This article sums up exactly what many of us have been saying about Donald Trump for a long time. This former Trump campaign strategist speaks out at great risk. Volunteers of the Trump campaign were compelled to sign a contract stating that they would not say anything negative about the candidate now or in the future. Or ever.
What I’ve seen the longer I’ve helped prop him up along with the millions who are helping Trump is that we got the slogan wrong. A more accurate internal slogan would read, “Let Trump Help Trump.”
I don’t dismiss any single Trump constituent, which is why I believe it’s important to let you know that the candidate does.*
I, too, think our country has gone off track in its values. I, too, think that we need a dramatic change of course. But I am, in my heart, a policy wonk and a believer in coming to the table with necessary knowledge for leading the free world.
The man does not know policy, nor does he have the humility to admit what he does not know — the most frightening position of all.
*Emphasis mine
Out From Under the Umbrella 
March 29, 2016 at 8:14 am
Yep. This is why I am now BEYOND baffled as to how (t)Rump has made it this far too. Stephanie Cegielski nailed it. It is just ashamed and embarrassing to the rest of the world that it takes an insider, a former internal worker, to reinforce what many of us (political affiliations aside!) have known and seen for years/decades! What does his “popularity” and delegate numbers show about Americans? 😦
This is an interesting point of contention I’ve discussed with Republicans (including some of my own family members) who retort with… “He will have a Cabinet to advise him on matters and policies to which he is obviously weak.” Ruth, or anyone else here, how would YOU respond to that assumption?
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March 29, 2016 at 8:42 am
Yep. This is why I am now BEYOND baffled as to how (t)Rump has made it this far too.
It’s frightening.
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March 29, 2016 at 9:17 am
I’m not really quite as baffled. It is, however, frightening as you say.
Somewhere along the way white [men especially] in this country were told and have come to believe that they are the oppressed disenfranchised victims of minorities.
As a result you have a segment of the electorate who are angry, but imho, at the wrong people. So they have this one guy who is telling them all the things they want to hear; build wall, Mexico pays; close borders, Muslims bad; women are awesome as long as they’re pretty.
I’m not calling any of his constituents stupid. What I am saying is that all of the other candidates dismissed both Donald Trump AND his constituents. They underestimated how angry these voters are and they didn’t do or say anything to either persuade these voters they had a solution to their problems or to assuage their fears that their perceived problems weren’t actual problems.
In dismissing Trump, himself, that entire segment of voters felt dismissed and simply became angrier because they were basically told and treated as if they were stupid for supporting him instead of being supplied with a platform that they could support. Trump was treated at the outset as a joke and his supporters, in turn, felt like they were the butt of said joke.
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March 29, 2016 at 9:04 am
“He will have a Cabinet to advise him on matters and policies to which he is obviously weak.”
Yes, that assertion has been made to me numerous times. Specifically in the form of, “No one knows everything. They all have advisors.”
Ruth, or anyone else here, how would YOU respond to that assumption?
I try to find common ground and acquiesce to the notion that, yes, every president has a cabinet and advisors while at the same time asserting that it is the job of the president to at least have a working knowledge of current foreign policy – not only ours but those of other countries. Donald Trump has demonstrated that, while he may know how to negotiate a private contract with business people around the globe, he has no inkling how governments operate nor how they all relate to one another. He thinks he can walk into a government negotiation the same way he does a business dealing with a, “that’s my final offer, take it or leave it,” attitude. While that may work in the business world where it doesn’t matter the outcome because you don’t actually need to work out a deal that doesn’t work with foreign governments. Unless, of course, we plan to be isolationist. Which is exactly where we’re headed with Trump. And, frankly, I think those people who are die-hard Trump supporters would actually be fine with that. America first, fuck everyone else.
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March 29, 2016 at 9:36 am
Extremely well stated Ruth! Perfect. Thank you. ❤
I guess if there's one consolation if he gets elected… Presidents can be impeached. 🙂
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March 29, 2016 at 9:48 am
I’ve also had people loving his idea that we’re going to “charge” countries for military protection or pull our military out with this idea that we are the world’s protectors free gratis. In turn I point out that we only protect our own interests, not countries. How the hell are we going to charge a foreign entity for simply allowing us to protect our own interests.
Ask the people of Sudan if we protect the whole world. And until Saddam Hussein threatened the oil supply in Kuwait he gassed his own people to hell. Did we care? Nope.
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March 29, 2016 at 12:39 pm
That is like poetry to my eyes & ears Ruth. But then…
😦
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March 29, 2016 at 9:53 am
Thank you. I followed the links, and found these comments:
I think we’re at the point now where it’s about being pro-Hillary because we need to start converting people to vote for her now, and even the most articulate Trump hit piece isn’t going to convince people to vote for Hillary. We need more articles on why Hillary is better than Trump and why people should be voting for her. It’s time to rally, focus, and win. We cannot contribute to him controlling the narrative for the whole election – we HAVE to create positive momentum around Hillary and talk people into voting FOR her because sane people don’t need to be told not to vote for Trump. They already know he’s a lunatic.
