Good, I hope more Members of our Congress yearn for the "good old days" and actually remember substance + lasting accomplishment happen when folks work together. Bipartisan efforts might just prove we have a working government America is served by. Best of luck doing real things & regards from a Democrat!
3
D.C. meltdown, indeed.
I knew with Trump as president and Ryan's oft touted "united Republican majority" in the House and Senate, the political situation would be very bad, but it is even worse and more quickly worse than I ever "nightmared" possible.
President Trump tweets and speaks--and disgraces the nation. I had originally believed that Trump, once elected, would choose to play Queen to a Pence-McConnell-Ryan tripartite Prime Ministry. Trump would reign at ceremonial occasions and leave governance to the "adults."
The GOP healthcare bill itself is deplorable, but Senate Majority Leader McConnell's rule-bending, debate-free and secretive rush-job attempt to secure its passage is indefensible. McConnell's tactics in attempting to push this consequential bill through the Senate should be subjected to severe criticism. McConnell's tactics, like so many others employed by the current GOP legislators and president, are a disgraceful violation of democratic norms. They are demagogic and authoritarian.
GOP legislators' refusal to act in tandem with Democrats and enter into beneficial compromises evidences the Republicans' authoritarian bent. The Republicans have failed Political Science 101: Politics is the art of compromise.
The Republicans, having obstructed all others, now obstruct themselves. For Republicans compromise means caving-in to the most regressive elements of the Party: The Tea-Party and the House GOP "Freedom" Caucus.
The GOP = The Party of "Ab-Normality."
I knew with Trump as president and Ryan's oft touted "united Republican majority" in the House and Senate, the political situation would be very bad, but it is even worse and more quickly worse than I ever "nightmared" possible.
President Trump tweets and speaks--and disgraces the nation. I had originally believed that Trump, once elected, would choose to play Queen to a Pence-McConnell-Ryan tripartite Prime Ministry. Trump would reign at ceremonial occasions and leave governance to the "adults."
The GOP healthcare bill itself is deplorable, but Senate Majority Leader McConnell's rule-bending, debate-free and secretive rush-job attempt to secure its passage is indefensible. McConnell's tactics in attempting to push this consequential bill through the Senate should be subjected to severe criticism. McConnell's tactics, like so many others employed by the current GOP legislators and president, are a disgraceful violation of democratic norms. They are demagogic and authoritarian.
GOP legislators' refusal to act in tandem with Democrats and enter into beneficial compromises evidences the Republicans' authoritarian bent. The Republicans have failed Political Science 101: Politics is the art of compromise.
The Republicans, having obstructed all others, now obstruct themselves. For Republicans compromise means caving-in to the most regressive elements of the Party: The Tea-Party and the House GOP "Freedom" Caucus.
The GOP = The Party of "Ab-Normality."
4
Swamps filled with snakes can not be drained.
3
Constantly observing with astonishment and dismay, the way my 72 year old brain works (as well as those of my friends) Trump's proclamations often do not surprise me at all. (He doesn't "lie." He really has forgotten -- from one minute to the next -- and he is irascible and prone to quick reactions. Like the rest of the Repugs he seems both mean-spirited and mean and greedy. But policy-wise it's mostly whiplash. We won't get a wall and in all likelihood there will be some kind of reversal of the immigration policy. Will the deficit grow?-- oh yeah, if there are the various tax cuts. Will the stock market continue to soar-- or will we have a recession (when)?
One can only hope for deadlock after deadlock -- that as little as possible gets done. And that Trump gets bored and either quits or decides not to run for a second term -- when I might point out we will all be 3.5 years older. (Another problem is Cruz and Ryan seem so much worse!!)
One can only hope for deadlock after deadlock -- that as little as possible gets done. And that Trump gets bored and either quits or decides not to run for a second term -- when I might point out we will all be 3.5 years older. (Another problem is Cruz and Ryan seem so much worse!!)
2
What saddens me most about the current state of the Swamp is what appears to be a shift from robust. sometimes rancorous dialogue to people resolving their political grievances with hard core violence. The TIC - Tweeter In Chief - cannot escape the fact that his hostile tone and nasty words, towards darn near everybody, throughout his campaign and beyond, have legitimized a kind of 'war' that the unhinged in our society are quite willing to carry out. The subtext of all this 'Swamp' conversation is that the gators now have taken to using guns to shoot those with whom they disagree. That trend will get worse before it gets better, as the forgotten class becomes further incensed about how little Washington cares about their well-being...
5
Pitiful, to read: The most direct path might be to suck up to a cable-TV "booker", to get on one of the shows,’ say something nice about him and wait for the thank-you tweet.
13
This column confirms my strong suspicion that we are looking at the waining days of an obsolete institution. The Republican Party has undertaken a 36 year-long project to destroy the Federal Government. You have admire their focus and tenacity. With Trump they finally have a chance to finish the job they started with Ronald Reagan. I say - fine.
The future is up for grabs. And, no, it is not a story about some corporatist old-boy network. The Republicans are in for the shock of a lifetime when they realize that they have just triggered the revolution - the block-chain based, de-centralized, direct social-media democracy of the 21st century. By dismantling the Federal Government, the Republicans are making themselves irrelevant. Hooray for that!
The future is up for grabs. And, no, it is not a story about some corporatist old-boy network. The Republicans are in for the shock of a lifetime when they realize that they have just triggered the revolution - the block-chain based, de-centralized, direct social-media democracy of the 21st century. By dismantling the Federal Government, the Republicans are making themselves irrelevant. Hooray for that!
22
I think the Powell Memo in 1971, Paul Wyrick's 'I don't want everyone to vote' in 1980, Reagan, Gingrich and his training tapes to GOP candidates', Ken Starr witch hunt, Grover's no taxes pledge, Evangelical conservative political operatives, etc. are all culpable in the GOP being led by the likes of Trump, McConnell and Paul. You reap what you sow.
1
A pretty piece of writing, Mr. Leibovich, but you fail to mention the voracious appetites of the alligators that inhabit this swamp.
What's so galling is not the personal pettiness of Republican politicians but the degree to which they depend on feeding the monstrous alligators at the top of the food chain ever larger chunks of the lower and middle classes.
Despite the wonderfully characterizing details that are to be discovered here, Mr. Leibovich fails to engage with the increasingly maldistributed wealth that is destroying so much of what was best in America.
What's at stake now is the American Commonwealth, a place that allows everyone to work their way up the ladder of dignity to a place of security.
No article without a clear presentation and indignant condemnation of the Republican attitudes that so threaten what remains of that Commonwealth can be said to be morally adequate. This article is not.
What's so galling is not the personal pettiness of Republican politicians but the degree to which they depend on feeding the monstrous alligators at the top of the food chain ever larger chunks of the lower and middle classes.
Despite the wonderfully characterizing details that are to be discovered here, Mr. Leibovich fails to engage with the increasingly maldistributed wealth that is destroying so much of what was best in America.
What's at stake now is the American Commonwealth, a place that allows everyone to work their way up the ladder of dignity to a place of security.
No article without a clear presentation and indignant condemnation of the Republican attitudes that so threaten what remains of that Commonwealth can be said to be morally adequate. This article is not.
19
Why blame the Republicans? The Democrats are just as to blame for the "maldistributed wealth" as the Republicans. It's a bipartisan effort.
1
This really does need draining starting at the WH and then onto the House and Senate and not only for Republicans but some Dems as well. There is always the old refrain "Throw the bums out". These people who have been in the Congress for decades have to go as well because they end up in leadership positions merely because of seniority and have not changed their opinion on anything in ages. The whole circus should retire to Sarasota or the panhandle of Florida.
Lastly I have often wondered how Spicer could say those lies, half truths and Trump's fake news, I have to add that I have an intense dislike for that term. I like the word lies much better and am no longer going to use the term "fake news."
Lastly I have often wondered how Spicer could say those lies, half truths and Trump's fake news, I have to add that I have an intense dislike for that term. I like the word lies much better and am no longer going to use the term "fake news."
14
Andrew Rae's illustration is brilliant. I would buy a print of it if the NYT offered it!
13
This is the best, by very far, thing that I have read on NYT, maybe forever.
Thank you brother
Thank you brother
7
Houston, we got a problem in coastal plains of the continent...looks like fires and insanity have engulfed the coastal population centers. Send support, but not from those affected areas as pestilence and brain eating fungal bacteria has broken out obviously.
14
bill oreilly must be enjoying his spot!!
1
That amazing Herge-like artwork (TinTin) absorbed me for a good five minutes. That was the dessert. Then the meaty, filling and delicious article, full of fascinating details and palace intrigue. Now I'm going back for seconds.
8
The illustrations, which are excellent, must have been inspired by the acerbic wit of MAD magazine.
11
Dear Sir, You seem to forget that President Trump is a business man, not a politician. Many apoointees are also businessmen or wormen. This is what our country needs not some wishy washy politicians who can't seem to make a decision or commitment. I would much rather see a wealthy businessman reap his rewards than a freshman Senator who came in poor and left as a millionaire. Make me wonder how he got all that money when he had none previously. Wake up.
2
Uh, "can't seem to make a decision or commitment," perfectly describes your hero. What you call wish-washy is what smart people know to be taking time to become informed and deriving a conclusion from that information. Measured response. I like that concept.
24
Margit of Scott, you have given me insight into the mindset of a Trump supporter. Thank you for writing. I completely disagree with you but I am trying to understand why you think that way.
You say "Wake up". I am quite awake; you just don't seem to be able to see my open eyes. I am looking right at you... Look in my eyes....
You say "Wake up". I am quite awake; you just don't seem to be able to see my open eyes. I am looking right at you... Look in my eyes....
26
Yes, De Vos was really decisive about bears and guns in schools and no one can change their opinions in mid sentence, depending on who the audience is in front of him at the moment, or which way the wind is blowing better than trump.
And if you think trump *isn't* a politician, then I have a bridge and some great land down in Florida for sale.
And if you think trump *isn't* a politician, then I have a bridge and some great land down in Florida for sale.
20
We are settling into the complacency experienced by Russian journalists and others in crazy authoritarian regimes. Journalists are focusing on the trees instead of the forest. Every tweet takes on the importance of a nuclear crisis. In the meantime Trump and the Republicans are destroying our democracy, and we are caught in the minutiae of the sick actions of a small, petty tyrant in the White House who never reads anything, gets his news from Fox and Friends and cares more about stealing the limelight than he does about our nation. This is sad, sick and discouraging.
The saddest part of this story was at the end when Rooney decides to run again because he is "a helpless romantic." No. He is a helpless fool going along for the ride. Frankly, I hope his constituents see him for the shallow hack he has become and vote him out in favor of someone with principles.
The saddest part of this story was at the end when Rooney decides to run again because he is "a helpless romantic." No. He is a helpless fool going along for the ride. Frankly, I hope his constituents see him for the shallow hack he has become and vote him out in favor of someone with principles.
25
Beautifully written and amazingly compelling.
9
an excellent, infuriating, depressing and disgusting article. well written.
24
Note the Palm Beach Swamp Town in play, too. Tom Rooney is related to Bridget Rooney, the Palm Beach socialite married to Bill Koch, the oil baron and member of Trump's Mar-a-Lago.
Their Steelers-famed uncle Dan Rooney was a Democrat, but Tom and Bridget appear much aligned with the anti-EPA, pro-Big Oil camp of Trump Republicanism---that is where their interests lie. Bridget and her hubby Bill Koch hosted a $50,000-a-head Trump fundraiser at their Cape Cod mansion last summer. Koch was behind the killing of Cape Wind, a wind farm that would have powered 75% of Cape Cod.
