Elizabeth Warren says "Shame on you" to Trump
It was a very, very powerful speech. It will change the race. She has elevated herself to the chief campaigner for Hillary either as a supporter or the Vice President.
The speech was an audition for Elizabeth Warren. She looked strong, earnest, and she spoke to Trump's lack of political and moral virtue.
She takes the "virtue" issue off of Hillary. Trump is the self-serving one, Warren says. Trump is the one who uses political influence for private gain. Warren reverses the polarity of Sanders' attacks, which have accused Hillary of being one who uses political power and fame to extract big speaking fees and donations. Trump's criticism of Judge Curiel shows Trump's true character: he seeks to subvert our system of laws for personal benefit. For shame!
Progressives will find it wonderful. But remember: ones strength is ones weakness. It may be too much and too long an attack. Her unrelenting attacks on Trump and GOP hypocrisy is apparent for what it is: a woman scolding the boy-child that is Donald Trump.
Scolding is the problem for Hillary. Hillary doesn't scold on the issue of the crony relationship between money and political power; that is her area of vulnerability. But Hillary scolds on issues of race and gender bias. The oppressors of black, brown, gays, and women are white men. White men don't like being accused of bias even when--especially when--they are guilty of it. Even Trump, after voicing what Paul Ryan called "the definition of racism", said he wasn't at all racist. In a world of hypersensitivity and micro-aggressons every white man is guilty per se. Many men resent the accusation. (I do.)
Locked into Hillary's campaign frame, she is fighting to end the barriers holding back the oppressed. Scolding is hard-wired in. Warren helps complicate this frame by pointing the accusation at Trump and the intransigeant GOP Senate which is devoted to obstruction. But Warren scolds them, and the bigger, meta message may be read as "older women scold."
Boys have mothers, school teachers, nuns, female authority figures of one sort or another. They were civilized by them. The child's will was brought into cultural discipline. This gift of socialization leaves little scars of resentment. Warren redirects it but also affirms it.
Warren scolds Trump: "Donald, you should be ashamed of yourself. Ashamed. . . . What you are doing is a total disgrace. You, Donald Trump, are a total disgrace."
Picture yourself in 2nd grade. A boy classmate misbehaved--you agree. The teacher scolds him harshly and goes on and on. You are relieved that the teacher is angry at someone other than you. But think: does it make you comfortable with the teacher and like her more, or does it make you wary of her.
Warren helps Hillary. Warren hurts Hillary.
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