There was a Wall Street Journal story on Sunday in which “sources” claimed that President-elect Donald Trump was “surprised” when he learned what being president actually entails. He also didn’t know, as of last Thursday, that he needed to fill the White House with his own staffers. He thought he would just keep all of Pres. Obama’s staff. Apparently, Trump was extremely “subdued” after his first meeting with Obama because Obama basically gave him a laundry list of all of the sh-t that he would have to do. So, during the transition, Obama “plans to spend more time with his successor than presidents typically do” because Obama sees that Trump needs “guidance.” Part of me wonders if Obama is attempting some kind of Jedi mind trick on the obviously malleable Trump. I also wondered the same thing following Obama’s press conference yesterday. Obama answered a lot of Trump-related questions – here are some highlights:
Trump isn’t going to dismantle NATO: Trump, Obama said, had “expressed great interest in maintaining [the United States’] existing relationships,” which was a way of saying that he is committed to NATO and the Trans-Atlantic Alliance. For his part, Obama said he appreciates being able to communicate to world leaders this week that there will be “no weakening of resolve” on the part of the United States.
On Trump hiring white supremacist Steve Bannon: One reporter asked about former Breitbart News executive Steve Bannon, who is a white nationalist. “It would not be appropriate for me to comment on every appointment the president elect starts making,” Obama demurred. “The people have spoken. Donald Trump is going to be the next president… It is up to him to select a team.”
Obama is hopeful Trump will try to unify the country: “It’s important for us to let him make his decisions. The American people will judge over the next couple of years whether they like what they see,” Obama said. “I did say to him that because of the nature of the campaigns, and the bitterness and ferocity of the campaigns, that it’s really important to try to send some signals of unity, and reach out to minority groups or women or others that were concerned about the tenor of the campaign. I think that’s something that he will want to do but this is all happening real fast. He’s got commitments to his supporters that helped to get him here and he’ll have to balance those.”
Obama thinks Trump is in for a wake-up call: “Regardless of what experience or assumptions he brought to the office, this office has a way of waking you up. Reality has a way of asserting itself. There will be certain elements of his temperament that will not serve him well unless he recognizes them and corrects them. Campaigning is different from governing. I think he recognizes that. I think he’s sincere when he says he wants to be a successful president.”
Part of this is simply Obama trying to be gracious in the face of lunacy. Of course Obama knows that Trump is unfit to be president (in like a thousand different ways), but Obama is an optimist who believes in democracy. Obama also thinks that he can use these two months to influence Trump. We all know Trump thrives on flattery and praise, so imagine how puffed up he’ll be when Obama helps him out through some war games and advises him on diplomacy. But the uncomfortable reality is that once these two months are over and Obama is no longer delivering Jedi mind tricks to Trump on the reg, Trump is just going to be listening to Reince Priebus and Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani. And it will be awful.
Photos courtesy of Getty.
“It would not be appropriate for me to comment on every appointment the president elect starts making”
Translated: It would be inappropriate for me to say what I really think about the fact that this man appointed a white supremacist, because I can’t say, “racist f*cking lunatic assh*le” on television.
Our first black president has to deal with the fact that the next president was endorsed by the literal grand wizard if the KKK. I’m so sorry, Barack. I love you.
I’m grateful that Obama is trying to mold Trump into some semblance of sane, and lord knows he needs it. I just wish he didn’t have to normalize this for the sake of democracy. I know that as the president he must. But this. Is. not. Normal. This. Is. not. Okay.
I think it’s his job to ensure a smooth and stable transition and he will do that because he’s got integrity. It’s everybody else’s job to do the opposing for the moment.
I hope he becomes more blunt and vocal afterwards, however.
I think he will. And if he doesn’t, his wife will. If she’s asked.
I think they will also, Bluhare and Sixer, and I can’t wait. I hope, come January, Barack posts a 6 page op-ed on what a piece of human garbage the president is. One can dream.
For now, something fun:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/40970
I have been thinking a lot about this “normalization” of Trump. I don’t see what else, especially certain people like Obama in this situation, we can do. I think the protests and vigilance and activism and push back need to continue but at the same time we have to show the country and the world that government isn’t going to just collapse as soon as Trump enters office. It’s a sham, to be sure, to treat him as if he’s a “typical” president, but I think it is better than the alternative, which would only unhinge him further.
I agree concerning Obama’s current stance on Trump. He absolutely has to do his part in insuring a smooth transition. anything else would be irresponsible, obviously. Of course he is horrified and devastated. Maybe in shock. I don’t think that’s speculation because he made himself clear about what he really thinks of trump during this election. I think the responsibility for not normalizing trump falls on us. And the media. Republicans, I’m afraid, will normalize this and ultimately fall in line with trump, IMO. Obama and Clinton are out of this. “The people” have spoken and this lunatic is president. We are so screwed. And yes, I agree with Kaiser, Obama is Jedi mind tricking this empty, insane man in a last ditch hope that he can influence him to act rationally.
@Esmom,
I have been experiencing grief. Basically yesterday was the first day I didn’t cry for all the ideals I fear america is going to lose. I have moved on to anger.
I think the government has to collapse under Trump/Pence. It is really scary to say but that is almost the only way we can end this as soon as possible.
My issue with Trump/Pence is that we have yet to heal from the bush years. We really can’t take his policies. Instead of Normalizing him, we need to gather information to make the impeachment quicker.
