The Man is a Boor and a Bore

 

Let me say first that I still plan on voting for Trump in November. He’s done great things for the economy, for unemployment, new job creation, and has done a pretty good job on coronavirus, sanctioned Iran, supported Israel, as well as other achievements.

But my ability to listen to the man has been tapped out.

I know he can do whatever he wants when he calls a press conference, but he announced he was going to speak about China, which he did for about a total of (generously) 10 minutes of the 52 minutes he spoke, mostly at the end. I was about to tear out my hair listening to the same liturgy about all his achievements; I can almost recite them along with him. And don’t try to tell me that he’s doing it for all those people who’ve not heard him provide his long list of claims. By now, I’ll bet most people can recite them right along with me: more virus tests than anyone in the world, ventilators, respirators, facilities, testing leads to more cases, improved black employment, punishing China. It makes me crazy.

At this point, I realize he will not change his style or content. I know that he loves to hear himself talk. I know that he misses campaign rallies (which was essentially what he gave tonight). I know that he doesn’t care about persuading anyone to vote for him except his base: screw the independents or doubting Liberals.

I also know that many of you will want to persuade me to (1) stop listening to him; (2) accept his job performance, not his personality; and (3) just vote for him in November.

I will vote for him.

But I will go to the polls gritting my teeth.

Published in Elections
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  1. DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care Member
    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care
    @DrewInWisconsin

    HeavyWater (View Comment):
    The purpose of thinking things through before saying whatever comes into your mind is that it will aid in ones reelection chances.

    This statement as empty as the canned speeches Flick was talking about.

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    For example, the reason why Biden rarely says anything these days has NOTHING to do with Covid-19.

    It has everything to do with making sure that if Biden’s message is filtered.

    However, you can’t win if you don’t play. Trump is in the game. Biden is sidelined.

    • #241
  2. DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care Member
    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Arvo (View Comment):

    KentForrester (View Comment):
    Matt, there are all kinds of ways of campaigning without resorting to childish insults and bragging.

    The above statement is obviously true.

    Campaigning with childish insults and bragging worked out for Trump in 2016.

    That’s what I mean when I said “He won, didn’t he?” And he’s certainly less abrasive now than he was in 2016. (Although we haven’t seen Campaign-Trump unleashed yet.)

    • #242
  3. KentForrester Inactive
    KentForrester
    @KentForrester

    Arvo (View Comment):

    KentForrester (View Comment):
    Matt, there are all kinds of ways of campaigning without resorting to childish insults and bragging.

    The above statement is obviously true.

    Campaigning with childish insults and bragging worked out for Trump in 2016.

    Arvo, I don’t think he has ever been quite as bad as he has been in the last six months or so. I find his speeches, especially when he goes off track, to be embarrassing. When he starts up with the silly nickname-tagging (Sleepy Joe, etc.) and bragging, I turn off the television.  He doesn’t seem to have a governor.  

    The guy is bright and funny (at times), and when he reads from a script (like his speech at Mount Rushmore), he’s really good. 

    • #243
  4. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Maybe I’m reading the comments here wrong, but a lot of them seem to be “he shouldn’t do that” or “I wouldn’t do it that way”. I don’t know why, but it really irks me to think that there’s only one approved way of campaigning.

    That’s why I commented to drop in this quote. People will come to Trump if they believe this campaign message.

    Bob Thompson

    Got this from a RedState article by Dennis Santiago:

    Opinion: The Central Question of the 2020 Election

     

     

    In case you have not figured it out yet, the 2020 election boils down to a simple question. Should we continue the process of bringing outsiders into Washington DC to change the infrastructure of government and wrestle it away from the Beltway establishment? Or should we return control of the country to the Washington DC elites?

    • #244
  5. HeavyWater Inactive
    HeavyWater
    @HeavyWater

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't C… (View Comment):

    HeavyWater (View Comment):
    The purpose of thinking things through before saying whatever comes into your mind is that it will aid in ones reelection chances.

    This statement as empty as the canned speeches Flick was talking about.

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    For example, the reason why Biden rarely says anything these days has NOTHING to do with Covid-19.

    It has everything to do with making sure that if Biden’s message is filtered.

    However, you can’t win if you don’t play. Trump is in the game. Biden is sidelined.