The Swamp smolders with Oil.
Their Steelers-famed uncle Dan Rooney was a Democrat, but Tom and Bridget appear much aligned with the anti-EPA, pro-Big Oil camp of Trump Republicanism---that is where their interests lie. Bridget and her hubby Bill Koch hosted a $50,000-a-head Trump fundraiser at their Cape Cod mansion last summer. Koch was behind the killing of Cape Wind, a wind farm that would have powered 75% of Cape Cod.
The Swamp smolders with Oil.
35
"...trumpeting your own fame and impact is a cardinal sin in Trump’s White House, where attention is zero-sum, and Trump is not one for sharing."
He may be worse than most--paranoid, egomaniacal. Witness his fawning cabinet.
But get real--POTUS is not a person; it's an OFFICE--a huge team. The president may or may not be in charge--latter day Reagan was not--at least not Ronald. He may be just front man--reading scripts others wrote.
"Krisis" and "krites" in ancient Greek meant to judge or decide. "Hypo-krites" meant to act a part as in a play--making actors interpreters--go-betweens--the author's lines and the audience.
But then--naturally--such hypocrites need not believe what they say. This applies equally to presidents as well press secretaries.
But it's an obvious faux pas for any real power behind the throne--be it wife or speech writer to upstage the president--hog the limelight. That diminishes the individual president as well as the entire team, proving they don't know how to play the game--or better--act the play.
What's cringe-worthy about Trump and his team is their failure to play the parts of counseled and independent counsel. He demands and they play Yes men/women--making them as pathetic as the Tweeter in Chief--strutting his unadvised and ill-advised stuff to the world.
He may be worse than most--paranoid, egomaniacal. Witness his fawning cabinet.
But get real--POTUS is not a person; it's an OFFICE--a huge team. The president may or may not be in charge--latter day Reagan was not--at least not Ronald. He may be just front man--reading scripts others wrote.
"Krisis" and "krites" in ancient Greek meant to judge or decide. "Hypo-krites" meant to act a part as in a play--making actors interpreters--go-betweens--the author's lines and the audience.
But then--naturally--such hypocrites need not believe what they say. This applies equally to presidents as well press secretaries.
But it's an obvious faux pas for any real power behind the throne--be it wife or speech writer to upstage the president--hog the limelight. That diminishes the individual president as well as the entire team, proving they don't know how to play the game--or better--act the play.
What's cringe-worthy about Trump and his team is their failure to play the parts of counseled and independent counsel. He demands and they play Yes men/women--making them as pathetic as the Tweeter in Chief--strutting his unadvised and ill-advised stuff to the world.
14
This article is just so much self-centred navel-gazing. What you journalists don't seem to have examined is Trump's declaration that he would "drain the swamp". It just needs a second or two's thought to realise that the whole purpose of a swamp is to keep the animals that live in it, within the bounds of the swamp. Draining it doesn't kill the animals; it simply sets the inhabitants free to wander around at will, and that is exactly what has happened. Washington is now full of swamp life, many of whom (or should that be "much of which") is out there trying to curry favour with Trump. He carried out his election promise all right - the only problem is that you guys didn't understand what the promise meant. You now have a much bigger mess to deal with.
10
Andrew Rae deserves a Pulitzer for this cartoon.
21
Yes he does it is so clever and sublime in detail.
10
Authoritarianism begins as demagoguery and then metastasizes into full blown dictatorial kleptocracy. It is a creeping phenomenon, like the consolidation of power under Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini.
"Authoritarian" refers to a personality type--the personality type that Trump exemplifies in his disdain for ethical and political norms, and in his constant assaults on democratic institutions such as the free press and an independent judiciary.
Trump is an authoritarian in the sense that all kleptocratic demagogues are authoritarians.
Trump, many GOP politicians and their media enablers employ the demagogue's favored tactics on a daily basis: gross oversimplification, fear mongering, scapegoating, emotional appeals, accusations that opponents are disloyal or weak, attacks on the news media, obstructive refusals of all compromise and bald faced lies.
Among their anti-democratic and demagogic strategies are: gerrymandering, voter suppression, appeals to divisive "social/moral" issues, identification with a shallow militaristic "patriotism" and a narrow "Christian" fundamentalism, and the branding of socially beneficial programs as deviations from the one "true course": unfettered cutthroat capitalism.
To repeat: Authoritarianism begins as demagoguery and then metastasizes into full blown dictatorial kleptocracy. Like cancer, its initial assault on a vital organ is not readily apparent to the non-specialist, but, if undetected, it spreads rapidly.
"Authoritarian" refers to a personality type--the personality type that Trump exemplifies in his disdain for ethical and political norms, and in his constant assaults on democratic institutions such as the free press and an independent judiciary.
Trump is an authoritarian in the sense that all kleptocratic demagogues are authoritarians.
Trump, many GOP politicians and their media enablers employ the demagogue's favored tactics on a daily basis: gross oversimplification, fear mongering, scapegoating, emotional appeals, accusations that opponents are disloyal or weak, attacks on the news media, obstructive refusals of all compromise and bald faced lies.
Among their anti-democratic and demagogic strategies are: gerrymandering, voter suppression, appeals to divisive "social/moral" issues, identification with a shallow militaristic "patriotism" and a narrow "Christian" fundamentalism, and the branding of socially beneficial programs as deviations from the one "true course": unfettered cutthroat capitalism.
To repeat: Authoritarianism begins as demagoguery and then metastasizes into full blown dictatorial kleptocracy. Like cancer, its initial assault on a vital organ is not readily apparent to the non-specialist, but, if undetected, it spreads rapidly.
16
It is clear there is no bravery or courage in Washington. It is all about getting re-elected which results in members of Congress being unable to admit that members of the opposing party may be their friends...If I'm ashamed to admit family & friends are mine, that makes me a pretty despicable person and a person no one should admire...unless those friends and family are Mafia or serial killers or crooks and sociopaths...well, birds of a feather...
It's unfortunate John Boehner has only found his voice now that he has a great pension and speaking engagements. And frankly, I preferred the Paul Ryan I first met when representing my district in Congress, rather than just the far right and special interests. I wish Ryan had the courage to stand up and be the person he says he was when he first ran for Congress...a common man looking out for the people of his district. He's no longer that man and his "shaken" demeanor after the shooting of Steve Scalise & others, if real, should make him pay attention to the very real threats and shootings perpetrated by right-wing nut jobs against perceived liberals...the rhetoric of both sides of the aisle is making life dangerous for all of us. We should all be worried to speak out because of the hostile rhetoric of congress and their staffs...just knock it off and work together!
The governance of the U.S. is not aout them v. us! It's about working together. Do we need mandatory mediation to enable congress to work?
It's unfortunate John Boehner has only found his voice now that he has a great pension and speaking engagements. And frankly, I preferred the Paul Ryan I first met when representing my district in Congress, rather than just the far right and special interests. I wish Ryan had the courage to stand up and be the person he says he was when he first ran for Congress...a common man looking out for the people of his district. He's no longer that man and his "shaken" demeanor after the shooting of Steve Scalise & others, if real, should make him pay attention to the very real threats and shootings perpetrated by right-wing nut jobs against perceived liberals...the rhetoric of both sides of the aisle is making life dangerous for all of us. We should all be worried to speak out because of the hostile rhetoric of congress and their staffs...just knock it off and work together!
The governance of the U.S. is not aout them v. us! It's about working together. Do we need mandatory mediation to enable congress to work?
11
McCain spoke the only truth that matters Trump llies! Everyday, about virtually everything, probably to everyone.
12
The withering defeatism and snarky bitchiness and of the Congressmen (emphasis on "men") featured in this article really chaps my hide. The legislative branch is co-equal in power to the executive. Act like it! Realize you have a common enemy in this president, the legitimacy of whose very presidency grows more questionable with each passing day. Mobilize! If I can make the transition from informed but passive observer of my government to citizen activist in the last nine months, members of Congress can change, too.
8
Jeez...we (the majority who voted for someone else) hate to say, "I told you so" but...
11
Anyone who has the time to read this (not me), let alone write it, does not live in an "overwrought" enough environment to understand what the rest of us have to cope with every day. Outside of the airy confines of the Times and Washington DC, most of us do not have the luxury of organizing our environment such that decisions come up and are resolved in the orderly, predictable textbook fashion that the books and book length articles that Times writers and readers wish upon us. Welcome to Trump world. Welcome to the real world.
4
Trump deserves credit for demonstrating that Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell & their fellows Republicans have no values, no moral compass & no interest in the common good.
19
I have no empathy for the poor Trump minions such as Spicer. They chose to support this farce of a president. Let them suffer the consequences.
6
Sean Spicer and Kellyann have reduced the Presidential office to to dark comedy.
The president has single handedly devastated every parent whose child struggles with learning disabilities.
Still our hats go off to Vice-President "The Phantom" Pence, who has remarkably faded off the stage, in the hopes that no reporter will ask him how many Russian women he ate with, and how many Russian oligarchs he has met to discuss removing sanctions.
The president has single handedly devastated every parent whose child struggles with learning disabilities.
Still our hats go off to Vice-President "The Phantom" Pence, who has remarkably faded off the stage, in the hopes that no reporter will ask him how many Russian women he ate with, and how many Russian oligarchs he has met to discuss removing sanctions.
7
Steven, it's not like Pence has taken time off. Recent reports tell us of his fundraising events to help him to — what? Is he already planning on running against Trump in 2020? Is he planning to run for governor of Indiana (again!) as an escape from the White House? Is he worried that the Fall of Trump will take him down despite being elevated to POTUS afterward? Pence is very busy in his self-preservation plans.
5
He wasn't saying "drain the swamp", he was saying "TRAIN the swamp". How wrongly interpreted our POUTUS is.
6
Best of luck to Representative Tom Rooney and all the other Congressional Romantics in hiding.
2
Sorry, but the swamp is slimier than it was in the recent past.
7
In the following two sentences, we learn why most Americans loathe most Washington-based, "insider" reporters:
"Press reports have dutifully described Trump’s efforts to humiliate him (denying Spicer, a Catholic, an audience with the pope while at the Vatican) and listing his possible replacements at the lectern (Laura Ingraham being the evergreen mention). All of this had, perversely, compounded Spicer’s 'current status' even more by making him a strange object of fascination in the capital: Washington loves a death watch, and Spicer has been seen as a dead man talking for months — and yet he kept showing up and taking it."
In these deadly and telling words, Mark Leibovich, a card-carrying Washington "insider", reports that "press reports" have "dutifully" reported on Spicer's "humilation" by Trump.
Has anyone asked Spicer if he feels humiliated by Trump?
Would anyone in the "insider" press corps believe Spicer if he had said, "No, I am having the time of my life. I love President Trump. He's a great leader." "
This hatefu story by Leibovitch is a pure example of fake news, concocted by someone who has made his mark in Washington by telling stories about others that he fantasies on the basis of wisps of air to be true or that he simply invents out of whole cloth.
If he had read this story, Groucho Marx might have said to Leibovitch, "Any three year old could have written this story. Quick, find me a three year old."
"Press reports have dutifully described Trump’s efforts to humiliate him (denying Spicer, a Catholic, an audience with the pope while at the Vatican) and listing his possible replacements at the lectern (Laura Ingraham being the evergreen mention). All of this had, perversely, compounded Spicer’s 'current status' even more by making him a strange object of fascination in the capital: Washington loves a death watch, and Spicer has been seen as a dead man talking for months — and yet he kept showing up and taking it."