I think that when all the energy focuses on one candidate, even if it’s negative energy–that person just keeps getting stronger. That happened in 2004–people were not pro-Kerry, they were anti-Bush. And Bush won. In 2008, no one talked much about McCain, all we talked about was Obama. And he won.
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March 29, 2016 at 1:36 pm
I hadn’t read but a few comments. That can become a massive time suck as they are many times as interesting and colorful as the content of the OP.
Thanks for posting those here. I think they have a very good point. Trump supporters are unlikely to be swayed. In fact, there’s an article out now about Corey Lewandowki being arrested and charged with battery. He manhandled a reporter(not the first time) and she’s pressed charges. The comments that follow that are eye opening. It doesn’t matter what the evidence is Trump’s supporters are convinced the whole thing is cooked up to derail his candidacy. It couldn’t possibly be that the man is a thug.
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March 29, 2016 at 10:28 am
Her message to Trump supporters will mostly fall on deaf ears. She’s become a traitor to the Trumpian cause. If the Trump voters could truly hear the words she was saying, they wouldn’t be supporting him in the first place. I’m not saying that we don’t need to reach Trump voters and get them to take a more reasoned tack, but I think it’s going to take a sort of “good guy charlatan” to do that. If that’s even possible. They must be communicated with on a very emotional level, because this is what they respond to. I truly believe there is no way to change the minds of Trump voters at this point in time, it requires coming out to the polls in large numbers when the general election begins, and making sure he doesn’t become president, and then work on changing the culture in this country so that politicians and media to treat people as though they might be intelligent and to show empathy for all people, not just certain groups. I know easier said than done. But the Trump supporters have arisen out of a concerted effort of fear mongering over 30 years, and this many people aren’t going to be converted in 6 months. Perhaps I’m being cynical, but that is how I truly read the situation.
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March 29, 2016 at 1:38 pm
Swarn, great comment! …
You touched on a point I made over on Nan’s blog — What the average “lower educated” or poorly educated American citizen hears & relates to. Analogy…
High schoolers have a better developed learned methods of simple & abstract critical-thinking skills than middle schoolers have. Undergraduate students have an even better developed learned skill of more complex critical-thinking skills than high schoolers have. And to a higher degree (perhaps not as much, unless one is studying Quantum Physics or Astrophysics at MIT) 😉 Post-graduate students (after 6-8 years of higher education?) have much more abilities at complex critical-thinking skills than undergrad students/graduates. YET… as I’ve stated over on Nan’s blog-posts, according to 2010 U.S. Census Bureau stats and 2013 CensusScope.org stats… ONLY 31.7% of Americans over the age of 24 have attained a bachelor’s degree! Yikes! Wow! 😮
Now, on the flip-side of that analogy… it is fairly well-known to most/many European & North American psychologists, counselors, etc, that the lower the education level attained, the more emotional (volitile?) the person; i.e. emotional rhetoric or tactics they can relate to and engage with. This is EXACTLY why poorer countries, lowly educated countries, are breeding grounds for radicals & extremists. I don’t need to list all those nations here. My point is that it is quite true WHY (t)Rump or someone in his campaign staff has been quoted to say… “He must dumb-it-down for his supporters.”
Viola! The need for emotions. Poorly educated emotions I might add. 😦
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March 29, 2016 at 1:43 pm
Agreed. Education, particularly good critical thinking skills is really the best antidote to prejudice, ignorance, and oppression.
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March 29, 2016 at 1:51 pm
I’m now reminded of the old adage, “you can lead a horse to water…”
People who want to be educated are. Unfortunately there is a segment of the population who think they already are educated and don’t need to know anything more. No amount of evidence will change their mind. I’m thinking about climate change hoaxers, and conspiracy theorists here. They may be quite intelligent in many areas of life; doctors, and lawyers and such. In other matters are really quite intentionally and willfully ignorant.
I think many of those people who tout such things as building walls and closing borders, being isolationist, have never traveled much or explored outside of their small circle of influence.
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March 29, 2016 at 2:01 pm
You are right, which is why the education system as a whole needs an overhaul. The thirst for children in young children is so strong, and yet somehow we tend to quell that thirst by the time a child graduates from high school. Something isn’t right. In many countries where education is rare, children walk miles and have great respect for teachers and educated people. No leading the horse to water needed. The helicopter parenting and coddling in the school system probably doesn’t help either. American school children have highest level of confidence in themselves despite the fact that they very often don’t have the intellectual fortitude to back it up and to me that’s troubling. I’m all for positive self-esteem, but such things need to be built on something substantive. Something real. I don’t blame teachers or even administrators necessarily. Administrators have been told by the political powers that be, that education is a business, and the product is a manufactured good. We are seeing now what that manufacture good looks like.
