Noonan: Trump doing himself in in real time
Peggy Noonan sees the light about The Donald.
Click here for reuse options!Mr. Trump is hurting himself, in real time and for the first time. We will likely see it, and soon, in the polls. Already his numbers in next week’s Wisconsin primary have fallen, and as for women—well, with women nationally Mr. Trump is currently more popular than cholera, but not by much.
We’re missing what’s happening because we’re blocked by clichés. The first great Trump cliché, which began seven or eight months ago, was that he’d quickly do himself in with some outrageous comment. So everyone waited. His insults to John McCain, Megyn Kelly—that would do it. But it didn’t. The more outrageous he was the stronger he got.
So a new cliché was born, the still-reigning one: Whatever Mr. Trump says it won’t hurt him, people will just love him more.
But that’s not right. It was always a mistake to think one explosive statement would blow his candidacy up. What could damage him, and is damaging him, is the aggregate—a growing pile of statements and attitudes that becomes a mood, a warning sign, a barrier.
It’s been going on for four or five weeks, and you can take your pick as to the tipping point. Maybe it was when he threatened to “spill the beans” on another candidate’s wife, or when he retweeted the jeering pictures of her and his own wife. Maybe it was his inability to clearly, promptly denounce the KKK; maybe it was when he hinted at riots if he’s cheated out of the nomination. Maybe it was Corey Lewandowski’s alleged battery of reporter Michelle Fields. Maybe it was when Mr. Trump referred in debate to his genitals, a true national first.
It has all added up into a large blob of sheer dumb grossness. He is now seriously misjudging the room. The room is still America.
Copyright 2016 Liberaland
15 responses to Noonan: Trump doing himself in in real time
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Mike April 1st, 2016 at 11:28
Most of us here saw Trump for what he was the day he announced his run…Ms Noonan and whoever she’s talking to, are just a bit slow…
nola878 April 1st, 2016 at 12:54
Never thought he’d get this far….doubt very many did. Sadly underestimated the fear and hate just waiting to be stoked by opportunists such as Rump.
anothertoothpick April 1st, 2016 at 13:15
I actually thought that his McCain comment was political suicide.
Lara April 1st, 2016 at 22:42
I thought the comment about Mexican rapists at his presidential bid announcement would be a bridge too far. Then again, I thought eight years ago that racism was dying out in 21st century America, and we all know how that turned out.
Lara April 1st, 2016 at 22:46
In hindsight, I guess this was bound to happen if a racist, hateful person threw his hat in the ring. There are so many people out there who have spent seven years harboring this impotent, seething anger at how a black man was in charge of the country, the whole time rage just building and waiting to blow.
Lara April 1st, 2016 at 22:40
Well, to be fair, it’s obvious that a significant chunk of Americans are that slow, or we wouldn’t be seeing these rallies or hearing some of our relatives and coworkers go on about how great Emporer Mini-Thumbs is.
jybarz April 1st, 2016 at 12:24
Of course, please tell us more as if we dont already know.
anothertoothpick April 1st, 2016 at 13:13
The question is has America been dumbed down enough to actually put him in the white house?
Apparently a lot of people think so.
whatthe46 April 2nd, 2016 at 16:37
thank goodness not enough.
William April 1st, 2016 at 13:46
The flaming bag of dog poop that has been left on Americas front porch is finally dying out.
Richard Banville April 1st, 2016 at 15:18
With Trump, every day is April Fool’s Day.
robert April 2nd, 2016 at 16:27
maybe trump and carson can hook up with planned parenthood when the election is over
whatthe46 April 2nd, 2016 at 16:35
we don’t want them anywhere near PP.
robert April 2nd, 2016 at 16:41
i dont see anything in their future except redemption after punishment of course
whatthe46 April 2nd, 2016 at 17:06
i don’t think that there’s any redeeming quality in either of them.