Obama's fine legacy.
19
Trump’s Obama Obsession
Media's Trump obsession.
Media's Trump obsession.
6
"Trump also appears to subscribe to the racist theory that success or failure of a member of a racial group redounds to all in that group."
If that's true, I pity us white folks in the wake of the Trump presidency.
If that's true, I pity us white folks in the wake of the Trump presidency.
9
Trump is not only ignorant and uncultured but also he a narcissistic personality disorder exacerbated by a fairly severe attention deficit. People with such personality disorders seldom change because they do not suffer with the disorder. Only those around them do. Unfortunately, Trump will neither grow into the job nor change in his bragging, lying, lashing-out approach to interpersonal relations.
8
I've said all along that Trump's base wants all trace, all evidence of there ever having been a black president erased from the nation's fabric.
No single event in American history has ever so totally deranged white America, not Brown, not the VRA, not the Civil Rights Act, as the election of a black president.
No single event in American history has ever so totally deranged white America, not Brown, not the VRA, not the Civil Rights Act, as the election of a black president.
15
-Trump’s Obama Obsession-
Anything at all bother you about the NY Times' unhealthy, unproductive, and completely biased obsession against President Trump, Mr. Blow?
We've seen former FBI Director James B. Comey condemn...under oath...the inaccurate reporting of the NY Times.
There are so many other examples of the corrupt mainstream media's obsession with destroying the presidency of Donald Trump...is that really "good journalism"?
No...of course it isn't, Mr. Blow.
Most U.S. voters already know that it isn't good journalism.
That's why President Trump is in the White House...it's why the GOP has majorities in the U.S. Senate AND the U.S. House, it's why the GOP occupies 33 of the nation's 50 state governorships, and it's why the GOP has majorities in roughly 2/3rds of the nation's state legislatures.
Whatever Putin and Russia did leading up to last November's presidential election...it was Barack Obama's responsibility to deal with it.
How did he do in dealing with Vlad Putin and Russia, Mr. Blow?
Are you pleased with the outcome of President Obama's efforts?
Aren't you the least bit concerned with the lies being told by CNN (they've retracted stories and forced journalists to resign)...or even the NY Times?
Anything at all bother you about the NY Times' unhealthy, unproductive, and completely biased obsession against President Trump, Mr. Blow?
We've seen former FBI Director James B. Comey condemn...under oath...the inaccurate reporting of the NY Times.
There are so many other examples of the corrupt mainstream media's obsession with destroying the presidency of Donald Trump...is that really "good journalism"?
No...of course it isn't, Mr. Blow.
Most U.S. voters already know that it isn't good journalism.
That's why President Trump is in the White House...it's why the GOP has majorities in the U.S. Senate AND the U.S. House, it's why the GOP occupies 33 of the nation's 50 state governorships, and it's why the GOP has majorities in roughly 2/3rds of the nation's state legislatures.
Whatever Putin and Russia did leading up to last November's presidential election...it was Barack Obama's responsibility to deal with it.
How did he do in dealing with Vlad Putin and Russia, Mr. Blow?
Are you pleased with the outcome of President Obama's efforts?
Aren't you the least bit concerned with the lies being told by CNN (they've retracted stories and forced journalists to resign)...or even the NY Times?
4
CNN at least admitted their mistakes. Trump lies every day publicly. Are you saying liars should not be held accountable?
5
That still does not change the fact that this country elected a reality tv star with zero political experience to be the leader of the free world. That is like asking my 4 year to drive me to work. It is beyond the pale that anyone with think this man would be qualify to hold this office. This is single most important office in the world and you all blew it. Make no mistake the world is laughing at us.
1
Mr or Ms Raconteur
Are you totally oblivious to the non-stop river of lies and petty nonsense that emanate daily from this man? Can you not see how he denigrates the office he holds with his corruption, his avarice, his denigrating of others, his childish rants? Can you not see how other potentates play him for the fool that he is by flattering him?
The New York Times does not write his tweets. He does. He, and you, should be ashamed of his behavior.
Are you totally oblivious to the non-stop river of lies and petty nonsense that emanate daily from this man? Can you not see how he denigrates the office he holds with his corruption, his avarice, his denigrating of others, his childish rants? Can you not see how other potentates play him for the fool that he is by flattering him?
The New York Times does not write his tweets. He does. He, and you, should be ashamed of his behavior.
7
Well said and yes being white , I understand the concept of blaming 'THEM' for problems when it might be a run in with one individual maybe even having a bad day. This might be a daily occurrence for the black guy who lives where the police assume your a criminal, out to do harm just for walking on this earth.
5
"Racial identity and attitudes have further displaced class as the central battleground of American politics"
Charles Blow is certainly doing more than his share of making this so.
But having some trouble here accepting that pulling out of a trade agreement was driven by racism.
Charles Blow is certainly doing more than his share of making this so.
But having some trouble here accepting that pulling out of a trade agreement was driven by racism.
With every Trump executive order or Congressional legislation that has undone something that Pres. Obama accomplished, I have thought of this quote from "The Ten Commandments". Moses has found his true calling, repudiating his upbringing as an Egyptian prince, and Seti, the pharaoh, makes this declaration: Let the name of Moses be stricken from every book and tablet, stricken from all pylons and obelisks, stricken from every monument of Egypt. Let the name of Moses be unheard and unspoken, erased from the memory of men for all time.
Substitute Obama's name for Moses', and one can easily imagine this "executive order" coming from the mouth of Trump
Substitute Obama's name for Moses', and one can easily imagine this "executive order" coming from the mouth of Trump
9
Trump's actions are analogous to ISIS: undermine and destroy all things civilized that preceded you while psychotically proclaiming your righteousness over social media.
12
If Trump was simply an ordinary citizen, he would be a sad case indeed. But he is "the President of the United States of America." With almost every word he utters, he chips away at the foundations of our nation. Enough!
8
Obama represents the best of America and Trump knows it and cannot deal with that. I do believe that Obama's legacy cannot be erased by the jealous, corrupt, dishonest Trump. I won't happen... Love always trumps Hate!
12
I doubt that Trump would have run for president if Obama hadn't make jokes at Trump's expense at the Press Correspondent's dinner. Trump has comment frequently on his determination to get even with anyone who slights him
7
When we attempt to understand the hostility directed at Obama by Trump supporters, some of whom voted for Obama, we should consider aspects other than racism for a broadband understanding. Obama is an educated member of the governing elite, who speaks in grammatical and even erudite sentences; he is willing to confront complexity and acknowledge contingency; he weighs American exceptionalism against higher, neutral standards and the natural sense of tribal loyalty in all cultures. All these aspects of his character alienate the tribalist or authoritarian temperament, that demands a 'strong father' figure avowing moral absolutes and simplistic nostrums. Not to diminish racism, but many other undercurrents here.
8
Yes bit racism is inherently an aspect of tribalism. Moot point.
2
Where did it start, you wonder?
What originally sparked The Donald's 'birther' issue? Or was it even before that? Certainly, we all remember the Correspondents' Dinner when Obama make Trump jokes while The Donald quietly fumed.
(You DON'T make fun of someone with a paranoid narcissistic personality disorder!)
Perhaps it was then that Trump decided, if he did nothing else, he would do everything in his power to destroy Obama and/or his legacy. And in the process, he has taken all the rest of us along, including the United States of America, as he constantly shames us on the international stage.
So now, we are having to live with the consequences of this very personal vendetta, while the sheer SPITE of this child-man plays out.
What originally sparked The Donald's 'birther' issue? Or was it even before that? Certainly, we all remember the Correspondents' Dinner when Obama make Trump jokes while The Donald quietly fumed.
(You DON'T make fun of someone with a paranoid narcissistic personality disorder!)
Perhaps it was then that Trump decided, if he did nothing else, he would do everything in his power to destroy Obama and/or his legacy. And in the process, he has taken all the rest of us along, including the United States of America, as he constantly shames us on the international stage.
So now, we are having to live with the consequences of this very personal vendetta, while the sheer SPITE of this child-man plays out.
7
Trump thought he would be respected because he is rich. Trump now thinks he should be respected because he is president. Trump is wrong in both cases - respect is earned, not from wealth, but from behavior and personality. Not from the office or authority held, but from the performance in that office. Trump fails in both cases. Every day he does something that destroys any prospect of respecting him. Some people would learn and change, but Trump seems to only redouble in his pique, without learning a thing.
11
Trump does seem fixated on Obama. However, I'm not convinced that this fixation is emotive, as Blow suggests. Rather, it seems to be strategic. Vilifying Obama is how Trump appeals to and mobilizes his core constituency of right-wing Republicans and disgruntled white racists. It's remarkable how little these people, many of whom will be harmed by Trump's policies, seem to care about what he actually does in office as long as he remains the anti-Obama.
Since Trump's election, I've concluded that Trump's voters are lost both to the Democratic Party and to democratic politics in general. If the Democrats want to salvage something from this debacle, they should resist calls to reach out to Trump supporters, and should instead focus on the remaining 60 percent or so of the American electorate.
The solution to Trump is to create a liberal-progressive alliance that encompasses people who respond to evidence and argument, not to coddle the followers of a racist demagogue.
Since Trump's election, I've concluded that Trump's voters are lost both to the Democratic Party and to democratic politics in general. If the Democrats want to salvage something from this debacle, they should resist calls to reach out to Trump supporters, and should instead focus on the remaining 60 percent or so of the American electorate.
The solution to Trump is to create a liberal-progressive alliance that encompasses people who respond to evidence and argument, not to coddle the followers of a racist demagogue.
156
You give Trump too much credit. He is irrational and disordered emotionally and intellectually. He is emotive at the core...rather it's those around him that use those traits, and the resonance it strikes in many Americans for political strategy. His average American supporter like him, not because he has clearly worked out policies or a vision to improve their lives and our country. They like him for reasons they don't even comprehend in themselves.... i.e., because he has subconsciously tapped into their own tribalism/racism/misogyny or need to other-ize people and their own sense of racial supremacy.
They resent the fact that Obama is truly a model of the self-made man, that they so mythologize and celebrate when it applies solely to white people, mainly white men. He overcame obstacles to rise to the highest office of the land, in fact the world, of one of the greatest democratic empires history has known. He transcended racial boundaries imposed on him by a racist society that once legally enslaved black people. He is the American myth brought to life....and that manifestation holds a mirror up to white poor people's sense of failure, and shines a light on white wealthy people's own unacknowledged privilege..., and they hate him for it.
They resent the fact that Obama is truly a model of the self-made man, that they so mythologize and celebrate when it applies solely to white people, mainly white men. He overcame obstacles to rise to the highest office of the land, in fact the world, of one of the greatest democratic empires history has known. He transcended racial boundaries imposed on him by a racist society that once legally enslaved black people. He is the American myth brought to life....and that manifestation holds a mirror up to white poor people's sense of failure, and shines a light on white wealthy people's own unacknowledged privilege..., and they hate him for it.
6
Great point. Trump has a strategic brilliance that is so often disregarded. He energized many to come out of the shadows (or from under rocks) to vote for him, and pulled the electoral-rich rural vote, by being the anti-sophisticate. It may be role playing as much as anything, just as his personal Twitter attacks may be as much calculated distractions or appeals to his base as anything really felt by him. Trump is a chameleon changing colors (donning a trucker hat) of the raging disempowered white male. He must keep making vicious attacks to keep in color or his act will reveal (its true?) cynicism.
2
THANK YOU. I'm white as white, but anyone with an ounce of brains and dash of compassion can spot exactly what you describe so aptly. I'm embarrassed that so many could be taken in, or manipulated so easily by Trump, and I'm humiliated as an American to watch the Republican party and members toady up behind him. Exception kudos to Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins for defying their party at crucial moral junctures recently. Please hold strong.
15
Agreed!!!
5
...and Obama is better looking than Trump.
21
Lets also not forget the circumstances around the last election. We had two badly flawed candidates although manipulation from Russia including fake news postings did not help.
Mr. Biden would have been a shoo-in.
Mr. Biden would have been a shoo-in.
6
Donald Trump is and has alway been a sick man, missing psychological components that might shape his behavior into a more constructive vein. He probably ran for President to assuage the humiliation he felt at the annual press awards dinner in which President Obama so clearly showed him up as the buffoon he truly is. The most disturbing revelation is not how broken and destructive a man Trump is, but how many Americans chose him as their standard bearer, as their champion in making America back into a country they could recognize. We are truly a sick society and Donald Trump is the harbinger of worse things to come.
13
Yes. This is the "Unblackening" that Larry Wilmore warned us about, long before Trump started winning primaries. In the long run, though, history will offer mostly favorable assessments of President Obama, regardless of Trump's actions. He can't fake history.
9
Wouldn't you be obsessed with Obama in the same shoes..?
Obama was the "UNPOPULAR" President who at the same time in his presidency had 70% approval rating, as opposed to low 30% for current President-elect, who as we all know "won the popular vote" but has "fake news" painting him unfavorably, where they were just swooning over Obama with all the reports of "birther-ism" mistery...
Mr. T. is stewing in his own unpopularity. On long and low simmer. That could drive anyone crazy, let alone orange orb.
Obama was the "UNPOPULAR" President who at the same time in his presidency had 70% approval rating, as opposed to low 30% for current President-elect, who as we all know "won the popular vote" but has "fake news" painting him unfavorably, where they were just swooning over Obama with all the reports of "birther-ism" mistery...
Mr. T. is stewing in his own unpopularity. On long and low simmer. That could drive anyone crazy, let alone orange orb.
6
Very often you can tell something about Trump himself by what attacks. The psychologists call it "projection"; I call it a form of insanity, but no matter.
For instance, if Trump calls someone out for being crooked, you can bet (successfully) that he's the crooked one. If he calls someone "low energy" it probably means that either he's low energy himself or worries that he is. All to deflect attention from himself.
We've seen this a lot over the years from ostensibly-religious Republicans who led the charge against homosexuality, when they themselves were gay. Or the Congressional leaders of the Clinton impeachment castigating the President for his affair with an intern while in several notable cases they either had long-term mistresses, a child by someone not their wife, or other similar skeletons in their closets.
So in that vein, I'd like to ask a question I've had for a long time: was Donald Trump actually born in the United States? Let's see his birth certificate; I want to know.
For instance, if Trump calls someone out for being crooked, you can bet (successfully) that he's the crooked one. If he calls someone "low energy" it probably means that either he's low energy himself or worries that he is. All to deflect attention from himself.
We've seen this a lot over the years from ostensibly-religious Republicans who led the charge against homosexuality, when they themselves were gay. Or the Congressional leaders of the Clinton impeachment castigating the President for his affair with an intern while in several notable cases they either had long-term mistresses, a child by someone not their wife, or other similar skeletons in their closets.
So in that vein, I'd like to ask a question I've had for a long time: was Donald Trump actually born in the United States? Let's see his birth certificate; I want to know.
15
Richard Nixon never felt he could measure up to the Kennedy brothers. They were charming, good looking men, who had a natural grace, and could converse with kings and janitors alike. He always felt like an outsider, even when he occupied the oval office. Donald perceives the former President, in the same vein. Obama charmed the planet, while Donald comes off as a ham-handed, insecure and paranoid figure.
13
"Obama charmed the planet.." So true. So very true.
4
Amen! To think that Obama was handed a ridiculous war and an enormous economic crisis on day one to boot. The only thing I would say with my 20/20 hindsight is that though his roasting of Trump was hilarious at that Press Corp. dinner, I wish that hadn't happened now. Insecurity causes more harm in the world than it is often given credit for, and that was throwing gas on a festering smoldering blob of insecurity. I fear our nation has a great many frightened and insecure people at the moment, and we have the Commander and Chief of insecurity at its helm right now. I'm not sure how to combat this, but I am sure it is not to be making the insecure feel less secure. Regardless I think history will look very well on a very great president in Barack Obama.
19
All of this just lays out what has been painfully apparent -- that Trump is nothing more but a two-bit, vindictive, resentful little person who has no business being near the White House.
29
I'm with French President Macron's "Make the Planet Great Again," a retort Trump has chosen to ignore, likely because it is far superior to his campaign slogan that sold a lot of hats and is passe since we are already great.
17
We 'were' great being more accurate. Or isn't it correct to say that it's becoming clearer with each passing day that real Trump is utterly failing in his role as fake president?
Obama had to deal with a Congress dominated by Republicans who opposed him even when he proposed policies and solutions introduced by Republicans in the past. The obstructionism really seemed intended to just oppose his achieving anything that could be seen as a success in the hope that Obama's popular support would become so low that an Republican would replace him in the White House. Through this all, Obama rarely complained and accepted the challenge to find ways to achieve what he thought best despite the opposition. This included using executive orders which the Republicans then replied was his attempts to become a monarch, hyperbole motivated by resentment more than anything else.
Enter Trump with his deliberate misrepresentations denying Obama birth citizenship to exploit the animosities towards Obama amongst the less sophisticated Republican base. Eventually Obama thumped him with sarcastic humor during the 2011 Correspondents Dinner and Trump who knew he'd been lying about Obama was visibly upset and resentful. This was a bully who received a pushback from one of his victims and was so humiliated that he could not take it with any kind of maturity.
Trump is a man who never grew up and who cannot handle the responsibilities of a President resenting a man who grew up and could handle those responsibilities. No matter what Trump and the Republicans do to the policies and legislation implemented, Obama will remain one of the guys who could do the job well.
Enter Trump with his deliberate misrepresentations denying Obama birth citizenship to exploit the animosities towards Obama amongst the less sophisticated Republican base. Eventually Obama thumped him with sarcastic humor during the 2011 Correspondents Dinner and Trump who knew he'd been lying about Obama was visibly upset and resentful. This was a bully who received a pushback from one of his victims and was so humiliated that he could not take it with any kind of maturity.
Trump is a man who never grew up and who cannot handle the responsibilities of a President resenting a man who grew up and could handle those responsibilities. No matter what Trump and the Republicans do to the policies and legislation implemented, Obama will remain one of the guys who could do the job well.
17
The anti-Obama crusade that Blow attributes to Trump did not come into existence because of Trump, who exploited and expanded it. Beginning immediately after Obama's first election, Republicans vowed to devote the next four years to discrediting and obstructing him. When he was re-elected they rededicated that dream. Although Obama disappointed us in some ways, compared to the low-degree Trump he was a knight in shining armor.
20
Obama has something trump cannot buy, steal, or cheat anyone out of: class.
37
Mr. Trump is like the guy with the new wife who can't get over dissing the old wife. Boring at dinner and boring in bed.
15
Charles, this is why he ripped up TPP immediately and without comprehending the implications. As Thomas Friedman said today, "In China they are calling him 'Chump' not 'Trump.'"
16
It's all about revenge from being humiliated by President Obama ( and Seth Meyers) at 2011 WH Correspondents Dinner. Some believe he decided to run for President then. He cares so much more about getting revenge and getting adoration than doing anything good for our country.
9
This is just like ancient Egypt where Pharaohs erased all images and mentions of the enemies that ruled before them.
Americans are quickly understanding how positive Obama's time was with the repeal of each of his actions.
Americans are quickly understanding how positive Obama's time was with the repeal of each of his actions.
15
I take consolation that the Buddha said everything that is an aggregate is subject to dismantling. The universal law of impermanence applies to everything, thoughts, emotions, material objects, even memories.
1
But is is a fallacy that the US will return to Reagan or Bush policies if they erase Obama's progress because the world we live in is not the same as it was then. Taking us backwards in policy does not restore that window of time, socially, economically, or politically. Come into the 21st century and grow up!
12
There is a perfect solution. If what it takes to keep the progress made on the ACA, is to name it Trumpcare, or McConnel Care, then Republicans can get to the fixing part.
2
The solution to our healthcare woes is obvious.
Eliminate private healthcare insurance companies. We don't consider this because these companies own Republican congressmen and senators.
Eliminate private healthcare insurance companies. We don't consider this because these companies own Republican congressmen and senators.
6
It is unprecedented in modern times in terms of presidential behavior.
He's absolutely filled with jealousy and a strange need for obsessive revenge. It presents as a long-standing inferiority complex channeled aggressively.
No doubt deep-seated and pathological.
Recall as Obama was showing him around the White House, Trump was absolutely in a slump and out of place. In contrast, Obama was as comfortable as ever, vibrant, intelligent and conducting himself impressively, with humor and grace.
Trump had a realization--he's none of that. The way Trump sat, like a lump in the chair. Slumped over, regretful, likely not even processing what was said.
Comparisons were clear that day. Photos told the story of a man who was unfit, versus a man who was actually presidential. Immediately Trump stated he didn't realize the job was that involved. Well, duh...
So Trump does what any bully does---strike out, insult, obsess and point fingers. It's slanderous. His insults are abnormal as if the mayhem of Wrestle Mania drama. Even today, when he bizarrely tweeted a personal attack on a female pundit from MSNBC. This is Bizzaro World. He has zero recognition of appropriate boundaries. I relish his eventual resignation.
He's absolutely filled with jealousy and a strange need for obsessive revenge. It presents as a long-standing inferiority complex channeled aggressively.
No doubt deep-seated and pathological.
Recall as Obama was showing him around the White House, Trump was absolutely in a slump and out of place. In contrast, Obama was as comfortable as ever, vibrant, intelligent and conducting himself impressively, with humor and grace.
Trump had a realization--he's none of that. The way Trump sat, like a lump in the chair. Slumped over, regretful, likely not even processing what was said.
Comparisons were clear that day. Photos told the story of a man who was unfit, versus a man who was actually presidential. Immediately Trump stated he didn't realize the job was that involved. Well, duh...
So Trump does what any bully does---strike out, insult, obsess and point fingers. It's slanderous. His insults are abnormal as if the mayhem of Wrestle Mania drama. Even today, when he bizarrely tweeted a personal attack on a female pundit from MSNBC. This is Bizzaro World. He has zero recognition of appropriate boundaries. I relish his eventual resignation.
18
By any standard of measurement the accomplishments of Barak Obama, both as president and as a man, and Hillary Clinton, as a public servant and as a woman, each far exceed those of Donald Trump. The fact that a large segment of society believes the opposite is a testament to the media's ability, either by intention or for entertainment purposes, to manipulate "conventional wisdom". Conventional wisdom flourishes among an electorate that is uneducated and uninformed about the political process. It is convention wisdom that doesn't allow evidence to interfere when selecting the losers from the winners. It is the favorite tool of "street corner" logic that favors simplistic, autocratic solutions to complex problems and generally treats any governmental political process with disdain. (The resurrection of the mythical "street corner conservatives" that helped elect President Ronald Reagan is one of Trump's political triumphs.)
Is it any wonder why Donald Trump is so obsessed with being viewed as a winner and his recent opposition as losers. He learned his lesson from his days running the wrestling business: In a political battle, like the wrestling match, it is important to be viewed as a winner before the match even begins.
Is it any wonder why Donald Trump is so obsessed with being viewed as a winner and his recent opposition as losers. He learned his lesson from his days running the wrestling business: In a political battle, like the wrestling match, it is important to be viewed as a winner before the match even begins.
8
Agree with everything you say. Your views are the answer for those who still beat the "Hillary is so flawed she was un-electable" horse. Manipulating conventional wisdom intentionally and unintentionally by the media, by the so called pundits, have been going on for decades. Trump simply exploited this sad situation as he is a megalomaniac who wanted to win at any cost.
1
Obama saw himself—or others saw him—as “repairing” the legacy left of George W. Bush, which he compared to a ditch. Maybe every President sees himself as fixing what his predecessor left behind. In truth, there’s usually more continuity than not between Presidents.
1
Since Donald Trump has become president, the economy and stock market have been soaring and people are once again making money. The kinds of gains we have been seeing were not occurring when Obama left office. People are once again having confidence in our country. This is such a nice sight to see for a change.
2
What people are you referring to? Empirical evidence?
14
Actually it came from the Obama administration. When Obama became President we were losing hundreds of thousands of jobs every month. His policies turned our country around. Trump has seen the outcomes of Obama's actions. Trump has not created a single policy to help our economy. If you believe what you say, please share which of Trump's policies have created the changes.
18
That has got to be the most dishonest assessment of the state of the economy this side of campaign rhetoric. Trump has not been in office long enough to effect the behavior of the real economy. Sure his promises can affect stock markets but to affect the real economy means actually effecting it with actions which result in greater productivity and consumption which takes many months under the best of conditions. This current improvement is the product of the realization of recovery from the financial market crash that produced a great recession in 2009. It represents the seven year recovery time typical of this kind of recession. If Trump's policies work it will take at least a year to see any results.
11
My own theory is that this all stems from Obama's roast of Trump at the press dinner some years ago in which Trump eventually left the dinner.
Trump is thin-skinned and vindictive, and I think that all of his reversing of executive actions and policies are the way he is getting back at Obama.
Trump is a small person indeed.
Trump is thin-skinned and vindictive, and I think that all of his reversing of executive actions and policies are the way he is getting back at Obama.
Trump is a small person indeed.
25
Obama should be the standard to which all presidents aspire. Trump's witch hunt of all things Obama puts a spotlight on the selfishness and hatereds that drive the current conservative movement. By every action of trump and republicans Obama just shines brighter. Decency and integrity are there own light no amount hate and jealousy will extinguish it
All Americans black, white, conservative or liberal, would do well to hold president Obama as the shining example of American greatness.
All Americans black, white, conservative or liberal, would do well to hold president Obama as the shining example of American greatness.
20
The harder Trump tries to discredit and erase President Obama and his legacy, the stronger it becomes. It's hard to follow a class act . . . especially when you are anything but . . .
22
Trump may actually be jealous of Obama. Obama is everything Trump isn't: Cool, attentive, thoughtful, articulate and gracious. Trump knows he will never measure up so instead he tries to diminish Obama. Trump is a very small and petty man.