    If Biden wins, staying on the sidelines will, retrospectively, appear to be the correct strategy.  In other words, one can both be sidelined and win simultaneously.

    Given how clumsy Trump has been recently, Biden doesn’t need to campaign.  He can stay on the sidelines and win by default.

    • #245
  6. HeavyWater Inactive
    HeavyWater
    @HeavyWater

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Maybe I’m reading the comments here wrong, but a lot of them seem to be “he shouldn’t do that” or “I wouldn’t do it that way”. I don’t know why, but it really irks me to think that there’s only one approved way of campaigning.

    That’s why I commented to drop in this quote. People will come to Trump if they believe this campaign message.‘

    Bob Thompson

    Got this from a RedState article by Dennis Santiago:

    Opinion: The Central Question of the 2020 Election

    In case you have not figured it out yet, the 2020 election boils down to a simple question. Should we continue the process of bringing outsiders into Washington DC to change the infrastructure of government and wrestle it away from the Beltway establishment? Or should we return control of the country to the Washington DC elites?

    That message resonates with the hard core MAGA base but not much at all beyond that.  So, sure, that argument will help Trump get about 40 percent of the vote.  But it won’t help Trump win.

     

    • #246
  7. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Maybe I’m reading the comments here wrong, but a lot of them seem to be “he shouldn’t do that” or “I wouldn’t do it that way”. I don’t know why, but it really irks me to think that there’s only one approved way of campaigning.

    I’ll play Karl Rove: “He needs to stay… on… message!”

    • #247
  8. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Arvo (View Comment):

    KentForrester (View Comment):
    Matt, there are all kinds of ways of campaigning without resorting to childish insults and bragging.

    The above statement is obviously true.

    Campaigning with childish insults and bragging worked out for Trump in 2016.

    How would you characterize hillary’s style?

    • #248
  9. DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care Member
    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care
    @DrewInWisconsin

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    If Biden wins, staying on the sidelines will, retrospectively, appear to be the correct strategy. In other words, one can both be sidelined and win simultaneously.

    Given how clumsy Trump has been recently, Biden doesn’t need to campaign. He can stay on the sidelines and win by default.

    No worries. Campaign-Trump hasn’t even shown up yet.

    Have you listened to any of the Biden interviews lately? The President might be abrasive but he can complete a thought, even if he takes the long way ’round.

    • #249
  10. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't C… (View Comment):

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    If Biden wins, staying on the sidelines will, retrospectively, appear to be the correct strategy. In other words, one can both be sidelined and win simultaneously.

    Given how clumsy Trump has been recently, Biden doesn’t need to campaign. He can stay on the sidelines and win by default.

    No worries. Campaign-Trump hasn’t even shown up yet.

    Have you listened to any of the Biden interviews lately? The President might be abrasive but he can complete a thought, even if he takes the long way ’round.

    That’s a great bumper-sticker for a winning campaign:

    VOTE FOR DONALD J TRUMP — HE CAN COMPLETE A THOUGHT

    • #250
  11. DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care Member
    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care
    @DrewInWisconsin

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    Opinion: The Central Question of the 2020 Election

    In case you have not figured it out yet, the 2020 election boils down to a simple question. Should we continue the process of bringing outsiders into Washington DC to change the infrastructure of government and wrestle it away from the Beltway establishment? Or should we return control of the country to the Washington DC elites?

    That message resonates with the hard core MAGA base but not much at all beyond that.

    I would think it would resonate with anyone who believes in a government “of the people, by the people, for the people” rather than an oligarchy of the Beltway elite and their connected cronies. But maybe you like cronyism for all I know.

    • #251
  12. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Maybe I’m reading the comments here wrong, but a lot of them seem to be “he shouldn’t do that” or “I wouldn’t do it that way”. I don’t know why, but it really irks me to think that there’s only one approved way of campaigning.

    That’s why I commented to drop in this quote. People will come to Trump if they believe this campaign message.‘

    Bob Thompson

    Got this from a RedState article by Dennis Santiago:

    Opinion: The Central Question of the 2020 Election

    In case you have not figured it out yet, the 2020 election boils down to a simple question. Should we continue the process of bringing outsiders into Washington DC to change the infrastructure of government and wrestle it away from the Beltway establishment? Or should we return control of the country to the Washington DC elites?

