"A recent poll found that 45 percent of the supporters of...Bernie Sanders, said they weren’t sure they’d vote for any other Democratic nominee."
And therein lies a key reason why Trump has a good shot at getting reelected.
And when that happens, those Bernie supporters can forget about seeing any of the things he says he stands for anytime soon -- a fairer economy, sane judicial appointments, an actual climate policy, clean air, a humane immigration system, restoring our reputation abroad, and so on.
If Trump is reelected because Democrats can't get behind one candidate, well, say goodbye to liberal democracy as we know it.
865
@Brian I've seen more hateful comments coming from corporate establishment Clinton-type democrats saying that they won't vote for Bernie Sanders--many more than the other way around.
Clinton herself divided the party with her comments about Sanders right before the Iowa Caucus. This, after he campaigned for her and urged his voters to vote for her and against Trump. Now that we're going on 4 days since the Iowa Caucus without the votes counted, we find out that it was Clinton's former staff people who developed and sold the failed app to the Iowa Democratic Party. Coincidence? Maybe. But as days go by, this is starting to smell bad.
If democrats want to win, they need to stop all the Bernie hating. He represents the progressive wing of the party, and democrats can't win without progressives. It's actually the establishment who is willing to hand Trump another four years and refuse to get behind the democratic candidate who wins the most votes.
162
@Lynnie Gal
If the whole country were actually ready for progressive policy Dems would be in solid majority in both chambers. Nominating Sanders is a sure way to hand Mr. Trump another 4 years. And if his supporters are not ready to vote for anyone else but him we are in real trouble.
139
It’s not the progressives or the establishment that will determine if the democrats defeat Trump. Ultimately it’s decided by those who show up to vote.
107
For Democrats who are dumbfounded at Republicans’ continued support of President Trump, here’s your answer: we consider your leftward-moving party the greater evil, the greater threat to America. We don’t care what Trump does or says because keeping him in office no matter what is critical to preserving the cherished individualism, the liberty, the traditions, and the values your side seems determined to diminish.
216
I generally, but not always, vote democratic. Why do you think I'm against liberty, individualism and tradition? What made you so angry?
618
@GB. Today’s mainstream Democratic Party is as moderate as Republicans used to be. Don’t wave AOC in front of me as the emblem of the Democratic Party. That’s as ridiculous as saying that the Neo-Nazi fringe which loves Trump and believes he speaks for them is mainstream Republican. I worked for Republicans on the Hill and practiced law for many years. The venom coming from Trump disparages the rule of law and values that any democratic republic needs to survive. His authoritarianism is dangerous, no matter what your views.
851
Say that to the people who just raised $25 million for Senator Sanders campaign in January. You may have given up on America, but we certainly haven’t. And we’re going to beat DJT very badly on Election Day!
Go Bernie!
254
Speaker Pelosi spoke for tens of millions of Americans when she tore up that speech up. I disagree with you and am ever so grateful she tore it up. It was full of lies and distortions and the speech was like watching Oprah with giveaways, and the intended audience was his base, not the whole nation. For the speaker to have done nothing in face of that, she would have normalized Trump's speech and behavior. There was nothing normal or okay about it and what's preceded it, and she made that very clear by her action.
Speaker Pelosi tearing up the speech may go down in history as another of her many bold acts of patriotism challenging a falsely elected president who is trying to destroy our democracy.
3757
@Ilene I agree- Speaker Pelosi tearing up that speech was brilliant. A very visual statement. Bravo.
359
@Ilene I agree. The perfect retort to Trump's shredding of the constitution.
322
@Ilene I read somewhere today that her response to her tearing up his speech was, "He tore up the Constitution, so I tore up his speech." And also that his speech were full of lies. I just LOVE Nancy Pelosi. She always has the best comebacks regarding Trump.
336
You overreached! Before you mounted your flying impeachment horse, you filled your gut with righteousness indignation for Trump’s actions then wiped your lips with a thin tissue of disgust for the unwashed masses that voted for him. Your noblesse oblige has deafened you and your hubris has made you blind. Trump is an icon for a set of values held by people, most of whom are willing to share America but are not willing to give America away. You cannot impeach values but you can legislate them away and that we cannot abide. Don’t fight us, partner with us. We will meet you half-way... and maybe a little more for the sake of the country we love.
142
@Chris
I live in NYC and I will say that I feel safer here than I ever do visiting my family in Florida. We have our share of issues, to be sure, but the lady I checked NYC had the lowest crime rate of any large city in America and under MayorBloomberg’s lead now is considered one of the healthiest. Please don’t disparages places based on hearsay.
127
@Chris
It would be helpful if you could list those values.
107
@Chris
What set of values?
Should we good citizens of this great country sit idly by when there is clear evidence of corruption by our elected officials... no mater what position they hold?
Is the president above the law?
Share America?
The popular vote was overwhelming for the democratic candidate. The “unwashed masses” you speak of.
The current administration has done virtually nothing to reach across the isle.
Mr Trump makes it clear he does not represent all of the people, only the people who agree with him all of the time.
Last time I checked “we the people” was still our motto.
America and patriotism is not “yours to share”.
We are all proud patriots my friend.
339
To see democratic leadership you need to look no further than Iowa and the debacle of their primary. Remind you of the rollout of the Obama care web page another leadership disaster. Face it, Democrats do not have the ability to lead. Look at NYC, Chicago and San Francisco three cities that have crime, are unsafe for many of its middle and low income citizens to live in. All of which the NYT ignores. President Trumps personality is far from perfect. But you know he leads in getting things done. True results, that America can see and know that make their lives better.
99
@Gary I appreciate this perspective. My follow-up question: Which Republican policy championed in the past 20 years actually improved your life? Honest question. Infrastructure, health care, immigration reform... these are things with support from pluralities of citizens, and yet the Republicans have opposed efforts to advance all of them. We have coverage for pre-existing conditions because of Democrats. Banks have to apply your credit card payments to the highest-interest debt first thanks to Democrats. What have Republicans championed, other than "not what the Democrats want!" They exist only in opposition, which is why this current mutation – as an extension of Mr. Trumps ego – must be defeated in November so we can have two functional parties again.
273
@Gary Crime in NYC and San Francisco are relatively low compared to many places - the opioid epidemic is mostly ravishing in more rural areas, where crime is more rampant, violent death more prevalent. In Los Angeles crime was much higher under the Republican mayor Riordan than it is now. The thing that makes NYC and SF unsafe for middle income and low income citizens is wealth inequality and rampant gentrification that have made once poor inner cities into glittering cosmopolitan centers.
160
@Gary
Trump took billions from the Pentagon to build a wall that blew down in the wind.
Trump’s trade war is killing small farmers and enriching big corporate farmers;
The US manufacturing industry is officially in a RECESSION;
Trump’s environmental policies are allowing corporations to pollute water and air, at the expense of people living nearby.
His rhetoric and rally speech has nothing to do with reality or what the data shows.
SF has it’s issues but it’s a gold rush town that is literally cranking out jobs for Americans. Google, Uber, Twitter, Lyft, Facebook, Instagram, AirBnB. This is the engine of the US economy, not a failed real estate developer who couldn’t even make a casino profitable.
222
The VOTERS will defeat him.. IF they vote!
30
Here's the scoop on the Trump Wall st tax cuts.......
Trump is talking about more tax cuts.....
I figured out the Tax cuts strategy over decades;
For decades, when Republicans were in power, they cut taxes harming the budget. When the Democrats won, they had to raise taxes to repair the harm from Republican tax cuts. Then the next cycle, Republicans scorn the increase of taxes by Democrats to win an election and power after which time, they cut taxes again. The cycle has repeated for decades.
It's a reputation thing to cover their crime. The Democrats get a bad rap for raising taxes then the Republicans win again shaming the Democrats for their increase of taxes that Republicans were the original cause of. It happens over years and that's why no one figured it out.
First Reagan cut taxes, then Clinton raised taxes, then Bush cut taxes, then Obama raised taxes, then Trump cut taxes as he and all the Congressional Republicans are preening themselves again.
We are all Chumps. That my fellow victims is what's up with Republican strategy. Republicans are robbing the nation.
This is what "Globalization" means. The term might have been coined to glorify what is the biggest heist in human history as all those Trillions in wealth have been exported to other nations along with the businesses to support them later after they escape.
Republicans evaded justice.
24
The situation is so bad in the U.S. right now that levels of propriety in public office are in danger of disappearing entirely. Is it only me or do people not realise that the very fact that a president of a country - any country - who has his own lawyer conducting a campaign abroad on a foreign territory independently of the the country's own security services and diplomatic corps is absolutely beyond the pale? I feel that such conduct must surely transgress international treaties or international protocols? This alone should be enough to have Trump ejected from office. It is fair to say this is the most ignominious time in US history, US support of dictators in South America excepted. In another way, however, Trump is the perfect representation of the ideology that has underpinned the U.S. for too long. Yes, we know the majority of Americans didn't vote for him. Nevertheless, one can only hope that Trump continues to highlight how little democracy there really is in America, a country that has the largest gap between rich and poor and seems to encourage inequality. Any country whose utopia is a paradise of one is clinically insane and not a society. Trump is what the American Dream inevitably becomes. A society of one.
28
I fear we are also facing masses of semi-literate folks who are proud of their ignorance. By semi-literate, I mean citizens, though entitled to vote, who may not know our history, and may not read much; but as some Trump supporters express, they don’t care. Facts, data, science elude them, but they love being entertained by their god at the podium.
The mad frenzy of the crowds at Trump’s rallies are right out of George Orwell’s 1984, as if the thousands that scream their mindless passions today think their god will fix the ills in their lives.
The behaviors exhibited at Trump’s rallies are also right out of scenes from Hitler’s rallies. Those videos of Hitler are all too real and all too recent. I’d like to see the media run split-screens of Trump and Hitler or Mussolini: Master Manipulators drunk with power, their faces red with rage, their voices shrill with anger. Switch them from one podium to another in the films and see if you can tell the difference.
Now, my fellow Americans, brace yourselves for the vengeance that’s coming, for the unleashed power of a malignant narcissist, seeking retribution on his enemies, who may yet destroy our Democracy.
62
We should all be reading
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/09/leading-civil-rights-lawyer-shows-20-ways-trump-copying-hitlers-early-rhetoric-and
8
What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?
You failed to answer this question, so I will do it for you.
What will defeat Trump and the win back the Senate is an All In and All Out assault on the beach heads of their corruption, cruelty, criminality, ignorance of virtually anything that has to do with Democracy or governing, and Self serving arrogance, or in a In a term their Hitlerism.
This requires that we go All IN. The halfway stuff of the so called moderates will fail.
You will notice that the these criminals do not do halfway. The hugely successful assault on Humanity that was launched by Hitler is being duplicated now. The response of the Free World that utterly crushed Hitler and the Japanese was all out.
Moderation does not work when we are dealing with insane individuals.
We need to strive to gain as much of the policy ideas and social solutions that Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and several others have placed before us as the paths back to a real democracy where we have a Government of for and by the People instead of the government of the billionaire owned corporations as we can.
Anything, policy or person half way will fail.
15
Nothing. Trump is supported by--and the Republican party hostage to--a large minority of Americans who are either misinformed, ignorant, or racist. That won't change until demographics and voter turnout among decent Americans overwhelm them.
57
Nancy Pelosi sitting behind Trump, muttering to herself like some angry bag lady alone on a night train, will cause the House to fall back to The Rep party and get Trump reelected.
21
Great, thoughtful article. Yes, this President hijacked the Chamber of the House and used the State of the Union message to his political ends just as in the Ukraine scandal. ~ Trump is a shameless bully. He reminds me of Stalin under whose rein I grew up in Central Europe. Hopefully, this great nation and history will catch up with Trump. I pray that it will happen before he destroys more. No, the world does not respect America more since the Trump era; it respects us less. ~ As for the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, tearing up the copy of the Trump's speech: Brilliant and courageous act! She had no choice to do better! Think about it!
53
I believe your sub-headline "He can do whatever..." to win re-election is a bit broad. For example, he can't have his opponent in the general election dragged off and jailed, as we have seen done in some countries over the years.
He can't "disappear" his critics, as the Argentine military did during those bleak years of political horror in that country.
What can he actually do? Keep lying? Keep calling his opponents childish nicknames? Is he going to be able to accuse opponents of financial corruption, bearing in mind his own tax-dodging history and his refusal to let loose his tax returns?
At day's end, his base will vote for him, regardless of what he says or does. However, he can't do to us what a China does to its own citizens and get away with it.
Everything in life comes at a price. Every decision you make has consequences. Some turn out to be very good. Do the right thing and you will be rewarded. It may take some time, but your life will be richer and better for doing the right things.
This president has never had to do the right thing. He was raised by a racist father who taught him that allowing Black people into their real estate would wreck the value of the properties.
He was sent to a military boarding school, only to dodge Vietnam.
Do you really believe the world does not see this guy for who and what he is?
The Democrats may not beat him, but history will.
Trump is a bully. Bullies are cowards. Trump loses just by waking up each day.
Truth.
39
Term limits will defeat him
9
Pelosi and Romney stick to their belief. Good people
23
Message to Democrats. . . take off the gloves! Call him out, again and again and again.
41
The New York Times has a heavy burden to carry in the upcoming general election. The Republicans will try to smear the Democratic candidate by creating lies with the expectation that the major media outlets will then amplify those lies. This was *exactly* the plan with the Ukraine gambit. A Zelensky announcement of a Biden investigation would have had little meaning had it not been splashed all over the New York Times.
The Times must do something difficult and possibly daring. They will have to refuse to run negative stories against the Democrat unless and until they have fully confirmed the source and validity of any such claim, determined who provided that information and why, and evaluate whether it rises to the level of spending any time on it.
I know this goes against how the Times operates (yes, see the emails), but it is vital that the Times rise to this challenge, with so much -- including our democracy -- on the line.
41
Republicans have changed the rules. It should now be legal for the Democratic candidate to ask Russia, China, whoever to give damning information on Donald Trump in exchange for lifting of sanctions.
27
“Nasty” women will defeat DJT!
22
Dementia advancing too far to hide. Symptoms were on clear display during SOTU.
His coronary calcium is sky high. Widowmaker heart attack onstage at a rally would be good, to prevent conspiracy theories.
42
Eighteen year old military personnel are willing to, and in fact do die for this country. The senators who represent them don’t have the courage to face a tweet.
It seems that many of these spineless politicians are bums. Are they so unemployable that they’re afraid to lose their job as a senator or congressperson? Is there nowhere else they can find work if they lose an election?
Or is it just that they’re grifters. They don’t want to have a real job like the rest of us. They use other people’s money to get elected, all the while just running their mouths.
That’s what it takes to get elected in this country: no real qualifications. Just money and talk.
Then they get in power, enjoy as many years as they can of legalized insider trading and industry bribes and amass small fortunes. Some will leave and sit on boards or become lobbyists and use their connections to collect fat paychecks for shaking hands and running their mouths.
Get a job, you spineless grifters.
38
Speaker Pelosi rips up her copy of the SOTU address and the Republican Snowflakes have a meltdown. trump rips up the the Constitution and they applaud. Wow!
70
"Authoritarian..."
Well, the Times is beginning to speak English, though it retains the muffled tone of concern that has diminished its authority during the years of the Trump debacle.
Times: Follow his dirty money in Europe, through Deutsche Bank and his laundering of Russian and Ukrainian oligarchs mob money.
Why have you not done this?
Why have you not pressed the Dept. of Justice and Gauleiter Barr's failure to investigate and prosecute Trump's illegal hold on military aid?
Why have you not pressed the Dept. to investigate his illegal refusal to provide his tax documents?
Why are you so timid, Times? Why?
36
Put some $$$ into his business activities and taxes.
8
What will finally defeat Trump?
I say his arrogance.
Few things kill likeability as quickly as arrogance.
There cannot be one person on this planet (besides Trump) who likes a self-aggrandizing, bloviating egomaniac.
America is just so sick and tired of this divisive, threatening, abusive, repugnant, inhumane conman
who is so madly in love with himself.
9
Now this and added to it AG Barr's announcement that any efforts to accuse any candidate during the up-coming election that have to be approved by him, which means, quite simply, that the liar will prevent anyone, anywhere from challenging anything Trump does during the election. Everything possible--for example getting Census date on people--is now possible by the President and his eunuch lawyers and Senators.
9
Your photobrushed lead-in pic...
Good
Their multi-camera instant-replay, showing she'd pre-ripped the proclamation...
Better
4
What will "finally defeat Donald Trump"?? Losing the 2020 election. Thats called Democracy. Don't you know that NYTimes?
13
Dear Editors,
Please shift your news and editorial coverage to something more newsworthy that the feelings of the President, his supporters, and his opponents. Policy, trends, legislation--all of this is more suitable for the Times than gossip-mongering.
Sincerely,
Patricia Brown
10
Bernie Sanders supporters....I beg you...if he is not the democratic nominee for POTUS...you must vote for whoever is.
This country, our planet cannot withstand another 4 years of this sham of an administration!!
Hopeful....
26
Nothing !
2
The truth
2
The surreal Theater of the Absurd portrays the essence of humanity stripped of all pretense. In reality we are a species of Rhinoceros. Remember, we share 96% of our DNA with chimpanzees, who submit to the alpha male. To expect Trump to be defeated at the polls means we are relying on the 4% difference between our species and our feces throwing cousins to prioritize decency over raw power.
Expecting such an outcome is as hopelessly frustrating as Waiting for Godot. But we must do persist in quite desperation to defeat Ubu Roi even if By the Skin of Our Teeth.
4
Hmmm...maybe a 78 year old commie or a 77 year old semi senile dude. Good start.
11
Let's get real, folks! You CANNNOT oppose President Trump like you did Obama!!!!
Stop thinking for yourselves and do what you are told like a good conservative! Jeez, why do some folks have to stick out their necks like this? We are all alike except minorities - stop trying to act like of those!
“Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one’s oath of office that I can imagine.”
Romney's point argues for term limits because it's not just what T***p achieved; it's what every other GOP senators' vote did.
2
Why must democrats behave in a civilized, fair-minded manner, when the republicans almost never do?
There is a myth that democrats talk down to "ordinary" folks, the older, white, angry guys left behind by modern times, who don't want change except to go back to a time when American was um great.
But democrats are supposed to put away our educated, elitist, citified ways, nod and agree with climate deniers, conspiracy buffs, conjurers of alternative facts.
We must not point out trump's lies. We must credit every lunatic notion he mouths. And always give him the respect and loyalty that he has for no one. We must not flinch when he insults us or be seen to be weak, sensitive snowflakes. We must overlook his colossal neediness. We must take seriously his taste for everything trivial and meaningless and proclaim him profound.
We cannot engage even in the mildest repudiation, as in tearing up his crappy speech because that's overreach, inappropriate, censure worthy.
Why?
15
Ok NYT, agreed, the Democratic party needs to unite behind a solid candidate who can defeat Trump.
So, please don't add to the confusion by suggesting that Bloomberg is "buying" the election. You just help Trump and Republicans by stoking that fire.
25
Defeating President Trump and his corrupt Republican Party will require civil disobedience.
We need more whistle blowers, and it's highly likely that they will now need to violate Department of Justice regulatory restraints in order to be heard at all.
We need some of those people who are constrained by civil non-disclosure agreements to break those agreements and speak up.
We need patriotic federal employees to leak vital information directly to the people, and their representatives.
We need more courage. More people must take personal risk just as did every one of our revolutionary forefathers. All of us need to support the brave dissenters.
18
The truth is he can't be defeated with weak accusations. Just accept the fact that he is President and stop manufacturing scandals. Dems are not taking the moral high-ground. They are sinking to lower levels. Pelosi's minor temper tantrum behind Trump is a good example. The reason Trump got elected is because, thankfully, the entire country doesn't think like the liberal areas that hold the most people that can see water. If any Democrat wants a shot at the presidency, they need to be way more moderate. Normal people are terrified of the prospect of gun confiscation, socialism, more taxes supporting environmental policies that are borderline insane, and any limits on freedom outlined in the Constitution (free speech). History has shown that socialism time and time again leads to oppression and genocide. it is called compromise, and with out that we all fail.
9
From a Brit--I followed the hearings from the start--All I herd were He said , They said!
Congrats to your president- May he get his second term.
7
What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?
When his unflinchingly loyal but blind-sighted cultish supporters open their eyes. His power emanates from his rabid base on whose support Congressional and elected State officials depend ...and FEAR!
In a way, it is ironic because this is a democratic tenet and yet, here we are with a seemingly Teflon president who is quasi monarchical and autocratic.
Another irony in our democratic process is that his supporters are not even the majority and yet it seems they have a strangle hold on the balance of governmental powers. Blame it on our electoral system of elections. Just as the Iowa caucus needs revisiting, this process needs one, too.
Yes, democracy is messy and it necessitates a citizenry with eyes wide open NOT eyes wide shut for it to survive and thrive.
7
Mitt Romney is not just another Republican Senator. He was the Republican standard bearer in 2012 and his defection against Trump is more than noteworthy. I hope he continues to speak out against the travesty his party has blindly and meekly propped up in the White House. The nation and its future demands it.
24
The GOP has become the party of Limbaugh, Trump, Hannity, O'Reilly, Breitbart.
Those who cling to Trump and turn their back on facts, science and policy in the public interest have made a mockery of democracy. The GOP "base" has been hijacked by peddlers of outrage. Those peddlers don't actually believe it, they are just profiting from the formula, and burning down our civil society in the process.
This is obvious to anyone who takes a look, but even our own public education system does not teach critical thinking to most students. I almost want to say that we deserve this moment because so many citizens have abandoned their principles in favor of dark emotions.
19
This editorial does not answer the question posed by it's headline "What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?" In fact the article makes a good case that Trump cannot be beaten. So can the Times or somebody else tell us what WILL defeat him? It's a matter of life and death for the nation.
9
By not nominating Sanders/Warren the Dems have a chance to win the presidency back.
7
I believe it will take handcuffs to remove him. He will never leave office willingly regardless of election results or term limits.
17
Wait, lemme get this straight:
Fact:
Mitt voted against the Republicans and #45 on article 1 about abuse of power, but voted WITH Republicans and #45 on article 2 obstruction of Congress AND on not permitting witnesses or new evidence. I count 2 out of 3 votes with the GOP.
Fiction:
Mitt version: Mitt stood up in a teary choking presentation because his oath to God and his conscience trump everything else in his life. But when he stood against God and his conscience 2 times out of 3 that was fine and not worth mentioning.
Media version: Mitt is the only GOP to stand up with his conscience and follow his oath, totally omitting that he did this only 33.3% of the time in this "trial." Now that’s what I would call fake news.
4
I actually think it's rather simple...get back to the platform that won 2018 by 53.4% Democrat to 44.8% Republican.
8
We have a cultural war. We have a mostly white part of the population that sees Trump as a figure that validates their idea of America. Whether these people are racist, xenophobes, homophones, or in most cases; people who are concern about the traditional values of America and they cannot identify with the democratic party; they all find a refuge in Trump. You know why? Because he is not concerned with pleasing everybody. His speeches are authentic, even if they are filled with false statemens. Democrats do the opposite, they want to please everyone and they don't seem authentic. I will vote democratic because to me that is the only clear option. However, I don't know what democrats stand for. They want to fight climate change, but they also don't want to attack oil companies. They want healthcare for everybody, but universal healthcare is just too far. Some of them are so far left that even as a liberal I don't feel comfortable with their policies, others are so middle ground that frankly, I am not sure why they aren't republican. I am just 32 years old, which I always think is old, but in terms of what Pelosi and Bernie have seen, I don't have much context. But I know that democrats are not capitalizing on the internet as they should, republicans are. They are too shy to take on bold proposals, republicans are not. Hillary lost because we did not know what she stood for. Let's pick a message and stick by it, we don't have to please everybody.
