CNN’s Latest Ad for Trump 2020

 

While in one breath decrying the divisiveness that has infected our politics and criticizing our President’s role in breeding that anger, we have this from over the weekend on CNN’s evening show with Don Lemon,

Mainstream but exceedingly balanced journalist Yashar Ali rightly pointed out,

The clip is instructive for those who wonder how President Trump won. This isn’t just a “this is how you got Trump” moment (though it is that, too). It’s also a spotlight on how we’ve come to learn many GOP elites felt about their voter and donor base for their entire careers, but largely kept in check publicly.

While there has been a great deal of ink spilled about how President Trump won the general election, there is even more that should be focused on how President Trump won the GOP nomination before that. They are two different victories, though closely linked. The above clip is, I think, more instructive about that first victory than the second. Republican voters knew for a long time how highly-paid consultants actually felt, and by voting for Donald J. Trump, they were able to signal their refusal to play along any longer.

This was something I didn’t understand at the time, but have come to appreciate in the years following the President’s election. I once felt like Rick Wilson, the GOP strategist on the right of the screen; not in his disdain for his fellow Americans, but about what President Trump’s victory said about those who voted for him. Then when I was proved so, so very wrong, I did a crazy thing: I stopped talking and started listening. I understand a lot more about why Trump voters did what they did in 2016.

That is something everyone, Republican or Democrat, should have done in the wake of the election. If Rick Wilson, one of the members of the new “GOP” SuperPAC opposed to the President, the Lincoln Project, wanted to do something new and different, if he wanted to win, he would have done the same. But he would rather sneer at voters than win them over. Fine. At least he’s not doing it with Republicans’ money anymore.

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  1. Valiuth Member
    Valiuth
    @Valiuth

    Bah Humbug!

    I say we need more scorn and dismissiveness of Trumpers. They not only need to be beaten they need to have their noses rubbed into their failures. This is a long struggle and because God is on the side of Nevertrumpers in the end we shall win, and everything the Trumpers love and care for will be ground to dust and relegated to the dustbin of history. No quarter asked no quarter given. We will desecrate their graves, cut down their holly trees, and build our churches over the ruins of theirs and it will be like they never existed. True victory. Total victory! 

    Deep State For Ever!!!

    • #1
  2. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    We should ask Don Lemon to show us where Ukraine is on a map. 

    The only mystery to me is why so many Americans don’t recognize the contempt for Americans and America in the Democrats they vote for. The Democrat platform could simply be a one-line lament: Why can’t we be more like the Europeans???

    And then there’s “our own” Rick Wilson flashing the superiority card for his leftist pals. You know where he can go? He doesn’t need to look on a map.

    • #2
  3. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    I was scornful of Trump in the run up to the 2016 election. I believed I called him an illusion whose time had come. However, after the election I wrote this on Ricochet. And I dumped my previous view of Trump and began constructing a new assessment based on observations going forward. 

    At that time I was uncertain whether my previous view of Trump was correct or incorrect. But I resolved to judge him on his performance going forward rather than my conceptions of him prior to the election. I thought it better than assuming I was right and everyone who disagreed with me on Trump were ignorant morons. 

    Based on observations of performance since November 2016, Trump looks pretty good. Which means my assessment of Trump from January 2016 through October 2016 was . . . well  . . . wrong. It is hard to admit I could be that wrong, but the only way I could deny I was that wrong would be to lie to myself. 

    Which it seems a lot of those striking out at Trump supporters seem to be doing.

    • #3
  4. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    Not sure how Ricochet can comment on this.  It is basically just an exaggeration of what can be heard on most of the podcasts.  Total contempt to Trump’s voter base.  

    • #4
  5. OmegaPaladin Moderator
    OmegaPaladin
    @OmegaPaladin

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Not sure how Ricochet can comment on this. It is basically just an exaggeration of what can be heard on most of the podcasts. Total contempt to Trump’s voter base.

    I used to think that, but it’s not that common in the podcasts I’ve listened to.

    The Ricochet main podcast?  I’ve not heard that from Lileks or Robinson.  Rob doesn’t usually get into it.