    That message resonates with the hard core MAGA base but not much at all beyond that. So, sure, that argument will help Trump get about 40 percent of the vote. But it won’t help Trump win.

     

    Well, isn’t this what the campaign must figure out and address in the next 100+ days? I think the other 60% is not all hardcore socialists who want that Marxist philosophy to be at the core of our national policies. A large portion of those needed votes will come from minorities, many of whom Biden has already insulted. This is about where his 2016 campaign was when he called on Kelly Ann Conway. Time for such a decisive move.

    • #252
  13. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Arvo (View Comment):

    KentForrester (View Comment):
    Matt, there are all kinds of ways of campaigning without resorting to childish insults and bragging.

    The above statement is obviously true.

    Campaigning with childish insults and bragging worked out for Trump in 2016.

    Most of that was with his fellow Republicans before he had the nomination. From around this stage forward it was pretty much a direct attack on Hillary Clinton and her crookedness. Now that is where he should be going with Joe Biden. Who is pulling Biden’s strings anyway?

    • #253
  14. HeavyWater Inactive
    HeavyWater
    @HeavyWater

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn’t C… (View Comment):

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    Opinion: The Central Question of the 2020 Election

    In case you have not figured it out yet, the 2020 election boils down to a simple question. Should we continue the process of bringing outsiders into Washington DC to change the infrastructure of government and wrestle it away from the Beltway establishment? Or should we return control of the country to the Washington DC elites?

    That message resonates with the hard core MAGA base but not much at all beyond that.

    I would think it would resonate with anyone who believes in a government “of the people, by the people, for the people” rather than an oligarchy of the Beltway elite and their connected cronies. But maybe you like cronyism for all I know.

    I learned a long time ago that the political views I subscribe to are not the views that a majority of voters subscribe to.

    For example, I think the minimum wage is a job killer and horrible economic policy.  Until very recently, Germany didn’t even have a minimum wage law.  I don’t think Sweden has one now.

    But whenever there is a referendum on a minimum wage hike, even in a deep red state like Arkansas, the minimum wage hike passes overwhelmingly.

    So, it’s important for me to not confuse my own person political preferences with those of the “mushy-middle” swing voters who decide who wins and who loses.

    • #254
  15. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    For example, I think the minimum wage is a job killer and horrible economic policy. Until very recently, Germany didn’t even have a minimum wage law. I don’t think Sweden has one now.

    But whenever there is a referendum on a minimum wage hike, even in a deep red state like Arkansas, the minimum wage hike passes overwhelmingly.

    So, it’s important for me to not confuse my own person political preferences with those of the “mushy-middle” swing voters who decide who wins and who loses.

    With you 100% on abolishing a minimum wage.  True, many Republicans and Conservatives go along with it in business as usual.

    • #255
  16. Arvo Inactive
    Arvo
    @Arvo

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't C… (View Comment):
    I would think it would resonate with anyone who believes in a government “of the people, by the people, for the people”…

    Your lofty estimation of the engagement of the average American voter is heartwarming.

    Alas, I think the example of the mean is the guy on American Idol.  They were shooting in Hawaii, and he was startled by military aircraft overhead.  He asked, “What’s the deal with all the jets?”  Someone answered, “We’re next to Pearl Harbor.”  He really said, I’m not kidding, surprised, “Pearl Harbor?  That’s a real place?  I thought it was just a movie.”

    And he’ll probably vote.

    • #256
  17. DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care Member
    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care
    @DrewInWisconsin

    HeavyWater (View Comment):
    For example, I think the minimum wage is a job killer and horrible economic policy. Until very recently, Germany didn’t even have a minimum wage law. I don’t think Sweden has one now.

    Oh, I’d be fine with getting rid of minimum wage laws. On that we’d agree.

    • #257
  18. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    I learned a long time ago that the political views I subscribe to are not the views that a majority of voters subscribe to.

    For example, I think the minimum wage is a job killer and horrible economic policy. Until very recently, Germany didn’t even have a minimum wage law. I don’t think Sweden has one now.

    But whenever there is a referendum on a minimum wage hike, even in a deep red state like Arkansas, the minimum wage hike passes overwhelmingly.

