Thanks for this reminder, Dan - because Trump is exceptionally weak. He is trapped and lashing out, that’s it.
And a way to respond is with mockery and laughter. The folks who got under his skin the most are the ones who made fun of him, and just refused to be bullied.
Yes! Yes! Yes! It’s so good to hear you say this. Not just because I agree, but also, because even knowing what you say is true, I’m not immune to the doom and gloom of the Trump as powerful dictator message.
100%! Just to add, it's pretty clear that for many – perhaps most – "democracy" is an abstract concept and they don't comprehend how it touches their lives. Saying things like "threats to democracy" or "he's going to destroy our democracy" don't resonate (in part) because of that disconnect. I would love to see some good faith research on what ordinary people value in systems of self-rule – from which more effective arguments could be devised. We sure need them in a hurry.
We must push past all the doom and and gloom of the pundits and the media...whose purpose is to depress the Democratic vote...We have the POWER to save our Democracy and put our country on a brighter path... #RidenWithBiden...#BidenHarris2024
If we can't use this and the many other things he has said about his plans (e.g they are 'waging all-out war on democracy') to tell a powerful story about the choice to be made - then something about us is fundamentally broken. That sounds negative - the point is that as others have said, Trump is exceptionally weak - has there ever been a weaker candidate? We have to pull every possible lever and resource to make sure we win - and as awful as all these comments are, they are also a gift that we have to take advantage of.
A few other benefits from a Trump-is-weak narrative...
In subtext, it says that all is not lost and we can win. In the climate world, we've learned that all doom all the time paralyzes a lot of people with the sense that the die has been cast and there's nothing we can do. I think the Trump-as-strongman narrative, while waking up the complacent, risks doing the same thing. I hard Rachel Maddow say, when asked if we should be afraid of fascism, that yes, we should be afraid, but no so afraid that we don't fight back. I think Trump-as-weak is less likely to feed fear that paralyzes.
The Trump-as-weak narrative also strengthens Dems/Biden by implied or overt contrast. When rank and file Dems, elected Dems, and Biden come off as strong, thoughtful, and courageous, while being forward looking and upbeat (in contrast to Trump/MAGA), we also create "social proof" that invites others to join us.
Trump-as-weak pairs nicely with Trump=chaos.
Trump-as-weak is easy to extend to other Republican candidates for down-ballot campaigns.
And lastly, it is deeply satisfying to depict Trump as the spoiled brat he is.
The prospect of a second Trump term is very scary. It is very motivating for all of us, and Dan’s advice (especially lately) is extremely practical and valuable.
But populist authoritarians are usually elected when there is great danger and uncertainty facing a nation. Hitler and Mussolini were all originally popularly elected at a time when a worldwide depression was literally shaking the world’s faith in democracy.
But now? It’s as though we have become a nation of self-panickers. Are people fearful and uncertain as a holdover from the 2008 great recession or the pandemic and the economic damage it caused? I honestly don’t know. The MAGA candidates talk about the inevitability of war with China, and now incursions into Mexico. Deliberate tactics to stoke fear? Probably.
Please, Mr. Biden (and speechwriters), take note of FDR. Faced with that Depression, faced with dictatorships from continental Europe through Turkey, Russia and Japan—our only ally tiny, depression-ravaged England—faced with Middle East countries that were tribal dictatorships or Mandates controlled by repressive European countries, faced with a North Africa colonized by the same repressive Europeans, the U. S. elected a smart, sunny optimist with a steel spine. I hope Biden spends some of his public time stoking belief in the strength of our country. Clearly the country needs it.
I understand, because you are absolutely right that all of Trump’s rhetoric and bravado come from the core weakness of his personality. He’s a deeply insecure, angry, and narcissistic person.
But the thing is, I think it’s too late to temper our response. I think we need to take him seriously and literally at this point. If that means giving him powers he doesn’t really have, at least I feel forearmed.
The suggestions presented of how to react to Trump’s threats sound more like ignoring how dire they are than pointing out any underlying truth about his inherent weakness that could make a difference.