25
Don't forget handsome!
12
Beautifully written.
15
What Trump doesn't understand probably can't understand is that he can overturn every rule/law Obama put in place, repeal the ACA and still not obliterate Obama's legacy. Obama is the best president in my lifetime (64) and has set a new standard, in my mind, for what a president should be. Trump makes himself look smaller and more foolish with every attack.
28
When Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic Airlines, met Trump for lunch a few years ago, he recalled that the only thing Trump wanted to talk about was how he was going to get revenge on the bankers who would not bail him out of his latest bankruptcy. He did not talk about business ventures or how Branson could help him, only how he would seek retribution from those who would dare not to help him. Trump is a vengeful , spoiled brat more suited for a playground than the White House and he shows this every day of his presidency.
23
Our current president is a little man in every respect. What more need be said or explained?
11
Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, Paul Ryan and their cronies did not like a smart black man either and didn't want to deal with a smart black President. I fear the future and hope Trump's term is a short aberration.
15
None of them could deal with a woman president either.
8
I believe that the fetish McConnell shares with Trump warrants mention also. His manic obsession with destroying anything and everything Obama, after having been consistently outwitted (by a black man!) for eight years, has resulted in creating this Mutt and Jeff duo, both willing to try anything, no matter how ruinous or derogatory for the country, to get their way.
15
The Ibos of Nigeria have a saying: between the chicken and the chicken-chaser, the one most likely to take a fall is the chicken-chaser.
7
How is Trump's attempt to erase Obama any more significant than Obama's attempt to undo Bush's legacy ? Bush fought the War on Terror and put the bad guys in Guantanmo. Obama tried to shut it down and tried to appease the terrorists. Bush passed one of the largest tax cuts in US history. At least for upper income taxpayers, Obama reversed the cut.
Almost every time you have an election where a different party takes power, you are going to see retrenchment and change of the precedessor's policies.
More than that, Blow is simply a hypocrite. Look at his own words. "Trump also appears to subscribe to the racist theory that success or failure of a member of a racial group redounds to all in that group." OK. So (per Blow) generalizing from an individual to a group is racist.
Yet, just a few sentences earlier, Blow contradicted himself - "He [Obama] was a walking, talking rebuttal to white supremacy and the myths of black pathology and inferiority." How can the success of a single person (Obama) retort any description of blacks generally (e.g. 72% of black kids are born to single parents) ? And if Obama's "elegance" does speak positively to blacks generally, doesn't this fail the same racist definition that Blow just outlined ?
Almost every time you have an election where a different party takes power, you are going to see retrenchment and change of the precedessor's policies.
More than that, Blow is simply a hypocrite. Look at his own words. "Trump also appears to subscribe to the racist theory that success or failure of a member of a racial group redounds to all in that group." OK. So (per Blow) generalizing from an individual to a group is racist.
Yet, just a few sentences earlier, Blow contradicted himself - "He [Obama] was a walking, talking rebuttal to white supremacy and the myths of black pathology and inferiority." How can the success of a single person (Obama) retort any description of blacks generally (e.g. 72% of black kids are born to single parents) ? And if Obama's "elegance" does speak positively to blacks generally, doesn't this fail the same racist definition that Blow just outlined ?
1
Yes, Obama tried to reverse Bush's policies that led our country to the brink of a major economic depression. Also, your statement about Obama trying to shut down the war on terror is a complete fabrication. Hundreds of terrorists were killed by drone strikes during the Obama administration. Dow Jones was 8000 when Obama took office, banks were failing, the American auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Dow Jones was 19,864 when Obama left office. Banks are stable, American auto industry doing great. Why do you have a problem with Obama? Looks like he was a great success.
5
Obama did not try to appease terrorists, on this planet at least. Obama did try to undo Bush's financial collapse, I agree with you on that.
3
Bush fought a war against common sense. The decision to invade Iraq is likely the worst foreign policy decision ever made by any president. It was not a breakdown produced by our intelligent agencies. They knew that Saddam was not a religious crazy and knew that he had neither WMDs nor any involvement in 9/11.
3
Mr. Blow, Thank you for writing this article and for including the excerpt detailing research conducted by The Nation. Trump won because he fanned the fires of racism in the US. End of discussion. A lot of working class, forgotten people are brown. It wasn't the forgotten working class that elected him. Democrats have always cared more about the working class and the middle class then Republicans. What Democrats weren't willing to do was to denigrate people of color in the campaign. Trump filled that yawning gap of desire for someone to blame with the tired old racism Lydon Johnson knew well and shared one day in Tennessee with Bill Moyers: "“I’ll tell you what’s at the bottom of it,” he [LBJ] said. “If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.” David Emory, Snopes: "President Lyndon Baines Johnson, who grew up in the South and understood the politics of racism from the inside, saw it in part as a ploy to divide and conquer." It worked then and it worked in 2016. Like a disgusting, horrible, terrifying charm. If we continue to spew misinformation in our "news" like Fox News or pull relevant history from our curriculum, we are over as a force for good. We will be a house divided and conquered under the weight of unchallenged lies and scandal.
17
Obama is Trump's self-inflicted punishment.
4
There was a so-called TV "news" channel, who should have been better named the "Trash Obama" channel. For 8 years they did nothing but promote hatred and did not spare any effort to bash and discredit an elected president. In good company with RT with its acrimonious anti-American propaganda, and Al Jazeera with its relentless anti-Israeli programming, Fox News can be rated as a brazen and successful attempt to appeal to the lowest of instincts and emotions: fear, hate, racism and sexism.
4
Obama is the White Whale to Trump's Ahab...the Hater's hater...
Sad thing is...45 fails to realize he's dealing with an individual that is
a leader, a statesman, a ninja and a Jedi all rolled into one.
In the words of an old wiseman,
I say... "Good luck with that!"
Sad thing is...45 fails to realize he's dealing with an individual that is
a leader, a statesman, a ninja and a Jedi all rolled into one.
In the words of an old wiseman,
I say... "Good luck with that!"
4
Once again, Mr. Blow you are spot on!
6
"Trump is president because of Obama..."
Mr. Blow should have stopped there. Yes, Trump's election was a repudiation of Hillary, but also a repudiation of Obama's eight years of rule by executive order. News flash to Blow and the NYT; it is possible to actively root for a repeal of policies put in place under Obama without being a racist. As to Obama and Russia, Blow may want to read the very damning Washington Post article on Obama's curious non-response to evidence that Russia was engaged in election mischief. Through in the hot mic conversation that Vladimir Putin should give him more "space" and that "[a]fter my election I have more flexibility" and one can legitimately wonder if there was collusion between Obama and Russia.
Prediction: Obama's 'legacy' will be subject to reappraisal because of the consequences of the choices he made as president, not because of anything Trump has done or may do.
Mr. Blow should have stopped there. Yes, Trump's election was a repudiation of Hillary, but also a repudiation of Obama's eight years of rule by executive order. News flash to Blow and the NYT; it is possible to actively root for a repeal of policies put in place under Obama without being a racist. As to Obama and Russia, Blow may want to read the very damning Washington Post article on Obama's curious non-response to evidence that Russia was engaged in election mischief. Through in the hot mic conversation that Vladimir Putin should give him more "space" and that "[a]fter my election I have more flexibility" and one can legitimately wonder if there was collusion between Obama and Russia.
Prediction: Obama's 'legacy' will be subject to reappraisal because of the consequences of the choices he made as president, not because of anything Trump has done or may do.
2
Trump is not a repudiation of anything except decency. Trump won via electoral college fluke. Which is not to say that Trump did not win, but Trump's win was the political equivalent of throwing a buzzer beating full court shot for three to win by one.
2
I think it is appropriate to point out here, that Barak Obama issued fewer executive orders than George W. Bush. In fact he issued fewer executive orders than Richard Nixon, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Harry S. Truman, Herbert Hoover, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge and Warren G. Harding. So any claim that opposition to President Obama was based on his use of executive orders is simply facile. As for the Washington Post's reporting on the Russian intervention and the steps taken by the Obama administration to confront the Russians, you cannot seriously draw any inference of collusion. That argument is just ludicrous on its face. It is more likely that President Obama's legacy will include the unmasking of not only rampant racism throughout the U.S., but also the mental instability of so many adherents to the conservative movement.
4
Nice fig leaf you have there. I don't see any Trump voters complaining about his executive orders.
1
44 > 45
12
44 younger, more handsome, more Intelligent than the empty 45!
2
It is not unusual for european immigrants and descendants to be obsessed with class. Unfortunately, the hidden efforts to erase Africans, and African-Americans from the history books started hundreds of years ago; "Ceterum censeo", "Carthago delenda est", or "Delenda est Carthago" (English: "Carthage must be destroyed" or in other words Obama's legacy must be destroyed. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carthago_delenda_est.
President Trump's insecurities are America's insecurities!
President Trump's insecurities are America's insecurities!
4
Trump may have more wealth than President Obama, but other than that Trump is way beneath our first black president in terms of intelligence, wisdom and integrity. History will eventually show President Obama as a leader who inspired our nation to strive for a nobler identity, while Trump reflected the baser qualities of humanity in words and deeds.
12
One can never achieve anything meaningful while in constant comparison or competition with another. Undermining the perceived enemy, undermines oneself. A selfless path will have its successes and failures but a pure and noble objective is the only thing any of us can aspire to.
3
Didn't we go thru this w/GWB?? He closed down everything WJC did............. even the OBL squad !
4
Did Obama attack Bush or his policies? With Trump it's very clear he is making personal as well as political attacks.
3
The irony of course is that Trump need not focus on undoing Obama's legacy, because Obama's only lasting legacy is having Trump as President.
What exactly did Obama accomplish while in office:
-- saving the economy from the brink? No, that was Ben Bernanke
-- saving the auto industry? No, that was George W. Bush
-- prosecution of banking criminals? No
-- immigration reform? No
-- tax reform? No
-- Iraq/Afghanistan? No. But he instead added Libya and Syria to the list
-- health care reform? No, it's imploding and bills are piling up for everyone
Obama has no lasting legacy other than Trump's election. Obama overreached and the people rebelled by electing Trump. That is something Obama can add to his pithy list of accomplishments.
What exactly did Obama accomplish while in office:
-- saving the economy from the brink? No, that was Ben Bernanke
-- saving the auto industry? No, that was George W. Bush
-- prosecution of banking criminals? No
-- immigration reform? No
-- tax reform? No
-- Iraq/Afghanistan? No. But he instead added Libya and Syria to the list
-- health care reform? No, it's imploding and bills are piling up for everyone
Obama has no lasting legacy other than Trump's election. Obama overreached and the people rebelled by electing Trump. That is something Obama can add to his pithy list of accomplishments.
You left out fighting valiantly against the fiercest, most obstructionist Republican Congress in history whose blood- sworn racist oath was to destroy Obama. It is a tribute to his tenacity tempered by his grace that Obama accomplished anything at all.
10
Your "insight" might have been amusing had it not been so completely wrong and pathetic. Your list of what you perceive as Obama's failings can just about be completely laid at the feet of the Republicans in Congress. To help you in your woefully uninformed state, GWB didn't save diddly. And Obama never "overreached" - that is a false meme spread by the right wing who refuse to acknowledge that any Democrat is legitimately in office. Given the Republican intransigence and complete inability to do ANYTHING good for the citizenry, it is in reality amazing that Obama was able to do as much as he did.
Are you listening? Can you read?
But then, what else can anyone expect from the willfully uninformed?
Are you listening? Can you read?
But then, what else can anyone expect from the willfully uninformed?
1
Obama won popular and electoral college victories by larger margins than Clinton or GWB and your boy Trump. He accomplished more than your republican hero Reagan--who was demented during most of his presidency. Trump claimed credit for the deficit reduction calculated in January/Feb 2017 and ongoing employment gains of the last few months and I am sure you would say the stock market gains are a result of Trumps nonexistent policy achievements. Racists and sexist are quick to give others credit when they can't accept the accomplishments of minorities and women. Obama got bin laden--yes the Navy Seals carried out the operation but those same navy Seals were there for Bush and Clinton--why didn't the get him before Obama. Obama took the political gamble to get health care for 20 million people when no one else had ever been able to do so-- even Nixon failed to get close. Stop hating and accept the fact that Obama was a great president during one of the toughest economic peroids this country has ever faced. He came through like a champ and proved that America is great-- because the majority of us elected him TWICE -- he was the best man for the job and he proved us right.
1
Trump appears to attract like minded folks lacking in authenticity to surround himself that project a glossy veneer and little substance selling a dream to bears of very little brain for which he appears to be their last hope. Woe be to those of demonstrated credibility, that have found themselves caught up in the tsunami of false promises and little action. Only time can turn back the storm at cliffs edge for it would be hard to find one inspired or inspiring individual up to the task.
Trump was too immature and unqualified for the office of the Presidency to begin with and it's a tragedy that he was ever elected. Besides his immaturity, he's a classic case of malignant narcissism and a person who cannot tolerate criticism and differences of opinion which normally goes with this office.. He's dangerously impulsive and tends to ignore the advice of others and act on his own. The man has become dangerous to all of us and is an embarassment to this nation as are those Republicans who continue to condone his behavior and conduct.
This op-ed is perfectly on target, but trying to compare Obama and Trump in any way is like stretching to discuss the comparative beauty of a cockroach and an elegant flower garden. The difference is so obvious it doesn't even warrant discussion. That said, I still loved this article. Keep up the good work, Mr. Blow. We need you.
10
You made my day Stephanie.
"... discuss the comparative beauty of a cockroach and an elegant flower garden".
So beautifully put and so very true. Thank you!
"... discuss the comparative beauty of a cockroach and an elegant flower garden".
So beautifully put and so very true. Thank you!
I have been saying for years, and more emphatically since Trump got elected, that economic disparity had nothing to do with his success. It's all about racism. Why did so many people "hate" the most intelligent, introspective, well-respected president in our country's history? Because he's black. The more erudite he was, the more intense was the vitriol against this amazing leader.
Trump cannot touch him. He is vulgar, insanely misogynist and racist, and incredibly incompetent. He is spinning. McConnell and Ryan bear much more of the responsibility here. They laid the path. McConnell's disdain and racist non-cooperation with Obama....well his evil knows no bounds. Trump is the Republican's golem.
What lies in our future? Will the masses (of white people) finally see what is happening here? Will they understand how exploited they are by the Republicans? Will their largely unconscious racism rule over their own self-interests? I am one white person who considers it an implicit responsibility to unlearn racism and to ally with communities of color to insist on justice.
I hope that Warren and Sanders will get off the "economic disparity" bandwagon. They are in their own bubbles. We all need to move forward with insistence for fairness, social justice and the spirit of helping each other. If the media would cease giving Trump ANY coverage, what would happen? Hmm...he could be made irrelevant just like that.
Trump cannot touch him. He is vulgar, insanely misogynist and racist, and incredibly incompetent. He is spinning. McConnell and Ryan bear much more of the responsibility here. They laid the path. McConnell's disdain and racist non-cooperation with Obama....well his evil knows no bounds. Trump is the Republican's golem.
What lies in our future? Will the masses (of white people) finally see what is happening here? Will they understand how exploited they are by the Republicans? Will their largely unconscious racism rule over their own self-interests? I am one white person who considers it an implicit responsibility to unlearn racism and to ally with communities of color to insist on justice.
I hope that Warren and Sanders will get off the "economic disparity" bandwagon. They are in their own bubbles. We all need to move forward with insistence for fairness, social justice and the spirit of helping each other. If the media would cease giving Trump ANY coverage, what would happen? Hmm...he could be made irrelevant just like that.
10
A friend of mine, for decades a minor Republican office holder, was once incensed by any suggestion that Republicans would have won many fewer elections if the racists had just not voted. Numerical analysis was simply not relevant: the Republican Party stood for a noble conservative vision, and that was why people voted for them.
I have not lately heard much on this subject from him. Perhaps that is because you simply cannot deny that if Trump had not enthused racists who previously had been merely pandered to, Hillary's electoral victory would have been YUGE!
I have not lately heard much on this subject from him. Perhaps that is because you simply cannot deny that if Trump had not enthused racists who previously had been merely pandered to, Hillary's electoral victory would have been YUGE!
4
No, it wasn't the racists coming out of the closet. Did you forget that the reason Trump won was because a larger percentage of Blacks, a larger percentage of Hispanics, a larger percentage of Independents, and yes, a larger percentage of Democrats voted for a Republican in greater numbers than they usually do? Even a larger percentage of college educated woman voted for POTUS.
Perhaps the public saw they direction the country was going (an out of control Federal government, open borders, lawlessness, a feckless foreign policy and the vanishing of the middle class) and they said "no mas".
Perhaps the public saw they direction the country was going (an out of control Federal government, open borders, lawlessness, a feckless foreign policy and the vanishing of the middle class) and they said "no mas".
“Trump has questioned not only Obama’s birthplace but also his academic and literary pedigree”, writes Mr. Blow. But what about Trump’s own academic credentials? Even allowing for brain deterioration resulting from his advanced age, his behavior makes it difficult to believe he could have withstood the rigors of a university education. Has anyone ever seen his college transcript? And no matter what that says, how do we know he didn’t employ people to take his tests and write his papers?
This needs looking into.
This needs looking into.
6
Trump and 30 percent of America are at war against the rest of us who have worked hard to get where we are and who went to college and took it seriously. I believe in evidence based thinking and I was trained in evidence based thinking, like Obama, and many great Americans. Trump is out to kill us.
2
Is at times like this when I miss Obama the most, and is not Trump that I fear but the people that voted for him....what where they thinking?
6
Trump is too ignorant and lazy to formulate his own vision, so the closest he can come with any vision is to destroy Obama's. It's typical philistine behavior - not unlike the Taliban destroying priceless historic relics in an apparent desperation to show that they stand for something.
11
The parallels between the way anti-Semitism was whipped up in Germany by a demented rabble-rouser and the flames of racism fanned by Trump are ominous. When the rot finally sets into the bedrock of society it's often too late to do anything, except let it run its course to its cataclysmic end.
As a Canadian of Indian origin I am deeply troubled by how the rot of racism and religious fanaticism is spreading to other democracies like India. The recent lynchings of Muslims in India - because they are "beef eaters" - has not evoked any response from the American Press even as the Indian Prime Minister Modi is being dined and feted by the US President.
Has anyone heard Modi's response? I haven't. Has anyone heard a response from the prosperous Indians settled in the U.S.? I haven't. You can get rich and feel content. But what a price to pay if you've lost your voice and your conscience?
AG
Calgary, Canada
As a Canadian of Indian origin I am deeply troubled by how the rot of racism and religious fanaticism is spreading to other democracies like India. The recent lynchings of Muslims in India - because they are "beef eaters" - has not evoked any response from the American Press even as the Indian Prime Minister Modi is being dined and feted by the US President.
Has anyone heard Modi's response? I haven't. Has anyone heard a response from the prosperous Indians settled in the U.S.? I haven't. You can get rich and feel content. But what a price to pay if you've lost your voice and your conscience?
AG
Calgary, Canada
5
Why would Donald Trump be jealous of Barack Obama? I think Mr. Obama is jealous of Mr. Trump. President Trump has achieved the kind of success that very few people will ever see in their lifetime.
Mr Obama was the most liberal of any president we have had in office and he wanted to enact his socialist policies. President Trump is undoing the wrongs he put into place such as a flawed healthcare system and limiting the number of illegals entering the country. More people were receiving welfare then ever before and many were able-bodied citizens.
There were those of us who were not sad to see Obama go and certainly do not miss him. The liberal progressives may wish he was still in office but those of us who are more moderate leaning surely do not. Ask those who live in rural America whom he neglected and I am sure they are glad he is gone. He cared about those who shared his leftist policies but not the average American. This is why President Trump is in office today.
Mr Obama was the most liberal of any president we have had in office and he wanted to enact his socialist policies. President Trump is undoing the wrongs he put into place such as a flawed healthcare system and limiting the number of illegals entering the country. More people were receiving welfare then ever before and many were able-bodied citizens.
There were those of us who were not sad to see Obama go and certainly do not miss him. The liberal progressives may wish he was still in office but those of us who are more moderate leaning surely do not. Ask those who live in rural America whom he neglected and I am sure they are glad he is gone. He cared about those who shared his leftist policies but not the average American. This is why President Trump is in office today.
1
The only "success" that Trump has had in life has come by cheating others. He was born into $$ and had every privilege and yet he is just about the sorriest excuse for a human being that there is.
Obama was hardly the "most liberal president" ever, but it says much about you that you think he is. As for the problems with the health care system, you need only look as far as the congressional Republicans who ensured that those flaws were built in. And please, do provide your evidence that so many who were on welfare were able-bodied citizens.
Your comments tell the rest of us that you are hardly moderate, you are just masquerading as one.
Obama was hardly the "most liberal president" ever, but it says much about you that you think he is. As for the problems with the health care system, you need only look as far as the congressional Republicans who ensured that those flaws were built in. And please, do provide your evidence that so many who were on welfare were able-bodied citizens.
Your comments tell the rest of us that you are hardly moderate, you are just masquerading as one.
2
Possibly I have missed a reader’s comment but it appears that no one has remarked on Trump’s hand gestures, which are used by the alt-right to signal solidarity. Trump’s little hands advertise in almost every address his identity as a white supremacist.
Mr. Blow, I greatly admire your articles and agree with almost everything you write. But do I detect hesitancy in saying outright that Trump is a died-in-the-wool racist, has always been a racist who viscerally despises people of color? Where Obama is revered for his stature, not just here but globally, Trump is in at least equal measure reviled for his beastliness. Trump brings this country into utter disrepute.
Mr. Blow, I greatly admire your articles and agree with almost everything you write. But do I detect hesitancy in saying outright that Trump is a died-in-the-wool racist, has always been a racist who viscerally despises people of color? Where Obama is revered for his stature, not just here but globally, Trump is in at least equal measure reviled for his beastliness. Trump brings this country into utter disrepute.
9
Just imagine what condition the USA would be in if Donald Trump had been elected president in 2008, as the US economy was teetering on the brink of catastrophe.....
3
Understanding Trump's racist motivations brings sunlight to the political process and helps dry up this human aberration like a water drop on a hot sidewalk. Thanks Mr. Blow for stating the obvious.
3
George Bush made an Obama presidency possible. President Obama made a Trump presidency possible.
1
We the people must keep Obama's legacy alive, through these writings and remembering all of what he achieved, not only as President, but as a person. Trump's legacy will be forgotten soon enough. But first we must suffer through it - and minimize to the extent possible its ill effects.
Trump knows he will never measure up - and this is what drives is pathological behaviors.
Trump knows he will never measure up - and this is what drives is pathological behaviors.
3
The Obama legacy will endure
Barack Obama wasn't perfect. Much of what he failed to do domestically was stymied by a Congress whose only policy was obstruction. The Democrats only had a filibuster-proof majority for a portion of 2009, and lost it in the second year of his first term when Scott Brown was seated in January. Congress was controlled by a fierce opposition for 6 of his 8 years. In spite of Congressional opposition, he prevented a second great depression.
We can see now the horrible results of continued war. I agree these were failures. The Middle East has been a powder keg for decades. His predecessor initiated the war in Iraq. We can't see the results of any alternative to his decisions. The outcomes might even have been worse. Comparing collateral damage to extra judicial killings is off base.
Modern diplomacy is formed and executed based on knowledge, spying. We can't make foreign policy or military decisions without information, much of which must be obtained covertly. Adversaries will not provide us with their plans. Allies don't tell us everything we need to know about their aims. Ronald Reagan said "trust but verify". The rest of the world applies that to us as well.
All 45 of our presidents have had clay feet. Most of them have been presented with no-win situations. Still Barack Obama was among the best of them. His successor will be among the worst.
Barack Obama wasn't perfect. Much of what he failed to do domestically was stymied by a Congress whose only policy was obstruction. The Democrats only had a filibuster-proof majority for a portion of 2009, and lost it in the second year of his first term when Scott Brown was seated in January. Congress was controlled by a fierce opposition for 6 of his 8 years. In spite of Congressional opposition, he prevented a second great depression.
We can see now the horrible results of continued war. I agree these were failures. The Middle East has been a powder keg for decades. His predecessor initiated the war in Iraq. We can't see the results of any alternative to his decisions. The outcomes might even have been worse. Comparing collateral damage to extra judicial killings is off base.
Modern diplomacy is formed and executed based on knowledge, spying. We can't make foreign policy or military decisions without information, much of which must be obtained covertly. Adversaries will not provide us with their plans. Allies don't tell us everything we need to know about their aims. Ronald Reagan said "trust but verify". The rest of the world applies that to us as well.
All 45 of our presidents have had clay feet. Most of them have been presented with no-win situations. Still Barack Obama was among the best of them. His successor will be among the worst.
5
Barack Obama was well aware of the temporary nature of his Executive Orders and last-minute attempts to regulate that which he refused or could not legislate. After all, he was a "constitutional scholar", however self-proclaimed that might be.
Charles Blow is also well aware that Donald Trump was ELECTED to turn back the extra-legal measures the President Obama imposed without the consent of the Representatives and Senators elected by The People to make law.
Mr. Blow's obsession with Trump and his actions flies in the face of what The People have said that they actually want.
Charles Blow is also well aware that Donald Trump was ELECTED to turn back the extra-legal measures the President Obama imposed without the consent of the Representatives and Senators elected by The People to make law.
Mr. Blow's obsession with Trump and his actions flies in the face of what The People have said that they actually want.
3
Obviously biased right-wing comment.
4
I'm sure you were just as incensed by all of W's executive orders as well, right?
Oh, not so much. Hardly a peep. So it is only when a Democrat is in office and is being completely stymied by congressional Republicans who can't come up with their own legislation no matter what that executive orders suddenly become a concern for you.
