TPM on Trump - "He's One of Them. Let's Stop Pretending"

[NRaleighLiberal]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/hes-one-of-them#more-1076369

By JOSH MARSHALL Published AUGUST 13, 2017 10:53 AM

As we get underway today, a few thoughts on yesterday. In addition to going out of his way not to denounce the white supremacist and neo-nazi marchers yesterday, for those primed to hear it (which is the point) the President made a point of calling out and valorizing the marchers. In his at length on-camera comments, in addition to bromides and calling for people to love each other, Trump noted that we must “cherish our history.”

snip

I spent the better part of a decade training as an historirans. I’m definitely pro-history. But in context, this is an explicit call-out to the white supremacist and neo-Confederate forces at the march whose calling card is celebrating Southern ‘heritage’ and America’s history as a white country. Zero ambiguity or question about that. And they heard the message. White supremacist leaders cheered Trump’s refusal to denounce them and his valorization of their movement.

Where does this come from? Who knows who wrote this text for Trump. But many of Trump’s most important speeches were written by white nationalist aide Stephen Miller, who came from Jeff Sessions’ senate office. Miller literally worked with Alt-Right leader (he coined the phrase) Richard Spencer on racist political activism when he was in college at Duke (Spencer was a grad student at the time). This isn’t some vague guilt by association. He’s one of them.

snip

Was that official Miller? Who knows? It could have been Bannon or Gorka or frankly a number of others. There are plenty to choose from. That’s the point. This wasn’t resistance to making a conspicuous denunciation or being cute. Those were Trump’s supporters. He recognizes them as supporters, indeed as part of his movement. And he supports them. This is probably largely instinctive on Trump’s part. It’s more ideological and articulate on his aides’ part.

He’s one of them. Let’s stop pretending.

[OnDoutside]

1. Big names need to be saying this.

[olegramps]

17. Trump's response is totally resonable. He doesn't want to alienate his base.

Why should anyone be surprised. He has populated the White House with vicious racists. Gorka is a avowed Nazi. Bannon is a white supremacist along with a host of racist speech writers. There is not shred of anything honorable in the black soul of this bastard. He is a disgrace to the nation along with those who continue to support him.

[Ligyron]

19. "black soul"

but I LOVE that music!

[OnDoutside]

21. His base shouldn't be the target of the comments,

they really are deplorable. Apparently life owes them, and it's everyone else's fault. No the target are the decent Republican voters above his base. And yes I believe there are decent ones, who only watch fox and haven't seen a bigger picture of what is at stake for all decent Americans. Reacting with dignity is only going so far. They have got to be reached, and shown that to stand with Trump means you are a racist. It's their time to choose.

[Wounded Bear]

2. Yes he is...

[dalton99a]

3. Great piece.

[bronxiteforever]

4. Absolutely! He is a racist and a fascist. N/t

[Thomas Hurt]

5. Been calling Trump a fascist for months, not a Nazi, but a modern American fascist...

authoritarian, scapegoating, racist, anti-intellectual, misogynist, contempt for the weak, populist, ultra-nationalist, using newspeak, and militarist.

[longship]

6. As usual, Josh Marshall gets it.

One of my obligatory daily visits is to Talking Points Memo

Bookmark it DUers. Great reportage and his Editor's Blog is top notch.

R&

[Scarsdale]

14. Yes!

I read it every day, excellent insight into all activities in DC.

[NastyRiffraff]

33. "Don't be a Chump"

Per Josh Marshall's Editor's blog:

Don’t Be a Chump
The problem with the continued begging, ‘why won’t he denounce, why won’t he denounce’ is that at some point, maybe later today, President Trump will go before a podium and read off through gritted teeth a pro-forma denunciation of Nazis and it will seem to a lot of people like it means something when it doesn’t. He’s already made crystal clear where he stands here. The question is how we individually and as a country are going to deal with that fact, not how many more mulligans we’re going to give him. His neo-nazi supporters are truly over the moon that he’s steadfastly refusing to criticize them, even in the face of withering criticism and derision. They get the message. They’re ecstatic. Everyone who doesn’t see this, see that it is intentional, is getting played for chumps.

I agree; Josh's site is a must read, daily. I've been reading him for years.

[longship]

7. This important paragraph!!!

When Gabriel Sherman asked what he identifies as a ‘senior White House official’ why the White House didn’t denounce the Nazis in Charlottesville, he got this: “What about the leftist mob? Just as violent if not more so.” Maybe I’ve missed some other background comments out of the White House. But I haven’t heard anything that approaches that level of venom about the nazis or white supremacists. When the top ideologues at Trump’s White House look at yesterday’s spectacle, they instinctively see the counter-protestors as enemies.