He has already spoken to Putin… WTF! His right hand is a white supremist and basically people are already calling all non wASPs Colored. This has to end ASAP.
yes but Obama is cool and loved. Trump wants to be cool and loved. Part of me wants Trump to go down in flames but will that be any good for the country? Trump will listen to Obama while he is transitioning – let’s hope it does some good.
very well said.
Obama is in Athens today. I just watched the press conference with Greek pm Tsipras.
OB’s wisdom and experience was reassuring – I’m just trying to imagine Trump in the same position, particularly abroad, and I can’t. Except thinking how often he’d say something stupid and be shown up as a complete idiot.
Or grope all the women…. You know, it’s not just my fear for everyone in the country who is not a white male without disabilities; or that I am a few years away from retirement age and Social Security and Medicare are a part of my plan; or that since I work with children with disabilities and we haven’t had an increase in federal funding for years and I was kind of hoping we might get one…it’s the EMBARRASSMENT! I can’t believe that orange fool will be president….
I love Obama so much I’d march into Hell if he asked me to, but he is in capital D denial about Trump. The Facist Cheeto has no respect for Obama and come January 20th he will resume his attack campaign lest his followers start to get nostalgic for their healthcare, VA benefits, and potable water.
I fear you’re right…trump is known for saying whatever will yield the biggest return to any given audience. I’m tired of being asked to forget the bullying and vitriolic rhetoric, as if everything should be magically erased. Unfortunately Obama’s nuance is likely lost on him.
Obama’s hands are tied, constitutionally. That does not mean he is at ALL in denial.
Looking at this, how on earth did I refrain from making a small hands joke? Anyway. Carry on.
trump only cares about himself that is obvious. Pres obama is doing this last act of kindness because once trump is officially sworn in – the country will collapse and I am not joking. In his press conference pres obama has already said so but nobody was listening – they will find out soon. Trump and his people are clueless and have zero experience as we will see. It is already been seen in this transitition team –
I don’t think Obama is in denial
Think of a good parent with their kids in a really shitty, dangerous, or scary situation. “oh my god we are screwed, I’m so sorry, this is so bad” won’t help anyone, and won’t keep the people cool headed and collected. Maintaining face and a little political correctness is his best bet here, but you KNOW he wants to commiserate and ask what the f happened. It’s obvious he thinks this sucks as much as anyone. Its his hard work that will be undone!
…even in this aspect of things, the contrast between the two men is beyond stark — it’s unbelievable in the way a bad movie is unbelievable. If I had written this as a story when I was a creative writing major at university, my professors would have given me a failing grade because “This story has no verisimilitude! The plot is simply not believable.” Yep, but we’re living in it for the next few YEARS just the same.
I feel myself hopelessly stuck at the beginning of the Five Stages of Grief. I’m finally able to fully feel my anger, but then I keep coming back to the first stage: denial, which comes in the form of fantasizing that somehow the electoral college will go with Hillary as a last-minute Hail Mary pass, or that Trump will be so overwhelmed with the reality of this great responsibility that he will step aside because he never really intended to win anyway, he was just looking for more fame and attention because it would help his businesses to grow and thrive.
I began my life as a political activist before I was old enough to vote. I’ve volunteered in the campaigns of several presidents and marched in the streets for causes I believed in. Now I feel just empty, betrayed by a corrupt system that rewards dishonesty, greed, and playng to the lowest impulses of the people instead of inspiring their best instincts.
It’s hard to even write this post. Can’t see my iPad because tears.
I live in West Virginia… and today is the first time I’m ashamed to say that. There’s a story all over the news here about two officials (one of them the mayor of the town) in the southern part of the state making racist comments about Michelle Obama, calling her an “ape in heels.” Jesus, it feels wrong just repeating it. *This* kind of rancid bigotry is what Trump’s win legitimizes. It makes me sick to my stomach. Literally. And the worst part is the comments from people defending them. My complete loss of faith in humanity is draining my will to fight back against this kind of hate and ignorance.
This so-called “ape in heels” has achieved more in one week than her detractors will ever in their lifetimes. They have to denigrate her, it’s the only way they can pretend they are superior.
I know that Michelle will handle it with the grace and class she has always displayed no matter what hateful words people throw at her. But man, I want to throw down on her behalf.
Those comments were beyond despicable. They were contrasting Michelle with in their words the dignified and classy Mrs Trump. I’m not going to join the Melania bashing, but Michelle has been such a role model and Melania has a hell of a lot to live up to.
I checked out both their Facebook pages and nobody was defending them — on the contrary, there were thousands of comments calling out their racism and nastiness. It was quite gratifying to see people of all races and backgrounds coming together spontaneously to smash these two hags. Not to mention the comments were hilarious, if often puerile (“You fat ugly hippo, how dare you insult our First Lady!” and “The next FLOTUS is a HOTUS!” which took me a couple of seconds to figure out). Up till then I hadn’t realized how much respect and even love Mrs. Obama had earned from all over the country. Melania will have some very large shoes to fill.
I agree Rachel, I’m in WV myself. Actually, I’ve been ashamed to say that since our state went pro Red. Sad to say, WV is still a good ole boy state and they keep trying to protect the Coal Mine owners, who have ripped off their workers health and retirement benefits.
Carmen, it’s the comments on the local news reports.
I will miss having an intelligent and measured President.
Obama is certainly earning his Nobel Peace Prize credentials now. What strength of character to deal with this guy politely and not punch his racist face.
You are so right!!! President Obama deserves another Nobel peace prize for dealing with this man. I still can’t believe Trump was elected. After 8 years of an intelligent, classy, and gracious First Family in the White House this reality star side show is our next president. We never had to worry about President Obama saying or doing the right thing. He always does, and to do it now with Trump just shows the strength of character he has.
