He is a hero to those who have been disappointed in life---folks looking for a guy who will take on the forces that have "caused" their unhappiness and frustration It's unfortunate that these people can't stop, take stock of their situation, and assume some personal responsibility in improving it.
2
Working class voter whom has benefited greatly from the retraction of the ACA insurance penalty and tax reform. Roughly $20k extra used to pay off strident loan debt and our mortgage. Will gladly vote for President Trump this election cycle not because of his professionalism or public speaking but for the taxation and libertarian issues.
5
@Nature Voter
If you saved that much, you are probably a business owner or management, in which case you are voting for the right party.
We saved about $30,000 on our taxes with the Trump tax cuts despite living in a high tax state and taking deductions for state and local income taxes and mortgage deductions before. Pretty sure you need to be in management or the owner of a sizable business. Both true.
3
@Nature Voter
The ACA penalty was small, never fully implemented, and never actually enforced. And even if you were right, consider what you're saying: freeing up the Obamacare penalty so you can pay off vulture student loans and hoping you never get sick, since you're uninsured.
Enhancing bank and ER profits every day! Now that's a program we can get behind.
Note also that true "working class" voters pay little or nothing for for Obamacare -- Federal subsidies cover most or all of the cost, including deductibles and co-pays. There's a lot to criticize Obamacare, but not from point of view.
6
@ Nature Voter: “Nature Voter? Voting for Trump? The man has never spent a day in nature in his life. He appoints corporate shills to oversee the EPA and the Interior Department. He does nothing to address the climate crisis. Your handle lies just like the sad excuse for a human being you support.
18
But reality is not the point for Trump and his supporters. It is the perception of reality. Trump voters more or less believe that a border wall is really being built, that manufacturing jobs are returning to the U.S. and that he has made significant accomplishments overseas with North Korea, Iran and China. Democrats can only sigh and say it isn't true and that probably won't be enough to win a presidential election.
91
@James haynes
Don't forget one of the most important beliefs of Trump Supporters: The minorities that they, for some reason, blame for their own life-failures, are being treated horrendously at the hands of our government. I guess that's one of the very few promises made, promises kept, and sadly, it seems to be a major motivator for Trump's fans.
16
“Reality is not the point.” Should be NYT pick.
10
@james haynes
And maybe, just maybe, if we Democrats had spent more time talking about economic issues and less about identity politics over the last few decades, we wouldn't be in this boat.
Of course that assumes that a typical Democratic pol would be willing to get off the corporate tit and is substantially less corrupt and self-interested than a typical Republican.
2
As part of the white working class, if anything Trump has cost me money. So far his tariffs have cost me quite a bit of money this year. As part of the recovery costs from Hurricane Irma, I had to build a new shed. The price went up $200 for the steel panels I needed for siding. The price for two hurricane impact doors I priced last autumn have gone up $400 because the impact glass is made in China. The price of the wood I need to cross fence a paddock has also gone up 20%, adding an additional $50 to the cost. You see the lumber comes from Canada. I also hold a part time job, and I can no longer write off mu union dues, or the tools my boss expects me to have to do my job.
Will I vote for him in 2020 - No. As far as I'm concerned he hasn't been able to deliver on anything.
103
@Joan Puma
Thanks Joan. I can forgive anyone once for voting for Trump. There was a lot wrong with this country before this administration, and going back to the pre-Trump status quo isn't really an answer; heck, it won't even undo the damage done so far. Both parties front-runners are essentially Republicans. They dont have the economic interests of most Americans in mind. One is grifter capitalism, the other, standard privatization neo-liberalism. As another person mentioned here, it's really just both parties appealing to their base's cultural obsessions, and getting by on that, meanwhile, handing off most of the benefits of the economy to the 1-5% at the top. This can't continue for very long before everyone is literally up in arms.
The important part here, and the Democrats dismiss it at their peril, is that there ARE redeemable Trump voters. Maybe some are lost, or glodforbid, deplorable, but it never helps to paint any group with such a broad brush. I for one will welcome anyone back. There were many reasons to reject Hillary Clinton, because we already needed massive change. But if you wanted change, and voted for Obama, you were likely disappointed. He was essentially backing the existing system. So you might have thought it was time to "drain the swamp" - but you probably should have understood the reality of Trump, rather than the media manufactured image. He is a crook. A phony. And a lying scoundrel. He could never help this country. Only him and his cronies.
7
@Joan Puma
Please, please, please tell this story to all your neighbors. All of them.
And please encourage them to consult reality rather than Fox News.
6
@Joan Puma
Did you vote for him in 2016?
The voters identified in Martin and Haberman's article continue to vote against their own best interests. This isn't about the Democrats not being attentive to their needs. This is about people who have made a Faustian bargain by selling their souls for a party aligning with their cultural prejudices. Families all across Germany in the early 1930s had some of the same discussions that are going on today at dinner tables...do we really want to be a part of today's Republican party? The question is will the rest of the voting population let these voters run our democracy off of a cliff or will they show up on election day. Let's hope it is the latter.
157
@Randy
Ignorance + gullibility + fear = voters highly susceptible to the propaganda, disinformation, race-baiting, xenophobia, etc. peddled so effectively by today's Republican party on behalf of their oligarch patrons.
That's not going to change anytime soon.
29
@Randy
The comparison you make is un-original, tired, flawed as all get out, and (worst of all) non-egalitarian. Besides, nobody has discussions at the dinner table anymore since Mom doesn't cook.
1
@Randy
We do not get to define another's interests. When the paternalism, condescension and outright insults stop then the voters may listen. Until then it is best to listen to what the voters say and not what we think.
What would happen if Trump "married his brand of cultural populism to economic populism"? He would be a great president, championing the good parts of the agendas of both parties while jettisoning the awful parts, and deservedly win re-election in a landslide. America would prosper and the leftist culture loonies shattered and sent into the electoral wilderness for decades.
That he didn't, that he's a total fake, is the ultimate betrayal and disappointment. Trump is like a Trojan Horse for global populism. He has ruined the brand and damaged the cause in every country on Earth. People look at what's happening in America and think: Better not vote for our populists if this is what happens.
Surprise, surprise: Trump is a salesman. A salesman's job is to sell the product, not deliver it—let alone honor a warranty.
Really!: He brought no political experience into the Oval Office. He brought interest in branding. Indeed, that's why he ran for president. (He didn't intend to win. Now, he wings it, in a most pandering way.)
He runs the presidency the way a salesman would run a marketing firm. Just consider any national ad campaign: Associating deadly medicines with happy people playing with family; pointless power in cars, associated with sexy class.
Dollar Store humanity loves cheap entertainment. The salesman CAN deliver that.
3
"His rhetorical appeals to white working-class voters have not been matched by legislative accomplishments aimed at their economic interests."
Because it's NOT the economy, stupid. When are commentators and analysts going to recognize the issue is race?
White working-class voters support Trump because they're voting their racial identity interests as whites, not their economic interests as working class. They don't care what he actually delivers economically.
People who want to see the best in others can't grasp this.
12
Love the picture of Trump supporters!
It's like a "Where's Waldo" for people of color.
4
Trump knows that he can fool some of the people all of the time.
5
I am so tired of being a serf in this Capitalism- cloaked fuedalism.
1
trump is just the largest chunk in a cesspool of nationalism, racism and bigotry that's been percolating since "the war of northern agression" waiting for this moment. i fear that we are in for a long period of unrest and ugliness until us "others" (other than white white white) can regain a foothold in local, state and federal government. until then, we have to join together, "keep the powder dry" and fight the good fight.
5
And this is exactly what needs to be pointed out to those white working-class supporters—
IF they can understand it, and will understand it, and not fall back on the Trump trope of "fake news".
2
I could see some middle-class Obama-to-Trump voters, as well as voters from swing states, come to realize that Trump's done nothing to materially improve their economic situation and subsequently vote for another candidate.
However, I believe a large chunk of Trump supporters will remain loyal and vote for him again without hesitation. Trump's greatest accomplishment, quite a significant one, I might add, is his ability to transform himself into a cult leader rather than being just another politician who people sour on. As he aptly put it, he can shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose one supporter. Better yet, he can make a racist remarks about a congresswoman, who was elected by the majority of her constituents, and watch his approval rating increase.
8
@cb Trump keeps these voters on a short leash with his immigration diatribes. Don't expect change.
