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Callie Palmer's avatar

I am not entirely convinced that Trump cares about what is popular when it comes to violent acts or promising pardons. I think he only cares about what benefits him. A small but violent group devoted to him is really all he needs to create chaos. That's been the case so far.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

He only cares about what benefits him -- and he's not big on long-term planning either. He'll say anything that will make the people right in front of him cheer and wave their flags (or walk down the street and invade the Capitol). And for decades, he's managed to avoid the consequences of his words or his actions.

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Ken's avatar

Doesn't promising to pardon insurrectionists constitute "aid and comfort?" Just curious.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

Just listening to DJT in Ohio this weekend was enough to give anyone listening the perfect "split-screen" choice. He was violent, vulgar and threatening. Referring to migrants as "animals" and promising violence--this early explosion of crude strong-man behavior--requires that everyone take him at his word. He is not being "taken out of context." The press needs to let Trump be Trump--and really focus on the ugliness--in his own voice as much as possible. I also think that in our limited spaces we have a bit of time on our side. Each day Trump is getting worse, because even if we believe he has "smarter handlers" right now--what does that mean? Smart in what way? I see far fewer guardrails--no one holding the leash. Trump is rolling the dice toward full autocracy--because that is what serves him best personally and legally. He is going to keep making mistakes. Let's be ready.

Maybe having a play-date with Viktor Orban got Trump all juiced up?

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CLS's avatar

Is anyone else confused by the parenthetical comments (e.g., 60% true, 75% concerning)? I'm not sure what that means.

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TrishaMac's avatar

Via the link Dan provided it says "For that reason, Navigator tests each event on a dual axis measuring which events are most concerning and which are most believable."

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

Thanks -- that helps!

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

It flummoxed me at first -- was it saying that the statement itself was 60% true? That couldn't be it, so it has to have something to do with what options were offered to those being polled -- I think?

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CLS's avatar

I think you've got it, Susanna...thanks!

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Amy G's avatar

My question too, above.

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stephen Berg's avatar

Your suggested approaches are right on. The big question is how do we get everyone not just Independents on the same page including Democratic voters who are young and those who are not in love with Biden. How do we get voters to take these threats as real not Trump being Trump.

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Mary Ann Brown's avatar

One example of how serious these threats are is that Rep. Ilhan Omar(Dem-Minnesota) did not hesitate to come out and publicly say that she is supporting Joe Biden. She understands how existentially crucial it is for all of us to get people to vote for President Biden this November and to defeat Trump by as many points as possible.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

I agree that this is a big challenge, and it goes even deeper than getting voters to take these threats seriously. Before we can convince voters -- and non-voters! -- that democracy is under attack, we have to convince them that "democracy" isn't just a word that gets trotted out in election years -- that it *can* be made more responsive and more inclusive. Hell, at least some of the time I'm not sure I believe it myself.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

All I have to do is imagine the alternatives. We are working toward a "more perfect union" everyday. What would the Trump political culture be like? Imagine the consequences for living the lives we enjoy--gathering freely, speaking and thinking free ideas, liberal and creative arts, and always working tor expanded rights, liberties and diversity? And the climate? Violent, vulgar, delusional, and hot as hell. In Trump world, justice is a distant memory.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

I get all that. I was among those who woke up to climate change around the time of Three Mile Island -- we're talking late '70s here. What I'm saying is that an awful lot of people thought "democracy" was doing reasonably OK until Trump got elected. As far as I can tell, most of these people were white, straight, and middle class and up. IMO "democracy" was going downhill from at least the beginning of the Reagan administration, but these people were doing OK so they thought some of us overreacting to, e.g., the Clinton administration's caving to the right on crime, welfare, etc. Also to the confirmation of Clarence Thomas to SCOTUS -- true, Thomas was appointed by Bush I, but the Senate Judiciary Committee was in Democratic hands. I've long since forgiven Joe Biden for being a man of his time, because unlike most men of that time he's demonstrated a capacity for growth.

I'm trying hard to be optimistic. I hope, I really hope, that all those people who finally realized that *politics mattered* when Trump was elected won't go home when Trump goes to jail and MAGA either implodes or disappears in a puff of smoke.

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David Sea's avatar

Shout Trump's rhetoric from the rooftops to all Dems and Independents and let its context be interpreted by the listener.

Better yet, post video of his statements so undecided voters can hear it "right from the horse's mouth."

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Phyllis Capanna's avatar

Welp things have flipped once again and it’s time for mainstream media to cover the heck out of Trump so everyone can see what he’s about. Believe it or not lots of people are not yet paying attention.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

You are so right. But even then--as we encounter people who "want to be left alone"--or who "can't stand to hear it" anymore--whatever it is.....we need to patiently share what Trump is saying and promising. Meanwhile--I am reading the 2025 MANDATE FOR LEADERSHIP by the Heritage Foundation. All I can say is that we must not lose in November.

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Arthur Iamele's avatar

I would think the Maga verse would also be upset if they found that they have lost Social Security and Medicare. I don’t think they are really aware of what it all means. They may have big regrets afterwards and realize what fools they were.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

Gotta be!

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Amy G's avatar

I may be dense, but I don't understand what you are saying with these parenthetical claims, to what do they actually refer: "(69 percent true, 72 percent concerning)" ?

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Jonathan E. Kaplan's avatar

Excellent column. I think you should include the talking points up top--get right to it and then go into the explanation. But they're very helpful / insightful as always.

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Mar 18, 2024
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Tony Brunello's avatar

I think Dan is saying we have a big role to play in that consequence. BUT--we need to vote. The first objective is to be sure he loses this next election. Waiting for the Avengers to show up and fix DJT for us is unhealthy.

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JennSH from NC's avatar

We have to turn out to vote in the greatest numbers EVER. We also have to be prepared for more of tRump's big lie when he loses. Being prepared is NOT the same as being afraid. We have to stand up to tRump and his pathetic cult members. Appeasement will NEVER work.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

Trump has already announced how it must work--either he wins, or we lose. You are so right.

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