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Sanders and Trump: Magic sells
Washington Post ^ | 11 Feb 16 | Charles Krauthammer

Posted on 02/12/2016 1:12:08 AM PST by elhombrelibre

The New Hampshire results have solidified the reigning cliche that the 2016 campaign is an anti-establishment revolt of both the left and the right. Largely overlooked, however, is the role played in setting the national mood by the seven-year legacy of the Obama presidency.

Yes, you hear constant denunciations of institutions, parties, leaders, donors, lobbyists, influence peddlers. But the starting point of the bipartisan critique is the social, economic and geopolitical wreckage all around us. Bernie Sanders is careful never to blame President Obama directly, but his description of the America Obama leaves behind is devastating — a wasteland of stagnant wages, rising inequality, a sinking middle class, young people crushed by debt, the American Dream dying.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: charleskrauthammer; demagogicparty; districtofcolumbia; krauthammer; memebuilding; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; washingtoncompost; washingtonpost
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"Trump’s magic is toughness — toughness in a world of losers. The power and will of the caudillo will make everything right."
1 posted on 02/12/2016 1:12:08 AM PST by elhombrelibre
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To: elhombrelibre
America already has its caudillo. The Hope and Change Fantasy crowd elected him 8 years ago.

I've followed Kraut for years and finally came to the conclusion that he (along with dozens of other political mavens) are more interested about their own cloistered and feathered beds. He's spent virtually the last 7 years speaking about this man we call President as legitimately intentioned but with whom we just have little disagreements.

If anything, his bombast was reserved for Tea Party ruffians (in his mind), conservatives and hardliners. Rightfully so, he and the rest of his privileged cabal of 'thinkers' feel threatened - because people out here in the America they know nothing about are wise to them. Their stock and trade is diminishing, and their words and blather are now just so much folderall.

2 posted on 02/12/2016 1:26:30 AM PST by Gaffer
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Perhaps Krauthammer can explain how the “sweet spot” differs from the “magic”.


3 posted on 02/12/2016 1:26:42 AM PST by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: elhombrelibre
I think a fair amount of Trump's mojo comes from the fact that he's a big giant question mark. Nobody knows what he might do or might not do. Some people fear the unknown and the chaos it might produce. Other people embrace it.

I am of the latter group but if I were an Iranian Mullah, for example, I would probably be uncomfortable with an unknown quantity like Trump as opposed to a completely known quantity like Obama.

His unapologetic American nationalism has to make the world pretty uneasy too which is a bonus IMO.

4 posted on 02/12/2016 1:29:24 AM PST by RC one ("...all persons born in the allegiance of the United States are natural-born citizens" US v. WKA)
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To: Gaffer

I give him credit for recognizing the insidious nature of the Marxism he foolishly associated with in his youth. But he’s not the type that instinctively rejects the false promises of paternalism.


5 posted on 02/12/2016 1:33:56 AM PST by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: elhombrelibre

We’ve tried it the way that the political scientist and technicians have recommended. We ended up with a 19 TRILLION dollar debt.

Maybe it is time to believe in some Trump magic.

Sanders is not offering magic, he is offering communism


6 posted on 02/12/2016 1:46:47 AM PST by Fai Mao (Just a tropical gardiner chatting with friends)
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To: elhombrelibre

These same pundits were gloating that Trump had lost his ‘magic’ after his Iowa loss with Rubio rising. Magic is Hellary escaping all these scandals that entangled others associated with the Clintons. Houdini got nothing on them.


7 posted on 02/12/2016 1:53:12 AM PST by tflabo (res about them)
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To: Gaffer
...he and the rest of his privileged cabal of 'thinkers' feel threatened - because people out here in the America they know nothing about are wise to them. Their stock and trade is diminishing, and their words and blather are now just so much folderall.

Agree.

8 posted on 02/12/2016 2:11:58 AM PST by Ken H
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To: elhombrelibre

From Caudillo to Caudildo by voting for Hillary?


9 posted on 02/12/2016 2:25:24 AM PST by urbanpovertylawcenter (the law and poverty collide in an urban setting and sparks fly)
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To: elhombrelibre

The Kraut is an idiot. He’s high as a kite on Potomac water ...


10 posted on 02/12/2016 2:38:48 AM PST by VRWC For Truth (FUBO)
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To: elhombrelibre
Magic Crackers!

Good. I was getting so tired of the other flavor.

11 posted on 02/12/2016 3:01:50 AM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: Fai Mao
When the Founders hammered out the foundations of this Republic, there was no class of political scientists and technicians.

Getting back to basics is a good thing, but that foundation was solid. Look at all the crap that has been added to it and it yet stands.

It's time to strip away a couple hundred years of superfluous construction and get back to the foundation, with a couple of essential additions (the removal of slavery was a good thing, for instance). Only then can we salvage what is here.

The 19 trillion dollar debt would be less than half that were it not for enemy action within our own Government. It's high time to clean House (and Senate, and alphabet agencies, and...)

12 posted on 02/12/2016 3:07:09 AM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: elhombrelibre

Someone should inform Chaz that the “pragmatism” repeatedly implemented by the uniparty doesn’t work in the real world.


13 posted on 02/12/2016 3:15:26 AM PST by Sirius Lee (Cruz or Lose 2016)
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To: elhombrelibre

It isn’t called ‘magic’ it is called ‘vision’


14 posted on 02/12/2016 3:31:31 AM PST by fortheDeclaration (Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:but sin is a reproach to any people)
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To: elhombrelibre

Awwww, poor widdle Chuckie is having a Trumpertantrum !


15 posted on 02/12/2016 3:49:07 AM PST by Baldwin77 (Christians want their RAINBOW back. I'm offended the gays use a Biblical icon as their flag.)
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To: Smokin' Joe

Agree. And it won’t be easy...but I, for one, am ready to try.


16 posted on 02/12/2016 4:07:15 AM PST by SueRae (It isn't over. In God We Trust.)
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To: SueRae
I, for one, am ready to try.

Me, too.

17 posted on 02/12/2016 4:35:00 AM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: Fai Mao
...Maybe it is time to believe in some Trump magic.

Yes, indeed.   And this magician is showing new tricks every day!   Look at the size of the crowd last night in Baton Rouge!

I think the article shows why the Washington Post loves the Krauthammer.  He spouts conservatism and hammers Obama on occasion, but when we're actualliy on the brink of putting a true conservative in power, the steel Hammer turns into a soft baby hammer.


18 posted on 02/12/2016 5:26:55 AM PST by poconopundit (When the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government. Franklin, Const. Conv.)
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To: poconopundit

for the record.....

watch Brett’s panel tonight and see that Charles has finally got around to betting the most on Trump. He even reduced his bet on wild women and song to have more for the Donald


19 posted on 02/12/2016 5:30:25 AM PST by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc;+12, 73, ....carson is the kinder gentler trump.)
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To: Smokin' Joe
...It's time to strip away a couple hundred years of superfluous construction and get back to the foundation.

Now your smokin'.   Nice analysis.


20 posted on 02/12/2016 5:47:19 AM PST by poconopundit (When the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government. Franklin, Const. Conv.)
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