The ‘Good Old Days’ of the Trump Presidency

nota bene said:

Conservative Jonah Goldberg gloomily concludes that right now is probably as good as it's going to get for the Trump Presidency and reminds readers of a prediction he made a couple of years ago, that character is destiny, and says, "

And I’ve never been moreconfident that that destiny is coming, and it won’t be pretty.​

" From the article:

I have no problem whatsoever conceding thatthe press exaggerates anti-Trump narratives and is out to get him, because thatis obviously true. But I’ve talked to people in the White House. I’ve talked tocongressmen and senators off the record. And I’ve talked to far more peoplewho’ve talked to such people. They all say that things behind the scenes inTrump World are nuttier than Mr. Peanut’s stool sample.

But you could exclude all theanonymous quotes and thinly sourced stories, and a reasonable person wouldstill have to conclude that this White House is operating as if the dispensingnurse at the asylum accidentally grabbed the amphetamines instead of the Xanax.As the vet said when I brought my cat in for an appointment and pulled atuxedo-wearing, rainbow-colored iguana with a monocle out of the carrier, “Thisis not normal.” https://www.nationalreview.com/blog/g-file/donald-trump-presidency-may-have-reached-high-point/

Click to expand...

nota bene said:

Conservative Jonah Goldberg gloomily concludes that right now is probably as good as it's going to get for the Trump Presidency and reminds readers of a prediction he made a couple of years ago, that character is destiny, and says, "

And I’ve never been moreconfident that that destiny is coming, and it won’t be pretty.​

" From the article:

I have no problem whatsoever conceding thatthe press exaggerates anti-Trump narratives and is out to get him, because thatis obviously true. But I’ve talked to people in the White House. I’ve talked tocongressmen and senators off the record. And I’ve talked to far more peoplewho’ve talked to such people. They all say that things behind the scenes inTrump World are nuttier than Mr. Peanut’s stool sample.

But you could exclude all theanonymous quotes and thinly sourced stories, and a reasonable person wouldstill have to conclude that this White House is operating as if the dispensingnurse at the asylum accidentally grabbed the amphetamines instead of the Xanax.As the vet said when I brought my cat in for an appointment and pulled atuxedo-wearing, rainbow-colored iguana with a monocle out of the carrier, “Thisis not normal.” https://www.nationalreview.com/blog/g-file/donald-trump-presidency-may-have-reached-high-point/

Click to expand...

Perotista said:

Has Trump hit his high water mark, indeed it is possible. When Trump's approval drops to 38% here in Georgia, I think that says something.

https://www.myajc.com/news/state--r...ratings-georgia-erode/W4yIQDaAlxFbYmBG9LBTRM/

The question is why? Six months ago, Trump's approval rating in Georgia was 46%, he received 52% of the vote in the 2016 election. I suppose the political pundits have their own answers to why. Destiny could be one of them. If one looks at republicans and democrats here, they either approve or disapprove of Trump by approximately the same percentage they did back on inauguration day. It is the independents Trump has lost. From 44% approval on inauguration day down to 34% today. That's the good news for Trump. Only 24% of independents disapproved of Trump on inauguration day, now that is up to 54%. This in Georgia.

Why? Is it Trump's policies? What he has done or tried to do? Not really in my opinion. Independents down here support some and oppose some. They are pretty much split down the middle on policy. It is my opinion that it is Trump's persona, his nerve racking temper tantrum throwing via twitter and his obnoxious behavior that is losing or perhaps have lost a bunch of independents. Independents willing to give him a chance where Democrats weren't.

I don't think independents care how much turmoil goes on in the white house. I do think independents expect a president to act presidential. This one doesn't, he acts, talks, tweets more like he is still hosting his reality TV show instead of operating out of the Oval Office.

I'm sure if independents have deserted Trump down here, they are doing so nationwide. Destiny, yeah that might be it. It probably was Trump's destiny to lose the independents who once supported and voted for him. When a person's persona, his character grates on people like coarse sandpaper, they can only take that for so long before they say enough of this.

I think my neighbor across the road summed up Trump's destiny nicely. He basically said that Trump saved us from Clinton. Now Trump can go to Hades in a hand basket for all he cares. Perhaps that is Trump legacy and destiny. Saving the country from Hillary and then headed for the political Hades. His usefulness done. Perhaps it is bye, bye. At least here in Georgia.

Click to expand...

nota bene said:

Maybe your neighbor has a point.

