unlike almost any other candidate in modern times, this guy looked 'movie-Presidential' when he appeared on the scene and many many folk gave him props for the appearance aspect of his candidacy. However, isn't it peculiar that no one ever refers to this aspect any longer now that we've become acquainted with the Weirdness that is this man. In a way, he transcends the usual Gordon Gecko stereotype of the richest of the rich, and is so smitten with idiosyncrasies that he makes ordinary people uncomfortable.
In the past, we have dealt with many smarmy, good-looking candidates for various offices who were well-spoken and self-assured, but their psychopathology or ignorance or narcissism, or lack of intellect was evident from the outset. The problem in my opinion with this fellow is that his issues lie upon so many axes of disturbance that we can't classify him easily, and so although all of us would probably state that we "don't like him", "don't like his policies", or that he "makes us feel uncomfortable", very few of us actually agree in toto as to exactly what it is about him that is so discomfiting. Having read literally thousands of posts here, what is fascinating is when someone ascribes a certain entity to the candidate and others chime in "No no no..it's such-and-such." with equal ardor.
I can think of a few people I've really despised who have attained high office, and generally there are one or two distinct aspects of their character which are front and center. The brilliant Nixon's carefully crafted sliminess and sneer; W's sheer incompetence and idiocy; Reagan's faux 'sunny disposition' all the while being shielded due to his (obvious at least to clinicians) early dementia - which I might add, upset me more at the handlers and his family than at him personally, Cheney for obvious reasons. But this guy is off the charts in so many respects that I can't even begin to sputteringly tell you why I can't stand him. And you know what's funny? Given the results of many of the Republican primaries, I'm not alone.
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