The article seems to say that optimism (rainbows and lollipops) and anger are opposites and that just isn’t always the case. Appropriate anger, for instance at abuse, is not pessimism, rather it is the very first step at making things better. The “nice” candidates seem like the adult, who COULD do something, but instead gloss things over. We, the American people feel as if we are being kicked around and we are almost starving for someone to be real and speak the unvarnished truth. Apprpriate anger is actually the opposite of helpless victim.
Great point. Subtly but important distinction that I missed.