I'm a mainly-conservative independent, and I watched the pre-election debates in horror and amazement, never dreaming that worse was to come, and what I mean is the relentless determination to bring down a legally elected President. I don't think it's good for the nation. I despair, however, of Trump acquiring the gravitas required of his office. It's a long time until 2020, when there will be a peaceful transition of power (or so I hope).

Click to expand...

Perotista said:

Has Trump hit his high water mark, indeed it is possible. When Trump's approval drops to 38% here in Georgia, I think that says something.

https://www.myajc.com/news/state--r...ratings-georgia-erode/W4yIQDaAlxFbYmBG9LBTRM/

The question is why? {snip}

Click to expand...

nota bene said:

Maybe your neighbor has a point.

I'm a mainly-conservative independent, and I watched the pre-election debates in horror and amazement, never dreaming that worse was to come, and what I mean is the relentless determination to bring down a legally elected President. I don't think it's good for the nation. I despair, however, of Trump acquiring the gravitas required of his office. It's a long time until 2020, when there will be a peaceful transition of power (or so I hope).

Click to expand...

OlNate said:

I think the reason is a little more basic than what you have outlined.

What it comes down to is that the vast majority of populist movements fail. This is because not wanting to vote for person A ISN'T a good enough reason to vote for person B, if the only redeeming quality of person B is that they aren't person A. That whole "I'd rather vote for a nest full of chickens than vote for Hillary Clinton" thing doesn't make one edgy or engaged, it makes one an idiot. It's why experience, however much you may hate them, is more important than being popular and "saying what's on the minds of everyday Americans". No offense, some of my favorite people are dumbasses, but the reason you don't want someone who "says what's on the minds of everyday Americans" is because most everyday Americans are dumbasses. I say that as a Canadian dumbass, who wouldn't be fit to lead either country. I want my voice heard, but by people smarter than me, to prevent me from ****ing up the country by getting what I want from my very limited perspective.

Of course this was entirely predictable, and the fact that many folks are showing their disapproval in greater numbers is a sign that perhaps they are not as dumbassed as they were at the time of the election. Every time that group of people increases, the rest of the world starts thinking "Ah, ok, they're coming down from all that crazy a bit, good".

Believe it or not, this is a good thing.

Click to expand...

Perotista said:

Since Ross Perot I pretty much maintain the Reform party as my political status. I lean right on fiscal issues and fairly left on most social issues. I didn't watch the debates, by that time I had already made up my mind I would be voting against both Trump and Hillary. I didn't give an owl's hoot who won between those two. My sole desire was to make my vote officially registered against both.

I think back to Reagan, how many of us thought Ronnie return the respect and dignity to the Oval office as the Mr. Rogers wearing sweater of Jimmy Carter. Funny thing there is I voted for Jimmy twice. After all he was a fellow Georgian. I can't stand Trump. If he comes on TV, I'm switching channels. As soon as some news reporter mentions a tweet, I switch channels. He'll never have my support or vote. I could agree with him 100% on all the issues and policies and still not vote for him. He just leaves a foul taste in my mouth.

I personally think this midterm the Democrats will easily retake the house, perhaps even manage what looks impossible and gain the senate too. Not because of Trump's policies or what he has tried to do and done. But because of his character, his persona is so bad to the non-affiliated. Here's a couple of older polls and articles that might help explain things.

Trump Disapproval Rooted in Character Concerns

Trump Disapproval Rooted in Character Concerns

Unlike Predecessors, Trump Rated Worse on Character Than Issues

Unlike Predecessors, Trump Rated Worse on Character Than Issues


Trump Approval Lower Than U.S. Mood Might Predict

Trump Approval Lower Than U.S. Mood Might Predict

On the Democrats trying to destroy Trump since the day after the election regardless of whom or what else they destroy as long as they destroy Trump. That is plain wrong and it might be hurting this nation more than Trump. I have the impression that the Democrats don't give a hoot if in the process they destroy themselves and this country as long as they destroy Trump. My perspective anyway.

Click to expand...

Captain Adverse said:

I knew about Trump from the beginning. Anyone can go back through my posts in this Forum during the campaign and see that.

I voted for him for the same reasons I campaigned for Ralph Nader, and supported Ross Perot; I wanted a sea change in the government. Hillary was the worst candidate the Democrats could have chosen, and Trump was the promise to shake things up in the White House.

No one can say that isn't true.

Still, I never imagined the nightmare of all this anti-Trump controversy perpetrated and perpetuated by the MSN and all those people who must have been shaken to their core by the psychic shock of losing an election they thought they had in the bag.

