Question: The odor, the stench, the stink. How bad is it?Kinzinger: It's not good. The best way to describe it. You take like armpits, ketchup, like a butt, you put it in a blender -- and make-up -- and put that all in a blender and bottle it up as a cologne, it's kind of that.
Partisans are passing around video of people standing next to Trump making the face one makes when encountering a surprise stink, along with a voice-over of people describing this odor. A former employee on the set of "The Apprentice" says that Trump has uncontrollable bowels. Trump would need to leave the set abruptly after having accidents that left a mess.
I see the temptation in all this for Democrats. Trump dishes out insults against opponents, and turn-about is fair play. Who better to insult than the guy who calls Jeb Bush "Low Energy," adds the name "Lying" to Ted Cruz, and who repeatedly calls Joe Biden "Sleepy," then "Demented," and now "Crooked Joe." I get it. It seems fair. And fun.
But Democrats shouldn't fall for it. For one thing, it might possibly be true. Maybe Trump does have a bowel incontinence problem. So do other people, which is why one can find adult diapers for sale in every grocery store. Democrats should not shame people for physical conditions like that. It is impolite. It is cruel. It is bad politics. Those people vote.
Or it might be wholly untrue, in which case Democrats are doing what Trump does, spreading lies for the delight of partisans.
Either way, Democrats would be going off-brand. Trump owns the twin brands of lying about others and being nasty and vicious about it. Trump has trained GOP partisans to demand it. That is why MAGA is a mixed brand. Republican politicians want to be MAGA in the primary election but then pretend not to be MAGA in the general. They realize that MAGA now signifies destruction of both institutions and civility.
There is a body of Americans who may not be thrilled with Biden, but who are disgusted by Trump. They are the body of people who will cast a reluctant vote for Biden because at least he seems normal and decent. He gets bipartisan legislation passed. He is civil. Whatever else, he is a clear notch or two better than Trump and partisans who display blue signs in front of their houses that show a middle finger with the text that spells out "F---k Joe Biden, and F--k you for voting for him."
This is a moment of New Year's resolutions. It is a moment to decide not to eat a second dessert. It is a moment to resolve not to do the self-indulgent unhealthy thing that is against one's self-interest. Resist the temptation to be like Trump.
Get clarity of who is who. Democrats want to be the party of good governance in a healthy democracy. Trump wants to lead a party of nasty insults. Let Trump have that space to himself.
Added: in response to multiple requests. Links like these: Meidas Touch. Lincoln Project. I think these hurt Democrats by muddling the party brand comparison. When they go low, don't join them.
3 comments:
Kinzinger, a Republican, began the ‘Trump Smells’ meme and the Lincoln Project promptly used it in an attack ad. The Lincoln Project is a group of Republicans dedicated to getting rid of Trump in the hope of restoring some semblance of sanity to their party. I wish them luck.
The Obamas set the tone for Democrats, exemplified by Michelle’s comment, “When they go low, we go high.” Some say that being positive and appealing to reason is no way to win an election. If not, then maybe it’s a good thing Democrats have Republicans helping them.
Too many people engage in politics to make themselves feel good, as opposed to accomplishing a practical political goal.
It’s just one more problem for competent political operators to deal with.
The Democrats don't need to promulgate the "Trump stinks" meme, there are proxies and other opponents who can do the job.
It may also resonate with Trump's supporters because disgust is a particularly salient emotion with conservatives.
Go for it!!
Post a Comment