Just to help you in your obviously ignorant state, those were not "extra legal measures" - they were quite legal. When Republicans refuse to govern, that is the go-to mechanism that is place for just such situations.
Glad to help.
Oh, not so much. Hardly a peep. So it is only when a Democrat is in office and is being completely stymied by congressional Republicans who can't come up with their own legislation no matter what that executive orders suddenly become a concern for you.
Just to help you in your obviously ignorant state, those were not "extra legal measures" - they were quite legal. When Republicans refuse to govern, that is the go-to mechanism that is place for just such situations.
Glad to help.
1
I have long suspected that what motivates a lot of Trump's behavior is an obsession with Obama's success; this of course dates back to the whole birther thing. If this is true, then we have a real basket case for a president. How can the Republicans continue to turn a blind eye to the fact that the president is putting America at risk with his lack of intellectual horse power and his very obvious psychopathologies? Do we really trust Trump to make the right decision when it comes to wielding the incredible power of the military (including the nukes)? Do we trust him to defend the Constitution, or will Trump be more interested in using his office for his own personal agenda?
10
I very much agree with the analysis of Trump's motivation for wanting to eradicate Obama's legacy. However knowing how Trump can never tolerate even the slightest slight, I also am pretty sure that Obama's skewering of the Donald at the 2011 White House correspondents dinner had a lot to do with it. Check out the video...
2
Trump doesn't like anyone, least of all himself. He is not respected, let alone revered. Depending upon the relationship, he is either feared, loathed or tolerated.
Psychologically, he is a megalomaniac trying to adjust to the world stage, failing and then regressing to his immature and boorish attempts to fan his ego. His supporters and the Republican Party, by condoning and enabling his sick and dangerous behavior, are writing their obituaries in the larger court of public opinion.
Psychologically, he is a megalomaniac trying to adjust to the world stage, failing and then regressing to his immature and boorish attempts to fan his ego. His supporters and the Republican Party, by condoning and enabling his sick and dangerous behavior, are writing their obituaries in the larger court of public opinion.
9
There were two main things the red state voters had to accomplish in the 2016 election, and Trump allowed them to achieve both.
First, there was the absolute importance to stick a thumb in the eye of the blue state voters, the pundits, the elites, who, the more they complained about Trump's candidacy the more the flyover state voters salivated about the upcoming coup.
The second was to deny a woman, Hillary, with the cries of her shrillness, lack of trustworthiness, and "pro-establishement" categorization - along with the absolute necessity to not have a black president followed by a woman. It was also to punish the Clintons as horrible, deceitful, and corrupt.
The right wing was truly motivated to vote in 2016, and their motives were powerful enough to carry a wrecking ball candidate into office. He was disguised as a populist, a "drain the swamp" establishment breaker, but that was just a racket to appeal to the masses who tipped the scale on his behalf.
NICE WORK, COMEY, for providing the last-minute scandal alert that tilted the balance in the rust belt states and helped elect an arrogant know-nothing.
First, there was the absolute importance to stick a thumb in the eye of the blue state voters, the pundits, the elites, who, the more they complained about Trump's candidacy the more the flyover state voters salivated about the upcoming coup.
The second was to deny a woman, Hillary, with the cries of her shrillness, lack of trustworthiness, and "pro-establishement" categorization - along with the absolute necessity to not have a black president followed by a woman. It was also to punish the Clintons as horrible, deceitful, and corrupt.
The right wing was truly motivated to vote in 2016, and their motives were powerful enough to carry a wrecking ball candidate into office. He was disguised as a populist, a "drain the swamp" establishment breaker, but that was just a racket to appeal to the masses who tipped the scale on his behalf.
NICE WORK, COMEY, for providing the last-minute scandal alert that tilted the balance in the rust belt states and helped elect an arrogant know-nothing.
9
You seem unaware that Trump won the usual reds states. The prroblem is Hillary did not win the usual blue states. Those were Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin . There goes your theory.
To have so little self-esteem as to measure against others, is guaranteed to always come up short. Trustworthiness, honor and esteem are built from the inside out, not the other way around. Attempting to push another down reflects on you Trump, not on Mr. Obama. The tweeting and sensationalized remarks are just verbal junk food; intellectually void with no value.
3
This all started with Newt Gingrich. He's the one who noticed that making nice keeps Republicans on C-SPAN, but screeching and calling people crooks gets network news coverage.
The tactic was part of the strategy to view every policy through an electoral lens. Winning elections was more important than governing. So Republicans continued race-baiting, gay-bashing, vote-suppressing, women-oppressing and union-busting policies that sold well in the jobless interior.
But it was all possible -- even the Birther nonsense -- because of civic ignorance. Americans who voted for Trump do not even recognize all the policy decisions that cause them grief are all straight-up Republican economic philosophy.
Teach civics. People need to know who is responsible. People need to know Donald can't fix anything for them.
The tactic was part of the strategy to view every policy through an electoral lens. Winning elections was more important than governing. So Republicans continued race-baiting, gay-bashing, vote-suppressing, women-oppressing and union-busting policies that sold well in the jobless interior.
But it was all possible -- even the Birther nonsense -- because of civic ignorance. Americans who voted for Trump do not even recognize all the policy decisions that cause them grief are all straight-up Republican economic philosophy.
Teach civics. People need to know who is responsible. People need to know Donald can't fix anything for them.
7
Oh I couldn't agree with you more, Mr. Blow.
If Obama didn't exist, Trump would still be failing businesses and trying to become part of the NY elite he covets and criticizes.
Trump should not be mentioned in the same sentences as Obama because he lacks the success, ability, intelligence, respect and humanity of the man. He lacks the loving marriage of the Obama's and the friendships.
Trump can erase whatever he can of Obama's policies with the pen but he cannot take away the regard with which he's held globally and by his supporters here.
At the core of this is jealousy. He was bested by him in verbal jousts and cannot accept it.
People will miss Obama everyday of Trump's presidency. When Trump has imploded or forced to resign or whatever his fate, most of this country will heave a huge sigh of relief while Trump continues to be a target of the comedians because in the end his presidency can be easily erased by his successor since not much will be left behind except perhaps a bad taste.
If Obama didn't exist, Trump would still be failing businesses and trying to become part of the NY elite he covets and criticizes.
Trump should not be mentioned in the same sentences as Obama because he lacks the success, ability, intelligence, respect and humanity of the man. He lacks the loving marriage of the Obama's and the friendships.
Trump can erase whatever he can of Obama's policies with the pen but he cannot take away the regard with which he's held globally and by his supporters here.
At the core of this is jealousy. He was bested by him in verbal jousts and cannot accept it.
People will miss Obama everyday of Trump's presidency. When Trump has imploded or forced to resign or whatever his fate, most of this country will heave a huge sigh of relief while Trump continues to be a target of the comedians because in the end his presidency can be easily erased by his successor since not much will be left behind except perhaps a bad taste.
4
I feel at times very sorry for an ageing man who knows he is losing his mind, but at the same time feels he should do nothing about it. His children are so brow beaten and cannot say anything to help him. The GOP Party that he has adopted, and now controls are wimps and follows him like the Pied Piper. He wishes he has the knowledge, youth, good looks and the ability to speak on any or all subject matters as President Obama did. His only accomplishment is to try and erase everything that President Obama has accomplished; foolish man does not know that reversing a policy is not considered an accomplishment, or new policies; but a reversal of good that will leave his name tarnished. President Trump's legacy will be that he has reversed America's accomplishments and leadership in the world, and now we are a Country that the countries of the world is shunning. Such a pity to have a leader who is not articulate, one who lies, and above all one who lacks the moral ability to represent the people of this great Country. We need a referendum people, we cannot wait 4 years.
8
During the last Obama year, with somewaht diminished hope ahead because Bill had crippled Hillary's true potential with the people and with Trump as the unimaginable alternate, I used to interject "Obama was smart" into conversations with those I thought might agree.
Boy, was I surprised. Even though it's Texas, and most of those friends, family, acquaintences were certainly not engaged in Democratic circles, I had some reason to believe in their recognition of leadership and accomplishment. After all, we served one of the most democratic institutions of America where those are core values.
Best result, silence. Usually, I heard a dissenting "uhh" first. But no debate, and that was a false positive because there was no glimmer of hope (as we learned on election day).
WHY IS IT THAT AMERICANS CANNOT AGREE THAT OBAMA IS SMART?
I'm convinced that individual judgement gets lost to the pack, the pack will follow the pack leader clanking the most familiar cow bell.
Mega-donor Piper Songs of "Emails" and "Benghazi" were topping the Cow Bell Charts. The adult sheeple will stay tuned to Easy Cow Bell Jazz.
Yearling sheeple will tire of its unchanging drone, will jump off the sheeple cargo vessel, and will swim toward America's Future.
Boy, was I surprised. Even though it's Texas, and most of those friends, family, acquaintences were certainly not engaged in Democratic circles, I had some reason to believe in their recognition of leadership and accomplishment. After all, we served one of the most democratic institutions of America where those are core values.
Best result, silence. Usually, I heard a dissenting "uhh" first. But no debate, and that was a false positive because there was no glimmer of hope (as we learned on election day).
WHY IS IT THAT AMERICANS CANNOT AGREE THAT OBAMA IS SMART?
I'm convinced that individual judgement gets lost to the pack, the pack will follow the pack leader clanking the most familiar cow bell.
Mega-donor Piper Songs of "Emails" and "Benghazi" were topping the Cow Bell Charts. The adult sheeple will stay tuned to Easy Cow Bell Jazz.
Yearling sheeple will tire of its unchanging drone, will jump off the sheeple cargo vessel, and will swim toward America's Future.
3
I wonder if AG Jeff’n Bory hasn’t assured Dear Leader Trump that there is ample precedent for his effort to erase President Obama from the history books – namely the successful scouring of all that had been achieved in the South during Reconstruction once the white “Redeemers” returned to power.
The Redeemers sought to roll back the legislative achievements of the Reconstruction governments, such as the establishment of public schools serving both black and white children. But the real bone in their craw was always – always – the participation of blacks, including former slaves, in state governments during Reconstruction – as both voters and office-holders. Blacks held local and state offices, served in state legislators, and represented their states in Congress.
To the Redeemers, the former slave’s proud affirmation, “Bottom rail on top now,” was a slander upon the entire South. To remove this stain upon the South’s escutcheon, it was necessary not only to undo the Reconstruction governments’ specific legislative actions but to deny the legitimacy of Reconstruction altogether. To accomplish this and to ensure that “white supremacy” would be the law of the land, they established the “Jim Crow” regime that remained intact for most of the next century.
That is certainly the same view that Mr. Trump and many of his supporters have about Barack Obama. To them, the Redeemers provide the perfect template for de-legitimizing the entire Obama Presidency.
The Redeemers sought to roll back the legislative achievements of the Reconstruction governments, such as the establishment of public schools serving both black and white children. But the real bone in their craw was always – always – the participation of blacks, including former slaves, in state governments during Reconstruction – as both voters and office-holders. Blacks held local and state offices, served in state legislators, and represented their states in Congress.
To the Redeemers, the former slave’s proud affirmation, “Bottom rail on top now,” was a slander upon the entire South. To remove this stain upon the South’s escutcheon, it was necessary not only to undo the Reconstruction governments’ specific legislative actions but to deny the legitimacy of Reconstruction altogether. To accomplish this and to ensure that “white supremacy” would be the law of the land, they established the “Jim Crow” regime that remained intact for most of the next century.
That is certainly the same view that Mr. Trump and many of his supporters have about Barack Obama. To them, the Redeemers provide the perfect template for de-legitimizing the entire Obama Presidency.
7
Mr. Blow gets it right at the end of his article. "For Trump, the mark of a successful president is the degree to which he can expunge 0bama's presidency". It is why Trump was elected , so it should be his goal , and contrary to Mr. Blows druthers, Trump was elected.
1
I have decided that I don't want to live in a constant state of upset, rage and depression because of Donald Trump. So let me try some compassion and understanding. Trump is an unloved, neglected and abused little boy. His own brother died of alcoholism and he is abstinent from alcohol. Something awful happened to him as a child and he hasn't healed. That lack of self love often manifests itself in extreme grandiosity, inability to form relationships, failure to parent one's children, resentment and rage against others. He is a very sick man.
3
If you ever bother to watch the YouTube videos of Donald Trump being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in the 1980s, he was loved by the very same people that now hate him with extreme passion. The funny thing is, he was saying then the same things then as his is saying today. Trump was not a unloved child, nor was he abused. He was raised to think big and take chances. He is self confident and he doesn't live being told what to do (as did Obama). I think it is safe to say he learned well.
If only we could say that because of Trump, it will be a long time before another vicious, lying, willfully ignorant narcissist will be elected president.
2
Trump is a gangster:
- is vengeful
- is a bully
Ultimately, a fraud and a liar.
As a matter of style:
Tearing down prior administrations' regulations. Especially the Obama administration's, with vengeance, positively as a pay back for Obama's and Set Mayers' 2011 Foreign Correspondence Dinner takes on him.
- is vengeful
- is a bully
Ultimately, a fraud and a liar.
As a matter of style:
Tearing down prior administrations' regulations. Especially the Obama administration's, with vengeance, positively as a pay back for Obama's and Set Mayers' 2011 Foreign Correspondence Dinner takes on him.
3
Let's not forget that last November 53% of white women chose white supremacy over gender equality.
Racism is truly a pathology.
Racism is truly a pathology.
8
Its a good thing that Trump got rid of the rule preventing mentally ill people from owning guns. Now he can finally buy one.
4
The short-fingered vulgarian occupying the White House and his followers have condemned themselves to a life full of anger and frustration. Their sole purpose has been to destroy all existence of President Barack Obama, the first African-American President of the United States and every day they are realizing that they will never achieve their dearest wish. President Barack Obama's legacy lives in the hearts and minds of people ALL OVER THE WORLD. There isn't a place on earth that doesn't know and respect President Obama, just like there isn't a place on earth that doesn't know and scorn Trump.
What I find interesting isn't the hatred that Trump and his kind feel towards President Obama. It's the hatred they feel towards their own country. How can anyone who loves his nation be willing to tear it down like this? How could any flag-loving American debase and destroy everything the United States is supposed to stand for? Trump and his followers aren't just interested in obliterating President Obama. They're determined to punish the country that put Barack Obama in the highest office in the land and continue to admire, respect and MISS him daily.
The short-fingered vulgarian doesn't just hate Obama. He hates America.
What I find interesting isn't the hatred that Trump and his kind feel towards President Obama. It's the hatred they feel towards their own country. How can anyone who loves his nation be willing to tear it down like this? How could any flag-loving American debase and destroy everything the United States is supposed to stand for? Trump and his followers aren't just interested in obliterating President Obama. They're determined to punish the country that put Barack Obama in the highest office in the land and continue to admire, respect and MISS him daily.
The short-fingered vulgarian doesn't just hate Obama. He hates America.
7
As a supporter of Donald Trump I can tell you his supporters are not angered or frustrated. I, for one, wake up every morning and breath a sigh of relief knowing that Hillary was defeated and America is now on the right course to becoming a great nation again.
Once again, Charles Blow has the goods on Trump. Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of supporters
5
The divide becomes more vast each day!
2
Obama won - twice- by a comfortable margin.
The Donald lost the people's vote - by 3 million. (3,000,000....)
All the tantrums, disparagement, and lies can never change that.
5
I don't think Trump's attitude towards Obama is based upon racism so much as envy. Consider each man's advantages and accomplishments. Trump with great wealth handed to him, the ability to have a first class education, and the time to develop skills and abilities to excel in life unlike most people have available. Obama with no wealth and a middle class upbringing who needed to prove and to prepare himself to gain the opportunities which he was able to use to eventually become President. Trump with his careless talk and unthinking behavior and spending huge amounts of money compensating for many mistakes due to his thoughtlessness, obsessively acting the bully even as an adult, gaining the Presidency by exploiting the vitriol in people, and then screwing up like nobody ever has before as President. Obama calmly managing himself and considering what he did most carefully and leading the country well through a series of difficult situations and times, not perfectly but well. There is Trump comparing himself to Obama and realizing that Obama could do what Trump cannot. That I think is the source of Trump's bad attitude towards Obama.
2
A message to Donald and his two sons Uday and Qusay, no matter how much money you have it will never be enough to buy class. Obama and his wonderful family have everything good that money can't buy. Eat your hearts out.
5
People who went to school with Obama never saw him? Perhaps he was in the library, studying.
3
Great article.
4
Obama had a bigger Inauguration turnout. Surely that in itself is enough to make the brat in the White House hate his predecessor.
4
Easy way to irritate Trump is to remind him he will never be as popular or as good a president as the black guy who had the job before.
4
It's kinda fresh that Charles would call out Trump for his Obama obsessions, yet Charles can't see himself for his Trump obsession.
What exactly did Mr. Blow do for work before Trump invaded the political scene?
What exactly did Mr. Blow do for work before Trump invaded the political scene?
So I guess since Trump is doing such a terrible job that - sadly - we won't see another Caucasian president for generations.
1
“For Trump, the mark of being a successful president is the degree to which he can expunge Obama’s presidency.”
Of course the opposite will be the case. Trump will be an annoying oddity, a one-sentence footnote in the American history books. It does not matter how loudly his fanatical followers are screaming his name his legacy (if that term can ever apply to Trump) will fade into oblivion once the damage he has done to this country has been remedied.
Of course the opposite will be the case. Trump will be an annoying oddity, a one-sentence footnote in the American history books. It does not matter how loudly his fanatical followers are screaming his name his legacy (if that term can ever apply to Trump) will fade into oblivion once the damage he has done to this country has been remedied.
3
Obama's intelligence, personalities, empathy for everybody, respectful to others(irrespective of religion and economic position) are so much superior compared to the the present President, who is selfish, egoist, hates poor people, no respect for women, does not like or admire other than flatterers, or butt kissers ! I don't get one thing why did Obama and his administrations avoided accomplishing or resolving few more issues, like appointing Supreme Court Judge, and few more positive things for the world ??
1
Unfortunately the seed on which whatever support Trump has is the fact that a certain faction of this country will never get over the reality that an African American man was The President of The United States - and most likely one of the most successful. Besides navigating the country out of the worse recession since 1929, he will forever be known as the president who began the process of universal health care in America, something most civilized countries already have. Why do Trump and the Republicans insist on calling it "Obamacare" instead it's real name, "The Afforable Care Act" ? Simple, they don't want the base forget from where it came. Instead of fixing the program, they are obsessed with removing "Obama" and all he represents from the title.
8
Sorry, Michael, your desperate dive for the racist card doesn't play well with reasonable folk.
There are more than legitimate policy disagreements that are at the root of Trumps actions on many topics, healthcare, immigration, taxes, defense, environment and a host of others.
If all you can come up with is an accusation of racism to defend your position, it speaks to the pathetic nature of the liberal argument.
There are more than legitimate policy disagreements that are at the root of Trumps actions on many topics, healthcare, immigration, taxes, defense, environment and a host of others.
If all you can come up with is an accusation of racism to defend your position, it speaks to the pathetic nature of the liberal argument.
America's most deplorable President --- tilted into office by a right-wing, Russian vacuum of lies, deceit, Fake News, Hate Radio, Grand Old Propaganda, voter suppression and political hijacking ---- continues to endlessly curse the darkness of Barack Obama's pigmentation instead of lighting a candle.
Donald Trump's greatest 'accomplishment' so far has been his complete destruction of America's "shining city on hill".....replaced by a Towering Trump Inferno of ill will, Christian spite, white supremacy, and a collapsed national IQ.
Trump's Presidential tombstone has already been written by historians (and J K Rowling):
"Here lies a tiny, tiny, tiny little man"
His Deplorables will flock to it to pay their respects to one of America's worst citizens.
Sad.
Donald Trump's greatest 'accomplishment' so far has been his complete destruction of America's "shining city on hill".....replaced by a Towering Trump Inferno of ill will, Christian spite, white supremacy, and a collapsed national IQ.
Trump's Presidential tombstone has already been written by historians (and J K Rowling):
"Here lies a tiny, tiny, tiny little man"
His Deplorables will flock to it to pay their respects to one of America's worst citizens.
Sad.
34
Oh, my. Socrates has spoken.
I gather that he doesn't like President Trump, so he turns to ad hominem and ad publicum attacks to soothe is wounded pride.
Try winning elections for a change, sir, you might just find a way out of the political irrelevance that your warped ideology has manged to place you in.
I gather that he doesn't like President Trump, so he turns to ad hominem and ad publicum attacks to soothe is wounded pride.
Try winning elections for a change, sir, you might just find a way out of the political irrelevance that your warped ideology has manged to place you in.
1
Trump's despise of black people began with his pro-Hitler father, Fred. When President Obama mocked Trump at the Correspondents Dinner one could see the seething outrage bared beneath the surface in Trump's face. Kellyann Conway put together Trump's Electoral College campaign based on white upper-lower class prejudice against blacks even though Obama was not on the ballot.
Upon Obama's election to our highest office, the majority of American people were quietly proud we turned the page on the pigment impediment. Barack Obama was not the greatest of modern Presidents, but he's in our upper tier.
Trump won't stop until he has destroyed or reversed every policy Obama promoted, every idea Obama ever expressed, every bill Obama signed.
In so doing Trump, a grudge holding empty suit is wrecking our ship of state with his stench.
Trump will be impeached for his words and deeds are beneath all of us, regardless our party, Trump's failure to obey our Constitution is intolerable even to his voter minority who fear and hate minorities. His followers are not anywhere near enough to reelect him.
Trump's father loved Hitler. The line "Make America great again," was the theme of every one of Hitler's speeches in the early thirties. Get a translation! But first, replace Trump's word "America" with the word, [3rd] Reich. See Trump is paraphrasing Hitler.
Once that fact of life sinks in He will be dethroned. America will coalesce behind dumping him.
http://thegovernmentinexile.live
Upon Obama's election to our highest office, the majority of American people were quietly proud we turned the page on the pigment impediment. Barack Obama was not the greatest of modern Presidents, but he's in our upper tier.
Trump won't stop until he has destroyed or reversed every policy Obama promoted, every idea Obama ever expressed, every bill Obama signed.
In so doing Trump, a grudge holding empty suit is wrecking our ship of state with his stench.
Trump will be impeached for his words and deeds are beneath all of us, regardless our party, Trump's failure to obey our Constitution is intolerable even to his voter minority who fear and hate minorities. His followers are not anywhere near enough to reelect him.
Trump's father loved Hitler. The line "Make America great again," was the theme of every one of Hitler's speeches in the early thirties. Get a translation! But first, replace Trump's word "America" with the word, [3rd] Reich. See Trump is paraphrasing Hitler.
Once that fact of life sinks in He will be dethroned. America will coalesce behind dumping him.
http://thegovernmentinexile.live
14
Nailed it as usual, Mr. Blow.
16
In his efforts to erase Obama, Trump clearly shows a lack of respect, which mirrors a lack of self respect, thereby continuing to undermine himself and cultivate the seeds of disharmony.
147
Mr. Blow is correct that Trump exploited the birther scam; but once winning, Trump appeared to give President Obama some respect as their initial meetings appeared to be fruitful. But President Trump now believes that President Obama unleashed the Deep State on him to undermine his nascent Presidency as manifested by the accusation that Trump colluded with the Russians - an apparent hoax. This may be the present source of President Trump's animus.
1
There is a great deal of pretty hard evidence, starting with Sally Yates and continuing with James Comey, that the bureaucratic monolith in our government, i.e., "Deep State", is indeed at war with President Trump and his policies contrary to the mission and ethic of the Executive Branch.
There is also no evidence after months of really energetic, and decidedly nasty, research by journalists wanting to fly as high as Woodward and Bernstein by bringing down a President whom they despise.
And, isn't it the history of the Democrats, so dominated by the unethical Clinton political family, for doing all in their power to undermine those whom they oppose?
So it's entirely reasonable to conclude that Obama has a hand in this as he has shown himself more than willing to use similar unethical means to achieve his goals?
Think carefully before you respond. Reality may be something very different from that which you currently are envisioning.
There is also no evidence after months of really energetic, and decidedly nasty, research by journalists wanting to fly as high as Woodward and Bernstein by bringing down a President whom they despise.
And, isn't it the history of the Democrats, so dominated by the unethical Clinton political family, for doing all in their power to undermine those whom they oppose?
So it's entirely reasonable to conclude that Obama has a hand in this as he has shown himself more than willing to use similar unethical means to achieve his goals?
Think carefully before you respond. Reality may be something very different from that which you currently are envisioning.
It means nothing that Trump was polite when he met Obama. In no time, he went back to blaming Obama for everything.
Just as it meant nothing when Trump said “The Times is a great, great American jewel, a world jewel” -- he was soon back to calling it fake and failing.
Trump simultaneously claims to believe that there was no Russian interference in the election, and accuses Obama of having done nothing in the face of Russian interference in the election.
You cannot attach any value to anything Trump says.
Just as it meant nothing when Trump said “The Times is a great, great American jewel, a world jewel” -- he was soon back to calling it fake and failing.
Trump simultaneously claims to believe that there was no Russian interference in the election, and accuses Obama of having done nothing in the face of Russian interference in the election.
You cannot attach any value to anything Trump says.
2
Charles, we all know this guy Trump is a complex person. Complex may be too kind. Dysfunctional might better describe the man.
Your diagnosis that destroying "everything Obama" is what drives much of what Trump says and does in spot on. In doing so, he destroys the Office of the President, the entire federal government, and our standing in the world, not to mention it's a huge distraction from the work we need to do.
As a result, we all suffer. The people who suffer most are those of us who saw a glimmer of "hope" during the Obama years. It's painful to watch that drift away at the hands of someone who is so un-Obama.