Amen.
Co-sign.
Obama should have his first Nobel Peace Prize taken away for his unaccountable drone assassination program. He has even killed US citizens with drones and don’t forgot about the “accidental” bombing of the Doctors Without Borders hospital in Afghanistan. He has also expanded the NSA’s surveillance capabilities. Now thanks to Obama, Donald Trump will control have control of the drone program and the NSA.
Everyone was talking about Trump’s stunned face after his first president-elect meetings. That’s because he had more real truth dropped on him in those meetings than he has ever had in his life. You think Obama wants to kill innocent people? Obama, and John Kerry, and (yes) Hillary Clinton are good people who want to do good in the world.
But there is no good in Syria. There is just trying to figure out who is actually on your side and who wants to kill you. It would be the easiest thing in the world for Obama to say, yeah, I’m done, I wash my hands of this. And then we’d see more pictures like the innocent baby in Aleppo, shell-shocked and covered in dust. Bashar al-Assad is killing his own people, and the Russians are helping him. Should the US withdraw to preserve its moral purity? I don’t know. But I do know that Barack Obama is a good man, who has made the choices he has made based on (a) his own moral compass and (b) much more information than any of us has.
Never should have got involved in the first place. The problem was caused by centuries of outsiders coming in and intervening. Continuing the pattern isn’t going to change anything.
He shouldn’t have a Nobel Peace Prize. I have family in a region that has had a lot of US drone attacks. People live in absolute terror that at any second they or their family could be blown to bits, so much more than they feel in normal war conditions. It’s like living through the Blitz, except at least there were air raid sirens for that. Even with the terror attacks, there were signs that tensions were reaching fever pitch, and you knew which people and areas to avoid if you could. But drone attacks just come out of nowhere, at any time, for reasons you’ll never really know.
My brother visited last year, and said the whole time he felt exactly like he did living in Manhattan on 9/11 when the second plane hit. Panicked and terrified the spot your standing in will be next. He was only there two weeks and he was diagnosed with PTSD on his return.
Drones are a weapon of terror, and they’re quite literally making entire regions insane with fear and horror. They’re just about the most evil thing I can think of.
Well yes, Obama had been president for about 12 minutes so of course he should not have had the Nobel Peace Prize. But he has ultimately deserved it (I would argue).
Obama has deserved it for not being George W Bush. You want to blame someone? Blame Bush (and Blair). And all the corrupt politicians in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. They broke the region. Obama inherited it. He has done his best. He has tried to keep it from erupting into full-scale war. He has tried to avoid sending US ground troops.
I have family who have lived through the Blitz. I was in lower Manhattan on 9/11 and St Pancras/Tavistock Square on 7/7. Wait for month 3 of President Trump. Drones will seem like nothing.
Obama is basically spending his last two months traveling the world to reassure them that the U.S. will not abandon NATO allies. He is spending the capital he built over 8 years fixing the damage done by Trumps campaign rhetoric. If that doesn’t confirm his place in the pantheon of greatest presidents then I don’t know what does.
Best comment.
Amen.
Well said.
I hate that he has to do this, but I am incredibly grateful that he is. It would be completely understandable for him to throw his hands up and walk away, but I think for the good of the country, and the whole world, he will offer any advice and help that he can. If Trump has any brain cells in that bloated orange head of his, he will listen.
God bless Obama.
Plus 1000.
What Deni said times 1,000!
President Obama is leaving it all out on the field for our country. He is trying to make sense out of this sh*tstorm. This is what a leader does — lead by example.
(Goes back into dark hole — I still can’t really grasp this turn of events.)
Amen
I wonder if any of the nasty people who so reviled Barack Obama eight years ago have ever come to see what a wonderful person he truly is. Probably not.
I don’t think so because I see so many posts about how they had to “put up” with Obama and now are glad he’s gone. They may never see Obama as a wonderful person unless something drastically goes wrong.
It will go wrong. It will.
They never will.
The First Lady continues to get hate too. Someone who works for a nonprofit in West Virginia (red state) actually posted on Facebook about how classy Melania will be as First Lady, and how glad she is she won’t have to look at an, “ape in heels” in any more. They mayor of the town that non-profit is in agreed before they both got their racist a$$es handed to them. They are trying to backtrack – of course – but screenshots live forever. The kicker – both those people are women. It makes my heart sick.
And Vogue’s IG of their December cover attracted the vermin from their hiding places, also. Most of the comments were complimentary, thankfully.
Dear god really? So they’d rather have a fem-bot for a First Lady? Just no. Those trolls. They didn’t deserve the classy and intelligent Michelle Obama. Who I will miss so much
Michelle Obama is so strong, intelligent, classy, and beautiful that I really can’t fathom how anyone could not see that. But I suppose that is what prejudice is really all about. It’s irrational, and delusional.
Ape in heels? Wow. I am truly shocked and appalled that someone could even THINK that, let alone say it, about Michelle Obama.
The clerk was fired and the mayor retired, but not before she posted a nasty comment on Facebook that said “This is Trump country and you people [posting comments] better learn some manners.” She received over a hundred comments in response, most of them playing theme and variations on “*bleep* you and your whole inbred tribe.” Realizing she was getting no support from anywhere, she resigned her position, saying that she intended to sue the county for providing a hostile work environment and Black Lives Matter for generating and organizing a paid hate campaign against her. She thinks she’s the victim. She’s evidently been imbibing a whole lot of that good ole mountain dew, a/k/a moonshine.