The fact is, whether we like it or not, Trump does have real power at this point in time because the media, his base, the sycophants in congress, all give it to him. They support legitimizing the very agenda that arises from his pathological weakness.
I don’t know how to talk about the danger a second Trump term poses that doesn’t acknowledge that he actually can and will do exactly what he says he will. How do you talk about how he will sic the military on protesters in the same breath that you’re claiming he’s a weak pathetic bully. A weak pathetic bully with giant gun is still the strongest guy in the room.
I hope you’re right. I hope there is time to undermine this image of power our alarm bestows on him. But I really fear that talking at this point about his core weaknesses at the expense of acknowledging the potential power he would and could have and use is too little too late.
Thanks so much Dan for giving us some words to frame a conversation. I have struggled with how to thread the needle conveying my dread and fear of what he would do while also calling him a weak, bumbling coward who is a bully.
I do notice that he plays the comedian when he announces his sick plans so that people won't take him seriously. (if they are so inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.)
Also notice that when he’s calling out a city racially, he over-enunciates the city’s name: Chi-ca-go. At-lan-ta. Phil-a-del-phi-a. What is that about?
Trump's weakness can also be seen in his numerous trials. If he truly were innocent, he'd want these to proceed quickly to prove his innocence and move on. And only a truly vile and weak person rapes someone else as he was found guilty in the E. Jean Carroll case. Only a weak person uses his businesses to lie and steal. Only a weak person steals government documents and refuses to return them. Only a weak person uses others to commit violence to get what they want.
Messaging is key, and Dems have a winning message. Even without a House majority the economy and foreign policy are far better than under Trump One, and a Trump win guarantees international bedlam and misery for those depending on healthcare, Social Security and support programs of any kind, including Medicaid and emergency care. Lawless Trump will unleash hatred again Hispanic, Black, Asian and Jewish voters and under the guise of law and order to please his base. Vigilantes will be empowered and a Trump administration will blame the victims. That is not a law and order ticket. Forget today’s polls, and tell the story graphically. Trump is weak, ineffective, devoted to one cause only, himself. The overarching message has to be take back the House, send the Freedom Caucus packing, and tell conventional Republicans the Dems have their backs.
The southern border: Our immigration laws were written to address normal immigration, plus refugees from political violence.
We are overwhelmed by immigration caused by climate change, narcotics gangs, poverty, and even domestic violence. Sympathetic as these plights might be, the country cannot handle the inflow. (Whether we can’t handle it logistically / economically or can’t handle because the issue tilts federal elections in the wrong direction doesn’t matter.) The result is the same: we can’t handle this level of inflow.
I hope the Biden administration joins the GOP in crafting a restrictive border policy. As humane as possible—no family separation and protecting Dreamers as examples—but restrict the flow to legal ports of entry and to those who have had asylum requests filed and accepted. For heaven’s sake, quit making it look like the MAGA GOP is forcibly twisting your arm to control the border. By doing so, you are enforcing the cliche that Democrats are feckless and incompetent to follow immigration laws. Tie it to Ukraine aid.
Heck, try to push it to be a three year deal to motivate both parties to come up with a bipartisan deal to allow sensible immigration that includes a path to citizenship.
Stop looking like a latter day Julian Castro, who—in the first 2020 presidential primary debate—voiced the truly crack-brained idea of decriminalizing any and all border crossings. That was an idea clearly designed to attract maybe 150 votes.
This is excellent! Just one question: Why do you say that Trump's extremist agenda is "popular" in this sentence: "He is a coward incapable of winning elections or advancing his extremist popular agenda without resorting to illegal, anti-democratic methods." (Or maybe "popular agenda" is a term I'm not familiar with?)
I read a great piece (on Threads and now I can't find to link) on how the Lincoln Project goes after Trump and shows him to be the clown and buffoon that he is.
Thanks for this reminder, Dan - because Trump is exceptionally weak. He is trapped and lashing out, that’s it.