Your diagnosis that destroying "everything Obama" is what drives much of what Trump says and does in spot on. In doing so, he destroys the Office of the President, the entire federal government, and our standing in the world, not to mention it's a huge distraction from the work we need to do.
As a result, we all suffer. The people who suffer most are those of us who saw a glimmer of "hope" during the Obama years. It's painful to watch that drift away at the hands of someone who is so un-Obama.
10
i find this obsession with erasing Obama's legacy truly unsettling. It is an omen, a signal that covert racism in America is alive and well. Trump's obsession lays bear some uncomfortable truths that are out in the open for the world to see, a raw oozing wound that runs deep in American society. Perhaps it is time to consider a Truth and Reconciliation process much like South Africa did and Canada is undertaking. Trump is the personification of much of the ugliness that we do not want to see.
Spot on Mr. Blow - every word you say here is absolutely true. The Trump person is a disgusting child of no character or integrity, with a spiteful way to him. Nothing could be more un-Presidential, and he will go to his grave knowing he failed at this job while Obama was an outstanding success. Thanks to President Obama for 8 years of total class & dignity, a caring, inspirational, highly intelligent leader with patience beyond belief in spite of the furious vitriol they all threw at him ! I miss him & wish for his whole family a beautiful ongoing life.
21
How so, sir. How does canceling Executive Orders, withdrawing regulations, and having Congress pass legislation repealing last-minute attempts to impose regulations by fiat constitute destroying our government?
Have you yet come to grasp just how thoroughly the liberal ideology has lost its hand on the levers of political power of our federal government?
Have you not yet understood that The People and The Soveriegn States have decided through free and fair elections that the liberal ideals need some time in the political wilderness?
Until you stop tearing down what The People have decided what they want, you will continue your sojourn in the lonely place called irrelevance.
Have you yet come to grasp just how thoroughly the liberal ideology has lost its hand on the levers of political power of our federal government?
Have you not yet understood that The People and The Soveriegn States have decided through free and fair elections that the liberal ideals need some time in the political wilderness?
Until you stop tearing down what The People have decided what they want, you will continue your sojourn in the lonely place called irrelevance.
Hillary won the popular vote by 3,000,000. Just sayin'.
2
Mr. Blow, this is an excellent analysis.
There are millions of people around our country, who will not hesitate to agree with you. It is just that they are all expressing themselves silently.
Barack Obama, had his drawbacks. No one is perfect.
Obama is a gentleman. He was a great president. He was greater, because, he was African American. He proved to all of us, what immigrants can do to contribute to the greatness of this country.
There are millions of people around our country, who will not hesitate to agree with you. It is just that they are all expressing themselves silently.
Barack Obama, had his drawbacks. No one is perfect.
Obama is a gentleman. He was a great president. He was greater, because, he was African American. He proved to all of us, what immigrants can do to contribute to the greatness of this country.
9
These findings are so indisputable and widely held, I might have thought there were no need for this summary. On the contrary, however; there could be no excuse for risking any forgetfulness of any of this Presidency's pathologies, because they are so embraced by an entire political Party thriving in every State in the nation. This is not the contagion of illness; it is the crime of conspiracy.
6
Two horrific observations about Trump, and our nation which had over 63 million voters (not the majority, thankfully) who professed he had the qualifications to be president. First, the constant reminder of Obama's blackness that Trump cannot let go of: Obama is also half white, and that was the half that raised him, and Trump just continues to be bothered that a "black" man had more respect than he does. Secondly, Trump is a poster child for the part of America that is culturally poor, bigoted, wears the cloak of Christianity that has nothing to do with that religion, and cares about no one but himself. The number one reason I hear from those who want to take down Obamacare is that they shouldn't have to pay for someone else's "choice" not to live a healthy life, which fits right into Trump's narcissism.
Both of these attitudes alone should disqualify him from continuing to represent America in the world. Most Americans still believe the Statue of Liberty is more representative of who we are. Trump will never be considered a successful president. We cannot be a successful nation until we rid ourselves of him and begin to educate and take care of those who are disenfranchised and thought he would take care of them.
Both of these attitudes alone should disqualify him from continuing to represent America in the world. Most Americans still believe the Statue of Liberty is more representative of who we are. Trump will never be considered a successful president. We cannot be a successful nation until we rid ourselves of him and begin to educate and take care of those who are disenfranchised and thought he would take care of them.
10
Trump is a racist, misogynist, xenophobe; but most of all, he is a narcissist. Everything that is, was, or ever will be, exists only in terms of how much attention and how many accolades are directed at him.
The saddest thing to me isn't him, but the fact that 19% of our eligible voters (such a sad number; where was half of our country?*) voted for him, and apparently he still has an approval rating in the 30-40%s. What THIS says about our country is what I find truly horrifying.
We have so far to go. We should be there already.
*How about this change to our electoral system: get rid of the electoral college, and nobody is elected president unless they win more than 50% OF ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS of the popular vote? And while we're at it, let's automatically register EVERYONE, and make voting day a national holiday.
The saddest thing to me isn't him, but the fact that 19% of our eligible voters (such a sad number; where was half of our country?*) voted for him, and apparently he still has an approval rating in the 30-40%s. What THIS says about our country is what I find truly horrifying.
We have so far to go. We should be there already.
*How about this change to our electoral system: get rid of the electoral college, and nobody is elected president unless they win more than 50% OF ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS of the popular vote? And while we're at it, let's automatically register EVERYONE, and make voting day a national holiday.
15
Unfortunately that is sad but true. He will never gain the respect he so badly wants, because he has no respect for anyone else. His words and tweets show us everyday, that he has no self-respect either. It's a sad state of affairs for the USA!
7
I agree with this article unfortunately. For the country to elect a man like Trump, who really is a racist and egotist, and all the other horrible traits that he has, is almost hard for me and my friends to understand. I guess we get what we deserve, but where did our country go so wrong....
6
The true irony is that Obama is biracial...but again that was his sin in their eyes...his blackness. He defied all cultural expectations and norms when it came to race in our country. He wasn't the product of an impoverished background i.e. the projects. Had an ivy league background and actually held elected office prior to being president unlike our current president. One of the greatest if not the most eloquent political speakers of our lifetime. He executed his job as president with grace and humility unlike our current officeholder. Where Trump sought enemies, Obama sought to build relationships and mutual trust even among our most bitter of rivals. Yes, Obama had the audacity to dream and to achieve the greatest cultural milestone in American politics. For a person of color to sit in the Oval Office. As an African American who is a three tour combat vet of Iraq I am proud to see that in my lifetime.
11
Trump was raised as a racist. His father's family real estate business was cited by the Feds multiple times for discriminating against blacks in their federally subsidized housing. Trump pursued the Obama Birther racism theme as the foundation of is political career. It meshed perfectly with the Republican racist Southern Strategy developed under Nixon to convince Southerners that the GOP would oppose civil rights.
Many claim they supported Trump because he promised jobs despite every indication that he was just another spoiled rich guy looking to cut taxes for the wealthy. The illusion of economic improvement is still a very thin cover for the real truth. The actual underpinning of Trump's support is racism nurtured by hatred of our first black president.
Many claim they supported Trump because he promised jobs despite every indication that he was just another spoiled rich guy looking to cut taxes for the wealthy. The illusion of economic improvement is still a very thin cover for the real truth. The actual underpinning of Trump's support is racism nurtured by hatred of our first black president.
6
Trump's attitude toward President Obama was aided and abetted by the attitude of many Republicans who stonewalled any attempts by the Democrats to make life more livable for minority persons, especially poor minority persons. It took me a while to distill in my own mind the possible reason for such stonewalling, but I finally had to isolate the one reason that explained it most believably: racism. For what other reason would they have accepted pay checks for months of frozen non-cooperation? Of course, they must have known that racism is still so acceptable among US citizens that they could get away with it.
4
It does appear that Trump, Bannon and company seem to make every policy decision in direct opposition to every other reasonable choice, as if they've decided that the best way to grab and assert power is to destroy everything that exists and replace it with something uniquely their own, even if that choice is nothingness and chaos. They are the anti-Obama, Obama representing everything they must tear down.
2
Because my grandparents on both sides came to America in 1922, I had the opportunity to experience the American dream. I was born in the depths of the Depression in 1936, but with our greatest president, FDR, in the White House. My father, from Scotland, became a coal miner in WV. My mother's father, proud of having been a conductor on the Czar's railroad, became a laborer on the New York Central. I had the good fortune to retire as an Air Force colonel with two masters degrees from MIT.
I lived in America at its zenith. Please, fellow Americans, don't let this demented monster destroy our beautiful and blessed country. These are truly the times that try men's (and women's) souls. We are much better than Trump, and we shall overcome. Make America DECENT again.
I lived in America at its zenith. Please, fellow Americans, don't let this demented monster destroy our beautiful and blessed country. These are truly the times that try men's (and women's) souls. We are much better than Trump, and we shall overcome. Make America DECENT again.
12
This article is spot on. Trump is trying to erase Obama's legacy out of vindictiveness and jealousy. What he does not realize is that his unhinged actions weaken him even further. Sad.
6
Trump stands in the shadow of a great man. But rather than stepping into the light, he orders the sun to move.
8
Beautifully said!
He is not simply President because of Obama. don't forget, Obama left with a 60% approval rating. He became President because the Democrats didn't have Obama.
But you are correct about his obsession with Barack Obama. And for that reason, there is no compromise with Democrats or even moderate Republicans. When he says he wants to repeal ObamaCare, that is his goal just like he reversed every other landmark Obama decision. There is no rhyme or reason, just reverse whatever Obama did.
And for that reason, he needs to be impeached ASAP!
But you are correct about his obsession with Barack Obama. And for that reason, there is no compromise with Democrats or even moderate Republicans. When he says he wants to repeal ObamaCare, that is his goal just like he reversed every other landmark Obama decision. There is no rhyme or reason, just reverse whatever Obama did.
And for that reason, he needs to be impeached ASAP!
4
Those having voted for Trump now like the ACA, aka Heritage Foundation-care, aka Romneycary, but not 'Obama'care.
In now deep red states like West Virginia, a state I often flee to in order to escape the summer heat and humidity in the DC area, former coal union card carrying lifelong Democrats suddenly voted Republican in this almost 98% white state, for reasons that were quite obvious.
When I moved to these shores from supposedly oh-so-socialist Europe some decades ago, I, a lily white new citizen, noticed that racism was still alive here, but at that time at least expressed in a more subtle form.
Once the man with a funny name and darker skin declared his candidacy
for highest office in the land - the still most powerful one in the world - racism in its very overt form raised its ugly head again and became de rigeur again.
The result is that the US now has a know-nothing Apprentice playing president, one that has an attention span of a gnat, suffers from grandiosity, narcissism and projection defense mechanism and numerous other ailments that lets the rest of the advanced world look on in horror of what might happen next.
In now deep red states like West Virginia, a state I often flee to in order to escape the summer heat and humidity in the DC area, former coal union card carrying lifelong Democrats suddenly voted Republican in this almost 98% white state, for reasons that were quite obvious.
When I moved to these shores from supposedly oh-so-socialist Europe some decades ago, I, a lily white new citizen, noticed that racism was still alive here, but at that time at least expressed in a more subtle form.
Once the man with a funny name and darker skin declared his candidacy
for highest office in the land - the still most powerful one in the world - racism in its very overt form raised its ugly head again and became de rigeur again.
The result is that the US now has a know-nothing Apprentice playing president, one that has an attention span of a gnat, suffers from grandiosity, narcissism and projection defense mechanism and numerous other ailments that lets the rest of the advanced world look on in horror of what might happen next.
5
I believe Trump represents the darkest element still alive in American history: the blatant and profoundly ignorant racism that has never been expunged from a very large group of Americans. Trump intends to erase the Obama legacy not because of the results it has produced, or whether it is good or bad policy, or whether it has made people´s lives better, but in order to destroy the legacy of the first black president. No wonder why a portrait of Andrew Jackson, a name will never be forgotten amongst native americans, hangs in the Oval Office. In 2008 the American people sent an encouraging message to the world, while we all celebrated a new beginning, that of the pluralistic and fair United States, apparently leaving behind years of segregation and injustice while fulfilling a dream men like Martin Luther King Jr once expressed. In 2016 we were all reminded that the past stills haunts the American people. Such racism and an undemocratic 18th century electoral system made it possible. However, 66 million Americans disagreed on November 8th. Good America will be back in 2020.
6
Imagine if Trump was knocked off his horse by a bolt of lightning, as Saul was, and arose an enlightened man. He could use his tremendous converted-evil charismatic skills as a force for good in the world. Just checking the NWS satellite images. THAT would be a very welcome major climate change!
4
Another painfully true article Charles. I speculate that Trump's Obama Obsession started where all racists get their starts: at the root. Trump grew up in a reasonably affluent household with a father who expounded on racial hierarchy. In Trump's mind it has always been inconceivable that a black person could reach the highest tiers that Obama reached and have it not all be some sort of fluke or hoax. He cannot fathom how Obama got to where he did, how he came to be so successful and deeply admired all on his own labors. The idea that people of color can only get ahead by virtue of help from the 'white man' is and will forever be ingrained in him.
2
McConnell exploits racist loathing of Obama in his public politicking over health care coverage legislation. Look at McConnell's social media. Never once does he refer to the ACA as the ACA -- he always refers to it as Obamacare. And, while McConnell was squirrelled away working in secret on his abomination of a proposal, his social media never talked about what he intended to do, or how he would improve health care coverage for Americans. Instead, he was constantly denigrating "Obamacare."
And it's very telling that while Kentuckians were greatly helped by the ACA, after the election we have heard umpteen times about Trump and McConnell voters there bitterly determined to get rid of "Obamacare" but shocked to learn than McConnell wants to strip them of their benefits under the ACA.
And it's very telling that while Kentuckians were greatly helped by the ACA, after the election we have heard umpteen times about Trump and McConnell voters there bitterly determined to get rid of "Obamacare" but shocked to learn than McConnell wants to strip them of their benefits under the ACA.
4
Since trump is such a petty little man with little hands, we should never let him forget that he had at least 3 million less votes than Hillary. He should be described as the "Electoral College President" for the rest of his miserable tenure.
4
The traitor's campaign and presidency are based on negativism: racial, social, economic and personal. He's a mean-spirited, hateful, fearful, ignorant, self-centered person; the exact opposite of the character we should have in the White House (OUR house, not his!). That he can glimpse the obvious differences in character between himself and the genuinely talented, educated, and LOVED predecessor will be his undoing.
4
"...the world loathes Trump"
When you go around the world shouting "America first, you last", expect the same in return.
When you go around the world shouting "America first, you last", expect the same in return.
2
This attitude toward Barack Obama is racism pure and simple. But it certainly wasn't invented by Trump. Well before the inauguration of President Obama, the Republican Party and it's right-wing media minions, decided to go all-out scorched-earth and unleashed unprecedented poison and hatred toward Barack Obama and anyone even slightly to the left. They have condemned, liberals, teachers, unions, government workers, environmentalists, feminists, poor people, nearly every racial minority, the entire LGBTQ community, all non-Christians, all non-Fundamentalist Christians, people from New York, Californians, "Hollywood," the entire nation of Mexico. Germany, China, etc, etc, etc! With a list that long it is hard to believe that Republicans still have any constituency at all that they haven't run off through their insults and demonizations.
2
Trump cannot stand that he isn't good enough to shine Obama's shoes. He is a classless, lying, narcissist who will go down as the worst president ever and as an example on what not to be as a human being.
4
The difference between Trump and Obama are so very clear, what is not so apparent is the fact that for a black man to reach the office of President he had to be almost a sterling hero type, immaculently clean with no scandal anywhere, and was still resisted at all points. The present pres. is scandal incarnate.
By contrast, the white guy in the office now is not the best at anything, and in a lot of ways does not even come close to the level of attainment and respectability that was required for Obama to reach office. The white guy does not even really read, has a short attention span, is embroiled in dozens of court cases as well as public scandals and faux pas. If Obama had acted this way he would have been laughed off the stage the first day.
The white nyekulturnii guy was lauded and feted instead.
In any other universe this would be the stuff of deep cultural science fiction, not front page daily news.
By contrast, the white guy in the office now is not the best at anything, and in a lot of ways does not even come close to the level of attainment and respectability that was required for Obama to reach office. The white guy does not even really read, has a short attention span, is embroiled in dozens of court cases as well as public scandals and faux pas. If Obama had acted this way he would have been laughed off the stage the first day.
The white nyekulturnii guy was lauded and feted instead.
In any other universe this would be the stuff of deep cultural science fiction, not front page daily news.
4
Excellent article.
Outstanding article...says it all.
4
White Male Protestant America has been trying to erase the Other -- first Indians, then Blacks and Chinese, then Italian, Irish and German Catholics, and always women -- since before the first colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts were successfully founded (colonial racism goes back to the Elizabethan Age, in clear fact).
The Myth of America and Democracy has always accompanied the lies this colonialist impulse has used to justify and drive its history of violent and destructive conquest.
Trump is nothing new, here, but the nature of his party and its constituency now is quite telling.
Rather than the conquistadore knights of old, they are the old, white, poor, sick, ignorant, opioid-addled remnants of a racist heritage that continues up to the present moment.
Trump and his ilk represent the last gasp of this failed colonialism, the last hand gripping the mast as the colonial ship goes down. May is his companion in the sinking.
A new day is almost upon us, presaged by a rainbow of world cultures.
The Myth of America and Democracy has always accompanied the lies this colonialist impulse has used to justify and drive its history of violent and destructive conquest.
Trump is nothing new, here, but the nature of his party and its constituency now is quite telling.
Rather than the conquistadore knights of old, they are the old, white, poor, sick, ignorant, opioid-addled remnants of a racist heritage that continues up to the present moment.
Trump and his ilk represent the last gasp of this failed colonialism, the last hand gripping the mast as the colonial ship goes down. May is his companion in the sinking.
A new day is almost upon us, presaged by a rainbow of world cultures.
3
Because of Trumps dismal performance and self, it may be generations before we have another white male in the Oval Office.
4
Yay Charles. It is time someone clearly and concisely called out the racism that underlies this presidency. Trump is a cancer that has metastasized across this country, and I don't know that there is a cure.
6
Erase Obama's legacy? No more than the Character Rocky Balboa could, somehow, erase the legacy of Boxer Muhammad Ali. One is real, the other is only pretending, to be real.
4
Trump is always criticizing, lambasting and belittling someone. It's is consistent with his mental disorders. Obama is possibly his favorite, but there are many, many others he enjoys maligning spitefully. Obama shouldn't take it badly, trash talk from Donald is more like a compliment. A sign of respect even.
2
Too true. It's time to lay the entire fairy tale of "race" to rest. How is race defined? My guess is that most answers will fall along the lines of "I know it when I see it." Yet we know that isn't true. As you may recall, a Sikh (I believe he was a Pakistani American), who was wearing a turban (as Sikh men do), was "mistaken for"... what? A member of Al Qaeda? And assassinated. Another example: a Chinese American living and working in the Detroit area, out for a last bachelor fling with a friend, brutally murdered (with a baseball bat, as I recall) by someone who was angry about Americans' buying Japanese-made autos. The concept of race was invented by exploitative imperialists, to justify enslavement of "others". It, like the Tooth Fairy, may exist... but only in your mind. It can't be defined in objective terms... at least, not unless you compile a list of certain alleles that each "racial group" must possess. If you're interested in going down THAT road, I suggest you read the works of a man who called himself The Fuehrer.
2
why wait?
Obama will be remembered in the history books as a well liked, dynamic, even keeled and always kept his eyes focused on the people and the country he loves. Trump, on the other hand will be remembered as a petty, cruel, bigot with no ideas for anything except himself, if he's remembered at all.
3
Trump's envy has led him to try to erase every Obama accomplishment.
It reminds me of how the Egyptian kings erased their predecessor's images and also how the Chinese communists tore apart every Buddhist image they could physically reach.
Incredibly juvenile. But Trump's golden showers episode in Moscow takes the cake.
It reminds me of how the Egyptian kings erased their predecessor's images and also how the Chinese communists tore apart every Buddhist image they could physically reach.
Incredibly juvenile. But Trump's golden showers episode in Moscow takes the cake.
5
Purely and simply, a white man measured himself against a black man and found himself wanting.
5
Wow! Mr Blow, you are absolutely right about the Trumpet's motivation. Sad, isn't it, that a misguided, racist, lecher, liar, and megalomanic--all packaged as one "human" being-- was elected prezz i dunce of a once great country?
Make America great again--impeach the Trumpet, or use any means necessary to depose him. The Trumpet is unfit to serve in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Make America great again--impeach the Trumpet, or use any means necessary to depose him. The Trumpet is unfit to serve in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
2
Mr. Blow, Donald is jealous of Pres. Obama. Obama, who is gracious, brilliant and decent guy.....everything that Donald can never be!
I am not surprised by Donald's jealousy nor his criticism of Pres. Obama!
Donald, you will never anywhere near the gracious man, Obama is!
I am not surprised by Donald's jealousy nor his criticism of Pres. Obama!
Donald, you will never anywhere near the gracious man, Obama is!
4
Obama is Mozart, Trump is Salieri. Compare what Obama accomplished in 8 years of GOP obstructionism vs. what Trump can't get done with the GOP in charge of all 3 branches of government. And to those who felt Obama was Spock-like or too cerebral, I will never forget his tears for the Sandy Hook kids and him singing "Amazing Grace" at the service for the Charleston church shooting victims. Trump knows he will never measure up to Obama. And it's driving him crazy.
507
Salieri may have lacked genius, but was at least dedicated and diligent.
2
You can't lead a life of sin and selfishness and hope to compare with a brilliant and compassionate statesman. No one who loves this country will ever forget Barack Obama. His Presidency was a high point in our history.
4
Salieri may not have been a genius, but he was smart and competent and left an impressive body of work.
Trump is no Salieri.
Trump is no Salieri.
5
I too agree with the article ' s analysis. Trump is obsessed with President Obama. Most who supported him were also racist bigots or misogynisitic pigs or both. The thing this moron cannot ever erase is the respect Mr Obama effortlessly receives from any objective person regardless of whether they are US citizens or not. Those who treat their fellow human beings with the dignity they deserve and conduct themselves in dignified ways always receive respect from others in return. The opposite, I. E. Trump 's way of treating people and his pathological lying trait, such qualties naturally generate revulsion in any sane person.
3
Well, somebody finally had the nerve to name it in print. Has no one else recognized the obvious? Trump wants to obliterate the Obama legacy for the same reason the Republican congress refused to allow him any success and why they are hellbent on eliminating the ACA...they want to stamp out any reference to Obama in the history books for one reason: He was our first black President. If he had cured cancer while in office, there is a segment of the populace that would try their best to keep him from credit. Sad, despicable cretins that they are.
4
I wish we could have a concentrated list of all Trump supporters so that several years down the line their friends and relatives can verify where they stood politically during this season of hate. You know what I mean - like no one in Germany supported Hitler and no one in America voted for Nixon.
7
In another column Brett Stephens argues that "from those whom much is expected, little is forgiven, but among those from whom little is expected much is forgiven." He was providing context for pointing out the low bar we have for Mr. Trump, but I think it also explains perhaps why some voters moved from Obama to Trump. Nobody more jaded than a disappointed romantic. Of course, Mr. Obama promised to lead us not to do for us.
1
Wanda, Wanda, Wanda: Was it not your very own Mitch McConnell who, on the eve of President-Elect Obama's inauguration, swore to make him a one-term president and was the lead obstructionist during President Obama's tenure, blocking each and every one of Mr. Obama's actions?
Oh, but as you wrote, "Nobody more jaded than a disappointed romantic;" you might want to rethink your state's love affair with Mitch...are you moving away from him yet? Yes, Kentucky, ACA *is* Obamacare. Oops.
Oh, but as you wrote, "Nobody more jaded than a disappointed romantic;" you might want to rethink your state's love affair with Mitch...are you moving away from him yet? Yes, Kentucky, ACA *is* Obamacare. Oops.
3
He's not "obsessed" he's psychotic. When will people stop pretending that we have a sane individual in the White House? He's not sane - not be ANY definition. He's insane and needs to be removed immediately!!!
5
There are a lot of white people in America who have no problem with the idea of opportunity for minorities as long as whites still have the upper hand. They don't object to access to education or employment as long as whites get theirs first and better. These people don't consider themselves racist. The "racists" are the Klansmen and the neo-Nazis, not these folks. They're fine with "equality" as long as its not really equal. Having a black president, living in a country governed by a black man, was just too much for them to bear. And rather than share America, they decided to destroy it by electing Trump.
10
Trump has openly talked about his good genes aka German. This is akin to the Hiltler/Jesse Owens situation.
6
You say of Obama, "He was a walking, talking rebuttal to white supremacy and the myths of black pathology and inferiority." That is exactly why a swath of the American republic desired to take him down. That impulse seems to be magnified in Trump. You do recall the story of Russian prostitutes urinating on a bed in which the Obamas had slept for the entertainment of Trump. Too many of our fellow Americans wanted to do the same, and maybe that's why the story never gained the traction it should. I concur that racism, particularly as directed against blacks, was at the core of Trump's victory. Hatred of Muslims is in part a stand-in for hatred of blacks. That is central to the belief held by many white Americans that the Black Lives Matter movement is an ISIS front: hate two for the price of one! This hatred is magnified in the man who pretends to be our president. A pathological president! Is this a good time to mention Hitler again?
4
hahaha you know what they say. "You fear what you don't understand, you hate what you can't conquer."