Of course not. And those same nasty people are now demanding that everybody come together and support Trump. It ain’t happening.
Obama you deserved better. Enjoy your retirement away from the crazy.
Please don’t go, sir. Such a graceful and intelligent man and family.
I think Obama is putting it on the record that Trump’s messy transition to power is solely Trump’s fault and not his.
I think you are correct.
Giuliani as Sec of State though…giiiiiirl. Why???
I think he is floating that so he can get Bolton in the job. Giuliani won’t get Senate approval so after they bounce him, he’ll offer Bolton as the lesser of two evils. Otherwise, Bolton wouldn’t get approval.
When I first read this, I thought for a moment that you were making a Game of Thrones joke. Because once you’ve hired Steve Bannon, Ramsay Bolton doesn’t seem like much of a stretch.
All the swagger is about to leave the white house, that is sad. Ps , I love those Joe Biden memes , omg they made my day lol.
Are those the funniest? LOL
My Facebook feed is filled with them
Joe Biden meme’s are keeping me going at this point.
It’s not an exaggeration to say they’re giving me life.
Can you send me some. In Canada not getting some. Edmonton, AB So in Facebook or whatever would enjoy. Keep safe guys, so sorry for you all.
@Rene not sure what the rules for posting links are here but I will give it a try
http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/14/politics/joe-biden-memes-trnd/
Thanks for the link! Those memes are everythang.
The Biden/Obama memes are the only things I’ve laughed about in a week. And the video of Obama’s speech where he says the sun will come up, and Biden looks up toward the sky, then crosses himself.
Ditto – the first belly laugh I’ve had in a week was one of those memes where Biden changed the White House WiFi password to ‘ILuvMexicans’. *sigh* I’m going to miss having respect for my president. It was such a nice feeling for the past eight years.
Anyone who tells me that I ‘owe’ Trump my respect truly misses the point of our Constitution. If anything, the POINT of our system is that we (the people) hold our government accountable. But in order to do that, we would have to look away from Netflix and put down our 55-gallon tubs of soda.
My favorite had Hillary and Biden cracking up over supposedly removing the “W” keys from all the keyboards in the White House before George W. Bush took office, and Biden suggesting they remove all the “T” keys so Trump could only type “rump.”
I’m definitely going to miss Obama and his family. I remember ugly-crying on election night in 2008, because I was so proud that our country had elected its first black President. 8 years later I ugly-cried because we’re going from that to our first fascist. What the hell is wrong with people?
I love the one where Joe tells BO he left a Kenyan passport in the Oval Office desk drawer and a prayer rug in the upstairs bedroom.😂😂😂😂😂😂
My favourites were the wifi password “ILoveMexicans”, the prayer rug and kenyan password and cancelling all channels on the VP cable except for Gay P**n and MSNBC…needed something to laugh about these days!
I love the one where he tells Obama he wrote Michelle 2020 on the bedroom ceiling in glow in the dark paint.
Has anyone heard what is happening with Planned Parenthood? They are getting thousands of dollars in donations — get this — in honor of Mike Pence. They are sending all the certificates to Pence’s office and Pence will probably have a shitfit. I sent them a nice check.
@Ca I made a donation to PP in Pence’s name on Saturday. Will do so again on 1/20.
Would love to know what President Obama said to Donald behind closed doors and away from the cameras? I bet Donald got a reality check that he will not soon forget.
He probably soiled his Depends.
Most likely.
Me too. I imagine Obama remained gracious with his words, but firm with his presence. And I bet Trump, who at heart is a weak little bully, was scared to have to face the man he said such horrible things about, and who is 10 times the man he ever could be.
^^^^^
THIS
Yes, lucy2, did you see the photo of them shaking hands, with Obama looking him square in the face and Trump not even meeting his eyes?
I didn’t see that one Esmom, but I can imagine it.
It must have been something pretty intense, because Trump looked scared sh*tless. Total “what have a I done” look on his face.
I agree. Trumps terrified face spoke volumes.
“The people have spoken. Donald Trump is going to be the next President…… ” lol I feel sorry for Obama that has to teach cheeto Mussolini a “Presidency for dummies” crash course
Not gonna lie, I felt a wave of nausea when Obama said that. Something about him saying it officially made it more real.
I felt that was his way of saying to the public, “he’s your problem now. I’m off. Deal”
Think eveyone would love to know what they spoke about. Trump looked like the Muggle Prime Minister who on his first day, was informed by the Minister of Magic that wizards exist, Voldemort has risen from the dead, the magic world was at war and there is nothing he can do about it.
I freaking love you for this. The Harry Potter comparisons that have come out of this election are the only thing keeping me alive. When POTUS leaves office, I will raise my wand to the sky in a solemn gesture of remembrance, just as the Hogwarts crew did after Dumbledore died.
🙂
My 10-year-old stepsister bowed her head and raised her Hermione wand when we watched Hillary’s concession speech. Because my stepmom and I hadn’t cried enough that day, apparently.
Oh Miranda, that is beautiful. Such a cliche, but it is the young people who are giving me hope for the future.
oh god no, I’m crying.
It really was, Tina! We didn’t know how she’d react, because she was SO READY for Hillary, and if my stepmom and I were in tears over the outcome, what would a little girl do? But it was a perfect gesture, we were so impressed. And just to brag on my sis a little more, she and her friends have a reputation at their school for defending other kids from bullies (non-violently, of course!). Unfortunately, bullies seem to be coming out of the woodwork this past week. I’m a substitute teacher, currently teaching 5th grade, and It’s so depressing to see and hear how hateful some of these kids can be at such a young age. But kids like my stepsister and her friends definitely give me hope.
