Marshall: Trump ‘deplorables’ are ‘central truth’ of the election
If there’s nothing else we’ve learned from this cycle we should have learned the centrality of ‘dominance’ politics. Campaigns are performative displays of strength, resolve. To back down, apologize or cower would not only play into Trump’s dominance politics routine, it would make Clinton look weak. It would deepen suspicions that she has no beliefs or will change them out of convenience. Far more importantly though, backing down would demoralize her supporters since it would amount to apologizing for or backing down from and delegitimizing what is in fact a central truth of the election.
Donald Trump has not only brought haters into the mainstream, he has normalized hate for a much broader swathe of the population who were perhaps already disaffected but had their grievances and latent prejudices held in check by social norms. This isn’t some minor point or critique. It’s a fundamental part of what is at stake in this election, what makes it different from Obama v Romney when we had a critical election but still one that was mainly about different policy directions for the country. This election has become a battle to combat the moral and civic cancer Trump has injecting into the body politic. (I know that sounds like florid language but it is the only fitting and valid way to describe it.) Backing down would make Clinton appear weak, accomplish nothing of value and confuse what is actually at stake in the election.
She should also focus on the part of the quote her enemies are leaving out – that the other half of Trump diehards are people who aren’t haters but feel frustrated, left behind and want change – almost regardless of where the change comes from. Democrats need to be talking to those people even if they’re unlikely to get many of their votes.
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Copyright 2016 Liberaland
12 responses to Marshall: Trump ‘deplorables’ are ‘central truth’ of the election
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DogsRgoodpeople September 11th, 2016 at 12:23
There is enough evidence of racism/racists within Trumps campaign for her to repeatedly point out and use effectively.
Foundryman September 11th, 2016 at 12:43
I’m guessing Hillary and her surrogates will spend the next week pointing out how right she is and make Trump and his “basket case followers” look like utter fools.
Just a little while ago, Gingrich proved my point trying to defend the racists and the lunatic fringe who support Trump.
Tommie September 11th, 2016 at 13:17
Just look at how many people called Kap a n-word for his protest! The deplorables are out their, believe me, believe me!
Suzanne McFly September 11th, 2016 at 14:27
That vile language is part of their daily vocabulary and the ones who hear it say nothing in response to the bad language that is being used. By standing by and watching it happen, they are complicit in the actions IMO.
Suzanne McFly September 11th, 2016 at 14:31
I think he is correct that if she tries to walk back that statement now, she will appear weak. I was not in support for her saying this because there are some that haven’t been paying much attention and this will paint her as someone who also generalizes too much. She needs to keep her head above the water and not stoop down to that orange trash heap.But don’t walk back these words now, just own them and move on IMO.
Gary Parillo September 12th, 2016 at 02:17
I agree when the article states that the other half of the Trump diehards are not deplorables but simply others that are fed up with politics as usual,and a system that pretty much ignores its citizens.It is that other half that I can relate to which is why I voted for Bernie.I to am tired of politics as usual.I would like to think it’s only a small percentage of his diehards that are of the racist,hateful element.I would like also to think that most all of us,whether left,right,or upsidedown,are people that care about what is best for their country.In the end it really boils down to “we” the people,if we are to see this country survive.
bpollen September 12th, 2016 at 03:15
Yeah, but being fed up with politics as usual and voting Trump as a result is kinda like being fed up with your sneakers so you shoot yourself in the foot. There might be some short-term (and I would guess very short-term) satisfaction from the action, the downside is gonna cause you pain for a long long time.
DogsRgoodpeople September 12th, 2016 at 09:41
well put bpollen. anybody that lived through the last bush presidency should be very afraid of trumps blatant idiocy of world affairs .
bpollen September 12th, 2016 at 16:53
I understand the… need?… to flip off the powers that be.
I don’t really feel the need for self-harm. Vote Trump and bend over, cuz you’re gonna get reamed.
Gary Parillo September 12th, 2016 at 18:33
Yes I agree.I have spoken with many people whovhave told me that they cannot vote for either candidate,and they plan on either not voting or writing in a third party protest vote.Im not smart enough to figure how doing that may affect the outcome,but at least it keeps a vote for Trump at bay.The never Trump movement in their own party seems to be rather large,which also will help.I think that the half of non-deplorables recognize what a danger he would be to our nation and will think it through,at least I hope so.
bpollen September 12th, 2016 at 18:45
Third party votes are actually making a Trump presidency more likely. I don’t believe there’s going to be enough of an exodus from the R side to a 3rd party to offset those who claim to be progressive who will spend their votes on someone with absolutely no chance of getting elected.
I find faults with Hillary too, but I would rather vote to PREVENT Trump than throw my vote away over pique. It may be symbolic, but I ain’t real big on symbolism. There is NO candidate that hasn’t brought negatives to the table, but there are only two candidates that have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting elected, so I have to choose between them.
Gary Parillo September 12th, 2016 at 19:20
Well stated.I will be voting Hillary even though Im not a fan.But she is the only other choice of the two.All candidates have baggage,but she is the most capable of the two,and a Trump presidency would me a far right take over,and destruction of all the progressive issues that have made headway the past 8 years.I do think Bernie got shafted and it was wrong.But it is what it is,and hopefully the system will change enough to allow a third or even fourth party a fair and fighting chance 4 years from now.Things change slowly,but they can be changed.With Trump they would change for the worse not the better.