Reminds me of the corp media, in Trump 1.0, forever waiting for the elusive 'pivot'. It isn't like his history was vague, and yet people somehow expected a lifelong cheat to suddenly find integrity. Did we stop teaching psychology 101 in schools along with Civics? Certainly accountability is difficult to find these days.
As someone else said, had Trump gone to jail after Jan 6, as he should have, we wouldn't be where we are right now. Lots of norms, 0 accountability for the powerful suits who thumb their noses at our laws.
I agree, John. Those regretful Trump 2.0 voters who contend that Trump failed to learn from his mistakes, are avoiding their own culpability. An old saying comes to mind: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!". Yet more failures to learn from history.
For many of us, Trump is doing exactly what we expected him to do in his second term. We knew this time around he would appoint Cabinet members based purely on loyalty, their willingness to constantly praise him, and the certainty that they would follow every order without question. Qualifications for the roles were never an issue. Besides, anyone truly qualified with the mindset of doing what is best for the American people would likely not last one week in the administration. Trump declaring a President must have total immunity in order to function should have been a red flag for all that he was going to do whatever he wants in his second term. There is no “Dutch Uncle” amongst his advisers with the courage to tell him “Mr. President that is not a good idea. We must come up with a different plan.” He is unbridled in his efforts to increase his personal and family wealth and influence. He continues to take credit for successes when he had no part whatsoever in those successes. When there are occurrences that would make him look bad he resorts to blaming Joe Biden and/or the Democrats in general, much in the way the character Captain Renault in the classic movie “Casablanca” would order his officers to “round up the usual suspects” when a crime occurred. Trump’s current behaviors should surprise no one. That people are surprised is a sign of the deeper problem.
The lesson he learned was from US justice that impunity reigns in America. As a mother of young children in the 1990's I felt something shift in that people no longer seem to know 'right from wrong' -- that now seems so innocent of me to think that way. DJT has aways evaded consequences of his actions and has been enabled by our complicit society. Example are too numerous to list but he should have never made it to become a presidential candidate.
Yes, he refused to debate in the 2020 Republican Primaries. They did debate in 2016 but fact checking was derailed by the concept of alternative facts that we're still dealing with.
It seems to me that the focus group of disappointed voters are following in 47’s mindset, which allows him (in his mind) to ignore reality and truth and change the story to reflect HIS wishes and actions. They’re disappointed in him, expected better-so obviously didn’t think that the first term was so bad that they had to change their minds and expectations of him. He’s still being given the real-life “get out of jail” card, cuz it’s not really his fault. “We don’t need to change our expectations of him or his crew. We’ll still vote for him/his group because everyone else is still worse.”
It always baffles me that people don't believe candidates when they show/tell them who they are. Your statement that his supporters are surprised that he wasn't going to change. These voters enabled him to get elected again. They deserve what they get, unfortunately, we all have to live with their choice.
Great points, all. The first thing that comes to mind-- as in how these voters could've expected change in a man as stubborn as Trump-- is his strange magnetism. One could call him charismatic, but those with charisma usually win people over without belligerent insults and outright chicanery. In spite of his buffoonery, Trump manages to keep charming his diehard base-- or at the very least continuing the charade. People that are being manipulated (and I sadly speak from experience) have a way of filing away the troublesome parts of an abuser's personality and/or actions. Beliefs are more rooted in the fantasy of what the subject represents, promises made, etc., even if they're repeatedly broken. It's like a trance, a vicious cycle that often takes something horrific to break.
So basically, it’s ok with voters for their leader to make mistakes at the expense of country and citizens the first time around. Focus groups do reveal that logic is at a premium.
Reminds me of the corp media, in Trump 1.0, forever waiting for the elusive 'pivot'. It isn't like his history was vague, and yet people somehow expected a lifelong cheat to suddenly find integrity. Did we stop teaching psychology 101 in schools along with Civics? Certainly accountability is difficult to find these days.
As someone else said, had Trump gone to jail after Jan 6, as he should have, we wouldn't be where we are right now. Lots of norms, 0 accountability for the powerful suits who thumb their noses at our laws.