Very accurate analogy… Thanks for the smile.
I love this comment!!
Oh @ela right on.
This, exactly. The HP analogies are spot on, especially the other day when someone called Drumpf orange Voldemort
Best description EVER! I will never not love HP analogies. Speaking of, if you guys had a Patronus, what would it be?
Mine would be lioness. Or possibly a velociraptor Lol.
I think President Obama should use the Vulcan mind grip on the Donald
I’d prefer the Vulcan nerve pinch.
Reality has a way of asserting itself. Ain’t that the truth. Unfortunately, his reality has become ours.
I think the President is trying to keep all hell from breaking loose. I wish he would tell the Orange One off, but I don’t think he will.
I have alternated between stress eating and nausea since Tuesday myself. I don’t know how he is keeping it together.
“Obama trying to be gracious in the face of lunacy”
Says it all.
Sign and pass it along…if you wish
https://www.change.org/p/electoral-college-electors-electoral-college-make-hillary-clinton-president-on-december-19?source_location=discover_feed
http://www.senate.gov/general/contacting.htm
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
This, for future elections….
http://www.nationalpopularvote.com
They’re letting Canadians sign the electoral college petition!
I was polled yesterday by phone to see if I had voted and I’m in BC. They then asked if they could call in the future for opinions on the presidency. I did say I was Canadian, but they didn’t care.
Well, that’s fucked up.
I’m Canadian and I signed it – good Lord we’re next door neighbours and America’s biggest trading partner, if ‘Murica goes down we do too, unless all the sane and evolved people move here. We’ll accept them with open hearts, donuts and maple syrup!!!
My brother and I were discussing this the other day, after Obama met with Trump at the White House, and Trump said afterwards that there were some parts of Obamacare he would keep. We think that Trump, a very stupid man with no filter, has probably been talking shit about Obama’s policies this entire time without actually knowing what they were. Maybe after Obama himself explained them, he realized they weren’t all bad, and maybe he even agreed with some. It’s always been pretty clear that Trump is mainly concerned with promoting Trump, and doesn’t actually care about half the stuff on the Republican platform anyway (for example, he had once voiced support for universal healthcare and tighter gun control, and early on in his campaign, he seemed to be in favor of trans people using whatever bathroom they wanted. And you can’t tell me he hasn’t paid for a mistress or 2 to have an abortion).
I really hope Democrats will get in Trump’s head and constantly remind him of all the nasty things his fellow Republicans said about him at various times during the campaign. He’s so easy to bait, and such a petulant baby that I can totally see him vetoing bills pushed by his former opponents just out of spite.
No amount of Obama mid tricks of Democratc whispering is going to save us from this monster and his poisonous advisers. That is the real, and sad truth.
I actually don’t think Trump is as hateful as he has made himself out to be, in order to court votes from the truly hateful (although I suppose that, in itself, is a special kind of dick move?) – but his advisers are a dangerous combination of clueless, hateful and some very very clever.
*sigh* I know, but it’s a nice fantasy. I’m still in favor of reminding Trump of those insults, though, because he deserves that every day. You know how Roman generals would have a slave follow them during victory parades, saying “remember thou art mortal”? I want Joe Biden following Trump during the Inauguration, chanting “remember you’re an asshole.” I can see Biden doing that.
Yeah, I remember a while back, John Oliver said something about how, at a certain point, there isn’t any appreciable difference between being a bigot and just acting like one. Hell, just acting like it might be worse, because he probably knows better.
“but his advisers are a dangerous combination of clueless, hateful and some very very clever”
Exactly.
And Trump is going to delegate EVERYTHING, so it is the establishment cronies who have really been elected here.
Does it really matter if he isn’t? “Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you think returns to be.”
Just as bad (or worse), I’m thinking. If it’s sincere, at least there would be hope for a change of heart. Also, Boing Boing posted an article from the New York Times, 1922!, assuring readers that a certain other leader wasn’t totally serious about his bigotry:
“Several reliable, well-informed sources confirmed the idea that Hitler’s anti-Semitism was not so genuine or violent as it sounded, and that he was merely using anti-Semitic propaganda as a bait to catch masses of followers and keep them aroused, enthusiastic, and in line for the time when his organization is perfected and sufficiently powerful to be employed effectively for political purposes.”
Great.
when I sold my house the owner thought he would keep my furniture. I was bewildered and he was bewildered when I told him where his dreams were coming from. Trump is the same: just move in cross, the legs and let everyone work for you. his job was done: make people angry, unleash their inner racism and retreat into the most powerful house in the world and relax.
Small edit — he wants to retreat back to Tbag Tower. He has been “neogtiating” how many nights a week he *has* to sleep at the White House. Apparently, he likes to sleep in his own bed each night. (Upon hearing this, my 12-year old son said, “Uh Mom….if he loves his bed that much, can’t he just move it to the White House?”)
From the mouth of babes comes the truth! I said on the other Trump story that I believe he want to live in NYC because he will not be as scrutinized there as if he were in the White House. Also he can keep an eye on his businesses, maybe even be involved in them, without the scrutiny.
Your son is smarter than the “adults” who will be running this country soon.
“He thought he would just keep all of Pres. Obama’s staff” I really want to know if this is true, I mean seriously?