And a way to respond is with mockery and laughter. The folks who got under his skin the most are the ones who made fun of him, and just refused to be bullied.
Yes! Yes! Yes! It’s so good to hear you say this. Not just because I agree, but also, because even knowing what you say is true, I’m not immune to the doom and gloom of the Trump as powerful dictator message.
100%! Just to add, it's pretty clear that for many – perhaps most – "democracy" is an abstract concept and they don't comprehend how it touches their lives. Saying things like "threats to democracy" or "he's going to destroy our democracy" don't resonate (in part) because of that disconnect. I would love to see some good faith research on what ordinary people value in systems of self-rule – from which more effective arguments could be devised. We sure need them in a hurry.
We must push past all the doom and and gloom of the pundits and the media...whose purpose is to depress the Democratic vote...We have the POWER to save our Democracy and put our country on a brighter path... #RidenWithBiden...#BidenHarris2024
If we can't use this and the many other things he has said about his plans (e.g they are 'waging all-out war on democracy') to tell a powerful story about the choice to be made - then something about us is fundamentally broken. That sounds negative - the point is that as others have said, Trump is exceptionally weak - has there ever been a weaker candidate? We have to pull every possible lever and resource to make sure we win - and as awful as all these comments are, they are also a gift that we have to take advantage of.
A few other benefits from a Trump-is-weak narrative...
In subtext, it says that all is not lost and we can win. In the climate world, we've learned that all doom all the time paralyzes a lot of people with the sense that the die has been cast and there's nothing we can do. I think the Trump-as-strongman narrative, while waking up the complacent, risks doing the same thing. I hard Rachel Maddow say, when asked if we should be afraid of fascism, that yes, we should be afraid, but no so afraid that we don't fight back. I think Trump-as-weak is less likely to feed fear that paralyzes.
The Trump-as-weak narrative also strengthens Dems/Biden by implied or overt contrast. When rank and file Dems, elected Dems, and Biden come off as strong, thoughtful, and courageous, while being forward looking and upbeat (in contrast to Trump/MAGA), we also create "social proof" that invites others to join us.
Trump-as-weak pairs nicely with Trump=chaos.
Trump-as-weak is easy to extend to other Republican candidates for down-ballot campaigns.
And lastly, it is deeply satisfying to depict Trump as the spoiled brat he is.
And too weak to have anyone in the room who doesn’t agree with him.
He’s a serial loser. That seems to get lost in the flood of disinfo. For all his losing though, he seems to be terrible at it.
The prospect of a second Trump term is very scary. It is very motivating for all of us, and Dan’s advice (especially lately) is extremely practical and valuable.
But populist authoritarians are usually elected when there is great danger and uncertainty facing a nation. Hitler and Mussolini were all originally popularly elected at a time when a worldwide depression was literally shaking the world’s faith in democracy.
But now? It’s as though we have become a nation of self-panickers. Are people fearful and uncertain as a holdover from the 2008 great recession or the pandemic and the economic damage it caused? I honestly don’t know. The MAGA candidates talk about the inevitability of war with China, and now incursions into Mexico. Deliberate tactics to stoke fear? Probably.
Please, Mr. Biden (and speechwriters), take note of FDR. Faced with that Depression, faced with dictatorships from continental Europe through Turkey, Russia and Japan—our only ally tiny, depression-ravaged England—faced with Middle East countries that were tribal dictatorships or Mandates controlled by repressive European countries, faced with a North Africa colonized by the same repressive Europeans, the U. S. elected a smart, sunny optimist with a steel spine. I hope Biden spends some of his public time stoking belief in the strength of our country. Clearly the country needs it.
I understand, because you are absolutely right that all of Trump’s rhetoric and bravado come from the core weakness of his personality. He’s a deeply insecure, angry, and narcissistic person.
But the thing is, I think it’s too late to temper our response. I think we need to take him seriously and literally at this point. If that means giving him powers he doesn’t really have, at least I feel forearmed.
