Substance
By Mitch Berg
One of my biggest beeves with Donald Trump over the past four years has been the cult of personality around him – the wave of Scaramuccis and Loomers and other camp followers more partial to chanting points than issues.
But the Democrats tried to out-cult the cult. Kamala Harris was a terrible candidate who ran a vapid campaign wrapped round brat vibes, Instagram moments and “Joy”.
It was the Trump camp that ran on issues:
But this election, despite how the propaganda press tried to frame it, was not mostly about Donald Trump. The New York Times is at it again this morning, talking about Trump’s “cult of personality.” But Trump didn’t run on personality, he ran on the issues. He talked relentlessly and effectively about inflation, the border, and war and peace. True, he digressed more than some of us would have preferred, but his policy messages came through loud and clear.
It was the Democrats who tried to run on the cult of personality. The record of the Biden/Harris administration was indefensible, so they didn’t try to defend it. Harris avoided talking about the issues as much as possible, going so far, on multiple occasions, as to refuse to say what her position on an issue is. She was, as one pundit put it, the “no comment” candidate.
Instead of substance, the Democrats chose to run on personality and identity politics. Vote for Kamala because she is “kind” and “joyful”–never mind that she is such an obnoxious autocrat that she can’t keep a staff together. Also, vote for Kamala because she will be the first woman of color to be president. Whoopee. And most of all, of course, the Democrats tried to run against the personality of Donald Trump.
The fact that Trump is in a second term should mean – I hope – that he spikes the ball on those issues over the next four years.
November 6th, 2024 at 2:46 pm
I am looking forward to see how, and whether, Trump will be “allowed” to drain the swamp. I fear 4 years is not enough. >90% of DC voted for braindead, what does that tell you?
November 7th, 2024 at 9:53 am
… that he spikes the ball on those issues over the next four years.
Strom has a great piece on what Trump needs to do:
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2024/11/06/all-gas-pedal-no-brakes-this-time-n3796726
(hurry and read it, I think THM articles disappear after 2 days)
I hope someone who has Trump’s ear also reads Hot Air and can pass on the message. At this point, Trump’s biggest weakness will be the Republican legislature’s complete mastery at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Looks like Thune is most likely to be taking over the Majority leadership McConnell. That’s going to be a whole big bag of SSDD.
November 7th, 2024 at 9:57 am
JPA, He can affect change to the DoJ and some of the bureaucracy without much resistance. I am worried that every piece of legislation that lands on his desk. and every executive order he signs, will instantly be taken to court, even on spurious grounds. They don’t have the legislature to hamper him, so they will use the courts. I hope that he fires every political White House staffer. The groundskeeping/maintenance/food service can stay. He can fire a lot of the bureaucracy, but until he gets managers in who are sympathetic to him, they will likely just re-apply for the same jobs.