    Conservatarians, featuring editor ExJon?  Not the ones I listened to.

    Byron York?  No.

    GLoP and the Commentary/Standard crews are the real NeverTrump sections.

    • #5
  6. Franco Member
    Franco
    @Franco

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    We should ask Don Lemon to show us where Ukraine is on a map.

    The only mystery to me is why so many Americans don’t recognize the contempt for Americans and America in the Democrats they vote for. The Democrat platform could simply be a one-line lament: Why can’t we be more like the Europeans???

    And then there’s “our own” Rick Wilson flashing the superiority card for his leftist pals. You know where he can go? He doesn’t need to look on a map.

    There are so many layers to this, and each is telling. I just heard the other day Trump talk about geography regarding Ukraine. He was saying Ukraine is much closer to Europe than us, and Germany should be pitching in more. That’s all he has to know about the specific location for this yokel here.

    My tax dollars are finding their way into Hunter Biden’s nose and fueling his hedonistic lifestyle. I think I want someone looking into keep that kind of thing from happening. 

    Can’t wait for the next debates to be set up like Jeopardy, highest score gets the Presidency.

    Ill take Eastern European Geography for 500 Alex….

    • #6
  7. Franco Member
    Franco
    @Franco

    OmegaPaladin (View Comment):
    GLoP and the Commentary/Standard crews are the real NeverTrump sections.

    In other words, Ricochet is all over the map, trying to keep one foot on the dock and the other on the boat…

    Hey Omega, still no response about my post Provoking Insanity. Yes, I’m bitter….

    Can I get a response from someone?

    • #7
  8. DrewInWisconsin, Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Bethany Mandel: If Rick Wilson, one of the members of the new “GOP” SuperPAC opposed to the President, the Lincoln Project . . .

    Oh, is he part of that left-wing-funded set of grifters?

    BURN IT TO THE GROUND.

    Rick Wilson, Douchebag, didn’t pause to reflect on his execrable behavior. Nope, he doubled down.

    Remember, every time one of our Ricocheteers quotes “Everything Trump Touches Dies,” (or “ETTD”) he’s quoting Rick Wilson, Douchebag. The only thing that died is Rick Wilson’s career as a campaign strategist. So now he’s hitched himself to a PAC, the purpose of which is to rake in money from the very gullible.

    • #8
  9. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf (View Comment):
    Remember, every time one of our Ricocheteers quotes “Everything Trump Touches Dies,” (or “ETTD”) he’s quoting Rick Wilson, Douchebag. The only thing that died is Rick Wilson’s career as a campaign strategist.

    That’s not true. Trump has touched el Baghdadi,  Qasem Soleimani, ISIS, high minority unemployment rates, energy shortages, and a bunch of other stuff that has died. But those are good things. 

    • #9
  10. Bethany Mandel Coolidge
    Bethany Mandel
    @bethanymandel

    Franco (View Comment):

    OmegaPaladin (View Comment):
    GLoP and the Commentary/Standard crews are the real NeverTrump sections.

    In other words, Ricochet is all over the map, trying to keep one foot on the dock and the other on the boat…

    Hey Omega, still no response about my post Provoking Insanity. Yes, I’m bitter….

    Can I get a response from someone?

    I don’t think it’s a bad thing that different views are represented here. I think that’s a feature, not a bug.

    • #10
  11. Richard Easton Coolidge
    Richard Easton
    @RichardEaston

    Bethany Mandel (View Comment):

    Franco (View Comment):

    OmegaPaladin (View Comment):
    GLoP and the Commentary/Standard crews are the real NeverTrump sections.

    In other words, Ricochet is all over the map, trying to keep one foot on the dock and the other on the boat…

    Hey Omega, still no response about my post Provoking Insanity. Yes, I’m bitter….

    Can I get a response from someone?

    I don’t think it’s a bad thing that different views are represented here. I think that’s a feature, not a bug.