In these deadly and telling words, Mark Leibovich, a card-carrying Washington "insider", reports that "press reports" have "dutifully" reported on Spicer's "humilation" by Trump.
Has anyone asked Spicer if he feels humiliated by Trump?
Would anyone in the "insider" press corps believe Spicer if he had said, "No, I am having the time of my life. I love President Trump. He's a great leader." "
This hatefu story by Leibovitch is a pure example of fake news, concocted by someone who has made his mark in Washington by telling stories about others that he fantasies on the basis of wisps of air to be true or that he simply invents out of whole cloth.
If he had read this story, Groucho Marx might have said to Leibovitch, "Any three year old could have written this story. Quick, find me a three year old."
1
Col Jessep: I'll answer the question. You want answers?
LTJG Kaffee: I think I'm entitled to them.
Col Jessep: You want answers?!
LTJG Kaffee: I want the truth!
Col Jessep: You can't handle the truth!
LTJG Kaffee: I think I'm entitled to them.
Col Jessep: You want answers?!
LTJG Kaffee: I want the truth!
Col Jessep: You can't handle the truth!
5
You lost me when you used the term "fake news".
2
Robert Kramer: It's very sad that you think it possible Spicer doesn't feel humiliated by Donald Trump, in a way that implies you think Spicer shouldn't feel humiliated.
80% of communication is nonverbal. Leibovich spoke to Spicer in person. Heck, I've seen Spicer myself enough times on TV. I can tell when someone is humiliated and putting a brave face on it, and Leibovich probably saw that better having seen Spicer in a setting where his guard was probably less solid than usual. It is bad that Spicer allows himself to be continually humiliated, but it would be even worse if he was incapable of feeling that humiliation. I mean, that Inauguration deal is pure hogwash. They trotted out photos of the grounds and tried to talk about obscured white ground tiles, so don't try to say it was about online viewership and Twitter.
And, seeing what Trump does and Spicer has to endure, I would be sad for you if you don't consider such things humiliating. To be told to spout lies, and then get berated for not lying well enough? To put creative spin on one story that you've been told for the media, only to have Trump completely contradict that story within days or even hours with a Tweet? Maybe he thinks it's worth the humilation, but he has to be feeling it - he's human.
80% of communication is nonverbal. Leibovich spoke to Spicer in person. Heck, I've seen Spicer myself enough times on TV. I can tell when someone is humiliated and putting a brave face on it, and Leibovich probably saw that better having seen Spicer in a setting where his guard was probably less solid than usual. It is bad that Spicer allows himself to be continually humiliated, but it would be even worse if he was incapable of feeling that humiliation. I mean, that Inauguration deal is pure hogwash. They trotted out photos of the grounds and tried to talk about obscured white ground tiles, so don't try to say it was about online viewership and Twitter.
And, seeing what Trump does and Spicer has to endure, I would be sad for you if you don't consider such things humiliating. To be told to spout lies, and then get berated for not lying well enough? To put creative spin on one story that you've been told for the media, only to have Trump completely contradict that story within days or even hours with a Tweet? Maybe he thinks it's worth the humilation, but he has to be feeling it - he's human.
2
Ugh. Still a horrible town, and now even worse our country is a shambles for all the world to see.
Most galling is the cover Trump is giving Republicans to tut-tut in private (or on the recited with this reporter) while escaping any scrutiny for all the terrible things the GOP are doing in the White House and congress.
From climate change, immigration, health care and monetary policy we will be digging out from this GOP sized hole for a long, long time.
Most galling is the cover Trump is giving Republicans to tut-tut in private (or on the recited with this reporter) while escaping any scrutiny for all the terrible things the GOP are doing in the White House and congress.
From climate change, immigration, health care and monetary policy we will be digging out from this GOP sized hole for a long, long time.
6
In so many words, Mr. Leibovich states that the Washington equivalent of the famous saying "more things change, more they remain the same" is "more things change more they get corrupted, selfish and cut throat".
I would much rather see the journalistic skills and resources focused on getting Trump's tax returns publicized so people know once and for all if Putin is standing on Trump's tail.
I would much rather see the journalistic skills and resources focused on getting Trump's tax returns publicized so people know once and for all if Putin is standing on Trump's tail.
5
Trump has turned on everyone he has ever dealt with; his arms must be tried from all the people he has toss under the bus. Yet people still keep going to work for him. A con man never runs out of victims
13
It still amazes me how voters can fall for the same con over, and over again. We get told that if we sacrifice just a little longer, if we just roll back regulations that are "slowing growth" if we just give the elites more tax breaks, and if we give corporations more tax breaks and allow them to repatriate almost a trillion dollars they've stashed in offshore "reinvestment vehicles". That we will see this lost middle class jobs, rain from the sky, benefitting this country as a whole, for everybody.
This lie and con has been perpetrated by those who victimize all Americans, then get the public to support them in their robbery and pillaging of the tax payer. The 2008 credit market crash, was caused by big banks, namely Goldman Sacs and JP Morgan, Citibank and was further perpetrated by the republicans and the democrats two months before the election cycle in 2008.
Some 8 years later, some of those same congressional actors, Ryan, McConnell, are still in office, those same people colluded with the then Secretary of the Treasury who's was from none other than Goldman Sacs to get 700bn in bailout. Now those same corrupt actors are in a position to fundamentally change the tax code that will do nothing for the dying middle class. And everything for the elites, corporate America, and of course themselves.
All while having the gall to tell Americans that there isn't enough of your money for you. For your education, healthcare. And the public keeps on drinking the cool aid.
This lie and con has been perpetrated by those who victimize all Americans, then get the public to support them in their robbery and pillaging of the tax payer. The 2008 credit market crash, was caused by big banks, namely Goldman Sacs and JP Morgan, Citibank and was further perpetrated by the republicans and the democrats two months before the election cycle in 2008.
Some 8 years later, some of those same congressional actors, Ryan, McConnell, are still in office, those same people colluded with the then Secretary of the Treasury who's was from none other than Goldman Sacs to get 700bn in bailout. Now those same corrupt actors are in a position to fundamentally change the tax code that will do nothing for the dying middle class. And everything for the elites, corporate America, and of course themselves.
All while having the gall to tell Americans that there isn't enough of your money for you. For your education, healthcare. And the public keeps on drinking the cool aid.
9
Congress, I ask you to stop fretting about your personal future, and start fretting more about this country's future. Take an honest stand on Trump. If you lose your job, you will find another; many of us have learned how to do this.
7
Is this who we are now as a society? Talking about swamps, golden hot tubs, etc? Have we really fallen this far? This is what we are leaving for the next generation, very sad.
I enjoyed this article when it was published five days ago, especially the fabulous illustrations, but why is it appearing today in a News Alert feed? Not fake news but also not new news.
1
"For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?"
Anyone associated with DJT ought to carry a placard with this apt saying as a reminder. They are all selling their souls to this man even as they claim to be serving the country.
Anyone associated with DJT ought to carry a placard with this apt saying as a reminder. They are all selling their souls to this man even as they claim to be serving the country.
7
The promiscuity in the hot tub is obscene. All decency is now gone; gluttony and greed is the new the ‘law.’
Washington, DC has been remodeled into Trump・land: a casino, circus and charnel house on a grand scale.
Washington, DC has been remodeled into Trump・land: a casino, circus and charnel house on a grand scale.
3
"‘E.P.A. ADMINISTRATOR SCOTT PRUITT celebrated exiting the Paris agreement by dining last night at . . . Le Diplomate, the French bistro on 14th Street with some aides!’’) The swamp feels anything but drained; more like remodeled into a gold-plated hot tub." This is an insider joke.
The area on 14th St. referred to was a notorious tenderloin during the from 1950 to around 2,000. there were two "bathhouses" on 14th St. between H and I. The author is saying it's the same sleaze except now it is gold plated, i.e. patronized by the political elite instead soldiers, sailors and n'er do wells of the lower orders.
The area on 14th St. referred to was a notorious tenderloin during the from 1950 to around 2,000. there were two "bathhouses" on 14th St. between H and I. The author is saying it's the same sleaze except now it is gold plated, i.e. patronized by the political elite instead soldiers, sailors and n'er do wells of the lower orders.
5
Skill as a writer - Mark Leibovich has it in spades. For example, he wrote this long content-rich article about Washington insiders in a manner that didn't make me angry. How did he do that? I always get angry when reading about Trump's Washington. And finally came this hope inspiring (at a time when there seems little room for hope) ending quoting a text message from a member of congress who had earlier, after the trauma of the baseball game, asked "is it worth it?" text'd ‘‘I guess I’m a hopeless romantic that politics will actually work someday. And I want to be a part of it.’’ Bravo!!!
1
The swamp remains the same, it's only that a whole lot of alligators have been added to it.
1
The most bothersome aspect of the ascendancy of Trump is what it reveals about the prevalence of the Ugly American character: aggressive, threatening, bombastic, loud, barbaric, narcissistic, uncultured, bigoted, uncivilized, obsequious, anti-intellectual, overbearing, greedy, selfish, sycophantic, boorish people. Yeah, there are lots and lots of these Ugly Americans who love Trump. The Emperor with no clothes on - has revealed us to ourselves. It's shameful and nauseating to be living among these people.
5
lf it is gold plated it aint a swamp
1
Love that illustration! Compliments to the artist.
3
The most telling quote from this piece is "This gets to one ethic of This Town that has endured and that Trump has reinforced: The interests of self-perpetuation drive nearly everything. Much of the Republican base still loves Trump, and few Republicans in Congress can afford to alienate these voters..."
Is now and ever shall be. Sigh.
Is now and ever shall be. Sigh.
5
It feels like the mammals and birds are leaving the swamp to the reptiles, poisonous insects, and their mimics. How will a sustainable political ecology be restored without public displays and actions enforcing common decency?
2
In my 47-year career I've been a journalist, publisher, candidate for statewide office, and even served as a political advertising consultant. The last two are now off my list of pursuits in semi-retirement--sadly, it has gotten so ugly that the large number of people who are trying to use political office and our First Amendment rights to make policy changes they believe are beneficial and do so honestly, the concept of listening to the other sides (not sides, not just sides--public policy has gotten way too complex by just two sides in 30 seconds or 100 words) and compromise has become acid to be flung in the face of those committing those sins. Liebovich has captured the situation perfectly.
3
Following Trump's jaw-dropping appointments of Wall Street millionaires to key cabinet and other White House positions right after his swearing in, nothing he does should come as a surprise. He is not remotely like any president we've ever had in that he is treated, not like the leader of the free world, burdened with responsibilities at home and abroad, but like a rock star, a sort of wanna-be Elvis Presley in Washington: coddled, criticized, but ultimately forgiven repeatedly for his outrageous behavior—behavior that would have put previous transgressors out of a job, but is now seen as just The Donald, doing what he does.
He boasts of his accomplishments, supports every cloddish abuse of trust his family marches into, cunningly abandons supporters who are at risk for winding up in jail, and the most chilling outcome of this travesty of governance is that we gotten used to him, accepted that this is just the way things are now: We have a president the majority of the country never wanted and who has completely corrupted the office of the presidency.
He boasts of his accomplishments, supports every cloddish abuse of trust his family marches into, cunningly abandons supporters who are at risk for winding up in jail, and the most chilling outcome of this travesty of governance is that we gotten used to him, accepted that this is just the way things are now: We have a president the majority of the country never wanted and who has completely corrupted the office of the presidency.