2
You mean it could have been worse? Most of us hadn’t thought about that, as we are still reeling from our ‘so-called’ president’s tweets denying the minority Congresswomen free speech, while at the same time telling us what great guys Flynn, Manafort, etc. supposedly are and he was supposed to ‘drain the swamp’. He’s turned Washington into a cess pool for corruption and criminal behavior, with pardons for those who are fans of his after doing the most despicable deeds (Sorry Epstein, you crossed some line of his but I would bet it had nothing to do with morals.). SO, basically what you are saying is our country folk may have been more persuaded to ignore this man’s contempt for God’s laws, man’s laws and the rule of law he took a vow to uphold, if he had simply fixed their roads and done anything for them versus his billionaire cronies that got ‘welfare’ on our tax dollar they didn’t qualify for or need? I’m not sure this news is very encouraging. How low can we go? Justice must be served. The day of reckoning will come.
5
Someone always says "Republicans always get conned into voting against their self-interests!" This is wrong. This facile and condescending statement presumes that Republicans ONLY care about their paychecks. In fact, Republicans care about a whole lot of things: loyalty to the all-powerful gang (I mean, party) leader, imposing conservative values through the courts, immigration, abortion, federal overreach, gun rights, voter suppression, etc. Aren't those "interests"? Now, the claim about wealth is partly true because trickle-down economics has been proven a crock: the inflation-adjusted median wage in 1979 was roughly the same as now. And Trump promised more than he delivered, which is the point of this article. But please remember that there are many interests, and many reasons why people vote as they do.
10
There's no reason to build your "brand," as was Trump's intention with the 2016 campaign, with the working class. They're not going to stay at Trump properties in Moscow or Panama or Washington or play golf at any of his resorts. Nope. Trump is all 1 percenter and corporate all the time.
3
To quote the late, great HL Mencken: "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American People"
2
If Trump's supporters in the white working class had any brains whatsoever they would realize that Trump has basically done nothing for them, that his promises of good paying jobs and healthcare, for example, has not materialized. His trade war, supposedly to level the playing field and bring jobs back to the US, for the most part, seems to be pushing jobs from China to Vietnam and other low cost providers. For all his claims of saving jobs , keeping them from moving, what we see is 2000 jobs lost at an Ohio car plant, replaced by a fly by night electric truck company that likely won't employ many local people at all. Carrier said the jobs were staying, in the last year 1500 went to Mexico. Trump.
And of course, the obvious, the income and wealth of the top .5% is growing double digits, and working class people have seen little gains, they basically at best are breaking even with inflation.
Which comes back to the reality, Trumps populism is in firing up their anger, and more importantly, is based in "Make America White Again", he isn't promising a brighter future, he is promising a return to the past, he is telling them he is going to recreate Mayberry RFD where everyone is white, all the good little people go to church on Sunday and everything was just hunky dorry..and his base is dumb enough to believe it.
3
I keep hearing "populist" and I keep reading about a Plutocrat. The dictionary definition of "populist" is 180 degrees away from Trump's behavior.
Trump provides laws with profits to his industrial contributors and then lies to the voters while throwing them red meat to get riled up over.
The best example is the "middle class tax cut." It was for Trump, the rich, and big industry, not the middle class. But they even lied about how it would "pay for itself". No qualified economist can point to an example of where, in the US, big tax cuts meant anything but big deficits. Reagan even had to rescind some of his cuts because of the massive deficits.
We need to be utterly honest. They lied! They knew tax cuts wouldn't pay for themselves. Then the loathsome alligators in the swamp voted for it. And now we have huge deficits, which are just fine because Obama didn't cause them. Then they would have been despicable.
Republican leaders are not Populists, they're Plutocrats and liars.
7
Trump cannot discuss legislative agendas because he doesn't know what they are. He is incapable of making an informed decision because he simply doesn't inform himself. I don't for one minute believe his supporters give two hoots about anything other than sticking it to anyone of color.
4
Yes, Trump relies on populist language, but he relies much more on the language of white supremacy. Yes, he does mostly side with corporate interests and the interests of very rich conservative donors. Moreover, Trump and his Republicans are pushing the notion that all of the following are a single thing: the USA, himself, the Republicans, white conservatives, conservative Christians. Love it or leave it--or else. That's why we must conclude that he is a textbook demagogue, with textbook fascist aims.
3
Trump relies on fascist, not populist, language. Understatement is just as inaccurate as overstatement.
2
But the sad thing is that, working class white people have no idea they’re being deceived by this con man. They really believe he is on their side and is going to make America great again for them. Fox and friends, rush Limbaugh, and other horrible media is brain washing them 24/7, and they will keep Trump in the White House one more term. In the meantime, trump and his administration and cohorts are getting richer by the day. I’m sure, behind the scene, they belittle the people who trusted and voted him in. They will wake up when it is too late.
Just look at the people that go to Trump rallies. As long as they're entertained they don't care that Trump is a con man. Watch the film "A Face In The Crowd." The people in that film were entertained too until a "hot mic" episode exposed their "everyman" hero Lonesome Rhodes.
2
It has been a con all along... Trump tells his followers what they want to hear while padding his interests and corporations seeding it with racist innuendo to cover his tracks.
1
If no one has noticed so far, Trump's a flimflam man. He throws red meat to his followers who believe he acts in their interest when in fact all along he's been working for the one percent and especially the fossil fuel corporations. The damaging he is doing to the environment and to every aspect of American life is incalculable. Like the Wizard of Oz he needs to be exposed. He's a flunky and a weakling and his only principle is "me and my pals."
2
Democrat's policies have made it apparent that they approve health care for illegals and open borders. Anyone voting for them is voting against their self interests as well.
While it's nice to have the Times flesh out the details in this article, the headline might as well read: "Sun Rises in East Again".
It's the same old "bait and switch" con - this time delivered by a world-class con man. Sell the sizzle, not the steak. The GOP has been pulling this same shop-worn con on ill-informed and fearful working-class whites for the last forty years.
And the rubes still fall for it. Every. Single. Time.
For anyone who has not yet read Thomas Frank's seminal 2004 book "What's the Matter with Kansas?" - it's still by far (IMHO) the best book on this subject (and still spell-binding in it's vivid and granular descriptions of how the con is played by the GOP).
And it's just as timely as the day it was published. Nothing has changed, nothing at all.
2
Get Pelosi off her duff and impeach this clown. Get his taxes, tomorrow, that’s where the skeletons are.
Wait, you mean that Trump says one thing and does another?
Surprise, surprise, surprise.
I think that we have the perfect phrase for this in America:
"Trump is a bald-faced liar. Period."
8
The one thing that Trump and McConnell have in common is the absolute disdain they hold for the people who elected them. Their philosophy is "Knowing what they know, anyone not in the 1% who's still foolish enough to vote for me deserves whatever they get." I really could not agree more, except, it's to the detriment of anyone else with an ounce of sense. Trump however, seems to take special pleasure in exposing his supporters as rubes and rubbing their noses in it, not that they would ever know it. When he takes away their healthcare, stiffs them on infrastructure, and touts the rising market, in which virtually none of them own stocks, and they cheer exultantly, he must be chuckling to himself at their monumental boneheadedness. Even Deutsche Bank wasn't that dumb.
1
.
Exactly --
Trump the charlatan --
a politically ignorant political charlatan &
demagog bred on reality-show TV
.
2
“There’s a sucker born every minute.”
Someday, they’ll be comparing this president with P.T. Barnum.
3
Duh....worst Administration ever for them.
1
“'If he were to pick and choose some of the House Democrats’ bills and embrace them, it would cross-pressure voters and make it a tougher sell for us that this guy is anti-worker,' said Steve Rosenthal, a longtime strategist in the labor movement."
Perhaps, but then Trump would be identified as someone who is "playing" Republican. Which, of course, he has.
3
Trump's greatest achievement has been bamboozling millions of Americans, who still seem to have no clue about the nation's state of affairs (not to mention Trump's affairs!). I must ask myself this question on a daily basis, why do his supporters still back him despite the very obvious lack of true, populist policies? Health care is still a mess, college costs are still outrageous and rising faster than inflation, child care is prohibitively expensive for many families, housing costs are rising beyond affordability in many MSA's, wages have not caught up with where they should be, the infrastructure needs investment, on and on. True economic power still lies with corporations and the wealthy, and America continues to move to the right, the primary economic/political trend since 1980.
12
@JS
The while evangelicals are the worst. Deplorable.
@JS ANSWER : because they think he is "owning the libs"
2
Unsurprising. It's packaged attractively as getting government out of people's lives by undoing all regulations. That becomes even more attractive when it's undoing something Obama put in place. I know this predates Sarah Palin, but her time in the spotlight seemed to bring a big rise in willful defiance at any cost. The Trump base will side with anything, even if they suffer, as long as "liberal heads explode."
Trump knows almost nothing about anything, but he can sure spot a rube from a mile away. Maybe his only gift.
13
It would be ok that the populace wasn’t as well informed if we had honest people who cared about the country being elected.
