Trump is a serial racist. So he cannot help himself from this line of attack. It’s a long storied history from Pocahontas, to Barack Hussein Obama, and many more. He is also wholly convinced that it will energize his base because, (and this is partially true) his base thinks exactly like he does. So it will energize his base. What he’s blinded to is that it will sour moderate voters, Republican voters of biracial heritage, Republican black voters and many others. As we all know it’s a losing strategy ultimately, but for Trump it’s the big red ball directly in front of him that he must play with.
I think that's why even the most ardent GOPer in the tank for Trump is increasingly uncomfortable with this line of attack. It gets them nowhere with folks outside the base. And they need those moderates and independents to win. Otherwise, 45 is looking at spending the rest of his life sitting in courtrooms.
The either or from Trump on Harris's racial identity is so bizarre but unsurprising. I've read about the experience of biracial children and which half of their ancestry they identify most with can be fluid. It's very dependent on their local community acceptance too. I think it's awesome that Harris feels a connection to both sides. Every attack just further illustrates how irrational Trump is.
Trump's racism runs deep. In 1989, years before he appeared in politics, he poured propellant into the conviction of the Central Park Five, calling for the return of the death penalty for murder in full-page advertisements published in all four of the city's major newspapers. Trump said he wanted the "criminals of every age to be afraid". Though they were later shown to be innocent, he seems not to have changed his mind to this day.
Yes, it is just wild to me that he never changed his mind. Even when confronted about it. It further illustrates his ego. A true leader admits when they are wrong.
Your Calvin Coolidge story reminds me of that great story about "Silent Cal" as noted in the White House website...
Both his dry Yankee wit and his frugality with words became legendary. His wife, Grace Goodhue Coolidge, recounted that a young woman sitting next to Coolidge at a dinner party confided to him she had bet she could get at least three words of conversation from him. Without looking at her he quietly retorted, “You lose.” And in 1928, while vacationing in the Black Hills of South Dakota, he issued the most famous of his laconic statements, “I do not choose to run for President in 1928.”
The anemic Trump strategy of trying to make Harris' racial identity a thing is further complicated by his running mate having three biracial children. Using 45's yardstick, if Vance was a Dem the GOPers would no doubt be screaming, "Are they Indian or Appalachian??!"
Will dog whistles work in 2024? While the white nationalist fringe has been emboldened by Trump, I think (hope) that the vast majority has moved on from racism.
VP Harris playing up her different roots based on the audience is no different than any other politician going to different groups talking about shared interests. Hell, Andrew Jackson made it an artform with his Presidential campaigns (granted that was as Southern, Frontiersman, businessman, & war hero).
Muse of (Topical) History: President Barack Obama delivers remarks on his long-form birth certificate, April 27, 2011. "We’re not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers. We do not have time for this kind of silliness. We’ve got better stuff to do. I’ve got better stuff to do."
Trump is a serial racist. So he cannot help himself from this line of attack. It’s a long storied history from Pocahontas, to Barack Hussein Obama, and many more. He is also wholly convinced that it will energize his base because, (and this is partially true) his base thinks exactly like he does. So it will energize his base. What he’s blinded to is that it will sour moderate voters, Republican voters of biracial heritage, Republican black voters and many others. As we all know it’s a losing strategy ultimately, but for Trump it’s the big red ball directly in front of him that he must play with.
I think that's why even the most ardent GOPer in the tank for Trump is increasingly uncomfortable with this line of attack. It gets them nowhere with folks outside the base. And they need those moderates and independents to win. Otherwise, 45 is looking at spending the rest of his life sitting in courtrooms.
I really don't understand why it is a big deal even folks with only European heritage sometimes celebrate one heritage or another. Sheesh
Right - for example, how many claim to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day?
The either or from Trump on Harris's racial identity is so bizarre but unsurprising. I've read about the experience of biracial children and which half of their ancestry they identify most with can be fluid. It's very dependent on their local community acceptance too. I think it's awesome that Harris feels a connection to both sides. Every attack just further illustrates how irrational Trump is.
Trump's racism runs deep. In 1989, years before he appeared in politics, he poured propellant into the conviction of the Central Park Five, calling for the return of the death penalty for murder in full-page advertisements published in all four of the city's major newspapers. Trump said he wanted the "criminals of every age to be afraid". Though they were later shown to be innocent, he seems not to have changed his mind to this day.
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/3935618-exonerated-central-park-five-member-mimics-trump-with-full-page-ad-against-former-president/
Yes, it is just wild to me that he never changed his mind. Even when confronted about it. It further illustrates his ego. A true leader admits when they are wrong.
Maybe more than just ego. What about mental health? (such as narcissism and sociopath?)
Good point.
Do a search for "Narcissistic personality disorder."
Your Calvin Coolidge story reminds me of that great story about "Silent Cal" as noted in the White House website...
Both his dry Yankee wit and his frugality with words became legendary. His wife, Grace Goodhue Coolidge, recounted that a young woman sitting next to Coolidge at a dinner party confided to him she had bet she could get at least three words of conversation from him. Without looking at her he quietly retorted, “You lose.” And in 1928, while vacationing in the Black Hills of South Dakota, he issued the most famous of his laconic statements, “I do not choose to run for President in 1928.”
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/calvin-coolidge/
The anemic Trump strategy of trying to make Harris' racial identity a thing is further complicated by his running mate having three biracial children. Using 45's yardstick, if Vance was a Dem the GOPers would no doubt be screaming, "Are they Indian or Appalachian??!"
How did he even obtain a birth certificate of a living person? They aren't publicly available to my knowledge.
Will dog whistles work in 2024? While the white nationalist fringe has been emboldened by Trump, I think (hope) that the vast majority has moved on from racism.
VP Harris playing up her different roots based on the audience is no different than any other politician going to different groups talking about shared interests. Hell, Andrew Jackson made it an artform with his Presidential campaigns (granted that was as Southern, Frontiersman, businessman, & war hero).
Muse of (Topical) History: President Barack Obama delivers remarks on his long-form birth certificate, April 27, 2011. "We’re not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers. We do not have time for this kind of silliness. We’ve got better stuff to do. I’ve got better stuff to do."
Thank you Jamie!