10
Could it be that Americans are, on average, about as healthy intellectually/emotionally as they are physically?
Wouldn't that explain, like, a LOT of things?
Americans love their Cheezy Doodles, Strawberry Cigarettes, and Celebrity Whatever.
Elevating Donald Trump to the most powerful office in the world is a disaster, but is it really, honestly, a surprise?
The orange man on the big tv screen is one of us.
8
You wrote this as the conclusion of your column, "This election is about more, of course, than restoring sanity to the Republican Party, essential as that is. Mr. Trump’s speech was a fantasy. America is not thriving under his leadership. Far from “stronger than ever before,” the union is faltering under his divisive, corrupting politics. The chants of “four more years” that resounded from only one side of the House chamber on Tuesday night should ring as an alarm for all Americans who want their children to live in an even greater nation."
Burt even though that was your conclusion, you couldn't manage to avoid taking a completely gratuitous shot at Speaker Pelosi. It's this knee jerk bothsides that will give Trump a shot at reelection.
Then you add,
"as she certainly knows as well as anyone, a gesture like that won’t defeat the president’s argument. So what will?" But that is what will defeat Trump, driving up D turnout by constantly pointing out what an aberration Trump is.
7
Many Independents including myself have his back too.
2
This feller is very possibly the first nonAbrahamic President of the United States. Even if Evangelicals, Catholics, Jews, etc. follow him around, he's not really made of these things himself. To defeat him (including impeaching him) you need to understand where he comes from and what the nonAbrahamic, nonMediterranean-origin, Northern legal systems his ancestors came from (particularly those of his mother) have to do with the antecedent history of the U.S. Constitution, including its very best and most successful parts, parts that people migrate from all over the world to use, but not always for legitimate (or laudable, productive, peaceable) or "moral" purposes.
His ancestry in the US goes no deeper than his paternal grandparents, entirely post-bellum.
His "illegal immigrant" behavior and that of his parents and grandparents, behavior that violates the U.S. Constitution, needs to be called out accurately and precisely, not by making highly dubious claims of "morality" based in the Abrahamic religions.
8
Old age, illness and death; it comes to us all, and the GOP is well on its way out.
10
Democrats are being squeezed on two fronts.
Trump and his party on one side, Sanders and his Bros on the other.
Trump will try to hurt any State that votes against him and Sanders will hurt any Democrat that runs against him. Vote for Bernie or he won't support the nominee.
Two sides of the same dirty coin.
7
The only hope for the USA is Michael Bloomberg or Michael Bennet. Everyone else is a loser. The so-called socialist plans
are doomed from the start. Those ideas will come in orderly fashion sometime down the road with lots of debate and without bankrupting the country more than it already is. The Republicans are just so childish and subservient to the playground bully. Where are all the mature adults on the right?
At least Romney has a spine and his legacy will be intact.
5
On my father's side of the family, I am a direct descendant of one of the founding families. On my mother's side I am descended from two French captains who came here to fight against the British during the Revolutionary War. Both sides of the family fought for the North and the South in the Civil War, in WWI, WWII and Viet Nam. I am angered down to my very DNA by this president willingly and with impunity corrupting his office and threatening anyone who stands up to him with certain punishment.
My ancestors would be ashamed of those who prop up this disgraceful contagion of lying arrogance, who run and hide out of fear, who make excuses as if it's all OK, who insult not only my family but themselves.
For shame.
13
Trump is so petty, it's hard to credit. He just authorized oil drilling and mining in the glorious national monuments in Utah.
That'll teach them to vote for a principled guy.
7
America does not have a Trump problem so much as an America problem.
6
We can vote. In record numbers.
8
Curious - no mention yet in first 1400 Comments of pivotal dark-side role that Mark Zuckerberg will play in victory or defeat of DJT.
3
You hooked me with the title of the article, so I read it hoping that a group of big minds such as this group represents would throw us all as a beam of hope at this dark moment in the history of the world.
I couldn't find the answer. Did I miss something? I guess we have to hope for divine intervention. Oops, I forgot. The 2016 election results WAS the will of God.
5
I am so sickened and disgusted.
Not by Trump, we've all known who he is for decades.
Not by those who voted for him initially, in them I'm only disappointed. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt (which I probably shouldn't).
I don't even care about the Republicans in Congress. They're the same feckless sycophants they've been since '94.
It's my fellow citizens who continue to support the most openly, brazenly, corrupt incompetent degenerate psychopathic malignant personality ever to inhabit the office.
I'm a bit biased. I grew up with a borderline histrionic narcissist type and I've seen the damage they can do.
Everyone who said Trump would be worse than you can imagine was absolutely correct. I was one of them. It's going to get worse from here on out. Forever even after he is no longer president. Until he dies. And the cult will go on after that.
Democrats, abandon your purity tests and unite. Centrists, please just vote Democrat this one time.
Together we can end this and rebuild.
16
At this point, nothing. He'll cheat, lie and steal his way into another 4 years.
Perhaps at the end of it all at least some of his supporters will understand just how badly they've been conned.
5
What? The combined weight of decency, disgust over what the beast has done, and a shared love of our country, if, we can just get our act together and vote! I am not optimistic...
2
Absolutely correct! 100%
I love it that Nancy ripped that speech in half. Time for my party to get in touch with their rage, their fury, their anger. I loved seeing Adam Schiff’s anger in full view on the Senate floor. You can still take the high ground and show your disgust. You can be angry without being mean. You can take fury and catalyze it for action. The days of gentleman politics is over. The Ringmaster is playing by a different set of rules, and if his playbook doesn’t evoke fury in you, then we may as well stay home until 2024.
11
The GOP is canny, conniving, and power hungry. The Democrats are naive, honest, and play by the rules. Time for that to change.
9
Trump will leave office after he completes his second term.
1
All I see from Trump is hate, greed and love for only a certain select few. He is only in it for his own glory and money. I believe he would throw his own children under the bus. I feel like he is just using his base for his own good.
6
Voters will finally defeat trump, not his wimpy enablers.
3
Headline shocker: TRUMP LOSES UTAH!
Impossible? Time to lose that word. Socialism? Time to tell America how socialism is all over. And why they LOVE it. Public education. 8 hour day/40 hour week. Unemployment benefits. SS & Medicare (albeit, half steps that leave too many out, and thus perennially vulnerable).
Trump is focused Hugely on winning FL. His McCarthy redux is based on getting the "Cuban (not Hispanic)" vote in So FL. Do the good ol folk of the panhandle and mid state resent the favoritism GOP prezes lavish on that demo? Sure they do...
Half of Bernie supporters will not vote for any Dem? That's news? What is the import...who has really dug into the Dem loss in PA, MI, FL? The 16 stay- homes are so much more important than flipping once upon a time Obama voters back, especially in states that will still go red, is pure pyrite.
& for the great ooks sake (in place of god)! Do not build up some big plush teddy bear so we can all join together and row the boat ashore, because that huggy will get kicked all around the cage fight.
& no Dukakis talk alike, either.
The GOP has been close to 30 years of no. Get the majority, run on real things, not profound puffery of pretty words.
2
I’m sure the Democrats are doing anything they can to try and win, including putting a sham impeachment on the table.
2
What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?
A progressive platform benefitting all Americans with Bernie Sanders as nominee.
Same as what would have beaten Trump in 2016.
The impeachment was nothing more than an illigitimate attempt to remove a corrupt leader.
Calamitously stupid decision to pursue this.
The Dems have exposed generalised corruption in both the Republicans and their own party thanks to involvement in a country that has proven very problematic in terms of American interventions vis-a-vis the central European balance of power for NATO and the European frontier with Russia. Illegal regime change coup anyone?
What is more they have accentuated the usual divisions in their party and done damage to their mainstream offer to swing voters.
There was no trial but it wouldn't have mattered anyway.
The Repubs have no integrity or ability to be objective so no evidence or witness testimony would have swayed any of them.
And the Dems can't go after him for the worst stuff, his glaring corruption and war crimes, because they too are deeply corrupt (and it exposes them a la Biden) and okay with war crimes.
So we were left with a pre-decided dog and pony show for the masses and Trump rubes to chew on.
Glad that exercise in the ridiculous is over.
What it showed the world and everyone with an ounce of objectivity is that the US system is broken beyond repair.
Clearly, in order to save the Union, both of the grossly corrupt, beyond repair political parties must be destroyed.
2
Democrats and other sane people have to accomplish two things. Brand trump as the fascist he is and make sure that label is related and make sure it sticks to him. And then forget him completely because he is not the one that made all this possible. We have to cripple the entire GOP. There is no other way to check it's deep corruption.
7
My god. How I wish the all the pundits would cease blaming trump for the GOP's lack of intestinal fortitude and absence of ethics and decency. The GOP spawned this guy from their own cauldrons. Yes,they had a little help from the Wall Street/limousine liberals,but this Frankenstein was created in the cold,cruel crucibles of conservative doctrine. Please drop any pretense that these guys are somehow transformed by this scoundrel. These guys made the scoundrel.
15
This piece is as wandering as the Democratic primary candidates, and their process. It never answers the question posed in the title. Never addresses how to stop the liar and cheat now in full control of the reins. At least try to answer your own question.
4
Tearing up that speech by Speaker Pelosi was glorious!
8
A great editorial. Thank you, NY Times.
3
You denigrate Mayor Bloomberg for trying to “buy” the election. I would respectfully argue that it is still better than “stealing” it. If it takes one billionaire with a brain buying the election to defeat another billionaire without a brain trying to steal it, I’ll take the former.
12
Speaker Pelosi did nothing wrong when she tore up the copy of Trump's lies after the event. The Editorial Board on the other hand has just fallen into the Trump/GOP traps of demanding higher standards from Democrats and women, as well as not waiting for Speaker Pelosi's explanation of her actions, which she provided this morning. We all need to call the liar a liar.
12
The most probable extrapolation of current political events in America is that the outstanding strategist of the 21st Century to date, Vladimir Putin, will win in your November election.
6
I'll vote for Bernie, Bloomberg, or anyone in between!
6
What will defeat Donald trump?
The 1% owned press actually doing its job.
6
The Republican minority rules. The white male minority rules. They anoint white male judges to secure the minority rule. To safeguard gerrymandering and voter oppression. To safeguard white male rule for the near future. They are succeeding.
365
The democrats are stuck in a "Political Prisoner's Dilemma". Broaden the concept of the 1950 game theory problem and it becomes clear that the party and its candidates are behaving like rational individuals who are not cooperating, even if it is in their best interests, and that of the country, to do so. The solution is to support a candidate with the best chance to win - there might be only three candidates that fit.
2
Paper ballots, hand marked and counted and Trump will lose. Also most of the Red Senate and Red House. Don't lay down for another fake election... Red Lemmings, are you scared enough to destroy America and the world?
6
If the Bernie people feel that they cannot support any other Democratic nominee, then they will doom us to four more yers of this disgrace.
5
So, one had a spine. That will not break t-Rump who will be running rampant with his sycophants firmly supporting his every move.
1
He's an angry, obese and deluded old man. Poor health and rapid decline are going to defeat him, but during the course of his decline, expect his faithful sycophants to prop him up until he literally topples over. Then, they will indulge in the most awful hagiography imaginable. I fully expect his grotesque image will be with us for centuries--perhaps ironically on coins, since that is the real source of his power. I really hope I'm wrong.
8
One strategy for all concerned Americans is to focus their attention on congress, and help support Democratic candidates running for the House and Senate (as well as state level races).
It is easy to hyperfocus on Trump and forget that it's as equally important, perhaps even more important, to flip the Senate (while holding the House).
There are groups that can assist ordinary citizens like us take action. Here are two:
https://indivisible.org/payback-project-p2p
https://indivisible.org/payback-project-p2p
We are going to need a landslide to overcome Republican election meddling. It's time for everyone to get personally involved and help remove these traitors from office.
5
President Trump had defeated himself with the Tweets, the thin skin and the revolving door in his Administration.
Then Nancy and the idiot Democrats decided they needed to show how cool and combative they were and attacked. With investigative reports, hearings, 24 by 7 attacks in the media ... and finally the insanity of "Impeachment". Then the leader of the band of vicious partisan warriors illustrated the personal, rather than government, attack when she did the "show biz" temper tantrum of tearing up his speech copy.
Two things will deny the President re-election: find the Democrat Best and Brightest as candidates and Clean House in 2020 to elect some legislators rather than "Mixed martial arts" clowns who hate the President and the country.
1
President Trump will be re-elected and serve two terms as our President. Except for Democratic Socialists and other wack jobs, the American people love what he has done for our Country.
2
Patriotism, truth, honor, these are things lacking in Trump as well as his allies, the one thing that Trump despises as much as having the RICO act invoked upon him (once Barr is removed, would that not be a good feeling, he and his family become one of the lowly people he attacks) is anyone who is revered due to their morals, their values, respect, and dignity, anyone who can be called the Right Honorable, these are titles given to the likes of a John McCain, Elijah Cummins, John Lewis, Barak Obama, Mitt Romney to mention a few, these are not titles given automatically to Presidents, Monarchs, Dictators, for one only gains these titles when the Highest respect is garnered, not even Chief Justice Roberts who has shown himself to be undeserving of this upmost title, to hear Donald Trump tout his victory, a false victory at that, for him to use Religion and God when he treats himself as Superior and as the Second Coming of Christ, yet he cannot recite the Lord's Prayer without it being displayed on paper, he who has no soul but due to his age, his unhealthy physicial and mental condition he is surely to come accross the Almighty and then how will he comport himself, for a man who feels justified to ridicule, lie, grope women, take children from their parents, prejudice himself and others against humanity unless they follow him an untrue God, it will be interesting to see how he USES Religion, Mitt Romney, Nancy Pelosi and others whose beliefs he challenges are true to God
1
If the New York Times would stop giving political lies equal weight and greater exposure than it gives the truth, then maybe we’d have a start. What you did to Hillary Clinton is unforgivable, and your unwillingness to acknowledge it does not encourage forgiveness or any deep level of trust.
4
Come on! Who wrote this, Robert Mueller? The prissy editorial had to go false equivalent with its swipe at Pelosi. They go low, we go high is the strategy for success? Her move was completely justified and adroit. It dominated the post State of the Union news did it not? Hardball is shocking though from Dems but Nancy knows how to deal with bullies.
11
The lawyered-up con man wins another round.
3
What will finally defeat Donald Trump?
Cardiac arrest.
7
The "joke" of an impeachment trial was not really the GOP's fault. It was largely the fault of a facially thin case, an incongruous hold on the articles' issuance by Speaker Pelosi, and a preachy, repetitive, offensive presentation by the House Managers.
The Times's editorial board, like its employee writers, continues to try to excuse itself for its stoic support for idiotic positions on things like Ukrainian pressure. Sure, the Times may want to kill the Biden candidacy, but does the Times also want to kill any Dem cred? At the moment, it looks like the smart people at the Times are not so smart. Congratulations on the Times's defeat on impeachment -- and in the improving polls for Trump.
But it's okay. The Times can just tear up those old papers and pretend that nothing happened, while continuing to sneer with barely-disguised CNN-style derision at the boomer rube demo.
Purely as a commercial matter, where did that get CNN?
The Times has lost its status as the paper of record. As a lifelong reader, it has now for me morphed into an amazingly candid window into the tilting mind of the elite, wealthy, white, far-left sniffers. Sad but true.
2
I know I am going to be smeared for writing this, but.....When the Nazis were defeated, the people who stood by and saluted Hitler and turned the other way as millions were slaughtered all came to realize they were wrong. They have lived (until a younger generation unmoved by history has grown into adulthood) with a tremendous guilt for what they allowed to happen. The one thing that is reassuring for me is 60% of the American people do not like what is happening in America. Trump doesn't care about them. He is not interested in their concerns. He will attack them in a any way possible to get what he wants. But eventually those 60% will have had enough. They will decide their vote will end the nightmare. And they will vote in high enough numbers to stop this. I fear it may not be for another four years because I am scared people will feel their vote doesn't matter. They came out for Obama (albeit not in breathtaking numbers) and they will again. Everyone. And I mean everyone. Has their breaking point. Trump doesn't think they do. That will be his undoing. His voters had theirs. Their undoing will be overshooting the mark. The forgotten and overlooked don't just want to be seen. They have this hunger to 'repay the favor'. Just following their man's lead. Motivating the opposition.
1
Our dear constitution has died.
4
Yesterday, a new Banana Republic was born.
5
President Trump is a bully.
I am sad for the members of the Republican party who allow this to continue. And I am angry at my fellow republicans who join him in this behavior. The damage to the integrity of all Republicans is nearly complete. Ultimately Trump will be out in 1 year or 5 years and the Republican party have squandered their integrity and be left with no foundation.
The sooner his party stands up against his behavior, the less damage they will suffer
1
Trump is a two-bit con artist.
Desperate, out-of-their-minds Americans bought into him hook, line and sinker,
Millions of them still have no idea of who and what they bought into.
Compared to him, Bernie Madoff was a piker who will likely continue rotting in jail until his bitter end.
Poor Bernie never understood the first rule of con-artistry.
Which is when you steal, you need to steal really big and never quit stealing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/business/bernie-madoff-prison-release.html?searchResultPosition=1
4
Republicans:Let’s throw out our morals, values, integrity and world standing and keep a disrespectful, liar who continues to divide our nation every time he speaks.
3
Only God can defeat President Trump. What Democrats, Socialist Libs and haters fail to understand is WE THE PEOPLE PRAYED TO GOD FOR JUST SUCH A MAN TO RUN AND BRING THIS COUNTRY BACK FROM THE SOCIALIST BRINK WHERE OBAMA TOOK US.
So those who seek Trumps removal from office (like Pelosi, Schumer, Moeller and their kind) will NEVER SUCCEED. ONLY GOD CAN REMOVE TRUMP AND HE WONT DO THAT TILL HE FINISHES THE JOB WE ELECTED HIM TO DO WHICH IS BRING AMERICA BACK INTO GODS GOOD GRACE AND STANDARDS!
Thank you Lord God and our Savior Jesus.
All Americans should hang their heads in shame at this debacle. It makes an absolute mockery of all that used to be good about USA,the supposed land of the free. It has now sadly turned into a capitalist,lawless quagmire where no law applies to the powerful elite/politicians/corporations and the middle income earners are nothing but serfs beholding to them. Shame on you
5
Senator Romney was amazing. He spoke from his heart and place of God where no other party of traitors could go. This applies to Senator Jones, too.
What will defeat Putin's useful idiots? Cohen put it best, the despots will remain in office win or lose. Will it take thousands of free thinkers to storm traitor hangouts and physically remove them. I'm all for it.
KAC made a tiny statement when the protests started the day after the election. She wondered why people were protesting because, "... it won't do them any good." That was over three years ago and I caught that small statement and can easily connect it to the only reason protests won't help is because they're all in Putin's pockets with personal attacks and threats hanging over all of them.
4
It was not disappointing to see Ms. Pelosi shred the copy of the SOTU. It was refreshing, and completely appropriate, since the campaign rally speech that Trump delivered instead of the SOTU was truly a piece of garbage.
10
Taxes -- a la Al Capone.
3
The answer it Mike Bloomberg can.
2
Have to laugh. If you lot actually bothered to educate yourselves, the democrats wouldn't still be trying to destroy your country from the inside. They would have been history back when they were the party supporting slavery in Abe Lincoln's time.
Speaker Pelosi did not “tear the speech to shreds.” She slowly tore it in half and calmly put the two halves on the desk in front of her. Why does the Times parrot the Republican lie that Pelosi is a hysterical woman?
4
Get the immigration/asylum issue off the table and his support will soften. Tens of thousands of our citizens, (and children!), are dying every year from drugs brought in, for the most part, from Mexico. Lives and families are in ruin.
Looking the other way has gotten the Democrats nowhere.
Kitty Genovese lives!
1
Surely the Editorial Board has a more reasoned position for its millions of moderate readers?
1
Whatever dark, distorted path that led to this Editorial Board becoming emotionally fused with the Democratic Party - please let this be the start of something better. The NYT Editorial Board needs to have SOME capacity to see things other than through a Democrat lens. 50% of the US populace ultimately supported Trump. They are not all ignorant dupes, or racists - as many on this Board so simplistically and insultingly suggest. Such an insulting view of half of Americans is clearly a product of this tribal Red vs Blue emotional polarization that is ripping the country apart. The NYT has clearly worsened this polarization, as it plays a prominent role in the US media.
But I guess I get it. Journalistic integrity is being trumped by an economic need to sell papers to its main target audience...
2
Trump is too ignorant of government affairs to have orchestrated this himself.
Enter Mitch McConnell. Whatever he's hiding or attempting to accomplish must be as sinister and ugly as the man himself. He must be exposed. Completely.
Or …….. America can hope for as much help from the "light side" of the world as Trump has gotten from the dark.
2
criminals aiding and abetting criminals -- your modern republican party. all is forgiven, everything is allowed, funded by russia, advised by putin, accepted by the christian evangelicals as their leaders.
2
Can the democrats draft Mitt Romney?
Will you please face the reality that Trump is the manifestation of America's greed, racism, misogyny and breathtaking hypocrisy? Drop the false narrative of "democracy" and grapple with the truth--THIS is an oligarchy. The NYT is cocooned in NYC where, at least for now, divergent opinions and diversity is tolerated. But NYC is NOT "America." America is its Red States, finally given permission to spew their very American prejudices and hatreds to a vast, receptive audience. THIS is the "creature slouching towards Bethlehem."
2
The Times has rejected my comment several times that the president now has powers as dictator. The Constitution is a nullity and Trump could win reelection further reinforcing both his power and deterioration of the Republic. True there are many dedicated to fighting that outcome but the deck is stacked against them by the media, the courts, Congress, and a huge number of voters who only consider and believe in the many lies.
1
What will finally defeat Trump? Only the voters remain to clear the trash from our Congress and White House.
5
Speaker Pelosi reflected after ripping up the speech that she felt liberated. I hope she and all Democrats, and Republicans who have refrained from the cool-aid, will quit worrying about poking the bear. We and they should just go after the Republicans and their dark lord with everything. No more pussyfooting or hand-wringing, and no more trying to psychoanalyze the psycho. Impeach him again. Let's find the point at which he totally decompensates, and he and his whole raft of Dick Tracy rogues gallery chums sink under the waves.
4
Fried chicken.
4
If Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putiin along with their useful assets and idiots Fox News, Sean Hannity, Mark Zuckerberg, Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, Jeff Sessions, Jeff Bezos, Sergey Brin etc. can't hack, interfere and meddle in the 2020 Presidential campaign and election on behalf of Donald Trump bigger, bolder and better than they did in 2016, Trump might lose.
If the Democrats can nominate a candidate capable of exciting and inspiring the black African American base to turnout and vote in November out the herd of 70+ year old men and woman aka Sanders, Warren, Biden and Bloomberg then Trump might be defeated.
I fear that the only thing that will beat Trump in November is his resignation or the end of his mortal life.
But Trumpism and Trump Nation will continue to metastasize no matter what happens in the election. As the last desperate fear and hope of the aging and shrinking white European American majority.
