Politics

Trump’s Lincoln Moment

~ Mr. Rantastic ~ Leave a comment

A century and a half ago, a Republican president presided over a country torn by civil war.  The trigger was a dispute over the rights of black people. Abraham Lincoln took office just as the war started. His presidency was a successful struggle to hold the United States together. History considers Lincoln one of the best presidents.

Today, another Republican president presides over a country divided. A full scale civil war has not broken out (yet), but wide scale civil unrest has, with the trigger again the rights of black people. Unlike Lincoln, Donald Trump was in office for years before the unrest started. His presidency has been a constant and successful effort to foster divisions between Americans.

How will history regard Trump?

He probably does not care.

Biden Bite Back #103

~ Mr. Rantastic ~ Leave a comment

During the election campaign, Donald Trump is sure to accuse Joe Biden (and his son Hunter) of corrupt business dealings. Biden can try to deny and defend, but he would be better off adopting Trump’s tactics: go on the offensive.

“All of the information about me (and Hunter) is public – look at it,” Biden can retort. “But with Trump, who knows where the money behind his projects really comes from? He won’t say. He’s friendly with the Russians. His bankers are being investigated for money laundering. Maybe that’s why he has something to hide.”

Biden Bite Back #102

~ Mr. Rantastic ~ Leave a comment

Donald Trump has nicknames for everyone. Joe Biden is Sleepy Joe. Biden started calling Trump a clown, but one can’t use ‘clown’ all the time.

There is another nickname that Biden could use that would probably irritate Trump more than clown: third grade Donny. As in the guy who engages in third grade name calling. And a president who is not top level or even second level, but third grade.

It is pretty good bet that Trump hates being called Donny as well.

Let’s see if Biden can get creative.

Biden Bite Back #101

~ Mr. Rantastic ~ Leave a comment

It is likely that Donald Trump or his agents will attack Joe Biden regarding the sexual assault alleged by Tara Reade. Biden’s response is simple: Look, you have over two dozen women accusing you of much worse. Why don’t we hear what they have to say? Oh, you made them sign an NDA? What are you afraid of?

Kushner: Kiss The Ring First

~ Mr. Rantastic ~ Leave a comment

It is now official. President Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner made it so. Medical stockpiles are “ours.” Some might think “ours” might refer to the federal government. Technically, some might be correct. But practically, they could not be further from the truth. When Kushner said “ours” he meant the Trump family.

Kiss Trump’s ring and your state might get critical medical supplies from the stockpile. Ignore the ring and you will get nothing but insults on Twitter.

It is another great opportunity for a campaign advertisement that the Democrats are sure to blow.

Trump’s Emolument Exit?

~ Mr. Rantastic ~ Leave a comment

Let’s assume for a moment that the improbable happens and Donald Trump loses the presidential election in November. Other than pardoning all of his cronies, what else will he do before leaving office?

Most likely it will involve money. Trump will take advantage of his one last chance to drain more money out of the US taxpayers. Look for a lot of last minute long term government contracts for Trump, Inc. and his cronies’ companies. The new administration might try to unwind them, but good luck with that. They will be sued. The swamp will win.

Trump’s Nicknames

~ Mr. Rantastic ~ Leave a comment

Donald Trump likes to ridicule opponents with nicknames. Lyin’ Ted Cruz. Mini Mike Bloomberg. Pocahontas Elizabeth Warren. He uses these nicknames because he thinks they are effective.

The reason he is convinced that they are effective is most likely personal experience. Trump went to a military academy for high school. He was either taunted there or taunted others. Probably both. He didn’t like it and when he saw how nicknames helped him bully others he got religion.

If his opponents were smart they would try to find a few people Trump grew up with. Ask them for the nicknames Trump was taunted with as a kid. Then use them against him or use them to negate his use of them.

But if they were smart enough to do that they would have done it already.

A WWE Primary Strategy

~ Mr. Rantastic ~ Leave a comment

During the 2016 campaign, Donald Trump adopted a WWE strategy at one of his debates with Hillary Clinton. When Clinton had the microphone, Trump would leave his position at his podium and circle around behind Clinton, stalking her. Just like they do in World Wrestling Entertainment events. He not only stole her air time, he creeped her out.

The strategy worked well enough for Trump to try it again. Except this time it is on a higher level. The primaries this time around are about the Democrats – there is no challenge to Trump.

Nevertheless, he is swooping into the primary states just in time to steal the Democrats’ air time. His rallys are designed to unnerve them. As the Democratic field winnows, he will work harder to creep the winner(s) out. Unless the Dems start watching WrestleMania, it will probably work.

Hillary – The Gift That Keeps Giving

~ Mr. Rantastic ~ Leave a comment

Like a bad penny, she keeps turning up. Hillary Clinton just won’t go away (we’ve noted this before). She has been in the news the past few weeks bashing Bernie Sanders. We get it – she is pissed at him for his lukewarm support four years ago and revenge is a dish best service cold.

While it may feel good to be back in the public eye bashing Bernie, it doesn’t reflect well on Clinton. Every time she opens her mouth she hurts her party. She gives Donald Trump the opportunity to run against her once again and remind people why they didn’t vote for the Democrats in 2016.

The not so ironic thing is that everything she is blaming Bernie for is now actually on her. Just like she was waiting for Bernie’s enthusiastic endorsement, the current pack of Democratic candidates are waiting for her to shut up and take a vacation.

They could be waiting for a long time.