Most of our elected “representatives” are taking advantage of people’s ignorance and prejudices, and more than willing to do what is necessary to feather their own nests at the expense of the country.
8
@Grove @Grove not "most", half. Specifically the ones with the "R" after their name.
2
Democrat candidate to propose stock market losses incurred by anyone making less than $100K will be made whole through tax rebate.
2
@Clarity007.... why not? The Republicans did it for those making over $300,000 a year and those who don’t work but only invest money.
1
@clarity007
Well, that would be fitting, given that Republicans have been making good when the rich mung the economy, bailing out banks and financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and AIG to the tune of more than a trillion dollars, while their executives continued to make huge bonuses. The GOP loves to privatize profits and socialize loses, which for the rest of us is heads I win, tails you lose.
1
Now there’s a shocker. His followers could care less- another news flash.
10
That's the irony with Trump, his fellow Republicans, and their middle and lower middle class voters. People vote against their best interests to enable their fear of non-white America. Hate and fear move mountains.
16
@Dan Barthel
How to explain the 30% Latino vote for Trump? But stick with delusion. It will get you through 2024.
@Alice's Restaurant I read that as a 70% vote for Clinton.
1
@Alice's Restaurant Fact check?? Please provide source.
They are like the tragic character Boxer in George’s Animal Farm - hardworking, loyal but naive and ignorant, and was sold to the slaughter house after he was of no use. Being loyal to politicians or a political party is among the stupidest concepts. Voters have nothing to gain by being loyal to any politicians or parties.
11
@boris johnson Claiming that "both parties are the same" is the logical fallacy of false equivalence.
1
@boris johnson
He trashes his own hires. I wonder what makes them think they're exempt?
2
So long as Democrats rise to the racist/sexist bait, POTUS will get another term. The Democrats need to learn to turn everything POTUS does or says (no matter how outrageous) into a narrative about crooked republicans lining their pockets against the interests of working people. Maybe the left and centre of the Democratic party need to "parly" and agree on such a strategy , aim it at both the White house and the SENATE seats up for reelection and park the details of reform until they are actually in the majority.
8
@On Therideauj
Problem is there is no Centre.
Pay no attention to that little man with the money bags behind the curtain.
7
The Republican Party has demonstrated that playing the race card is the easiest, most efficient way to focus American workers on issues that are not in their best interests, economically or socially, and the best way to distract workers from their declining or stagnant wages, benefits and political influence.
But, then again, Americans, sometimes a majority, have been voting against their best interests for almost 50 years now.
Trump is the just the latest, and most viral, extension and expression of the Republican Party’s modus operandi...
7
Bingo! This accounts for his complete silence on getting the money out of politics - saying nothing about overturning the 2010 SCOTUS ruling misnamed "Citizens United" (AKA corporate person hood and money as free speech. To the disbelief of his cult, Trump is the corporate deep state. This is why there is no health care, no infrastructure, no education - no anything that benefits the public and common good. Only hate to divide the public and provide a screen to hide all his special deals - with the exception of their biggest tax break in history which is a bust for the working person. Why he needs to go!
10
New Yorkers had this man's number decades ago. Trump was all about developing high end properties, casinos and luxury brands. There was not a scintilla of evidence that he ever cared for the middle class. Trump is a charlatan masquerading as a man of the people. The sooner the rest of the country catches on, the quicker we will be rid of this pox on our country.
10
@Robert Stein
Alas, you can fool some of the people all of the time.
2
@Robert Stein
Not only that -- but we tried to warn America about him.
They didn't listen,
2
As long as he convinces his base that he will deny benefits to free-loading “ungrateful minorities” they will still vote for him.
8
This is nothing new, Trump is just the most blatant example. If everyone voted in their own economic self interest (assuming they understand what that means) no Republican would ever be elected.
9
Wait... Hold on... so you are telling me that Trump is conning people? Can't be - he has no history of stiffing working people and small businesses at his companies, or using undocumented labor, or ripping off investors.
8
Anyone reading, watching, or listening to the news this week knows that the single most important issue in the entire world is ... the four non-white, female, duly elected citizens who, as Congresswomen, constitute "The Squad." And clearly, Donald Trump is obsessed with and terrified of these women. He cannot stop talking about them! Even on his way to "pay his respects" to the late, great Supreme Court Justice J.P. Stevens, Trump has to whine, complain, and indulge in his petty name-calling. Those women have taken up residence in his head; yes, they are his nightmare. Watch him cry. Pathetic.
5
One of the most shamful aspects of Donald Trump's scamming of the poor and working class is the fact that he basically forgot about them as soon as he got their votes.
Whether it's the heinous new G.O.P. tax plan hat rewards corporations and the wealthy or his unrelenting attempts to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act that would leave MILLIONS of Americans without any coverage, this president has done nothing to help the fates of those whom he said he'd represent.
They need to wake up.
9
This is exactly why corporate America "enables" Trump. There is no ethic left in what passes today for capitalist ideology. The ultimate justification for any economic theory is how well it serves the society which embraces. Today it serves a tiny percentage of society's, (ultimately the corporate world's) super wealthy. The proponents of capitalist ideology once had a case to make - sort of. Now it is self-serving jargon designed to manipulate the populace. We have seen the corrupt bargain now made by our corporate leadership (for the most part) with Trump. It is not unlike a similar corrupt bargain mde in the 1930s by another capitalist elite with another demagogue.
6
Within a few months of taking office Trump’s acts were all in service of plutocrats or theocrats, while he had done nothing at all related to his populist demagoguery except vilify immigrants, Muslims, Latinos, Africa Americans, and every friendly country and ally except Israel. He even praised anti-Semitic white nationalists. The only populist preferences he served was maliciousness towards people who they mistrusted.
4
Yes. Trump lies to his supporters, and tot he whole country, on a daily basis. Stop tiptoeing around it.
4
For Trump and GOP voters; they care for white America; they care for all others to work under them; they want America like it was in 50s..
None of that is possible but that is what they're are voting for..
8
Trump is a con-man, of course he knows how to "Bait and Switch."
5
Can someone please explain trump's corporatism to his masses of poorly informed followers who believe exactly the opposite??? And soon please!!
8
This isn't news.
4
OF COURSE! He's no Populist - he's a CON MAN. The only "people" he knows are ones like him - those of very questionable character with self-interest primary and little if any contact with the real world.
How can so many Americans be so stupid and not see the forest for the trees? Trump NEVER had any intention of being a President, only a Mob Boss and ripping off America.
Don't you wonder why really good people run in the opposite direction? This is not the Obama Administration which had real patriots and public servants working for ALL Americans. No one is perfect, but THEY had everyone's well-being in mind and were corrupted by purely partisan Republicans who saw a path to power through a criminal depot.
9
Can you please translate this article into trump-talk and send it Fox News?
8
Dear NYT:
May I propose another angle for this story entirely that better fits reality?
History will record last week as a moment when Democrats and their media allies explicitly played the "race card" in their incessant attacks on President Trump.
Their apparent intent, in view of the upcoming presidential election, was to divert the public's attention away from the booming economy, rising wages (especially for low skill minority workers), greater freedom to pursue school or new jobs, lower taxes and bigger 401-ks.
Rather than playing identity politics and making specific "victim" appeals to different races and genders, President Trump took a "color blind" approach to boosting economic output, which along with dramatic tax cuts, also includes the use of tariffs to protect US jobs, targeted assistance to manufacturing, farms and other sectors, and targeted economic development in poorer urban areas.
For Democrats most eager to see Mr. Trump defeated, such strong action and impressive success is very bad news, which is why they are happy to engage Trump as a "racist," Russian traitor, Nazi concentration camp warden, or whatever other rhetorical food fight piques their intersectional interest on a given day.
Recent polling shows Trump's approval rating at or nearly at the highest mark in his presidency. Democrats are beginning to panic at their own weak field, far left policies and the bitter infighting that is represented in Nancy v. the "squad."
2
@Jorge - Ladies and gentleman, the poster child for the poorly educated voter Trump loves so much.
1
@Jorge hilarious, meaningless spin. Trump's "highest mark" of approval rating is STILL historically low compared to each and every modern POTUS, while his DISAPPROVAL ratings are highest in history.
2
@DR Remember we are the deplorable’s after all.
1
"His rhetorical appeals to white working-class voters have not been matched by legislative accomplishments aimed at their economic interests."
If Democrats were smart, they would make one point over and over: his economic promises haven't been kept.
Racial attacks that make his supporters feel superior to people of color might make them feel good, but won't put bread on the table.