2
Trump will defeat Trump
1
"Mr. Walsh described telling a crowd of thousands of Iowa Republicans that Americans deserve a president who is decent, who tells the truth and who doesn’t care only about himself. The crowd booed."
This is the heart of the problem. Just as Hitler had the support of formerly ethical people who turned into cult followers so does Trump.
You can't defeat a cult with reason or a hope of decency from them, you must overwhelmingly outnumber them and silence them.
In the name of humanity the whole world must defeat Trump and his cult followers. Humanity depends on it.
It is now a global problem.
Trump puts the very existence of the human race in grave jeopardy.
Just as the world united in WWI and WWII we must defeat this "Trumpism". Our human existence depends on it.
4
What will finally defeat Donald Trump? KFC and cheeseburgers. Trump is president for life.
3
No Modern Liberal Democrat should be permitted within 1000 yards of a government building.
The Modern Liberal philosophy is based on Marxist ideals and should be left (again) on the ash heap of history.
That shinning city on the hill - gone, methodically deconstructed by the small, greedy, spineless people who are the GOP ... Sycophants of America's oligarchs, who's only interest is to covet power, and rule at the expense of everyone other than themselves ... See Koch brothers and similar ilk ...
Generally, it worked OK for a good long time! Now we're nothing more than the rest of those "tin-pot representative one-party-dictatorships" you see in other countries, including the Philippines, Brazil, China and Russia! Bye-bye American pie ... !!
The narrative seems to constantly focus on what's wrong with the Democrats. In fact, the problem lies squarely on the GOP voting base as exemplified by the boos that a Trump challenger received when asserting that the public deserved an honest leader. We have seen this play out many times through history. A strong nationalist emerges and validates in the ignorant their hatred of immigrants, of the educated, of ethnic groups. This is how Hitler played out in the 1930s-40s. The ignorant masses willing to hate are always there, usually in stealth mode, but come alive about once a generation when the nationalistic timing is right. Of course, we never thought it would happen here. So, what will right this ship? Probably what it took to reverse course in most past cases, a catastrophe that directly tied to the nationalist movement. It could take many forms -- race riots, a needless war, marches in the streets. But we should prepare ourselves for a cataclysmic event.
4
The plague got to you all. Trump Derangement Syndrome started Nov 16 2016 and was virulent right from the start. In the beginning it was just young liberal naive women wailing. TDS progress until right up until today, now it fills people with hatred of their fellow citizens, clouds peoples judgement and makes countless irrational. The only crime President Trump did was to defeat the queen.
3
This editorial is big on invective. It is the same story of how to remove President Trump. Hasn't this strategy failed? It has completely failed. Yet the editorial offers nothing but the same. Aren't you getting bored? Yawn!
4
Unite w those who oppose this dictator wanna be and his enablers
Even as they might offend you
Even and esp those you disagree with
Standing on ceremony now is national suicide
For you will not get the chance to even express your opinion if he and they are re elected
That much is a certainty
1
As with the Kavanaugh hearings, Susan Collins has shown terrible judgment, she's a liar or a fool -- or both. She's gotta go...
1
I'd like to congratulate Adam Schiff & the Impeachment Managers: they did win a victory of sorts - they held the line and no Democrats broke ranks, something I was sure would happen. And they convinced, for the first time in history, a member of the impeached president's party, a Republican to vote against tRump, shaming Collins, Alexander, etc.
I'd also like to thank them for their hard work and courage! It wasn't and will not be easy but they do give me hope. The United States of America may have a future after tRump.
2
You went too far, throwing the Democratic candidates in with Donald Trump. All of the candidates are fantastic, and would represent real positive change in this country. The problem isn't that we don't have any good choices; it's that we have too many.
4
I really think we need to turn this over to Mike Bloomberg. He can do it. He can stop him. He can beat Trump at his own game.
I'm a dyed in the wool Democrat, and I have much respect for Speaker Pelosi and the presidential candidates, but I think they should concede the battle field to Mike, he is putting his money where his mouth is and can stop this coup de tat.
3
Bloomberg is not "trying to buy the nomination." He's buying something every other candidate is buying too, ads. Bloomberg's just unique in that he's using his own money. There's an old saying, "If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?" Bloomberg is both he shouldn't be criticized for it, especially in light of the fact that he's done a lot of good. So if you're going to criticize his viability as a candidate, please identify relevant criteria by which to do so.
11
By voting in an election, we implicitly agree to be governed by the outcome, even if it is not the outcome we wanted.
When the elections are fraudulent, when the candidates openly cheat or engage other nations in manipulating information or worse, then follow those behaviors with lies, a whitewash, and power moves that negate the laws delineated in our constitution, anyone who doesn't have their head in the sand or up a darker place will void that implicit agreement.
3
Trump is just the symptom.
If you have a problem with Trump or him being re-elected then you should understand what's going on in the voters mind.
Why are people voting for him?
Why is there such a huge political division amongst the people?
This is surely deeper than economic and social media manipulation.
There are people from all socio economic levels who are ready to vote for him again.
What is common between the poor voter and the wealthy voter? What's common in the way they view the world?
2
@Reader
You strip away all the things that matter to one group, but not to the other, and you are finally left with the common ground of racism.
Nothing bonds like hatred of the other, and nothing so offended Republicans as much as a black president.
Observation made by one old white woman.
4
The Riechstad is burning.
Moral corruption, unaccountable capitalism and political correctness is a toxic stew fed by an unchained media that has saddled our middle class with the predicament of choosing a despicable leader and his collaborators to lay claim to their nation.
They now hate Democrats and liberals more than the Republican oppressors. It has become a deep durable passion.
What’s next: Deprivation of rights, expulsion and finally, extermination.
6
Only trump can defeat trump.
1
Trump is an amoral scoundrel. He said he would repeal and replace Obamacare but he didn't follow through. He pursued a tax cut that produced a historic deficit. He defies the constitution while claiming he is protecting it. He has lied countless times. He won't release his tax returns and lies that he is being audited. His only interest since the inauguration has been to get reelected. If this happens his only interest will be how to enrich himself through rising the treasury. He has no objective but to do things for his personal benefit. That's the Art Of The Deal.
1
Your article is obviously Democratic slanted. Perhaps your writers could just write the facts. The title of the article alone is offensive. President Trump is my president and even if you don't like him, he is your president as well. I didn't like Obama and I still don't trust him, but I respected the office. Perhaps Pelosi and her ilk should as well.
3
Respect needs to be earned and Trump has disgusted the majority of voters with his ill-manners, corruption, and self-dealing policy since the very day he took office. From the very start - lying about the size of his inaugural crowd - he has tried to deceive the public. What exactly is he deserving respect for?
3
@Csnow
No it is obviously GOP slanted. If it were DEM slanted it would be pointing out the fact that the GOP is and has been the only real problem the US has had for the last 50 years.
2
@Csnow
CS Now? Kinda showed your cards there, man.
Well, Dumb Donnie has certainly one "accomplishment" to boast about. He has forced me to loathe 40% of my fellow citizens. I am 58 years old and have never felt this way before.
Congratulations, Mister "President."
12
Is the NY Times Editorial Board saying we should NOT investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter for possible corruption?? Apparently, investigations are only appropriate when they involve Donald Trump.
3
Women. Women will defeat him.
5
If only journalists had cared this much about the truth back in 2015-2016.
We told you all that your coverage of Trump was wrong. You ignored us. You said you knew better than us. And to this day I haven’t seen many apologies from journalists who got it wrong. And even fewer apologies from editors.
Now you want us to expect that you care about holding Trump accountable? It’s shameless. The US media including the Times helped elect Trump. Despite all of the thousands of warning signs and red flags, you helped create this scenario. I’d really, really like to hear the editors board apologize for that. Without equivocating, without trying to point fingers or deflect blame. Just apologize. Then we can talk about moving forward.
5
I’m betting on a stroke.
4
A moderate Democratic Party that stands for the values that made it what it was for 75 years. It has become the party of illegal aliens, identity politics and free stuff. It takes a “special” group of people to keep trump in the race. Unfortunately that’s the democrats today.
1
I repeat my desire to have us acknowledge that we are headed inexorably toward civil war so why not get right to it and see where it leads? A multi million person (unarmed) march on DC designed to paralyze the city until the Orange Monster and Pence the Puppet step down. Let’s find out whose side the Armed Forces are on when they’re mobilized. We’re already a banana republic with a tin-horn dictator wannabe so let’s not wait any longer to address it. Let’s lance the boil.
2
trump's acquittal would make Nixon shiver.
1
Democrats need to realize that whatever their pet desire, they will get a better deal from any Democratic President and Congress than they will from the Republicans. Like a cancer they need to be cut out like the cancer they are.
1
What will defeat Trump? A fat embolus. Cancer. The moral high ground is not winning these days. So give him his Medal of Freedom and let him go into treatment.
2
That bloviating fool thinks that he won the day. The fact is that years from now he will be remembered for what he is: a con man and a shameless criminal. He won't always be around to re-write the facts, and history will see him for what he is.
In the meantime, he needs to be voted out of office. His flunkies in the Senate need to be voted out of office. The alternative is horrendous damage to our country, worse than what has gone before.
"He will do ANYTHING to win." -Ivana Trump
He needs to lose. Thank you, Senator Romney.
3
Trump has a huge propaganda machine working for him. Between Putin and his internet trolls, and Mark Zuckerberg and his fraudulent Facebook, Rupert Murdoch and his racist minions, and the newly knighted Rush Limbaugh, who all spewing disinformation and lies, the Democrats need to broadcast their message more efficiently. Not just in the United States, but all freedom loving voices must raise their pitch and volume if we are to combat the this current age of LIARS who attempting to take over the world.
2
If you think this is bad, don't worry.
You haven't seen anything yet.
2
A point of disagreement, tearing lies-filled paper is speech, in this case, eloquent. The significant act was in no way stooping to Trump's level. Get focused. Stop muddling your editorials.
3
The whole purpose of democracy is that the people will chart their future course by choosing their political leaders to serve them.
If most of the voters would choose someone as selfish, foolish, and incompetent as Donald Trump, then we are doomed as a nation, and we would deserve such a fate.
and we can not blame anyone else except ourselves.
1
Fate will finally defeat Donald Trump. He cannot live forever. Stroke. Heart attack. Pneumonia. Fall and break his neck. Bye bye.
2
NYT Please Advise: Given...
...the perilous trajectories of our country and planet,
…the criminal acts committed by Trump,
...the impeachment of Trump in the House…
...and the sham trial of Trump in the Senate,
...at what point does the NYT take the lead, as one of the nation’s most respected news organizations, and call for Trump’s resignation (without the benefit of a Pence pardon)?
Thank you.
+++++++++++++++
FYI: A bit of history from Wikipedia:
Impeachment Process Against Richard Nixon
On November 4, 1973, Senator Edward Brooke became the first congressional Republican to publicly urge President Nixon to resign. That same week, several newspapers, including The Atlanta Journal, The Denver Post, The Detroit News and The New York Times, published editorials also urging him to resign. Time magazine, in the first editorial in 50 years of publication, did so as well, declaring that the president "has irredeemably lost his moral authority" to govern effectively, and that Nixon "and the nation have passed a tragic point of no return."
2
What's all this with the NYT and Michael Bloomberg. Just because he wants to fund his own campaign you say he is trying to buy the Presidency. You disparage him for being able to be his own man not beholden to donors or the DNC. And who would want to be when so far all we have is shambles. Its time NYT took a longer look at Mr Bloomberg for his liberalism, his understanding of where the state is failing and his reputation for getting things done. It doesn't hurt that he is the only candidate who dares to challenge the NRA.
Donald Trump is not a problem. He is just a symptom of the problems. One cannot ever the symptoms but just the causes. It is truly tragic that our free press can't understand the basics or the truth.
By the way I predicted the current situation to one of the NYT columnist almost two decades ago.
His reply?
He blocked my email address.
I guess he couldn't handle the truth.
1
The US has tied its future to the lies of a con man and the Republican party is leveraging his deceptions to cement their hold on power. This is how authoritarian governments are born.
Good luck evicting him from the highest office in the land because no lie or cheat is beyond the traitor sitting in the White House and millions of unwitting Americans have fallen for his con.
You knew he was a snake before you took him in!
Trump and the Republicans have latched onto the Tuskegee Airmen, a staple of black of liberals and Black History Month, for themselves. His state of the union was emphatic about helping black people. Democrats have divided the country every way they the can. Now Republicans.
If the Republicans really wanted to get the Black vote they would ask whats with all the light skin/blue eyed black people in the media and entertainment with names like Zoe? Where are the dark skinned black people the Republicans in the media they should ask? The media's HR seem to be using the brown paper bag test when hiring blacks.
You won't print this. It states why It isn't just white people in the south responsible for systemic racism, it's progressive elitist too.
I’ll pass this along, but can’t take credit as I saw it earlier and feel it’s so appropriate: ‘President O.J.’
1
The Editorial Board fails to grasp the reality.
Donald Trump did everyone a favor.
Donald Trump destroyed the Republican Party.
Thank goodness.
The GOP platform had been irrepairably perverted by the Bushes. A cynical use of FEAR to manipulate a core constituency. No attempt was made to enter the 21st Century with a vision that promised survival and prosperity. Only a lingering sense of dread, terror everywhere, with only Duct Tape to protect ourselves. Like addicts, we were taught to Drill Baby Drill, essentially defecating in our own water supply in order to get what we Crave...OIL.(which we then sell to China, our enemy, that the Bush Family considers friend.)
Aside from Bush Minions, such as Mike Pence, there is no Republican Party. Poor ole sad Mitt Romney. He had so much promise....until the Bush Minions pulled him aside and advised him to try and be more like Barrack Obama.
Romney still thinks he can be President(which does more to explain his recent vote, than anything else).
Likewise, the DNC, the National Version of NYC's Tammany Hall,,,controls the Democrats...thru cynical manipulation of every Federal Program, every Media Outlet, every vote that counts, every immigrant,,,,,just like the old days down at Ellis Island. But Nancy tore that contract up.....she and the DNC took out the challenger, Joe Crowley....and sealed their own fate......Sandy Ocasio, winner of a rigged election, the young lady who wont stop "speaking truth to power".
OOPS.
Why do Dems pretend to care about unlawful, unjustified convictions but try to do the same thing to our President? Go Trump!
1
It's always darkest before dawn. So they say.
I hope so. Because my gosh, New York Times--it's pretty darn DARK.
Remember the movie "Patton"? Of course, you do. You will remember George C. Scott in his gravelly voice doing a marvelous impersonation of the original general (whose voice, they say, was much higher pitched)--this at the out set.
"When your grandson asks: what were YOU doing during the great Second World War?--
"--you will NOT have to say: I was shoveling (unidentified vile substance) in Louisiana."
I dream of the day--and my gosh, I see no sign of it right now--when some doddering former senator is buttonholed by some tyke--"Gramps, you didn't actually vote to ACQUIT Mr. Trump, did you? DID you?"
And the old gentleman (coloring slightly) says, "Sonny, how about a game of checkers?"
Those toadies and enablers--there are so many of them.
But then--those people in Iowa. A state of which (personally) I have such pleasant memories.
And the 2016 crowd at the GOP national convention. Screaming at Mr. Cruz (NOT my favorite guy)--"Endorse! Endorse!"
"'Tis time that I grow wise when all the world grows mad."
Seventh century British poet.
Good advice.
The entire collective power of the American establishment can’t beat one man. Instead of whining about it you should figure out why you’ve become so weak.
1
Time's up.
The echoes of 1933 have grown stronger, over the past 3 years. That Mitt Romney is the sole moral republican, while his party exposes the deep moral failing which, like the cancer it is, must be contained and rooted out.
The everlasting shame of this moment, places us all in danger, because it is now clear:
REPUBLICANISM = DEATH
2
The biggest headline should have been “ Republican shows a Spine”, not “acquittal”.
1
Let us all remember how Melania Trump, willingly and with a smile on her face, hung a medal of freedom around the neck of one of the most odious, hate filled men in all our history. Thereby impugning the meaning of the medal for all who have come before him. The next time she dares to mention her “Be Best” anti bullying campaign, all who are present must derisively laugh her out of the room.
1
Well, thats it isnt it? I spent the last 2 days perusing around all the articles blasting the SOU, and couldnt find a specific reason for the anger. The Times finally put it out there - "He grotesquely caricatured the criminality of undocumented immigrants".
Cant do that. Not allowed. You cant describe the horrific crimes committed by illegal immigrants. You cant speak about it, or even utter the words illegal immigrants. Any reference toward them in public, and heaven forbid in front of a crowd of Democrats, could only be about amnesty, building bridges not walls, and of course, full throated support for sanctuary cities. Sanctuary cities are the new lifeline for Democrats, as they swell the populations in Dem leaning cities and states, which will afford them more House seats, and in turn, more electoral votes.
He dared go there.
Well, Im here to tell you my Democrat friends, that this continued support for open borders, sanctuary cities, and amnesty, will get the party trounced again. It is just incredulous, that 3 years in, you still dont get why Trump won.
2
A massive heart attack.
1
When this skunk loses in Nov., he will claim voter fraud and try and stay in office. Let's make it a landslide, people, and sweep the Republiskunks out of the Senate majority.
4
We learnt the same during the pre-election when the media just kept giving him free TV coverage every night.
The beauty of where we are is directly connected to many who played pretend in 2015-16 as the candidate just kept saying things that were really outlandish.
The 5th Avenue comment. That didn’t set off a light bulb. The comments about designated races and cultures. Lights were still off. The comment about individuals with designated medical diagnoses. Missed that too.
Where were you NY Times?
Charles Blow was the only NY Times columnist who wrote about these things when he saw it.
So when you say what “we” learnt I’m assuming you’re referring to everyone who pretended they couldn’t see who the right honorable gentleman really was.
Follow behavior next time versus getting all lost in the ratings game.
Ratings on trash talk are for losers like Fox.
1
There is NO Republican Party. Quit saying so !
There are a group of spineless sycophants that follow trump around hoping that he will somehow sprinkle some of his blessings on them. The White House is now the White Castle, which will soon be declared the White Cathedral where God lives . . . if trump is re-erected. HalleJulia !
1
So the Times editors think that Truman’s recognition of Israel less than six months before the 48 election and the desegregation of the military three months before had nothing to do with going all out to win re-election.
As you mention, 2016 is a cautionary tale. because NYT single handedly shut down Bernie’s run, in order to promote Hillary. You did it by constantly badgering Bernie. It was not fair when millions supported him and you ought to have given him a chance to speak for himself as a candidate. In your rush and arrogance to promote Hillary, you lost credibility of fairness.
1
Maybe too late. The Rubicon has been crossed.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/06/hollow-pretence-justice-global-press-trump-impeachment-acquittal
1
"He grotesquely caricatured the criminality of undocumented immigrants, rewrote the history of his assaults on Americans’ health care and drastically inflated the number of jobs expected to be created by the new trade bill."
This is the most powerful rebuttal the NYT can muster to the SOTU address?
Unfortunately for the NYT 'editiorial' board; 1. Some illegal aliens do commit horrid crimes. 2. Contrary to what President Obama said ("..you can keep your doctor...") the ObamaCare system deserves to be critiqued and revised and 3. Calling attention to the high range of an estimate is fairly typical political posturing.
Outside of your three zip-code coastal elite audience, you'll need to make a better argument.
3
From THE STORY OF THE AMULET by E. Nesbit, published in 1906:
'You'll have a revolt of your slaves if you're not careful,' said the Queen.
'Oh, no,' said Cyril; 'you see they have votes—that makes them safe not to revolt. It makes all the difference. Father told me so.'
'What is this "vote"?' asked the Queen. 'Is it a charm? What do they do with it?'
'I don't know,' said the harassed Cyril; 'it's just a vote, that's all! They don't do anything particular with it.'
'I see,' said the Queen; 'a sort of plaything.'
2
A cease fire might slow the President down.
Romney's vote casts him as the only true Republican Senator worthy of the name.
The rest of the Senate are sycophants for the first Autocracy in the history of our country. I would argue this descent has happened fully in the open starting with Ronald Reagan's tax cuts. The final turbo-charge towards Autocracy was the Citizen's United decision presided over by none other than Justice John Roberts.
There is now an international Oligarchical Autocratic movement led by none other that Vladimir Putin, a Black Swan of sorts, whose shadow is slowly closing the door on Democracy.
The biggest concern I have in regard to Trump's criminal Presidency is not only the Autocracy, but the limited and eventual erasure of Press Freedoms in his next 4 years. Will these people close the New York Times? Arrest its editors? Will they shut down Charles Blow or Nicholas Kristoff? Arrest Rachel Maddow?
2
"...disappointing to see [Nancy Pelosi] stoop to the kind of stunt the president himself would pull"
Why does everyone have to be a saint to Trump's sinner.
An adult to his constant, puerile, petulant, disgraceful behavior.
Why this double-standard? It's disturbing, even chilling.
2
Pretty good Editorial.
Trump has never tried to be The President of the United States - he is only the President of his voters. His moronic inaugural speech made that clear. The State of the Union is that it is hanging by a thread.
2
Does TRUMP have a white horse waiting for him to mount and ride on Pennsylvania Ave?
VOTE.. November 3rd.
If you are a Republican watch Fox
If you are a Democrat watch
CNN.
Nuff said.
N
1
If investigators could provide proof that Donald Trump has impregnated women who then, at his urging, aborted the baby, I think that might cause some Christians to vote against him.
2
Bernie Sanders has a job if he doesn't win the nomination...he needs to convince his rabid supporters that they have to vote, no matter who wins the nomination.
He cannot act like he was cheated like in 2016, he must unite his supporters.
And kids, supporters of Sanders, you need to understand that if Bernie doesn't win, it isn't because he was cheated, it was because many of us do not agree with his policies.
We've been around the block a few times, so we know what will work and what will not work. We love your idealism, we need your idealism, but more than that, we need to get Trump and the Republicans out of office. Read the book 1984 so you understand the urgency.
2
The reverse is just as true. If Sanders gets the nod, HRC, Bloomberg, Biden, Warren, Pete, and all the others have to vocally and energetically get behind him, even if it's just a children's crusade. If that strikes you wrong, why the lack of balance?
1
@CPod Sounds like you've been around the block more than a few times. The word "jaded" comes to mind. What block in Moscow is it where you do your walking ? Is it perchance the block where the Russian Internet Research Agency is located ?
1
It may be called the United States of America, but it's effectively the 'Dis-united Peoples of America.' Most don't see this because they only know the democratic post-Civil War, pax Americana historical narrative of this young nation. Quibbling about Trump etc is not seeing the forest for the branches. We have gravitated sufficiently to two different poles of social and political belief systems that a peaceful separation may be necessary, if not natural. Something akin to Callenbach's Ecotopia - although that was more economically-based. Wake up people, see beyond the box.
"A recent poll found that 45 percent of the supporters of the leading progressive candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders, said they weren’t sure they’d vote for any other Democratic nominee. Meanwhile, over in the party’s centrist camp, Michael Bloomberg appears to be trying to buy the nomination."
-- "What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?"
Bernie owns his "army" of followers.
There are many paths to victory in 2020, for Donald Trump.
Bernie's Army is just one of them, if the 45 percent of them noted in the editorial are true to their word.
As for Bloomberg's "buying" the election -- well, between Donald Trump and Michael Bloomberg, I would prefer the next four years under a new president.
The old one worked out pretty much as horribly as I expected. So, more power to Bloomberg, if he is the last one standing among Democratic challengers to Donald Trump.
When to decide what or who finally can defeat Trump, we have to first consider why he won the election and go from there to win the voters back.
