A GOP Lawmaker Off-the-Record

[DonViejo]

From Robert Reich's FaceBook page:

Yesterday I spoke with a former Republican member of Congress whom I’ve known for years.

Me: What do you think of your party’s nominee for president?

He: Trump is a maniac. He’s a clear and present danger to America.

Me: Have you said publicly that you won’t vote for him?

He (sheepishly): No.

Me: Why not?

He: I’m a coward.

Me: What do you mean?

He: I live in a state with a lot of Trump voters. Most Republican officials do.

Me: But you’re a former official. You're not running for Congress again. What are you afraid of?

He: I hate to admit it, but I’m afraid of them. Some of those Trumpistas are out of their fu*king minds.

Me: You mean you’re afraid for your own physical safety?

He: All it takes is one of them, you know.

Me: Wait a minute. Isn’t this how dictators and fascists have come to power in other nations? Respected leaders don’t dare take a stand.

He: At least I’m no Giuliani or Gingrich or Pence. I’m not a Trump enabler.

Me: I’ll give you that.

He: Let me tell you something. Most current and former Republican members of Congress are exactly like me. I talk with them. They think Trump is deplorable. And they think Giuliani and Gingrich are almost as bad. But they’re not gonna speak out. Some don’t want to end their political careers. Most don’t want to risk their lives. The Trump crowd is just too dangerous. Trump has whipped them up into a g*ddamn frenzy.

https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/posts/1349621041717155

[RelativelyJones]

1. Stunning

[classykaren]

3. Last paragraph similar to previous article on Hitler and trump

[longship]

2. Could it be Boehner?

Just speculative wondering.

[groundloop]

12. That seems like an excellent possibility

But no matter who it is I certainly wish they'd speak up.

[gregcrawford]

4. You think you're scared now?

Just wait until that south end of a northbound yak loses the election. Then the proverbial substance will REALLY hit the fan with a resounding splat. His supporters are ignorant swine just itching for any excuse to get medieval on somebody's ass.

There will be blood.

[world wide wally]

28. It will be even worse if he wins

[Martin Eden]

5. Brown Shirts

If the Trumpsters were better organized they'd be as dangerous as Nazi brown shirts.

[SwankyXomb]

22. Red Hats

Although they can't figure out how to wear them and the white hoods at the same time.

[Duppers]

38. Good one!

[Cryptoad]

6. Martha,,,, get my pea shooter down from over the mantle.....

we gonna have us a revolution and take our country back!....

[HAB911]

7. First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

- Martin Niemöller

[DK504]

41. All it takes

is for a good man to do nothing....

[kacekwl]

8. Seems a little extreme.

The majority of these are weak and cowards. The found a leader in Trump and feel strong at a rally with like weak minds. This guy or gal is just using possible hate toward him/her as an excuse to also be cowardly.

[Laf.La.Dem.]

10. This does NO (ZERO) good -

if the GOP lawmaker does not go public

[Coyotl]

11. Someone should call the FBI. Oh, wait .....

[MyOwnPeace]

48. Good one!!!!!!!

[INdemo]

14. What is scary about Trump supporters there will be more of these

radical candidate followers in future election cycles..
The next cycle or the one after that may have a more legitimate candidate that is a fascist disguised as a Republican that could win.That is how the Fascist Nazi Party came to power. The Nazi Party had less than 17% of the vote in 1930 and gained seats in the German parliament.By 1932 they had 35%+ of their Parliament control and in 1933 Hitler was appointed chancellor and soon after that the office of President was eliminated making Hitler the sole Dictator of Germany in charge of all German Military.

So could this happen here with enough crazies.
Or could we just become a nation totally controlled by Corporate interests?

I dont believe George W Bush was ever elected to any political office. Im not sure but what Karl Rove stole the Texas governorship for him
But in 2000 W became the Republican puppet and thats all they wanted and we saw what happen in 2004 as they weren't about to give in and lose their control so they managed to steal another election. We all know what happen then and we are still paying for the Republican dominance.

So when I here this from Republicans I wonder are they just blowing smoke? Because after all all they need is a puppet.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

39. Our nation is pretty much controlled by corporate interests now.

Plenty of examples exist.

[DallasNE]

15. But Your GOP Friend IS A Trump Enabler

How can he not see that. He needs to read Joy Reid and get a backbone.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/10/29/republicans-weaponize-james-comey-s-fbi-to-kneecap-hillary-clinton.html

[CrispyQ]

16. This is your party, Congressman.

The GOP courted the zealots and loons and now they've lost control.

[sunonmars]

17. and thats how Hitler got away with everything he did...spineless people.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

18. Lawmakers believe their districts are much more conservative than they actually are....

That's why nothing gets done on gun control despite overwhelming support for background checks and closing the gun show loophole.