The suggestions presented of how to react to Trump’s threats sound more like ignoring how dire they are than pointing out any underlying truth about his inherent weakness that could make a difference.
The fact is, whether we like it or not, Trump does have real power at this point in time because the media, his base, the sycophants in congress, all give it to him. They support legitimizing the very agenda that arises from his pathological weakness.
I don’t know how to talk about the danger a second Trump term poses that doesn’t acknowledge that he actually can and will do exactly what he says he will. How do you talk about how he will sic the military on protesters in the same breath that you’re claiming he’s a weak pathetic bully. A weak pathetic bully with giant gun is still the strongest guy in the room.
I hope you’re right. I hope there is time to undermine this image of power our alarm bestows on him. But I really fear that talking at this point about his core weaknesses at the expense of acknowledging the potential power he would and could have and use is too little too late.
Thanks so much Dan for giving us some words to frame a conversation. I have struggled with how to thread the needle conveying my dread and fear of what he would do while also calling him a weak, bumbling coward who is a bully.
I do notice that he plays the comedian when he announces his sick plans so that people won't take him seriously. (if they are so inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.)
Also notice that when he’s calling out a city racially, he over-enunciates the city’s name: Chi-ca-go. At-lan-ta. Phil-a-del-phi-a. What is that about?
Trump's weakness can also be seen in his numerous trials. If he truly were innocent, he'd want these to proceed quickly to prove his innocence and move on. And only a truly vile and weak person rapes someone else as he was found guilty in the E. Jean Carroll case. Only a weak person uses his businesses to lie and steal. Only a weak person steals government documents and refuses to return them. Only a weak person uses others to commit violence to get what they want.
Messaging is key, and Dems have a winning message. Even without a House majority the economy and foreign policy are far better than under Trump One, and a Trump win guarantees international bedlam and misery for those depending on healthcare, Social Security and support programs of any kind, including Medicaid and emergency care. Lawless Trump will unleash hatred again Hispanic, Black, Asian and Jewish voters and under the guise of law and order to please his base. Vigilantes will be empowered and a Trump administration will blame the victims. That is not a law and order ticket. Forget today’s polls, and tell the story graphically. Trump is weak, ineffective, devoted to one cause only, himself. The overarching message has to be take back the House, send the Freedom Caucus packing, and tell conventional Republicans the Dems have their backs.
The southern border: Our immigration laws were written to address normal immigration, plus refugees from political violence.
We are overwhelmed by immigration caused by climate change, narcotics gangs, poverty, and even domestic violence. Sympathetic as these plights might be, the country cannot handle the inflow. (Whether we can’t handle it logistically / economically or can’t handle because the issue tilts federal elections in the wrong direction doesn’t matter.) The result is the same: we can’t handle this level of inflow.
I hope the Biden administration joins the GOP in crafting a restrictive border policy. As humane as possible—no family separation and protecting Dreamers as examples—but restrict the flow to legal ports of entry and to those who have had asylum requests filed and accepted. For heaven’s sake, quit making it look like the MAGA GOP is forcibly twisting your arm to control the border. By doing so, you are enforcing the cliche that Democrats are feckless and incompetent to follow immigration laws. Tie it to Ukraine aid.
Heck, try to push it to be a three year deal to motivate both parties to come up with a bipartisan deal to allow sensible immigration that includes a path to citizenship.
Stop looking like a latter day Julian Castro, who—in the first 2020 presidential primary debate—voiced the truly crack-brained idea of decriminalizing any and all border crossings. That was an idea clearly designed to attract maybe 150 votes.
This is excellent! Just one question: Why do you say that Trump's extremist agenda is "popular" in this sentence: "He is a coward incapable of winning elections or advancing his extremist popular agenda without resorting to illegal, anti-democratic methods." (Or maybe "popular agenda" is a term I'm not familiar with?)
Maybe he meant to type populist and auto-suggest tripped him up?
I read a great piece (on Threads and now I can't find to link) on how the Lincoln Project goes after Trump and shows him to be the clown and buffoon that he is.