6
Speaking of low energy, I yawned and dosed through this article, hoping something would finally jolt me out of Leibovich's lethargy. In my view, this is the most exciting politics has been in almost 40 years (I was a Watergate junkie too). I wake up every morning anxious to see what the next assault on our democracy will be, and the outrage, and the steady increase in defectors from the "party-first" crowd. I believe in the system, and it will eventually get him. My hope is that this goes on for about three more years, after which I might be sick of it anyway, and this guy will be gone, removed hopefully but voted out certainly. We can rebound from this distasteful era when we put a low-intellect, fake wheeler dealer, offensive narcissist in power, and the country will be stronger for it. However, if it ends sooner than this, and we get Pence for any workable period, the damage will be much harder to repair.
2
Disclosure: I moved me and my family out of the US in 2013. My wife and I are living a sweet life. No bills. No political pressures. It's sad that my country of 53 years let me down. Maybe if we upped the education a bit in history, philosophy and civics, we'd have smarter citizens. It's still difficult to read comments from conservatives. They are blind haters. They claim that harsh policies are justice because we need to eliminate the takers. Sadly, the conservatives are the takers themseleves. They can't see it, but it is they who are taking away freedom and keeping the lower class out of economic opportunity.
4
Best illustrations ever! It is certainly interesting that one of the main results of this election tragedy has been as creative comedic stimulus. Truly amazing stuff!
But wonderful as this creativity is it is awfully hard to keep laughing while our wonderful country, and the rest of the world, is destroyed by these horrible, selfish humans.
But wonderful as this creativity is it is awfully hard to keep laughing while our wonderful country, and the rest of the world, is destroyed by these horrible, selfish humans.
4
The illustrations are clever, fresh, and fun. It would be great to have a version with a key to people/icons online. I can identify probably 3/4 of references and would love to know the others.
3
Unfortunately Ms. Brazelon's article represents what is wrong with the mind set of the left. It states that Mr. Trump " repeatedly violates customs and principles that guide everyone else ". If that statement were true, Mrs. Clinton would be president. But what is true that Ms. Brazelon and the left apparently are not willing to recognize is that Mr. Trump garnered enough votes to be elected President of the United States of America. Therefore one could assume that he does not violate the customs and principles of a the majority of Americans who elected him. Again, Ms. Brazelon should remember we live in a democracy, and as such we have elections in which one side wins and one side loses. The norm in our country has by and large been that the country as a whole usually stands behind the winning candidate. That has not been the case for Mr. Trump's election. The left and Ms. Brazelon have ignored that he won the election and have ignored the majority who elected him; see quote above " repeatedly violates customs and principles that guide everyone else ". Does Ms. Brazelon not realize the damage their actions are doing to our country here and abroad. It is time for us as a whole to work together and support our elected president so that we can make him the best president he can be. In 2020 Ms. Brazelon and her friends can again try to win an election and put forth their ideas, customs, and principles.
1
The majority of Americans did not elect this president.
3
The most depressing statement in the article, for me was this from Congressman Rooney:
"Rooney told me he did not know if he would run for re-election next year, but said he was reluctant to be too critical of Trump, in case he did."
Or, to paraphrase: "My getting re-elected is more important than having a moral compass"
Guess what, Mr Rooney, you won't be part of "politics actually working someday" as you are part of the problem.
"Rooney told me he did not know if he would run for re-election next year, but said he was reluctant to be too critical of Trump, in case he did."
Or, to paraphrase: "My getting re-elected is more important than having a moral compass"
Guess what, Mr Rooney, you won't be part of "politics actually working someday" as you are part of the problem.
6
"Why did you sting me, for now we will both drown," the frog asked the scorpion on his back. "Because I am a scorpion! It is my nature. I could not help myself." Guess who the frog is.
4
I never noticed before that D.C. is a mirror image of Hollywood - same lifers, same relentless self-promotion, same constant focus on relative status. And they will never say anything bad about anyone in case that person can help their careers later. Two "me me me" towns.
4
all too sad to be funny really - but alas I suspect even Madam President thinks this has been worth the loss for the lessons taught - and hopefully learned.
2
The article says, "A few This Town veterans told me that this scary new normal has instilled in them a greater appreciation for old-normal rituals."
Mr. Leibovich and other media folk, THIS IS NOT THE NEW NORMAL.
Do NOT accept it as such. Yours is no longer just a "job". It is up to you to help those of us who value democracy to help preserve it. Keep the heat on the UNELECTED Robber Barons who have taken over OUR governments at all levels while we work diligently to have the supposed "election" invalidated and a new election held NOW.
Mr. Leibovich and other media folk, THIS IS NOT THE NEW NORMAL.
Do NOT accept it as such. Yours is no longer just a "job". It is up to you to help those of us who value democracy to help preserve it. Keep the heat on the UNELECTED Robber Barons who have taken over OUR governments at all levels while we work diligently to have the supposed "election" invalidated and a new election held NOW.
24
One small step Americans can take is to sign this petition to Impeach Trump Now written in collaboration by law professors from across America. He may not be impeached but it's a way to show our disgust and resistance.
https://impeachdonaldtrumpnow.org/
https://impeachdonaldtrumpnow.org/
9
"...have the supposed "election" invalidated and a new election held..."
That will never happen...
Concentrate efforts on the Nov. '18 elections...federal, state and local levels.
That will never happen...
Concentrate efforts on the Nov. '18 elections...federal, state and local levels.
2
The Swamp has become a gold-plated hot-tub - now saturated with superbugs
16
Nothing like a swamp critter, especially Russian and Republican ones.
26
Nobody in the ecosystem will ever write a self-reflective appraisal of Washington, for its continued existence is too important to the many who casually remark on "others'" flaws and deficiencies.
So, today, we see the "in unison" attack of all things Trump, not really Washington. It is safe, because it is not really asking deeper questions about our civic life and the way we run our Capitol. It is actually a "tell", that subtlety in the game of poker that means "Washington as 'we' want it" (the "we" being the media) is under attack by an outsider. We read along as the outsider/invader is called various names, but the real message is fear of change. And my sense is that this will continue for a long time. We buy our books on-line and blame Bezos. We see emails hacked and blame it on weak anti-virus software or sloppy security protocols at credit card companies. This must be Trump, for "we, the media" have always had a heart for all Americans.
So, Washington entering a time of permanent change. Only, this time, it will be interesting to see how much damage the displaced working class does to our public grasp on the truth, how much will become termed "fake news" (on all sides), how strongly we can or should trust "an unnamed source", and how concerned we should be that POTUS devotes such an inordinate amount of time to spin and image control.
Without question, Washington is home to the largest collection of reptiles in the United States, perhaps the world.
So, today, we see the "in unison" attack of all things Trump, not really Washington. It is safe, because it is not really asking deeper questions about our civic life and the way we run our Capitol. It is actually a "tell", that subtlety in the game of poker that means "Washington as 'we' want it" (the "we" being the media) is under attack by an outsider. We read along as the outsider/invader is called various names, but the real message is fear of change. And my sense is that this will continue for a long time. We buy our books on-line and blame Bezos. We see emails hacked and blame it on weak anti-virus software or sloppy security protocols at credit card companies. This must be Trump, for "we, the media" have always had a heart for all Americans.
So, Washington entering a time of permanent change. Only, this time, it will be interesting to see how much damage the displaced working class does to our public grasp on the truth, how much will become termed "fake news" (on all sides), how strongly we can or should trust "an unnamed source", and how concerned we should be that POTUS devotes such an inordinate amount of time to spin and image control.
Without question, Washington is home to the largest collection of reptiles in the United States, perhaps the world.
24
Messers Leibovich, Oliver, Colbert, Baldwin et al are tres amusant. Let's throw in the Maddox crew, too. Great, now what?
You guys just seem like more of the smarty pants bi-coastals the rest of the country hates. And, you are peddling hopelessness and helplessness. How do we - all of us - effect change and I don't mean voting in the other group of jerks. I mean providing our own jobs, healthcare, pensions whatever. There are folks out there doing stuff. Give us some light.
You guys just seem like more of the smarty pants bi-coastals the rest of the country hates. And, you are peddling hopelessness and helplessness. How do we - all of us - effect change and I don't mean voting in the other group of jerks. I mean providing our own jobs, healthcare, pensions whatever. There are folks out there doing stuff. Give us some light.
16
Providing our own jobs, healthcare, pensions? I'm having a little trouble figuring out how that would work.
1
There are cooperatives like the giant Mondragon organization in Spain. It's decades old. The workers are the owners who decide how to organize the work and set salaries and conditions. Although small there are a number of cooperatives here as well. It can be done.
Good read. The illustrations are amazing!!
28
Mr. Leibovich, I tell friends that Trump turned the "swamp" into the world's largest and most toxic cesspool. Trump is a pathological liar who will sell out the soul of America for personal gain. Trump likes Putin and Russia because of the fascist style communist government that concentrates power into the hands of only a few. Now 73, this is NOT the United States of America I grew up in nor the United States I served as a very young Airman. I do not "hanker for the good old days", but the US of A I witness today gives cause for shame; not pride or joy. The Trump administration has put a dagger in the heart and soul of America. That may result in irreparable damage both here at home and abroad (where our image already has been sullied widely).
94
I thought to myself, while reading this article, that if Mark Leibovich lived in a country with less freedom of the press, that he'd very likely be under house arrest, or worse. We should be thankful for the freedom of the press in the US and strive to uphold those freedoms, they are incredibly important.
53
You are absolutely correct. Freedom of the press is extremely important to our republic.
But Trump, in calling the press "enemy of the people" is trying to eliminate that freedom. A lot of people agree with him. When the media just tells what he says he calls it "fake" news. If that's true then he is a fake president.
But Trump, in calling the press "enemy of the people" is trying to eliminate that freedom. A lot of people agree with him. When the media just tells what he says he calls it "fake" news. If that's true then he is a fake president.
1
Yes, it is totally imperative to make sure no violence is done to journalists and anybody from the opposition. There are too many bad examples around, e.g. Turkey.
It had not occurred to me that when Trump and his acolytes chanted "drain the swamp" that there might be some confusion or ambivalence about just who were the swamp denizens that that draining would flush on down. In my mind it was lobbyists and the corporate sector's army giving Congress their marching orders.
My surprise came while watching a segment of (how could this have happened?) the O'Reilly Factor (remember him?) on Faux News. The gist of O'Reilly's rant was that the swamp denizens were the Bureaucracy extending to anyone who worked for the Federal Gov't but especially anyone toiling in a scientific, public health, regulatory, informational, or foreign affairs function.
It has since come to light that I was wrong and O'Reilly was right about who Trump considers a swamp denizen. We hear about the hundreds of positions requiring Senate approval that are going unfilled. *That* is Trump's idea of draining the swamp. No US Ambassador to Japan? No problem; that's one less swamp creature undermining the anger of the Trump voter!
The disfunction is that we have people - including Trump - who think that gov't is the problem and not the solution, that are *running the government!*
One has to wonder just where this will end up.
My surprise came while watching a segment of (how could this have happened?) the O'Reilly Factor (remember him?) on Faux News. The gist of O'Reilly's rant was that the swamp denizens were the Bureaucracy extending to anyone who worked for the Federal Gov't but especially anyone toiling in a scientific, public health, regulatory, informational, or foreign affairs function.
It has since come to light that I was wrong and O'Reilly was right about who Trump considers a swamp denizen. We hear about the hundreds of positions requiring Senate approval that are going unfilled. *That* is Trump's idea of draining the swamp. No US Ambassador to Japan? No problem; that's one less swamp creature undermining the anger of the Trump voter!
The disfunction is that we have people - including Trump - who think that gov't is the problem and not the solution, that are *running the government!*
One has to wonder just where this will end up.