3
I noticed that throughout Obama's presidency, especially when he first got elected, those on the right complained of Obama's "preaching" tone in talking to the American people. This really puzzled me at first: I couldn't tell the difference between the way Obama talked and the way any other American president had talked: in careful, measured, confident tones. (Except Bush II, of course, who sounded like a gibbering idiot.) Then I realized what it was: the racist right found it unbearable to have a black man in authority, and could find no way to openly express that other than to complain of his "preaching." (If you go back to past columns of Maureen Dowd's, you will find that she also complained several times of Obama's preachy tone.
For a large part of the population, including the orange buffoon Trump, a black man in charge of things signified the end of the one thing they previously had been able to feel confident about: no matter how personally inferior they felt, at least they were better than black people. Obama took that away from them. Trump is determined to hand it back to them--and, most importantly, to himself. Because if there is one thing we all know for sure, it's that sad little Donald has a huge inferiority complex--especially in comparison to handsome, smooth, happy, classy Obama.
Our access to health care, or not, is falling victim to the fact that Donald Trump feels fat, stupid, and unaccepted. Hey, nice work, Trump voters.
For a large part of the population, including the orange buffoon Trump, a black man in charge of things signified the end of the one thing they previously had been able to feel confident about: no matter how personally inferior they felt, at least they were better than black people. Obama took that away from them. Trump is determined to hand it back to them--and, most importantly, to himself. Because if there is one thing we all know for sure, it's that sad little Donald has a huge inferiority complex--especially in comparison to handsome, smooth, happy, classy Obama.
Our access to health care, or not, is falling victim to the fact that Donald Trump feels fat, stupid, and unaccepted. Hey, nice work, Trump voters.
13
Trump is playing Machiavelli for the white resentful racist voting base which never accepted a black man as president.
Unfortunately, in the scorch-earth politics of today, Trump is the first but probably not the last Republican politician to play the race card to be elected president.
Unfortunately, in the scorch-earth politics of today, Trump is the first but probably not the last Republican politician to play the race card to be elected president.
4
Hmm 19 of the last 20 columns are directly about Trump, and pretty much every article for the better part of 7 months is about Trump. Could it be Mr. Blow is obsessed with Trump?
2
Anyone else reminded of Hitler's treatment of Jesse Owen at the 1936 Olympics?
4
From the New York Times, November 10, 2016,
Mr. Trump, who appeared nervous and uncharacteristically subdued beside Mr. Obama, called the president “a good man.” He said that the meeting was “a great honor” and that their conversation had lasted far longer than he would have expected.
“I have great respect,” Mr. Trump said, turning to face Mr. Obama. “We discussed a lot of different situations, some wonderful, and some difficulties. I very much look forward to dealing with the president in the future, including counsel.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/11/us/politics/white-house-transition-ob...
....................
Charles, don't you think it creates great harm to the nation when you keep distorting reality? True, Trump and Obama have different agendas. But you do not have to make them into enemies. What you are doing is irresponsible.
Mr. Trump, who appeared nervous and uncharacteristically subdued beside Mr. Obama, called the president “a good man.” He said that the meeting was “a great honor” and that their conversation had lasted far longer than he would have expected.
“I have great respect,” Mr. Trump said, turning to face Mr. Obama. “We discussed a lot of different situations, some wonderful, and some difficulties. I very much look forward to dealing with the president in the future, including counsel.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/11/us/politics/white-house-transition-ob...
....................
Charles, don't you think it creates great harm to the nation when you keep distorting reality? True, Trump and Obama have different agendas. But you do not have to make them into enemies. What you are doing is irresponsible.
2
Aruna, have you been following Trump's statements about Obama sune the initial few days after the election?
2
Ellen, when I made a point, I gave you the sources and allowed you to see what I was talking about.
But your "have you been following Trump's statements" contains NO information whatever.
I have little idea what you are saying and what your sources are. I can guess that you are saying something negative about Trump, but I have little idea WHAT it is that you are saying.
But your "have you been following Trump's statements" contains NO information whatever.
I have little idea what you are saying and what your sources are. I can guess that you are saying something negative about Trump, but I have little idea WHAT it is that you are saying.
For the first time I agree with Mr. Blow. After enduring 8 years of inept leadership I and many others would like to never hear the name Obama again. History will show that Obama made Jimmy Carter look Jeffersonian in comparison and we know what a zero Carter was.
1
Careful John your stripes are starting to show. History which you don't seem to read or at the very least is not your strong suit.
Carter is now faring in history much better than at the time of his presidency and also as a private citizen he has been a great world leader.
Carter is now faring in history much better than at the time of his presidency and also as a private citizen he has been a great world leader.
At the time, Alexander Hamilton had independence from the British Crown in mind and wondered whether the colonies could become independent and chose good government. His cautionary statement in the opening chapter of the "Federalist" seems to have 45 in mind. Are human societies "really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force." 45's penchant for finger pointing Twitter rants, fixation on wiping out President Obama's legacy like Rome did to Carthage, and his disparaging of America's democratic traditions and institutions suggest a preference for government by "accident and force". "For 45, the mark of being a successful president is the degree to which he can expunge Obama's presidency." Success for us who oppose 45, means keeping hope alive, speaking truth to power, resisting the forces that divide, and show due honor to everyone.
3
Before anyone ever heard of Obama, Trump made his career as a media personality by attacking other people more famous than himself: Mayor Ed Koch, Roseanne, Harry and Leona Helmley, the "Central Park Five"(five black boys wrongly accused) for whom Trump advocated the death penalty.
The NY Times compiled a list of Trump insults against others on Twitter:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/01/28/upshot/donald-trump-twitt...
But Trump had decades of experience priot to Twitter of initiating aggressive attacks against others as a vehicle for catapulting himself into the media.
Yes, Trump has a mental problem with blacks in general and Obama in particular, but where recklessly insulting others is concerned Trump is expansive and all-encompassing. And as I write this paragraph, on top of my NY Times page flashes the "Breaking News: President Trump assailed the TV host Mika Brzezinski in vulgar terms." There you are...
The NY Times compiled a list of Trump insults against others on Twitter:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/01/28/upshot/donald-trump-twitt...
But Trump had decades of experience priot to Twitter of initiating aggressive attacks against others as a vehicle for catapulting himself into the media.
Yes, Trump has a mental problem with blacks in general and Obama in particular, but where recklessly insulting others is concerned Trump is expansive and all-encompassing. And as I write this paragraph, on top of my NY Times page flashes the "Breaking News: President Trump assailed the TV host Mika Brzezinski in vulgar terms." There you are...
5
People who voted for Trump are either too stupid to realize they've been conned or racists, or both.
"Can we still keep Obamacare, but like, with the name of a white person in front of it?"
7
Hector, if Trump were given the Obamacare bill and was told it was the newest Senate proposal, he would praise it as the greatest piece of legislation ever. He never read the ACA nor the house or Senate bills. As Charles insinuates (and not strongly enough I would say) it is, for him and that weak chinned fool McConnell and that fool Ryan all about undoing the accomplishments, not of a Democrat president, but of a black president. Paint it any way you wish but this is racism at its worst
3
Trashing someone else is standard bully MO. No surprises here.
2
Indeed, Mr. Blow, I fear you are correct. It is especially manifested through McConnell and his sycophants who are now hell bent on destroying the very law that helps so many states like Kentucky. Why? I am convinced that it is because a better and more courageous man than all the above - an African American - accomplished what was thought to be unattainable.
More problematic - if that is possible - seems to be the Americans who put this "Trump", that unstable, power hungry, bigot in office. As the buck stops with this president in all that is now wrong in our country, his supporters share the responsibility. To this day I believe it was more a hate for President Obama than for Hillary Clinton that propelled this past election. They were the millions, ironically exacerbated by a then lying businessman, who starting eight years ago, were asking, "How could our country come to this, a Black man?"
More problematic - if that is possible - seems to be the Americans who put this "Trump", that unstable, power hungry, bigot in office. As the buck stops with this president in all that is now wrong in our country, his supporters share the responsibility. To this day I believe it was more a hate for President Obama than for Hillary Clinton that propelled this past election. They were the millions, ironically exacerbated by a then lying businessman, who starting eight years ago, were asking, "How could our country come to this, a Black man?"
5
EXCELLENT !!! you said it all.
2
Trumps own flavor of racism is driving him crazy. President Obama OWNS Trump
4
Yes! But of course Trump will fail. Fail bigly. He's the stupid rich white kid at school that bullies the smart black kid and then steals his answers to pass the test. No ending to this scenario works in the bully's favor. Not in Hollywood, in literature, on television. Our popular culture favors the underdog. History will tell the story.
3
Trump is a sick, vindictive, obsessive, narcissistic individual who does not live in reality. Most people admire Obama; most people detest Trump. The men have a history of enmity. Trump is crazy with jealousy of Obama. Trump is so sick that he wants to destroy Obama at the expense of destroying US society. So what's now?
5
trump is an empty vessel.
4
I ascribe to the Toni Morrison approach to racism. And it also applies to the Groper in Chief. Leave me out of it. This racial problem is a white problem, so white conservatives, liberals, progressives get to work. trump is your creation. You deal with it.
6
Sorry a typo mistake, the "not" should be removed in :Trump will "not" (to remove please) be remembered as an imposter, an opportunist, a hater, a divisive force, a revengeful unsecure individual with no vision and an appauling poor understanding of life despite his age.....
Yes, all true. The really sad and disturbing part of it is that it operates independently of any idea of his OWN policy ideas/desires.
That's because he has none. Everything with Trump is fungible and dependent on his emotional neediness. He's a gaping black hole and everything and everyone who comes into contact with it is sucked in and defiled. Including us.
That's because he has none. Everything with Trump is fungible and dependent on his emotional neediness. He's a gaping black hole and everything and everyone who comes into contact with it is sucked in and defiled. Including us.
1
“Sadly, because president Obama has done such a poor job as president, you won’t see another black president for generations!”
Does Trump not have any idea how racist that remark is?
Does Trump not have any idea how racist that remark is?
1
True that.
True that .... to the exponent ten !!!
Trumps reaction to April Ryan's comments, at his news conference, were typical racist nonsense, showing his 3rd grade mentality. He lumped all blacks together, assuming that Ms Ryan spoke for all blacks, including the black caucaus
2
And now we all suffer because of the ignorant and weak-minded fools who voted for him.
1
So what's new? The more things change, the more they remain the same. Blow is in my head as to Trump's hate for Obama. Noticed it since March. Trump has been after Obama for years - Obama is loved, Trump is not. Trump lives in an altered reality, dark world. Trump wants what Obama has but it is beyond his read. So he must destroy Obama's legacy. He is a mentally sick individual who belongs on a psychiatrist's couch, not the WH couch.
2
I've spoken to Trump voters that said "Obama hates white people." I responded by saying that someone should tell Obama's white mother that. No response from them...just the sound of crickets.
2
What about the corrupt mainstream media's Trump obsession, Mr. Blow?
In recent days, we've seen two separate instances of prominent CNN "journalists" being discredited, with several being forced to resign in disgrace because of their blind zeal to discredit the President of the United States instead.
We've seen former FBI Director James Comey condemn...under oath...the inaccurate reporting of the NY Times.
The Russia story has turned on Congressional Democrats, but it's done even more damage to the nation's news media.
It's way past time for a bit more self-awareness on the part of you and your press colleagues, Mr. Blow.
Your Trump obsession is what you should be worrying about.
In recent days, we've seen two separate instances of prominent CNN "journalists" being discredited, with several being forced to resign in disgrace because of their blind zeal to discredit the President of the United States instead.
We've seen former FBI Director James Comey condemn...under oath...the inaccurate reporting of the NY Times.
The Russia story has turned on Congressional Democrats, but it's done even more damage to the nation's news media.
It's way past time for a bit more self-awareness on the part of you and your press colleagues, Mr. Blow.
Your Trump obsession is what you should be worrying about.
1
Trump is a representative of racism. Quoting Blow, Obama is ' elegant and cerebral. ... devoid of personal scandal and drenched in personal erudition. ... a walking, talking rebuttal to white supremacy and the myths of black pathology and inferiority. ...the personification of the possible —... ' Obama's outstanding qualities are absent in Trump. On top of it all, Obama is BLACK! There it is in black and white. Trump's anti-Obama obsession, described by Blow, illustrates the depth of the racism held by many Americans. Blow didn't say it, but it is pathological. This form of mental illness, which Trump shares with many of us, is a major aspect of our country's seismic failure.
3
You nailed it, Frank! Trump is a mental midget who is in desperate need of therapy. Students of psychiatry in the future will, no doubt, read about his obsessions in one of their case studies and try to figure out how he got to this point in his mental and emotional development. Sad.
Right On.
1
Trump's obsession with Obama serves to remind us each and every day how wonderful Obama was compared to the current child residing in his oval playpen.
And, while Trump is wielding his eraser to eliminate all things Obama, he's simultaneously knocking over that bottle of ink on his desk which will leave a big, ugly blotch on his presidency. Forever.
And, while Trump is wielding his eraser to eliminate all things Obama, he's simultaneously knocking over that bottle of ink on his desk which will leave a big, ugly blotch on his presidency. Forever.
2
Obama will go down in history as one of America's greatest presidents; Trump, as one of its worst. Strange, and I'm certain Trump hasn't realized this (yet), but his disastrous presidency has greatly enhanced Obama's considerable stature!
As for Trump's reputation overseas, an Australian friend recently told me about the concerns of the folks back home.
"You Americans must have been crazy to elect this idiot!"
I've spent considerable time abroad, and will be heading overseas again in a few months. With Obama as president, I felt a great pride in "representing" the United States. Now, I'm going to be just plain embarrassed. I'm of Canadian ancestry...hmm...maybe there's a way out...
As for Trump's reputation overseas, an Australian friend recently told me about the concerns of the folks back home.
"You Americans must have been crazy to elect this idiot!"
I've spent considerable time abroad, and will be heading overseas again in a few months. With Obama as president, I felt a great pride in "representing" the United States. Now, I'm going to be just plain embarrassed. I'm of Canadian ancestry...hmm...maybe there's a way out...
2
"It’s like a 71-year-old male version of Jan from what I would call the Bratty Bunch: Obama, Obama, Obama."
Who the heck is Jan?
Who the heck is Jan?
But, but, Obama did come up short. He lost Congress.
=========================================
He made it hard for Hillary to win. He got the Nobel Peace prize, without doing anything. The economy struggled. Our schools were failing.
But Obama was aloof, and detached.
Where is Pres. Obama's voice, now? Why isn't he commenting on Trump's health care, and climate change and other matters?
No, if the Democrats want to win, they have to be critical of Obama, too.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=========================================
He made it hard for Hillary to win. He got the Nobel Peace prize, without doing anything. The economy struggled. Our schools were failing.
But Obama was aloof, and detached.
Where is Pres. Obama's voice, now? Why isn't he commenting on Trump's health care, and climate change and other matters?
No, if the Democrats want to win, they have to be critical of Obama, too.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1
Freud might have interpreted Trump's obsession with Obama as an unconscious homosexual wish -- I'm just sayin'!
2
Ever Since Trump was humiliated during the White House "Nerd prom" by President Obama, he has seethed with hate and has been driven to get revenge. Anyone who denies that isn't paying attention. This piece by Mr. Blow says out loud what many have known deep inside since Trump became birthed in chief. He is at heart, a racist. Remember, his father's business was fined for not offering real estate to minority clients and it seems he has learned racial hate from dear old daddy.
In my opinion, President Obama was and continues to be everything Trump will never be. Intelligent, moral, respected and honest. Trump is bizarre-o Obama - slow witted, immoral, disrespected and dishonest.
No amount of his lies, Tweets, false claims and right wing media back slapping will put lipstick on this pig. Trump will never be what President is. Better... simply better in every respect that counts. And that has to make him even crazier.
In my opinion, President Obama was and continues to be everything Trump will never be. Intelligent, moral, respected and honest. Trump is bizarre-o Obama - slow witted, immoral, disrespected and dishonest.
No amount of his lies, Tweets, false claims and right wing media back slapping will put lipstick on this pig. Trump will never be what President is. Better... simply better in every respect that counts. And that has to make him even crazier.
2
The man is insane.
2
Yes, Obama "was elegant and cerebral", but he was also ALOOF.
===============================================
The letters of ALOOF can be rearranged as A FOOL.
Obama's aloofness was foolish. He lost the Democratic Congress. Jobs were lost under Obama-nomics. Obama got the Nobel Peace prize, without having done anything to earn it, and wars are raging on. City schools are failing.
I hope Pres. Obama will end his aloofness and speak out against Trump.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================
The letters of ALOOF can be rearranged as A FOOL.
Obama's aloofness was foolish. He lost the Democratic Congress. Jobs were lost under Obama-nomics. Obama got the Nobel Peace prize, without having done anything to earn it, and wars are raging on. City schools are failing.
I hope Pres. Obama will end his aloofness and speak out against Trump.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1
Unemployment dropped under Obama. What are you talking about?
2
Thank you Chuck.
Actually, the only obsession at work here is Mr Blow's obsession with overturning the presidential election result. A word of kindly advice for the maintenance of a healthy degree of equanimity ... get over it.
3
What Charles Blow argues in this contribution to the Opinion Pages is exactly the conclusion to which I recently came. The Trumpet's goal is to undo, hence erase, the entire Obama achievement, the Obama legacy. I recall wondering, back in October, whether the Trumpet would have the White House fumigated! His attacks on Obama come from a deeply personal racist hatred, all the more intense because of his narcissism and feelings of inferiority. Deep down, he must know that he has succeeded in his life by playing dirty, by bullying, by cheating, by lying, by violating all norms of decency, honor, loyalty, kindness, respect, and truth. Obama's integrity, honesty, decency, elevating political discourse, must deeply rankle and gall him. He would be a man much to be pitied—if he weren't so very dangerous, so bent on destructiveness. Even now, the Trumpet continues to attack and taunt Obama. But Obama—wisely—ignores all that meanness, choosing the high road of silence rather than the low road of mud on which the Trumpet travels.
2
Many of us out here in Citizenland got over our enthrallment with the Great Black Hope after he insidiously morphed from a populist to a rear-kissing elitist after the 2008 election. Obama wasn't the crashing boor Trump is but his pernicious trickle-down theories, like the Affordable Care Act - forcing poor people to spend money they don't have for profit-generating private-payer healthcare - is no less cruel. Remember "Give me your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free... Oh, yah, sure!
Sending Donald to DC was similar to racist white folks status and monuments to Confederate "heroes" in the south. Trying to keep black folk down and erase the loss of the fight.
1
The Republican's "Manchurian Candidate".
Trump was sent to Washington to strip it of all traces of Barack Obama the LAST LEGITIMATELY ELECTED President of the United States, to treat the Obama legacy as a historical oddity. Trump’s entire campaign was about undoing what Obama had done.
The blame for this is squarely on the Republican Party and their right-wing backers. They couldn't win in 2008 or 2012, so they turned to Russia to concoct a winner through deceit and trickery and outright treason to the American electorate system, and virtually our entire way of life. It's not just Trump and the corporate fascists and oligarchs he is part of that we must #RESIST, it is Russia, and Vladimir Putin's gang that have committed acts of WAR upon the United States of America.
If we must conduct a cyber war against Russia, it must happen soon. We must attack from every direction to shut down and bankrupt Putin and his allies, yet at the same time, we must also find ways to protect and support the democratic movements within Russia to protect the Russian people from their own leaders.
This is why Trump's cabal must be removed from positions of authority and impeached, indicted and imprisoned for high crimes against the people of the United States, He is not suited for cyberwar with Russia. He was a useful idiot Russia used and has proved daily how feckless he is.
--
Trump was sent to Washington to strip it of all traces of Barack Obama the LAST LEGITIMATELY ELECTED President of the United States, to treat the Obama legacy as a historical oddity. Trump’s entire campaign was about undoing what Obama had done.
The blame for this is squarely on the Republican Party and their right-wing backers. They couldn't win in 2008 or 2012, so they turned to Russia to concoct a winner through deceit and trickery and outright treason to the American electorate system, and virtually our entire way of life. It's not just Trump and the corporate fascists and oligarchs he is part of that we must #RESIST, it is Russia, and Vladimir Putin's gang that have committed acts of WAR upon the United States of America.
If we must conduct a cyber war against Russia, it must happen soon. We must attack from every direction to shut down and bankrupt Putin and his allies, yet at the same time, we must also find ways to protect and support the democratic movements within Russia to protect the Russian people from their own leaders.
This is why Trump's cabal must be removed from positions of authority and impeached, indicted and imprisoned for high crimes against the people of the United States, He is not suited for cyberwar with Russia. He was a useful idiot Russia used and has proved daily how feckless he is.
--
3
Obama has no legacy because he ruled by diktat aka executive order for 8 years. We have a legislature for a reason. The ACA also had no buy-in from half of the people so is under constant barrage. Obama sold out his presidency to big insurance. Now it unravels. Calling half the electorate racist and nativistic is simplistic like Susan Rice or Hillary Clinton blaming all their woes on being women. Dig a little deeper, Charles.
2
Exactly.
1
Jealously and envy know no bounds
2
The more Donald Trump tries, the more he cements the Legacy of Barack Hussein Obama II. And what a Legacy it is; the penultimate American Success Story;
A man born of a White Midwest Female and African Male- raised by Grandparents (the White ones). Drifting like many boys his age- but highly intelligent. Recipient of America's Civil Right's challenge to desegregate schools and Universities; continuing his own legacy of fighting for other's. Ultimately reaching the highest pinnacle of Political Success...
If you were a Donald Trump- realizing that your success[sic] resulted from inheritance, bullying and utilizing everyone else's Cognitive Skills--- You too, would be Obsessed with Barack Obama.
A man born of a White Midwest Female and African Male- raised by Grandparents (the White ones). Drifting like many boys his age- but highly intelligent. Recipient of America's Civil Right's challenge to desegregate schools and Universities; continuing his own legacy of fighting for other's. Ultimately reaching the highest pinnacle of Political Success...
If you were a Donald Trump- realizing that your success[sic] resulted from inheritance, bullying and utilizing everyone else's Cognitive Skills--- You too, would be Obsessed with Barack Obama.
4
Good. Finally. Obama who?
We have a president who believes that he is above the law, that he can govern in secret, and that the free press in the enemy of the people. That lies are truth and truth is lies. So why isn’t Trump loved and appleauded as Obama was and why does Trump hate Obama so much? The answer is obvious and Mr. Blow has hit the bulls eye.
Obama was scandal free and won election and reelection with solid majorities. He was intelligent, he was funny and a man of good humor and did not tell lies about himself and his finances were an open book. Trump is a pathological liar, a megalomaniac demanding constant appleaus defference. He imagines himself as being what he certainly is not, competent and fit for for the office he now holds. He dared not reveal his tax returns, he is using his office to enrich himself and his family and has obstructed justice to halt the invesrigation into his collusion with foreign agents who were attacking our democracy.
Okay so what the bottom line? Trump hates Obama and wants by any means that present themselves to become president to destroy Obama’s legacy. Putin wants to seriously damage our democracy and diminish American power to restrain Russian ambitions. What in Putin’s power, would be so destructive that he would make America weak and confused. The answer is obvious, elect that incompetant, crooked blowhard Trump who thinks he’s a great man as president. The people can’t be that dumb, but worth a try. The result our beloved president.
Obama was scandal free and won election and reelection with solid majorities. He was intelligent, he was funny and a man of good humor and did not tell lies about himself and his finances were an open book. Trump is a pathological liar, a megalomaniac demanding constant appleaus defference. He imagines himself as being what he certainly is not, competent and fit for for the office he now holds. He dared not reveal his tax returns, he is using his office to enrich himself and his family and has obstructed justice to halt the invesrigation into his collusion with foreign agents who were attacking our democracy.
Okay so what the bottom line? Trump hates Obama and wants by any means that present themselves to become president to destroy Obama’s legacy. Putin wants to seriously damage our democracy and diminish American power to restrain Russian ambitions. What in Putin’s power, would be so destructive that he would make America weak and confused. The answer is obvious, elect that incompetant, crooked blowhard Trump who thinks he’s a great man as president. The people can’t be that dumb, but worth a try. The result our beloved president.
3
Trump is deplorable, but don't ignore the contributions of his Republican party and their hatred of the black man in the White House. Mitch "one-term president" McConnell, and Joe "you lie" Wilson, along with so many old-line Southern bigots just like them.
4
Trump is a petulant, vicious, buffoon with no insight. While race may play a role (especially in how he manipulated White middle America), an equally primitive character flaw moves him: vengeance. I urge anyone who's not seen it to watch (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/watch-obama-roast-trump-at-2011-white-.... The rage to expunge Obama from history was born at that moment.
I can't agree more with your "Obama was a phenomenon . . ." paragraph. He is brilliant; his policies were incisive and in our country's best LONG term interests. But my family of college educated Democrats despises Obama. Not because of racism, but because they don't understand WHY his policies were visionary. Whether prideful, arrogant or childish ("if they won't cooperate I'll just stop trying"), he failed to articulate how/why his policies served all Americans. He yielded his own narrative, and rancid hateful ideologues, many who are indeed racist and classist, filled the void. They successfully distorted his accomplishments, misleading not just White angry opiod addicts of Appalachia, but also Democrats who were fed up with government waste and corruption. He did little to address these last two features, and by failing to seize his own narrative, he sealed his fate. Trump may be a gross moron, but his use of tweets, rallies, and cajoling Congress is critical to political success. Obama eschewed politics for principles; his harmatia.
