Robert Reich: Trump Is Not a Passing Fad

[eridani]

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/33222-focus-robert-reich-trump-is-not-a-passing-fad

That, according to Reich, is the context that some political analysts are missing when it comes to Trump and Sanders and their sudden, surging popularity among the American people.

“The thing that is always difficult for political analysts and others to gauge is – when I come back to this term, ‘populist upsurge’ – the tipping point happens very quickly,” he said. “Most political analysts are always looking in the rear view mirror; they’re not actually looking at how the current political economy affects people’s opinions, their politics, their economic status and so forth.”

In his new book, “Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few,” Reich makes an impassioned argument that there has been a fundamental shift in American politics. In the book, he somewhat presciently predicted that the future of American politics will not be about Republican versus Democrat, but rather establishment versus anti-establishment.

Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump “are populist and they really do talk about overthrowing – not with these words – the establishment political order.”

Reich elicited laughter from the live audience when he wondered aloud about the possibility of the Presidential horse race coming down to Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, but he also pointed out that the deniers, so far, have been wrong about the staying power of these two candidates.

“Donald Trump – I think despite the fact the press keeps on saying he’s done, this is just a passing fad – he’s not a passing fad,” he said. “I’m beginning to hear columnists and pundits say maybe the Republicans need to accept the fact that he’s going to be their nominee.”

[oberliner]

1. Yes, he is

He will not be the nominee.

He will be out of the race after Iowa/NH if not sooner.

[KG]

2. stupidity is not a passing fad, so we're stuck with the trumps, carsons, etc

[raouldukelives]

3. Trump is the ghost of the GOP's future.

What fauxnews viewers love about the Donald is that he speaks in a way they can clearly identify with. There is no beating around the bush, as they say.

Whereas another candidate might say we need to enhance our border presence while cracking down on illegal immigration the Don just says "I'll kick out the Mexicans!"

Of course, the whole point is to make the right in this country ever crazier and more unhinged from reality, making those that fill the void left behind look like the moderate candidate, when in reality, they are further right than ever before. Rinse, lather, repeat.

[Kalidurga]

4. Donald makes the conservatives feel smart.

They understand him when he talks. Because he talks about their issues like building a wall and lowering taxes. Those are easy concepts to sell and Donald T-Rump doesn't have to use complicated language to explain those things. So, if he makes them feel smart they in turn think he is smart. This is why he is so popular. Carson does the same thing add a dash of gay bashing.

[pampango]

5. Populism is not a passing fad. The question is whether the left- or right-wing versions will prevail

The right does not trust science, history and facts. The left does is quite the opposite and largely wants to use science and facts to achieve progressive goals.

[eridani]

7. ^^this^^ n/t

[TheKentuckian]

6. I'm unclear on what significantly makes Trump scarier than say frothy or Carly the Outsourcer

or even Jebya or the Waterboy Rubio.

Hell, he may be one of the less crazy and actually dangerous ones all in all and just more loud and brash.

[eridani]

8. If it's Trump vs Clinton, he'll run to her left on taxes on the rich and other populist issues

That could be scary.

[TheKentuckian]

13. Sad, sickening, and pitiful spring quicker to my mind than scary

But I reckon it does apply too as in it is scary how far down the wrong track the people that run the party have gone.

[Skittles]

9. I really detest comparisons of Trump to Sanders

one is a fucking buffon and the other is not

[eridani]

10. True, but both are connected with populist impulses. Sanders supporters--

--hate banksters more than immigrants, and with Trump supporters it's the other way around.

[Skittles]

12. in other words, Trump is a racist, elitist asshole

[DFW]

11. But Reich is still correct. Here's why

The fact that one is a buffoon and one is not doesn't matter.

They both appeal to certain constituencies. What should worry us is the fact that one (disturbingly large) constituency finds a buffoon as a perfectly acceptable choice for President of the United States.

Of course, never forget that 45 of the people who voted in 2008 found that a buffoon was a perfectly acceptable choice for Vice-President of the United States. If our electorate were comprised of sane, rational people, in 2008 McCain would have gotten a maximum of 5% of the popular vote for the Palin choice alone. We're fools if we forget that he didn't.