Yes. It is true. AND his precious advisors who supposedly know so much thought so too. Wait until they realize they have to replace agency heads too.
If anyone could do it, he will. Sadly, I think once he’s gone, Trump will be easily led by the team he’s creating and t will all be for naught.
In my opinion, Trump is picking the team he is for two reasons-one, on some level he realizes how batshit crazy his base is and he is afraid that if he doesn’t choose the people who helped stoke hatred from the far right, they’ll all turn on him violently. And second, he is expecting them all to do the actual work anyway. Any president elect that is telling you that he expects to actually only have to live in the White House part time, is telling you that the presidency to him, is just a photo op essentially.
Both prospects are frightening because it means either way, Trump has already lost control of the monster he created and he knows it. Worse, he is more interested in saving his own skin.
Right? This is not a fucking part time job – don’t care whether you are getting paid to do it, or not. Bannon, Pence and his other dumb and dumber (Eric and Don Jr) are going to be running this show – with a hint of Ivanka thrown is for the glamour.
Obama is covering his ass by playing nice. You all (not all obviously) chose an elderly man with the temperament of a 2 year old to run your country. If President Obama didn’t go above and beyond to hold his hand through the process we would never hear the end of it and it would be all Obama’s fault when he f*cks up.
It’ll be Obama’s fault no matter what. You really think they’re going to accept the blame for anything? They never have up until now.
For the same dingleberries who elected Rumpy, it will always be Obama’s fault.
As my father said, BO tries to do the right things (despite constant opposition), as people forget the timeline of what HE inherited. BO was not even elected when the bailouts started, yet *all* the financial crisis seems to be blamed on him.
Now every future misstep of orange ego (who makes 1980s Reagan look like a fully lucid whippersnapper by comparison) will likely be blamed on him as well.
If they can be believed, signs seem to indicate that he’s not planning to do much of the work of governing. (1) There was a post-election report that Trump said he really wants to continue to do the kind of rallies he has during the election. (How is that presidential? It’s all about the affirmation and adulation of the roaring crowd for this freak-show narcissist.) (2) When one of the Trump sons reached out to Gov. Kasich about joining the ticket, it was leaked that they offered to him that the veep would be in charge of domestic and foreign affairs. Taken together, with (3) the news that Trump is asking/negotiating how many nights a week he needs to be in DC (as opposed to the NYC penthouse or FL golf course) and I think we see what’s going to happen here. And it has three names which should scare all of us — Pence, Priebus and Bannon.
“There was a post-election report that Trump said he really wants to continue to do the kind of rallies he has during the election. (How is that presidential? It’s all about the affirmation and adulation of the roaring crowd for this freak-show narcissist.”
Ugh. All I picture is Hitler meets Evita, the musical
Having experienced 20 years of Berlusconi Government in my country, I am sad to say I definitely see some tragic similarities. And I am sorry I have to predict this guy is here to stay.
I explain you why.
1) they’re both wealthy businessmen. Therefore, they say, they don’t need taxpayers’ money. Of course their supporters celebrate the fact they won’t pay their leader’s salary, but they lose the big picture: those guys (and their relevant families) are more than eager to maximize their profits while serving their countries. In any possible and questionable way. Besides, they can insist on the fact that they actually have a job. Their message is clear: full time politicians do not perform any job, they are completely useless, they represent a cost to the community and we have to get rid of them;
– they like strong leadership. And so they fraternize with people like Putin. They’ll love making business together, and again, there could be billions at stake;
– they have ongoing legal processes. For their supporters this is the proof that the system is rigged and that elite (even judiciary system) struggle to prevent outsiders from making changes to the status quo. The more processes they have, the more they scream “it’s rigged”;
– ignorance, mysoginy, racism…their supporters love the fact these guys use the lowest common denominator as their cultural and linguistic reference. The bar is pretty low, and – unfortunately – many people love it;
– when educated people criticize them, for less educated this is a proof that these guys stand against elites in the interest of those “left behind”.
And so on.
Having said that, I have to add that Trump is worse than Berlusconi. First of all because the first time Berlusconi became Italy’s PM in 1994 he was a very different person from now. He did not (at the time!) spend his time offending minorities, women, immigrants. And he was a centre-right moderate.
Secondly, he did not have the nuke!
We have been ridiculed, as Italians, for our PM and our political situation. Even during my business meeting abroad I would expect the same question, over and over: “Why are you voting this buffoon?”. “Italy= Berlusconi, what a joke”. It was difficult to explain how this became possible.
But now I am nor relieved by the fact that the same disgrace is happening to someone else. I am scared, I tell you.
thanks for this insight.
Oh god I think you’re right.
I guess there’s a clear benefit to the President only being allowed to serve two terms after all.
Do you think so? After all in Italy there’s the Prime Minister but also a President, who is in charge of the Armed Forces and leads the Supreme Judiciary Council and is the only one who can remove a Minister. Besides there’s no Spoil System, i.e.: PMs must work with the existing top bureocrats and staff. They cannot appoint their friends to key bureocratic and staff roles.
Italian PMs cannot fire anybody, they do not appoint Supreme Court Judges, They cannot declare war, they don’t have the nuke. They cannot influence the appointment of the Bank of Italy Governor.
Furthermore I didn’t say that Berlusconi is not vindictive at all. He can be very generous with his opponents.
Believe me, 8 years of a guy who has a full majority, who can appoint Supreme Court Judges, who has hire and fire power over top bureocrats and civil servants, who leads a powerful Army deployed in a number of foreign countries, who can influence the most important Financial Organization in the World, and who shows clear signs of thin skin, vindicative behaviour and anger issues will be a nightmare for the entire world.