    Yes, but some of us remember the rude lectures from certain people. The last five years have reinforced my view that many people with extensive credentials are unimpressive. I was one of the few people who thought the revelation of Trump’s embarrassing video on 10/7/16 was a good sign since the Democrats would normally have revealed it the Friday before the election. Many political prognosticators are ignorant. It’s painful listening to BBC reporters credulously accept nonsense about the invention of GPS (yes, it’s one of my hobby horses).

    • #11
  12. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    Do you know what all forms of bigotry have in common? A common basis of “knowledge.” In the good old bad old days, everybody “knew” blacks were “shiftless,” that all Latinos were “hot headed,” that Jews were “money grubbers” and that Catholics couldn’t make a decision until they got their “marching orders” from the Pope. It took a World War and the realities of the Concentration Camps to shake us to our core and expose the ultimate destination of that kind of unchecked ugliness.

    Today’s bigotry is just as cock-sure of itself. Everybody “knows” exactly what the “typical Trump” supporter is like. And it’s so vile, so low, so stupid, well, you just have to say it out loud and laugh, don’t you? Why, THE Rick Wilson is just America’s modern day minstrel, trotting out an “Amos’n’Andy” for the 21st Century.

    Somewhere along our journey from the 1960s as we decided the culture was too uptight and everything needed to be “edgier,” and it was also decided that politics was no longer to be about persuasion. It became about insulting the people you disagree with. Good luck with that. We’re right back on our pre-war path.

    • #12
  13. Nerina Bellinger Inactive
    Nerina Bellinger
    @NerinaBellinger

    Here’s the ad:

    They Think You’re a Joke

     

     

     

     

     

    • #13
  14. OccupantCDN Coolidge
    OccupantCDN
    @OccupantCDN

    Richard Easton (View Comment):

    Bethany Mandel (View Comment):

    Franco (View Comment):

    OmegaPaladin (View Comment):
    GLoP and the Commentary/Standard crews are the real NeverTrump sections.

    In other words, Ricochet is all over the map, trying to keep one foot on the dock and the other on the boat…

    Hey Omega, still no response about my post Provoking Insanity. Yes, I’m bitter….

    Can I get a response from someone?

    I don’t think it’s a bad thing that different views are represented here. I think that’s a feature, not a bug.

    Yes, but some of us remember the rude lectures from certain people. The last five years have reinforced my view that many people with extensive credentials are unimpressive. I was one of the few people who thought the revelation of Trump’s embarrassing video on 10/7/16 was a good sign since the Democrats would normally have revealed it the Friday before the election. Many political prognosticators are ignorant. It’s painful listening to BBC reporters credulously accept nonsense about the invention of GPS (yes, it’s one of my hobby horses).

    Look at all the media errors in the coverage of Kobe Bryant. Reports had his teams wrong, played on a field, and the BBC even used images of LeBron James that they voiced over for their coverage.

    Its simple stuff that even reporters should be able to figure out – or editors should be able to correct…

    • #14
  15. OccupantCDN Coolidge
    OccupantCDN
    @OccupantCDN

    OmegaPaladin (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Not sure how Ricochet can comment on this. It is basically just an exaggeration of what can be heard on most of the podcasts. Total contempt to Trump’s voter base.

    I used to think that, but it’s not that common in the podcasts I’ve listened to.

    The Ricochet main podcast? I’ve not heard that from Lileks or Robinson. Rob doesn’t usually get into it.

    Conservatarians, featuring editor ExJon? Not the ones I listened to.

    Byron York? No.

    GLoP and the Commentary/Standard crews are the real NeverTrump sections.

    I agree, I think the GLoP podcaster’s realize that a fair percentage of their membership base are Trump supporters and stop their criticism of Trump with Trump. I dont understand how democrats (or other never Trumps) expect to win back the Trump base, when they berate and insult these people over and over again.

    I think that the “basket of deplorables” line – which less face it, was not an ad-lib but was a focus group tested and consultant designed attack line – lost the democrats the ‘rust belt’ for a generation.

    • #15
  16. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    OccupantCDN: …or editors should be able to correct…

    There are fewer and fewer editors. And fewer and fewer good and knowledgeable ones.