Every member of Trump's cabinet puts the interests of big corporations and private companies, ahead of the needs of middle and lower class Americans Betsy DeVos's push to help privately run charter schools at the expense of public schools; an EPA and Labor Department hell bent on worsening air quality and rolling back worker protections; private health insurers that offer no-coverage insurance for exhorbitant prices; and the coddling of drug companies instead of forcing them to bid for government contracts.
Democrats are passing worker-friendly laws while the GOP does nothing to help Trump's base. These points should be driven home over and over through November, 2020.
5
No kidding, Captain Obvious!
This would be a far more useful article if it was published in the NY Post.
3
Classic bait and switch. Populism is hot stinky and smokey air to disguise kleptocrats.
4
I look at the picture of the Black female with the blue collar (two inches from the camera) and she looks like the proverbial fish out of water. I must wonder what flavor kool-aid she was offered before allowing herself to be placed as a prop?
3
On top of Trump giving his working class supporters nothing, they are such fools they give him campaign contributions and buy his merchandise. Oh wait, I forgot, he gives them racism. It must mean so much to them.
3
What a surprise!
2
Is anybody surprised? Republicans have been scamming the white working class since the 1950s with one form of bigotry or another and using their votes to represent the interests of the economic elite. This is a time honored pattern. The only major difference is that Trump matches the rhetoric of his base, and most Republican before him were too classy to do that.
33
"Trump Relies on Populist Language, but He Mostly Sides With Corporate Interests..."
E-v-e-r-y-o-n-e- knows this- except the "I love the uneducated" people who support him. Even if it's pointed out to them; won't matter. They'll think it's a good thing because the "rich" and "business" knows best.
Far-to-often, poor and uneducated people believe they don't deserve better and the benevolent rich (ala Trickle-down) will ultimately help them.
The NYT continual preaching-to-the-choir isn't likely to get the message across. Democratic candidates need to start hammering these facts to everyone- every opportunity. Democrats must turn the tables like Saint Ronnie. Instead of "Are you better off..." It must be; "Did the tax cut lift your boat?" "Has Trump's new & better health plan helped you?" "Did Coal come back home."
People cannot hear a message not stated.
26
@Candlewick
Ask Trump voters, and they will tell you, Trump is a liar. They know Trump has thrown everyone (not family) under the bus at his whim. They know Trump U was a scam, and he has constantly cheated his employees. They know he employs illegals at his own properties.
But, they totally trust Trump to do right by them.
Hard to beat that.
2
@Candlewick'low information voters' were his words i believe
1
It was ‘I love the poorly educated’
1
When the economy crashes again because Trump drove up the deficit and destroyed our place in international trade, Trump will be long gone and there will be a Democrat for FoxNews to blame for our plight. Just as we had the Tea Party Repubicans (formerly George W supporters, rebranded) shortly after George W. left office -who were angry, angry about the economy and looking for a Democrat to blame.
18
If cable news ran more stories like this and less stories on "The Squad" and opinions of x-random person, people may actually realize how much Trump is hurting them.
17
So, the White House, meaning Daffy Donny, and his roadies, are disappointed that Schumer and Pelosi will not negotiate.
Well, given that Trump rarely negotiates in good faith, then why waste time.
Trump has little interest in fulfilling his campaign promises-as long as he keeps blaming the Democrats for his inaction, it plays well with his adoring supporters.
8
"Its a question many Democrats still fret over: What would Mr. Trump’s prospects for re-election look like if he pressured Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, into passing bipartisan measures to spend billions of dollars on infrastructure, lower the cost of prescription drugs and increase the minimum wage". So here we have perfect example of MAGA Haberman giving trump advice right thru the pages of the NY Times? And I we all thought Judith Miller was old news.
3
Trump's bread-and-circus is mostly circus.
Once his base has served their electoral purpose,
why would he care if they starve?
14
.
@C. Whiting,
.
Literally, considering DT's campaign to gut food stamps
.
1
"...Mostly Sides With Corporate Interests"
That describes every president for as long as I can remember, and it describes each and every member of congress, with the exception of "the Squad" and Bernie Sanders.
I should also point out that it describes our media - even the liberal news outlets.
This is why we're in the mess we're in - the corporate agenda is antithetical to the needs of working people.
8
@Ed Watters,
What legislations have "the Squad" and Bernie Sanders passed into law that helps working people?
Wishes, hopes, attacking your counterparts and shouting out loud does not pass legislations that helps working people.
Talk to some working people and see what they think about some of "the Squad's" and Bernie's ideas.
They got a lot of work to do and angry interviews and attacking counterparts is not a winning strategy with voters.
@Listening to Others - You don't seen to listen to anything but fox news.
http://occasionalplanet.org/2016/03/04/a-list-of-bernie-sanders-accomplishments/
@Ed Watters
What also struck me were sources for the story. It mentioned McElvaney at the Milkin Global Summit, but not that the host was a fraudster, swindler, and cheat who is also a convicted felon; Newt the disgraced and disgraceful former Speaker of the House; the joke that is Rick Santorum. Wow, what sources!!!!!!
1
Southern Republicans have one expectation of government and that is to be left alone. They are quite content to be paid in lip service. Why do you think there was never a need for specifics on the President’s healthcare plan, deficit reduction, war in Afghanistan or defeat of Isis? Southern Republicans don’t care about governance, diplomacy or institutions. Rhetoric and a strong economy are all Trump needs, to keep Southern Republicans in his pocket.
6
@P. Auermann - Well yes, left alone until they need government funds.
4
There seem to be two common policy goals that do not play well together:
1) Government needs to address the problems of "illegal" labor and robots killing many (mostly lower-paying) jobs
2) We need to double the minimum wage
I am a bit confused by this.
Most pol pundits keep offering Trump critiques as a matter of logics (lack thereof) and how such outrages are out of the norms when it has nothing to do with neither one. In this period of economic expansion, the political discourse revolves around cultural rather than economic or political, in particular White grievances and anxiety brought about by the tectonic demographic shift and forces of globalism. Never mind that the so called "wall" will never be built (even with GOP control of all branches of the Federal gov for two years and conservative Court!), that coal and segregation will not be back in fashion. Trump base needs scapegoats to rationalize their fear of the rapid changes in this brave new world order. And in this alternate reality, however ephemeral, abortion and populist rhetoric trump future economic well being, betting the farms on an idealized bygone era that never was.
2
"His rhetorical appeals to white working-class voters have not been matched by legislative accomplishments aimed at their economic interests."
color me SHOCKED! That was the plan the ENTIRE time.
Sadly some of these supporters would rather sacrifice everything to a billionaire before they see the "others" benefit.
9
I think it’s insulting to accuse Trump supporters of voting against their own self interest. It’s saying we know what’s best for them. This is a simple case of the Democrats either having nothing to offer those voters or poorly communicating what they do have to offer. This isn’t rocket science.
1
@MWR Trump gave a huge tax break to the rich; workers got hundreds. Millions of working people have lost insurance. Tariffs increase the costs of goods working people buy. Mexico did not pay for the wall. Plenty of jobs available; all low pay. Prescription drugs cost more. N Korea has more Nukes. Democrats have things to help people; Trump just took away food stamps from 3 million people. Communicate to a Trump supporter? They call you snowflake and make fun of you.
4
@MWR - So you think it's best for people to have dirty air and water, no education or affordable health care, no consumer protections and no workplace safety? How exactly is that best?
4
@MWR No one is saying the Democrats have better ideas. And it is not insulting to say they vote against their interests. That part is fact. Those who voted for Trump believe he will do grand things for them. Most of those grand things have not borne fruit.
So, again they will vote for Trump, Trump will act for the corporations, and the voter gets little, just a few crumbs.
Now, say another candidate is better positioned to make good on those promises, but, Trump does not like the candidate, so, he will label the candidate in a way that voters will choose Trump knowing Trump will never make good on promises.
There, voting against their interests.
1
It's really too bad that the average working class Trump supporters are either too gullible or too indifferent to see this for what it is.
This is classic authoritarian politics in action. Stir up emotions in a base of voters and then direct that emotion as best suits those in power/influence/wealth.
5
"The president’s allies say that his talent is in scorching the opposition, and he is unlikely to deviate much from that task."
It's all politics and a game for Trump. No interest in trying to help the country, only himself. If he wins a 2nd term, I think he would immediately start campaigning again for a 3rd because he wouldn't know what else to do.
16
@Andy
But that is good for those who think the worst words ever are, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
Like people buying trump properties they've been CONNED by smoke, mirrors, "truthful hyperbole" aka LIES, and racism. Perhaps when they finally realize their pockets were picked by republicans and their LYING king they will switch sides. Maybe their health care won't run out in time. Although the deficit will increase by at least a trillion thanks to the corporate welfare/ billionaire tax cut by republicans.
16
@Howard Beale
They've fallen for the Republican lie since Reagan. Only funerals, that is to say time, will fix the mess these "patriots" continue to foist upon the rest of us.