Pres. Obama is a true gentleman.
President Obama will be sorely missed. The thought of an overgrown toddler ruling the free world is not a pleasant one, to put it mildly.
You said it.
He’s not even my president but I would give anything to have a leader like him.
Obama still is and always was a class act and why I thought America was great. Now it sucks again. Anytime I see a white person in the US I suspect they secretly voted for Trump and I feel sick. I am a white person, by the way, and beyond disappointed with the white women in America. They are too stupid to see “change” is a woman being president and too forgiving of Trump’s sexism. How about “pussygate” Trump as his name from now on.
I’m glad I can come to CB to vent. To me Trump symbolizes all the mean kids in high school and all the guys who got away with date rape and bullying. The bad guy is not supposed to win in the end. So what does it say about America when it fed his insane ego, gave him a reward and the biggest prize.
One topic he also discussed at the press conference was how the party goes forward. He said that ‘good ideas don’t matter if people don’t hear them’, and went on to talk about showing up everywhere (how we won Iowa by 87 days of attending small town fairs, fish fry events, etc.).
He did not call out HC’s campaign specifically, but the message was there. I supported and voted for her, but I also believe her team was overconfident and played a far too limited ground game. He called that out yesterday, in a very tactful way.
Yes you can always do more. But I blame underlying sexism, especially with the military folk and oddly enough white women who don’t like women as bosses. Comey also stifled a lead with the strategically timed wet blanket over the whole thing. Then there are the polls giving a false sense of security and the sheer disbelief that America would vote for a sexist racist bully. But America did, and that says a lot about the country. It makes me sick because I used to like America, largely due to Obama. Trump lied when they said the world is laughing at America. The world was proud of America. Now all that is shattered.
When months or years of reflection occur, there will be at least a dozen contributing factors, from voter ignorance of facts to both voters and candidates reacting (or lulled to complacency) by polls.
Yet what he mentioned about getting in front of people across all 50 states (and not just in metro areas) hit home. For all the lies and bravado, one thing orange one did, is cover a lot of ground. He went to places that have been mostly ignored by Dems for several years.
The orange one’s campaign slogan irritated me as well. This has always been a great country.
@Christin – that’s one thing I’m surprised the Dems didn’t take on board – Obama had MAJOR ground game in ’08 and ’12 (his volunteers even hit up the DC suburbs, which is apparently uncommon in presidential elections), and that definitely played a role in getting people out there to vote for him, especially young people who otherwise have poor turnout.
Ground game could have made a difference, as it was so close.
This is from an economist’s (numbers guy) blog I received yesterday — “Had she received just 107,334 votes carefully sprinkled across those states (Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania), she would be president with 278 electoral votes.”
Iowa wasn’t lost because of the lack of fish frys. Though that is a necessary part, Hillary WAS doing local events in the state.
The problem was that “trade deals” became bad words. In an attempt to appease the Bernie Bros, Clinton was too scared to fully defend them. Agriculture in Iowa used to be an industry of the common man. Now it is corporate owned. If you can’t work on a farm, and you can’t work in a factory, and you don’t have white collar skills, you have few options.
What Clinton needed to do to win Iowa was somehow educate the population on the true BENEFICIAL impacts of trade deals (This American Life breaks it down clearly in their episode “Seriously?”.). She needed to emphasize and contrast how Democrats want to invest in education and training programs that can help someone who used to build air conditioners to now build wind farms.
WaPo sent a reporter to SW VA coal country to interview residents about why they voted for DT. They didn’t like him personally, but it was the promise of reviving blue collar jobs that won them over.
HC never came within 100 miles of that ‘forgotten’ region, to my knowledge. Orange came, though, and had miners right behind him. He also visited a local manufacturing facility for photo opps just prior to winning the nomination. Local media had indicated it was a closed event, so it may have been carefully staged for media impact. But it apparently worked (though I suspect he can’t magically revive coal).
He didn’t even have to talk about extensive plans. Just showing up generates a feeling that the candidate does recognize an area. I think you have to get the candidate within 100 miles of any populated area during 18 months of campaigning.
god, I wish President Obama wasn’t going to be succeeded by THAT.
He’s one of the few world leaders I actually had respect for, and it breaks my heart that after eight years of him, the American electoral system gave people THAT.
It makes me want to cry it is happening tbh. I’ve had that feeling every time I’ve woken up this week.
I know this sounds crazy, but can Obama stay on and mentor Trump like for the whole 4 years?? He can be the training wheels that never come off because the pilot is bat-shit crazy and cannot be trusted to be alone. What a sad state.
I read somewhere, and I believe it’s true, that a society will choose someone to ease its guilt but then revert to old ways shortly thereafter. I think white folks voting for a charismatic Obama made them feel good about themselves. Now they can always say I’m not racist because, see, I voted for a black man. But their true colors are bleakly shining through loud and clear now.
I think you nailed it. I’ve been seeing a lot of “But I/they voted for Obama!” recently – as if that bought them a free pass forever.
I think a lot of people who voted for Trump also have a deep seated yet false fear of being retaliated against for what they know they’ve done to people. Whether it be actively participating in someone else’ oppression or just being complicit by not speaking up. No one is interested in retaliating but they still think it’s coming so it’s a twisted ‘I’m going to get you before you get me’. They’re living in their own “private Idaho”.
Fighting progression with regression, what a world we live in.