I can't agree more with your "Obama was a phenomenon . . ." paragraph. He is brilliant; his policies were incisive and in our country's best LONG term interests. But my family of college educated Democrats despises Obama. Not because of racism, but because they don't understand WHY his policies were visionary. Whether prideful, arrogant or childish ("if they won't cooperate I'll just stop trying"), he failed to articulate how/why his policies served all Americans. He yielded his own narrative, and rancid hateful ideologues, many who are indeed racist and classist, filled the void. They successfully distorted his accomplishments, misleading not just White angry opiod addicts of Appalachia, but also Democrats who were fed up with government waste and corruption. He did little to address these last two features, and by failing to seize his own narrative, he sealed his fate. Trump may be a gross moron, but his use of tweets, rallies, and cajoling Congress is critical to political success. Obama eschewed politics for principles; his harmatia.
Obama has effectively refuted the myth of white male supremacy for all time, just look at who flanks him at 43 and 45.
4
Mr. Blow, I am astounded that you are able to see what is in Pres Trump's dreams. Crystal ball?
The "birther" issue was started by Hillary's campaign in 2008. Trump mentioned it three years later. But I challenge you, Mr. Blow, to produce Obama's birth certificate...and not that photoshopped fraud he presented. You call it a lie in your piece today, yet have failed to produce proof to back up your years' long assertion.
Just how is "birther" racial?
Do you think that Trump haunt's Obama's dreams...as Obama continually snipes at what Trump is doing?
Are you ignoring the crowd size fact? Do you honestly believe that photo of crowd size, shown as "fact" on CNN, comparing crowd sizes....without the time stamp on the Trump photo...which showed it was taken at 0946, an hour and three quarters before the program was to start, and with people obviously walking in from the check points?
Americans voted not to oppose Obama, but to oppose his policies, which would have continued under Hillary.
.
The "birther" issue was started by Hillary's campaign in 2008. Trump mentioned it three years later. But I challenge you, Mr. Blow, to produce Obama's birth certificate...and not that photoshopped fraud he presented. You call it a lie in your piece today, yet have failed to produce proof to back up your years' long assertion.
Just how is "birther" racial?
Do you think that Trump haunt's Obama's dreams...as Obama continually snipes at what Trump is doing?
Are you ignoring the crowd size fact? Do you honestly believe that photo of crowd size, shown as "fact" on CNN, comparing crowd sizes....without the time stamp on the Trump photo...which showed it was taken at 0946, an hour and three quarters before the program was to start, and with people obviously walking in from the check points?
Americans voted not to oppose Obama, but to oppose his policies, which would have continued under Hillary.
.
Sadly I have family members who support stumpy and hate the Obamas...
And sadly, but revealingly, they often broadcast far-right garbage laced with racist references to and faux photos of the Obamas, of the most sordid and deranged kind....
It's hate, pure and simple.... and thanks to stumpy, the haters have won, and any and every thinking person knows where hate leads....
We have a choice..... turn away from hate or pay its very, very steep price....
And sadly, but revealingly, they often broadcast far-right garbage laced with racist references to and faux photos of the Obamas, of the most sordid and deranged kind....
It's hate, pure and simple.... and thanks to stumpy, the haters have won, and any and every thinking person knows where hate leads....
We have a choice..... turn away from hate or pay its very, very steep price....
4
Nothing Trump does deserves a comment.
1
whoa...trump's election was based on his "hostility" to obama!? so...trump voters were expressing their "hostility" toward obama?
the search for blame for an election lost due to elitist complacency goes on...now it's a screed from an op-ed character whose "hostility" toward trump is demonstrably (just look it up) "obsessive."
the trump diss on one end of the seesaw and obama worship on the other hurts his argument so transparently that his credibility is stained past tarnish.
no fan of trump but even less approving of the infantile (petty, distracting, pick your own) attacks that seem rather intended to depose an elected president than overwhelm him with cogent opposition.
the same for obama, (two terms voted here) whose flaws - the bengazi smoke screen, the go along to get along foreign policy, the cave in on health care (which kept insurance companies in the game) and now the russian stuff, not actual collusion but collusive (giving the info from homeland a lock box) and a disservice to his electors - if let pass will, long term, leave us untutored toward avoiding more of the same, especially from cyberthreat.
no one is as good as blow says our first bi-racial president was, even roosevelt dieplayed some serious flaws (keeping jews out and japanese-americans locked in) even as he saved the country from the depression and showed us a path to purpose (conservation, works progress) and practice (jobs, social welfare) that would solve most of today's problems.
exhale !
the search for blame for an election lost due to elitist complacency goes on...now it's a screed from an op-ed character whose "hostility" toward trump is demonstrably (just look it up) "obsessive."
the trump diss on one end of the seesaw and obama worship on the other hurts his argument so transparently that his credibility is stained past tarnish.
no fan of trump but even less approving of the infantile (petty, distracting, pick your own) attacks that seem rather intended to depose an elected president than overwhelm him with cogent opposition.
the same for obama, (two terms voted here) whose flaws - the bengazi smoke screen, the go along to get along foreign policy, the cave in on health care (which kept insurance companies in the game) and now the russian stuff, not actual collusion but collusive (giving the info from homeland a lock box) and a disservice to his electors - if let pass will, long term, leave us untutored toward avoiding more of the same, especially from cyberthreat.
no one is as good as blow says our first bi-racial president was, even roosevelt dieplayed some serious flaws (keeping jews out and japanese-americans locked in) even as he saved the country from the depression and showed us a path to purpose (conservation, works progress) and practice (jobs, social welfare) that would solve most of today's problems.
exhale !
Yes Charles, Donald Trump does appear to believe that his superiority - self evaluated - lies in certain of his "German genes" (earlier Swedish genes) - and that Barack Obama must be inferior because although he may have some "German genes" he also acquired a few non-german from his father, a member of the Luo clan in Kenya.
But Charles may I suggest that although you are interested in questions of blackness and whiteness as expressed by Trump, the US Census Bureau, and countless commenters, you might move on, don't waste your time on Trump. Instead tell us about your beliefs about "race".
You wrote last year that you do not write about all three ethnicities that are identified under the American black umbrella, but only about African Americans, never about African-immigrant or Caribbean-immigrant Americans.
Why not start now and tell us if you believe in preserving the USCB's archaic system forever, if you believe there really are races that can unequivocally be separated from one another, perhaps by a future USCB?
Why not call up Kenneth Prewitt and Dorothy Roberts and ask them if they would be interested in a column by you on blackness and whiteness. Less Trump, more thoughts please.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
US birth certificate 1932 - color = white
Race - human
But Charles may I suggest that although you are interested in questions of blackness and whiteness as expressed by Trump, the US Census Bureau, and countless commenters, you might move on, don't waste your time on Trump. Instead tell us about your beliefs about "race".
You wrote last year that you do not write about all three ethnicities that are identified under the American black umbrella, but only about African Americans, never about African-immigrant or Caribbean-immigrant Americans.
Why not start now and tell us if you believe in preserving the USCB's archaic system forever, if you believe there really are races that can unequivocally be separated from one another, perhaps by a future USCB?
Why not call up Kenneth Prewitt and Dorothy Roberts and ask them if they would be interested in a column by you on blackness and whiteness. Less Trump, more thoughts please.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
US birth certificate 1932 - color = white
Race - human
Get over it...Obama is history.
Trump could save the world from an alien attack and the Nobel Prize winner Obama would still be the more revered president.
2
Donald Trump is intent on repealing the Affordable Care Act for two reasons:
1. His Racism: Donald must feel compelled, without let-up, to eliminate not just ACA, but Everything-Obama, because he resents following our nation's First Black President.
2. His Narcissism: Trumpie believe that he must be the center of everything: it must emirate from Him, Him, Him! Donald seems to envision himself as the latter day "Sun King!"
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
1. His Racism: Donald must feel compelled, without let-up, to eliminate not just ACA, but Everything-Obama, because he resents following our nation's First Black President.
2. His Narcissism: Trumpie believe that he must be the center of everything: it must emirate from Him, Him, Him! Donald seems to envision himself as the latter day "Sun King!"
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
2
Why not say it openly? Trump supporters are glad he is fumigating the White House.
"Trump questioned Obama’s literary pedigree."
Yes Trump did...but only because he was jealous when he thought Obama had a dog who could read and write.
Yes Trump did...but only because he was jealous when he thought Obama had a dog who could read and write.
2
Imagine what Trump supporters would say about Obama if he had FIVE children from THREE different women!
6
None of whom are on welfare....
I completely agree with your article. I've been saying this for a long time, and now, even my doubting friends tell me there's no other way to see it.
Question...... will be be able to erase the horrible legacy of this small vindictive person, can we ever eradicate the scars that Trump is creating ? Will we even make it to that point ?
Question...... will be be able to erase the horrible legacy of this small vindictive person, can we ever eradicate the scars that Trump is creating ? Will we even make it to that point ?
5
It is never easy for somebody so wanting, as Mr. Trump is, to look upon such an accomplished person, as President Obama is. Mr. Trump lacks the ability to look inward and see himself as he really is. That is why we see the constant lashing out and blaming everyone else for his own failings. His fits and tantrums are on display for us to view and be embarrassed by, every day. Mr. Trump recognizes that he will never merit the respect and honor that President Obama has achieved and, therefore, he tries to destroy it.
4
Thank you for this essay. I miss President Obama everyday. The Trashster In the White House can undo his predecessor's policies but can't ever undue Obama's value to me & millions and millions of us, white, black, yellow,brown. Keep it up!
3
I read a lot about how Trump's and the Republicans' goals are to "undo" President Obama's legacy. This is not possible. His legacy is already established. His legacy will stand as he left it in terms of his accomplishments, his demeanor, what he meant to so many Americans, and the positive role model he was for all of us in the way he treated people. What Trump and the Republicans are doing is establishing their own legacy. At this point that appears to include vindictiveness, lack of compassion, chaos, hypocrisy, and using the very people they claim to want to help to accomplish their own selfish agenda. It reflects on them, not on President Obama. And it harms all of us.
6
The American people established a Constitution "to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity," which Trump, a frat boy all dressed up as president, is to protect and defend. Of course, he would rather be tweeting insults regarding President Obama or Mika Brzezinski of "Morning Joe" rather than doing the job we taxpayers are paying him to do. Where are the grownups in this Republican administration?
2
At some point our former President might decide to challenge Trump to back up some of his lies in court. He could start with the 'Obama tapped my lines' as a libel suit (I know Trump is a public official, but they can be sued for libel if malicious intent can be shown). That alone would be a felony, i.e. an impeachable offense.
But Obama chooses the do-nothing option. He got where he is by charming and impressing people - normal people who desire positive relations.
A bully seeks only dominance. And bullies are stopped only when they are counterattacked. In the schoolyard, that means punching; in the grownup world, it means legal suits.
Oh, if only Obama would do what is necessary, the country could be rid of Donald J. Trump.
But he won't.
But Obama chooses the do-nothing option. He got where he is by charming and impressing people - normal people who desire positive relations.
A bully seeks only dominance. And bullies are stopped only when they are counterattacked. In the schoolyard, that means punching; in the grownup world, it means legal suits.
Oh, if only Obama would do what is necessary, the country could be rid of Donald J. Trump.
But he won't.
So Trump is convinced that President Obama's allegedly poor performance in office guarantees that there will be no African American elected as president for at least a generation. Does this mean that Trump's disaster in the White House will mean that no male will be elected as president for at least a generation? Shouldn't what applies to race also apply to gender? Indeed if Trump is correct, then I look forward to seeing Kamala Harris win the presidency in 2020.
5
Remember how Trump appeared in his meeting with Obama? Uncomfortable, sitting the edge of his chair, refusing to make eye contact, muttering platitudes and niceties? Then, almost as soon as Obama left the room, the tirades resumed. Our president isn't just a profoundly sick person. He's a coward too.
7
Unfortunately and embarrassingly, 45 will godown in our history - but it will be with a yuuuuge asterisk by his name.
2
"How could Obama have been so celebrated while he is so reviled?" This question is easy: just listen to a tape of any address President Obama gave, including off the cuff replies to reporters, to be reminded of what the most intelligent, articulate president we've had in my lifetime sounds like. Then compare it to the ignorant, inarticulate thrashing about of a liar bully that embarrasses our country daily.
3
Trump, whose racism is well documented, has perceived Obama as his enemy ever since Obama became our first black president. Trump's outsized sense of entitlement and white privilege must have felt quite offended early on by Obama's superior intelligence, popularity, innately classy style, and success -- probably ever since Obama's electric keynote address at the 2004 Democratic Convention. As Robert Reich has said, Trump only cares about 3 things: winning, money, and revenge. In attempting to systematically dismantle all of Obama's legacy, Trump is clearly driven by a fanatical desire for revenge.
Trump's hatred of Obama probably reached its zenith during the 2011 White House correspondents' dinner. He sat seething and staring straight ahead as America's first black president extensively and hilariously "roasted" him. A video clip from Frontline's "The Choice 2016" illustrates that key moment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htt91G2qDwM
Trump's hatred of Obama probably reached its zenith during the 2011 White House correspondents' dinner. He sat seething and staring straight ahead as America's first black president extensively and hilariously "roasted" him. A video clip from Frontline's "The Choice 2016" illustrates that key moment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htt91G2qDwM
5
The truth of the matter is that Trump is just a bigot. That's what he is and that's what he's always been. Sadly, that's why he was elected.
4
Anyone who believes that Trump isn't personally bigoted and a racist is seriously deluding himself. He is. And it is viscerally, palpably apparent.
3
The only way Trump can erase Obama's legacy is by starting a nuclear war that would erase all of human history. Which of course he will never do, right?
Right?
Right?
2
Envy is the main feeling of every racist and Trump is no exception but in Trump's case, his envy is pathological, a serious illness. After reading Trump's latest tweet on Morning Joe and Mika, you clearly see that the man is mentally ill and the sooner he is legally declared unfit for office, the better for America. In the meantime, we all miss Obama and we all wish we had a new president with his grace, talent and dignity.
3
I can remember when my children were in elementary school; posted in every classroom and lunchroom was a poster: CHARACTER COUNTS and the six pillars:
1.Trustworthiness
2.Respect
3.Responsibility
4.Fairness
5.Caring
6.Citizenship
Barack Obama has them; Donald Trump does not (and realizes he does not).
1.Trustworthiness
2.Respect
3.Responsibility
4.Fairness
5.Caring
6.Citizenship
Barack Obama has them; Donald Trump does not (and realizes he does not).
3
"Obama was a phenomenon. He was elegant and cerebral. He was devoid of personal scandal and drenched in personal erudition. He was a walking, talking rebuttal to white supremacy and the myths of black pathology and inferiority. He was the personification of the possible — a possible future in which legacy power and advantages are redistributed more broadly to all with the gift of talent and the discipline to excel."
This sums it all up. And still he was human and made mistakes but he was, basically, a good, bright , and caring president. Thank you.
This sums it all up. And still he was human and made mistakes but he was, basically, a good, bright , and caring president. Thank you.
3
It is,was,and always has been all about race. Or religion. These people hate Obama and what he represents to them more than they love their own children, in my view. I say this because it seems more important to many white folks that they "erase" Obama than it is to protect their families' health, or create the best educations possible for their kids, or to ensure that this country remains economically viable in a peaceful world.
3
Mr. Blow - I have only one minor suggestion about this column. I wish this article referenced ONLY former President Barack Obama and all of his outstanding qualities because frankly, who doesn't know or isn't aware of President Trump's many flaws and shortcomings? Obviously, what your wrote is spot on but seriously, I'm tired of reading about him in practically every Op Ed column, every day. I wish your very last sentence would have read - "Donald Trump, eat your heart out for you will NEVER hold a candle to Barack Obama, on any level, EVER" or something like that.
3
My friends who were tired of cultural struggle finally got their kitsch president. Finally, no need to rack one's brains about whether police are brutal or white society is simply unfair. No need to wonder whether the school system merits an overhaul, or whether we're shortchanging our future generations by withholding environmental protection. No need to think...at all. Golf for the men and face lifts for the women! The retirees' dream.
4
It sounds to me more like Charles M. Blow has had a Trump obsession that he cannot set aside, and thus his observations cannot be impartial and objective. He, thus, compromises the legitimacy of anything he says about the President.
I am delighted by the way President Obama has been dealing with Trump. I have heard appeals for Obama to fight back. Ignoring Trump is the best strategy. He’s clearly frustrated by Obama’s refusal to get down in the gutter with him. This Roy Cohn mentee would like nothing better than a no holds barred brawl. Thank you Mr. President for not giving him that opportunity. President Obama’s record stands for itself. If we examine it, piece by piece, we will see how truly impressive it was. His presidency laid bare the racism that still exists in our country. The individuals who felt his presidency harmed us couldn’t deal with the unmasking of that racism.
2
"This Roy Cohn mentee would like nothing better than a no holds barred brawl. "
Reminds me of the photo op in Flint, where he was invited to say a few words about how he would handle the water disaster going forward. The moment he blurted out a "Crooked Hillary", he was taken "out back" by the female pastor and told, in no uncertain terms, that he was asked not to give a political stump speech, and that he should stick to his promise to not criticize other candidates. He sheepishly backed down like a newspaper-struck puppy. Only when he got back to New York, he 'slammed' her, via twitter (of course).
The bottom line is that he is nothing more than a loathsome coward. He hates anyone who crosses him, fails to praise him or humiliates him, but he hates himself even more. One might even pity him, if he wasn't so despicable. It's only a matter of time until his 'minions' (lackeys and supporters) turn on him.
Reminds me of the photo op in Flint, where he was invited to say a few words about how he would handle the water disaster going forward. The moment he blurted out a "Crooked Hillary", he was taken "out back" by the female pastor and told, in no uncertain terms, that he was asked not to give a political stump speech, and that he should stick to his promise to not criticize other candidates. He sheepishly backed down like a newspaper-struck puppy. Only when he got back to New York, he 'slammed' her, via twitter (of course).
The bottom line is that he is nothing more than a loathsome coward. He hates anyone who crosses him, fails to praise him or humiliates him, but he hates himself even more. One might even pity him, if he wasn't so despicable. It's only a matter of time until his 'minions' (lackeys and supporters) turn on him.
3
nailed it today!
sad.
sad.
Thank you, New York Times, for continuing to shine a light I oh so many ways on
The Failing so-called trump administration.
The Failing so-called trump administration.
This must be what moving on from "Russia, Russia, Russia" looks like. To attempt to flip the phrase against those using it! Albeit modified to "Obama, Obama, Obama" -- but still Brady Bunch themed.
1
Trump's election was a manifestation of the unresolved rage from the Confederacy losing the Civil War.
1
Eventually Trump will tweet a photo of himself holding a noose and a shotgun - in case anyone hasn't gotten the point.
1
To coin a phrase, "Sad!"
It's quite simple, actually. Trump is a racist. He's the George Wallace of our time. Wallace was the subject of me Masters dissertation. Check out his !968 election speeches. He's a Wallace clone
3
Here are some words to teach your children: spite, malice, malevolence, revenge, vindictiveness, animus, enmity, rancor, resentment, acrimony ...
and envy, jealousy, covetousness, resentment, bitterness ... They are all sad losers in life, maladies to be eschewed, encumbrances to avoid like the plague.
They can be used in phrases, to convey their meaning. For instance: "With malice toward none, with charity for all ..."
Teach your children well.
and envy, jealousy, covetousness, resentment, bitterness ... They are all sad losers in life, maladies to be eschewed, encumbrances to avoid like the plague.
They can be used in phrases, to convey their meaning. For instance: "With malice toward none, with charity for all ..."
Teach your children well.
3
America wants to erase Obama. Haven't you noticed the election results for the past seven months? And, the icing on the cake will be the new Supreme Court, Charles.
2
You are spot on Charles, but you do not go far enough.
Trump has a pathological hatred of Obama for several reasons, first being Obama is substantially smarter than him. Second (maybe first) Obama roasted him at the White House Correspondents Dinner and Trump lacks the strength of character to handle it.
Trump started his campaign impugning Obama's citizenship and the racist base ate it up. Seeing his lies being passed among the ignorant white voters he kept doubling down on the racial and religious hatred that exists in this country to an alarming degree.
I am a white man who has spent almost all my life in the South where racial and religious bigotry is still the stuff bigots like Trump can build a support base on.
I did not think Obama was perfect but I love the man. He and I both have in common the fact that we were raised by a single white mother from Kansas. The Obama detractors hate the fact that Obama and his family are models of what is right in America.
Trump has a pathological hatred of Obama for several reasons, first being Obama is substantially smarter than him. Second (maybe first) Obama roasted him at the White House Correspondents Dinner and Trump lacks the strength of character to handle it.
Trump started his campaign impugning Obama's citizenship and the racist base ate it up. Seeing his lies being passed among the ignorant white voters he kept doubling down on the racial and religious hatred that exists in this country to an alarming degree.
I am a white man who has spent almost all my life in the South where racial and religious bigotry is still the stuff bigots like Trump can build a support base on.
I did not think Obama was perfect but I love the man. He and I both have in common the fact that we were raised by a single white mother from Kansas. The Obama detractors hate the fact that Obama and his family are models of what is right in America.
4
You can say this of the top leadership in the Republican party. Especially, Senate and House majority leaders. They also seem to be obsessed with undoing Obama's policies. In fact, as reported, when Obama was elected they decided not to cooperate with him and to obstruct his policies at evey step.
3
The Obama Years will be studied by future historians as an important chapter in the story of Reconstruction. Like so many shards from the WWI catastrophe that continue to haunt a century later ("One Palestine Complete" being just one example among dozens), post-Civil War resentment, hatred and oppression (and murder) of African Americans continues. Trump's candidacy and "election" is a symptom of an epidemic pathology that remains THE central organizing principle of our political system at every level.
6
(A broader, integrated, fact-based fantasy of hate/greed/ego.)
I wonder when will freedom come?
Not just for you, not just for me.
But freedom for everyone!
Lord, are we too late?
How long must we make freedom wait?
–Memphis Slim, Blues artist
When America was great, all it took was a tab of acid to produce a thrilling, danger-laden, alternative universe magic carpet ride. Now the thrill zone of no-return belongs to a President and Republican Senators who accumulate points flying frequently near the dark edge, feeling its very power. Among the Men-as-devils, an imperfect few cratered a bill that removes 15 million Americans from healthcare. To kiss and make-up, they boarded a White House for a freedom ride* (*No Democrats allowed; they are blocking appointments not nominated!).
In the White House, white servants broke out hidden flasks of Russian vodka, and posed nudes, photographed and stashed during a state visit, emerged as the White House reception turned into a locker room. The vodka was traded for the Comey tapes. Who cares about healthcare? Obama obstructed–“the pressure is off.”
The strange smell of death and new wealth--of uninsured cadavers and newly minted money stacked/shrink-wrapped/and strapped for the rich--mingled in the Red Room, above the rim of the giant crater left by the insurance implosion. Drooling with Botox and anticipation, each waited to lick the rim, a secret ritual demanded by Leader McConnell, but some refused.
(Part 2 below.)
I wonder when will freedom come?
Not just for you, not just for me.
But freedom for everyone!
Lord, are we too late?
How long must we make freedom wait?
–Memphis Slim, Blues artist
When America was great, all it took was a tab of acid to produce a thrilling, danger-laden, alternative universe magic carpet ride. Now the thrill zone of no-return belongs to a President and Republican Senators who accumulate points flying frequently near the dark edge, feeling its very power. Among the Men-as-devils, an imperfect few cratered a bill that removes 15 million Americans from healthcare. To kiss and make-up, they boarded a White House for a freedom ride* (*No Democrats allowed; they are blocking appointments not nominated!).
In the White House, white servants broke out hidden flasks of Russian vodka, and posed nudes, photographed and stashed during a state visit, emerged as the White House reception turned into a locker room. The vodka was traded for the Comey tapes. Who cares about healthcare? Obama obstructed–“the pressure is off.”
The strange smell of death and new wealth--of uninsured cadavers and newly minted money stacked/shrink-wrapped/and strapped for the rich--mingled in the Red Room, above the rim of the giant crater left by the insurance implosion. Drooling with Botox and anticipation, each waited to lick the rim, a secret ritual demanded by Leader McConnell, but some refused.
(Part 2 below.)
3
(Part 2 of a non-fiction fantasy.)
The transgender lesbian president (watch his hands!) who refuses a gray rinse spoke on behalf of the White House Klan chapter and big business. His remarks, unencrypted/leaked: “Senators–fellow rogues, demons, and barbarians–ignore the doctors, nurses, hospitals, AARP—ignore America! White magic will deconstruct the administrative state."
"The bill will steal Treasury’s bunce, give to the rich and scatter death among the poor and traitors, among the blamed and hated. It bans incentives/initiatives, new thinking, new health policy. It isolates America from single payer. It will kill not only people but also close hospitals and put doctors, nurses, and technicians out of work, leaving only unfilled jobs for the next election cycle.” The carpet he got from the Saudi king hovered in the corner, idling.
“By economic alchemy, death becomes wealth! Its excess rises from waste! Decrease is increase!”
The newly installed coal furnace blackened their faces, but black faces didn’t matter. Nor did women. The coven, swooped around the room flying on backward brooms; and mingled with shadowy figures.
They were intoxicated with power, filled with darkness; its powers of deception. The Senators, guardians of this power, overlords of deception, know to keep opposing the bill’s new draft; it will make the final agreement look like a good deal.
The transgender lesbian president (watch his hands!) who refuses a gray rinse spoke on behalf of the White House Klan chapter and big business. His remarks, unencrypted/leaked: “Senators–fellow rogues, demons, and barbarians–ignore the doctors, nurses, hospitals, AARP—ignore America! White magic will deconstruct the administrative state."
"The bill will steal Treasury’s bunce, give to the rich and scatter death among the poor and traitors, among the blamed and hated. It bans incentives/initiatives, new thinking, new health policy. It isolates America from single payer. It will kill not only people but also close hospitals and put doctors, nurses, and technicians out of work, leaving only unfilled jobs for the next election cycle.” The carpet he got from the Saudi king hovered in the corner, idling.