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March 29, 2016 at 2:36 pm
Swarn, <i:"we tend to quell that thirst by the time a child graduates from high school" — Do you agreed that the VERY expensive higher educational schooling may have something to do with this? Hopefully Bernie will get elected and things will eventually change.
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March 29, 2016 at 1:46 pm
While I agree with you’re assessment, I think that his supporters being dismissed as poorly educated, stupid, or dumb is also part of the problem. They’re angry. What happens when you call an angry person stupid? They get even angrier. They don’t necessarily go out and get more educated. They get more irate at being called stupid.
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March 29, 2016 at 2:33 pm
I do understand your valid point Ruth. It’s a good point. I will also now speak in general to whomever reads our thread; i.e. I’m not speaking specifically to you Ruth. You are exceptional at composed civility. 🙂 ❤
I do not call them stupid, but I also realize that some/most of what I DO say/write can unintentionally IMPLY stupid… so, much more 'kid gloves' would be required while hopefully dialoguing with tRump or Cruz supporters. However, the simple fact is that in order to drive a motorized vehicle in Texas (as in all 50 states) one must attend the educational classes & pass the final test. In order to become a legal law-enforcement agent one must attend the safety & educational training as well as pass the final exams & physical. There is validity in being licensed, certified, degreed, a surgeon, etc, in order to be BETTER qualified to speak and act upon something/someone. If I continually called my students, or friends and family —- who I know have not obtained applicable diplomas, degrees, certifications, licenses —- stupid, or made them to feel stupid or dismissed, I would be FIRED within a week or two. I would do my damnedest to make my message and questions professional & respectful. This all equates to WHY I despise oversimplification and impatience. Ugh. 😦
When I've been caught or cornered by —- let's say non-college grads who have not spent any significant time outside of their home-state or the U.S. —- tRump or Cruz supporters here in the Hill Country of Texas (and there are a SHITLOAD of them everywhere!) and their often firey rhetoric, and then what I was taught and learned by exceptional well-experienced Lead Teachers and school Principals… there is a professional respectful manner to ask “others” open-ended questions, or what WordPress always challenges me with the “Passive Voice” — Professor, you use the PASSIVE VOICE way too much! LOL True, but it is also very productive for more civil dialogue, especially in classrooms. In fact, many times I find empathy for their backgrounds, occupational demands, and personal/family situations — at least, I hope I do 95% of the time.
However, as you know well Ruth, sometimes there is NO PRODUCTIVE DIALOGUING with a highly emotionally charged verbally abusive person either. 😮
But I have had plenty experience with those types also…. in the Psych/A&D hospitals I’ve worked at. I live in Texas for f**k sake! LOL 😉
Btw Ruth, would you have any suggestions how to improve the “95% of the time” to 100% of the time? I mean, whether we like it or not, we MUST all find ways to live together civily and peacefully. We haven’t yet found another planet Earth to move to. 😛
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March 29, 2016 at 1:40 pm
Nothing sways loyal Trump supporters. He bragged about being able to shoot someone in the middle of 5th Ave. and still getting millions of votes. He’s probably right because they’d likely either deny he shot anyone or excuse the behavior as someone else’s fault. I’m sure the victim would be to blame. Surely they would deserve it.
Yes, his voters are emotional. They feel they’ve been wronged and want to exact their revenge if in no other way at the polls.
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March 29, 2016 at 12:42 pm
I saw this last night on my FB page and planned to post it on my own blog. I still may. 😉
An outstanding commentary. But as others have said, the “followers” will dismiss it with a wave of the hand. As Swarn put it, she’s become a traitor to the cause and her words will fall on deaf ears.
I totally agree with your comments about how tRump thinks he can “negotiate” with other countries in the same manner as he does when establishing private contracts with other business people. And the “That’s my final offer” shtick … perfect. The question then becomes … “How’s that working out for you?”
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March 29, 2016 at 1:42 pm
In his personal business dealings it would appear that his shtick works out for him quite well. As the leader of a country? I fear that might only serve to isolate the U.S. Then again, it also appears that his supporters might welcome that.
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Pingback: My Favorite Kind of Traitor | Nan's Notebook
March 29, 2016 at 2:18 pm
Just amazing that this buffoon is still convincing people he’s a viable candidate. “He’s not a politician!” They claim. True, but a plummer also isn’t a doctor, thus, when I need to get my heart checked out cause I’m having chest pain, I go to a doctor, not a plummer. Like it or not, the President of the U.S. needs to know politics and have a political platform to present without name-calling and face-making. Trump can do neither. He’s a petulant, spoiled misogynistic brat who’s so in love with himself, he barely notices anyone else. I truly despise him.