He won the election,
because of job losses in manufacturing due to globalization and automation,
the fear of white men of loosing status, dominance and privilege in US society due to women questioning the status quo and gaining more power as well as brown and black people increasing in numbers,
the fear US culture dominated by WASP values will change to become more multicultural, open and tolerant,
the fear of loosing an old identity.
In order to win the lost voters back, Democrats will have to address these issues of American identity and of job losses and offer convincing solutions, which outsmarts and outshines Trump's bloated bullying posturing.
2
@Angelika Harden-Norman Yes, the SOTU was "bloated bullying posturing" -- just like every State of the Union show business in the modern era.
But your solution seems to be to divide the country into groups and tell them they will each get revenge and gifts if they vote for your party.
Instead of stressing that "We are all Americans in this together".
2
@Angelika Harden-Norman
No he won the election because of the NYT and the rest of the press were making money by promoting Trump without honestly doing their jobs.
They even openly (falsely) claimed to not know how to deal with "this man" or the fact of them giving him so much free public relations.
Everyone knew what the outcome of this impeachment trial would be and have done since the first calls to impeach were made.
While I can accept that the House decided to do so as a matter of principle, not a single person believed the trial would end differently - regardless of witnesses or evidence.
We knew the numbers. Republicans outnumber Democrats in the Senate. If anyone was deluded enough to believe that 20 or so of them could be persuaded to vote based on honesty and decency, you obviously have never met a politician.
So why is anyone particularly upset at the outcome? We knew in advance what it would be. The purpose of this exercise was to put another example of this President's failings in the public eye. Job done. Now it's time to move on and use more of his inane ramblings to get him out of office in November.
1
If we look at the new norms presented by Monarch Donald J Trump, one could conclude that his or her opponent could suggest to foreign governments to come forward with information or another method to inhibit the current monarchs' longevity of only 1 term in government.
Isn't that what Donald J Trump did?
Pelosi was right to tear up a speech of grotesque vile demagoguery propaganda big lies racism hate and the destruction of truth and all we have fought to create.
If not stopped our democracy will be owned by a kleptocratic authoritarian hegemony.
10
The NYTs and the main stream media must stop Trump from doing so many wonderful things for America. Lowest African American unemployment in history? The media will not tolerate it. Trump must be stopped from getting America better trade deals, preventing illegal immigration, tax cuts, prison reform, refunding black colleges. He must be stopped. We need to go back to high unemployment, more people on welfare etc.
2
@P McGrath
Wow! You have really bought into the Trump Kool Aid, he claims something and you buy into it without even checking if it is at all accurate.
P. T. Barnum is alive and well and his name is Trump.
1
@P McGrath If Obama had brought down unemployment from 50% to 1% and Trump then took it down to .9% you guys would be braying about the awesome job you've done.
Trump has created fewer jobs than Obama did in his last 3 years. The GDP has grown only .1% more quickly - and that with doubling our deficit with poorly targeted stimulus for rich people.
It's like you found a $20 bill on the street and are now telling everyone that you are a business genius. (I'm sure a very stable one.)
1
The commentariat must start to realize that there is a brilliant method to the Trump madness. He is a master huckster and propagandist. He sticks to a few key messages and hammers them home over and over again. He is unabashedly dishonest and ruthless in his attacks. His supporters love him because he never backs down and shows no mercy in slandering the Democrats.
Democrats need to take a lesson from the Lincoln project attack ads. Modern politics isn't a gentile, polite debating society. It is an all out crush your enemy propaganda war. Trump will win in a landslide unless Democrats wake up, show some spine and go nuclear. Most importantly, the party needs to be bold and nominate an inspirational leader, NOT a safe, sleep inducing, smelly wet dishrag.
4
Make no mistake, we are in the fight of our lives, for our lives, and the future of our children and grandchildren. You just never know who the heros are going to be but we have witnessed the ACTIONS of one. Thank you Mitt Romney. We now need wave upon wave of Americans to follow suit. The Senate is not going to save us. There really is no Senate currently until we can replace the spinless lemmings. We must save ourselves. VOTE! And if there are questions of integrity afterwards, we must FIGHT!! It's our last chance. Four more years of DJT and his boss Putin are not an option!
5
The Democrat’s pathological obsession with ousting Donald Trump by any means necessary...including malfeasance...will be their downfall.
The citizenry is sick and tired of the partisan jousting. Stop this tiresome fixation on Donald Trump!...and tell us what Democrats propose to do to improve the lives of American citizens. What we’ve heard so far is NOT a winning strategy.
3
@Susanna
There are 275 bipartisan House bills sitting on McConnell’s desk, or hadn’t you heard? I guess Trump doesn’t mention that in his rallies.
Susanna - I think you have it wrong and backwards. The Democrats are fighting to expose Trump’s lies and demagoguery and have been ineffective and thwarted in some cases from doing so. Conversely, Trump has been fighting to stay in office ‘by any means necessary’. His lies are easily identifiable and quite frankly- ridiculous but more importantly, costly and dangerous. Does it really take a lot of research to understand that he took over an economy that was already doing well - But his supporters just LOVE his lie, patriotic nonsense sprinkled with racist rhetoric and Christian anything to espouse values that are worth his bankrupt businesses. And I love this one, I know he’s awful but the economy is doing well. Yes, American exceptionalism at its best indeed!
1
“If impeachment by the House and removal by the Senate would simply harm him and not the Constitution, we would be all for it. But under the present circumstances of a polarized party-line vote, it would assault the Constitution as well as public confidence in that most precious American asset, the orderly, quadrennial surrender of power from one Chief Executive to another”
Above, the Times’ Editorial Board’s thinking on 12/16/1998, about the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton; the EB strongly opposed impeachment.
What a difference a decade makes.
It’s well worth remembering that Mr. Clinton was clearly guilty of perjury, a felony, and a high crime by any reasonable definition. More importantly, Mr. Clinton’s sexual transgressions were likely of devastating consequence to the nation and beyond. Mr. Clinton had a long running, sordid, sexual affair with a 21 year old intern, his employee. When governor of Arkansas, Clinton had state police escort a secretary to his hotel room, where he exposed his genitals and demanded oral sex. Clinton was credibly accused of rape.
It should be asked: what empowered the Bill Cosby’s, Jeffrey Epstein’s, and likely Harvey Weinstein’s of the world to think they could behave as they did? A major factor is that these predators witnessed what Clinton got away with, with little more than a slap on the wrist.
The Democrat’s never apologized for Bill Clinton. Instead they nominated his wife and enabler for President in 2016.
1
And yet, you endorsed Klobuchar.
Can’t the House just keep impeaching him if he continues to abuse his power before the election?
Bill Walsh, the ex-Niners coach, used to say "the other side gets paid to make a play". Well, now it is time for everybody in this country who wants a democratic form of government to make a play. And it starts with the Democrats and that awful display in the Iowa caucuses. Democracy dies if we cannot even manage our way out of a wet paper bag, for goodness sakes.
We know Trump and the Republican Party by now. They want a dictatorship. You know it, and I know it. The only thing that they respect is political power, not the Constitution.
But we get paid (our pay is our democracy; one true gift that keeps giving) to make that play. Let's do it, each in our own way, a little each day. Never give up, and never back down.
If you ever get discouraged, there is a statue in a harbor that the French gave us. You know where it is. Take a look. That lady has a lamp. Don't let the light in that lamp go out.
If you are going door to door canvassing for democracy; making that play, take along a lamp. You can get one at Walmart for $5 that runs on batteries. Make sure that the light is on. Let that lamp energize you, shining light into darkness; hope against fear, kindness in the face of evil.
I disagree with one assessment. GOP legislators are not beholden to Trump. They are beholden 1) to their contorted gerrymandered districts or their predominantly red states, and 2) to their need to win as an end in and of itself. In other words, it’s not actually about policy. It’s about ego and the electoral math that threatens it. They have but one goal: to keep butt in chair. And that goal has but one obstacle: fear of being successfully primaried. So they put “Me first!” instead of “America first!” It’s really not all that complicated.
2
If you want to end this administrative monster show, get behind the better souls and affirm their candidacies. Get off of Pelosi's back, and Warren's back and Joe's back and.... What are you as the press doing to encourage and affirm and enable the efforts of all who are in this struggle to repeal and replace the corrupted leadership that currently owns us? Are you going to drill down on every detail that misses some teeny tiny ideological mark? Who cares about ripping up Trump's manifesto of mistruths? You have an affirming, lifting, ameliorative role here. Step up.
1
Short-term win for the GOP--long term lost for the GOP, in that, now they have sent the clear message to Trump that he can, in his terminology, shoot democracy on main street and nothing will happen to him. Without guardrails of any kind, Trump is now officially a loose bull in a democratic China house--with the American people being sprayed daily by broken China and paying the price of picking up broken pieces.
1
@Amanda Jones It is true that the GOP now owns Trump. Whatever he does, and assuming he will engage in more corruption, if it's vile enough they will all own it together. That's the risk they're taking. We shall see where it leads.
"What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?"
The Republicans absolutely cannot reelect Trump. Only the Democrats can do that and, unfortunately, that is precisely what they have been doing. For starters, Democrats will have to immediately stop with the circular firing squad routine, the only thing they have been adept at all year.
Second, they have to stop lecturing and start listening to voters. Unless you respond to people's values and needs as they define them -- not as you you think they should define them -- you will change precisely no one's mind.
Aspirational politics are all well and good when you're preaching to the choir. They are useless, actually counterproductive, in the current sociopolitical environment.
As well, the Democrats need to quit defining anyone who supports Trump as the Devil, whose very thoughts are contagious and terminal, if you interact with them.
Bottom line: to defeat Trump Democrats must be laser-focused on the objective of defeating Trump, not on what "category" is due a turn at the Presidency. They must understand this is an election for President, not an election for God.
Avoidance and denial are major problems in defeating Trump, as evidenced by the fact that none of the top three most highly recommended Readers Picks nor Times Picks even addresses the question of how to defeat Trump. Believing that Democrats hold the moral high ground is well and good, butt that does not win elections.
Focus: What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?
3
With Trump’s acquittal, we descend further into autocracy.
1
I'm terrified. Iowa picked the only candidate I have serious problems voting for. Trump will eat Buttigege for breakfast.
2
I disagree that Nancy Pelosi was impolitic in ripping the President’s speech. It seemed totally appropriate after he had refused to shake her hand and more importantly after he had delivered a racist rant filled w/ lies. “Going high when they go low “,often makes us Dems look weak . Not that we have to lie or resort to persiflage. The crowning insult of the evening was awarding the medal of freedom to the misogynist, racist Limbaugh.
2
What? Health care, jobs, housing, stuff that Trump shouts about before dropping the ball. 
1
What will finally defeat Trump? Trump.
What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?
Age and obesity.
We will be rid of him soon.
3
@Matthew: not counting on what you said. With Trump, the old adage “mala hierba nunca muere,” applies. Bad weeds never die.
3
What will finally defeat Donald Trump? If he keeps eating lots of fast food, maybe he'll have a massive stroke. He could retire to Mar-A-Lago and have a pretty nurse spoon-feed him mush. I don't think Melania would be willing.
1
Could Mitt Romney be the presidential candidate the Democratic party is now hoping for?
2
While I agree with most of what you say, I cannot help but remember how fundamentally wrong you were about the 2016 election. I would wake to your predictions of an overwhelming Clinton victory each morning I opened the NYT. So, your sabotaging of Bernie Sanders continues. Shame on you! This time next year, we will be revelling in his or perhaps my choice, Elizabeth Warren’s, presidency and full control of both houses of the U.S. Congress, but no thanks to you. How dare you find fault with Speaker Pelosi’s very adapt message? That speech was worthless, and no less worthless than the person who delivered it. Stop disappointing me, NYT.
2
"What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?"
Since the GOP SINate is feckless at best, the only thing that will defeat pretend Donald Trump are his own inestimable ignorance, incompetence and hubris. For if it's true that "the bigger they are the harder they fall", this hideous imitation of a man will fall very far and very hard indeed.
1
If only Nancy had called the witnesses.
King Donald, aided and abetted by terrorist Senate Republicans with a yellow streak down their backs, was going to easily win re-election even without further help from Putin or other actors. So at the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter whether he gets foreign help.
This editorial is all well and good but the Times needs to get this thinking to the Front Page. Because on the Front Page of the NYT the both sides do it mentality reigns. The front page should stand strong against tyranny and in larger letters, instead of Trump acquitted, put “Sham trial fails to exonerate Trump!”. The Times must have the guts to put Our Country ahead of sales. The time has come to be counted.
2
"What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?" Only God knows.
1
What will finally defeat Donald Trump?
Donald Trump.
1
Not to be uncivil, but this is the greatest con job of all times!
1
What will FINALLY defeat Der Trumpf?
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York will.
And than heavens for it.
2
It's comforting to know he will, at the very least, be defeated by time and history.
No exercise, a steady diet of vitriol, cheeseburgers, ice cream and diet cokes, early signs of dementia -- even Teflon Don won't escape that reality.
And these senators that are spineless hypocrites will live with him in infamy.
But remember -- the majority of Americans didn't vote for him and don't want him. We are angry.
3
What's wrong with honoring Rush Limbaugh as he struggles with cancer? He is a man who single handedly help promote the American conservative movement but the NYT of course believes that that is probably impeachable too. After all, everything is impeachable about Trump!
1
Take heart Trump will no longer be president in 2025.
1
A history lesson for the new Teflon Don.
"On April 2, 1992, .....the jury found [John] Gotti guilty on all charges of the indictment ..... "The Teflon is gone. The don is covered with Velcro, and all the charges stuck."
Sentence: life imprisonment without the possibility of parole."
1
All past recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom just saw the worth of their honor degraded to a cracker jax toy. That tells us everything we want to know about Trump, and his enablers. Disgraceful political stunts first, everything else second.
6
How to defeat him? Here’s a start. Get behind the eventual and probable democratic nominee. You have nothing to fear NYT, but fear itself.
Bernie 2020
3
Throw the GOP out, all of them except Mitt. the only one left with any integrity. Out. Out. Out dark spot!!!
3
To paraphrase RWE: If you strike at the king, don't miss.
1
Now that Trump has been acquitted thanks to his legion of cowards in the Senate, it is clear that we are now on the fast track to authoritarian rule. Fools like Susan Collins who believe that a lying sociopath like Trump is capable of learning how to behave put us all at risk. Fred Trump, you know the man who was born in a sector of Germany, knew that Donald was incorrigible and he shuffled him off to military school hoping that his boy would straighten out. Well as it turns out, he did not, and we all are paying the price. Based on Trump’s speech at the State of the Union, it looks like we are probably only weeks away from the sociopath appearing in public wearing some sort of Star Trek ripoff Space Force uniform looking and acting like the second coming of Benito Mussolini.
1
Pound, Shilling, and Pence. Lowest value..
Need we say more! His role is of a mere sycophant and clapper..
Trump is destroying our country.
1
Mitt should run. He's already taken one for the team, so take it all the way. I'm certain there are voters on the Republican side who are sick and tired of this charade. Give them a reasonable choice and they'll go there, splintering the Republican vote to the degree that Trump will be out.
Dems need to stop looking at Trump, his supporters, and Republicans with rose-colored glasses and sympathy, and see them for who they really are.
They are angry, vindictive, low-informed people who see the world in a glass half-empty, us vs. them, zero-sum world.
They are not interested in compromise (traitorous!), or informing themselves (elitist!). They want revenge, as they aim their spit at the wrong people.
They are hypocrites of the highest order: fiscal conservatives until it benefits themselves (tax cuts for the biggest deficit ever) or go bankrupt (Trump), "religious" until their racist, hateful tendencies come out.
Put the effort in to getting more Dems to the voting booth---that is what will save this country.
Will we ever see a Bolton testimony?
1
He wrote a book.
Far from disapproving of Nancy Pelosi's gesture, I think her ripping that nefarious speech up was a genuine defense of our constitution. The speech was full of lies, as #45 is full of lies; as the GOP is replete with liars. #45 is terrified of Nancy, because she is a woman who peaks the truth and who does not fear him and his cowardly ruses. It was the only genuine patriotic moment in an evening full of farce and fealty to a criminal.
3
My 87 year old mother in law, whose ancestors fought at the Battle of Monmouth and Gettysburg, who witnessed WW II, asks me to explain to her how a man emulating nazi fascism and propaganda is running the United States. She cannot believe this happening, because she remembers as a little girl, the sacrifices requires to defeat Hitler, and simply doesn’t understand how people can support a Trump. Her fears came true yesterday after the impeachment acquittal when Trump tweeted a meme declaring his intention to be ruler for life. Worse than that, he is communicating that Trumpism will live beyond his years, replacing liberal democracy with his personal brand of fascism repackaging the thousand year reich conveniently for 21st Century media. Sinclair Lewis had it partially right when he said: "When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Only now it will be wrapped in a flag, carrying a smart phone, carried on the shoulders of cowardly Senators.
3
Make no mistake, the Nation is now engaged in its second civil war, and its only going to get worse.
Remember just a short 3 years ago, when many Republicans said that they could control Trump? Clearly, they haven’t , and I doubt they ever had any such intentions. Instead, the Republicans have unshackled Trump; they’ve endorsed him. They are now fully in bed with this creature.
As for the base, their role in all of this is also now clear. They aren’t stupid or uninformed or ignorant. By continuing to support Trump, the base has shown that they’re just like him; they’ve chosen to be like him. Hillary was right...they are the deplorables.
3
"Under Mr. McConnell’s guidance, the impeachment trial in the Senate was a joke at the Constitution’s expense." Indeed. Mr. Trump is a disgrace, pure and simple. But Mr. McConnell and his minions make Mr. Trump's connivances possible. Pure cynical careerism on the part of Republicans in congress.
1
You, offering advice on how to defeat this person? You enable them and still are? You are disappointed by Pelosi ripping up the speech? You are still doing false equivalence that one of your Op-Ed writer coined a very long time ago. Maybe look in the mirror before offering advice as to how we can defeat this person.
1
Quite simply it will take educated people getting to the polls in droves.
Fox “News” is not going to stop lying and stirring up dissent. Trumpians are not suddenly going to realize the value of fact-checking and using primary source documents. And weenie Congressional Republicans are not suddenly going to grow a collective spine.
No one is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves. Mitt Romney notwithstanding, the Republican Party has succumbed to fascism, and most of the people who call themselves Republicans today don’t even know what fascism is. Or what the Republican Party once stood for, for that matter. These are people who honestly believe the modern-day Republican Party freed the slaves. They have no grasp of what happened to realign the parties during the Civil Rights Movement, and they really don’t care to learn this history. They believe what makes them feel good. It’s so funny to me that Ben Shapiro & Co. are the so-called “facts don’t care about your feelings” gurus, and yet, the whole party they champion is filled with people who vote solely based on feelings. The world is upside down because the Republican Party is now the party of ignorance.
Will ignorance win? Not on my watch. We elected Doug Jones in crimson red Alabama and I know it can be done nationally too. But it requires us coming together. Stop the infighting. We will defeat this ignorance only if we refuse to let the nefarious powers at work keep us stirred up. “Come together... Right Now.”
3
What Trump's presidency has revealed is just how thin the veneer of civilization really is. Social media has enabled thousands, if not millions, of rage-filled, largely anonymous individuals to spew hate from every platform. Trump is an appalling human being, but he is a genius at tapping into this well of anger. If we want to end this nightmare, we have to stop paying attention to every tweet and demented comment. He revels in the attention and will go nuts without the attention. When he seems pathetic enough, enough people will turn away, fingers crossed, to send him into retirement.
1
You know that story about the man at the crossroads making a deal with the devil I just haven’t figure out which one playing the devil Trump or McConnell.
Today's Republican Party are RINO. No longer refer to it as the Republican Party, call it the Trump Party.
Well, enjoy fellow citizens.
We now have a king, a dictator.
There's something truly rotten in the state of America.
Yes, the Good Republicans. Just like the Good Germans, they were aware and they went along.
3
Remember when Republicans were so concerned about voter fraud? They accuse Democrats of what they are guilty of. Now they have fully endorsed Trump cheating to win like he did in 2016 and will again in 2020, with their full blessing. But of course, during the impeachment farce in the Senate, they accused Democrats of this. Of course.
It wasn't acquittal, it was being excused and given a pass to do it again. Trump was impeached and will go down in history as being impeached. History will not look kindly on the spineless Republicans who refused to uphold the constitution and conduct a real trial.
3
The only thing that stops Trump from a second term is if Putin for some reason releases all the evidence of Trump's criminal activity that Russia has.
More likely: Trump is re-elected and before the next election declares a national emergency and no more elections. His Supreme Court will rubber-stamp it.
I fear whatever machinations Trump pulled to win in 2016 will be used in 2020 and then some. Looking at the top 5 finishers in Iowa makes me think that none of them can defeat Trump, thus the only way to keep him in check is to flip the Senate to the Democrats. Even if the House remains Democratic, if the Republicans maintain control of the Senate, we may as well hand Trump a sword and scepter and anoint him King Donald because we will be witnessing an imperial presidency.
On what do you base your assessment of the Den candidates? Intuition?
Our thinking needs to be how to assist our people especially those underserved; how to encourage more people to struggle, strive and excel; how to train people and invest in them so they contribute to the greatness of the society, how to create the atmosphere that it is the struggle, obsession and hard work of prior generations that has caused America to be so beautiful and it is this hard work that will be reason for a fabulous place for next generation. From this lens we should continually evaluate who is best to lead the country.
We should avoid the obsession to defeat Trump. While that might be a personal need for some, it cannot be our country's goal.
1
I've read a couple of articles in the Times this morning. Let me tell you a little bit about central PA. Business don't pay a living wage. There are about 5 factories in the area. Husbands and wives have to work two jobs just to make ends meet. There is nothing left over to pay for healthcare or if your car needs to be fixed. Farmers are going out of business. My partner and I raise turkeys. What we get per pound from the slaughter house doesn't pay the expenses of running the farm. We have two old tractors that are worn out. They need to be replaced. So you just keep them running somehow. Trump made a lot of promises to the American voters but I can't see that life is any better, or that he has kept his promises. If anything life is harder.
4
So what will happen in your town in November?
Four more years of Trump is almost there. Bernie is not electable - he is the spoiler at the 2016 election and he is doing it again. Americans as a whole are not for his kind of socialism and young people again will help the democrats lose to Trump.
5
@Hroa. You are not entirely wrong but mostly. Hillary lost the election by assuming the Midwest and as safe for her. She completely ignored Michigan and other states. She made plenty of mistakes and on top of that Trump had help from outside. It totally misguided to blame it all on Bernie.
1
You are arguing that the DEM should become more like the republicans. Being honest and fair is not a moral or tactical defect. It is the opposite which is the moral and tactical deficit. The Ed Board and all of the press owned by the 1% should have been pointing to that for the last 50 years while the GOP groomed the nation to accepting the communist style abuse of truth, reality and the people they use.
False equivalency and false fairness with which the 1% owned press present clearly unequal situations for example the article about both side still being opposed to each other as if that were a mutual choice and not the chose path of the GOP dead set on seeking power and unAmerican advantage and control over the government.
Iowa is the tradition and has been for a long time and since the States choose when they hold these presidential primary events the DEM have no say in it.
1
The Democrats should consider cancelling debates between themselves. They are not effective at making any of them shine. Instead, the candidates should campaign traditionally in the primary states and find away to come together to present their unity on the importance of central issues like climate change, destruction of the environment, the effects of Trump and his Administration's actions on real people living in the US and abroad, the horror of having such an amoral, unprincipled man at the helm of such a frighteningly powerful country.