The leftist mob, just as violent if not more so???

That was the response from the fucking White House!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

31. Major projection fueled by hate radio/online hate web sites.

Preemptive violent attacks from paranoid delusional deplorables who believe they are being persecuted. Or just an excuse to beat/maim/kill those who they hate.

[NewJeffCT]

36. what violent leftist mob?

can somebody let me know where they were?

[Faux pas]

8. Kickin' for the truth!

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

9. Trump is a nazi terrorist put in place by a Russian coup.

Let's cal it what it is, no more pretending.

[Equinox Moon]

10. Yes he is and a WH staff full of them!!!

[dawnie51]

11. Amen....

GOP! You'd better cut this mess loose asap. You didn't foresee this? You thought you could handle this psychotic lunatic and his minions? Think again. This virus has been let loose on the country, and you will go down with it. And you should.

[elmac]

12. Yep, like father, like son nt

[SunSeeker]

13. K & R

[Scarsdale]

16. Scummy genes in the tRump family.

His grandp was a pimp. Had a string of brothels in Alaska. Must be who Donnie Two Scoops got his respect for women from!!

[More_Cowbell]

18. Trump thinks his family has great genes

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-eugenics_us_57ec4cc2e4b024a52d2cc7f9

It kind of explains his infatuation with Ivanka, who of course has some of his genes.

[Pantagruel]

34. Don Jr.

Genetic train wreck.

[FreepFryer]

15. They reveal themselves more and more, as they normalize and discourage as cover. Resist. (n/t)

[Ligyron]

20. We need to hang this around the neck of every GOP figure no matter how moderate.

We'll have twice as much of a chance of getting rid of that element that way.

I'll bet people like the old Bushes and even Jed are squirming rather uncomfortably about now.

[recovering_democrat]

22. very much appreciated

Josh Marshall does some awesome things at TPM. Thanking him for his clear and distinctive expression on this subject. May it encourage others to express themselves also

[ginnyinWI]

23. remember footage of his campaign rallies.

The chanting, screaming and violence. Same crowd.

[Skittles]

24. he is a fascist piece of shit

[SCVDem]

25. Would it help if,

We identify them as, the Republican Donald Trump, the Republican Mitch McConnell and the Republican Paul Ryan et. al.

Everyone and constantly! Don't let anyone forget who owns these unamerican activities!

No moral equivalency! They own this crap.

Republicans!

[NRaleighLiberal]

26. giving it a kick

[muriel_volestrangler]

27. I didn't know Miller and Spencer had worked together. That's appalling.

It explains a lot.

[Denis 11]

28. GOP: American Taliban

Trump since his birther jab at President Obama has always shown his racist beliefs. The Republicans elected a racist moron, I hope it ruins their brand for 100 years.

[Honeycombe8]

29. I think Trump is only interested and "for" Trump.

Last edited Mon Aug 14, 2017, 08:46 AM - Edit history (1)

I don't think he's one of anything, except himself and his family & organization. He sees these supremacists as part of his base, which means they are votes. Votes are good for HIM, which is his main concern.

Trump doesn't seem to have a moral compass. Any thoughts of right or wrong. There is just "Is it good for me and mine? Or is it not?" That's it.

I don't see much ideology in Trump. Much political thought. I see reality show guy who is singularly focused on "ratings," which now means votes. Because that's as important to him as money, now.

I think he's a sympathizer. He's made enough statements that imply he thinks he has superior genes, and maybe whites in general. Certainly Germans. But to say he's clearly one of them is a step too far, I think. That implies he has given serious thought to such things. I doubt he's given serious thought to much of anything in his life except real estate, money, and his family.

That's why he has nationalists in his inner circle, together with his Jewish son in law is also Jewish, and is okay with his daughter's conversion to Judaism. He sees no irony in all that because he doesn't care about that. They are all in his inner circle because it's good for HIM.

[chwaliszewski]

30. Trump is just the top enabler.

It's the large swath of citizens that are the problem. These Nazi-loving traitors must cringe whenever Saving Private Ryan is being shown on TV. Who'd like to see their fellow Nazis being killed by American soldiers, certainly not them.

[spanone]

32. Exactly....king of birtherism

[Pantagruel]

35. Trump's father was KKK

Evidence came out during campaign, no one currently citing it curiously?