Who is deplorable?

Democrats need to focus. 

There are Republicans who think Trump's Big Lie and election denying is wrong and dangerous.  

Appeal to them.

Joe Biden is remaking himself into Joe-the-fighter in speeches in battleground states. He is getting praise from some Democrats who say he sounds strong. Opponents criticize the "anger," the stage lighting, and the presence of Marines. My own sense is that the speech will become a version of Hillary's "basket of deplorables," and a bad mistake. Trump supporters are a mixed bag. Biden erred by condemning "MAGA Republicans." It was too broad a sweep.

Washington Post photo

Biden said Trump is a unique threat to America.  I agree. A sitting president refused to honor the election that called for his removal. He still demands to be reinstated as president. Instead of this being dismissed as laughable and dangerous, a significant number of Americans agree--or at least don't publicly disagree. This behavior is not a "one-and-done," with America going back to normal. He justifies his effort to stop the peaceful transfer of power with legal fictions, bullying, and instigating an invasion of the Capitol to intimidate Congress. He has supporters and defenders. He is actively campaigning for candidates at the state and national level who will implement election-reversing strategies more successfully at the next opportunity. Many of them are winning Republican primary elections. This isn't secret. He does it openly and proudly.

Trump didn't persuade every Republican that the election was stolen and that Trump is right to try to reverse it. But he does say things that appeal to a great many Americans. He condemns the porous southern border. He wants more vetting of immigrants. He says drugs come across the southern border from Mexico and that they are dangerous. He condemns COVID shutdowns and thinks that Dr. Fauci went too far and for too long. He opposes mandatory COVID vaccinations. He opposes abortion. He nominated conservative judges. He condemns China and Mexico for stealing good American jobs. He supports gun rights. He says Hunter Biden is a mess. He says Joe Biden is old and well past his prime. He says he distrusts Muslims. He supports oil and gas production in the U.S. He says wind power isn't as good as it is made out to be. He says mayors of Democratic cities fail to control street violence. He says we have inflation. He says gasoline prices are too high. He says Bernie Sanders is a socialist. He says the news media is untrustworthy. He says corporate and academic elites condescend to people in flyover country. He says there is nothing wrong with being a proud Christian. He says he considers it disrespectful when athletes don't stand for the National Anthem. He says he thinks Hillary Clinton was criminally sloppy about doing State Department business on a personal computer. He says he suspects shenanigans at county election departments in Democratic cities.

It is a long list. Many Americans agree with some or all of it, including Democrats. A person can agree with Trump on those things and be a loyal American. 

Biden and Democrats should reserve words like "dangerous"  and "disloyal" for Trump personally those people who defend his effort to overthrow the 2020 and future elections. Democrats should implement the "Liz Cheney rule." If Liz Cheney believes it, Democrats likely disagree, but it isn't insurrection.

Democrats need 15% of Republicans to agree that overturning an election is wrong and dangerous. If Democrats sweep supporters of Trump's policies and complaints into one basket, they won't create a pro-democracy coalition. Instead, they will have unified Republicans in their resentment at being falsely tarred with accusations of sedition.

Note: To get this blog by email every day go to hppts://petersage.substack.com Subscribe. The blog is free and always will be.]