4
@Howard Beale
Well, no.
Lots of people bought Trump properties to launder money. Drug money, Russian money, mob money, they got what they wanted.
Now that's full circle: Times reporters who routinely refer to the common consensus in other rich industrial democracies (state-funded college, single-payer, etc.) as "far left" in the U.,S., now worry that if Trump delivered on his 2016 pro-worker promises, it would sink Democrats in 2020.
Here's hoping the Times remembers as much the next time it's inclined to mock Bernie Sanders -- for pro-worker policies everyone else in the civilized world regards as necessary and uncontroversial.
10
@jrd
Sorry jrd.. but Bernie Sanders is no saint and has no monopoly on fairness and justice for Americans.
In fact.. Bernie has his own issues that need to be highlighted and contrasted under the bright lights of the primary season.
In some ways... Bernie is following the same tactics that Trump does... stir up emotions within a base of voters and then direct that energy against any target he does not agree with. This is authoritarian politics just as much as Trump is.
I like the core of Bernies theme messages, but I find his my way or the highway approach to policy to be just as dangerous as Trumps.
1
This has been obvious from the start. It is typical of a real estate developer or a used car salesman.
27
@Tibby Elgato
"Republic of California"? -- more Lenin's Bay Area Sovietized Union -- with Party Congress in Sacramento being led by Comrade Gavin advocating for his open-borders Grand Collective uber alles.
@Alice's Restaurant - California has the sixth largest economy in the world.
If it's so abhorrent to you, why aren't you moving to a red state utopia like Kansas?
@DR
Started surfing here as a young boy. Surf isn't affected by Gavin's Grand Collective. But give him time and it won't be just the red tide we'll have to worry about every so often.
His populist "Drain the Swamp!" rhetoric was invalidated five minutes after he named his first cabinet. It was filled almost entirely with corporate shills targeting consumer protections, worker rights, the environment, etc.
Trump's image adorns a brand of Russian asbestos. That tells you all you need to know.
22
@Steve Acho
No swamp. Cesspool. How wonderful to be qualified to br the King of that cesspool.
2
@Steve Acho
That's all true, but have you ever seen that fall 2008 memo between Citibank and John Podesta, released by wikileaks, where Citibank execs "vet" Obama's future cabinet -- and Citibank's "recommendations" are followed to the T? Yes, really: Citibank appointed the entire Obama cabinet. For the memo:
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-14/most-important-wikileak-how-wall-street-built-obama-cabinet
Alas, "corporate shills" applies to more than the Trump cabinet.
1
To all you disenfranchised people who feel the system has not worked for you (and it hasn't, to be sure), and feeling sick and tired of it all voted for Trump, prepare for what is to come. Getting elected president is his greatest con yet (of which he has many to choose from).
Continue to vote against your interests, at least you have your gun and abortion rights are being systematically taken away, and you can also pray a lot (you'll need to if things keep going the way they are).
I did not vote for Mr. Trump nor will I next year, but hey, my taxes went down (which I really didn't need and I'm nowhere close to being a one percenter). How is it working out for you?
13
Would someone please show this to the democratic
party candidates so they can find something to focus
on for more than 10 minutes, especially after trump
pulls his usual diversion stunts? People need to talk
about this over and over and over again by focusing
upon how this hurts middle class voters in their pocketbook
not the fact that the stench reeks of bad ethics and dubious legality.
6
@bl
Better for candidates to focus on firm democratic themes and policies and just ignore Trump and leave him to a band of surrogates to snipe at him endlessly.
Trump is a master at shooting himself in the foot in front of voters... so let him continue to do so.. while actual serious Democratic politicians actually campaign to govern.
2
This astounds me. It is more like cultish behaviour. He has conned them totally. He is destroying programs that help them yet they seem unaware. Medical bankruptcies are up yet they are not crying out for a proper healthcare system. If anything they have scorn for socialist systems of any sort. This hurts them deeply but they don't seem to mind unless it affects them directly. Then it makes them think. This is very sad. People wake up. You are being dragged down not up.
9
Trump has no interest in policy because he has no idea of what to do. Build infrastructure? No chance if it means raising the gas tax like many of the states are now doing. Show some type of national vision beyond tariffs? Not gonna happen.
Even Paul Ryan acknowledged that he knew nothing about government when he was elected. Since then, perhaps because he has been surrounding himself with lackeys and sycophants, he seems to have learned nothing while in office and, moreover, has no idea of how little he knows.
Think about what 4 more years of this will mean. I can’t without despairing.
12
Trump has effectively convinced his minions that the press is the enemy of the people. As a consequence the truth is not a factor in their collective beliefs. They only believe Trump's version of the truth.
9
And his base doesn't know and/or doesn't care. It speaks volumes of their ignorance and of Trump's willingness to use them for his greedy, self-serving ends. The Republican party doesn't care about the base either, having fallen into lockstep with Trump. This lot does not have the interest of our nation at heart. This lot doesn't have a heart.
8
In simpler terms, Fake45 is, so far, a successful crook and highly successful conman.
11
Only had time to read the headline, but I agree 100%. He has done nothing for the average person.
6
"The president’s allies say that his talent is in scorching the opposition ... " Indeed, and with help from folks like Mr. Barr.
Mr. Trump has been " ... repeating multiple false claims and offering a misleading characterization of the findings in Mueller’s 448-page report ... " "Myth: Mueller found 'no collusion.' Response: Mueller spent almost 200 pages describing “numerous links between the Russian government and the Trump Campaign ... Myth: Mueller found no obstruction. Response: Mueller found at least four acts by Trump in which all elements of the obstruction statute were satisfied ... " (TIME Magazine, 24June2019, These 11 Mueller Report Myths Just Won’t Die. Here’s Why They’re Wrong) Let's hope Mr. Mueller exposes all of Mr. Barr's and Mr. Trump's lies tomorrow.
8
Really? Addressing the border and illegal immigration, which removes the illegal workers from the system, and tackling China, to get jobs back to the US, is what will stick to the voters described in this text. They voted him in in the first place, and they have little reason not to do that again.
And besides, this is an arrogant piece which expects that an average voter studies economic plots and trends and reads fine print and explanations while in reality the big tickets I mentioned above are more than enough for them to make decisions.
As for corporate interest and tax cut for the rich, which exact administration was different in that regard? Those who have money are always winning, in every aspect of life, especially when it comes to tax cuts and investments. I hate it you hate it, but that's life. The Dems had 8 years of Saint Obama to reverse that and prove they indeed are party looking for simple folks. Remind me, what it was they achieved? Nothing. That's why we have Trump.
2
@ss How many net jobs have been repatriated from China?
How many billions of dollars from tariffs have been tendered from China?
How many miles of wall have been built, new wall that Trump envisioned?
How is that much-championed better health care plan working out?
And, the big promises-he would get the deficit under control and be too busy for golf.
Yup. Keep dreaming that Trump's actions are roses for the country.
10
@ss
Perhaps you are forgetting that our republican Congress was responsible for preventing Obama from passing legislation. We do have a congress which is responsible for our laws.
9
@ss
I'm not sure how closely you've looked at your big tickets but I suspect not all that much. Nor the results of Trump's other shake-ups. They sound so radical and bold. But he's swinging wildly at every pitch because he never understood the game. China shrinks its economy to protect itself and what happens. They trade elsewhere, our prices go up, and they dump what they own in American stocks and bonds. Despite the 2008-2016 Senate actively and vindictively trying to prevent Obama from achieving anything, he and the Democrats stabilized the country and trump benefitted from it. And you know it.
8
It is this, and not Trump's coarse and casual racism, or his outrageous crudeness, or his bad behavior, that will be his downfall. The Democrats would be well advised to make this the center of their message.
8
I had to laugh when I saw the headline for this article:
"Trump Relies on Populist Language, but He Mostly Sides With Corporate Interests"
Did the Times just notice this now? That's what all con men do. They promise one thing while doing the exact opposite.
11
Dr. Krugman recently wrote here, "(Trump's) latest foray into overt racism delights his base but repels everyone else." And this is precisely the reason why Trump will win a second term.
Of course Trump hasn't provided his voters any economic relief. No "beautiful health care program". And they haven't gotten their jobs back. And in some other democracy, or in some other time, this might hurt Trump's re-election bid. But we are no longer a democracy. We are in the throes of our first dictatorship, supported by a very large minority of vicious racist Americans.
Understand that a dictator does not need the support of a majority to hold power. A large, rabid minority will do just fine. And as long as Trump reflects their racism, his base will never leave him. Trump has shown that he may win the presidency with this large minority.