63
Andrew Rae's illustrations are priceless, especially the one of the Benjamin Bar & Lounge at the Trump International Hotel that brings to mind the cantina scene from the originial "Star Wars," as well as Mark Alan Stamaty's much-missed "Washingtoon."
Funniest thing The Times has published since its editors, unfortunately, saw fit to abruptly stop running Brian McFadden's brilliant "The Strip" in the Sunday Review about seven months ago. Given the absurdities of the Trump administration, "The Strip" would have been better -- and certainly more relevant for the readership -- than ever.
Mr. Rae is a wonderful talent. More from him, please.
Funniest thing The Times has published since its editors, unfortunately, saw fit to abruptly stop running Brian McFadden's brilliant "The Strip" in the Sunday Review about seven months ago. Given the absurdities of the Trump administration, "The Strip" would have been better -- and certainly more relevant for the readership -- than ever.
Mr. Rae is a wonderful talent. More from him, please.
30
An interesting piece for readers interested in the usual Inside the Beltway crowd of journalists, fame seekers, bureaucrats and lobbyists desperately seeking access to the new rulers of the universe on 1300 Pensylvania Ave.
The big difference this time is the White House occupants, Donald Trump & family, are political outsiders bringing with them a small cadre of trusted satraps from the real estate business' days in New York.
Most veteran GOP lobbyists and journalists have lost their most precious asset i.e., knowing people with access to powerful officials responsible for the decision-making process and running the federal bureaucracy.
The big difference this time is the White House occupants, Donald Trump & family, are political outsiders bringing with them a small cadre of trusted satraps from the real estate business' days in New York.
Most veteran GOP lobbyists and journalists have lost their most precious asset i.e., knowing people with access to powerful officials responsible for the decision-making process and running the federal bureaucracy.
5
Do ANY of these people actually WORK in DC? Nothing has changed since reading Leibovich’s book “This Town” back in 2013..except more folks died too young outside the beltway.
I just put in another long, exasperating week volunteering in this free clinic. Trying to keep the chronically ill from getting worse, finding a bed in a hospital when the patient couldn’t afford the deductible in their insurance, trying to get a pharmaceutical company to get discounted statins to a patient with sky high cholesterol levels-caused by genetics not diet.
I stayed over as a young dad who had only known being a laborer in construction was now facing debilitating degenerative arthritis. How do I explain that he can no longer pound nails into sheetrock or use a framing hammer again? How will he provide food for his three kids? His wife is also disabled but they will soon lose food stamps as Congress thinks that EVERY “able-bodied” person should have the glory of working for a living--even if his wife has horrible treatment resistant depression and bulimia. (Eating disorders were NOT considered an “essential benefit” in the addendum of the 2014 ACA. Yet more people will die of eating disorders in this country than from most any other disease--yeah--binge eating, bulimia, anorexia do kill.)
Every day I try to “put out fires.” Every day is another day closer to dying too young of a preventible disease.Oh but Congressman Rooney “almost” got shot at a baseball practice!
DO YOUR JOBS WASHINGTON!
I just put in another long, exasperating week volunteering in this free clinic. Trying to keep the chronically ill from getting worse, finding a bed in a hospital when the patient couldn’t afford the deductible in their insurance, trying to get a pharmaceutical company to get discounted statins to a patient with sky high cholesterol levels-caused by genetics not diet.
I stayed over as a young dad who had only known being a laborer in construction was now facing debilitating degenerative arthritis. How do I explain that he can no longer pound nails into sheetrock or use a framing hammer again? How will he provide food for his three kids? His wife is also disabled but they will soon lose food stamps as Congress thinks that EVERY “able-bodied” person should have the glory of working for a living--even if his wife has horrible treatment resistant depression and bulimia. (Eating disorders were NOT considered an “essential benefit” in the addendum of the 2014 ACA. Yet more people will die of eating disorders in this country than from most any other disease--yeah--binge eating, bulimia, anorexia do kill.)
Every day I try to “put out fires.” Every day is another day closer to dying too young of a preventible disease.Oh but Congressman Rooney “almost” got shot at a baseball practice!
DO YOUR JOBS WASHINGTON!
60
NYT " Trump assured me that he would keep tweeting. ‘‘It’s my voice,’’ Trump said of Twitter, enumerating how many millions of followers he had. ‘‘They want to take away my voice,’’ Trump said. ‘‘They’re not going to take away my social media.’’
An unprecedented social engineering experiment is taking place in American politics. President Donald Trump has inaugurated a novel way of direct communication with the American people/the world: daily tweeters.
A tweeter is the ultimate object of desire for any strong leader in this new century. No bureaucratic intermediation, total communion with the followers. From a national interest standpoint, it this a good or bad idea?
After all, Trump is president of the most powerful country in the world with strategic-military-economic interests reaching all corners of the world.
The office of the US presidency has the power to shape public perception, domestically/internationally, and create reality.
It remains to be seen how long the American people will be comfortable with a President who tells the whole world what he feels/thinks and, therefore, might reveal his intentions.
An unprecedented social engineering experiment is taking place in American politics. President Donald Trump has inaugurated a novel way of direct communication with the American people/the world: daily tweeters.
A tweeter is the ultimate object of desire for any strong leader in this new century. No bureaucratic intermediation, total communion with the followers. From a national interest standpoint, it this a good or bad idea?
After all, Trump is president of the most powerful country in the world with strategic-military-economic interests reaching all corners of the world.
The office of the US presidency has the power to shape public perception, domestically/internationally, and create reality.
It remains to be seen how long the American people will be comfortable with a President who tells the whole world what he feels/thinks and, therefore, might reveal his intentions.
8
I grew up in DC and I have always held the (childlike) view that the people in the city work with a simple motivation - to make the world better. Folks lead with different mission statements. They certainly come with their own theories of change, more conservative or more progressive. But the place I grew up was optimistic, because why would all those people work so hard for no money without believing change was important and possible. Thank you for reminding me of the humanity carried deep in the folks I see on my screens everyday. Grounded again in my optimism, which is no small thing these days.
6
I stopped watching election returns as soon as Trump was declared the winner and never watched political television for a month, I ended my subscription to the NYT and declared I would never get sucked into the mess again. But when the Fourth Estate was declared Public Enemy #1 by Buffoonident Trump, I realized that ignoring the media was not the way to ever see the truth again. I bought a subscription to the NYT, the WP, renewed my pledge to NPR and sent The Guardian some money too. Congress cannot save us. The Supreme Court cannot save us. Our only home in this currently free society is the Press. Thank you, Mr. Leibovich, and to all your colleagues for telling the truth.
118
you got that right! So far the GOP in congress is turning the other cheek....wonder when (if?) they will put country before party....sad sad sad
1
Do I have any sympathy for those folks on The Hill who fear " mean tweets" from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?
No. Zilch. Just do the jobs they should be doing--but aren't yet.
Retain healthcare, increase and improve the details of coverage, reduce premiums and deductibles......No sneaky tax breaks for the 1%......yank Kushner's security clearance.......Get on with some big infrastructure projects, while loan rates still low!!!!
And have a tough enough skin to take some brief criticism the form of snarky tweets from you-know-who.
No. Zilch. Just do the jobs they should be doing--but aren't yet.
Retain healthcare, increase and improve the details of coverage, reduce premiums and deductibles......No sneaky tax breaks for the 1%......yank Kushner's security clearance.......Get on with some big infrastructure projects, while loan rates still low!!!!
And have a tough enough skin to take some brief criticism the form of snarky tweets from you-know-who.
26
Please,Take take this comment personally, Mr. LIebowitz. Through out this national nightmare the New York Times and Washington Post have been magnificent. The reporters' and editors' dedication the highest ethical principles of journalism should inspire a new generation of journalists. They in turn educate all of us who will listen to the absolute necessity and beauty of truth.
162
Amen, Susan.
The power of the pen has never been more appreciated, nor better exercised than this era of the NYT and WaPo.
I subscribe to both, for those reasons.
My observation is that heroic investigative journalism, combined with the awesome energy of the Women's Movement will save our beloved Nation.
The power of the pen has never been more appreciated, nor better exercised than this era of the NYT and WaPo.
I subscribe to both, for those reasons.
My observation is that heroic investigative journalism, combined with the awesome energy of the Women's Movement will save our beloved Nation.
23
not that willing to give the press any glowing praise - they have failed us or we would NOT be in this mess. All of this foreshadowing has been on the wall - and easy to see. The truth really is easy to see - when you have your eyes wide open - and not shut to be blind. When your priority is paper sales, power, hurting someone else, and winning at any cheating price, the people will lose every time and we have.
As I think about in retrospect all the chain of events for the last 8 plus years, it seems to be that distrust of women is the driving force behind the actions of many including many women. Must go back to that "story" about Adam and Ev, the apple and the snake. Poor Adam did not stand a chance. That's FAKE news, every one always has a free choice to be exercised. ALWAYS
1
A credible political piece should offer at least a few clues to why the current President is in power, and why the party running Congress was given that responsibility by the voters.
I can't think of even an article per month over the past 6 months from what used to be the New York Times that fits that simple point. The Times has become CNN, only existing to tickle the ears of angry people demanding to have their biases reconfirmed.
When the average reader apparently says,''Just tell me who to hate today!'' we aren't even talking journalism anymore.
The Gray Lady has become the fat guy in the back row of the wrestling match screaming for the obvious villain to get punched up.
I can't think of even an article per month over the past 6 months from what used to be the New York Times that fits that simple point. The Times has become CNN, only existing to tickle the ears of angry people demanding to have their biases reconfirmed.
When the average reader apparently says,''Just tell me who to hate today!'' we aren't even talking journalism anymore.
The Gray Lady has become the fat guy in the back row of the wrestling match screaming for the obvious villain to get punched up.
4
You have got to be kidding! You should try reading the Times from cover to cover. Your bias betrays you when you lump CNN and the "Grey Lady" together, using the all too familiar talking points from Breitbart and Fox News. The NY Times continually presents all sides in it's news coverage, as well as opposing perspectives in the editorial/opinion pages. If we the American public are to really be "fair and balanced", it is our responsibility to read all perspectives, not just those that play into a one sided narrative.
Rooney needs to grow a pair. This is why people of all stripes hate politicians. Just for once, couldn't he do or say something that might endanger his prospects of re-election? It's not as if he needs the money.
11
Poor speaker Ryan, offering counseling to those impacted by the shooting. While simultaneously never saying no to anything the NRA proposes.
Sorry but the GOP is mostly comprised of blatant, and completely shameless, hypocrites.
Sorry but the GOP is mostly comprised of blatant, and completely shameless, hypocrites.
37
I'd rather spend the rest of my life in a padded cell than be forced to accept counseling from Paul Ryan.
8
This piece only scratches the surface of the impact of DJT and his family on the D.C. culture, and I suppose that's the point. They are only the most glaring examples of the culture of opportunism married with cowardice. When is the big break really going to happen - the one where John McCain or his ilk does more than talk about the daily damage to the American psyche being done by the GOP? At what point will it be to their advantage to take down Godzilla? Never - that's the problem. Because neither the Republicans nor the Democrats can come up with a more dazzling replacement for the washed-up reality TV star.
10
The swamp has been drained - virtually all the clean water is gone and all that remains is the sludge, slime, and creepy crawly things
26
Reads like True Confessions, but unfortunately, not fiction
5
Well written and interesting. Are there NO women in Washington worth mentioning?
19
Mark Leibovich probably thinks he had an important job. Cheese. He walks around and observes people sitting, "zombie" walking, putting on TV makeup, and writes about it; probably gets paid a lot.