[voteragain]

19. shaking my head

what a bunch of bull

does anyone think this politician is afraid of African Americans?

does anyone think this politicians is afraid of Hispanic Americans?

does anyone think this politician is afraid of Oriental Americans?

does anyone think this politician is afraid of American Native Americans?

this politician is giving a wink to the right wing groups to keep pushing............

people get your friends, neighbors relatives or whoever to get off the rears and vote Dems........

[calimary]

30. Welcome to DU, voteragain!

It IS bull.

But even worse - it is cowardly.

[Grey Lemercier]

35. Oriental Americans????????????????

WTF?

seriously?????

[spooky3]

20. This should give people even more respect for Clinton's courage.

[czarjak]

21. We shall overcome these assholes...

[Liberalagogo]

23. "I’m not a Trump enabler. "

Sorry...nope. By not standing up against him, you ARE enabling him. So that dog just will NOT hunt.

[progressoid]

24. BULLSHIT. He IS an enabler. By staying quiet, it's a tacit endorsement.

[RiverStone]

27. Agreed

Yep, this anon person is walking in lockstep with a facist at the helm. Being quiet = agreement

[calimary]

31. In Catholic school, it's called a "sin of omission."

If you didn't lie outright, but you didn't say anything to promote the truth, if you yourself didn't do the deed, but you stayed silent when you knew who did and you should have said something - that time of thing.

This is binary. Only one OR the other. Either you're with him or against him. This person is evidently a FORMER Congressman, but he still ought to say, one way or the other. Or else he's just a coward. At least he copped to that.

[Plucketeer]

40. It's 1938 all over again..... nt

[Madam45for2923]

25. Deplorable Trump!

He: Let me tell you something. Most current and former Republican members of Congress are exactly like me. I talk with them. They think Trump is deplorable. And they think Giuliani and Gingrich are almost as bad. But they’re not gonna speak out. Some don’t want to end their political careers. Most don’t want to risk their lives. The Trump crowd is just too dangerous. Trump has whipped them up into a g*ddamn frenzy.

https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/posts/1349621041717155

[DemoTex]

26. See the "Jew S A" clip from yesterday's Trump rally.

It is up on Huffpost. It is very disturbing, albeit just one guy. When the crowd starts chanting "USA! USA!", this guy - torch-eyed and horrible, foam flanked and terrible (Vachel Lindsey's words) - turns to the press and screams "JEW-S-A! JEW-S-A!" If Death is indeed an elephant (as Lindsey says in his poem), and I hope it is the GOP elephant, this guy is its face. This guy, snarling "JEW S A! JEW S A!," is now the face of the entire GOP. They own it. The whole full basket of 'em.

[world wide wally]

29. Like a key eyewitness to a crime watching an innocent person hang

Then coming out and saying, "not my fault. I didn't testify on his behalf. I just didn't testify against the guilty guy and share what I knew happened"

[northoftheborder]

32. God help us.

[Puzzler]

33. Well, at least I hope he votes Clinton...

... in the pivacy of the voting booth, in spite of the cowardice. We can at least hope the many GOPers do this, regardless.

Effing terrible I know. But that's a probability. And if it is, let's hope it's widespread.

-P

[Skittles]

44. I bet he hates Hillary more than he hates Trump

misogyny is rampant with repukes

[Puzzler]

45. Alas... you are probably right! (n/t)

-P

[TeamPooka]

34. "At least I’m no Giuliani or Gingrich or Pence. I’m not a Trump enabler." Yes you are. By not acting

or speaking out you are enabling.
That's kind of the definition of the word.

[SunSeeker]

37. Fucking GOP cowards.

[nakocal]

42. Not speaking out makes youan enabler

Sorry, and republican in office or who was formerly in office that does NOT speak out is a enabler. By not speaking out, you are giving implicit support to Donald Trump.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

43. Don't worry, Mr. Retired Amurkin Values congressman---

Hilary is being brave for you.

effing pukes.

[Perseus]

46. I don't doubt this may true, but without a name this is something that cannot be passed around

I know that many republicans, politicians and regular citizens alike, think that way but don't want to let anyone their views on Trump, but without a name it is hard to pass it along because it will be dismissed as a made up story.

If this is true, it would be good for that person to get "cojones", come out and tell it like it is, having served their country in a capacity that we hope is that of a real patriot, then it is their duty to come out.

[Coyotl]

47. Obviously, it can be passed around, as it should be.

Trump's supporters also need to understand the reality who they are supporting, instead of the delusion they have in their minds. "Who is the real Donald Trump?" needs to be the focus of messaging directed at the frenzied wingnuts. Trump is the guy you want to keep your daughter safe from.