Trump voters won't care if we're in the throes of the next Depression come next November. They will gladly stand in soup lines for this man, as long as he tells them that as whites, they're the only "real" Americans. They'll go without health care, as long as he continues to tell them that brown-skinned Americans hate their country.
And so this analysis would be very persuasive in a democracy populated by a large majority of decent, thoughtful, caring people. But we are no longer that country. Trump voters love the ignorant, racist backwater our nation has turned into, and they will do whatever they can to keep Trump in power. Get ready.
32
The Don's supporters are enjoying the spotlight. The thoughts which they wouldn't express in years past are now presidential. As in ghost busters they have chosen the form of the destructor, it is the stay puft marshmallow man, who could ever think he could do them any harm.
4
Good analysis, thank you!
However, a crucial addition is needed: this is NOT unique to Trump, but is indicative of a political system that is not sensitive to what the public and working people really want on economic issues.
A landmark academic study by Princeton/Northwestern professors analyzed 1000s of proposed bills and the public's preferences and found that ONLY the preferences of the wealthy resulted in legislation actually being passed. What the average voter wanted had ZERO statistical effect. The study covered decades and both political parties.
Please do a search for this study and see for yourself. It's called: "Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens"
Obama, Bush Jr, Clinton, Bush Sr etc did not champion the working class in the legislation they passed. Yes, Clinton and Obama talked friendlier on the environment, labor, etc. But they deregulated Wall Street (Obama's so-called regulations were so weak and his OWN agencies actually weakened Dodd-Frank to the point of it being useless. Same with his signature environmental reform).
Thanks again for this!
13
I wonder who cares less about what eventually happens to Donald Trump's supporters? Me or Donald Trump?
17
Is threatening to wipe Afghanistan off the face of the earth part of the stable genius's corporate-interest strategy? Or is it just a homeland security sort of thing?
3
@Maridee "T" breaks everything he touches. I fear for the world.
5
Too funny!
Wages and incomes finally going up. Fact
Lowest black unemployment in history. Fact
Largest percentage women in workforce ever. Fact
Soaring stock market hits historic highs causing widows and firefighters pension funds to soar.
Yes all this peace and prosperity it just awful for middle class Americans
1
@William Rodham - Dirtier air and water, food, medication, workplaces less safe, medical care and education more expensive, fewer consumer protections. You may want to read a few more facts.
3
@William Rodham
Fact: A 3 per cent raise on minimum wages ain't much.
Fact: More black service industry jobs than ever - refer to first fact.
Fact: more double income households than ever. Because people have no choice.
Fact: total CEO compensation in this country exceeds the GDP of more than 30 different nations and stock market high mean nothing in West Virginia.
Fact: Nothing has been done to benefit the Middle class since 2016 except an increase in cable shows for binge-watching.
5
@William Rodham
Wages are going up because liberal states have enacted minimum wage increases.
Your conclusion about middle class Americans is just wrong. It is the lowest quarter of workers that have benefited. Not those benefiting from a soaring stock market.
Despite the Liar In Chief getting no major legislation done in the past three years his followers grow more and more rabid. I wonder what it will take to wake them up from realizing they support a real life caricature found in political cartoons. The "Christian Right" continue to support an unrepentant adulterer who has disdain for his neighbor and anyone else that doesn't look like him. Middle America swears he works for them despite a tax cut for the rich that has led to many of them pay more in taxes. The less fortunate in the country continue to be looked down on as moochers, and now with this cut to Food Stamps eligibility rules they stand to be even worse off than they were. Only the rich are winning and they make up about 10% of the country. When will we collectively wake up and see this self-interested, fraudulent, race-baiting liar for who he is? He turned the swamp into a cesspool. When will this end?
9
Ever consider that the “experts” deciding for the working class what is good for them is part of the problem? What they think are their main interests and what you think are their main interests may differ. People often see those who are following different values as stupid—assuming that the people marching to a different drummer, one that they can’t hear, are unable to march.
1
@KBronson - Interesting. So you don't think that affordable health care and education are important? Clean air and water isn't important? A safe workplace and a living wage isn't important? How are these things a matter of opinion?
6
@KBronson
Interesting. I was just thinking about Louisiana. I was thinking that La. had the second largest reserve of oil in the USA. I was thinking about the ecological devastation that is the state of La. And how the people are among the poorest in the USA.
Then I thought about Norway (where I worked for a while) and how their Sovereign Fund is stuffed with money, the people live very well, having healthcare, education, 4 weeks paid vacation for all workers by law, guaranteed minimum retirement. A lot of that funded by North Sea oil.
So my conclusion is that La. workers believed the oil companies when they said the workers would benefit, and the devastation to the land was just part of the price, and they made off with $Trillions. Good for the workers in Louisiana. Don't listen to the "experts". Make your own decisions. Only listen to the Corporate Experts, and totally censor the liberal ones. Those liberals cannot have anything good for yu.
What? No way! Trump couldn't possibly be a liar. He is an honest, very stable genius. Of course he helped the working class. He has destroyed the department of labor, the EPA, attempted to destroy the ACA, and gave tax breaks to millionaires blowing up the budget. Those things help the working class, right?
8
Imagine if this entirely accurate theme--set of facts from the real world--had formed the basis of the Democratic resistance to Trump, with a wait-and-see attitude on "Russiagate."
If only someone in the Democratic Party had suggested that...oh, wait: someone did: Bernie Sanders. As recently as the last debate: ""The American people understand that Trump is a phony, that Trump is a pathological liar and a racist, and that he lied to the American people during his campaign," Sanders said. "He said he was going to stand up for working families. Well, President Trump, you're not standing up for working families when you try to throw 32 million people off the healthcare that they have and that 83 percent of your tax benefits go to the top 1 percent."
To roaring applause, Sanders concluded: "That's how we beat Trump. We expose him for the fraud that he is.""
Note who is pounding Trump on specific policies and promises broken...and who is throwing out vague homilies about nostalgic whatnots. Instructive.
Trump knows that the corporate Demz are terrified of becoming Sanders', Warren's, or the Squad's party. Not because it's suicide: because it'd work. Trump can easily handle a Biden (who still might win, of course, and if nominated, I'll vigorously support him, or anyone else, including my cat, who has formed an exploratory committee); he cannot handle Sanders, even throwing every commie-pinko insult he can. You can't do that for an hour or two; Sanders welcomes it, even.
3
@Doug Tarnopol
""The American people understand that Trump is a phony, that Trump is a pathological liar and a racist, and that he lied to the American people during his campaign," Sanders said. "He said he was going to stand up for working families. Well, President Trump, you're not standing up for working families when you try to throw 32 million people off the healthcare that they have and that 83 percent of your tax benefits go to the top 1 percent."
Except the American people did not (and still do not) understand this. They continue to support Trump despite the truth in everything Sanders said, and think what he said means he is an evil socialist.
Trump is a fraudster, he seeks to move all money out of the middle and working classes and ensure that only slavery and billionaires continue to exist. After his reelection he will bankrupt the country to justify terminating more government agencies, Social Security, Medicare and the VA.
3
Rural voters and Republicans = Charlie Brown and Lucy holding a football for him to kick.
2
Less than an hour spent on sites like FactCheck or Politifact would have let these people know that voting for Trump was not in their best interests. There is no excuse for this kind of willful ignorance.
2
@DR
Those people do know what Trump is. They will tell you he is a liar and a cheat. Then they will say they trust him anyway. That is how faith works.
Finally! Someone has noticed this!
1
If anyone thinks white working-class voters who voted for Trump in 2016 won't do it again, dream on.
He's been harming them for more than two years now and they still love him.
They're not about to admit they were fools.
5
Cultists don't know this. That's how it works.
3
And Obama's eight years did exactly what for the black working class?
Nonetheless, Warren-Bernie's Big Rock Candy Mountain aside, what matters is what's in the wallet and what's the future look like when it's time to vote, always has for Americans.
2
@Alice's Restaurant - I'm guessing you don't know any people of color. My African Americans friends and family can tell you about the increased number of slurs, threats etc. since Trump began running for President. Statistics show an increased number of violent hate crimes in the U.S. since Trump.
President Obama helped the entire country out of the great recession, he put in place environmental regulations that impacted everyone's air and water.
See the difference?
1
@Alice's Restaurant
Good point! Except after working professionally for 48 years, my wallet has been emptied and I have to move out of town I've lived in all my life because I can no longer afford it. I was hoping some of Trump's good fortune would rub off on me, never having had to earn a dime. (I think everyone who voted for secretly thought the same thing.)
1
@DR
Served in the Air Force with many. Also, have a good friend, "black", who is a part owner in an electrical contracting company. Since Trump, his business has nearly doubled.
