Trump Dominates First GOP Debate With Bluster, Zingers, Misogyny
The moderators essentially made Trump the star from the top of the debate with their first question, which was more like FOX’s call for a GOP loyalty pledge. Trump took his share of boos, but they – and Rand Paul, who probably could have used a couple of tokes from Aqua Buddha – seemed to roll off of him:
Megyn Kelly all but said Trump was at war with women – only to be met with a Trump one-liner, then flummoxed by Trump’s unapologetic follow-ups.
This in particular was the sort of performance practically engineered to tickle the lizard brain of the he-man, low-info male GOP base.
In a similar appeal to the base’s baser baseness, Trump doubled down on his claim that Mexico is sending their awfulest folks north of the border.
Chris Wallace tried to back Trump into a corner over bankruptcies. Trump brazened it out, essentially saying this is what rich people do – because they can!
Trump is throwing the late 20th century strategy book out the window. He is not-so-subtly framing the politicians with whom he is sharing the stage as long-term screwups, and marketing himself as the guy with the answers and the swagger.
Some media pundits are decrying his performance for its more impolitic elements, but Joe Sixpack really doesn’t give a darn about what Chris Cilizza or Andrea Mitchell think – that is, if they even know who Chris and Andrea are. Trump knows his audience – and knows how to reach it. The “Villagers” can talk all they want about Kasich and Walker, but Trump got the attention.
To say the very least, his performance – filled as it was with memorable quips and sheer confidence – completely differentiated himself from the other nine pols. It brought to mind the model of “self-marketing” laid out in one of the best guides for professionals and aspiring politicians ever published, first released in the late 1980s, You Are the Message, a book which I have recommended to a number of professional colleagues.
The author of that book, ironically, is none other than FOX News Channel creator Roger Ailes.
Copyright 2015 Liberaland
By: dave-dr-gonzo
David Hirsch, a.k.a. Dave "Doctor" Gonzo*, is a renegade record producer, video producer, writer, reformed corporate shill, and still-registered lobbyist for non-one-percenter performing artists and musicians. He lives in a heavily fortified compound in one of Manhattan's less trendy neighborhoods.
* Hirsch is the third person to use the pseudonym, a not-so-veiled tribute to journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, with the permission of his predecessors Gene Gaudette of American Politics Journal (currently webmaster and chief bottlewasher at Liberaland) and Stephen Meese at Smashmouth Politics.
53 responses to Trump Dominates First GOP Debate With Bluster, Zingers, Misogyny
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Anomaly 100 August 7th, 2015 at 00:10
Trump was awful to Megyn Kelly. I don’t like her but he’s a guest there, hello?
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 05:32
It is his; “I don’t give a shit style” and he dominated the stage with it and it worked for Him and him only. That is Trump and being Trump is his appeal.
labman57 August 7th, 2015 at 00:21
True to form, Trump is already suggesting that he will berate and insult the debate moderators — expect a repeat performance of this puerile behavior at least a dozen times during the course of the debates.
If Trump had to be civil and refrain from his usual battery of petty insults, inflammatory rhetoric, and fantastical assertions … he would be speechless.
His strength is also his weakness — without the bombastic, bellicose bravado, Trump’s support base would scratch their heads and wonder why they found him to be appealing.
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 05:30
You nailed it.
dave-dr-gonzo August 7th, 2015 at 00:41
He’s a textbook misogynist. The “real he-men” lap it up like crack wrapped in beef jerky garnished with meth.
Anomaly 100 August 7th, 2015 at 08:58
His female supporters are worse. I’m being lectured on Twitter right now by an alleged female human who’s telling me there is no war on women after I called him out for his disparaging and disgusting remarks about women.
You know, like this one. (I wrote about it this morning)
illinoisboy1977 August 7th, 2015 at 10:27
Chauvinism, while undesirable, is NOT a war on women. A war on women is when they’re made to cover from head-to-toe and are jailed, beaten, murdered or all three, when they get caught doing something as simple as talking to a man who’s not a relative. This nation has NO IDEA what a “war on women” is.