There are people that work, hard, for a living. Why doesn't he write about them, and real issues, like how the world and our economy is changing, and who and how are world friends and enemies are progressing.
Most people don't pay much attention to Washington....I know they should, but this article does not inspire interest
There are people that work, hard, for a living. Why doesn't he write about them, and real issues, like how the world and our economy is changing, and who and how are world friends and enemies are progressing.
Most people don't pay much attention to Washington....I know they should, but this article does not inspire interest
8
Poor Spicey, he really seems like he is doing his best in a bad spot. I liked the makeup dialogue if only that it shows how human he is. He didn't want a article reading "Spicer is a coverman, putting on foundation while it falls apart beneath him." Would have been a good one though.
11
An Open Letter to Republican legislators:
Your continued unwavering support for President Trump baffles me. Surely by now you know that President Trump is psychologically, temperamentally, morally and intellectually unfit for office.
Why are none of you attempting to qualify for a "Portrait in Courage"!
Ask yourselves: What other recent American president has boasted that there are no laws prohibiting presidential conflicts of interest? Has been so disdainful of the judiciary, of the intelligence community, of the free press, of diplomacy and of international agreements? Has congratulated and praised dictators? Has refused to release his tax returns? Has so frequently insulted members of minorities? Has so often employed lies, misrepresentations and diversions? The list of such questions goes on and on.
President Trump's guiding principle is self-interest. He stretches legality to its limits. He disdains civic and moral propriety. With Trump as president, the stench of kleptocracy is in the air. The people are divided as seldom before.
Are you, as a Republican legislator, willing to set back while this wholly unfit president, his family and associates use the Office of the Presidency to serve their own self-interests, advance their business interests and kleptocratically line their pockets with gold? Are you just as shameless as is President Trump himself?
Is it any wonder that the public increasingly holds this Republican dominated Congress in total disrepute?
Your continued unwavering support for President Trump baffles me. Surely by now you know that President Trump is psychologically, temperamentally, morally and intellectually unfit for office.
Why are none of you attempting to qualify for a "Portrait in Courage"!
Ask yourselves: What other recent American president has boasted that there are no laws prohibiting presidential conflicts of interest? Has been so disdainful of the judiciary, of the intelligence community, of the free press, of diplomacy and of international agreements? Has congratulated and praised dictators? Has refused to release his tax returns? Has so frequently insulted members of minorities? Has so often employed lies, misrepresentations and diversions? The list of such questions goes on and on.
President Trump's guiding principle is self-interest. He stretches legality to its limits. He disdains civic and moral propriety. With Trump as president, the stench of kleptocracy is in the air. The people are divided as seldom before.
Are you, as a Republican legislator, willing to set back while this wholly unfit president, his family and associates use the Office of the Presidency to serve their own self-interests, advance their business interests and kleptocratically line their pockets with gold? Are you just as shameless as is President Trump himself?
Is it any wonder that the public increasingly holds this Republican dominated Congress in total disrepute?
108
Brilliant synthesis of information. I'm with you.
1
‘It’s the great dichotomy of my life right now,’’ says Wilson, an outspoken anti-Trump voice who speaks often to clients and friends who are Republican officeholders. ‘‘I have guys call me literally on the verge of tears some days, like, ‘This guy is going to get us killed,’ ’’ Wilson told me. ‘‘And then they go out the next day, and they can’t wait to build the wall, they want to ‘make America great again’ all day long.’’
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. These individuals, elected to represent us, are in a position to do something but refuse to uphold their duty. Their complaining falls on deaf ears. It is frankly insulting to those of us powerless to enact change but willing to step in and lead.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. These individuals, elected to represent us, are in a position to do something but refuse to uphold their duty. Their complaining falls on deaf ears. It is frankly insulting to those of us powerless to enact change but willing to step in and lead.
86
Ah. The senators can express themselves with a little more candor. I guess they aren't stuck with a gerrymandered rabid population like the House is. Better to have the party pick the voters than the voters pick the candidate.
What is it Rorschach said in prison in the Watchmen? "I'm not locked in here with you... you're locked in here with me!"
I hope the republicans enjoy the inmates.
What is it Rorschach said in prison in the Watchmen? "I'm not locked in here with you... you're locked in here with me!"
I hope the republicans enjoy the inmates.
23
This was a fun read and genuinely informative and interesting.
Well done
Well done
27
27 instances of "Republican/s." Three instances of "Democrat/s".
no mentions of the press and its interests as Mark has properly done in the past. There is a DC press meltdown as well. They just can't stand to have a president they did not create.
The civility loss being mourned is the collusion between insiders that Mark made famous in his book. Of course anyone threatening that collusion is going got be roasted and held to double standards
no mentions of the press and its interests as Mark has properly done in the past. There is a DC press meltdown as well. They just can't stand to have a president they did not create.
The civility loss being mourned is the collusion between insiders that Mark made famous in his book. Of course anyone threatening that collusion is going got be roasted and held to double standards
13
Of course Republicans dominate the piece -- they're in control of all three branches of government.
I accept your point about the media needing more mention, but your glib interpretation of its cause is also off-mark. Watch footage of a Trump rally, in which reporters were caged. Watch how he works up his crowds to revile and threaten the reporters. Listen to the mantra of Fake News to browbeat anyone who challenges the truly mind-numbing litany of lies coming from that pucker just north of his chin. You start a fight, don't whine when you get smacked in the face.
As for your conclusion, that the loss in civility is a mere food fight among insiders -- that's a breathtakingly narrow view of what's going on. In this regard DC is a microcosm of the chasm of bile separating people in this country. And to think that this administration is "threatening that collusion," i.e., draining the swamp, is a fantasy a Peronist or Chavista would envy. An exchange of insiders is not a challenge to the status quo. It's rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
I accept your point about the media needing more mention, but your glib interpretation of its cause is also off-mark. Watch footage of a Trump rally, in which reporters were caged. Watch how he works up his crowds to revile and threaten the reporters. Listen to the mantra of Fake News to browbeat anyone who challenges the truly mind-numbing litany of lies coming from that pucker just north of his chin. You start a fight, don't whine when you get smacked in the face.
As for your conclusion, that the loss in civility is a mere food fight among insiders -- that's a breathtakingly narrow view of what's going on. In this regard DC is a microcosm of the chasm of bile separating people in this country. And to think that this administration is "threatening that collusion," i.e., draining the swamp, is a fantasy a Peronist or Chavista would envy. An exchange of insiders is not a challenge to the status quo. It's rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
16
I paid my way through college in Washington DC by working the parties thrown by lobbyists as a waiter or bartender in the 80's. The things that I saw and heard. Immense amounts of alcohol were consumed and half the folks in attendance seemed to be walking around in a perpetual narcotic or alcoholic fog. Hundreds if not thousands of dollars of alcohol and food were discarded after the party. I took garbage bags with me (no Ziploc back then) and filled them with smoked salmon, choice cured hams and pounds of roast beef, for a poor student it was like getting a bonus. The money and tips were really good, not unusual to make $100-$150 per night for 6 hours of work. I was disgusted back then as I am now with the denizens of the inner and outer Beltway.
10
Mr. Leibovich is one of the few journalists (Matt Taibbi at Rolling Stone also comes to mind) with the platform, sharp mind, and stinging pen to credibly dish it out to all of the various players in the Washington establishment (Republican and Democratic politicians, lobbyists, media figures, etc.) and give his readers a frank assessment of modern Washington society. His book "This Town" did this brilliantly, and instantly made Mr. Liebovich one of my favorite commentators.
In that vein, I wish this piece had dug a bit more into the media's role in the frantic "perpetually breaking news cycle" we have had to endure since last November, as they certainly hold some share of the blame in the collective "suffocation" those of us in the informed citizenry have been experiencing. I can't tell you how many hundreds of frantic texts and emails I have gotten from friends, family and colleagues about "BREAKING NEWS" stories, particularly in the ongoing Russia investigation, that turned out to be a bit overcranked, to put it mildly.
In that vein, I wish this piece had dug a bit more into the media's role in the frantic "perpetually breaking news cycle" we have had to endure since last November, as they certainly hold some share of the blame in the collective "suffocation" those of us in the informed citizenry have been experiencing. I can't tell you how many hundreds of frantic texts and emails I have gotten from friends, family and colleagues about "BREAKING NEWS" stories, particularly in the ongoing Russia investigation, that turned out to be a bit overcranked, to put it mildly.
4
Mark, you know I've been a big fan of yours since the Boston Phoenix days, but I've often wondered why D.C. has made you into a political correspondent who is more likely to write about personality than policy. Now, however, I think I know. You work in a town where self-preservation is the top priority, and where the river of corporate money ensures that nothing ever changes and no policy is implemented unless it allows the donors a substantial return on their investment. The GOP and its attendant media like to complain about the Deep State, but they're just as much a part of it as the Democrats, and the corporate largess flows just as much into their pockets as the ostensible opposition's. Not even a force as unpredictable and destabilizing as Trump can overcome the willed inertia of D.C.
Your impromptu audience with the president was especially telling. He insulted your employer, you encouraged him to keep Tweeting so that you'll have something to write about, and nothing changed. I suppose you could have taken the opportunity to challenge him on his lies or on the chasm between his campaign promises and actual policy efforts, but what would be the point? What would that accomplish?
It's clear now that there's nothing to write about in DC except personality. Politics isn't happening, and the entrenched players ensure that it won't, even with Trump wreaking havoc. So keep entertaining us with wry, vivid color commentary, Mark. What else can you do?
Your impromptu audience with the president was especially telling. He insulted your employer, you encouraged him to keep Tweeting so that you'll have something to write about, and nothing changed. I suppose you could have taken the opportunity to challenge him on his lies or on the chasm between his campaign promises and actual policy efforts, but what would be the point? What would that accomplish?
It's clear now that there's nothing to write about in DC except personality. Politics isn't happening, and the entrenched players ensure that it won't, even with Trump wreaking havoc. So keep entertaining us with wry, vivid color commentary, Mark. What else can you do?
4
The swamp runs in self-interest therefore no one is interested in its draining.
5
The swamp will never drain. The ITB crowd are ego maniacs. Yes, everyone. Its all about who you know, what inside info you can get, how to get your head elevated above your competitor. There is no nice. The federal government must be dispersed and relocated across the entire country to ensure that all go home at the end of the day and live in normal, American neighborhoods. We, the people, MUST insist on a Constitutional amendment imposing term limits on elected officials AND NO bouncing around from agency to agency by "former has-beens". Chevron deference must end!
6
I would imagine money and power are very intoxicating! You can do as much for the country by being a good mother, wife, and volunteering in your community rather than run for office. Lusting after money and power cannot bring happiness.
I'm sorry, did McCain say he felt sorry for Spicer. lol, everybody now feels sorry for crazy Mccain after his strange questioning of Comey. McCain's family should intervene and try to save whats left of his reputation, which is eroding now almost every time he opens his mouth.
When I bought his book, I hoped it would end with Leibovich returning to his roots and leaving D.C. and his establishment hackery and demagoguery behind.
No such luck. He came clean only to jump right back into the swamp. None of these creatures leave...just like he said.
No such luck. He came clean only to jump right back into the swamp. None of these creatures leave...just like he said.
1
Such a well written piece.A great read.
3
Good piece, good illustrations, let's have more of the same. The ordinary humanity of a lot of folks in DC is hard to see behind or under the camouflage of self- and partisan-interest but this shows some of it. Let's have more of that from the elected officials.
1
Having followed Mr. Leibovich's insider baseball for some time now I am struck by what should have been plain as the nose on my face. Whether the White House is inhabited by a professor of constitutional law, or a churlish, orange bonobo, makes not a jot of difference. The citizens of the United States are simply an afterthought.