But to the point: A sergeant in the Air Force, a black Jamaican, I used to work with on a daily basis and who became quite wealthy after leaving the service and owned his own airplane, a beautiful machine, once said to me: "The American dream is right in front of you. Just have to be willing to work hard and be determined to make it yours."
Minor fact: During the late 1940s black teenage unemployment was lower than whites. Less racism back then or more ambition? Stronger family structure?
Obama took Bernanke's plan and went with it, along the way the Fed "bought" just about any and all bad debt--a lot still on its balance sheet. What did Obama know about economics, right? You need to thank the right people.
A motor mouth demagogue who has been hyping himself all his adult life including lies and fraud. We have a corrupt oligarch in league with other oligarchs unleashed by the agency heads he appointed with McConnells help to support the donor class. Spinning every day by tweet thousands of false claims that his base swallows and Trump points out the problem is these brown folks at the border and in congress. White nationalism is the new policy of our govt under our Dear Leader who muses about wiping countries over the face of the earth. The tanks at his July 4th rally were a reminder to dissidents that dictators will not tolerate them.
3
During the Obama administration McConnell and the GOP Congress were described as the Do-Nothing Congress for their lack of legislative initiative (claiming it would benefit Obama) and for not supporting the then-president's agenda.
They remain the Do-Nothing party from a legislative stand point as McConnell has made it his mission to reshape America through the courts rather than through the halls of Congress. Trump is but a delivery system for McConnell's agenda.
15
The Sun Rises in the East
Water is Wet
Trump Relies on Populist Language, but He Mostly Sides With Corporate Interests
45
"If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."
— Lyndon B. Johnson’s complaint about the American electorate
....And the official Republican national platform since 1968
....And the Purest Extra Virgin Trump Snake Oil
144
@Socrates: Aren’t we really talking “take two job losses, one mortgage foreclosure and call me from the morgue?”
6
@Socrates. I have only seen that quote from LBJ a bazillion times in the comment section since Trump was elected. Can we please retire it?
@N
I’ll retire that LBJ quote when the Republican National Committee and their standard bearer retire it from the #1 position on their electoral strategy tactics and methods.
4
"Trump has accomplished little for the white working class." Depends on what they, really, wanted. Sure nothing has changed for them financially, politically or opportunity wise but they seem to relish the rhetoric like it was life sustaining. Politicians say they love the constitution, special investigators say they love the law and Republicans say they love family values but, when push comes to shove all of that goes out the window for empty promises fed into empty heads about how superior Trump's followers are to all other races, cultures and religions. As Roger Ailes, the founder of Fox News has been quoted as saying "I'm not interested in facts, I'm interested in feelings."
81
@Rick Gage, That's a great quote from Roger Ailes about feelings overriding facts. Recall too LBJ's saying about convincing the lowest white man that he's better than the best black man and then being able to pick the former's pocket. The unfortunate fact is that much of the electorate - not only white blue collar and rural people but others too - will dismiss, ignore or rationalize away facts and, regardless of economic interest, support what makes them feel validated and vote on the basis of identity and perceived status.
14
@Rick Gage
Three words: “bread and circuses”.
6
@Why Me
...without the bread
5
Well, Trump supporters appear to hate liberals more than they love their own kids. Without the whole conservative media establishment recanting their entire raison d'etre, I don't see a way out of this. It's like a cancer.
71
@Djt
I've been singing that same song forever- it's not first and foremost about policy, it's about making the condescending, know-it-all, smug, politically-correct liberals' heads explode.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
3
@Djt
That is the narrative peddled to the gullible public. Behind the scenes, the real business continues: the upward transfer of wealth from the 99% to the 1%.
2
@Pat
Well, yeah, but be fair...the Democrats at least *pretend* to care.
1
Trump is a Racist - pure and simple. It`s so fascinating to me that this is even questioned.
The New York Times also avoids the reportage of this reality. Yesterday, NYT told us about a number of mostly white men in the northern St Clair county of Michigan. All these white men now would vote for Trump. What was left out of the piece was that the county not only has been losing population but also the county is 94% WHITE.
The fear of the other, the unknown is what`s driving these people. Sadly, Trump, the RACIST, stokes that fear.
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The picture says it all; one black woman that they put at the front. Trump/GOP are r...… Right wing has gone insane with hate.
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@Ray Sipe
Tom Brenner took the shot at the rally. Need to talk to him before calling it NYT propaganda--though, it was selected from several, in all probability, by NYT photo editor for the story.
2
Where's the wall?
You promised a wall.
Where's the wall?
4
When you have the worst US president in history backed up with the worst and most corrupt administration in history, trump's so called "best people" that's what you get. Too bad the rest of US have to suffer for their gullibility and racist tendencies. Sad. Lock HIM up.
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"What you're seeing & what you're hearing... Is not what's happening."- DJT Maybe for once he spoke the truth about his administration.
2
Do we need any more evidence that he is a scam artist, a fraudster, a liar? He thrives on hate and anger to distract from reality. I’ve never seen anyone in the public eye more fueled by hate and resentment, more lacking in decency or compassion; yet he gets away with calling his opponents, who are intent on addressing planetary collapse and a rigged economic system, angry haters. Disgusting and dangerous.
32
Ummm. Does this article belong in the editorial section?
2
@Marcus Aurelius - So why do you keep reading it every day?
However radical Trump's ignorance is, he remains an expert in deceiving people, and making them believe in his stupid nonsense, empty promises, and finding culprits for his own incompetence. If you believe that his augmenting the national debt by cutting taxes for the 'corporate world' is an accomplishment, I've got a bridge to nowhere to sell you.
5
Trump and Republicans refuse to lift a finger for the working class forcing Democrats to do all the heavy lifting, such as raising the minimum wage. Then, Republicans call Democratic efforts "extremist", "socialist", and the like. Like mad dogs with all the bones, when anyone dare take one, Republicans lunge viciously.
12
Ok, now it's time for Democrats to get this through their (white working-class) heads! How can the messaging be so poor as to not counteract this schlop Trump is throwing at them?!
1
@LM - How do you get through to people who will not read or even listen?
1
Come on NYT, how about a little follow up on Hogan Gadley’s assertion about Democratic leadership not negotiating and being “beholden to radical ideologies.” Just leaving that out there without a rebuttal or confirmation is pretty poor journalism.
You have to challenge every narrative these folks put forth.
9
It's difficult to tackle the needs of working class people when you have to accede to the demands of the one percenters. There are priorities to consider.
34
I think of how effective Reagan's quip was: "Are you better off now than you were four years ago." What's wrong with the Democrats take a lesson from having lost to Reagan.
If the tables were turned, I can hear McConnell smear the President as un-American, using the words at Helsinki: My people tell me Russia did it, but Putin denies it. He was very strong and I believe him. McConnell would keep asking how an American President or any patriot side with Russia over the the findings of the American intelligence service. He might hint at treason (baseless or not) and might even say it outloud.
But I don't hear these fighting words from the Democratic leadership. Well, Pelosi is smart and strategic so my common sense must be misleading me. We'll just wait for Trump to self impeach.
3
I have always believed that Trump made a critical mistake in January 2017.
He had little or no support from -- or allegiance to -- the elites in the Republican party, and could easily have made a deal with "Chuck and Nancy" to accomplish all that he actually campaigned on and promised to accomplish. Had he done so, he could have been more like an FDR rather than an Andrew Johnson. And I think he would have been hard to dislodge from office.
But now, with his only accomplishment being a massive tax cut for himself and his wealthy contributors, and worker protections and the environment (in spite of Pence's assurances) under attack, there's not much he can point to other than the "his" stock market and four women who are trying to turn his policies around.
"Send them back," is not what I'd call a great campaign slogan.
Keep America great? For whom?
14
Lying, grifting billionaire doesn't champion the working-class?
Did not see that one coming.
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@Pat
You forgot to add landlord between grafting and billionaire.
1
It has been a mystery to me why any working-class person, or woman for that matter, would support Mr Trump when his policy priorities favor big business and the wealthy, not the working class or women. They are voting against their own interests by supporting Mr Trump.
24
The headline of this article accurately sums up both the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress and statehouses, and is precisely what Democrats at all levels need to be saying over and over.
10
Trump supporters cheer with glee because they think he is sticking it to the libs but with every cheer and every vote they lose services, are farther in debt and the agencies that used to support consumers have been dismantled.
They won’t wake up until his time has passed and I don’t mean from office.
25
Anyone remember the 2004 book "Whats the Matter with Kansas?"
In it, author Thomas Frank addresses the phenomenon of people voting against their self interest, and working class people being co-opted by the wealthy.
"...[Trump's] rhetorical appeals to white working-class voters have not been matched by legislative accomplishments aimed at their economic interests..."
