Posted on 06/30/2017 5:24:13 PM PDT by MaxistheBest
There is a perfectly legitimate argument to be made that the President of the United States should just sit back and take all attacks and insults hurled his way, even when the magnitude of the attacks is unprecedented.
Donald Trump has chosen to ignore that philosophy.
In case people aren’t aware by now, when Donald Trump is attacked, he fights back, even when he probably shouldn’t.
Whether it’s a war hero like John McCain, the parents of a war hero like Humayun Khan, or just some morning talk show hosts, Mr. Trump feels the need to retaliate for criticism against him because the criticism against him is almost never benign.
And whether he is right or wrong, lets not pretend that he is always the aggressor. In fact, President Trump may deserve some credit for virtually never attacking anyone without provocation. Dare I say, Donald Trump may be the most civil politician in history. Ok, that’s a stretch. But as ruthless and vulgar as his attacks may be, he is almost always the counter-puncher.
Make no mistake, Donald Trump’s supposedly vicious attacks are always in response to vicious attacks against him. He does not retaliate with personal attacks against people who simply question his policy proposals. He responds to very personal and offensive attacks like questioning his “mental stability”, calling him “crazy” and “deranged.” Those are not benign, policy-based critiques of the President.
Had one never caught a single moment of news until yesterday, they might be inclined to think that Donald Trump savagely attacked some poor woman for absolutely no reason at all.
The news coverage seemed to omit that the alleged victim of Donald Trump’s tweet, Mika Brzezinski, appears to have essentially dedicated her professional life to personally attacking Donald Trump. And those defending her are naive enough to believe that she is not at fault in any way.
Calling Trump stupid and crazy isn’t a horrible personal attack, it’s just a fact because, let’s face it, Republicans are stupid and crazy, right? So, why would someone retaliate with a horrible tweet just because someone pointed out the obvious truth about them? That is how this deranged thinking goes.
Republicans have been the victims of bullying for years. They are bullied by the press. They are bullied by the entertainment industry. They are bullied by other politicians. And they have always taken the high road. They have always backed down.
But in Trump, for the first time in history, Republicans may have an individual who has decided to refuse to back down. He has refused to turn the other cheek. The press is the bully and Donald Trump is punching them straight in the nose.
The difference between Donald Trump and other politicians is that he just says, in front of millions, what others wait until they’re behind closed doors to say. This may be a character trait unbecoming of a president or it may be one soon to be embraced by others.
As childish as “he started it” might sound, at least it is almost always the truth. It may be legitimate to criticize some of the rhetoric Trump uses in his personal feuds but it is a safe bet that he was not the initial antagonist.
So again, if you want to argue that the president should just take the criticism, then that is a separate argument. But don’t act as if he is doing this without provocation.
On CNN’s State of the Union last December, Jake Tapper criticized Donald Trump’s use of Twitter to attack his critics. Tapper questioned whether Trump’s tactics represented “presidential behavior.” Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway responded that he is “the President-elect, so that’s presidential behavior.”
Historically speaking, Donald Trump’s behavior may not be “presidential.” But as Conway pointed out, at least for the next three and a half years, that is about to change.
Obviously, President Trump will not be able to respond to all of his critics, even in 140 characters or less. But that doesn’t mean he won’t try. Is it “presidential behavior?” It is now.
Amen
He’s wrestling with a pig, that’s seldom a good idea.
In fact, she’s enjoying the reflection of glory, as she’s enjoyed it her entire life. She’s only famous because her father was an unpronounceable intellectual in (of all things) the Carter administration. She’s wafted through open doors like trash on a breeze, all her life. A tiff with Trump gives her renewed lift.
Nothing is more rewarding (and instructional to bystanders) than a bully taking a shot to the nose.
I suspect that a number of them develop Stockholm Syndrome. Most of the rest are simply cowed.
Trump is not afraid to fight back. Maybe other Republicans will see that and be inspired to develop a backbone.
Ever hear of Megyn Kelly? How did wrestling with Trump work out for her?
President Trump was not suppose to win...it was all set up, lock, stock and barrel for Hillary...ops...
So now the whole liberal side of America is on a trip to La La Land, and by that I mean calling him crazy, unprepared to lead a Nation, he's this and he's that...ALL OF THIS CRAP THE ‘LOONY LIBS’ are trying to do is impeach him...because as the ‘LOONY LIBS’ think he's crazy...ops again...
President Trump has done in six months what most President haven't done in 8 years!!! But because HE WON and SHE DIDN'T...he's crazy...ops again...
We voted for Donald J. Trump because he has a back bone, and balls made of steel, and he isn't afraid to attack those that attack his family, friends or his businesses or himself...that is the WHOLE reason we voted for him AND he isn't a POLITICIAN!!! WOOHOO!!!
So here are the ‘loony libs’ of the media, hollyweed, RINO’s, Globalists, and their dogs and cats, birds, fish, and ground hogs trying to take down a DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, because SHE DIDN'T WIN...who is crazy???
It isn't going to take much to send the Trump Supporters out to teach these idiots respect and manners...and believe me, when you meet up with ONE group of Trump Supporters, the bikers, you won't want to start messing with the rest of us...
‘IF YOU THOUGHT WE FOUGHT HARD TO GET DONALD J. TRUMP INTO OFFICE, YOU HAVEN'T SEEN WHAT WE WILL DO TO KEEP HIM THERE’
BE CAREFUL!!!
I know this article is favorable to Trump, but I had to stop reading there.
She was p8ssed when he told the world she had a face lift.
BTTT, girlfriend.
Yes it is interesting. I think this is Dan Abrams site. Used to watch him back in the day when he was msnbc. He was real fair at times.
He has a new TV show...Cops live.
"Compromise" means "surrender". "Reaching across the aisle" means "join our side or else". "Being Presidential" means "Shut up and take it".
They must be defeated.
Smack them, Mr. President. Smack them hard. Ignore the pusillanimous Nancy Boys and Girls who are horrified by your "tone"; your "tone" is right on!
“Is it “presidential behavior?” It is now.”
Hell, yes. I’ve hoped for this since Reagan was president.
Taking the high road was shown to be a losing strategy for at least four decades. I’m surprised any conservative still advocates it.
I am glad Trump is fighting back. They said horrible things about him. Stupid to think he should just take it.
Actually Sarah Barracuda, it’s not really Trump these piss ants are after, it’s you and me, the base of the American People who voted him into office. They dare not go after the American People who believe in the American Dream, Make America Great Again, Put Americans back to work, they’d be scalped in a nano second and out of work, if they had the courage to blame us. They are all bought and paid for. They dare not go against the Cannons of One World Government. They’d be in the line of the unemployed, if they did.
Seriously? Lord McCain a 'war' hero, which one, commander of ISIS or ISIL depending on who is describing his rebels? Minister Khan is stuck on stupid, since Trump had nothing to do with his son's service... Minister Khan was a tool for the wicked witch of the west... Trump does not retaliate, he unmasks these frauds. I hope he uses Obama's hammer on them.
I would disagree with the author, in that, I think they back down against the attacks, because most of them are gutless, spineless wimps, not because they are taking the high road.
You're absolutely correct. Electing hillary was the cherry on the cake which was going to put the finishing touches on obongo's "fundamental transformation" of the US. Then, this guy Trump comes along and spoils their carefully laid plans, leaving the 'Rats stupefied, stunned and outraged. No small wonder that they're calling for obstruction, impeachment and assassination.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.