4
Throw the bum out - we want Mike Pence for President instead!
1
If you don't think things can get even worse.....wait until Pence is Prez!
7
I believe this is the first column on DC that's made me smile since November. I spent the afternoon gleefully binge-reading Leibovich and had a lot of laughs. Great writing.
6
"I was walking around the Senate side of the Capitol and noticed that whenever Republican members were asked about Trump, as they inevitably were, they looked as if they were bracing for a chandelier to drop on their heads."
Leave it to Leibovich to capture a mood, or state of affairs, in a way no one else can.
Leave it to Leibovich to capture a mood, or state of affairs, in a way no one else can.
8
The swamp is getting deeper and more treacherous by the day... It appears to me that the US is headed towards "failed state" status.
9
I still can't understand, and no pundit seems able to take on the question of how this clown and idiot of president has been able to keep in power, keep control of the big Republican machine. It beats me. Is it his unpredictability? The grassroots he controls with his tweets (no wonder he does not want any mediation of his "voice")? How can he be held in such low regard by even his "own" party and yet command their adulation? He is not even charismatic in any conventional sense of the term. Is it fear? What is his psychological trick? Is it cheap avarice? How can their stand the humiliation of sucking up to him? Can some pundits or scholars take a shot at analyzing the foundation of his "power"? Is he a paper tiger? This rise to power and consolidation of power seems unprecedented in American "democratic" politics. Is it?
14
This may as well titled "Trump In Swamp Town." One thing for sure, Trump has made [real] journalists great again. Making Don Jr deep throat himself (courtesy Stephen Colbert) is an amazing feat, never mind one journalist lamented on Twitter he has been working on the story for a year. Journalists got credit. Without the heat putting on this amoral swamp family, this hot mess wouldn't have so revealing.
Now that America has become a banana republic, what's next? To be fair, some said it takes Trump half a year to make America unraveled like Venezuela but it took the late Hugo Chavez years. They are wrong. The Republicans have laid the groundworks for Trump ever since Karl Rove supercharged the political toxicity by combining the social reactionaries with the fiscal reactionaries. And McConnell, Ryan et al's governing manifesto "the number one goal of the Republicans is to make President Obama an one term president." The meltdown of DC, America really, is the legacy of the long term forces
Now that America has become a banana republic, what's next? To be fair, some said it takes Trump half a year to make America unraveled like Venezuela but it took the late Hugo Chavez years. They are wrong. The Republicans have laid the groundworks for Trump ever since Karl Rove supercharged the political toxicity by combining the social reactionaries with the fiscal reactionaries. And McConnell, Ryan et al's governing manifesto "the number one goal of the Republicans is to make President Obama an one term president." The meltdown of DC, America really, is the legacy of the long term forces
73
Let's not forget Lee Atwater.
3
- very entertaining - but still too 'impotant'!
-(this article)
Isn't there anybody who could write about Trumpworld in 'Trumpish'?
-(this article)
Isn't there anybody who could write about Trumpworld in 'Trumpish'?
4
‘Look, you can’t trust this guy, you can’t trust him.’ (John McCain)
This pretty much sums up Trump. Americans cannot trust him. His own party cannot trust him. His administration cannot trust him. Our traditional friends and allies cannot trust him. Perhaps the Russians can?
This pretty much sums up Trump. Americans cannot trust him. His own party cannot trust him. His administration cannot trust him. Our traditional friends and allies cannot trust him. Perhaps the Russians can?
250
Hey Scott, you can't trust Trump, but you trust the daily anti-Trump articles with anonymous sources and which are soon retracted?
Which stories are those? I haven't seen any retractions.
1
oh they certainly bought him lock stock and barell and own him.
1
They sold their souls to the devil. For what?
113
Great illustration. One for the ages.
39
Brilliant illustrations by Andrew Rae and I haven't even read the article yet.
43
I doubt that the U.S. under Obama was ever the laughing stock of the world as it has become since January 20th. Even George W. and Nixon retained the appearance of dignity and statesmanship and caring that seems to be no part of the Trump family. Shame on us, America!..........
270
Lets draw that red line in Syria. Obama was worse than Trump, not better and Trump is horrible.
Sure, the individuals profiled come across as human--so it's possible to relate to them. Still, no one featured in the article is making the hard choice to confront an obvious problem in a meaningful way. Since the title of the piece is 'This Town Melts Down', perhaps it is precisely that the writer wishes us to understand.
19
This story, well told, demonstrates much that is wrong with our country. These people seem to be isolated from all the harm they are doing to my country and yours. Scary monsters!
88
Yeah. It's particularly troubling to me that they are so guarded about admitting they like their colleagues on the other side of the aisle. There's so much contempt in politics today.
1
Fascinating look into those arcane D.C. mores by Mark Leibovich. It exposes a very human world that is floating on a sea of surly resentment from Republican voters.
One of the things to emphasize is that a lot of voter churlishness is driven by Right Wing media; they're a market for the likes of Fox News. So in addition to Trump's recalcitrance, Republican members of congress have to deal with their perverse, Right Wing media-groomed voters. Somewhere in the day-to-day operation of congress is the requirement of truthful intercourse.
Trump was put where he is by a stochastic process; some of the 29 million voters who did not vote in 2012 showed up in 2016 to swing the election, with the help of the Electoral College. These people believe that the Trump TV show, "The Apprentice" defines the president. It's all at the level of an eight year old.
So there is no explaining Trump; a discussion about Trump is a discussion about psychology, not politics. Mark Leibovich now finds himself writing articles suitable for "Psychology Today" rather than political publications.
Thus, as he reveals:
"[Ascertaining how decisions are made] is next to impossible in Trumpland, mainly because ‘‘process,’’ such as it is, resides purely with the whims of one man. It is all about Trump. Everything is at his mercy, and little about it is comfortable. It creates an overwrought environment to perform in, and the closer in you have to operate, the more intense it becomes."
One of the things to emphasize is that a lot of voter churlishness is driven by Right Wing media; they're a market for the likes of Fox News. So in addition to Trump's recalcitrance, Republican members of congress have to deal with their perverse, Right Wing media-groomed voters. Somewhere in the day-to-day operation of congress is the requirement of truthful intercourse.
Trump was put where he is by a stochastic process; some of the 29 million voters who did not vote in 2012 showed up in 2016 to swing the election, with the help of the Electoral College. These people believe that the Trump TV show, "The Apprentice" defines the president. It's all at the level of an eight year old.
So there is no explaining Trump; a discussion about Trump is a discussion about psychology, not politics. Mark Leibovich now finds himself writing articles suitable for "Psychology Today" rather than political publications.
Thus, as he reveals:
"[Ascertaining how decisions are made] is next to impossible in Trumpland, mainly because ‘‘process,’’ such as it is, resides purely with the whims of one man. It is all about Trump. Everything is at his mercy, and little about it is comfortable. It creates an overwrought environment to perform in, and the closer in you have to operate, the more intense it becomes."
63
- I believe you misread the election data. Many people who voted for President Obama in 2012 stayed home in 2016.
- Your comment seems to give the Left Wing media (e.g. MSNBC, HuffPost) a pass.
- Your comment seems to give the Left Wing media (e.g. MSNBC, HuffPost) a pass.
2
I suggest you read Mark's book. he well demonstrates how the problem is the mainstream media, the revolving door and collusion of interests in protecting larger and larger government. And he clearly demonstrates it is not just one party or "the right wing media."
1
Have to say that loved Joe and Mika on Colbert. Joe says he is no longer a REpublican but an Independent as every one should be.
I would have a grain of sympathy for all these Trump sycophants, except that they choose to remain by him, and the GOP brought this upon themselves.
187
Thank you for bringing the spotlight back on the individuals in government. Much of the media have been handing out big scoops of generalizations, and huge dollops of crystal ball predictions. It's refreshing to be reminded that it's human beings -- and a Godzilla -- who are responsible for shaping policy, or lack thereof. You article serves to remind me that the pressure must persist, and that reaching out to the unique people who shape our lives matters more now than ever. And the drawings are magnificent too.
23
I don't sense any empathy in this article, from the privileged and corrupt denizens of Washington, for the ordinary Americans they have betrayed and abandoned. Americans struggling with stagnant wages, soaring debt, a truly dysfunctional healthcare system, opioid epidemics, paramilitary policing, employer abuse, crumbling infrastructure, and the burden of monumentally foolish wars waged and their trillion dollar tabs.
Just ambition, greed, confusion, self-pity and nostalgia for when they could cozy up to lobbyists and shaft the public and gazes were averted.
Just ambition, greed, confusion, self-pity and nostalgia for when they could cozy up to lobbyists and shaft the public and gazes were averted.
359
People get the government they deserve.
Another recent opinion piece asked the whiny self-entitled people complaining about their buggy whip jobs going away, to please self-deport back to their homeland, no matter what generation they were. After all, it's recent immigrants who start and run the majority of small businesses in the country, have the work ethic, actually do something.
Another recent opinion piece asked the whiny self-entitled people complaining about their buggy whip jobs going away, to please self-deport back to their homeland, no matter what generation they were. After all, it's recent immigrants who start and run the majority of small businesses in the country, have the work ethic, actually do something.
36
Does the argument that people get the gov't they deserve still hold up in the face of 1) Russian meddling 2) Hillary winning the popular vote by a HUGE margin and 3) gerrymandering and redistributing that skews the vote? Humm, think not.
3
Apparently both parties have adopted Trench Warfare as the preferred way to conduct "the people's business" in Washington.
When will chlorine gas be introduced?
When will chlorine gas be introduced?
18
Love the illustrations!
Good luck to Congressman Rooney for thinking that politics might actually work someday. When your party elects a ticking time bomb to the highest office in the land, I suppose all you can do is hope that it is a dud.
Good luck to Congressman Rooney for thinking that politics might actually work someday. When your party elects a ticking time bomb to the highest office in the land, I suppose all you can do is hope that it is a dud.
99
Unfortunately, the reason he thinks it works is he wants to execute the Republican agenda for kleptocracy central, ruin health care, poison the environment, and all.
30
It is a dud, but the republican senators and congress are not admitting it as a dud (even though they know this). Until that happens we have to assume the worst might happen.
1
The following quote says it all about the Trump administration; "The closer to Caesar the greater the fear."
The American Empire finally has the emperor it truly deserves.
The American Empire finally has the emperor it truly deserves.
92
But how can this idiot have become emperor in this political system? That is the question. Is it that easy?
We do not deserve this.
Personally am enjoying watching Trump turn into the mad MacBeth.
Sell-outs, has-beens, unqualified to get another job besides lobbying former colleagues, and now afraid of confronting the swamp-master for fear of losing their jobs - that about sums up the denizens of the swamp. I have less sympathy for these spineless wonders after reading this wonderfully well-written piece.
175
Loved the article. And I was really proud of how many of the people and incidents I was able to identify from the delightful illustrations.
12
Great article! Written with obvious affection. I admit I perused much of the article, and it was only at the end that I realized that I had not read anything at all about female players! What do you make of that folks?
49
Tremendously insightful and, and, not ironically, hopeful sign that there are political representatives who understand the complexity of the process and the challenges of working together in the current environment. Many of us hope that the shock of this administration will "scare people straight" to work together to achieve tolerable compromises to solve the critical problems of our time.
We have a tough three-and-a half years ahead of us. Many of us, of whatever political stripe, will be holding our breath in the hope that the "engine" in the White House will not overhead and do too much lasting damage to our country and the world. Meanwhile, I hope articles like this will encourage those in Washington who believe that there is a public interests to be furthered, not just political scores to be won.