Same ole, same ole.
10
Excellent and thoughtful article; thank you. Indeed sad but ironic that the WH leadership including DT is so singularly focused on what is RIGHT for them and not the middle class, positive world politics with our allies, or a vision of the future that would benefit the entire nation, not just those with deep pockets. Many of us independents and left leaning citizens are frankly relieved that this administration is such a bumbling mess. (I have no fear that they will figure this out, none.)
We have to hope that the demo primaries succeed in selecting a candidate that is not just ethical, fair, and focused on the entire population, but also able to beat the Man-Child at his game in November 2020. If this all falls into place, we will all be able to sleep better at night, as will the free world.
11
trump is at war alright. he's been at war with the American people for some time. He's at war with Mexico, Canada, Iran, China, England, Europe, women and Congress. He's so at war, that he has to invent opponents like the four congressional women so that he can crow about his victories.
Like the White House staffers, we laugh at any mention of infrastructure too. They might be laughing in their superior way, but out here in the real world, we laugh because trump gave away $1T in tax revenue to his pals, emptying the treasury for no reason. He and the republicans have their sight set on killing health care and killing social services to pay for their wars. No infrastructure for us.
Meanwhile,
"There is still some hope on Capitol Hill that the president will eventually sign a bipartisan measure being crafted in the Senate that could offer consumers a rebate on prescription drugs that rise above the cost of inflation."
If there is a more passive way to describe a non action by a supine Congress, I haven't seen it. Congress should put price controls on necessary medications, at the very least for the ones the Government pays for. McConnell is nibbling around the edges hoping that his donors won't get angry at him for representing the people's interests.
I suggest that we start showing up with those high way signs at Donald's rallies and golf courses and at the Senate, the one's that say: "your tax dollars at work".
10
Not very much, if any, of this is surprising as this is always the way with con-men and their devotees. It is the same phenomenon as described in an article yesterday about health care, paraphrased as "facts don't sway voters."
These failures of Trump/GOP to deliver are what the Democrats need to start hitting hard in the hopes of opening at least a few eyes to how little has actually changed for working people. Sadly, they seem more focused on winning an indignation competition than actually standing for something meaningful.
(PS: Has the Times made an editorial decision to start referring to this as Trumps "first term"? If so, I respectfully request for it to stop.)
12
Trump has done plenty for the working class. He calls the patriots and makes raucous jokes about liberals. What else do they need?
5
MAGA nation was never concerned about legislation to improve their lot. It was always about the hate. It’s all that ever mattered. MAGA nation could be on the street homeless and hungry and he wouldn’t give them the time of day.
I think MAGA nation would be good with that.
15
Ah, but you are so wrong (I say, to two of the most respected journalists in America).
He has SEPARATED white, conservative Christians, from the rest of the country, and he has VALIDATED them. To them, that makes him their Man.
No matter that in doing so he has UNDERMINED and INVALIDATED the rest of America. When you are feeling the supreme force of self-validation, nothing and no one can stand in your way.
No matter that such self-validation is a corruption not only of basic humanity but of the faith they cherish, which rests on grace.
No matter, for self-validation—the gift of Trump to his legions—is impermeable to criticism. It is true, because Donald Trump says so.
That is what he has given them. And it will in the end cost them the humanity they seek.
8
Working class Americans understand that illegal immigration is the single greatest threat to them.
Illegal immigration puts downward pressure on wages, and at the same time puts upward pressure on taxes that pay for public services like schools and medical care.
No one has been speaking for them, least of all the Democrats. The extent to which Trump has been unsuccessful to stopping illegal immigration that cannot be put at his feet. It is the do nothing congress.
Understand, as congress demonstrates that it is impotent to legislate for the benefit of our legal citizens, those same citizens will shrug off the arrogation of power by the President as he claims greater and greater authority to address this rolling calamity.
3
This comment is utter nonsense. It isn’t illegal immigrants who spent the last fifty years destroying the labor movement, outsourcing manufacturing jobs, and continuously cutting pay and benefits for average working people. It’s the same people that Trump gave a giant tax cut to.
3
Shocking! :-)
People voting against their own interests, year after year.
5
"Trump Relies on Populist Language, but He Mostly Sides With Corporate Interests"
Sides with the corporate interests? He lets them use the Oval Office during all of his Executive Time and Golf Weekends. He probably needs to schedule an appointment to use it himself.
1
This is so very true. There is a systematic attempt to hollow out every institution, to remove truth and science from every agency involved in protecting our food, air, water, land, climate, ocean and land. My opinions:
The 5 Federalist "Society" who now occupy positions in our highest court are more like judicial lobbyists for the Kochs and now I would say Putin and all those who like the idea of an oligarchic state in which at best there is a fake democracy that always elects the king.
It is time for Americans to re-read the Declaration of Independence, examine the systematic efforts of Putin to install far right ring nationalist "leaders" under the false pretense of populism.
Trump doesn't do populism. Instead, he lies constantly and does whatever the billionaire class wants him to do.
This mega millionaire and billionaire class is a fraternity of sorts. There is a massive overlap and under-linking between board members. To see the actual data on this google the phrase - webtsite that shows the overlap of corporate board members.
Democracy is under attack and Putin is winning the war to bring oligarchy and the end of democracy and the grand alliances of Post World War II. The appointment of Johnson to Prime Minister in Britain is as nearly as big a victory for Putin as was the appointment of Trump. The Chaos builds, the alliances are weakened and democracy remains under attack by those who put greed above all else. Future generations will suffer. Stand.
11
What you don’t realize is that your judge what Trump has done by government programs, policy or regulations. Government doing something. What helps the working class is a strong economy, removal of illegal immigrants and a reduction of government getting in the way. You simply don’t get it. Trump and his policies have helped the working class so much. You have not.
3
@Mark Stevens
Cool. Sources? Numbers? Anything?
And you can't use Obama's economy.
Now. Let's hear your answer.
28
@Mark Stevens - You're wrong. Trump has helped the 1% while putting policies and people in place who will poison our air and water, make our workplaces more dangerous and make health care, education, durable goods etc. more expensive.
Parroting right wing talking points might make you feel good but it will never make you right.
51
Show me the money!
Trump says what you think and you think that that means he’s working his genius billionaire mind for you. Reality will disillusion you, directly. Then you will not support him.
6
The economy was waiting for an administration that wouldn't continue to layer on additional burdensome regulations. In west Michigan, everyone is hiring at $15-20 per hr for minimally skilled labor. Opportunities are everywhere, for all colors of middle class..
3
@Midwest Josh - Name three of those regulations.
2
It is time for workers to embrace the fact that the Republican party is the party of management, not labor. The Republicans work to increase the power of business owners -- their wealthy donors -- and to both decrease the power of unions and reduce wages and benefits to workers. Labor's problem is that many workers, even union members, are culturally conservative, and the Republican party fills that need. However, in voting for Republicans, including Trump, workers and union members vote against their economic interest. And true to form the Republicans hurt labor repeatedly. The Democratic Party is the party of labor. It is time for workers to remember that and vote for Democratic candidates, including for president.
84
@Robert Billet
I'm sorry to say the Democratic party is also anti-labor. Have we forgotten that the DNC helped Clinton cheat during the primaries (e.g. giving her debate questions) so that she could beat Sanders?
1
@Robert Billet
"Labor unions adjust to new reality under Obama"
"It didn't help that Obama declined union invitations to go to Wisconsin, where thousands of protesters mobilized against the anti-union measure."
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/44391406/ns/politics-more_politics/t/labor-unions-adjust-new-reality-under-obama/#.XTdMOfJKiUk
"Labor union officials say Obama betrayed them in health-care rollout"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/labor-union-officials-say-obama-betrayed-them-in-health-care-rollout/2014/01/31/2cda6afc-8789-11e3-833c-33098f9e5267_story.html?utm_term=.f1bfa0f72bf6
The evidence is clear. There is no "party of labor". The duopoly (D and R) is under complete control of Corporations.
@David
I am trying to follow your line of reasoning about the DNC giving Clinton a cheat-sheet and anti-labor?
Dwindling numbers of union membership (millions of union jobs permanently lost due to mergers, layoffs, bankruptcies, jobs leaving the U.S....) has been a reality since the 1980's and unions simply do not have the political clout we once had.
Democrats (like Republicans) follow the money;and when the money is corporate- that's where both parties will hunt for their treasures.
Both Trump and Biden stands for the status quo. However, Trump is a better entertainer. Sadly enough, neither maintaining the status-quo nor going after the most vulnerable segments will bring back prosperity for majority Americans.
23
@John Adams Totally disagree with your lumping in Biden with Trump.
He's nothing like him and he'd be a good president unlike the corrupt trump family and admin.
10