6
@EKB I do agree that there are too many debates and with too many candidates on stage such that little of substance is discussed.
1
Now, more than ever, we need a woman President. Warren or Klobuchar. It's time, we must do it.
1
Trump is like the super-villain from a movie who possesses a mega-weapon called the Electoral College. We could easily see a redux of 2016 when Hillary won the popular vote and Trump pummeled her in the E.C.
What could stop Trump is a recession. In November most voters will ask themselves are they better off personally with Trump, or a Democratic President? Kitchen table issues like healthcare and income inequality are what Democrats should focus on. We already know what kind of human being we have in the White House.
1
To defeat Donald Trump, we have to convince the country that he will ruin their way of life. The bottom line is that people are looking out for their own self interest. And, it's who is voting that determines who will win. People of color will decide this win. Women will decide this win. Young college educated people will decide this win.
1
Win or lose this November the only things that will really ever defeat this man are jail or death. As long as he has access to Twitter he will be a force on american politics. If he loses the election he will be back in 4 years to try again and will spend every moment in between spreading conspiracy theories to advance his own ego.
3
The Times wants to know what will defeat Trump?
For one thing, start quoting him word for word, instead paraphrasing his remarks to normalize him. Include the stumbles and gibberish.
When he says something that has been repeatedly debunked, call it what it is: a lie. It’s still a lie even if he believes it.
Give no Republicans the benefit of the doubt on anything. They showed yesterday what their character really is: believe that.
Start calling the Republican Party what it is: the Trump Party. It has become a cult of personality, like that around Mao or Peron. Trumpism is the only thing that matters in the party now.
8
What will take to finally defeat Donald Trump?
- It will take the will and determination of the people.
- It will take participation of the citizenry in the elections.
- It will take loyalty of the democrats to the presidential nominee, regardless of our preferences at the primaries.
- It will take a few more good republicans like Mitt Romney who put country over person
- It will take a citizenry that looks at facts and refuses to be bullied and brainwashed by untruthful news channels and media outlets.
- In short it will take all of us.
And it will be done. The alternative is unthinkable.
3
The NY Times Editorial Board's inability to find words to characterize the Senate's action in acquiring Trump will not help to defeat him. The Senate Trial was not merely a "joke" as the Times calls it, it is a crime against the Constitution. It is as much an abuse of power as Trump's obstruction of justice was.
2
As a book review in today’s Times says, the nation has a seething, vindictive person in charge.
That won’t end well for the country and for Trump.
He’s destroying himself and taking many with him.
1
What will defeat him? Defeating the Republicans in Congress, one by one. He is propped up by McConnell, get rid of McConnell and Trump's backing falls apart. No one else has the resolve that Mitch does, or the propensity towards corruption. Romney stands out today as a man of principle who is honest and who has guts. It's amazing how relative everything is - how good you look depends on who you are standing next to. Defeat him we must, or go down burning.
2
Biden was smeared by the impeachment trial more effectively than the scheme in the Ukraine ever could have. The GOP happily gave Individual #1 what the Ukraine didn't.
1
Trump has tailwinds from more than just his party. He wouldn’t have gotten half this far without expert disinformation on social and anti social media provided by Russia and other pro hate advocates.
2
Democrats focus on fairness in public policy for the 99% on health, taxes and international trade.
Current domination of Senate by Republican’s made the entire impeachment process a lose lose proposition for the Democrat’s. Horrible wastes of time and money for something that would never come to pass. Now, Trump can say he is absolved of any wrong doing --- "I was acquitted I did nothing wrong… continue to follow me and I’ll revert America to the 1950’s when discrimination was the rule and the Bible the law."
Only a health issue will stop him. I've never rooted for someone to take ill, but here we are....
3
NYT: "He can do whatever it takes to win re-election, and the Republican Party will have his back."
Duh.
The NYT's brings to mind Nancy Pelosi's rebuffed attempt to shake Donald Trump's hand at the State of the Union. We are, as a nation about to have our heritage taken away by Donald Trump and three years into the term of Donald Trump, the NYT finally admits that Trump will"do whatever it takes" to win his reelection and Nancy is still willing to shake Trump's hands.
Dear God, what will it take to have people realize, before it is too late, that Trump represents an existential threat to this country. Such as we know it and as imperfect as it is, this country has been a vehicle of progress and greater freedom for mankind. It is at risk. We are in an emergency environment. Our leadership, inclusive of the NYT and Nancy Pelosi need to wake up to reality. Get real. No more Mr. Nice Guy.
2
It's not "what" will defeat him, but "who".
I cannot imagine any of the Iowa caucus candidates doing so.
Bloomberg, anyone? And please, no belly-aching from the Democrats about billionaire candidates with androgynous political pedigrees. Time to bring a gun to the gunfight and to retire the water balloons.
3
I'm afraid that the Electoral College map and an all but assured outside attack on our electoral process (or the mere suggestion of one), coupled with Fox News and Mitch McConnell's choke hold on the Senate all but assures our demise. Then Herr Trump will abolish the 2 term-limit, with Don Jr. and Ivanka to follow upon his all but certain early demise due to poor health. Is this the makings of a novel or reality?
1
Just look at what is being done to Mitt Romney - GOP Presidential Candidate 8 years ago, son of a GOP candidate, man of faith, and integrity. The Republican Party is no more - it is the Trump Party, and it idolizes someone who is corrupt, petty, and vindictive.
This isn't even to mention that he is a liar, bigot&etc, and hypocrite. And that the only interest he has is in himself. He is truly vile.
What, really, has he done for anyone outside the top 1%? The economy is just continuing as it was coming out of the Great Recession. But Trump's Great Tax Cut will add a Trillion (that's a T) dollars to the debt this year and going forward (how much is that per person?). His Tariffs have hurt, not helped (hmm, Trump = Tariffs & Trillions in debt). And he wants to take away Healthcare (and what else?).
TRUE - the Dems have to get their act together. A space to watch...
1
What will finally defeat Trump? Could it be something as simple as an image of a BALD Old Man?
This week Mike Bloomberg hit back at Trump, who had mocked Mike’s height, by referring to Trump’s lies about his “fake hair and spray-on tan.”
Trump supporters are lapping up bling with orange fluff attached to honor their anointed one. Apparently Trump’s signature hair is a Thing with them.
Thinking outside the box, here’s an idea: We are a visual species. Images are powerful influencers.
For a new slogan from Democrats: Take a Look at Trump in 2021!
If some clever photoshop artists created a virtual image of a bald Trump and if that image went viral... I wonder if that visual of an old man WITHOUT his trademark orange mane would lessen the ardor of his devotees. Trump is incredibly protective of that overhanging mop. For narcissists, their perception of their public persona is critical. They hate ridicule, though I have to wonder what Trump sees in a mirror: fake tan, white bags under his eyes, silly shelf of orange hair?
“Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” Book of Ecclesiastes.
Whining won't do it Editorial Board. Dems need to pull up their socks and stop messing up. Each of our current front-runners is fundamentally unelectable: no Buttigieg, not Warren and certainly not either Bernie or Biden.
We need a moderate and a fighter and we got nuthin
1
@Nancy Bloomberg
Trump will not be defeated by a bunch of weak, cowardly pro-corporate, pro-war Democrats. The entire 'impeachment' charade is another debacle for Dems. Indeed, Trump’s approval rating went up following his acquittal yesterday. It appears that Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are doing everything they can to insure a Trump victory in November.
1
The only one who could take him on (and down) is Mike Bloomberg! None of the other Dems will manage.
2
Donald Trump will finally defeat Donald Trump.
1
Now the Trumpites can cheat on 20/0 elections and all inquiries have to go through Bill Barr? So, if Democrats try to cheat, like Trump will continue to do, the Justice Department will then choose to enforce the law! The fix is in. Dangerous times.
1
As long as voters are willing to vote for Republicans who allow Trump to ride roughshod over our laws and our civilized discourse, we will continue to live in this autocracy. Anyone who supports these enablers shares the guilt. The pathetic excuses offered by the pols are risible: We weren’t going to convict so why have witnesses? The peccadilloes didn’t rise to a serious level. The country didn’t want more division. Poor Donnie is misunderstood and much maligned. The bully isn’t being bullied. And on and on. As Senator Brown points out, these are the excuses of frightened politicians. They are the pronouncements of cowards. McConnell and Graham and Rubio and Cruz and the rest of the never Trumpers are now acolytes bowing before their new master. Such a disgusting display of hypocrisy and cowardice.
1
Nancy you have my undying admiration for a brilliant silent moment that said it all, tearing up Trump’s pages of puffery, lies, innuendo and deception.
3
Unfortunately for the NYT and democrats, they can't see beyond the ends of their own noses. There was certainly not enough of anything to impeach Mr. Trump, and the threat democracy is coming from democrats, not Mr. Trump and republicans. Democrats are the ones that used foreign intelligence to harass Mr Trump for three years, employing our government agencies to spy and weaken the duly elected president of the United States. Not a word here about that! And if Mr. Trump had done what Mr. Biden did in the Ukraine, he very definitely would have been impeached, with this esteemed newspaper pompously leading the way. Mr. Trump actually has an agenda to help Americans, the only "agenda" from democrats is to raise taxes (always on other people, not their own constituents), and have some government emissary tell us how we should think and act. I suppose it's the "we the people didn't build that, our government built it". I laugh when I see the "tolerance and diversity" signs around town, because from my window it's the democrats that are shockingly intolerant of anyone that thinks differently from their own biased mindset. The House did a terrible job putting an impeachment case together, to blame its failure on the Senate and those horrible toe-the-line republicans is just another example of their inflated opinion of their own intelligence, but to the neutral observer simply reconfirms how really and truly dumb they are.
2
@DJOHN Thank you!!
When Democrats are shown time and time again that they support ridiculous proposals why do they wonder why they cannot beat President Trump? They have no support for ICE or our border security. They support free healthcare for people who came to our country Illegally, and broke our laws. They cannot stand and cheer when minorities in our country are doing better economically. They were up in arms when the president took out the vile Soleimani. What actually do the Democrats stand for other than hating the president? And the New York TimesReaders wonder why they cannot beat him?
3
Nancy totally stole 45's thunder by tearing up the speech. I daresay, ALL eyes were on her. Good on her!
1
We had St. Ronald saying the the government is not the solution, but the government is the problem. Then we had W lying us into war in Iraq. Now we have Trump. How many self-inflicted blows can we avsorb and still survive as a democracy?
1
He is NOT wrong about illegal immigration. Illegal, as in against the law. It is worse, America is made up of immigrants from all directions of the universe that had to learn English. Not the Central American Spanish speakers, who demand that this country caters to them, even preferential hiring in professional jobs for Spanish speakers because unlike all other immigrants, mostly legal, they are the only ones who refuse to learn and speak English. We've got a serious immigration problem in the US that destroys the core of what we are. The Democratic Party better act accordingly if it wants to win the next election and the ones after.
1
"What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?"
I always thought it'd be hubris and overreach, but I never factored in the duplicitious Senator from Kentucky -- a foolish mistake, on my part.
Speaking of which -- where the heck is the
House of Rep's bill which goes miles in securing OUR -- We, the People's -- Elections? Oh, that's right -- it sits idly on Senator McConnell's beautiful desk -- gathering dust...
Voting trump out works ONLY if We, the People can can Count Every VOTE.
Otherwise, it's just another day, just another Sham in America. For how long will we put up with this?
My patience wears thin...
2
Trump is speaking today at 12:00 o'clock noon to rip into Mitt Romney and Nancy Pelosi. It is all for his base not the American People.
Susan Collins, with a straight face, uttered that Trump will be “much more cautious" and that she hopes the president has “learned from this.”
In the history of the world has there ever been a more vapid, hilarious comment? And at this point, given her voting history (Kavanaugh stands out), does she actually think that we believe her useless utterances?
2
Trump's "exceptional shamelessness" is shared by his backers, the Republican Party (minus 1 Mitt Romney). The GOP is consumed by power-money-power-money-power-money. Also the Republicans by their approval of the president who treats so many with cruelty communicate they affirm his shameless behavior. What will defeat Trump and many Republicans? It is their ugliness.
1
The Congressional GOP are enabling Trump because they have lost any dignity or decency they might have had. They are simply shameless.
Nothing the Democrats have to offer as candidates will defeat Trump and the NYT's knows it. Furthermore the Democrats strategy to impeach was a obvious mistake since it was totally partisan and simply improved Trumps polls. The Democrat's positions on issues show no unity. They don't have leader. The convention will be contested. I can see why the NYT editors are frustrated!
1
Melania's tell-all book. Could be titled "Twenty Years A Slave". It'd probably command a $100 million advance.
Trump could finally be defeated only by a Democratic candidate for President who voters feel will serve them better.
"I'm not Trump" won't do that. That is an evasion with the stink of con artist.
Since the people who impeached Trump despise and insult the very voters who would be needed to win, it really isn't looking good.
3
The sole issue facing Americans in this election year is the defeat of Donald Trump. Close behind it is for Democrats to keep control of the U.S. House and flip the U.S. Senate. Any American who fails to register and vote is unworthy of the sacrifices made throughout our history. This is a time to stand and be counted, to join a broad coalition of Democrats, Republicans and Independents dedicated to embrace decency and to reclaim our democracy from the clutches darkness and sheer evil. The stakes have never been higher in my 75 years than they are this year. Indeed, the stakes are as high as they ever have been since at least the Civil War. We as a people cannot let this corruption and fear continue to destroy our nation.
5
@Rick Gunter
The Democrat’s pathological obsession with ousting Donald Trump by any means necessary...including malfeasance...will be their downfall.
The citizenry is sick and tired of the partisan jousting. Stop this tiresome fixation on Donald Trump!...and tell us what Democrats propose to do to improve the lives of American citizens. What we’ve heard so far is NOT a winning strategy.
1
Potus can never truly lead a free America because he offers no hope for future. His entire tenure is based on fear and division. That is how he keeps in power.
If we value the cherished liberties of the Constitution a leader who also believes in god-given freedom must be our next leader, not a foul-hearted authoritarian who truly seeks to subvert democracy and checks and balances. Everything is at stake now. We are at the crossroads with no looking away.
3
On defeating Trump:
First, Democrats must understand that, given the current makeup of the Senate, a majority in that body would vote to acquit Trump in the impeachment trial. I knew that from the start, but still believe the House did the right thing in bringing Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. Now that the Senate has acquitted, it is time to refocus on issues that have always been with us.
For example, Health care: Democrats are working to improve that essential safety net, by strengthening Medicare and improving the Affordable Care Act. Republicans want to abolish the ACA and weaken Medicare. Democrats need to say that, pointedly and often, everywhere.
Under Obama the number of Americans with no health insurance coverage declined; under Trump it is increasing. Even life expectancy, in recent years has been falling in the USA. True, the reasons for falling life expectancy are complex, but still this is happening on Trump's watch and I don't see him seriously addressing the matter.
Other robust cases could be made on income inequality, environmental matters including access to clean water, losses in our international standing, and more. But for starters I recommend a laser focus on health care issues.
3
What will it take to defeat Trump? Dems need to get out the votes from ethnic minorities. This election will not turn on how much money a candidate has spent. So both Bernie and Mike, nearly on opposite ends of the political spectrum but with large sums of money available, have this same vulnerability.
Yes, money matters. Let's be honest. Whether it is in individual donors or dark money, a presidential bid costs tens of millions of dollars. Sure, Hillary outspent Trump, but he didn't exactly spend pocket change. Both spent huge sums of money. So if money is necessary but not sufficient, what then, are Democratic pundits overlooking here? My take is that they are overlooking whether the candidates appeal to minority communities.
Now, before everyone gets their back up about "purity tests", understand that Clinton lost a few million votes from the African American community (of which I am not a member, by the way) that Obama had won. Now, the vast majority of these voters didn't vote for Trump. Instead, many just sat home, but the result was to hand Trump the win.
The fact is, any ethnic group that continues to suffer discrimination (and sadly in today's climate, increasing hate crimes) is looking for a candidate who, they believe, understands their concerns and will do what is possible to address them. And so far, it doesn't look like any of the white Democratic presidential candidates has made that sale yet. And if they don't, they will lose in 2020. Bet the rent on it.
1
Who is going to prevent Trump from trying to stay in office after his second term, now that the senate has proclaimed that his interests usurp the constitution ? The republicans ? His base ? The military ? Trump has been “joking” that he will remain in office for many years ... and today he posted a meme on his twitter account indicating he will be president forever !
5
The Senate website seems to be down, at least the portal to communicate with Senator Romney, so I'll just leave this here instead:
Mr. Romney,
I am not a citizen of Utah but I am a citizen of the United States and I thank you for abiding your sworn oath to uphold the Constitution of our nation. Mr. Trump has clearly violated his oath of office by obstructing Congress as shown by the House investigation. I also believe that the House demonstrated that he engaged in illegal quid pro quo against Ukraine. It is beyond belief that your GOP colleagues chose to weaken the role of the Senate as a coequal branch of government by refusing to remove Trump; this does not bode well for the future of this once great nation. I hope that pragmatic GOP leaders such as yourself can find a way to work with Democrats in the coming months and years to help heal the serious partisan divide that plagues this country. We need leaders that have this modern "reconstruction" as a primary goal, not leaders like Trump whose each and every decision, statement and policy is designed to further deepen the wedge of acrimony and division among the people.
Respectfully,
6
Here's a ticket: Romney/Klobuchar. Or even Romney/Warren. In no particular order, if it helps.
Break up the partisan elections. Fix the nation.
1
@PS
N-O-O-O-O
So Democrats are supposed to choose a Republican on their ticket because ONE voted ONCE for the right decision. Romney can't even inspire Republicans.
This country needs real structural change.
Not a Republican who - by the way - ran to the right rather than the middle when he ran for President. This country has Trump now because of Republicans like Romney who built a party ripe for Trump.
6
@PS How about Putin/Trump. In that particular order. And then, in 2024 Putin/Putin. Because that's what we're headed for.
I worked a number of years in Kuwait as an educational consultant for their Ministry of Education. One day I was talking to a young Kuwaiti colleague of mine about the differences between our two countries. The discussion moved to the relative advantages of democracy. My young friend said, "In our country we view democracy as a means to gain power and control. Once we have gained this power, we use it to put our foot on the throats of our political rivals". I think of this encounter whenever Trump and the Republicans do something like what happened in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. We truly have become just another "unexceptional" country.
9
Isn't this the perfect time to test America's odd belief in the 2nd Amendment as a last resort for protection against tyrants? Of course, it sounds crazy. What well armed militia would stand a chance against the US Military? Perhaps the very thought will take the wind out of the gun rights folks who hinge their fantasies on this sacred but apparently useless justification for the right to bear arms? Or perhaps, several State National Guards, in the interest of forcing the Supreme Court to rule on Trump's treasonous rigging of elections, could petition the court for clarification? The Court could answer two questions. First, do we have evidence of tyranny? If so, then isn't the use of the 2nd Amendment justified? I presume the court would answer yes to the first and would rule the 2nd Amendment, in the age of F-35s, is no longer viable as a means of jailing a tyrant.
1
I wonder if Senator Romney just placed a bet on himself: he might know more / think that the truth will come out in the coming months and Trump's position might become unsustainable. Romney's vote could make him obvious Republican choice should that happen?
2
@Pieter
Yes. It seems fairly obvious that he has a long game planned. I doubt it will be in this election, but perhaps the next.
Question: do members of Congress have to sit and listen to the speech of the president? In my humble opinion, Democrats should have stayed home. The message would have been quite clear.
Tearing up a speech is not much considering the gravity of the situation.
8
I'm responding to this quote: "The 2016 election is a cautionary tale — too many Democrats felt so little allegiance to the nominee that they chose to vote for a third-party candidate, or not to vote at all."
I don't think "democratic" voters (at least a large number of them) have learned their lesson from 2016. A recent Emerson College survey (reported Jan. 24, 2020) found that 47% of Sanders voters and 50% of Yang voters would be reluctant to vote for another candidate in the general election. That's scary. Are these voters even democrats at all? Indeed, they don't have allegiance to the Democratic party.
Those voters will reap what they sow, and we'll all suffer on account. What's the greatest threat to our democracy? I maintain that domestic fanaticism is as much of a threat to democracy than anything Russian interference would do to us.
10
@Sprari
If the Republican party has taught us anything, it should be that a lot of people have become ruthlessly strategic by habit - sometimes called "acting in bad faith".
This can extend to how people respond to polls. The Bernie supports or Yang Gang are interested in maximizing their collective influence supporting mostly fringe ideas. If they make other voters scared of their sitting out the general election and thus adopt some of their policies to appease them, they may increase their influence at zero cost. It is simple game theory, and it is not a secret.
The proper game theoretic response is thus to ignore the results of any such poll. And then the manager realizes the company or university should stop wasting money doing such a poll.
Problem solved.
If Democrats campaigned on accomplishing their current goals with a smaller (outside of health care, law enforcement and military) government, the Republicans would have no chance even if they cheated.
Throwing more money at colleges will not make them cheaper, it will further bloat their budgets and the erosion of their intellectual culture. Tesla shoppers do not need or deserve subsidies. Most inter-city passenger rail is a money pit and far too risky to pursue.
Republicans can campaign on the worst outcomes of any such government program. If a program or proposal is new they can campaign on a credible fear of a bad outcome. It is an easy sell.
Stop putting a ball on a tee for Republicans.
They will probably swing and miss without one.
3
Presumably the advice from the Editorial Board is that, to defeat Mr. Trump, the Democratic voters need to quit debating each other and get behind one single candidate today. It will be interesting to see if they can follow their own advice if that candidate is Mr. Sanders or Ms. Warren. I doubt it. By uniting behind a single candidate, they actually meant, uniting behind a CENTRIST candidate. Come on, just say it.
@JMC Debating one another is precisely what politicians DO before one is finally selected to be a party's candidate for office.
And when people today use the word "centrist," they're referring to supporters of Republican policies before the GOP veered toward authoritarianism.
If you ask individuals what they want, their answers tend to support everything the GOP passes off as radical liberalism. Virtually all Democratic contenders support all of these good things, so we'll select one of them in the primary and support her or him with all our might.
2
Maybe the country is going in a different direction. The populace, not made up of the educated elites, has spoken and maybe they are now “in charge,: in terms of voting, elections, politicians, religion, immigrants, and so on.
The great experiment in democracy hasn’t failed. It’s just filtering down, taking on new meaning, becoming base and corrupt.
But, isn’t that what happens? Don’t all great empires end? Do we have to face a new reality, sad as it is for most of us.
November is the great challenge. If Trump wins, we might just have to accept the inevitable. I wish it weren’t so, for my children and grandchildren, especially my grandchildren who won’t know the great nation that we once were.
11
@MH I'm reading Victor Klemperer's I Will Bear Witness. The parallels between 1933-plus Germany and the US under Trump make it painful to read more than a few pages a day.
It's true that most of us can do very little in or daily lives to prevent his emerging authoritarian dictatorship. But we must do what we can, however small it might be. Klemperer did.
6
Defeating Trump will be a tall order. Looking back, I appreciate more and more how smart Obama was in his campaign and as President. Remember how he was criticized for not doing enough for African Americans? That criticism was true to some extent, but I think he realized instinctively that to play up to to one voting bloc too much might invite disaster. I think he realized that we were not 'post-racist' during his presidency. The Democratic field is weakened by numbers, but largely these represent one minority voting bloc or another. It's as if we are looking for one human being who is a combination of male and female, black, white, asian and latino, gay and straight, old and young. Ain't gonna happen...so we lose bloc after bloc as the process continues.