He has faced internal leaks from every level of government service the likes of which would put Bradley Manning to shame. He has faced relentless negative press from all but a few segments of the MSM, a constant barrage of twisted propaganda reporting turning every story no matter how innocuous into a "s***-fest" of commentary to make him look as awful as possible. Nothing positive, at best he can hope to a neutrally tepid note peppered with suggestions as to how to expect something bad to come of it.

True, his uncontrolled Tweets coupled with his boastful and exaggerating salesman's pitch when he speaks don't help his case much, and served to feed the frenzy. Not to mention his acting like he is still just a powerful CEO and can act out publicly like he was still on The Apprentice. Small wonder when he never knows who he can trust and who is going to be a landmine waiting to get stepped on.

Still, if anyone actually looked to see they might find that he has been trying to do what he's promised to do if elected...improve the American economy, increase jobs, combat illegal immigration, and a myriad of other goals. This despite his discovery that all the promised "reform" legislation just waiting for the right President made by Republicans in Congress he counted on when running was itself nothing but their own hot air.

I voted for the man, knowing his faults and strengths, and I have not given up entirely...even when I have to face-palm after hearing about another tweet or boast. I know he is facing trials that no other President since Ulysses S. Grant has, or IMO ever will in my own lifetime. But I shudder to think of the coming backlash if Progressive ever get a candidate into office.

Click to expand...

nota bene said:

Conservative Jonah Goldberg gloomily concludes that right now is probably as good as it's going to get for the Trump Presidency and reminds readers of a prediction he made a couple of years ago, that character is destiny, and says, "

And I’ve never been moreconfident that that destiny is coming, and it won’t be pretty.​

" From the article:

I have no problem whatsoever conceding thatthe press exaggerates anti-Trump narratives and is out to get him, because thatis obviously true. But I’ve talked to people in the White House. I’ve talked tocongressmen and senators off the record. And I’ve talked to far more peoplewho’ve talked to such people. They all say that things behind the scenes inTrump World are nuttier than Mr. Peanut’s stool sample.

But you could exclude all theanonymous quotes and thinly sourced stories, and a reasonable person wouldstill have to conclude that this White House is operating as if the dispensingnurse at the asylum accidentally grabbed the amphetamines instead of the Xanax.As the vet said when I brought my cat in for an appointment and pulled atuxedo-wearing, rainbow-colored iguana with a monocle out of the carrier, “Thisis not normal.” https://www.nationalreview.com/blog/g-file/donald-trump-presidency-may-have-reached-high-point/

Click to expand...

nota bene said:

Sadly, I agree with you. And I don't understand the scorched-earth thing, which hurts everybody.

Good links, and thank you. I always appreciate your insights, Perotista.

BTW, locally, I was Perot's communications/PR manager throughout the signature drive and then bailed. I don't know how it was in other counties or states, but I've never met such nuts and oddballs, including a well-known "English only" lunatic, as I met during the drive to put Perot on the ballot and beyond.

Click to expand...

OlNate said:

I think the reason is a little more basic than what you have outlined.

What it comes down to is that the vast majority of populist movements fail. This is because not wanting to vote for person A ISN'T a good enough reason to vote for person B, if the only redeeming quality of person B is that they aren't person A. That whole "I'd rather vote for a nest full of chickens than vote for Hillary Clinton" thing doesn't make one edgy or engaged, it makes one an idiot. It's why experience, however much you may hate them, is more important than being popular and "saying what's on the minds of everyday Americans". No offense, some of my favorite people are dumbasses, but the reason you don't want someone who "says what's on the minds of everyday Americans" is because most everyday Americans are dumbasses. I say that as a Canadian dumbass, who wouldn't be fit to lead either country. I want my voice heard, but by people smarter than me, to prevent me from ****ing up the country by getting what I want from my very limited perspective.

Of course this was entirely predictable, and the fact that many folks are showing their disapproval in greater numbers is a sign that perhaps they are not as dumbassed as they were at the time of the election. Every time that group of people increases, the rest of the world starts thinking "Ah, ok, they're coming down from all that crazy a bit, good".

Believe it or not, this is a good thing.

Click to expand...

Cardinal said:

"Character is destiny." I'm going to have to remember that one for the future. It's a point that was made countless times during the 2016 campaign and was routinely mocked. Clinton had a pretty crappy character too, but at least we had a record to fall back on, was one largely founded in competence.

Click to expand...

