Private GOP Memo Reveals Trump Victory Would Only Mark the Beginning

[eridani]

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/03/private-gop-memo-reveals-trump-victory-would-only-mark-beginning

Baker writes that "Trump rises because people understand him" and that he "challenges our politically correct times. Our candidates shouldn't miss this point. Don't insult key voter cohorts by ignoring that America has significant problems and that Trump is offering some basic solutions. Understand the populist points Trump makes and ride that wave."

The Post reports : "Regardless of how far Trump’s candidacy ultimately goes, the memo is evidence of the effect he has had on his party."

And what is the possible reach of that effect if his rhetoric and ideology continue to spill over? Fascism analyst Chip Berlet wrote at Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting in September that Trump's rhetoric aligns with that of the "European populist radical right" which uses "rhetoric of nativism, authoritarianism and populism." He adds that "Trump is not an example of creeping totalitarianism; he is the white man growing hoarse with bigoted canards while riding at the forefront of a new nativist movement."

"Journalists and scholars familiar with the rise of contemporary right-wing populist political parties and social movements in Europe [...] recognize that xenophobic, anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric can lead to acts of violence," Berlet stated, and noted that "the demonization and scapegoating that accompanies right-wing populism in the United States is breeding a counter-subversion panic targeting immigrants, Mexicans, Muslims, feminists, gay people, liberals and leftists. Planned Parenthood has become a special target to appeal to the Christian Right."

[saltpoint]

1. I pick up the whiff of fascism in Trump's

campaign, for example in the beating of Mercutio Southall in Alabama.

The tendency to use violence to silence criticism suggests intense ambition to control.

The dark message between the lines in that memo is that the GOP has been using polarizing language and tactics for a long time. Trump is more bellicose than his GOP rivals for the nomination, but ideologically there isn't much difference.

The memo instructs Republicans to gussy up Trump's message in style but retain its ugliness and polarization.

[safeinOhio]

3. Wrapped in the flag

holding up a cross.

[saltpoint]

4. Yes. /eom

[baldguy]

6. You must have a different understanding "whiff" than I do.

I'm looking forward to those "BEAU-TEE-FUL!" Hugo Boss uniforms for Trump and his crew. They'll be "HEE-YOUJ!"

[Orangepeel]

10. Whiff? It stinks on ice

But, yes

[awoke_in_2003]

14. Whiff?

that is like saying pickled eggs and beer farts have a slight smell

[Photographer]

2. K&R

[retrowire]

5. hopefully the beginning of some sort of end. nt

[Betty Karlson]

7. Fascism never ends.

It has to be marginalised - and kept that way.

[NewJeffCT]

9. yes, unfortunately

The Republicans caused the Great Depression and then embraced Hitler and Mussolini in the 30s and managed to survive that. One loudmouthed idiot with a slim chance to be president doesn't rise to nearly that level.

[Proserpina]

12. It's not one idiot...he has followers

and they are turning ugly already.

[NewJeffCT]

13. other idiots have had followers in the past as well

Father Coughlin had 30 million listeners to his radio show in the 1930s, and he supported Hitler & Mussolini and was also openly anti-semetic. FDR forced hiim off the air eventually. And, that was 30 million listeners out of 125 to 130 million Americans - that would be like Rush Limbaugh getting 70-80 million listeners today.

Pat Buchanan was also pretty popular with the same crowd back in the 90s. The John Birch Society was the forerunner of the modern Tea Party and they were big before Pat, and I'm sure there have been others as well.

Trump hasn't been over 30/35% in any national polls - and, that is among Republicans. If he can only get that little support among people that generally support his politics, what is he going to do once people start running commercials exposing the controversial comments he's made in the past and once you throw moderates, independents and Democrats into the polling mix.

[Warren Stupidity]

8. The analysis that trump is the rightwing outlier is bullshit.

For example, the illustration they chose, the rhetorical and inflammatory attacks on planned parenthood, have been front and center from the RNC itself and from all of the "approved" supposedly "moderate" candidates going back to long before the primary race started. Trump has not been leading the charge on this, nor is his campaign pandering to the Christian Right. The RNC is using Trump to make their chosen ones (well it was supposed to be chosen one, Jeb, but that isn't working) appear acceptable. Trump was not supposed to be building a viable candidacy and perhaps an insurmountable lead, he was supposed to be their stalking horse.

[Tarc]

11. The only difference between Trump and the GOP crowd

is that Trump says what they all internalize.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. Yep, he is the GOP

and everything they stand for.