    So, it’s important for me to not confuse my own person political preferences with those of the “mushy-middle” swing voters who decide who wins and who loses.

    Agree. But a single issue referendum is not what we are addressing here. Same thing happens with abortion. This is really a bit more complicated, it’s a much more important and broader issue. That should make a greater difference to at least a portion of the swing voters.

    • #258
  19. DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care Member
    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Arvo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn’t C… (View Comment):
    I would think it would resonate with anyone who believes in a government “of the people, by the people, for the people”…

    Your lofty estimation of the engagement of the average American voter is heartwarming.

    Toldja I was a sunny optimist.

    • #259
  20. HeavyWater Inactive
    HeavyWater
    @HeavyWater

    Steven Seward (View Comment):

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    For example, I think the minimum wage is a job killer and horrible economic policy. Until very recently, Germany didn’t even have a minimum wage law. I don’t think Sweden has one now.

    But whenever there is a referendum on a minimum wage hike, even in a deep red state like Arkansas, the minimum wage hike passes overwhelmingly.

    So, it’s important for me to not confuse my own person political preferences with those of the “mushy-middle” swing voters who decide who wins and who loses.

    With you 100% on abolishing a minimum wage. True, many Republicans and Conservatives go along with it in business as usual.

    My wife is an example of a mushy-middle voter.  If I were to explain to her why I oppose minimum wage laws or why I generally oppose anti-discrimination laws (not just those “protecting” homosexuals and transgenders), she would think about it.  But ultimately she wouldn’t be persuaded.  

    I think there are millions of voters who are neither Tea Party conservatives nor Maoist Leftists.  They aren’t all plugged into politics the way many of us are.  But those people also vote.  So, one needs a means of communicating with these people.  

    • #260
  21. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Arvo (View Comment):
    Alas, I think the example of the mean is the guy on American Idol. They were shooting in Hawaii, and he was startled by military aircraft overhead. He asked, “What’s the deal with all the jets?” Someone answered, “We’re next to Pearl Harbor.” He really said, I’m not kidding, surprised, “Pearl Harbor? That’s a real place? I thought it was just a movie.”

    Of course, the way Pearl Harbor is usually referred to in mass culture is as an event rather than as a place.  So for people who don’t really have any connection to WWII, you can see how they’d be confused.

     

    • #261
  22. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    EHerring (View Comment):

    TBA (View Comment):
    The conman that will rip you off will always say what you want to hear in the most familiar of tones.

    Conman=all politicians

    It cannot be denied. 

    • #262
  23. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't C… (View Comment):

    HeavyWater (View Comment):
    For example, I think the minimum wage is a job killer and horrible economic policy. Until very recently, Germany didn’t even have a minimum wage law. I don’t think Sweden has one now.

    Oh, I’d be fine with getting rid of minimum wage laws. On that we’d agree.

    That would never fly, but never raising them again would be fine too. 

    • #263
  24. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't C… (View Comment):

    Arvo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn’t C… (View Comment):
    I would think it would resonate with anyone who believes in a government “of the people, by the people, for the people”…

    Your lofty estimation of the engagement of the average American voter is heartwarming.

    Toldja I was a sunny optimist.

    *snort* 

    • #264
  25. DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care Member
    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't Care
    @DrewInWisconsin

    TBA (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn’t C… (View Comment):

    Arvo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn’t C… (View Comment):
    I would think it would resonate with anyone who believes in a government “of the people, by the people, for the people”…

    Your lofty estimation of the engagement of the average American voter is heartwarming.

    Toldja I was a sunny optimist.

    *snort*

    Quiet, you!

    • #265
  26. Melissa Rushing Inactive
    Melissa Rushing
    @MRushing

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    I’m reflecting on why I wrote this post. Normally I don’t write posts that will cause tensions between myself and others on Ricochet. But I just needed to get this frustration off my chest. I think that there was a part of me that wanted to see if we as members had grown enough to listen to a person who has good reason to be frustrated (even if you disagree with me) and can take my comments, just as they are, not making me a bad or evil person. I must admit that there is a part of me that still wishes that Trump would change. I really do want to like him, because I know he has good qualities and I acknowledge those, too. Also, I think it’s important to point out that it is possible to dislike the man and still vote for him. I think a lot of people feel they have to like a man to vote for him. I don’t.

