OpED NYTimes: Steve Bannon Isnt a Genius

[riversedge]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/06/opinion/steve-bannon-isnt-a-genius.html?smid=tw-nytopinion&smtyp=cur&_r=0

Steve Bannon Isn’t a Genius

By EZEKIEL KWEKU APRIL 6, 2017


...............Mr. Bannon’s most recent defeat is his removal from the National Security Council. As with the travel ban, he and his allies attempted to cast this as part of the plan. In his telling, he had taken a place on the council only to undo the work of Susan Rice, President Obama’s national security adviser; his allies said he was there to monitor Michael Flynn, the first national security adviser under President Trump. With those tasks accomplished, his work on the council was done. These explanations were quickly countered by leaks that portrayed Mr. Bannon as the loser of an internal power struggle, a depiction implicitly confirmed by leaks from his own camp.

The media has cultivated the reputation of Steve Bannon as chessmaster and puppeteer, both Rasputin and Svengali, a consigliere with a well-worn library card. “Saturday Night Live” even imagined him as the Grim Reaper. Mr. Bannon has cheerfully played along with this portrayal, likening himself to avatars of dark power like Darth Vader and Dick Cheney. But there was never much reason to believe Mr. Bannon has the political genius necessary to actually bring his ideas to life. It’s true that much of the ideological underpinning of Mr. Trump’s agenda comes from Mr. Bannon, and it’s also true that he has outsize influence with the president. But as accomplishments go, fomenting xenophobia and manipulating a famously mercurial political neophyte are thin evidence of genius.

The rejection of the travel ban by the courts and the political left could turn into political capital for both Mr. Trump and Mr. Bannon if a terrorist attack happens on American soil. And while in a normal administration, being removed from a formal post would signal a loss of favor and influence, in Mr. Trump’s world, power and position are uncoupled. Mr. Bannon’s setbacks could all be temporary, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t setbacks.

In each of these cases, Mr. Bannon’s preferred outcome was thwarted by rather ordinary political forces, the same ones he promised to circumvent and transcend. In a way, to believe in Mr. Bannon’s genius is to adopt the president’s belief in a sort of vulgar technocracy — the belief that the “best people” can solve any problem put in front of them, whether they have expertise in that field or not. A newspaper publisher can broker peace in the Middle East and revolutionize the government. A neurosurgeon can run the Department of Housing and Urban Development. A life as a real estate mogul and celebrity businessman is adequate preparation for the presidency. But the ability to grab power does not grant the wisdom to wield it, and ungrounded grandiosity is just pretension..............................

[Thomas Hurt]

1. If you are paying attention....

just about anyone can come to that conclusion and that he is nothing more than fascist propagandist and chances are, an alcoholic.

[PJMcK]

3. How do you make the projection about alcoholism?

Although I read a lot about politics, I don't recall anything about Mr. Bannon's drinking habits. Don't get me wrong, he's a total dirtbag and a danger to our nation. I just haven't heard that before.

Please clarify your observation. Thanks, in advance.

[Skittles]

5. I think it is an assumption people make based on his mottled appearance

I too have never really heard specifics regarding a drinking problem....just conjecture
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028579424

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

6. The eyes - windows to the soul - there are pics of him that look just awful -bleary eyed and VERY

unhappy looking. I have no idea if alcoholism but something is very off. And no, its not ageism - Im old too and I can see difference between merely looking old and looking not well.

I think these conjectures based on photos are valid somewhat.... after all we human animals are hardwired to "read" eyes and body language in an instant, whether we are concious of it or not.

The article didnt mention it but Ill bet the bad optics was a big part of Mr Bannon's demise... in this day and age the visuals are very important.

[underpants]

2. Great read

[dalton99a]

4. He's as 'genius' as Ryan

[johnnyrocket]

7. Who said he was? He's just a colossal asshole.