“By economic alchemy, death becomes wealth! Its excess rises from waste! Decrease is increase!”
The newly installed coal furnace blackened their faces, but black faces didn’t matter. Nor did women. The coven, swooped around the room flying on backward brooms; and mingled with shadowy figures.
They were intoxicated with power, filled with darkness; its powers of deception. The Senators, guardians of this power, overlords of deception, know to keep opposing the bill’s new draft; it will make the final agreement look like a good deal.
2
Trump is dismantling Obama's legacy because he has no comprehensive ideas of his own. He came into office with no real knowledge or understanding of how our government works. So his strategy is too either undo everything Obama put in place or do the bidding of a campaign donor.
10
In the current political climate, we are not likely to see a President as good as Barack Obama for another generation, at least. However, Trump is nothing new. He has been reading from the GOP playbook, which is a collection of tired old ideas about how to enrich themselves and the behest of their 0.01% puppet masters, all the while destroying the environment and making the planet unliveable for future generations. Charles, you could rewrite this article and substitute every instance of Trump with McConnell and it would still ring true. The rest of the world is merely watching the fall of another empire. Y'all had a good run.
10
Trump was simply basking in the adulation of having taken up the birther lie, a lie he didn't believe himself. Then came the White House Correspondent's dinner where, with mr. trump in attendance, President Obama make a joke at Trump's expense. The dabble in alt-right idiocy crystallized at that moment into something much more sinister. We have seen, repeatedly, that donald reacts like a 6th grader whenever he feels he has been slighted. Now he is a 6th grader with power.
The reality? In 50 years, President Obama's terms will be studied, while mr. trump's term will be noted as a low point in American history.
The reality? In 50 years, President Obama's terms will be studied, while mr. trump's term will be noted as a low point in American history.
12
The 2011 White House correspondents dinner also set in motion another obsession in Trump's mind: Destroy the media that dared laugh at him. As his first cabinet meeting confirms, fawning admiration is the only attention Trump will tolerate. Getting roasted in a room full of reporters really set him off. Step one: eviscerate Obama's legacy. Step 2: eviscerate the free press.
Little does he realize, we are now laughing at him all the harder for the effort. Behind our legitimate fear for world security and the security of our institutions, jokes abound. There are at least 5 late night shows almost universally dedicated to ridiculing Trump every night. There's apparently so much material that writers are forced to throw away jokes. There's simply not enough time to sufficiently humiliate Trump.
If criminal disgrace doesn't get to him first, Trump will go down as a historical laughing stock. Just imagine a compilation of the Trump twitter feed. He'll probably do enduring damage to our nation in the meantime but you're still free to laugh at him. That's the good thing about institutions: They're inherently designed to outlive an individual leader.
Little does he realize, we are now laughing at him all the harder for the effort. Behind our legitimate fear for world security and the security of our institutions, jokes abound. There are at least 5 late night shows almost universally dedicated to ridiculing Trump every night. There's apparently so much material that writers are forced to throw away jokes. There's simply not enough time to sufficiently humiliate Trump.
If criminal disgrace doesn't get to him first, Trump will go down as a historical laughing stock. Just imagine a compilation of the Trump twitter feed. He'll probably do enduring damage to our nation in the meantime but you're still free to laugh at him. That's the good thing about institutions: They're inherently designed to outlive an individual leader.
13
And how much of the GOP zeal for Repeal and replace stems prcisely from the same "not invented by me" mentality? To pursue a goal of dismantling legislation not because it is bad or imperfect, but because it bears the name of someone else, undermines any idealology the GOP has aside from petty destructiveness and srlf empowerment. Trump has had a lot of help in dismantling the Obama years fr Congress.
4
Trump and the GOP in Congress are obsessed with the Clintons as well. As much as many in the GOP viscerally hate the Clintons, they use the Clintons as the basis of comparison for their own behavior -- if it isn't worse than thie Clintons then it is OK!
4
Thank you. Finally someone is telling the truth about Trump. But it's not only Trump. It's the entire Republican Party, which has been cleverly running against black people and minorities ever since the Democratic Party (LBJ) formally abandoned racism/bigotry in the middle 1960's and the Republican Party took up that "opportunity" with glee.
8
Trump is much like Captain Ahab, obsessive about trying to destroy his nemesis, President Obama's legacy.
What is clear at this point is how the leadership of our great nation is no longer headed on a vector of better tomorrows for all Americans but instead is adrift, incoherent, reckless, and is consumed with paranoia. Trump and is White House staff are way in over their heads. Sadly we are all poorer for it.
Denis McDonough provides an insightful interview on how the Obama White House was run, and just how hard President Obama was working. The contrast with what we know of Trump and McDonough's observation underlines the poor caliber of Trump's presidency.
https://soundcloud.com/panoply/denis-mcdonough-on-how-to-run-the-white-h...
What is clear at this point is how the leadership of our great nation is no longer headed on a vector of better tomorrows for all Americans but instead is adrift, incoherent, reckless, and is consumed with paranoia. Trump and is White House staff are way in over their heads. Sadly we are all poorer for it.
Denis McDonough provides an insightful interview on how the Obama White House was run, and just how hard President Obama was working. The contrast with what we know of Trump and McDonough's observation underlines the poor caliber of Trump's presidency.
https://soundcloud.com/panoply/denis-mcdonough-on-how-to-run-the-white-h...
2
Trump is like a vandal, key scratching a Mercedes, simply because he resents someone's ability to own it. But what Obama has can't be bought – grace, dignity, intelligence, elegance and respect. Trump, with his billions, can never have any of that. Money and class do not go hand in hand.
14
Mr Blow, I think you will be hard pressed to comment on anything more accurately. Spot on an all accounts!
The current potus (lower case), has had inferiority issues for as soon as he stepped out of daddy's shadows in the late '70s and continues to lower his bar of expectations daily. He was nouveau riche and couldn't concede he wasn't accepted as a favorite of all he met and acted with hostility to the perceived snub. If the members of the club wouldn't accept him into their circles, he'll buy the club with daddy's money and show them all!
And it continues today, as evidence by his mistreatment of all who disagree with his whims and follies. His family, with the exception of his two elder sons (who have their own issues), have the thousand mile stare of a long time abuse victim. I'm afraid many of the populous may have them as well at the end of four years.
Again, well done , Charles, and keep shouting the truth.
The current potus (lower case), has had inferiority issues for as soon as he stepped out of daddy's shadows in the late '70s and continues to lower his bar of expectations daily. He was nouveau riche and couldn't concede he wasn't accepted as a favorite of all he met and acted with hostility to the perceived snub. If the members of the club wouldn't accept him into their circles, he'll buy the club with daddy's money and show them all!
And it continues today, as evidence by his mistreatment of all who disagree with his whims and follies. His family, with the exception of his two elder sons (who have their own issues), have the thousand mile stare of a long time abuse victim. I'm afraid many of the populous may have them as well at the end of four years.
Again, well done , Charles, and keep shouting the truth.
10
Two more Obama achievements Trump has made a priority of overturning: Improved relations with Cuba and Iran nuclear deal.
A petty and vengeful man indeed.
A petty and vengeful man indeed.
7
This is the most honest and true analysis of the Trump phenomenon. He has clearly ridden into our White House on the hatred so many felt towards our first black president.
Today on the radio I heard a man in West Virginia tell an interviewer why he hated Obamacare. "It's the man who created it," he said.
There are people who would rather die and get sick then take health care under Obama's name.
Today on the radio I heard a man in West Virginia tell an interviewer why he hated Obamacare. "It's the man who created it," he said.
There are people who would rather die and get sick then take health care under Obama's name.
14
Thank you for this excellent analysis. Trump, like all neo-fascists before him has one key skill - the rhetoric of division. He knows only one trick but it is enough. If you can make a big enough group of individuals feel that their base instincts and fears are legitimate then you can turn shame and embarrassment into pride and righteous anger. And such is the power of this transformation that all your shortcomings as a leader will be overlooked. You win people over and they are yours. Trump got lucky with Obama - an easy target because he is black. It was exactly what he needed. In fact he couldn't have become president without him. Like all fascists before him he will never be satisfied with his level of popular support. He will stop at nothing to build his popularity. Ultimately he will start wars. Like the addicted gambler his behaviour will not be modified by any instinct of rational self preservation. It is this, coupled with the fact that he is US President with a massive nuclear arsenal at his fingertips, that makes Trump quite simply, and without exaggeration, the most dangerous human being in the history of mankind.
10
The seed was planted at that WH Correspondants Dinner in 2011. Trump was in the audience when Obama mocked him. Watch the expression on Trump's face- seething hate.
5
That's right -- he was seated at a table smack dab in the middle of the huge room. Everyone was staring at him whilst Obama ridiculed him. Asked about his roasting afterwards, Mr. Trump said he had a good time, and really enjoyed the dinner. Testimony to the fact that his mental illness predates his election campaigning.
1
Seething hate brinming with the truth of knowing that he was being called out, a light shown upon him, for exactly what he has always been: insufficient, of poor quality, questionable to downright poor ethics, and not "man enough" to ever overcome his self created and fanned giant flaming pile of inabilities and shortcomings.
Again, birthism has nothing to do with race. As a "birther" myself, I have spoken out just as loudly against Sen Cruz as I have against Obama. Lest we forget, Obama was not the only 2008 presidential candidate challenged over his natural born Citizen qualifications, nor even the first. These dubious honors belong to John McCain.
Obama has also stated he was born by descent a foreign national, as well as a Citizen of the United States at birth, this alone should disqualify him from the presidency. An Art. II, Sec. I, Cl. 5, natural born Citizens is a person born exclusively under U.S. sovereignty, with no foreign allegiances or attachments at birth, again, nothing to do with the color of someone's skin.
Obama has also stated he was born by descent a foreign national, as well as a Citizen of the United States at birth, this alone should disqualify him from the presidency. An Art. II, Sec. I, Cl. 5, natural born Citizens is a person born exclusively under U.S. sovereignty, with no foreign allegiances or attachments at birth, again, nothing to do with the color of someone's skin.
Wrong. Yes, Trump's goofy Birther thing was ALL about race. McCain was not challenged.
Why not educate yourself with plain old facts? Obama's Kansas mother was a US citizen back many generations. His dad was Kenyan. Deal with it.
Why not educate yourself with plain old facts? Obama's Kansas mother was a US citizen back many generations. His dad was Kenyan. Deal with it.
Keep beating that poor dead horse! I don't believe for one second that your "birthism" has nothing to do with race. President Obama's mother was an American citizen making him a US citizen at birth. McCain and Cruz are also eligible to hold the office. You're just using them as a smokescreen for your racism.
I'd like to compare Trump's Wharton academic record with Obama's Harvard.
7
Excellent article Charles. Thank YOU...!!!
2
Trump? There is no real Trump. I think I hear Steve Bannon loud and clear.
5
Go to YouTube and find the video of the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner, when Obama made Trump the butt of his jokes. He really dumped on Trump, humiliated him, over and over. Look at Trump's eyes as he sat there seething with rage. It was controlled rage, but deep, powerful, and determined. I had the strong feeling then that it was not the end of the story. Of course I could not have predicted the exact course of events, but I think we're seeing the outcome now.
4
Trying to reconcile these statements:
[Obama] was a walking, talking rebuttal to white supremacy and the myths of black pathology and inferiority."
"[T]he racist theory that success or failure of a member of a racial group redounds to all in that group."
[Obama] was a walking, talking rebuttal to white supremacy and the myths of black pathology and inferiority."
"[T]he racist theory that success or failure of a member of a racial group redounds to all in that group."
It doesn't make sense because racism itself isn't logically consistent. Racists generally believed a black man couldn't be president. When that was proven wrong, it then became important that the black man fail as president. His success would be viewed as an exception, whereas his failure would redound to all members of his group. This is where I think Mr. Blow is wrong, since success of one member of a minority group rarely gets credited to the group as a whole (with the possible exception of Asians), whereas failure nearly always does.
I've said all along that all we need to do is rename Obamacare to Trumpcare and everything will be OK.
CB and his acolytes would bash Trump if he developed a cure for cancer, stopped all wars and caused the oceans to be still and the earth not to warm.
2
Nonsense. One can comment on the psychosis that drives another person while complimenting their achievements. The problem here is that Trump's psychosis impedes his ability to accomplish anything whatsoever.
But of course Trump is not capable of doing any of those things, in fact, he is trying to accomplish just the opposite, correct? Taking away people's health insurance, revving up the wars in the Middle East and denying global warming. He can't even put together a coherent sentence but that's what you voted for.
Actually no, we wouldn't. It's precisely because he is so backwards and wrongheaded in his approach that we don't like him.
Great analysis of the pathological liar mentally unstable con man. This man has no class lives in his own narcisstic world. The morally bankrupt man will do or say anything for his lust for power. Our great nation is considered a joke by many in the world. What a shame that this con man manipulated people by fake news, KGB help and division mongering.
2
"Trashy". Precisely.
Excellent analysis Charles.
Excellent analysis Charles.
4
Trump clearly is motivated to be the anti-Obama. In fact, it seems to be his only motivation at this point. All of his actions appear to start with the question "What would Obama do?" and then do the opposite. Mr. Blow doesn't declare but does suggest that Trump's hatred for Obama is driven by racism. I've sort of given Trump the benefit of the doubt on that one, despite some pretty damning evidence to the contrary, like his being sued for discriminatory rental practices and making an icon of the white supremacy movement his chief adviser. I've just always viewed him as too self-centered, too pre-occupied with celebrity and insecure about his masculinity to have time to be a racist.
Wakey wakey Mr Columnist and everyone else who thinks Trump cares so much about Obama, Rosie O'Donnel or any other person he tweets about. It's always been a massive diversion from what he doesn't want people talking about, this week healthcare, last week Russia etc etc. Though he will sometimes use Russia to divert you from healthcare. As an administrator he is an idiot, but the one thing he DOES do well is inflame and divert. If Trump talks about something, ASSUME it's a diversion and please, media, focus on what really matters, like quiet attempts behind the scenes to rewrite the tax code, reverse the New Deal, and set this country back a century.
2
If there is a negative obsession with former President Obama by President Trump, there is an equally idealized obsession with former President Obama on the part of Mr. Blow.
1
Trump's Obama obsession and paranoia: huge, sad, and disgusting.
1
As much as many Americans loathed Obama because he was a super smart, elegant, black man of class, learning, and distinction who clearly did not know his place in their white America, there are just as many of us who loath Trump for being classless, a bigot, a misogynist, a malignant narcissist who devotes most of his non-golf time continuing to divide the country and erode our democracy. Trump's legacy will be that of a bigot trying to kill a black man legally.
2
Dear Charles Blow: So how is the resistance working out for you now? The Democrats are 0 for 4 in post presidential Congressional elections. For his part Obama has been clearly enjoying life after the White House. Obama couldn't care less about helping struggling Democrats by either endorsing Democratic candidates or hitting the campaign trail for them. Obama has been doing what all ex-presidents do--fade into the background and let his successor have all the headaches that go with that daily commute to the Oval Office. Obama doesn't even seem to care if Trump attempts to dismantle his signature piece of legislation--the Affordable Care Act with hardly a whimper of protest.
It's Charles Blow who sounds like the male version of Jan from the Brady Bunch": Trump, Trump, Trump.
It's Charles Blow who sounds like the male version of Jan from the Brady Bunch": Trump, Trump, Trump.
Excellent article - Donald Trump is a bone-deep racist, inherited from his father, who was arrested in the 1920's supporting the Klan. I wish Donald Trump NO good fortune - I pray that his tenure in the Oval Office will be short. Unfortunately, his racist legacy will need political Lysol to eliminate the overwhelming stench he will leave behind.
2
And the entire Republican Party cynically plays this game. By branding the ACA with "Obama," the party played to the racist subconscious of its base. Folks who benefited from the ACA didn't even know they were using ACA exchanges (see under: KY). They just hated the ACA because they hated seeing a black man in power.
2
Based on that Trump reasoning, a white man should never be president again.
Hillary Clinton also opposed TPP http://www.snopes.com/hillary-clinton-called-trans-pacific-partnership-t...
Secretly a Muslim, born in Kenya.
Obama tapped my wires.
From Trump tower, I saw thousands and thousands of Muslims cheer collapse of WTC tower.
I have a plan to defeat ISIS in 30 days, easy, very easy.
My healthcare plan is better and cheaper than the ACA/ObamaCare.
I won by the biggest margin in history.
I've done more in four months than Obama did in eight years.
That's off the top of my head!
Obama tapped my wires.
From Trump tower, I saw thousands and thousands of Muslims cheer collapse of WTC tower.
I have a plan to defeat ISIS in 30 days, easy, very easy.
My healthcare plan is better and cheaper than the ACA/ObamaCare.
I won by the biggest margin in history.
I've done more in four months than Obama did in eight years.
That's off the top of my head!
2
That President Obama and his family are a living breathing refutation of white supremacy drives many white people crazy, chief among them is Donald Trump. Without white supremacy, many people do not recognize themselves in the mirror.
I suspect this psychosis is connected with the problem of opioid abuse and increasing death rates among low income white people.
Why is life so painful for so many people? Why do they think a liar and a con man such as Trump is qualified to be president of the United States?
We get the government we deserve.
I suspect this psychosis is connected with the problem of opioid abuse and increasing death rates among low income white people.
Why is life so painful for so many people? Why do they think a liar and a con man such as Trump is qualified to be president of the United States?
We get the government we deserve.
2
Nail on the head.
Racism and bigotry are the strongest factors among Trump supporters that I know. They hated Obama and believed every awful, false thing that Fox and haters like Trump had to offer them during the last eight years. My Trump-supporting friends believe Obama is a total fraud--in fact a Manchurian candidate and probably born in Kenya. But these fine white racists work very hard to keep friends who don't share their attitudes and beliefs in the dark about who they really are. Unfortunately, their total support of Trump and the Republicans has given them away many times since election day in 2016.
They want to be racists and bigots, but they don't want you to point that out to them because they have tender feelings if you say something "hurtful." The hypocrisy and dishonesty with them is wide, high, and deep. It is impossible to sustain a friendship--no matter how old or long-held it might be--under those circumstances.
They want to be racists and bigots, but they don't want you to point that out to them because they have tender feelings if you say something "hurtful." The hypocrisy and dishonesty with them is wide, high, and deep. It is impossible to sustain a friendship--no matter how old or long-held it might be--under those circumstances.
2
That's exactly what one should expect from a clueless wannabe president with zero qualifications following the most popular president of modern times. His only way into history books is erasing Obama since he will have no achievements of his own.
Mr. Blow's column is his best yet, in its fawning over Obama and its shallow hatred of Trump. I expect we will be treated to similar columns by Mr. Blow two to three times a month for the next four (or possibly eight) years. All the while, Obama's achievements will continue to fade away.
Obama is ALL Trump wishes to be, but CAN'T be. Trump is a coarse, unpolished, spoiled, scandalous, unstable, ignorant, petty, conniving, vindictive, lout: a SIMPLETON, I can't understand how he could LEGITIMATELY get into college; money?
Trump needs to be told, that he cannot, in his wildest dreams, be President Barrack Hussein Obama, and the more he tries to destroy Obama's legacy, that legacy will forever remain in the minds of people. History will judge Obama as one of the most brilliant Presidents of this nation. It takes intelligence, work, knowledge, seriousness and introspection to make America great and be respected throughout the world. Trump has none of those attributes.
Trump needs to be told, that he cannot, in his wildest dreams, be President Barrack Hussein Obama, and the more he tries to destroy Obama's legacy, that legacy will forever remain in the minds of people. History will judge Obama as one of the most brilliant Presidents of this nation. It takes intelligence, work, knowledge, seriousness and introspection to make America great and be respected throughout the world. Trump has none of those attributes.
One can only hope that, in keeping with the racist observation that because Obama did such a poor job as president "you won’t see another black president for generations,” after Trump we won't see another over-privileged white male president for generations.
1
“Gladly, because president Trump has done such a poor job as president, you won’t see another white president for generations!”
Trashy! I like that.
1
This man-child Trump has a sick jealousy of President Obama. McConnell too. They make a good pair. Trump wants the affection Pres. Obama still has that Trump will never have. Trump is a liar. Pres. Obama is an intellectual. I say that proudly. He is a thinker. Maybe he over thought on occasion but he did what he could to help people and govern fairly. All the time with the Republicans voting in bloc against everything that came from the White House. Good or not so good, it didn't matter. Pres.Obama was a disciplined person while Trump is tweeter in chief with no thought about what he says. Give it up Trump, your attempt to be like Pres. Obama is ludicrous.
Sad, even Bruni has drunk the cool-aid. "The problem with Obamacare !!---isn’t that it hasn’t borne fruit,---!! but rather that it bears Obama’s name."
Obamacare has indeed born "fruit". Millions more lives insured. Thousands of lives SAVED. Healthcare cost increases slowed drastically.
That OBAMA!-Care has done so in the face of scorched earth GOP obstruction and sabotage and efforts to repeal is a real achievement. That his centrist policy is so difficult to repeal is telling to the genius of a true centrist President.
Sad even the former President's defenders have ceded such an important fact.
Obamacare has indeed born "fruit". Millions more lives insured. Thousands of lives SAVED. Healthcare cost increases slowed drastically.
That OBAMA!-Care has done so in the face of scorched earth GOP obstruction and sabotage and efforts to repeal is a real achievement. That his centrist policy is so difficult to repeal is telling to the genius of a true centrist President.
Sad even the former President's defenders have ceded such an important fact.
Why is any of this a surprise? Trump is a racist. His father was a racist. He grew up in Queens denying blacks housing in their buildings and has never changed. Obama's presidency was an affront to everything he grew up with. Millions of Americans - mostly Republicans - agreed with him and his racism. They were aptly named the deplorables. And so the votes for Trump. Has everyone forgotten the blatant racism of Trump and his supporters?
1
Well said, Charles!
Contempt is so often a defense against envy. The story of
trump's life-- think of the names he has called people since
his Truther days, his participation on the GOP Primary, and
the GOP Convention.
trump's life-- think of the names he has called people since
his Truther days, his participation on the GOP Primary, and
the GOP Convention.
3
I know Presicent Obama is above such things but I wish he would go after Trump on a regular basis with ridicule and humor. It will at least keep Trump from operating calmly for a few days. And Obama does GREAT standup!
For a recent example, see (former Mexican president) Vicente Fox's new video:
https://www.facebook.com/superdeluxevideo/videos/488558814822007/
For a recent example, see (former Mexican president) Vicente Fox's new video:
https://www.facebook.com/superdeluxevideo/videos/488558814822007/
2
You are doing Obama and yourself a disservice by writing this opinion. Of course Trump is no match for the best President since at least 1968. And yes Trump is the worse President since then. There is no comparison. ... http://lstrn.us/1XCWycv
1
Yup, Barrack Obama is a statesman, a gentleman, a scholar, a role model, a hero, and admired by most of his country, and the world. trump is something, resembling a human being, that crawled out from under a slimy rock, and whom people, of conscience and integrity, deplore. He is a typical Republican.
6
Obama is a prince compared to Trump. He’s even elegant and celebral---something DT is definitely not.
But Blow is going off the deep end, idealizing Obama, and continuing his anti Trump diatribe, repeating the obvious.
Thus Obama can do no wrong because the worst president in our history is disparaging everything Obama did. Critics of Obama are just pro Trump?
We just ricochet between extremes. And the hostility quotient goes up, while our understanding of the issues goes down. Thanks Charles for your great contribution to our politics.
But Blow is going off the deep end, idealizing Obama, and continuing his anti Trump diatribe, repeating the obvious.
Thus Obama can do no wrong because the worst president in our history is disparaging everything Obama did. Critics of Obama are just pro Trump?
We just ricochet between extremes. And the hostility quotient goes up, while our understanding of the issues goes down. Thanks Charles for your great contribution to our politics.
Please provide a cite, in this column, or any other by Mr. Blow, where he said "Obama can do no wrong."
Pointing out that Trump is attempting eradicate Obama's legacy is a point way beyond simply being a critic. It also is not being critical of Obama's other critics.
I think you are suffering from that dread disease known as false equivalence.
Pointing out that Trump is attempting eradicate Obama's legacy is a point way beyond simply being a critic. It also is not being critical of Obama's other critics.
I think you are suffering from that dread disease known as false equivalence.
President is not obsessed about Obama who only ruined the country by the irreparable damage he did to it. He initiated a mess of a healthcare plan, got the federal government into the student loan business, spent 10 trillion with no return on investment. Obama's legacy is that he was the first black president. And if a lot of whites did not vote for him he never would have been. Period.
OK, so his presiding over a long, steady recovery after the deepest crash since the great depression is what you call "irreparable damage"? Bizarro!
1
His "mess of a healthcare bill" brought insurance to millions, many of whom are in danger of losing it now. Please ask them if they are willing to give up their "mess" and go back to "the good old days."
The federal government has been in the student loan business since at least the 1970s, when I went to college.
"Spent 10 trillion with no return on investment." Well, I agree putting the costs for Bush's pointless wars on the books was both an eye-opener and pointed out the fact that the wars were pointless, other than creating chaos where there was none before.
And I would point out that any candidate needs a lot of whites to vote for him to become President. That's how Trump got elected, right? (Even though he lost the popular vote, unlike Obama.)
The federal government has been in the student loan business since at least the 1970s, when I went to college.
"Spent 10 trillion with no return on investment." Well, I agree putting the costs for Bush's pointless wars on the books was both an eye-opener and pointed out the fact that the wars were pointless, other than creating chaos where there was none before.
And I would point out that any candidate needs a lot of whites to vote for him to become President. That's how Trump got elected, right? (Even though he lost the popular vote, unlike Obama.)