     

    • #266
  27. Melissa Rushing Inactive
    Melissa Rushing
    @MRushing

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    I’m reflecting on why I wrote this post. Normally I don’t write posts that will cause tensions between myself and others on Ricochet. But I just needed to get this frustration off my chest. I think that there was a part of me that wanted to see if we as members had grown enough to listen to a person who has good reason to be frustrated (even if you disagree with me) and can take my comments, just as they are, not making me a bad or evil person. I must admit that there is a part of me that still wishes that Trump would change. I really do want to like him, because I know he has good qualities and I acknowledge those, too. Also, I think it’s important to point out that it is possible to dislike the man and still vote for him. I think a lot of people feel they have to like a man to vote for him. I don’t.

    Perfectly stated. 

    • #267
  28. Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… Coolidge
    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo…
    @GumbyMark

    DrewInWisconsin Doesn't C… (View Comment):

    HeavyWater (View Comment):

    Opinion: The Central Question of the 2020 Election

    In case you have not figured it out yet, the 2020 election boils down to a simple question. Should we continue the process of bringing outsiders into Washington DC to change the infrastructure of government and wrestle it away from the Beltway establishment? Or should we return control of the country to the Washington DC elites?

    That message resonates with the hard core MAGA base but not much at all beyond that.

    I would think it would resonate with anyone who believes in a government “of the people, by the people, for the people” rather than an oligarchy of the Beltway elite and their connected cronies. But maybe you like cronyism for all I know.

    That is not a message that will resonate beyond people already voting for Trump.

    However, over the past few weeks the Democrats have created a message for Trump to campaign on that will resonate and that he addressed in the Rushmore speech.

    Do you want to live every minute of your life worried you’ll say something wrong and be fired from your job, have your life ruined, and have your children denied educational and job opportunities?

    Do you want to be called a racist everyday, even though you’ve treated people fairly your entire life?

    Do you want to live in a country divided by race and resentment?

    Do you want to be at the mercy of government approved mobs threatening your life, your family, and your property?

    If your answer is yes, vote Democratic.  We’ve got plenty of video, twitter etc to document it.  The ads write themselves and they appeal across race and ethnic boundaries.

    No prominent Democratic politician has stood up to defend the people, white, black, immigrants etc, damaged by the Woke.

    And stop being baited into talking about Confederate monuments and flags.

     

    • #268
  29. Tocqueville Inactive
    Tocqueville
    @Tocqueville

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    I’m reflecting on why I wrote this post. Normally I don’t write posts that will cause tensions between myself and others on Ricochet. But I just needed to get this frustration off my chest. I think that there was a part of me that wanted to see if we as members had grown enough to listen to a person who has good reason to be frustrated (even if you disagree with me) and can take my comments, just as they are, not making me a bad or evil person. I must admit that there is a part of me that still wishes that Trump would change. I really do want to like him, because I know he has good qualities and I acknowledge those, too. Also, I think it’s important to point out that it is possible to dislike the man and still vote for him. I think a lot of people feel they have to like a man to vote for him. I don’t.

    Trump’s self-destructive quality drives me bats. I was a lefty who voted Sanders in the 2016 primary mainly because  opposing Hillary is like an aphrodisiac for me (ditto for Obama in 2008). I was very initially off put by Trump’s crudeness, but I got over that quickly enough. I voted blank because I was upset that he didn’t seem to want to win! Then he did win and the 24 Hour Trump Show Began and I thought “I don’t know how I can handle 4 yrs of this.”

    but somewhere along the line, I have become fond of him. He’s very human, makes human errors. He doesn’t have a team of Yale graduates tweeting for him. And I am almost worried about him. He looked tired at Mt Rushmore. I think he is a nicer person than he gives out and I think he genuinely wants the best for people. Unlike Obama who seduces on first sight but you later realize he despises you.

    • #269
  30. Mark Camp Member
    Mark Camp
    @MarkCamp

    HeavyWater (View Comment):
    They aren’t all plugged into politics the way many of us are. But those people also vote. So, one needs a means of communicating with these people.

    Hoo, boy. Sometimes someone enters a short comment into what seems to be a complicated discussion, and my reaction is, “Well…that’s it, in a nutshell!”

     

    • #270
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