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March 29, 2016 at 2:53 pm
Very succinctly stated IBTD1 (inspiredbythedivine1)!!! … if I may abbreviate your name Sir?
Should we start a list of what exactly tRump IS qualified to do? Hahaha! 😛
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March 29, 2016 at 3:17 pm
You can call me Jeff. That’s my made up name. 🙂 tRump is qualified to be born into wealth, inherit a nice, fat trust fund, get a million additional dollars from his pops to start a business, borrow hundreds of millions from banks and then file bankruptcy FOUR TIMES so he doesn’t have pay it back, and, then, convince millions of minions to believe he did all this through very, very, very, hard work alone because he’s THAT special. He’s done a pretty good job of these things so far. Wouldn’t you agree?
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March 29, 2016 at 3:57 pm
No arguements here Jeff.
I do wonder though, as there is much profound lessons to be learned by Walking 100-500 miles in my shoes, would tRump walk 500-miles in the same shoes as say Galileo Galilei or Leo Tolstoy, who gave up all their status, influence, wealth, and aristocratic lifestyles to become like the Commoners, to embody their belief in TOTAL equality? And oh by the way, Tolstoy is responsible for inspiring historic icons of altruism & equality like Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.! I wonder… would tRump do the same? Would he “prove” on such a Galileo-Tolstoy-Gandhi-King Jr. higher road level how much he cares for ALL American’s and their own personal liberties and rights???
HAH!!! Whoever has the balls to follow in the footsteps of THOSE type human beings, I will follow them into any pit of vipers and terrorists, no questions asked.
On a footnote, I believe there’s a verified photo of Bernie Sanders right behind Martin Luther King, Jr. and his now famous march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965. Hmmm… “things that make you go… Hmmmmm.“
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March 29, 2016 at 4:08 pm
You’re right about Bernie. He was marching in civil rights movements with Dr. King. tRump would do nothing that didn’t help tRump. I just hope there are enough people who see this snake oil salesmen for what he is so he doesn’t win the general election. Sanders or Clinton will eat this guy alive in debates. tRump has NO platform. Nada. He makes shit up off the top of his head and there’s no substance to it at all. He has no clue what he’s doing or saying. tRump is one of the foulest examples of a human being I’ve ever seen. He’s completely and utterly despicable.
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March 29, 2016 at 4:13 pm
So tell me Jeff, how do you REALLY feel about tRump’s political prowess… or for that matter, human decency? LOL 😉
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March 29, 2016 at 4:16 pm
Well, I guess to have human decency, one must be human. I’m not sure that tRump is human. Human beings have hearts.
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March 29, 2016 at 4:24 pm
(chuckling)
True. But then again, one has to be able to truly KNOW and truly EMPATHIZE what it is like day-in and day-out to be America’s poor-class, or lower/middle-class, or the disintagrating middle-class… BEFORE acting like “he understands them.” I remember another 2012 candidate the same party nominated, but simply could NOT relate to the majority of Americans. (wink) What was his name? LOL
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March 29, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Matt Rummy: Mormon Cat Juggler, or something like that. 🙂 Being one of America’s poor, I’m far too familiar with the lifestyle. Let’s hope others like me get out and vote in November.
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March 29, 2016 at 4:34 pm
I’ll be right there with you Jeff! 🙂
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March 29, 2016 at 4:20 pm
BTW, I find Cruz to be despicable, too. He’s dangerous for his theocratic views and religious, self aggrandizing nonsense. The guy believes God is calling him to be President to ready the country for the apocalypse and the second coming of Jesus. He belongs in a mental hospital, not the White House. So it has been said, so too has it now been written. $Amen$
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March 29, 2016 at 4:32 pm
HAH!!! Isn’t it amazing-(ly SCARY!) how frequently history repeats itself. To your point, it was just two Presidents prior that the SAME “divine calling” was referenced — AND applied — to the White House! I guess in Ted Cruz’s case, FUCK… WMD’s are in every non-Xian, non-Jewish country!!! (laughing)
You know, in hard reality that ISN’T funny when I visit our local VA hospital to chat with our 18, 19, or 20-year old veterans and their struggling families. Those men and women in those hospital beds and rooms are the TRUE price of Religious Crusades. 😦
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March 29, 2016 at 5:54 pm
As I shared with Ruth earlier, this is what I imagine singing in my head when I’ve snuck into a (secret?) GOP gathering to see what’s REALLY going on… 😮 😈
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March 29, 2016 at 6:00 pm
😀
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