Wink-Winking Calls to Murder Hillary

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Last edited Thu Jul 21, 2016, 09:56 AM - Edit history (1)

Josh Marshall ‏@joshtpm 3h3 hours ago
a few thoughts on the Trump campaign's new 'wink-wink' stance toward calls to murder Hillary Clinton http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-trump-campaign-is-now-wink-winking-calls-to-murder-clinton … via @TPM

As our reporters on the ground in Cleveland are telling us, the "lock her up" theme of the Cleveland convention is pervasive. Signs, T-shirts, memorabilia - it's pervasive. It's not just a chant on the convention floor. The campaign isn't just comfortable with it. They're actively pushing it. We noted earlier that a New Hampshire Trump delegate, who's also a Trump advisor on veterans issue has just said Clinton should be "shot for treason." He's now being investigated by the Secret Service for threatening the former First Lady and Secretary of State's life.

But there's a part of this story that's been overshadowed by the shocking nature of what Al Baldasaro said. That's the response from the Trump campaign. In response to Baldasaro's attack, Trump Campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said: "We’re incredibly grateful for his support, but we don’t agree with his comments."

...Calls for violence or the killing of a political opponent usually spurs the other candidate to totally disavow the person in question. Frankly, it's a pretty new thing for a prominent supporter of a prominent politician to call for killing opposing candidates at all. But the Trump campaign is still "incredibly grateful his support" even though "we don't agree" that Clinton should be shot...

Do I think people on the Trump campaign really want to see Clinton injured or killed? No, I do not. But I do think they believe that exciting a climate of agitated grievance, militant anger and aggression helps them galvanize, gain and intensify support. On one and three they're likely right. Just as importantly, they clearly believe that any clear denunciation of the growing chorus of angry and occasionally violent threats would demoralize and dishearten a key part of their base. Trump's brand is dominance and submission. Provocation is his calling card. Calling a pause on their more febrile supporters would simply be off brand and would be hard to clearly differentiate in kind from the campaign-endorsed demand for her incarceration.

I'm not sure I've seen a better example of the wink-wink attitude of the Trump campaign - here not just Trump's impulsive retorts but the campaign apparatus itself - to things that used to get people totally written out of the world of legitimate political discourse. I'm working on a piece about how the biggest legacy of the Trump campaign - assuming he isn't elected president - is the re-normalization of racism and anti-semitism in American political life. This is another part of the same story. We've already discussed the numerous ways Trump has embraced the stylings, policies and speech of a would-be autocrat. He's now moving on to the kinds of banana republic politicking where the cost of political defeat is imprisonment or death or even a legitimate form of 'activism' in advance of the ballot.


read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-trump-campaign-is-now-wink-winking-calls-to-murder-clinton


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[TheCowsCameHome]

1. I hope that nutsack Rep. from NH goes to jail.

Or at least gets the shit scared out of him by no-nonsense men in blacks suits and sunglasses.

Fuck him and the barnyard animal he rode in on.

[longship]

6. I hope they have their neurolizers handy.

I know some amusing memories that I would like to implant in that guy.

[niyad]

12. don't forget the sob in w.va who called for her to be hung (doesn't even know the word

is "hanged", but hey, what does one expect from such a hate-filled cretin?) apparently the people in the black suits have not visited him yet, either.

[Ilsa]

2. I'm scared they are going to incite some nutjobs

Who will sacrifice themselves to carry out this mission the republicans have given them. The Secret Service needs to have a long talk with Trump, Manafort, and whoever is going to campaign with them.

[WinkyDink]

7. "Who will rid me of the meddlesome priest?"

[madamesilverspurs]

3. Escalation

When it comes to politics, especially conventions, there's always been nastiness. Name-calling and wild accusation are nothing new. But I don't recall ever hearing such a constant litany of thinly veiled solicitations of homicide. This is truly frightening.

[apcalc]

4. Some of these people are sick bastards.

[dubyadiprecession]

5. They are pissed off at Hillary because they know their nominee can't win.

[NBachers]

8. The call is going out to assassinate Hillary Clinton. We've already seen it with Gabby Giffords.

As the multitude of messages sinks down through the entire republican membership, it will fester in brains and hearts until it manifests in the unthinkable. But they are doing their damn best to make it thinkable and actionable.

[Ilsa]

9. Next they'll say whoever does it will be an American hero.

When someone makes the attempt, they'll be able to deny knowing him and treat him like a lone wolf, even though the gop was practically brainwashing someone into doing it. They are just like Daesh in manipulating angry, weakminded goobers.

[NBachers]

10. They are calling up their disturbed and delusional zombie army to do their dirty work for them.

[Skittles]

11. I disagree on one point

I believe a great number of Trumpbots would like to see harm come to Ms. Clinton

[calimary]

13. Beat me to it, Skittles.

I am certain that some of them want that and want it very badly. Some of them pray for it every day. We've already seen too many news stories verifying that. I'd bet some of 'em are standing in that convention center and roaring "Lock Her Up" this very week.

That contingent has wished for, and prayed for, bad things if all kinds to befall both of the Clintons - AND some of 'em have already wished that on Chelsea Clinton, too.

Anybody remember john derbyshire, who used to write for the National Review? He once actually wrote a column calling for someone to murder Chelsea Clinton because - Heaven forbid - someday when she grows up, she might want to get into politics. That bastard doesn't write for the National Review anymore. That column stunk up the joint so bad even they couldn't stand behind it. They had to disavow it - and him.

[Skittles]

16. I do remember that column

what a disgrace

I see some of the rabid Hillary hatred right here on DU; there's plenty of legitimate criticism to be had but they are over the top

they make me sick

[calimary]

18. Not as sick as "President Donald Trump" will make us all.

[Skittles]

19. that is correct

and I do think Hillary understands the anger that came from Bernie supporters - hopefully she will appreciate that anger and take some action

[Iggo]

14. Clinton.

And yes, it's amazing the shit they're getting away with.

Actual fucking death threats. What the fuck?

[SheriffBob]

15. Please, never again

The Kennedys, Martin Luther King prove that this kind of hate speech should be severely prosecuted.

Lock him up!

[bigtree]

17. too, too much

....from conservatives looking to reopen old wounds, many which held deadly consequence in their time; racism, sexism, homophobia, misogyny, all of the destructive rhetoric revived without concern about the effect (or, with clear knowledge and approval of the potential harm).