Are we underestimating Trump's intellect?

[Awsi Dooger]

44. Terrific summary

I wish I had thought of it.

I don't know if I would call Trump's target the average person. They are the typical person who is already predisposed to fear and bigotry, even if most of them would deny it or not think of themselves that way.

My aunt is a great example. She is sweet but very simple. Has no clue what either party stands for in general. But she was a registered Democrat who voted twice for Obama. Last spring my aunt announced she was now a registered Republican and enthusiastic Trump supporter. She is still enthused about Trump and refuses to believe any argument against him. Trump won her over by asserting that he would safeguard religious liberties. My aunt always pushes her religion on me. Never fails to happen or to be awkward. I'm not going to shut up. I tell her I'm a probability guy and the existence of God makes no sense. Somehow my aunt takes that to mean that her beliefs are belittled or attacked. She wants everybody to be holding that bible in church every Sunday and nod in unison while reciting some hymn or prayer. Anyone who doesn't participate is evil in her eyes.

So my aunt has essentially been waiting all her life for someone like Donald Trump, someone who would invent a problem and multiply reality by thousands while shouting and gesturing all the way. I guarantee my aunt doesn't know who Robert Mueller is but she feels calmed and protected by Donald Trump. I had never known my aunt to be hateful or bigoted until she told me she doesn't want gay couples kissing in the pew in front of her at church, and she's thrilled Donald Trump will build that wall to keep out murderous Mexicans.

Transfer and amend that as necessary and it attaches to millions of Americans. I know I criticize Rachel Maddow too frequently around here but one of the reasons I do it is that Rachel Maddow is exactly the opposite of Donald Trump. That may seem great but in this case it means that she has no idea what causes people to vote the way they do, or whether to vote at all. If Rachel chased a slogan it would be long and issue oriented and mostly worthless. Notice that her program title doesn't contain a short strong modifier along with her name, unlike every other primetime host on MSNBC. I've always wondered about that. Doesn't strike me as coincidence. Trump in the same spot as opposition leader of the most visible network talk show would absolutely guarantee to have a powerful memorable show title, along with his name, of course.

Donald Trump is going to be hellish to oust in 2020. He'll get there. I don't believe in Happy Adjustments as opposed to big picture logic. Day to day may be outrageous but too many people are inept handicappers and take the conclusions absurdly far, that Trump will either be impeached or resign or switch to independent or be dumped by his party. Sorry, I rely on normalcy. A presidential incumbent will be re-nominated by his party and own massive advantages via that incumbency.