Lets face it, for Donald Trump attacking the press is cheap and easy, like a hooker at a truck stop. But there is no substance, no long term commitment. It’s the political equivalent of meaningless sex. In other words, the press is an easy mark, as everyone has a story about who they find untrustworthy, annoying or simply stupid (I’m talking to you Shaun Hannity) from the media. Of course the whole thing is a total head-fake anyway. It’s the old saying of shooting the messenger reborn. In other words, if you cannot answer difficult questions, then the best way to deflect your own incompetence is to make up an enemy. So in this case it’s the “media.” Putin does this all the time. If you read about Russia, you will note that alcoholism, unemployment, death rates for new borns are all on the rise. The only thing going down apparently is life expectancy. So like any good dictator, Putin takes over the media he doesn’t like, imprisons reporters and generally intimidates the press. This is the playbook for bad leaders throughout the centuries. Trump cannot do any of these things. The more he wack-a-moles one problem, another surfaces. Hence the run to Florida to a comfort zone he knows well. A few people in an adoring crowd that will not ask any difficult questions, or expect much because if Trump fails, then it will be someone else’s fault. But as I have said before, for the President of the United States to be attacking the messenger, lowers the discourse that makes up a fabric of America. It is beneath the office of the President to do such things. I am not sure if Trump truly believes the press is the enemy of the American people. It is certainly the ones that call him out on all his lies. Bannon his key aide, I have no doubt believes that the press is the enemy. But Trump’s words matter. Either he doesn’t care, or doesn’t understand the power he has. It’s probably both. People say that Trump will find his way, and moderate his tone. I don’t have that view, and I am an optimist. This is it. This is who we have. And someone in the GOP, other than John McCain is going to have to call him on it. I am looking at you Paul Ryan.
↧