We have a tough three-and-a half years ahead of us. Many of us, of whatever political stripe, will be holding our breath in the hope that the "engine" in the White House will not overhead and do too much lasting damage to our country and the world. Meanwhile, I hope articles like this will encourage those in Washington who believe that there is a public interests to be furthered, not just political scores to be won.
8
This was an extremely worthwhile read. I laughed aloud more than a few times during my commute. Most often, I was bemused at the direct peek into the thoughts and motivations of some of the Republican politicians as they navigate our current world.
Despite feeling empathy for some of them, I couldn't help wonder how their stances differ from those of the politicians near the end of the Weimar Republic? Did those people also wonder why someone *else* didn't do anything to stop the madness?
Despite feeling empathy for some of them, I couldn't help wonder how their stances differ from those of the politicians near the end of the Weimar Republic? Did those people also wonder why someone *else* didn't do anything to stop the madness?
66
Maybe this could become a series. Especially since there are more and more revelations by the day.
Beautifully written piece with the small details that say so much. I don't think this quiet, meandering journey of an article could reveal a more cynical portrait of the mood and spirit of people in our government. The current mediocrity and survival mentality at the heart of our democracy is devestating to this average middle-aged American. The 'godzilla' in the White House. How I miss President Obama.
220
actually don't miss BO one bit and sort of blame his Presidency for what we have now. He started the no HRC - just me and Trump continued it to the Oval Office. Then when HRC could have won - BO said but it has to be all about my legacy. Shame on him.
Excellent article - please keep going with the long pieces, NYT.
24
The public and politicians have come to admire liars and sharp-dealers. There is no sense that honesty and integrity are necessary qualities for a honorable life.
"Belief" is greater than fact, it seems.
"Belief" is greater than fact, it seems.
15
This piece attempts to sympathetically portray a compulsive liar and Trump propagandist, Sean Spicer. Here's the thing: anyone willing to openly and repeatedly offer easily debunked falsehoods is worthy only of scorn. Why are we getting such drivel from the otherwise excellent Times?
9
Good insight into how White House staffers and Congressional Republicans are dealing with the new world of Trump, and what they are thinking and feeling.
I'm confused at some of the comments:
1. This article is about what some people who work in Washington, and have been elected to office think and feel with the weird Trump presidency ongoing.
2. It's a given that politicians run for office because they have an interest in leading and in power. What is wrong with that? We need people who like to do such things. I don't, but I'm glad they do. If you don't like politics or politicians, don't read about them. Politics is like making sausage and if you don't understand that, you are naive.
3. Stop whining about politicians.
4. The word "elite" needs to go away for a while. Elite, blah this, the elites, blah blah. You say nothing when you use that word. Who are the elites anyway? People who work in Washington? Who are educated? Who are middle class for pete's sake? People who work as journalists?
5. Stop whining. Get smart and read.
6. Maybe because this article is about feelings and thoughts, people don't know what to make of it.
I'm confused at some of the comments:
1. This article is about what some people who work in Washington, and have been elected to office think and feel with the weird Trump presidency ongoing.
2. It's a given that politicians run for office because they have an interest in leading and in power. What is wrong with that? We need people who like to do such things. I don't, but I'm glad they do. If you don't like politics or politicians, don't read about them. Politics is like making sausage and if you don't understand that, you are naive.
3. Stop whining about politicians.
4. The word "elite" needs to go away for a while. Elite, blah this, the elites, blah blah. You say nothing when you use that word. Who are the elites anyway? People who work in Washington? Who are educated? Who are middle class for pete's sake? People who work as journalists?
5. Stop whining. Get smart and read.
6. Maybe because this article is about feelings and thoughts, people don't know what to make of it.
13
Thanks for an excellent inside look at DC today. Of course, the media is as much part of DC as the pols. The key part of this expose is - DC has the highest average salary in the US. The pols realize that taking OPM is no problem. Just a few years in Congress or at some Federal agency will mean a lifetime of benefits. The few pols who express dismay at the swamp they inhabit are just a little disingenuous. In private, everyone is a hero, fighting the good fight. But what we do is more important than what we believe. If you don't like the swamp - do something!
7
When I woke this morning and saw this article I was genuinely excited to read it - naively I reasoned this would be a non-partisan look into the machinations of D.C.
Being a middle-left leaning American is a lonely place these days. I'm just going to stick with the Science section, those articles seem to present a balanced perspective.
Being a middle-left leaning American is a lonely place these days. I'm just going to stick with the Science section, those articles seem to present a balanced perspective.
13
A very interesting article. It pretty much confirms my view of the Washington "elite". Like the Rome of old, Washington attracts those who wish to wield power...or appear to. The good, the bad and the ugly are all present. It would make for exceptionally interesting theatre if it wasn't for the fact that these people make decisions that affect the rest of us.
145
What a great read. And while I usually just skim drawings that accompany such a piece, I found myself enjoying how all those splendid characters were juxtaposed in the sketch. Oh, what messy times we live in....
42
It occurred to me that the drawings would make fabulous jigsaw puzzles.
26
all times are messy - but this may be the end of all times as messy as they are.
messiest ever - may be the end of times!
I can't help but wonder how this guy (Trump) ever ran a successful business. Maybe he didn't.
287
Definitely he didn't. Good read on that: "Trump's business career is a long, long list of bankruptcies, defaults and deceptions."
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/08/12/donald-trumps-business-failures-elect...
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/08/12/donald-trumps-business-failures-elect...
9
Maybe not initially, but money laundering for Putin and his cronies appears to have been very lucrative
4
The serial bankruptcies offer a clue
1
What's the saying; '' Greater than the sum of its parts ... '' Indeed.
I enjoyed the read. It was interesting to read about the inside game going on. I don't have a say one way or the other ( I didn't vote for or like ( across the board ) what this administration is doing.
Having said that I do have but one observation. ( of value I am not sure )
The 8 years of the last administration was essentially one of defense. The spokespeople ( one after another ) were on constant defense. ( not from the press, but rather the press repeating ad-nauseum such fabrications and exaggerations from detractors ) The ''story'' always seemed to be a characterization of the reaction to questions.
Now, the press ( MSM ) is being shut out for all intents and purposes and the story seems to be a daily reaction of them being so.
I find it fascinating how they are reacting. ( completely corrosive and damaging to the country\world\4th estate ) but nonetheless ...fascinating.
I enjoyed the read. It was interesting to read about the inside game going on. I don't have a say one way or the other ( I didn't vote for or like ( across the board ) what this administration is doing.
Having said that I do have but one observation. ( of value I am not sure )
The 8 years of the last administration was essentially one of defense. The spokespeople ( one after another ) were on constant defense. ( not from the press, but rather the press repeating ad-nauseum such fabrications and exaggerations from detractors ) The ''story'' always seemed to be a characterization of the reaction to questions.
Now, the press ( MSM ) is being shut out for all intents and purposes and the story seems to be a daily reaction of them being so.
I find it fascinating how they are reacting. ( completely corrosive and damaging to the country\world\4th estate ) but nonetheless ...fascinating.
25
Mr. Rooney, politics is woking. It may not be doing what you want it to do, but it is working.
6
I have an intense dislike for Sean Spicer and his role in obfuscating Trump's misdeeds and promoting Trump's ever-shifting (but always awful) agenda. That stated, what's the point in chiding him for putting on make-up prior to going to a television interview?
Cheap shots like that weaken an otherwise powerful piece. The pertinent facts are plenty damning enough without resorting to such taunts.
Cheap shots like that weaken an otherwise powerful piece. The pertinent facts are plenty damning enough without resorting to such taunts.
51
The makeup note is an interesting litmus, isn't it? Had it made the final edit at all, it would have been a lost detail if Spicer hadn't called attention to it. Though I read those sentences as an example of Spicer's (and Trump's) bizarre, overwrought persecution complex, you read it as an unfair critique of some sort. What would that critique be, exactly? Spicer is indeed a frazzled fun-house mirror determined to convince you that he is still in control. His response is more revealing than his concealer.
11
I don't believe Leibovich was chiding Spicer for applying make-up, nor did he intend it as a "cheap shot." It's an anecdote of an administration obsessed with TV and media appearances, coming just after a scene in which the president is portrayed reading newspapers and watching cable news.
Further, the passage you refer to demonstrates how deeply suspicious this administration is regarding their press coverage. They believe reporters are looking to do a hit-job on them at all times. The press is their enemy.
The passage you cite actually made me feel bad for Spicer, in how paranoid he's become.
Further, the passage you refer to demonstrates how deeply suspicious this administration is regarding their press coverage. They believe reporters are looking to do a hit-job on them at all times. The press is their enemy.
The passage you cite actually made me feel bad for Spicer, in how paranoid he's become.
20
I didn't see it as "chiding him". It the kind of true detail that displays alert penmanship.
tommcM
tommcM
7
After getting lost in the swamp, it’s very hard to get the smell off. Even if we reformed this mess (unlikely), the stench will last a long time. At the moment, the muck keeps getting deeper.
The Koch brothers and other fossil-fueled monsters run their leaky pipelines into the cesspool, pouring bad money into an awful system of electoral disenfranchisement.
The people’s business? When is that ever discussed or even considered? It’s all a bad costume melodrama with expensive, modern dress—but no one really smells the place anymore. You have to get a few breaths of fresh air to catch the reek of the place.
The Koch brothers and other fossil-fueled monsters run their leaky pipelines into the cesspool, pouring bad money into an awful system of electoral disenfranchisement.
The people’s business? When is that ever discussed or even considered? It’s all a bad costume melodrama with expensive, modern dress—but no one really smells the place anymore. You have to get a few breaths of fresh air to catch the reek of the place.
98
I sometimes wonder what George Orwell would think about The Swamp today. He understood how authority and democracy clashed. He understood how people could be lied to and eventually accept lies as truth. We have never been closer to Animal Farm and 1984 than now. Mainstream media is disparaged as "fake news". Presidential prevarications become the new normal. Entertainment has replaced leadership. Political courage is considered risky behavior. This guy is going to get us killed.
274
Wow. Thank you. Thank you for humanizing people and showing me something besides vitriol and rhetoric in them.
21
One of the most well written and sincere articles I have read in quite a while. Makes everyone involved seem human and real, and is concise / succinct.
50
Yes, Netfu, the piece was indeed well written & sincere, which are two of Liebovich's specialties. Another specialty is to pretend that since we're all corrupt--he almost boasts of his own deep immersion in the swamp--we should also pretend that the politicians & parsites who inhabit Washington and damage us at will--any second now, 23 million people are going to lose their health insurance--are at bottom, humans just like you & me. Right.
In the middle and late 1930s, American & British publications would regularly print articles that earnestly explained that Mussolini took his kids on picnics, and Hirohito planted roses, and Franco bred stallions and Goebbels wrote poetry in his spare time. Mussolini and Hirohito and Franco and Goebbels--they, too, were humans just like you & me. This is the mirror image of that kind of article. It was crap then, and it's crap now.
In the middle and late 1930s, American & British publications would regularly print articles that earnestly explained that Mussolini took his kids on picnics, and Hirohito planted roses, and Franco bred stallions and Goebbels wrote poetry in his spare time. Mussolini and Hirohito and Franco and Goebbels--they, too, were humans just like you & me. This is the mirror image of that kind of article. It was crap then, and it's crap now.
6
and money grab. He claims that he asked thug Putin if he interfered and Putin said no. What idiocy. If you ask hundred times the answer will still be NYET.