    • #16
  17. Columbo Inactive
    Columbo
    @Columbo

    Nerina Bellinger (View Comment):

    Here’s the ad:

    They Think You’re a Joke

    That reminds me of Jonathan Gruber … and his “the American people are stupid” remarks …

    • #17
  18. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Columbo (View Comment):

    Nerina Bellinger (View Comment):

    Here’s the ad:

    They Think You’re a Joke

    That reminds me of Jonathan Gruber … and his “the American people are stupid” remarks …

    Maybe it’s just Democrat voters who are stupid. Did Gruber ever think of that?

    • #18
  19. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Columbo (View Comment):

    That reminds me of Jonathan Gruber … and his “the American people are stupid” remarks …

    Maybe it’s just Democrat voters who are stupid. Did Gruber ever think of that?

    Jonathan was probably angry that his brother Hans bought it in the final reel.

    • #19
  20. Columbo Inactive
    Columbo
    @Columbo

    Seawriter (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Columbo (View Comment):

    That reminds me of Jonathan Gruber … and his “the American people are stupid” remarks …

    Maybe it’s just Democrat voters who are stupid. Did Gruber ever think of that?

    Jonathan was probably angry that his brother Hans bought it in the final reel.

    • #20
  21. Bethany Mandel Coolidge
    Bethany Mandel
    @bethanymandel

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    Richard Easton (View Comment):

    Bethany Mandel (View Comment):

    Franco (View Comment):

    OmegaPaladin (View Comment):
    GLoP and the Commentary/Standard crews are the real NeverTrump sections.

    In other words, Ricochet is all over the map, trying to keep one foot on the dock and the other on the boat…

    Hey Omega, still no response about my post Provoking Insanity. Yes, I’m bitter….

    Can I get a response from someone?

    I don’t think it’s a bad thing that different views are represented here. I think that’s a feature, not a bug.

    Yes, but some of us remember the rude lectures from certain people. The last five years have reinforced my view that many people with extensive credentials are unimpressive. I was one of the few people who thought the revelation of Trump’s embarrassing video on 10/7/16 was a good sign since the Democrats would normally have revealed it the Friday before the election. Many political prognosticators are ignorant. It’s painful listening to BBC reporters credulously accept nonsense about the invention of GPS (yes, it’s one of my hobby horses).

    Look at all the media errors in the coverage of Kobe Bryant. Reports had his teams wrong, played on a field, and the BBC even used images of LeBron James that they voiced over for their coverage.

    Its simple stuff that even reporters should be able to figure out – or editors should be able to correct…

    This was a powerful video on that from Rick Fox, who was initially reported to be on board: https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1222370436140257280

    • #21
  22. Franco Member
    Franco
    @Franco

    Bethany Mandel (View Comment):

    Franco (View Comment):

    OmegaPaladin (View Comment):
    GLoP and the Commentary/Standard crews are the real NeverTrump sections.

    In other words, Ricochet is all over the map, trying to keep one foot on the dock and the other on the boat…

    Hey Omega, still no response about my post Provoking Insanity. Yes, I’m bitter….

    Can I get a response from someone?

    I don’t think it’s a bad thing that different views are represented here. I think that’s a feature, not a bug.

    I’m all for different views, but Ricochet over-represents views from those who wish to be rid of Trump, to the point of being okay with a Democrat. And it’s not like these views are obscure. I think the large majority of Republican voters prefer Trump to any Democrat. I think that proportion is also reflected here in Ricochet rank and file members. I can see that Ricochet has some, ahem, legacy issues, but as I said, it’s trying to keep one foot in the canoe and the other on the dock. 
    Ricochet is generally considered an anti-Trump site. If you carry Bill Kristol, right there, ordinary Trump supporters would be turned off and disinclined to join. I see his smug face (poor Bill he can’t look un-smug – maybe it’s just not his fault) and I want to go elsewhere. I know what’s on the member feed and I don’t listen those podcasts . If I did, I’d likely get piqued and quit. I can’t stand hearing Jonah and JPod’s pathetic misunderstandings of all things Trump. It’s like CNN-lite.