69 and pregnant August 7th, 2015 at 12:48
Only a true Scotsman knows how to move those goalposts so quickly
Anomaly 100 August 7th, 2015 at 13:19
Thank you sir for telling me what it feels like for women. I would never have known unless a man told me. We are feeble and weak and have no concept of life outside the kitchen.
whatthe46 August 7th, 2015 at 13:28
thank you.
illinoisboy1977 August 10th, 2015 at 11:47
I don’t think I commented about how women FEEL about anything. I was just pointing out the difference between A WAR on women, and chauvinistic views. They’re worlds apart.
Anomaly 100 August 10th, 2015 at 12:04
Again, as a woman I can see it clearly. As a man, apparently you cannot.
Thankfully, there are some amazing men who support us.
Robert Kennedy August 7th, 2015 at 13:31
Or have unwanted probes rammed up their vaginas or made to take ultrasound tests with zero medical reason for either, or defeating the violence against women renewal, or supporting paying them 22% less than men, or….etc. The war on women is real and anyone who denies it is just plain stupid. And as a man, I’m frequently disgusted by some men. I married my wife because, first, I love her, but some of the reasons I love her is that she’s extremely smart with a great sense of humor, excellent sense of honor and a ton of empathy for people and animals. She is also so competent that she actually makes more than the men in her office and is one of the top people in her job in the country.
But I’ve always admired the way many women can take the crap they are subjected to and not feel defeated or bitter. I doubt any man could. They’re superior beings in my book.
Anomaly 100 August 7th, 2015 at 13:32
Of course you’re married. Dammit.
NW10 August 7th, 2015 at 00:57
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/theeagle.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/e5/8e5c27c0-3bdd-11e5-a59e-ab5339b7c78c/55c2bd9fd578a.image.jpg?resize=960%2C653
whatthe46 August 7th, 2015 at 01:04
yada yada yada. same old disgusting crap.
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 05:29
For most of the stage that is a definite thing. But, put a few beers under Trumps belt and stand back for the Don Rickle’s type entertainment.
greenfloyd August 7th, 2015 at 01:11
The wind-up and the pitch: …“fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals”
The swing: “Political Correctness!”
The crowd lit up, as the ball sailed out of the park, the pitcher sulked back to the mound for a little Faux fume. Trump runs the bases, tipping his hat to this crowd, they adore him.
It’s official, Donald Trump has become America’s favorite pastime. Even though it’s all empty calories and a waste of time, at least someone is keeping politics interesting.
whatthe46 August 7th, 2015 at 01:18
if you think calling women names is about “Political Correctness” then you’re lost. i thought calling women those kinds of names, just shows that person to be someone who has absolutely no respect for women at all. and if being outright ignorant and a loud mouth is hitting it out of the park, then you obviously have very low expectations of who you consider worthy of a candidate.
greenfloyd August 7th, 2015 at 01:37
In this context it’s all about PC. Otherwise tell it to the Trump, I’m just an innocent bystander.
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 05:26
Trump is speaking with all the Bravo of a Bar Room Loudmouth. Most of what he is saying is for effect only and how he is saying it is getting attention and that, attention, is all he is after. it’s not the message it’s the delivery.
illinoisboy1977 August 7th, 2015 at 10:22
Calling ALL women those names is a hatred for women. Calling the women you don’t like, dirty names is no different than calling the men you don’t like, dirty names. I thought we were all equal. Doesn’t that mean certain women are equally deserving of being excoriated, when we don’t like them? Or, are we only equal when it BENEFITS women?
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 05:23
You are correct in saying Trump is America’s pastime. He is not a reality candidate but he is filling in the longest wait time in Political History. Kind of like the opening band at a concert.
nola878 August 7th, 2015 at 01:17
Scary is the man.
Scarier are the people that support him.
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 05:20
Scary because it is different from the usual flap, flap.
dave-dr-gonzo August 7th, 2015 at 08:08
Or fap, fap.