All this being said, there are also times in history...perhaps there is a historian out there that knows why...when entire societies basically go crazy. When a creeping malaise takes over for a time, leaving an opening for a tyrant and his followers to bring 'clarity' and 'focus' as a simpleton's answer to a society where all individual opinions, and no opinions, are valid. This seems like such a time.
3
Healthcare is what most Americans care about. Bloomberg has the money and toughness to expose the lying Trump with his efforts to destroy the ACA with a court battle, and end the ban on pre-existing conditions. Letting 50 to 65 year olds buy into Medicare is a good incremental step.
With Biden failing, Bloomberg is the best bet to win in November which is the essential thing to stop Trump.
5
I want an affective manager using reality and facts, not political talking points. Mike is such a man.
Bloomberg is my dream candidate. A true success story, not a fake cheating bankrupt sleazeball carnival barker. Mike is a calm precise manager with a proven track record. He puts his money where his mouth is on climate, gun control and healthcare while avoiding pandering to extremes. In terms of the economy I can’t think of anyone better to lead the country’s growth. The day he’s elected the stock market would soar. Can you say that for Sanders? Best of all Mike commands respect. Wouldn’t that be a refreshing change from our current climate of fear, division and authoritarianism?
1
2 things come to mind:
1, HUBRIS which tRump has a monopoly on, and what hubris in many cases seem to cause, the overreach of behavior that even your allies won't stomach. Some one should have told Caligula way back when.
1.2, I do not understand what the Republican members of Congress are so afraid of as you mentioned. I really don't unless the payoff is more important than the oath of office.
And regarding the words and meaning of the oath, I'm beginning to believe that English is a second language to these people, as civics appears to many of the electorate, an elective to be ignored.
2, The Democratic Party has serious issues. The Bernie faction has its head in the mud. The others, I can't get my mind around what's going on there. You can't foster change unless you win. That's just the name of the game, pure and simple.
2.1, Bloomberg is an interesting character. You know for a fact he's got a few billion. And no matter what can be said about him, he didn't steal from his own veteran's charity to fund his elections.
Comment:
I do not understand how any vet can support trump. Basically he threw these men and women under a bus scamming the public and the warriors. Caesar he is not, but the Rubicon has been crossed. These are very strange times.
3
Nancy Pelosi was wrong to tear up Trump's speech, not because she wasn't right about its worthlessness and the bankrupt morality of the man behind it, not because it wasn't good theatre - it was - but because it plays into Trump's hands.
Her action was non-violent and symbolic, perhaps even a parody of Trump's own theatricality. (And, Nancy, I can't wait to hear your own unfiltered explanation for this.) Expect to see that video moment virally play ad nauseum, however, in commercials for Trump's 2020 re-election campaign.
So, now what? Well, true patriots have to be like that "steely-eyed missile man" of NASA lore - focused and passionately determined to root out the corruption now at the core of a once Grand Old Party. Our ballots must be bullets, aiming to preserve the truth of American democracy.
As for the idea that the supporters of Bernie Sanders might abandon ship unless their candidate wins the nomination - bite your tongue! I plan to vote my heart and support Sanders on Super Tuesday. That's what primaries are for. Bottom line: we must all support whoever wins.
Is that what happened in 2016? Less than full support for Hillary? How did that work for us? Four years of pain. Is that what we want again? I don't have to agree with the Democratic Party platform or the eventual nominee on every single issue to recognize the threat that Trump represents to our nation and the world.
5
We must face the fact that Trump's supporters are mentally and morally the groveling sidekicks of the school yard bully. Bill Maher likes to say we should find common ground with these folks, not find them repulsive, and reach out to them in an attempt to win them away from the bully. It didn't work on the school yard and it won't work now because their minds and capacity/desire to change are fixed.
After reading comments from other articles and other news outlets, I think we must face the fact that the US has its share of folks who, out of either fear or aggression (or both), care only about their singular survival and well-being. They support ConDon because they share his perspective.
We need to recognize how we arrived at this point. We've nourished this through the incessantly aggressive form of capitalism and consumerism we sell 24/7/365. We've fostered this through the dumbing down of society through our emphasis on entertainment rather than education.
Now, those who have the desire and capacity to think rationally about the world's problems and potential solutions will find themselves constantly thwarted by those who no longer can or will. This time, the neo-neanderthals will triumph.
4
Whatever value there was (and there was plenty) for Democrats and the country to go through a process of impeachment and trial that was doomed to fail before it started, Mitt Romney doubled it.
1
“The 2016 election is a cautionary tale.”
Yes — that the corrupt Democratic Party establishment has way too much power. Get rid of the Tom Perezes and other DNC insiders, open the party up to the grassroots, especially the younger generations. End the dependency on Big Money, follow Bernie’s and Elizabeth’s example of relying on small donors.
The numbers are on our side — the GOP is clinging to Trump out of desperation. November’s election will be all about turnout, especially in the few states that matter. I myself will be campaigning in Colorado.
1
Have you ever wondered how Romney's faith didn't prevent him from being a politician or a member of the GOP, a political party that in cooperation with the Dems participated in polarization and division of the USA, waging the endless wars or stealing $22 trillion from the future generations?
Why would I vote for a candidate that doesn’t represent my positions on major issues? I can’t vote for a candidate when I can’t support their agenda? I am not alone. I will vote for a candidate in November, and it won’t be for any of the Democrats currently campaigning.
3
@Jay
So you want another 4 years of Trump. Why don't you just proudly say it? Why beat around the bush?
The only way to defeat Trump is to relieve the anger and frustration that drives people to him. And the way to turn that around is to enact policies that help people -- a living wage, healthcare, education, retirement.
When those things start happening, the air goes out of Trump's tires. And all the screaming and disruption and campaign money in the world won't bring people back to him.
Conversely, if we DON'T enact those things, then the anger and frustration remain, and all the arguments and appeals in the world won't make a dent.
1
@Msckkcsm
The anger and frustration in Trump's base is caused by fear of the changes that have taken place in your country and, indeed, around the world.
Trump supporters wanted to stay in their little 1950's cocoon, where men were boss, guns were great, people of colour were servants and field workers, and women knew their place, which was in the kitchen and bedroom.
None of these are laudable goals, and no ethical politician would pursue them.
1
Sorry, folks, the Republicans’ understanding of the word “social” amounts to communist.
Democrats need to be realistic and pragmatic. They have to agree on a – centrist – candidate who really can beat Trump. Personally I find both Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders respectable candidates, and their policies on social issues are nothing new to us, Europeans.
But will they be able to reach out to the swing voters? It seems that many Americans, who can’t stand Trump, aren’t ready for progressive social programmes.
The millennials are different. But will they become so frustrated that they refrain from going to the polls just because their preferred candidate doesn't get the nomination? This will certainly help Trump.
5
@J. von Hettlingen
Good points.
Let’s make this easy....
If Bernie or Liz don’t win, everyone can move to Switzerland... where the cost of living is very affordable.
Not.
Can’t happen. The Swiss have borders that they enforce and immigration laws that are written for the benefit of Switzerland first. No equivalent to what we do.
1
Trump's State of the Union speech was not just exaggerations or mis-statements. It was full of calculated lies. Why can't the Editorial Board just say that.
Furthermore the "base" has been on the receiving end of bad policies and the wrecking of our Democracy. Why can't they see that?
We need to remember, going forward, that a lot of Trump's support from voters was a vote against Hilary, not a vote FOR Trump.
Which means that it is not a foregone conclusion that Trump will win again.
The DNC is responsible for all of these debacles because they are trying to control who will be the Candidate. They need to get out of the way until the primary season is over.
7
We’re going to have to go old school, take to the streets in peaceful but sustained protest. Days off from work, disrupting business, all of it.
2
The answer rests in these 3 words: "two term limit"
1
Mike Bloomberg can and will defeat Donald Trump. Responding as a NYC native, Bloomberg is a self-made billionaire - no scandals of any kind - and while he ran for a third term - and won - (an exception was made by the NYC City Council to let him run for a third term), he was an excellent Mayor and is, perhaps, as alarmed as many people are that the Occupant in the Oval Office - scandal ridden, a debtor (with Russian financing and considers bankruptcy a business model) and a braggart who is an emotionally stunted hollow shell of a human being - the perpetual bullying name-calling - as an example - who can not continue in the White House for another four years - as he is unfit to serve on every level and threatens our democracy at its roots. He has no respect for the Rule of Law, the Constitution and won't even disclose his taxes. Mike Bloomberg will be a formidable opponent -on every level to get our country back on track - and Trump knows it!
4
I’ve watched Bloomberg. He is a way better man. I’d imagine that many republicans, especially biz people, would vote for him.
1
@kkm
I am starting to think Bloomberg might be a viable candidate. However, the Bernie voters will stay away in droves.
1
@Gub : Yes, and Wall Streeters will vote for him, also. Mike will have broad appeal across partisan political politics unlike Trump - who has polarized this country with his petulant name-calling juvenile behavior.
1
Want to defeat Trump? it's easy- stop calling people racist for opposing illegal immigration. Start enforcing out democratically enacted laws against illegal immigration.
But the Democrats will never do that. They honestly seem to hate a large portion of the citizens of this country.
7
Yup. Anybody that doesn’t go along with the open borders agenda (never mind this is completely incompatible with fixing climate change or other environmental problems) is immediately labeled a”xenophobic racist” or worse. If you read democratic statements from years past by Clinton, Obama, Jerry brown etc and studies like the Jordan report, it wasn’t always like this. The facts on population growth and the future mass immigration was going to have on the country were talked about and reason was part of the discussion. Not anymore. You have to go along or you are attacked personally. The left wing open borders people in the Democratic Party have been the best thing that ever happened to trump.
3
The NYT needs to determine the total number of Senators who publicly or privately concluded that Trump's subversion of his Presidential powers to his own ends was "wrong," although, in their wayward view, not impeachable. I feel certain that it would rise to the two-thirds needed to remove him from office. That fact would reveal not only the duplicity of those who yet voted to acquit, but also the fact that he was, in effect, convicted. In the face of the rapturous applause by the entire Republican contingent at the State of the Union address, which was sickening and reminiscent of a Nuremberg rally, recognition of that fact would, at least, be some solace.
Mr. Trump is excellent in marketing. He says and tweets what his constituents enjoy hearing and reading. If Sanders wins the nomination, Mr. Trump, et.al. will ask Americans not to vote for socialism/communism; if Buttigieg wins, then it's his sexuality, if Biden wins, it will be a replay of "Lock her up", etc., etc. I wonder why Pompeo went to Ukraine. I am sure, Mr. Trump's people are ready with scandal bags for each of the Democratic Party's contenders. A few weeks ago, a friend said he'd vote for Donald Duck if he is the Democratic Party's nominee. I agree. And, so should all Democrats in the 2020 elections.
Question: What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?
Answer: The 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice..."
1
And who will enforce that two term limit???
@AJ
Doesn’t the Cabinet have to enforce the amendment to remove the president?
Not likely with this crowd
1
Trump won in 2016 by a mere 70,000 electoral votes ....surely the DEMs can create a POTUS & Veep candidate team that can easily swing that margin BIG time ....once we get back the Oval Office, the House AND the Senate, then it's time to bring the big change that the USA needs ....term limits for Senators needs to be at the top of the list, just to get the ball rolling ...
1
Leave it to the voters? Constitutional amendment by general election! Coup de Constitution will be ratified in November.
The United States of America is already 2/3 of a dictatorship - an iron fisted ruler with an elite ruling class. Your dictator was just acquitted, by co-conspirators, of crimes and misdemeanors that he admitted freely to having committed in a trial in which no witnesses were called.
Consider this, because the rest of the world is.
1
I am personally scared to death of the next 8 months and what this man and his soldiers will do. Nothing can stop him and no one will stand up to him that matters.
4
Stop looking at Democratic candidates squabbles as the reason Trump stands a good chance of being "reelected" Quotation marks are needed because the Trump campaign is a massively dark-money funded campaign in which unethical and illegal acts are committed everyday, especially aimed at preventing Democrat-leaning voters from voting in November. Red controlled state governments such as Ohio have already taken several million voters (disproportionately minority, youth, ex-prisoners) off the voting rolls with little or no notice, using any minor glitch they can ("Signatures are not identical", "voter moved to another town in the state but didn't notify us in time"). Or in many cases, with no justification. McConnell declared a year ago that more Americans voting was bad for the Republican Party. Regarding Democratic differences, democracy actually flourishes when primary candidates argue with each other on real substantial issues such as accepting mega-donations from the wealthy and its influence on candidates tax proposals. (Unfortunately mass media chooses to concentrate on "he said-she said" headlines.) But even as serious issues must be aired and argued, all Democratic candidates must emphatically declare their intentions to fully commit to the election of the nationally nominated candidate because Trump represents the death of democracy.
1
The demise of democracy and of the planet is on our horizon.
How can we collectively be so irresponsible?
4
Donald Trump must not be reelected and his Senate cronies, who have destroyed the credibility of that body, should be turned away by voters in November. Any political party that chooses to defend a martinet does not deserve the loyalty of the American people.
2
He may look triumphant having been sworn to office, controlling the republican party, and being aquitted, but he is the most defeated human being in all manners.
4
Harvard professor, Arthur Brook, related a personal anecdote today at the NPB. He and his wife, Esther, had received news from their son's high school that his grades didn't reflect his potential. Driving home after the conference Mrs. Brooks said to her husband, I think we need to look at this with new eyes, "at least Carlos isn't cheating." Laughter from the audience. I don't know if President Trump smiled or not. President Trump spoke and one his first remarks was "I don't like it when people pray for me. . . or words to that effect." Nancy Pelosi sitting close by.
1
in the upside down world of the Trump era the election is rigged but in fact for him rather than against him. The Republican plutocrats have won, in 2020 and far beyond.
Mitt will have backup.
1
We are appalled at how the republicans march in lockstep to defend a corrupt leader, yet in the same breath we complain about the individualism of Democrats. The Democratic Party more accurately reflects a working republic where people with different ideas come together to discuss their differences and find ways to compromise to benefit the majority. Stop wishing for a political party of sycophants. We already have that in the Republican Party.
1
So it seems the United States is just like any other country after all....
1
Speaker Pelosi's shredding of Trump's speech wasn't a "stunt like Trump would pull." It was a considered, symbolic act of rejection and defiance, akin to taking a knee during the National Anthem.
She was making the statement 60% of us want to make: we reject Donald Trump's lies and corruption.
We reject his attempt to turn America into West Russia, an authoritarian state with a president for life who has to cheat to win re-election because of his gross incompetence, someone who uses our tax money like his own checking account.
We reject the harm he's doing to our planet, to American unity, to America's security, and to our physical and mental health.
And we will not rest until Donald Trump and the current crop of GOP Senators are standing in the unemployment line and, if there's a god, trying to survive on welfare and food stamps.
6
Sadly, the Editorial Board does not offer a coherent answer to this editorial's title question. I suggest: We must abolish this corrupt beyond salvageable government by expelling every Republican elected in every election from now until doomsday?
3
@Steve C
That's how a democracy works, banning your opponents?
1
The problem for the NYT is that it is preaching to its own choir with no actual influence on those who could swing it in the other direction.
2
The Democrats are reactive, not proactive. The acquittal on Impeachment was a foregone conclusion. It never should have happened. Censure was the only approach the House should have taken, as he could not, as now, stand up and say "total exoneration".
Mike Bloomberg is the only person capable of dishing out Trump type innuendo back in his face. He is now advertising on Fox. Getting under Trump's skin is the best starting place. He has no empathy, zero, and will never feel regret for anything he says or does. But he will react to perceived or real slights, and by repeating these over and over will eventually cause an overreaction. The only person to defeat Trump is Trump. The electorate will eventually realize that having such a vindictive person as POTUS is bad for America and when that reaches critical mass, he will be voted out.
To all those who think this is the worst of times and the end of the line for America: just put down all your gadgets and walk slowly and silently past the Viet Nam Wall in Washington.
3
Don't for a moment think this pro forma action will make Donald Trump reflective or contrite. He is intoxicated with his omnipotent, maniacal grandiose march toward reelection and will use any means to ensure that end. He is unique: a shameless scoundrel who cares for little about this Country or the world, whose values solely involve an insatiable quest for power and adulation - he is a phony and a classic bully who has intimidated and rallied feckless GOP pretenders and a base that continues to believe he has their best interests in mind. There is little reason to believe his base will change their minds even when confronted with stark reality so those Americans who are on the fence are the force who can derail Trump's march - do they want a world for themselves, children and grandchildren where civility, the Golden Rule, concerns about climate change, the environment, and reciprocal relations with other world powers continue to be ignored or devalued? Do they want a Country where divisiveness is encouraged by it's president as he uses this as a powerful ploy? If Americans want things to stay the same - or, more likely get worse, then by all means either don't vote or get out your MAGA hat and go to the polls and pull that level for Trump. Caveat emptor it won't get better for most of us except for Trump and his pals.
1
Sen. Susan Collins was interviewed last night.
She admitted that she has NOT spoken to Trump.
She said her comment that he would “learn from this” was “aspirational,” and not based on any hard evidence.
Her desire to be re-elected this November is also “aspirational.”
Vote her out by a YUUUGE margin.
4
"He can do whatever it takes to win re-election..."
NYT Editorial Board, I'm surprised at you.
Have you forgotten first two Commandments of a politician, irrespective of party affiliation?
First Commandment: Thou shalt get elected.
Second Commandment: Thou shalt get re-elected.
To me, the Senators chanting "Four More Years!" looked very much like the wild, grinning, terrified clapping one sees at a speech from Kim Il Jong.
6
Excellent editorial. Thanks you New York Times.
Mitt Romney for President 2020. Above all else comes preservation of the Republic.
1
Where is Claude Rains when we need him?
1
Nothing the Dems can do will defeat our President.
Absolutely nothing.
5
It was incredibly effective and clever for Trump to honor individuals and families at the State of Union. The visual of the Democrats refusing to applaud the Black schoolgirl from Philadelphia who was given a scholarship made them look petty and partisan. Then Pelosi topped it off with an immature display that broke all norms. Partisan Democrats loved it, but the rest of the country saw a group that needs to go back to kindergarten and learn how to behave.
1
@Caleb Mars
> ...the rest of the country saw a group that needs to go back to kindergarten and learn how to behave.
Did you have this same thought when Trump refused to shake Pelosi's hand, or ANY OTHER TIME during Trump's rants and Republican cheering?
1
The US economy is better than it has ever been under his watch! So says our dear leader. At his inauguration he vouched for economic growth of “5% or 6%”. Now almost a year into his presidency its barely 2%! ,,, far below even Carter at 3.3% let alone JFK (5,7), LBJ(5,3),
Reagan(3.5),and Clinton(3.8) .
"The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." — George Orwell, “1984”.
4
The Medal of Freedom is now worthless. Indeed, everything trump touches dies.
1
"The health of the overall economy". Really, maybe the Editorial Board should read Steven Rattner's piece in today's NYTimes. Or even better, watch the CBS This Morning segment on wealth inequality in America. The USA is a ticking time bomb. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/income-inequality-in-america-how-98-trillion-of-household-wealth-is-distributed/
1
"What will finally defeat Donald Trump?"
We citizens will, what else? Are people forgetting those against Trump are in the majority? Are people forgetting they have the strength inside to buck up and fight? Are people forgetting our nation has no health care, no living minimum wage, an increasing deficit, an unstable foreign policy, an unemployment rate distorted by people driving one Uber shift a week, separate justice systems for the rich and poor, the white and brown? Are we not Americans?
I don't think the NYT is doing America any favors by writing these anxious editorials. If Patrick Mahomes had psyched himself out on Sunday when he threw those two passes the 49ers intercepted, then the Chiefs would not have won the Superbowl.
Yes, it's a bad moment - but show some spirit, everybody. Iowa and this impeachment are our interceptions. Trump is no Garappolo, he's a fatty who can't run Every candidate Democrats have would make a great leader compared to what we've got. Pelosi ripped up the speech and plans to keep fighting. Will you?
2
With the vote acquit Trump we have become an autocratic kleptocracy. The biggest Banana Republic of all.
4
Consider this. If a majority of voters do not vote for any one of the presently identified possible Democratic Party candidates for the presidency, including even Bloomberg, then this will be a clear demonstration that Americans in common with New York Times columnist Bret Stephens, would rather let Trump be elected by default than vote for their selected "never" candidate.
Here is what Bret Stephens said in his conversation with Gail Collins @ https://nyti.ms/35PGkVE
“But while I (Bret Stephens) would never cast a ballot for Donald Trump, there’s no chance I’d vote for either Sanders or Elizabeth Warren.”
To judge from 100s of comments and other reports, there are 1000s, maybe 10s of 1000s of self-declared non-Trump voters to be who share Bret Stephen's position, simply change Sanders or Warren to any one of the other names.
If this happens then the American dream is over.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Citizen US SE
09:54 GMT 2d
2
What will finally defeat Donald Trump is a sagging economy in his second term. Also, if the Republicans take back the house--and if Mr. Trump's momentum builds, they could--then with control of the House, the Senate, and the White House, the GOP will likely get the cuts in Medicaid, Medicare, and possibly Social Security they want. Then the public will turn on the President and the GOP. But it will be too late.
1
The GOP hive mind has always organized behind party leaders. Any opposition and that member will be ousted. It is the propaganda style that the GOP realized works so well by constantly pounding out three or four word sound bites that stick--while leaving the truth behind. Their message is always vague as the GOP realizes that specifics tend to get lost in the message while their propaganda is pointed, consistent and quickly dispersed to get the associated lies out in front. First in line works.
With Trump’s childish retaliation at anyone opposing anything he says or does, the GOP leaders have placed themselves between a rock and a hard place. Their own system has found a horrible glitch in the Trump cult…someone they can’t control and have to support in fear of reprisals.
The Dems can be all over the map with varying platforms and inconsistent messages. If they don’t focus on the real issues, they will hand the election to Trump. The impeachment has not been favored by the moderate people the Dems need votes from…and the Dems haven’t paid attention to that fact. (plus, they have to stop with the extreme policy changes…it won’t get any votes from the middle either)
1
Since America started out as a small colony, the number of 100 million Native Americas has dwindled down to a few million, American America lost over 10 million during the middle passage and on American soil as slaves.Modern day Latin Americans come to America for a better life, only to die at the border with their children kept alive in cells. The GOP is trying to hold on for the coming change of the demographic change after 2040. It was never about Trump. It was about how he used the southern strategy and racism to wage war on not only America. but all America holds dear. The GOP sees the end in sight. But, wants to change the court system in their favor until at least 2050.By then, America will be more like the fallen Rome empire and more like South Africa before Nelson Mandela. November 2020. Send the Senate a strong message by showing them the door!
