I’ll dispense with the formal introduction. If you found your way here you know who I am and know what this is. I want to start the argument with a quick recap of Trump’s position prior to the speech and likely late tonight or in the morning once he realizes this speech did not go well. Trump is severely partisan but not to the republican party. He is about the people he believes believe in him. It is his party now and the vocality in the party is reflective of the crowds he draws for these speeches. Trump is a talker — a snake oil salesman– and he has an audience that he knows how to work. So, he is going to work his base.
On to the speech:
Trump led with the argument that he is speaking to the agenda of the American people. However, when Trump speaks of the ‘American people’ he is speaking of that previously mentioned base. He is not talking to me. He is not talking to the people who grew up in the inner city or the people who came over the border to find a better life. He is speaking to the rich and the white. He is speaking to his people, but the people who are listening think they are or can become his people or him and they cannot.
He goes on to state, “we must reject the politics of revenge, resistance and retribution, and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise, and the common good.” but he forgets to mention his own vindictive nature and the fact that, above all else, he is one vindictive son of a bitch who cares more about being seen and loved than anything else in his world.
He continues to tout achievements begun in the previous administration that are now either coasting or slowing–military strength, economy, unemployment. He doesn’t mention the deficit growth, which we know has worsened under his Reagan-esque policies.
Okay. Ten minutes isn’t enough for this. I’ll be back tomorrow.