I was always going to miss POTUS and FLOTUS and VPOTUS (sorry), but I there might actually be snot tears come January 20. President Obama had a call with supporters yesterday where he said he can’t say anything now, but he will have plenty say and organizing to do when he is a private citizen.
Also, I really hope he keeps his plans to stay in DC during the new administration because hopefully he just tells these Trump no-nothings that the new President doesn’t actually govern, he just takes a lot of pictures and the old President does all the work!
We all should be ashamed forever more and then some that we let the first black family in the white house hand over the keys to a man clearly endorsed by the KKK which he did not disavow, this is a disgrace and I hope all of you have your vaseline by your bedside cause the way we are about to be f*cked will be monumental, will last years if not a generation whether this D*ckhead gets to do what he promised, or if they hurry up and impeach him for the sell out of public offices or molesting more women or what have you or through the placement of law/judges/appointees that will most assuredly walk back rights/liberties for us all
Also… No shade I hope the inauguration i a sh*tshow, that people don’t attend and performers decline to take part, I for one wont watch (just twitter follow)
I’m stealing that Vaseline line from you! Perfect 👏🏻
“We all should be ashamed forever more…”
NO! We ALL didn’t vote for or support Trump. Some of us are still fighting it in any way we can. I’m not ashamed, as I have nothing to be ashamed of. I’M ANGRY! If we stay angry, maybe, we can mitigate the harm this new administration will do.
Yes! I am NOT ashamed, I did NOT vote for that orange piece of crap.
And I tried my damnedest to talk sense into people
YES
Rumored when after Obama was elected he called Bush often at beginning of his Presidency and now the 2 are friends. Bush did the same with Clinton, and they are now best friends. Its a small club of ex Presidents or those that have run for President. So Trump is even welcome into the club. Also Obama loves this country and had rather sacrifice his probably cringe at Trump as President than to leave him dead in the water. Obama cares about this country and Trump probably knows it by now. I hope, pray, Trump humbles himself and gives Obama a call when he stuck in a decision or needs guidance on how he needs to do something. Obama is making a relationship, so it can happen. Oh good lord I wish we could keep the Obamas 🙁
Obama said Dubya was very gracious during the handover period. George Snr. left a lovely note for Bill Clinton.
http://www.snopes.com/bush-clinton-note/
I have no time for the politics of either Bush, but this shows them in a positive light. But this is such a horrible situation that it must be rotten for Obama. I hope he and Michelle stay in public life in some capacity, after having a well deserved break.
Obama is going to be busy. No rest for the weary. What if he ends up being our shadow government? Lol!
*sigh* I love this man. That is all…
This is nothing that we didn’t already know, but..
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_582a19b8e4b060adb56fbae7
Fuck everyone who says it might not be as bad as we think… hang in, it’s only 4 years… we have to make nice…
I hope all those seniors who voted for Trump enjoy their new cute little vouchers. Good luck with that, gramps!
Obama is a true patriot. He always was there to serve his country humbly. In helping Cheeto Mussolini, he’s really trying to help America, because Cheeto is going to be baaaaaaaad enough, even without terrified incompetence as part of the All-You-Can-Stomach Buffet of Unfitness.
I am so grateful i can come here to read these witty and intelligent conversations. Its therapeutic.
I am praying hard for a miracle. is that okay to say here? I am praying hard that maybe Trump will either not take the job or at least hire people who are sane.
I have not had time to read this thread yet, but just now on television news they had a bit about Obama and the situation he is now in (basically about him not having trusted Trump with an internship in the White House and now having to help him at the start of his new job without lecturing him). They also said since he won Trump looked a bit overwhelmed at times, so clearly others are reading the signs as most on here do.
But looking at the Obama clips I felt so bad for him. Regarding the outcome of the election I have felt like shit since last Tuesday, but I can’t even begin to understand how gutted and disappointed the Obamas must feel.
Someone somewhere on here wrote they were ready to hang onto Obama’s trousers, not letting him leave the Oval office. I volunteer to help. Maybe if we all…? *sighs*
Ugh, Trump is so far over his head. And now he just wants to hide out in his tower with his pillow over his head and let his cronies run things most of the time? No, Donald, sorry, that is not the job. (And if he tries to pull that, I hope all the Fox News shills rant as much about that as they did about Obama going to the Vineyard. They won’t, I’d bet, just like it was no problem that W hung out in Crawford or in that camp so much.)
Question for you guys, if you had the option to veto one of Trump’s advisors and keep that person from a position in his administration, who would it be?
On one hand, Bannon is an obvious choice, because what an insufferable, racist, sexist piece of work. But Guiliani is vile in his own way.
I think my vote would be for the Children of the Corn to be bounced from both policy input (no high level security clearance for you! big game murderers) and running his companies, because a) it’s not like they are Bobby Kennedy or have any clue and b) having your kids run your financial interests is in no way a blind trust/firewall for someone whose actions could have major impact on trade and the financial markets. Ivanka shilling her gaudy trinkets, hoping to pick up $8 or $10K from ignorant rubes was incredibly crass, and an indication of where their priveledged, isolated little noggins are headed.
December 16, 2016 the electoral college votes. Could the batshit crazy unfolding of the Trump transition affect the outcome we all assume is inevitable?
my love for obama pretty much knows no bounds at this point.
i am trying to savor these last days of having an intelligent, wise, dignified, rational man of integrity as the us president, knowing what is to come. it’s bittersweet.
^^^^^^ This. I agree 1000% Nibbi.