1
@Roni 62 -African America's (American America ) sorry for the typo:
Defeating the Vietnam War draft dodger is compulsory. Defeating Mitch McConnell and returning the Republicans in the Senate to minority representation status is important. Expanding the Democratic majority in the House is necessary. The Democratic Party must unify and vigorously support their nominee, energize and organize voter registration drives, and boost voter turnout. The petty squabbling and the destructively motivated jealousy, envy, and bitterness must give way to assure defeating the draft dodger. The Republican Party is effectively and permanently castrated, and as The Editorial Board chillingly states, the GOP will do everything and anything to guarantee his reelection. The Democrats must reach out to voters disaffected and ignored in 2016, informing them that they recognize their concerns and offer pragmatic proposals. Third party candidates help doom Clinton's chances. Remembering the 1968 George Wallace presidential campaign, his supporters backed him and did not care what he said or did. Wallace knew his target audience, folks who were scorned, ridiculed, and felt threatened by racial progress. Wallace's brashness, his incendiary vitriol, and racially divisive demagoguery assured their undying support. No surprise Wallace carried the Deep South in 1968. The draft dodger and the GOP took a page from Nixon's 1968 Southern Strategy, and it worked. The Democrats must take nothing for granted, go all out, and win. Race matters.
1
This challenging editorial is a clarion call to vote Democratic in the next presidential election, even if you are Independent or Republican.
A clear call is to see the video on President Trump making his remarks at this morning's National Prayer Breakfast . This should be a clear sign to all citizens that his words are toxic and he should have the Presidency from which to share them.
What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump? Nothing. President for life. Literally. It was just demonstrated that the GOP is determined to dismantle our democracy to make it so that they remain in power indefinitely. Not only will Dems lose the Presidential election. They'll lose their House majority through some very suspicious and unlikely scenario and the GOP will increase their majority in the Senate. The DOJ will go into overdrive opening investigations into "enemies" and who knows what kinds of laws will be struck down, or rewritten by the remade ultra right judiciary that the GOp has spent the last year fast-tracking into lifetime appointments. It's not fair for us to expect RBG to make it through another four years, so the GOP will get another Federalist on the Supreme Court. It may seem so, but I don't think that any of what I have suggested is really outside of the realm of possibility.
2
Bravo to Susan Collins for stating the truth, that Trump "has learned from this" . He has and what he knows is that Senator Collins and the rest of the Republican party will not stop him from doing as he wishes.
7
Your question should be rephrased. It should be who can defeat Donald Trump rather than what can defeat Donald Trump. The four top democrats in Iowa appear to be unelectable. Mayor Pete inexperience and lifestyle will be problematic. Sanders has problems with his age and his
Socialism. Warren also advocates programs and solutions which are unacceptable to the majority.
Trump will attack Biden's age, competence, and his Ukraine experience. The question is will Biden hold up against a strong Trump attack. To date, his debate performances have been irregular. The answer to who can defeat Donald Trump is clearly "someone else."
ism
I take issue with the NYT's and others', characterization of Bloomberg's efforts as "trying to buy the nomination". Yes, he is using his own money and not asking for donations; this is neither illegal nor unethical. It is allowed and in many ways more ethical than the presence of "dark money" allowed by the Citizen's United SCOTUS decision. Bloomberg is buying air time to make his views known to the wider public, he is "buying" talent for his campaign, he is not "buying votes". This is no different than how any other candidate spends money raised thru the public. If his message connects with voters, he will receive votes, if it does not resonate with the Dem primary voters, he will not receive the nomination no matter how rich he is. Unlike Trump, one can make the argument that Bloomberg will really be immune to entreaties from special interests and that his positions on issues will be truly his own. One can disagree with his positions, but please stop trying to de-legitimize them by claiming they are in some way tainted by how he uses his own money. Both Rockefeller and Carnegie were "robber barons" but few would question whether their money has been put to good use. The Dems need to stop class warfare, this only adds to the divisiveness of US politics - the battle ground should be on issues.
5
We citizens have recently been subjected to the grotesque spectacle of raw political power confronting raw political power. The notion that one side was looking for "Truth", in the platonic sense, and the other "Perfect" is laughable but unfortunately tribalism is the defining motivating force these days. H. L. Mencken once said, "there's only one way to look at politicians and that is down". The spectacle proves once again how right he was.
2
Trumps speech was preceded by republicans chanting 4 more years. Democrats sat in their seats and glowered in frustration and anger. They keep wanting to be perceived as the adults in the room, hows that working? Trump and the republicans understand the usefulness of symbolism and the simplicity of easily repeated phrases and words that resonate with a culture conditioned by decades of marketing manipulation. Trumps shtick is simply an amplified version of the direct marketing strategy that republicans have used to good effect since Reagan. The professional class that dominates the Democratic Party wants to remain above the rough and tumble of politics. They, like Michele Obama want to go “high” when others go low (don’t hate me now, I like her too). Trump and the republicans are engaged in a street fight, democrats have yet to understand that and act accordingly. “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function”. In other words both confront the Trump republicans while projecting positive messages that contradict Trumpism. You don’t do that by sitting in your seats in frustration and anger. The chant should have been disrupted, oh and a well placed “you lie” would have come in handy as well. Its hardball time folks, please put the softball away and play the game that’s there, not the one you wished was. Rise to the occasion, get out of your seats, make your presence known.
7
I didn’t watch the State of the Union address because I’ve seen all the political theatre I need over the past two weeks. Trump has taken his television reality show and moved it to Washington as an “all Trump, all the time” 24 hour a day spectacle. Hanging the Medal of Freedom around Rush Limbaugh’s neck was the equivalent of Fonzie “jumping the shark” on Happy Days. Anything is believable now.
4
We real Americans need to stop lying to ourselves about what we are facing. Trump supporters are not well meaning people with whom we share good faith disagreements. They are the enemy within.
10
"Monochromatic Iowa."
There it is. The arrogance. The contempt. The loathing that Democrats and the Left have for most of the country. The comments in the article only reinforce this. You'll never get people to vote for you by insulting them, their thoughts, their religion, and their traditions. There is more to life than material things.
Good luck in November. You're going to need it.
2
Sad time for our country.
2
I am a Democrat voter. If we want to win in November, we need a powerful candidate on the ballot.
The republicans are ready, and we are NOT!
I hate to use a sports analogy, but at this time, they are ready to play the game and we aren’t even in the stadium!
My party is disorganized and not prepared to win, it’s time to show leadership!
We are losing the game, it’s time we take control, stop blaming the lunatic in the White House for our problems.
What is the plan to rally around our candidate with a simple clear message?
5
@Bphil
We hear the message Bphil and the message is socialism, you know, the system for loser countries like Cuba and Venezuela. Not to be confused with Democratic Socialism like the US and Sweden has now. Will the democrats change the party name and are you a socialist too, Bphil?
1
...And the hysterical democrats wouldn't be supportive and have Trump's back if he were a democrat?
Give me a break.
1
Doubt, not certainty, is democracy's best friend.
The silent majority within the Republican party is listening to the voice of doubt and will either rationalize censorship or use reason to understand what happened to them. They are the ones caught by surprise. Most conservative Republicans aren't devious and dishonest and cowardly, as Trump and McConnell are. Most want to feel proud of themselves and they know they can't do it by lying to themselves and blaming Democrats forever. My approach is to say, "Sorry for your loss. Now you will never know why the Republican party betrayed you and murdered your innocent trust." No human being in their right mind can live a lie. It's why the First Amendment was created. It's not the government that censors the truth, it's the ego.
2
What will finally defeat Donald Trump? Term limitation.
2
Presidents are already limited to two terms
Sadly, but honestly, I think it will be nothing else but whatever
is used to kill vampires.
2
"He was not wrong about everything, as when he boasted about the overall strength of the economy or praised the selflessness of American troops. But when he was wrong, as he often was, he was poisonously wrong. He grotesquely caricatured the criminality of undocumented immigrants, rewrote the history of his assaults on Americans’ health care and drastically inflated the number of jobs expected to be created by the new trade bill."
Dear NYT: For the love of God, WHEN will you stop sugar coating this man's rhetoric? The word "wrong" to most of us implies at least an attempt to be accurate. A mistake. No - he wasn't just wrong, HE LIED. And he didn't just "rewrite the history" of his policies RE: healthcare - implying some tweaks here and there. HE LIED. Worse: the Republicans cheered loudly for the LIE. So the RNC/GOP are in on the lie.
I know you all can turn a phrase as professional writers, but please keep it simple when describing Trump. No more "falsehoods" and "untruths." It's LIES.
Lastly, the economy isn't the stock market. And it's slowing down.
Thank you.
8
We are so far up a bad creek that the only thing that will cleanse us and bring us to our senses will probably be a war.
Just seeing these words come from my fingers shows how destructive these shameless republicans have been.
Democracy is crumbling around us like a chapter out of a Gibbon's multi volume history book. Let me go cry.
4
He empowers Russia. Disarms its adversaries. Debases truth & science. He pardoned Joe Arpaio. He pardoned a war criminal. He debases all. A medal of freedom to Rush? Maybe a purple heart for Hannity is next and the title of "Ambassador." He will sell all aspects of America's honor to benefit him.
Russia wants Americans to vote for Trump and Republicans to harm America. Don't.
4
Individualism, Liberty, traditions and values? You have to be kidding me! That’s about the most ironic set of adjectives you could have possibly chosen. Trumpism is literally the opposite of every one of those attributes. Oy.
1
The scary fact is that Trump may not leave even if he loses the election. Whats to stop him from declaring a national emergency that he should remain in office because the Democrats allowed immigrants to vote illegally? He a crazy person with a cult following. He sees no wrong when it comes to what he wants and Alan D supports that thinking!
1
Congratulations, Americans. Now you know what Vladimir Putin has had in mind for this country all along.
First by orchestrating the downfall of Democracy and the free world, and then by helping to install a president-for-life and single party rule -- just like in Russia, and every other dictatorship on the planet.
But worst of all, is the fact that the Republican Party has allowed this to happen by walking in lockstep behind a person whose thirst for power and control far exceeds his judgement and ability.
They have given him everything, and all at the expense of the U.S. Constitution and every written law in the book.
So, Good Luck.
Today you've lost the bright shining lights on the hill.
And the "American carnage" has just begun.
5
“Representing the whole nation”??
Haven’t you figured out by now that Trump only represents ... himself, first, last and always?
He is the reality tv “look at me” guy playing president.
4
Forget shooting someone on Fifth Avenue in broad daylight. Trump has murdered the Constitution on Pennsylvania Ave, with unfettered Help from his Collaborators. VOTE THEM ALL OUT.
8
We have an American dictator and no way of getting rid of him. Thank you, Republicans. This is the end result of four decades of greed and pandering to the worst of humanity.
8
The SOTU was...partisan? Immigration control, school choice, prison reform, improving low income wages, record low African-American unemployment. The Democratic Party is out of touch.
2
A Constitutional Convention or a Civil War. The lying, cheating, stealing Republicans won't dare take any power from a vicious and dangerous man. The civilized have always succumbed to the uncivilized. Perhaps we must set aside our morals, like the Republicans have, and take back our country.
2
Revolt by vote ... or revolt by the rifles that he supports. Choice is yours.
Nice to see that EB feels the need to see Trump defeated. So nice for our country. I'm sure you had the same thoughts about Obama, oh no wait you overlooked everything he did. Ok, I got it.
1
If he is not re-elected he will soon be sharing a cell with Michael Cohen, 51 Senators will have egg on their faces and Mitt Romney will rule the party.
1
Oh,I wish
The major issue still is that the Democrats play by the rules, no matter how fraught (the Iowa Caucuses) those rules may be, while the Republican Party and, most certainly, Trump himself, don't even bother with rules. Giving an extremist clown like Limbaugh the Medal of Freedom -- during the State of the Union address, no less -- was a perverse slap in the face of the assembled Democrats; they should have gotten up and filed out of the chamber in disgust. But of course they didn't, because they persist in respecting tradition and comity.
The Republican supplicants, Mitt excluded, laughed and clapped with delighted scorn and their Democratic colleagues. And that's really where we find bottom. Partisanship under Trump has taken an ugly, ugly turn, and seeing the GOP's sickening behavior, one can't help but recall visions of old newsreels from the streets of Berlin with truckloads of brown-shirted thugs laughing and snarling at anyone who looked non-Aryan. We all know how that turned out.
4
The only, only thing that will defeat Donald Trump is the American people. We must take to the streets and demand justice. Mitch has hijacked our country to model it after his warped ideal of a dictatorship with Trump at its head and Mitch pulling Donald's strings.
We must demand justice.
2
Whatever it takes to win an election? Like using Russian assets to build a fake dossier through a foreign spy network? Like using the IRS to attack Tea Party members? Like weaponizing the FBI and State Department to spy on an opposing candidate? Like lying to the FISA court to spy on American citizens?
The irony and hypocrisy of the Democrats is simply incredible.
"What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?"
The same thing that defeated Caesar --- the same "disease of Republics" that our founders and framers knew so well from their deep reading of Roman history, which is the cancerous disease of Empire strangling a democratic republic.
Once the first sickening cell starts its work and spreads to other parts of the 'body politic' Republic falls to the disease of Empire --- and the procession of subsequent Emperors falls into succession by murder foul.
2
What will defeat Trump?
The American system of government has failed, so we're now all reduced to counting on chance operations in the universe, in the form of an aspirated Egg McMuffin.
1
Trump is identical to Silvio Berlusconi. Only his own hubris and advanced age can bring him down because he has successfully appealed to everybody’s worst instincts thereby making the entire GOP accomplices. Evil genius mafioso tactics.
2
PA, WI, MI & OH, Rust Belt states elected Trump. Even trump did not expected to win in 2016.
3
James Carville is right: how does Tom Perez still have a job?
Can the Dems just draft Mitt Romney? He wanted the job anyway, and now he looks like the noblest politician in America.
1
Really doesn't look like anything or anyone can.
3
Let's go back to the days of a written report for SOTU. No more campaign speeches. For everyone, regardless of party.
2
If our president is no longer elected by US citizens, then are we a democracy? Perhaps this means we should stop touting ourselves as one.
Or we can change...
1
This is simply about power. Trump holds the hearts and minds of the power base that keeps the Republicans in office. As long as that is the case, there is no action he can take for which any Washington Republican will hold him accountable, except one, as it turns out. For all other Republicans, the Faustian deal provides Trump to be the mouthpiece for their policies, which, outside of their plutocratic perks, he could care less about. In turn, the Republicans are required to be his boot-lickers in order to maintain his favor and advance their agenda.
McConnell showed his stripes when he declared his intention to make Obama a one-term President. He has since shown that his obsession for power leaves no room for principle through his sycophancy for the White House’s current resident as the price for his political agenda.
4
"He can do whatever it takes to win re-election, and the Republican Party will have his back."
That kind of thing is normally only said of autocratic regimes pretending to be democracies - yet here we are.
10
The one sure way Trump can be defeated is if he does something that causes a worldwide economic meltdown.
And that's a distinct possibility.
Everyone loved Bernie Madoff, until their money went up in smoke.
If he costs them money, they'll all turn their backs on him.
5
The Democratic Members of Congress should also wake up and fire Nancy Pelosi. It's also time for a new House Speaker. The Democrats have to clean house and start all over again.
2
@sharon5101
Don't worry one minute Sharon as the Republicans will replace Useless Nancy in November of this year with the help of a lot of disgusted former democrats. The correct word will be Rout! Enjoy this free service from true Americans.
1
Opposite this editorial today is a piece by Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, an eminently able, articulate, thinking member of the Senate.
Think about this then:
Sen. Brown is a man who chose not to run for president because he did not want to sacrifice his soul and his family to the insane way we choose presidents, to the nuthouse of a two-year campaign and all that it devolves into.
And yet, and yet he is that proverbial "best man", the man who should be the Democratic candidate for president - wise, seasoned, with an understated sense of humor and plain-speaking, a proven winner in the toughest of states, Ohio where he wins the minority vote or could not be elected and, above all, can bridge the gap between the competing wings of the Democratic Party.
My hope is that a deadlocked convention turns to him on the 4th ballot in July in Milwaukee.
5
"But the fact that they’ll eventually pick a nominee isn’t enough. It matters how they get there. The 2016 election is a cautionary tale — too many Democrats felt so little allegiance to the nominee that they chose to vote for a third-party candidate, or not to vote at all. "
It is time the press understands its role,
Perhaps if the NY Times had covered the shared Democratic goals in 2015 instead of obsessing on email servers and slogans, Democrats would have understood how dramatically the effects of voting for a candidate of one of the 2 parties differs: Bill Clinton nominated RBG for the Court, Trump gave us Kavanaugh.
Instead of covering spats, slogans, and polls, why doesn't the NYT pay more attention to the hundreds of bills that the unified Democrats in the House have passed, all of which are blocked by the Republican Senate.
What Pelosi has passed in the unified House is more informative about what will happen with a Democratic President and Congress than detailed explanations for how delegates are assigned in the Iowa caucuses.
13
You bemoan the disunity of Democrats during the primary battles (they are "battles" after all) while admiring the unity of the Republican base. At the same time, you point out the mob-like attributes of that base. That the Democrats are not a mob is related to their ability to (hopefully) cordially present their points of disagreement and then unite behind a candidate. That is what they do in most elections. Now that they see the results of what happened in 2016 when they didn't, the informed Democratic electorate should (with the determined help of those candidates who lose the party's nomination) rally hard for the eventual nominee. (Bernie Sanders needs to address his followers on this subject now and consistently since those polling numbers indicate too many of his followers won't. Especially since HE wants to be that winning nominee; he won't want to alienate other Democrats!)
4
How do we prevent Trump and his gang from cheating in the upcoming election--especially in a few key states that can win it for him? Will there be international observers to keep an eye on the process?
8
@Hector
You aren't paying attention Hector. The election cheating from the Russians was dis-proved by Bob Mueller. The Caucus in Iowa needs the same teams we send to impoverished countries to help the democrats pull off a Caucus in a tiny state. Can the democrats do anything right? That would be a NO!
One point that should be emphasized and repeated is to compare President Trump’s act to President Nixon’s. They both broke the law. Nixon tried to cover-up his domestic criminal break-in as a “dirty trick” that everyone did in politics. Trump has covered-up his international extortion as “inappropriate.” They are both criminal acts, but the stakes for our country are so much higher with the involvement of our long-time foreign adversary, Russia.
For President Nixon, the smoking gun was the uncovering of the tape recordings. President Trump has squelched any possibility of rock-solid incrimination being revealed. Unlike the Nixon era, with a number of upstanding lawyers acting independently, President Trump has intimidated, pushed out of fired anyone around him who disagrees. The press should be elucidating these matters. Comparisons to President Clinton are bogus. He was impeached for an immoral act; his cover-up was inexcusable and he got nailed. His exoneration was a show of personal respect as much as party lines. President Trump’s exoneration was based on threats and possibly worse, including more favors for Russia and encouragement of future hacking by foreign powers.
3
Many people here in flyover country tell me they did not watch the SOU, "they cannot stand to look at or watch Trump anymore". News reported that viewership dropped by 20%.
Corporate Media, its Time for your Reality Check. We are tired of the 24/7 free Trump Reality Show. Move on.
14
Aiding and abetting is the money mantra. How about the sponsors stepping in to neutralize the flow of “only the news” .
@senior citizen Exactly! We were nauseated and overfed long before the 2016 election but now it's still 24/7 Drump, Clump, Bump. I turn off the sound whenever late night comics air clips of this demented psychopath speaking. Likewise I could not bear to watch the SOTU, but the very idea of Rush Limbaugh even being inside the walls of Congress, much less getting the Medal of Freedom has my gut coiled in a painful knot. How about a media blackout? Who cares if he's the President? Enough, enough, enough. Never take another picture of him, please.
Thank you to Senator Mitt Romney for following his conscience and voting to convict President Trump. Romney's words were courageous, thoughtful, and heartfelt. He chose morality, regardless of the consequences. I admire his integrity. He is a hero. Also, thank you to Speaker Nancy Pelosi for tearing up Trump's speech full of lies. Trump's lying, reality-show behavior had to be called out, and her gesture did just that. What can we do to defeat Donald Trump? Follow their lead. Speak out for truth and democracy. For those who can, contribute to Democratic candidates for Senate and President. For everyone --- vote! Vote against Republican Senators who protected Trump. Vote them out. Vote the would-be dictator Trump out!
4
Why are Democrats so worried about being investigated? If they're innocent, then they have nothing to hide.
1
The only thing that can defeat Trump is Fox news.
Fox would have to turn on him. They would have to make the decision that decency, civility and truth were more important than $$$.
6
If you think about it, as bad as Trump is Mich McConnell is just as bad or worst. He is the main driver of this presidency.
He is cut-throat and the real power behind the president. No matter what he has to go . Because with him at the helm of the Senate noting constructive will happen.
Think about the number of supreme court judges that will be appointed in the next 4.5 years. As long as Mitch McConnell is at the helm we are doomed...no matter who the president is.
8
@Tony Kirkland
Sean Hannity is the real power behind the president.
Half those people at Trump rallies don't even know who McConnell is.
2
After reading this editorial and assimilating the sham trial/ coverup by Senate republicans minus the courageous Mitt Romney; Nancy Pelosi’s tearing up the ridiculous SOTU speech seems wholly justified.
8
I believe America died yesterday with the Senate vote.
I do not know if you can recover a country's belief that the law and the truth are essential for a just and decent society.
6
@Nancy
No. America died, Nancy, the day Clinton pointed his big finger at us and really did lie! He was caught and convicted and disbarred from practicing law. The democrats thought they could put a sham case to the same ends and failed miserably, and predictably. If the democrats would behave like normal legislators with ideas and plans they have a chance. Sorry, but democrats will continue to pursue office with back stabbing political ploys. After failing so much, wouldn't you like to win, sometimes anyway?
"What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?"
A candidate that excites the imagination of the voters.
There is not one in the current field. Here's the policies I suggest.
Healthcare: Don't enact M4A until you substantially demonstrate the government can reduce existing costs. The ACA failed to do so. Most voters will take the attitude 'Fool me once shame on you - fool me twice shame on me.
Immigration: Support dreamers etc. - but secure the border
Identity politics - Stop it dead in its tracks
Many people will not like the above - but otherwise - you get Trump
4
Excellent Points. The democrats seem intent on forcing illegals and their view of healthcare and socialism “light” on us no matter what regular people desire.
@AL
No longer socialism "lite" but full tilt control, AOC, former super intelligent Brooklyn bartender, thinks Congress can run every business in America and do it better than current management. The democrats will nominate Bernie, if Bloomberg doesn't purchase the nomination, and Every democrat candidate should be asked one question. Are you a socialist? Let's see where they stand!
The two term limit?
2
Maybe we really need to rethink political parties. Maybe we need to do some soul-searching on serving as an elected official. Is it a career, a way to earn a living? Or is a way to share your professional expertise, from any field, in service to the governance of the country? -- for a short period of time, and then you return to your career or profession.
And how do we get that stinking Dark Money, such a pestilence, out of our governing bodies? Do people need to re-establish their baseline religious beliefs, re-commit themselves to an authority higher that the self?
3
I was somewhat uncomfortable watching Nancy Pelosi tear up Trump's speech, but then I remembered that he refused to shake her hand. That speech, full of bragging, lie after lie, exaggeration after exaggeration, where he paid tribute to token African-Americans in the gallery, demonized all Hispanics as "illegals" and "criminals", ran roughshod over Native Americans in his final sentences when he portrayed mythic Americans conquering the West as if no people lived there - and he gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to one of the leading racists and misogynists to capture the American airwaves.
So kudos to Nancy Pelosi for ripping up the those sheets of paper. At least none of the Democrats have ripped children away from their parents and put them in cold cages.
7
Republicans need to be aware they are to be shamed for letting the President get of with such a gentle reprimand. It was on the backs of Republicans and the GOP he gained in prominence; they magnified his voice and other contenders were stopped by a tactic Yeats claimed to have used when conversing with one who was seeming confrontational: spout nonsense and confuse him!