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 12:26
The ones who are really scared of him are the so called leaders and manipulators of the right. They are shaking in their real leather Italian shoes over him.
rg9rts August 7th, 2015 at 05:47
Scariest to the gopee if he goes to play in his own sandpile and takes those people with him
fahvel August 7th, 2015 at 03:33
he may be a crude and self centered narcissist but he has life and humor and an honest disrespect for the extreme evangelical bs that seems to be oozing out of the usa’s cracks.
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 05:19
Make it real and blast them with reality instead of religion. It is working.
jybarz August 7th, 2015 at 04:23
He’s an absolutely obnoxious bastard money can’t buy.
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 05:34
True, but you also can’t stop watching him. it’s like standing in front of the baboon cage at the zoo. Disgusting but you can’t leave.
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 05:18
People are getting really tired of the Slick, Polished and Packaged Politicians. They are tired of hearing what they are to supposed to think and what they are supposed to like. The slicked back, dyed, and perfect, hair, make up face, and perfect suit and tie are not getting through. The word mechanic speeches are not getting through. Trump, bless his idiot ideas, is getting the attention because he presents NONE of that. He speaks from the cuff and tells the people what HE thinks and does it with the gusto of a bar room loud mouth. He is saying what everyone of his followers are thinking. Sock it to them and make it real. That is Trump, and the fringe Right is salivating with glee. In this, and only this, they are correct.
illinoisboy1977 August 7th, 2015 at 10:17
If you look at the numbers, more than just the fringe are supporting him.
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 12:22
OR, the fringe is becoming so large that they are now the main stream.
rg9rts August 7th, 2015 at 05:45
ROTFLMAO
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 12:21
ROTF with who ?
rg9rts August 7th, 2015 at 12:33
My cat MONSTA
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 13:15
I used to have a cat that knew it was play time when I laid down on the floor. He was a lot of fun. That was some time ago but I still miss him. Have fun with your cat. Remember People own and train dogs. Cats own and train people.
Anomaly 100 August 7th, 2015 at 13:31
My cats have taken over the house but they allow me to live here.
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 13:57
They let you live there as long as you do your chores, food, water, play toys. clean cat boxes. Don’t mess up on these things. You sleep at night and they don’t. Have fun
Anomaly 100 August 7th, 2015 at 14:00
I sleep with one eye open.
rg9rts August 7th, 2015 at 15:01
Been had by cats for 60 years… even brought one home from the war…
Anomaly 100 August 7th, 2015 at 09:25
I did a Google search for his ego:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/91fac9db5403f53ab9de2f4b1b08662eca308e42109f894ec6c7029a32ae632c.jpg
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 13:18
That’s amazing. His ego is so large. How large is it ? It is so large that it won’t fit on just one search engine.
Mike August 7th, 2015 at 11:19
Trump showed in this debate he is the best chance reps have of taking the WH…
Practice saying Madam President
The Original Just Me August 7th, 2015 at 12:20
Trump is not a political correct manipulator. He is a Bar Room Brawler just when that is what is needed by the Far Ring Wing. The word mechanics speeches, given by the greased and polished, ridged, politicians, in their super fancy suits, are not fooling and only failing the people.
liber8tor . August 7th, 2015 at 12:23
The GOP “debate” was pretty much what I expected from Fox News.
Big fat softball questions, leading questions , and a structured, falsified agenda. No substance.
It’s all political theater.
Foundryman August 7th, 2015 at 13:12
Was Scott Walker even there?
Um Cara August 7th, 2015 at 13:28
Trump ‘The big problem our country faces is being politically correct.’
Erm… yea, one of our biggest problems is that too many folks try to be polite. Copy that.
Mann T. August 7th, 2015 at 15:58
Setting aside policy and focusing solely on presenting a presidential image I place Rubio first and much to my surprise, Chris Christie second.
robert August 7th, 2015 at 21:02
I cant fault trump entirely because the mods gave him more time to speak then the others
I guess when fox news gave him the mic every monday and often during the week The rest become invisible up until donald starts to insult the hand that has always fed him.
The monster is off the table fox news
https://youtu.be/4yznraw9AqM
allison1050 August 8th, 2015 at 07:05
Sharpen those knives! :o)