<alt>doxygen said:

I actually liked some of Trump's more realistic populist stances. However, he never fooled me into believing he even cared what he was promising unless his ego accidentally got entangled in it - example, "the wall". His other stances have flipped farther than his oft repeated insistence that Mexico would buy him a wall.

What he has done is what's important. Other than a few protectionist bones he's thrown there's been little to no populism. He's become a rubber stamp for the Congressional repubs and the hypocritical religious right. That's actually a little worse than the worst case scenario I had feared.

Click to expand...

OlNate said:

hehe...I think we mostly agree. Populism rarely lasts beyond inauguration, which is why it loses steam so quickly once it succeeds.

Click to expand...

What happens if Mueller reveals that Trump isn’t really as rich as he claims and that his business is mostly a Potemkin village of money-laundering condo sales?

Click to expand...

Well, one prediction I made two years ago, over and over again, was that “character is destiny.” And I’ve never been more confident that that destiny is coming, and it won’t be pretty.

Click to expand...

nota bene said:

Sadly, I agree with you. And I don't understand the scorched-earth thing, which hurts everybody.

Click to expand...

nota bene said:

Conservative Jonah Goldberg gloomily concludes that right now is probably as good as it's going to get for the Trump Presidency and reminds readers of a prediction he made a couple of years ago, that character is destiny, and says, "

And I’ve never been moreconfident that that destiny is coming, and it won’t be pretty.​

" From the article:

I have no problem whatsoever conceding thatthe press exaggerates anti-Trump narratives and is out to get him, because thatis obviously true. But I’ve talked to people in the White House. I’ve talked tocongressmen and senators off the record. And I’ve talked to far more peoplewho’ve talked to such people. They all say that things behind the scenes inTrump World are nuttier than Mr. Peanut’s stool sample.

But you could exclude all theanonymous quotes and thinly sourced stories, and a reasonable person wouldstill have to conclude that this White House is operating as if the dispensingnurse at the asylum accidentally grabbed the amphetamines instead of the Xanax.As the vet said when I brought my cat in for an appointment and pulled atuxedo-wearing, rainbow-colored iguana with a monocle out of the carrier, “Thisis not normal.” https://www.nationalreview.com/blog/g-file/donald-trump-presidency-may-have-reached-high-point/

Click to expand...

Perotista said:

Strange. What I remember is that with Perot and those of us in Georgia it was the national debt that was the driving force. Almost the single and only issue. Perot himself said he wasn't taking sides on social issues, that was up to each individual. The debt and being against NAFTA were the issues I remember the most. Not all those oddballs. The problem you had could have been strictly the state or local chapter, who headed it and who tried to mold it to his own use. Speaking of Ross, here is how he first came to my attention.

Click to expand...

Perotista said:

The year was 1969, I was stationed in Vientiane Laos, army as part of Project 404 in that secret war going on there at the time. Ross flew into Vientiane with a 707 full of Christmas presents for our POW being held in Hanoi. The reason he choose Vientiane was it had both a North Vietnamese and an American Embassy along with pretty much every other country. It was quite a media event as Ross took his presents to the North Vietnamese Embassy and tried to give them to their Ambassador. Their Ambassador refused to meet with Ross. Perot had to leave without delivering the presents for our POW's. I didn't get to met Ross then, we were prohibited from going down town with all the reporters around Perot. Especially since we weren't officially there.

When I saw Ross announce his intention to run for president on Larry King, I volunteered right off the bat to help him. Later I found out Ross worked behind the scenes for many different presidents. He also was successful in getting two of his EDS employees out of Tehran after the Ayatollah took over where as Jimmy Carter failed with our Embassy folks there. Ross was a very interesting man.

That's not part of this thread, but something I wanted to pass on.

Click to expand...

Perotista said:

As for the scorched earth, that is what both parties do. Today each major party considers the other as the worst or number one enemy of this nation. More of an enemy than Russia, Iran, North Korea, ISIS, the terrorist, etc. Each thinks the other is dead set on destroying this nation. That mindset will probably result in this country's destruction.

Click to expand...

nota bene said:

Yes, the national debt was the issue in my state too. I'd really like to think that what I experienced was only a local problem. Since then I've worked with the local libertarians, and some of them are uncomfortably hard right or hard left, and have been otherwise active in local politics but have never come across such as assemblage of nuts.



I'm so glad you did, though.



Yes, each thinks the other is dead set on destroying this nation and therefore feels justified in scorched earth. "Come now, and let us reason together."

Click to expand...