1
Anyone thinking that this will insure Trump will be more cautious are barking at the moon. This will only embolden his ego to take more self satisfying steps in Making America Grate. He and his have destroyed Washington.
4
How do we defeat Trump???
Florida in November. Party unity. And staying true to your Self.
If you are a democracy supporter - and live in California, New York, New England, Georgia or Alabama (or any deep red state) - move to Florida and vote in November. Move to Kentucky and vote the bozo out. Stand behind the Democratic nominee even if that person is not your choice. If more democrats came out to vote for Hillary, even though they did not like her - she would have been president right now - and non of this would have mattered.
By Self -I mean the enlightened version of you, the best of yourself without the worries of "how its going to look". In that sense i do think that Romney did what he thought was "best Self".
2
And for any who are contemplating a third party run, please rethink that.
1
@Dorothy
I did. If people voting for Evan McMullen in Utah voted for Hillary -Utah would have been in Hillary's corner. I think this is where I said be true to your Self first, but if everyone comes together -for lets say Bernie or Warren - then trump is only one term president. For me it's either United or divided at this point (as much as I don't care for Hillary - she would have been a better president than trump).
Here is a FL voter who agrees. Boost “Bloomie” ! Revolt by vote.Don’t allow the Court to shred term limits .it is ..now or never for democracy!Don’t kid yourself about this turning point.Remember Germany in 1930.
Nothing will finally defeat Trump. 67% of the American electorate is white and Trump carried every white demographic in 2016. His message is a bigoted one that appeals to white people who believe this country is theirs.
We can only pray he will leave quietly in 2024 and whoever we get that year for president, Democrat or Republican, cannot possibly be worse.
He will undoubtedly go down in history as the worst presidential embarrassment in American history.
3
@History Guy
No Historically Challenged Guy, that position, worst President, was won by the brilliant Jimmy Carter many years ago with his 20% mortgage rates. Obama challenged but couldn't quite fall as low on the measurement bar, Remember what Obama said regularly; "Nobody wants to Work with Me!" How sad. Trump has done everything he promised in his campaign and that has never been done before. He has never cried about lack of support or anything else. He is a positive and effective legislator who Loves America. That is why America Loves Him! Get used to winning as it really beats your current position.
Who will we get next....? Haven’t you noticed how the T family business is organized? Wake up.
Shame is an emotion that has been pruned from Republicans over the past 40 or so years, replaced with a smug sense of self-entitlement. Nothing will make them feel shame, even if they were caught embezzling from a charity while enacting every perversion enumerated in the famous dirty joke, "The Aristocrats."
1
Not a good week for the nation.
Sad.
4
Love the irony.
Dems put Trump on trial for suggesting a Ukrainian investigation into Biden.
Trump gets acquitted and Biden still struggling to answer for his actions as VP years ago.
1
A Bloomberg/Romney ticket would work. It’s just not about politics with Don, its about money and power - this will get into his head. The B/R ticket will bring the Dems, Indies and enuf of the GOP to push Don out. None of the other candidates can do it - they’re playing by the rules Don has already rewritten. Best to go there now.
2
Trump's greatest support lies in the shambles of the Democratic party.
There is only one real solution, vote trump and the GOP out of office. That's not going to happen if the rest of 2020 is like the past few months for the Dem's. They are not going to win over America with these far left candidate's, with candidate's full of baggage and chaos during primary elections. They are running against a machine that will look for any weakness, any story to discredit and if there are none then make up some. They will be running in an America where one third of the country doesn't care about the truth and for the first time in our history we have a state run medias, FOX, blasting out lies 24 x 7. With all this against us its really crazy to read that 45% of Burnie people will only vote for Burnie, give me a brake!!!
2
During the reign of Augustus it was enough for him to say to an opponent "Caesar wishes you dead", for the opponent to commit suicide, in fear of a much worse death. How did we allow Trump to acquire so much power that he can command people to act in ways that they know are so completely dishonorable?
7
How??? By fear, taunts, bully tactics, LIES, amorality, open threats to elected officials, ... want more?
Bravo to Speaker Pelosi. Her dramatic reaction made a clear statement. Most of the time the liars, grifters, users and over-the-top immoral "leaders" get away with their behavior because they are not called out. We can not allow DJT's behavior to continue on its path to normalization because of "political correctness". It is not nice when people lie while wearing a fancy suit and speaking in modulated tones. No amount of lies spewed by DJT and his enablers should be tolerated with no show of disapproval.
8
Speaker Pelosi tearing up the speech showed the masses that the lying racist words - and the asterisked-for-all-time *president* - were not worth the paper the speech was printed on.
10
If you think there is any difference between Sean Hannity and Anderson Cooper you are just fooling yourself. The lies don't have to be identical for both of them to be the liars. Both of them have equally participated in dividing and polarizing America. If any other journalist were any better, he or she would have spoken the truth long ago.
‘Monochromatic Iowa’?
Why does that matter?
All Democrats running for President are ‘monochromatic’.
1
Indeed, Trump learned only one lesson, but one he has learned since his early days. Trump sees himself as a supreme dealmaker. Lying, cheating, twisting arms (and more), and then covering it up, are simply tools of the trade. He looks, talks, and indeed acts as a mafia boss. To him, every interaction is really a transaction. And amazingly, a significant and electorally deadly fraction of the American voters are just fine with that, because he makes them believe he is rooting for them. Even if only breadcrumbs actually trickle down to them, out of the trillions unleashed from taxes for the ultra-rich. He stands up for gun rights (along with Russian-funded NRA lucre), and against abortion. And they have someone to blame -- those Mexican rapists, those Muslim terrorists, and so on. Build That Wall! Perhaps his future behavior will finally reach a point when both the Republican senators, as well as his voting supporters will rue the day they backed DJT.
3
I hope citizens across the country will call Senator Romney's office and thank him for the courage of his vote. Since my two Senators are spineless cowards, this Democrat will be calling Senator Romney's office today.
3
Mitt Romney is the sole congressional Republican not to violate his oath to defend the American Constitution. Every single other congressional Republican is guilty of betraying the nation for a criminal.
2
With the binary political parties as we have, one party's failure to honor its oath leaves the Republic in peril. Putting your party over country, as many Republicans did, is a fertile ground to grow and nurture fascism. In November, we will know if as a nation we value the Republic and can keep it.
3
he's going to win in 2020, as sick and sad as that is
the Democrats lack the mojo and the will to win
trmp's support is rock solid. His voters are extremely motivated and will never leave him. It is a cult.
So, what will eventually lead to his downfall? Sadly, I think it will be something so horrible that we will not be able to fathom it until it has destroyed much of the country.
The Democrats would do well to read the history books and remember how the opponents of a certain German corporal squabbled among themselves while he established his total control over the country.
It has happened before. It may very well happen again.
4
Here's how we'll defeat this "president" (in light of the Senate having given him the green light to ask foreign leaders to intervene in U.S. elections):
Dear Mr. Putin,
It's our understanding that you have a tape locked away in your desk drawer showing President Trump cavorting with some of Moscow's finest prostitutes. Can you do us a favor and release that tape (or just make a public announcement that it actually does exist...) and we promise to look into the possibility of lifting the economic sanctions on your country as soon as one of us is elected?
Sincerely,
Trump's Democratic Opponents
1
So denigrate the Democrats and throw your hands up about Trump.
I assume the board will be voting Republican.
1
@Dwight McFee
The NY Times Board of Editors, voting Republican? They are not nearly smart enough to do that. They were proven wrong, politically, in the last election and want the head of the guy that beat them, embarrassed them politically and journalistically.
Donald J.Trump.
Sorry, you are so wrong. Nancy Pelosi did not stoop to Trump's horrors when she ripped that horrid speech up. What she did was noble and right because she demonstrated exactly the worth of that speech: less than nothing!
5
The Editors are worried about our democracy while they criticize Nancy Pelosi's gesture. Ms. Pelosi in one brief action spoke for the majority of us-remember the majority did NOT vote for Trump. We are done clutching our pearls NYT and ready to play the game the way the GOP has for years.
4
I am waiting for the day when someone rightly brands America's RICO statutes as an acronym for Republican Influenced Crime Organization.
5
“Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy?” “A Republic, if you can keep it.” Little did we know how prescient Ben Franklin's answer was then. Now we know for sure - a monarchy, with a reality TV king, supported wholeheartedly by his kneeling, obedient Republicans. This doesn't bode well for America.
4
it is very clear that Trump has very good chances to win again. Unless Americans stop bickering with each other and support with all the possible weight all the Dems candidates to create a unity.. and once a Dem is selected to put all the weight again behind this person and go out and vote... if that does not happen, the world will have five more years of this deranged administration and God knows what could happen
1
At the risk of sounding stark raving mad, I'm almost wondering if the best way to get rid of Trump is for him to win the next election.
Consider the likely scenario if he doesn't win: He declares the election rigged; his lunatics bust open their stockpiles of arsenals; and any delayed manifestations of the ineptness of his administration prove fodder for him to tweet about. "I made America great again, but look at the disaster the Democrats have made since they stole the White House!"
His base remains solidified and the division continues for years.
Consider instead, this scenario: He wins the election; emboldened and unchecked, his corruption, incompetence and mental instability finally catch up with him, (and this is where we pray that God is merciful.) His disillusioned base abandons him leaving only the lunatics to decry that it's all a hoax. The GOP is largely voted out and the name Trump becomes as universally loathed as Weinstein and Rasputin.
I realize the stakes are deadly high, including the welfare of the planet itself, but I'm starting to wonder if harsh consequences will prove the only thing that breaks this spell in a meaningful way and in quicker time.
1
I suppose I wish Speaker Pelosi had started tearing the speech up earlier, say, after the lie that he was protecting people with preexisting conditions or after the first racist comment about immigrants or when he started in on violating the Constitutional separation of church and state. You know, that kind of thing. And I wish she had done it up high in the air in front of her, dramatically, as he was speaking so that everybody in the chamber and around the world could see her doing it. For that matter, I wish she had introduced him as the impeached president, the president who cannot ever be unimpeached.
5
What will defeat this President?
It’s not the popular vote.
As long as the electoral college stays,
Trump has a perfect moat.
Each country gets what it deserves.
Wake up and face your fate.
If you don’t, not just a war of nerves
will blow up when it’s too late.
The country has been torn apart
by one disgusting man.
What he has done is just the start.
He does because he can.
Voters beware. Do watch your step.
A civil war ain’t fun.
It cannot happen? A red Rep
may be playing with his gun…
Reflecting upon the events of the past several weeks I have found myself looking at the meaning of several hymns and songs, in November of 1861 Julia Ward Howe wrote the famous words to the Battle of the Republic, a chant that was associated with Military while going to battle, several sentences stand out, here are a few sung by the brave"He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat: He is sifting out the heart of men before his Judgement-seat" "As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free" modern words "let us live to make men free" Julia Ward Howe's unpublished last verse reads "He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave. He is wisdom to the mighty, He is succor to the brave, so the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of time His Slave" then you have the lyrics of the Battle of the Green Berets, "Fighting Soldiers from the sky, Fearless men who jump and die, Men who mean just what they say, these are men America's Best, men who fight by night and day, Courage take from the Green Beret" America God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy Good in brotherhood from sea to shining sea., US National Anthem "So proudly we hailed, Gave proof to the night that our flag was still there, the land of the free the home of the Brave, A home and a country should leave us no more, Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation" so why are you willing to allow the corrupt Trump and his allies to sully everything you stand for
1
@Rachel Quesnel footnote: this is for the people who will always stand on the right side of history, Mitt Romney, John Lewis, Adam Schiff, John McCain, Elijah Cummins, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, the majority of the Democratic Party, the memory of Soldiers Lost and Veterans living, maybe wondering after the Trump spectacle was it all worth it and how much more can we take as a Nation and a Voice, You see today, Trump has gotten Grassley, Graham, Barr who will not allow investigation into Trump's corruptness to go thru without the Attorney General or the Deputy's approval and yet you say you have a Democracy
He was impeached. He may have been acquitted, but he will forever be impeached...and that will stick in his craw until he draws his last breath.
3
Mitt Romney should switch political parties now before Mitch McConnell can vent his wrath on him.
1
The Senate majority leader spoke wistfully of breaking the spell of the partisan fever of the moment. That will only come when he and all the other Quislings are booted from office.
Nothing! The Dems have no one viable to defeat him.
A nod goes to Senator Romney, whom the media will now canonize as a near-diety for simply doing the right thing. Let's please keep in mind that this is the same jerk who dismissed the lower "47 percent" of the voting public, who "take handouts from the government" and don't matter. Meanwhile, back at the election-shenanigans, not a single piece of much needed legislation in coming forward to thwart Russians, or Chinese (Ivanka's business supporters) or anyone else from rigging 2020. If the Dems ever get their act together behind ONE candidate, it's equally essential that we unite to maintain the House and take back the Senate, or the greatest candidate ever will not be able to get one thing accomplished if we leave Congress to the control of Trump-cult.
We could have suffered this gangster in the executive branch if the people could have held their legislature against the poisoning power of Citizens United. This is the great object of politics in America this year: restoring the barricades.
What will finally defeat Donald Trump? Well, I’ll tell you what won’t defeat him: Elizabeth Warren/Amy Klobuchar, goofy impeachment circuses, Socialism, Democratic Socialism, National Healthcare and Joe Biden. Bloomberg can defeat Trump. Can we dispose with all the sideshows and lightweights and get on with Mike please.
Here's what I know in my lifetime....
Recession '69-70 & 73-75 Nixon, Ford.
Recovery '76-'80 Carter
Recession '80-82 & 90-91 Reagan, Bush
Recovery '92-'01 Clinton
Recession '07-09 Bush
Recovery '10-'16 Obama
Recession '20-?? Trump
Economies: Republicans wreck 'em, Democrats fix 'em.
That's what'll defeat him.
3
How exactly was Trump “grotesquely wrong” about the examples of criminal activity perpetrated by illegal immigrants?
Can’t believe he referred to our future as “blazing bright”. I’m sure the symbolism eluded Republicans: the world is literally and figuratively on fire.
Is it not truly astonishing that one of America’s legendary newspaper is calling Donald Trump and the Republican Party a major threat to American democracy. Think about that. What do you do with that? We are essentially at war now.
"What Will Finally Defeat Donald Trump?" When did political assassinations go out of style?
Don’t forget Cory Gardner in Colorado this year! He needs to go. Not only does he have no backbone, he is indebted to the NRA. No other Senator has received more funds from the NRA then Gardner.
Support Hickenlooper!
2
Romney should become a Democrat.
This was expected. Beginning with the smallest of municipal elections through state reps and governorships these Republicans need to leave. They are treasonous, fearful and plunging the US into a dictatorship. They do not care about their sworn responsibilities.
Meanwhile Dems please forget Joe Biden. Nobody wants him and he is not helping us.
1
I remember my grandfather telling me two things that I find to be true:
The first is that “the sure fire formula for failure is trying to please everybody.” The second is that “there ain’t no free lunch.”
I think the Dems are afflicted with the please disease. And I think they package their platform and issues as a gift. IMHO They need to stop playing scared. They need to keep it simple and they need to embrace Machiavellian tactics. It does not mean you have to be like Repubs but you need to fight who you are up against. If it is fire bring a big hose. And in the end be united. The end means when you have been mathematically eliminated from any chance of being nominated no matter how close, you don’t drag your injustice collector truck to the convention. You immediately get behind the presumptive nominee. Until the childish tactic of keeping your marbles and walking away stops, the other big child (Trump) wins. Because please acknowledge another grandpa truism life ain’t fair.
2
Trump will stop at nothing to feed his disastrous ego and execute his criminal intent. Now, armed with acquittal in the Senate, he will ramp up his evil, scorched earth policy of ridding America of any semblance of decency and honor. We need a new flag design under Trump — one with melted stars, sagging stripes and a heavy border. That's more reflective of life in America today under Trump's dreadful autocracy.
1
Fox news has 45 percent of the population believing he did nothing wrong. Fox viewers also don't believe anything from any other source. So where does that leave us. Boycott Fox. If Fox only wants 45 percent that's all they should get. Boycott.
1
Trump is no fool. I am unsure as to what he foresaw the high position in the state to involve 2016. Taking good decisions and doing what is needed to maintain internationally comparable relations horizontally as well as throughout different social tiers? Looking after citizens with and without advantage?
Fine! Defeat Trump!
But with whom?
A Communist?
A bumbling ex VP?
An inexperienced small town mayor?
A Senator proven to have lied about her heritage?
A billionaire ex mayor unknown outside NYC?
Democratic Party is lost.
1
Why throw shade at Pelosi, whose entirely appropriate and shrewd response to a disgraceful conglomeration of lies will long be remembered as remarkable and far more intelligent than anyone else's in the room. She's inappropriate? C'mon, she's the bomb.
4
Trump was stellar in his State of the Union, doing what he does best, vainglorious to the tilt even while on the attack as a rabid dog, resentful to no measure, trying to divide us by instiling fear and hate, and making an art of what he does best, lying and insulting as if there was no tomorrow. Pelosi tearing up his nonsense paper was an excellent response to his hand withdrawal from Pelosi's. Too bad that from now on, Trump may feel emboldebed to double down on his cruel maleficence, and the danger posed by his irresponsible, and capricious, behavior.
1
Trump and the Republicans warns Americans about Socialism. I escaped from a Socialist country before and I would say that the blatant lies of this administration and its fellow party more insulting to people's intelligence than the Socialist lies I heard. The propaganda that Trump and this administration have been spilling out is already Socialist standard for you Americans!
1
As I watched Trump and the republicans last night I felt like I was trapped in the existential play No Exit. How do we find an exit from this horrible man and these fools who are enabling him? I look at our candidates and I think how do any of them actually win, other than Biden, who is running a bad campaign? I’m worried, very worried that this nightmare is going to carry on. Trump has caused damage that will take decades to repair. I fear we’ll have nothing left if we have to endure another 4 years of this corrupt, power hungry maniac. God help us if we don’t find the exit.
2
The rabid republicans inside and outside the house and senate make me fear for our country. There is no hope that anything good will come of this, and our only real hope in this country is to vote trump out of office and get a democratic senate.
How dare you chastise Nancy Pelosi for ripping up the speech. It's yet another false equivalence that puts that simple and understandable act on the same plane as Trump's no-holds-barred trashing of our government, values and way of life. Assertions like that got Trump elected in the first place.
I invite the self-important members of the Editorial Board to get over themselves.
6
It's time, if not past time, for Democrats to publicly and not subtly express their disapproval with Trump and the Republican Party...not just disagreements with their positions...actual disgust with leaders themselves.
I saw nothing wrong with Nancy Pelosi tearing up Trump's speech, and I would have applauded if, when Trump wouldn't shake her offered hand, she had extended her hand again minus her thumb and three fingers.
2
Light is light. Never forget honor and truth and compassion. We are good and loving people. That's foundational.
Many Americans are lost in the day's currents. We see so much trouble. The climate is destroying us as we have destroyed it; how to deal with such a monumental task? The inequality of billionaires and low-wage living is not the 'more perfect Union'. How can we become 'equal' and therefore, feel more like a community that cares for one another? The rich, like Trump and his Republican henchmen, fight this one with all their might. That's why their first act together was cutting taxes on the rich and their corporations.
Remind people that the 'economy' is doing great for Trump and the rich. Remind them who exactly owns the stock market and who is really benefitting from it's continued rise. Talk housing costs. Talk retirement savings and health care and disposable income. Show the graphs of inequality (that should make us sick).
Talk about abortion and contraception access, limiting unwanted pregnancies, helping women with education and jobs. Talk about guns and personal rights and the limiting of the AK-47s of the world to reduce carnage from madmen.
Talk about the grace of this planet and it's inhabitants; truly miraculous. Be thankful. Be full of light.
Thank you NYTimes, MSNBC, CNN & Washington Post & so many others that are here to help guide by showing truth and light on reality. This despicable, liar-in-chief will fall. It's okay, just be real and good.
1
Trump is not an aberration of the Republican Party. The Republican Party has a lot of "Trumps" in it. They are just cowards to shamelessly say and do the things that Trump does. (Just as cowardly as refusing to take testimony to the truth at Trump's impeachment trial.) An example of Trump's shamelessness was apparent in having his poor wife be used (again), to pin the highest civilian honor on a racist, or to claim that he has always told American families that he would protect them from losing health insurance over "pre-existing" conditions, when in fact behind the scenes, we has done everything to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, which if nothing else, prohibits insurance companies from just that. Trump likes to use people as props, and there were many the other night, to bolster is unmanliness and cowardice.
Most points in this editorial are on target. I disagree with the rebuke of Pelosi's "stunt." She like us sat and listened to an hour and a half of lies and distortions, each one met with raucous and sophomoric standing ovations the enabling Republicans. Not only did Trump lie constantly, but the lies were reinforced before the American public at a highly visible event. For 4 years Trump has with impunity gotten away with lies and corruption. I for one was hopeful of more protest from the Democrats, perhaps even choruses of "liar, liar" for each boldface lie. A breach of decorum for sure. But it's time for the Dems to take the gloves off.
4
I have not read one criticism of Mike Pence, but I gotta tell ya, every time he jumped up & clapped, I yelled at the TV, “ For the love of God, Mike, sit down.” I was hoarse in a hour. I had an uncontrollable urge to wack him one. What a bobble head. And the little smile! Oh Lord help me!
"What will finally defeat Donald Trump?" you ask.
A moderate, centrist candidate from the Dems that isnt a lapdog to the hysterical/woke/socialist wing of the party.
Good luck finding one.
1
"Not the incoherent, if not to say chaotic, display the Democratic Party has mustered to date..."
"But the clearest measure of how far the Republican Party has strayed from good governance may be Mr. Romney’s explanation for his vote..."
It seems like the stage is being set for Romney (I) 2020.
It's time for Americans to seriously consider term limits for all politicians and justices; we can debate the length of those terms.
The desire to remain in power at all costs is too high.
The fear of reprisal from one's own party if you don't tow the line is too corrosive.
The Republican Party has caused grave danger to the United States of America by the unwillingness to remove a man they know is unfit to serve.
There is no space for men and women of conscience to do the right thing. President Roosevelt said in a speech, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." How right he was. Peace.
8
The caliber of members of the senate and the validity of the the administration is reaching a new low, except for a few stand outs with courage, the rest are hopelessly corralled by fear and intimidation.
It is hard to see where this will end up,but we seem to be entering a new authoritarian phase that is corrosive and dangerous to everything the US is based on and stands for.
I hope the courage and moral conviction of the general public can handle the challenge that they face. I hope we have not become too soft and too easily coerced in the wrong direction. But we have entered an era of fear and intimidation and toxic spin.
Courageous, intelligent and wise leaders are hard to find, but we need them at this time, as never before in our history have we faced this level of dangerous disinformation,aided by a segment of the media that has lost moral clarity.
3
The editors, the columnists and the journalists have managed to make the lawyers and used car dealers highly respected professions by lowering the bar with personal behavior. That's why no chronic problem can be solved. We have been fixing the same crises over the last half century. Trump wasn't in power all that time... The culprit is somebody else. It doesn't take an intellect to solve the problems but character and honesty.
2
Good grief. To watch all this and then complain about the character and the ethics of the journalists rather than the politicians involved is disheartening. Even some of the politicians who refused to do anything at all to correct Trump’s behavior admit that his behavior is inappropriate, but his supporters? It all must be someone else’s fault.