    And I seriously doubt Ricochet is open to all views on the right. Would they book Gavin McGinnes, Milo Yianopoulos or other “controversial” pro Trump figures?

    And, beyond Trump(ism) the electorate on the right has been exposed to new knowledge about their former leaders ( McCain Romney and more ) and many of  their old mainstay pundits. As well, the entire neo-con fraud has been exposed. We can have a strong defense without Max Boot, John Bolton, Bill Kristol Jen Rubin, Mona Charen, telling us who to vote for and who to bomb.
    I don’t think it’s a great idea to bitterly cling to that legacy.

     

    • #22
  23. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Nerina Bellinger (View Comment):

    Here’s the ad:

    They Think You’re a Joke

     

     

     

     

     

    I’m not sure that I understand the strategic value of making oneself radioactive like that. Too subtle for a stupid hick like me to appreciate, I guess. Maybe Mr. Wilson will come on and explain it to me.

    • #23
  24. Nerina Bellinger Inactive
    Nerina Bellinger
    @NerinaBellinger

    And, beyond Trump(ism) the electorate on the right has been exposed to new knowledge about their former leaders ( McCain Romney and more ) and many of their old mainstay pundits. As well, the entire neo-con fraud has been exposed. We can have a strong defense without Max Boot, John Bolton, Bill Kristol Jen Rubin, Mona Charen, telling us who to vote for and who to bomb.
    I don’t think it’s a great idea to bitterly cling to that legacy.

    @franco – I think the sentiment expressed above  – of all the fall out from the 2016 election – has been the hardest for me to reconcile with what I thought the Republican party leadership and influencers stood for.  I certainly didn’t think they despised someone like me – a suburban, pro-life mom raising her kids with a love of God and country who simply wants her kids to grow up in a world where they won’t be punished for “thought crimes” which contradict “approved” speech and conduct.  The GOP has no one to blame for Trump but itself for too long ignoring millions of people like myself.  I am, at the end of the day, sad to realize they really do think I’m a joke.

    • #24
  25. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Nerina Bellinger (View Comment):

    And, beyond Trump(ism) the electorate on the right has been exposed to new knowledge about their former leaders ( McCain Romney and more ) and many of their old mainstay pundits. As well, the entire neo-con fraud has been exposed. We can have a strong defense without Max Boot, John Bolton, Bill Kristol Jen Rubin, Mona Charen, telling us who to vote for and who to bomb.
    I don’t think it’s a great idea to bitterly cling to that legacy.

    @franco – I think the sentiment expressed above – of all the fall out from the 2016 election – has been the hardest for me to reconcile with what I thought the Republican party leadership and influencers stood for. I certainly didn’t think they despised someone like me – a suburban, pro-life mom raising her kids with a love of God and country who simply wants her kids to grow up in a world where they won’t be punished for “thought crimes” which contradict “approved” speech and conduct. The GOP has no one to blame for Trump but itself for too long ignoring millions of people like myself. I am, at the end of the day, sad to realize they really do think I’m a joke.

    I believe this what we call a “gaffe” — accidentally revealing what you really think of the voters you’re supposed to be courting.

    My new bumper sticker idea:

    Don’t be a chump
    Vote for Trump 2020

    • #25
  26. DrewInWisconsin, Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    I believe this what we call a “gaffe” — accidentally revealing what you really think of the voters you’re supposed to be courting.

    Specifically a Kinsley Gaffe.

    • #26
  27. OccupantCDN Coolidge
    OccupantCDN
    @OccupantCDN

    EJHill (View Comment):

    OccupantCDN: …or editors should be able to correct…

    There are fewer and fewer editors. And fewer and fewer good and knowledgeable ones.

    That’s the amazing part of the google machinery. Anything you dont know – you can quickly and almost effortlessly find out – for example, are the photos we’ve lined up actually of Kobe? I know that BBC probably doesnt have that many NBA fans on staff – but you’d think someone could use google images or something to check. Just having a second pair of eyes to be skeptical – would help immensely. I guess there are 2 things that the media have banned – skepticism and curiosity.

    • #27
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