I agree, John. Those regretful Trump 2.0 voters who contend that Trump failed to learn from his mistakes, are avoiding their own culpability. An old saying comes to mind: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!". Yet more failures to learn from history.
We very much appreciate your sage commentary!
I especially enjoyed your caveats section. So enlightening! Thank you.
"Now when someone wings out a focus group finding, you’re more skeptical.”
There are times when your footnotes are every bit as insightful as your columns.
Thank you for following them!
For many of us, Trump is doing exactly what we expected him to do in his second term. We knew this time around he would appoint Cabinet members based purely on loyalty, their willingness to constantly praise him, and the certainty that they would follow every order without question. Qualifications for the roles were never an issue. Besides, anyone truly qualified with the mindset of doing what is best for the American people would likely not last one week in the administration. Trump declaring a President must have total immunity in order to function should have been a red flag for all that he was going to do whatever he wants in his second term. There is no “Dutch Uncle” amongst his advisers with the courage to tell him “Mr. President that is not a good idea. We must come up with a different plan.” He is unbridled in his efforts to increase his personal and family wealth and influence. He continues to take credit for successes when he had no part whatsoever in those successes. When there are occurrences that would make him look bad he resorts to blaming Joe Biden and/or the Democrats in general, much in the way the character Captain Renault in the classic movie “Casablanca” would order his officers to “round up the usual suspects” when a crime occurred. Trump’s current behaviors should surprise no one. That people are surprised is a sign of the deeper problem.
Nikki Haley told us he only brings chaos and she was right.
The lesson he learned was from US justice that impunity reigns in America. As a mother of young children in the 1990's I felt something shift in that people no longer seem to know 'right from wrong' -- that now seems so innocent of me to think that way. DJT has aways evaded consequences of his actions and has been enabled by our complicit society. Example are too numerous to list but he should have never made it to become a presidential candidate.
They should have made him debate with the others and he would have never been elected.
Yes, he refused to debate in the 2020 Republican Primaries. They did debate in 2016 but fact checking was derailed by the concept of alternative facts that we're still dealing with.
John how did Trump escape the Me Too movement that destroyed careers for far less?
Interesting tell that voters give a reasonable answer in person but different at the ballot box. Thank you
It seems to me that the focus group of disappointed voters are following in 47’s mindset, which allows him (in his mind) to ignore reality and truth and change the story to reflect HIS wishes and actions. They’re disappointed in him, expected better-so obviously didn’t think that the first term was so bad that they had to change their minds and expectations of him. He’s still being given the real-life “get out of jail” card, cuz it’s not really his fault. “We don’t need to change our expectations of him or his crew. We’ll still vote for him/his group because everyone else is still worse.”
"That belief is also an exit."
John, you are spot on probing deeper. Including how we citizens should use focus group results, even if flawed.
Still: If the lessons-learned section wants to use this as an exit strategy from MAGA-Trump world, ok.
It always baffles me that people don't believe candidates when they show/tell them who they are. Your statement that his supporters are surprised that he wasn't going to change. These voters enabled him to get elected again. They deserve what they get, unfortunately, we all have to live with their choice.
Great points, all. The first thing that comes to mind-- as in how these voters could've expected change in a man as stubborn as Trump-- is his strange magnetism. One could call him charismatic, but those with charisma usually win people over without belligerent insults and outright chicanery. In spite of his buffoonery, Trump manages to keep charming his diehard base-- or at the very least continuing the charade. People that are being manipulated (and I sadly speak from experience) have a way of filing away the troublesome parts of an abuser's personality and/or actions. Beliefs are more rooted in the fantasy of what the subject represents, promises made, etc., even if they're repeatedly broken. It's like a trance, a vicious cycle that often takes something horrific to break.
Responsibility is an ignored or worse, forgotten, action of our nations electorate.
So basically, it’s ok with voters for their leader to make mistakes at the expense of country and citizens the first time around. Focus groups do reveal that logic is at a premium.