Jan this is so ignorant and misguided. Answer these questions: Under which president did the US government create and perpetuate the lie of Iraq having weapons of mass destruction? Under which president did we wage war in Iraq and stir a hornets nest? Under which president was the finance industry allowed to run amok and knowingly swindle ordinary citizens? Under which president did the second worst financial crisis in history occur? And... btw, the federal government as been involved in student loans for decades.
1
When I traveled overseas during the Obama era I was proud of being an American
Now I am so ashamed........
Now I am so ashamed........
5
No mention of the White House correspondents dinner where Obama had fun with Trump? Don't think for a second that Trump ever got over that.
3
Trump is a "sicko." This man would hurt the world to get back at one person. He is like Captain Ahab after the White Whale. We know how that turned out.
America is suffering.
America is suffering.
4
“Sadly, because president Obama has done such a poor job as president, you won’t see another black president for generations!”
That statement did not surprise me at all, it simply cemented my already negative view of the man, a view arrived at over 30+ years of (trying to avoid) listening to his boastful idiocy.
I suppose if he could sign an executive order to abolish the fact of Obama's very existence, he would do so. He might try to do it.
That statement did not surprise me at all, it simply cemented my already negative view of the man, a view arrived at over 30+ years of (trying to avoid) listening to his boastful idiocy.
I suppose if he could sign an executive order to abolish the fact of Obama's very existence, he would do so. He might try to do it.
1
Sadly, I don't think the role of racism can be overstated in the 2016 election. Those that hate Obama should look deep into their souls and try to sort out why they have this hate. And it is likely, that is where they will find their racism. If the conclusion is the person insists they are not a racists, the next question would be why did you vote for one?
3
Given Trump's reasoning, we won't be seeing another white male president for generations!
3
Trump's 1st dream:
"Trump operatives claim they have just killed Osama bin laden in the outskirts of Cairo. Bin laden was shot multiple times and fell into the Nile and was quickly eaten by crocodiles. Trump claims the Obama administration faked the bin laden capture last year and called Obama a bold faced lier."
Trump's 2nd dream:
"The Norwegian Nobel Committee has revoked Barak Obama's Noble Peace Prize and has instead awarded it to Donald Trump for his hand in bringing security to the entire planet.
"Trump operatives claim they have just killed Osama bin laden in the outskirts of Cairo. Bin laden was shot multiple times and fell into the Nile and was quickly eaten by crocodiles. Trump claims the Obama administration faked the bin laden capture last year and called Obama a bold faced lier."
Trump's 2nd dream:
"The Norwegian Nobel Committee has revoked Barak Obama's Noble Peace Prize and has instead awarded it to Donald Trump for his hand in bringing security to the entire planet.
3
The people around me hate Obama because of race. It is that simple and sad. Just like they hate Hillary for being a powerful women. The only policy issue that most people can claim is the abortion issue.
3
I've known it all along. How is it possible that the greatest country in the universe could be successfully managed by--GASP!--a Black man?
2
In comparing the two I have to at least say that POTUS Obama and Wife always looked happy. They enjoyed each other's company and though they faced many challenges and personal attacks, they were always smiling and ready with a good laugh. You only have to look at them to know that they are in love. I hardly ever see POTUS Trump smile, when he does it looks very forced. Melania, never smiles and looks very unhappy most of the time. I have often heard that those born into privilege are the most unhappy people on earth and looking at the POTUS and FLOTUS, perhaps that is a stereotype which is true.
4
Maybe Trump isn't the real problem. Looks like it's actually the large following that holds such a repugnant belief set.
4
Haven't you noticed? This isn't just about expunging Obama's legacy. Trump loves to put his name on as many things as possible. Trump Airlines, Trump: The Game, Trump Casinos, Trump magazine, Trump Mortgage, Trump Steaks, GoTrump.com, Trump Tower Tampa, Trump University, Trump Vodka. And what do these all have in common? All failed businesses. Next will be TrumpCare and finally TrumpUSA.
4
Trump reminds me of Frank Rosenthal when the Stardust skim was coming apart at the seams. He also produced his own demise live on TV. Bring on the dancing girls, Trump!
I was just thinking last night, why doesn't some reporter ask Trump if there is anything he likes about Obama.
By the way, ISIS' march to Caliphate is over, the economy is booming...thank you President Obama.
By the way, ISIS' march to Caliphate is over, the economy is booming...thank you President Obama.
3
Trump has finally become an obsessive psychopath. He does not belong in the White House. In fact he should be kept as far from it as possible.He has made this country a scary place by reversing Obama's refoms on everything from climate change to permitting Dow Chemical Company to be able to produce a poisonous -to -children insecticide. Every day he does something new to insult or degrade (Mika and Joe?) someone. Where does all of his hate come from??His refusal to "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" by not acting against Russia is a perjury of the Oath of Office he swore to. And he is raising money to run again in 2020?
He will not defend our right to have our votes count if another country has and will subvert our rights as US citizens. I think that point alone should disqualify him from office.
He will not defend our right to have our votes count if another country has and will subvert our rights as US citizens. I think that point alone should disqualify him from office.
Mr. Blow. I also believe you are correct. Above all else, current FPOTUS (where f=fake) needs adulation, and cannot abide by the favorability gap between himself and former President Obama. He therefore will use his conditioned arsenal of verbal/tweeting bashing and executive orders to try and erase the legacy of Obama. He knows no other way, thinks no other way. However, he does realize that such behavior only exacerbates the gap he is trying to shorten.
In his own words, it is really sad.
In his own words, it is really sad.
4
Few are as obsessed with Obama as the media.
Freshman Senator with no governing philosophy steps onto the world stage intent to dismantle our global presence and pivot domestically toward Democratic Socialist and Progressive policies.
Anyone who disagrees is called racist.
Whaaaat?
I am no Republican or Trump lover, but whip out a mirror, please.
Freshman Senator with no governing philosophy steps onto the world stage intent to dismantle our global presence and pivot domestically toward Democratic Socialist and Progressive policies.
Anyone who disagrees is called racist.
Whaaaat?
I am no Republican or Trump lover, but whip out a mirror, please.
1
Gee, who would have thought that a man who hangs phony Time Magazine covers with his face on them would make a lousy president?
4
Trump has turned the USA into a circus with him as the clown.
3
Trump is just the most public and most visible of a whole cadre of powerful men who loathe Obama. All their lives, these men have been told, explicitly or implicitly, that they're superior to African-Americans. Then, along comes Obama: he's smarter than them, more eloquent than them, more popular than them, more influential than them, classier than them, better looking than them, wealthier than most of them, and a better athlete, dancer, and comedian. He wipes the floor with them in every way possible.
And he's Black!
These rich and powerful white men cannot stand to be outclassed by a black man, so they've done everything in their power, before, during, and now even after his presidency, to make him go away. If they could deprogram our memories and erase Obama from the history books, no doubt they would.
And he's Black!
These rich and powerful white men cannot stand to be outclassed by a black man, so they've done everything in their power, before, during, and now even after his presidency, to make him go away. If they could deprogram our memories and erase Obama from the history books, no doubt they would.
9
Being a white man in an interracial relationship, I can tell you truly that I daily experience other white men saying/thinking/acting out that racist aggression.
It's as though there isn't enough to go around in this wealthy country and many white men feel a loss every time someone else is successful.
It's as though there isn't enough to go around in this wealthy country and many white men feel a loss every time someone else is successful.
ACA is the longed for gift Santa Barack brought one Christmas morning which Grinch Trump comes in the next morning to grab back.
This is laughable. I mean, given the hysteria on the Left right now.
Pardon me, but what does your comment mean to say?
By Trump's own calculus, we should not see another white president for centuries.
1
Obama's roast annihilated Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner. Trump's goal is simple: payback.
I am so proud we Americans elected Barak Obama as our first African American President. We will have others, I am confident.
5
Remaember that correspondents dinner where Obama roasted Trump? That is the basis of Trumps presidency. How shallow..
Blow nails it. The whole world loved Obama for his outstanding human qualities, and hates Trump, who exhibits the worst of what it is to be a white man. No amount of spite on the part of that foul racist monster will erase Obama's legacy, and, by contrast, only elevates it. Because of Trump, the white brand has become more toxic and violent than any brand of color ever was.
4
Trump and! McConnell and others in the House and Senate!
2
Spot on, Charles! Melanie is quite aware of Trump's pathological envy of Obama; that's why she copied parts of Michelle Obama's speech.
2
All the Thanksgiving turkeys that President Obama pardoned should be worried.
2
And what about all the turkeys in Trump's cabinet??
Obama’s blackness in the front of Trump’s mind has uncanny parallel in Churchill's pathological aversion to Mahatma Gandhi and India.
Toye's new history, Churchill's Empire says mere mention of India, "brought out a streak of unpleasantness or even irrationality in Churchill... Churchill 'launched into a most terrible attack on the 'baboos', saying that they were gross, dirty and corrupt.
When Mahatma Gandhi launched his campaign of peaceful resistance, Churchill raged that he "ought to be lain bound hand and foot at the gates of Delhi, and then trampled on by an enormous elephant with the new Viceroy seated on its back." As the resistance swelled, he announced: "I hate Indians. They are a beastly people with a beastly religion." This hatred killed. To give just one, major, example, in 1943 a famine broke out in Bengal, caused – as the Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen has proved – by the imperial policies of the British. Up to 3 million people starved to death while British officials begged Churchill to direct food supplies to the region. He bluntly refused. He raged that it was their own fault for "breeding like rabbits". At other times, he said the plague was "merrily" culling the population!!!
"Racism springs from the lie that certain human beings are less than fully human. It's a self-centered falsehood that corrupts our minds into believing we are right to treat others as we would not want to be treated."
Toye's new history, Churchill's Empire says mere mention of India, "brought out a streak of unpleasantness or even irrationality in Churchill... Churchill 'launched into a most terrible attack on the 'baboos', saying that they were gross, dirty and corrupt.
When Mahatma Gandhi launched his campaign of peaceful resistance, Churchill raged that he "ought to be lain bound hand and foot at the gates of Delhi, and then trampled on by an enormous elephant with the new Viceroy seated on its back." As the resistance swelled, he announced: "I hate Indians. They are a beastly people with a beastly religion." This hatred killed. To give just one, major, example, in 1943 a famine broke out in Bengal, caused – as the Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen has proved – by the imperial policies of the British. Up to 3 million people starved to death while British officials begged Churchill to direct food supplies to the region. He bluntly refused. He raged that it was their own fault for "breeding like rabbits". At other times, he said the plague was "merrily" culling the population!!!
"Racism springs from the lie that certain human beings are less than fully human. It's a self-centered falsehood that corrupts our minds into believing we are right to treat others as we would not want to be treated."
8
Trump and Obama are total opposites in every way, you had neglected to mention the physical differences which probable enrage Trumps jealousy beyond a shade of green. Tiny hands, physique, ability to dance, hair, you name it, compared the Obama, Trump is a walking aneurysm, a physical train wreck hiding behind an over sized suit and a gigantic tie. Trumps level of incompetence is historic and you just scratched the surface. All of Trumps life long insecurities are manifested in Obama. George Bush is the happiest person in the world that Trump is President.
3
Everything you said, Mr. Blow.
My heart aches as I watch the "whitelash" that the Trump presidency (small "p") spews. Will we survive this dark time? Who will reclaim the Presidency (capital "P") and restore it's dignity?
Keep writing. You put my thoughts onto paper.
My heart aches as I watch the "whitelash" that the Trump presidency (small "p") spews. Will we survive this dark time? Who will reclaim the Presidency (capital "P") and restore it's dignity?
Keep writing. You put my thoughts onto paper.
5
Finally, an accompanying photo that doesn't make me wince.
Too many black men and women have been erased from history by the likes of Donald Trump and his coterie of cavemen. Trump is using his presidency to metaphorically lynch a man who had the audacity to make light of him in public.
3
Obama is Trump's White Whale. Unfortunately many innocents will go down with the ship before this is over.
2
Trump is not obsessed with Obama. He is obsessed with saving the Republic which Obama tried to "fundamentally transform" (i.e. destroy).
Trump's place in history is already guaranteed.
He will go down as one of the worst American presidents ever.
He will go down as one of the worst American presidents ever.
1
Right on, Mr. Blow. Right on! Thank you.
Trump's obsession with Pres. Obama mixes elements of racism, jealousy, and arrogance. He can never understand different ideals or virtues. Not everyone seeks great wealth, or Time covers, or to be surrounded by attractive mannequins. No doubt, Obama's current enjoyment of his retirement is corrosive to Trump, but Obama does not travel to golf courses and he is relaxing with his wife and daughters, the picture of a loving family who have done well by giving to others, valuing education, talent, and knowledge, and having done the best he could for the country. We deeply appreciate it.
Max Ehrmann's 1927 poem, "Desiderata", has been a popular poster poem but has truths in it:
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Max Ehrmann's 1927 poem, "Desiderata", has been a popular poster poem but has truths in it:
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
4
It's clear that Trump is a racist. It's clear that he started his political career bashing and attempting to humiliate our first African-American president. And it's clear to me that Obama humiliated Trump BIGLY at the White House Correspondents Dinner a few years ago. Unlike Trump, Obama is funny and can deliver a comic line with finesse. He (and his writers) skewered Trump.
We know enough about this president now to now he's mentally ill with narcissism and that makes him 'stew' over things that have 'wronged' him (and always unfairly). Obama, in his mind, 'wronged' him (humiliated him by showing the world exactly who he is) at that dinner. And he's been on a Revenge Tour ever since. Can't you just see him at 3 AM, up and, once again, angry that he has to live in this world that Obama created that he now has to deal with. Humiliation by a black man. Nothing worse than that. Every day he stews in his anger juices.
He's unfit to be president. I find it 100% frightening to have this person as president. I have never felt such anxiety about being an American since I was a child in the 50's, living under a constant nuclear threat. I feel like we Americans are under constant threat - from our own president and his ineffective administration. He's unfit and so are all the cowardly Republicans who want to feather their bed while the chaos lasts.
Yep. Humiliated by a black man. And we're all being made to pay.
We know enough about this president now to now he's mentally ill with narcissism and that makes him 'stew' over things that have 'wronged' him (and always unfairly). Obama, in his mind, 'wronged' him (humiliated him by showing the world exactly who he is) at that dinner. And he's been on a Revenge Tour ever since. Can't you just see him at 3 AM, up and, once again, angry that he has to live in this world that Obama created that he now has to deal with. Humiliation by a black man. Nothing worse than that. Every day he stews in his anger juices.
He's unfit to be president. I find it 100% frightening to have this person as president. I have never felt such anxiety about being an American since I was a child in the 50's, living under a constant nuclear threat. I feel like we Americans are under constant threat - from our own president and his ineffective administration. He's unfit and so are all the cowardly Republicans who want to feather their bed while the chaos lasts.
Yep. Humiliated by a black man. And we're all being made to pay.
6
President Obama is everything that our president is not. He is intelligent, well educated, compassionate, and well liked. He is highly respected not only in our country but all over the world. He does not have to push people aside to get to the front of a photo op, he is invited to stand in front. He has a wonderful family and a wife who is very respected in her own right.
I think it is killing our president that President Obama is getting all the respect, admiration, and affection that our president believes he himself deserves, while our president is the butt of a thousand jokes each and every day. To make matters worse, President Obama is black. So not only are the people giving President Obama all that our president feels he deserves but they are giving it to a man he believes is inferior to him.
To make matter worse, our president shares these feelings with much of the Republican Party and a good percentage of the American people.
When you think of the mess that President Obama inherited when he took office and compare that to the situation when he left, it is obvious that he did a magnificent job. His rules and regulations may be overturned but the people and history will never forget the wonderful job he did for his country.
I think it is killing our president that President Obama is getting all the respect, admiration, and affection that our president believes he himself deserves, while our president is the butt of a thousand jokes each and every day. To make matters worse, President Obama is black. So not only are the people giving President Obama all that our president feels he deserves but they are giving it to a man he believes is inferior to him.
To make matter worse, our president shares these feelings with much of the Republican Party and a good percentage of the American people.
When you think of the mess that President Obama inherited when he took office and compare that to the situation when he left, it is obvious that he did a magnificent job. His rules and regulations may be overturned but the people and history will never forget the wonderful job he did for his country.
3
Everyone seems to have the need to step on someone's neck , makes them seem taller !
2
It is plausible this all started on April 30, 2011 at the White House Correspondent's Dinner when Obama skewered Trump. It is long past time for us to name what has happened here. Trump did harness latent and non-latent racist sentiment, and turned it into a radical political movement. Anyone denying this is hiding behind the curtain, for fear of being outed.
3
Blow's essay is truly insightful, but most of his observations should be obvious to anyone who has followed the news in the past few years. Young realtor Trump was brought up on charges of racial discrimination, and aside from his vile views of Obama and his disgusting pandering to the black community during the campaign, his outspoken attacks on Hispanics make clear his warped mentality. What hasn't been mentioned enough are his attacks on Arabs who happen to be Muslim. Trump hasn't attacked Muslims of other ethnicities such as those throughout Asia (the largest population of Muslims is in Indonesia), but has attacked Arab peoples who happen to be Muslim. This has led confused Trump supporters (an oxymoron?) to attack Sikhs, Pakistanis, Hindus, and anyone who "looks" Muslim on the streets of America. Trump has encouraged this type of racism, putting Arab-American persons of Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and secular world-views in daily danger.
3
Charles, every word is true. Sad.
3
Please, do not compare President Obama to Donald Trump, the fake president. Their qualities are orders of magnitude apart.
2
Mr. Trump appears to equate reversing elements of Mr. Obama's legacy -- the TPP, the Paris Climate accords, etc, -- with Presidential "accomplishments."
Thus Mr. Trump can claim to have "accomplished" much. More in his first 100 days than any previous "president" in history, in fact.
What a small, sick little man. Preoccupied with the accomplishments of an erudite, dignified black man, obsessed with inaugural photos of the mall... and haunted by his loss of the 2016 popular vote.
Who would want to be him?
Thus Mr. Trump can claim to have "accomplished" much. More in his first 100 days than any previous "president" in history, in fact.
What a small, sick little man. Preoccupied with the accomplishments of an erudite, dignified black man, obsessed with inaugural photos of the mall... and haunted by his loss of the 2016 popular vote.
Who would want to be him?
3
When will the NY Times finally publish a article about why Trump's supporters and those of McConnell as well as the whole Republican Party still have people who believe this gang is working to improve the lives of the average American.
2
One "role" of a POTUS is to populate the delusions of the mentally ill. Many a paranoid schizophrenic hears voices from the president. Trump was obsessed with Obama prior to the election.
But after inauguration? The demented are known for having fixed delusions. They can't learn, they can't remember, but somehow they keep harping on some weird idea.
Just sayin'
But after inauguration? The demented are known for having fixed delusions. They can't learn, they can't remember, but somehow they keep harping on some weird idea.
Just sayin'
1
You can claim it was racism that elected Trump but the Democrats lost the election the day the president chose to tell local schools how to handle their bathrooms.
Is that why Trump won such a big popular majority? /snark
3
Thank you for speaking the painful truth. It sickens and disgusts me, but I'm sure that Trump sees Obama as nothing but an "uppity black man". Trump's father refused to rent to blacks, so Trump learned racism early. That Obama was not only a two-term president but also loved the world over, must keep Trump up at night. I suppose this means that Trump won't be happy until he is also re-elected (Russian hackers at the ready!) and in that case, God help us.
3
Trump will never be President Obama.
That's what drives him out of his mind.
And the fact that President Obama is black makes Trump want to don a white pointed hat and pick up a torch.
Trump's hatred for Obama, his searing jealousy, the insecurities that are brought up when Trump is compared to President Obama, only fuels his desire to obliterate all of President Obama's many accomplishments.
Trump knows he is being compared to President Obama in every area and he is failing miserably against the greatest president of my generation. That's why he keeps attacking him. That's why he's obsessed.
Trump is a classless, ignorant fool while President Obama is highly educated, completely classy, measured, calm, compassionate, brilliant and popular.
It's sickening to watch Trump destroy the country because he can't stand that a black man is so much more successful than he is. It's downright pathological.
Trump is a dangerous man and the people who put him in office should be ashamed of themselves, particularly his family. They know him best, they knew he was not mentally fit for this job.
Keep trashing Presudent Obana, Trump. The world knows who is, and will always be, the best.
That's what drives him out of his mind.
And the fact that President Obama is black makes Trump want to don a white pointed hat and pick up a torch.
Trump's hatred for Obama, his searing jealousy, the insecurities that are brought up when Trump is compared to President Obama, only fuels his desire to obliterate all of President Obama's many accomplishments.
Trump knows he is being compared to President Obama in every area and he is failing miserably against the greatest president of my generation. That's why he keeps attacking him. That's why he's obsessed.
Trump is a classless, ignorant fool while President Obama is highly educated, completely classy, measured, calm, compassionate, brilliant and popular.
It's sickening to watch Trump destroy the country because he can't stand that a black man is so much more successful than he is. It's downright pathological.
Trump is a dangerous man and the people who put him in office should be ashamed of themselves, particularly his family. They know him best, they knew he was not mentally fit for this job.
Keep trashing Presudent Obana, Trump. The world knows who is, and will always be, the best.
4
No matter how much Trump tries to destroy Obama's legacy there is one fact he will never be able to erase and that's the fact Obama was the first black American President. This will live on in history books, Trumps behaviour on the other hand will live on in history books for all the wrong reasons, he is not only embarrassing himself but he is also embarrassing America.
I and most Brits look on aghast at such antics with horror. If any of our Prime Ministers or our Head of State Her Majesty did one tenth of what Trump has done they would never see office again, we have got rid of PMs for far less. Trump is an abomination and I don't understand how and why Americans put up with it.
I and most Brits look on aghast at such antics with horror. If any of our Prime Ministers or our Head of State Her Majesty did one tenth of what Trump has done they would never see office again, we have got rid of PMs for far less. Trump is an abomination and I don't understand how and why Americans put up with it.
2
Trump is a racist, in addition to many other bad qualities.
He is inferior to Obama in every way. One exception is that Trump has more money than Obama. A goal he achieved by stealing other people's money through multiple bankcracies.
Trump is an embarrassment to all Americans.
He is inferior to Obama in every way. One exception is that Trump has more money than Obama. A goal he achieved by stealing other people's money through multiple bankcracies.
Trump is an embarrassment to all Americans.
2
I like President Obama. I dislike President Trump even more. I agree that President Trump seems fixated on President Obama. But I cannot resist pointing out that too many people, including Charles Blow, are obsessed with President Trump. With perhaps one exception, Mr. Blow has written about nothing else for months, telling us repeatedly, in the most moralizing terms, that President Trump is a bad person. Blow seldom even writes about Trump's policies, choosing to engage instead in ad hominem criticism. I share many of his negative assessments of President Trump, but I scarcely need to read more. Unlike so Mr. Blow--and many of my friends--I do not suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). I will be relieved when the Trump presidency ends, likely in scandal. But I am not, at least yet, worrying about Donald Trump 24 hours a day.
1
Trump is an ignorant, destructive man who is unqualified and worse, wrong for the job of President of the United States of America. I felt proud to have President Obama be my president. He had shortfalls because it's not an easy job, and the Russian tampering should have been dealt with differently. But Trump seems to want to destroy Obamas legacy at every turn. Trump has so much rage and hate against Obama that it feels very pathological and unreasonable. I'd say paranoid and delusional. And racist. Trump has a history of racism.
But Trump is unhealthy mentally and he is destroying this country at home and abroad. We must keep the pressure on to have him impeached or at least end his presidency. His hate of all things Obama is UnAmerican and is not making America great again, unless of course you like Jim Crow and injustice, not the America of 2017 I would ever have imagined!
But Trump is unhealthy mentally and he is destroying this country at home and abroad. We must keep the pressure on to have him impeached or at least end his presidency. His hate of all things Obama is UnAmerican and is not making America great again, unless of course you like Jim Crow and injustice, not the America of 2017 I would ever have imagined!
1
Trump may be President, but to me, he will always be a vindictive, pathetic, loser.
1
Wouldn't it be nice if it could be said, “Sadly, because president Trump has done such a poor job as president, you won’t see another white president for generations!”
2
Mr. Blow, your point is spot-on accurate.
3
Along with Trump stands McConnell, Wilson (the "You lie!" Congressman of South Carolina) and nameless other racists in Congress. From the day President Obama took office in January 2009 this horrid group of government officials have tried to block and dismantle many of our first black president's achievements.
Try as they may, they will never, ever erase the fact that President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their elegant family will remain in the hearts and minds of millions of Americans and citizens all over the globe with love, gratitude, admiration and longing to have them back in the White House.
Try as they may, they will never, ever erase the fact that President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their elegant family will remain in the hearts and minds of millions of Americans and citizens all over the globe with love, gratitude, admiration and longing to have them back in the White House.
2
If Trump is against Obama, and you, Charles, are against Trump, what's the difference? You're both "against" something. You've become like Trump. He's got you. Find something you can be "for," and write about that. It's more creative.
President Obama lead our country with grace and dignity. He never called anyone names....never made lewd remarks about women. He never once embarrassed our country. He may not have been perfect, but who is. "t" couldn't hold a candle to President Obama, who is highly educated and very intelligent. Let "t" rant and rave on twitter.....he's a joke and a fake president
who is totally clueless about his job and at times speaks incoherently, not to mention the endless lies ( as published this week ).
who is totally clueless about his job and at times speaks incoherently, not to mention the endless lies ( as published this week ).
4
1000s of GOP lawmakers are in office because of Obama. Obama was only good for one person in this nation.....Obama.
1
He is seriously disturbed and the future of America does not look good.
1
That's his blueprint.
Add to your list the absurd and hurtful new policy toward Cuba.