tuscl

Interesting take I guess

Papi_Chulo
Miami, FL (or the nearest big-booty club)
Here’s why Trump’s poll numbers are defying the impeachment mess


No matter where you turn, the news is filled with embarrassing stuff about President Trump. The CIA whistleblower complaint about his conduct on a call with Ukraine’s president has turned into a full-court impeachment scandal.

But through all of this, Trump’s approval rating is at its highest level of the year according to the Hill-HarrisX survey, and the other major polls taken since this Ukraine phone call whistleblower story emerged show few changes from the last surveys taken before the news broke.

How is this possible?

Anyone still asking that question simply hasn’t come to terms with why Donald Trump won the 2016 election in the first place. In short, Trump was elected to be the ultimate disruptor and to play that disruptive role as much as possible. “Drain the swamp” wasn’t just a campaign slogan, but a visceral feeling against establishment Washington in every way. Millions of Americans who voted for Trump and still support him chose him precisely because he is nasty, breaks the rules, and shows little respect for the political establishment at every level.

To really be mad at Trump for asking foreign leaders to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden or Hillary Clinton, the voters need to believe that Clinton and the Bidens aren’t inherently corrupt. They must also believe that just about all the rules and established groups within American government, especially the intelligence community, deserve unquestioned respect.

Here’s a newsflash: a very large number of Americans don’t have that trust and respect, and they’re generally OK with Trump being the junkyard dog who digs it all out.

This is Donald Trump’s brand.

Comedian Dennis Miller put it as succinctly as possible with a Facebook post Thursday where he simply wrote: “The simple fact is that if Trump was vaguely presidential he wouldn’t be President.”

This goes beyond scandalous or nasty behavior. Even little things like frequent misspellings in his tweets reinforce his brand of being anything but a polished politician.

It became clear during the end of the 2016 election, that this is also why Trump’s many exaggerations and outright falsehoods are judged by a different standard. Going back to his days as a casino mogul and reality TV show host, Trump established a brand for bluster or “puffing” that we accept when we see commercials for the “best car ever,” and the “greatest show on earth.” Fact-checking Trump is almost a waste of time as much of the public accepts his bluster in a way no established politician can ever get away with.

Branding is an important guide when it comes to seeing how any given president can weather scandals. We know that from two very different presidents in the past who came out of their own impeachment scandals very differently, thanks largely due to their political and personal branding.

For President Richard Nixon, who was elected in 1968 largely on “law and order” branding, the revelations that he himself had likely broken the law were devastating. Nixon’s approval numbers began to tank as soon as the Watergate accusations and investigations reached regular front page status. Nixon was never impeached, but the House Judiciary Committee did vote in favor of sending articles of impeachment to the full House floor. That helped force his ouster and by the time of his resignation in 1974, his approval rating was at an all-time low of about 22%.

Fast forward about 20 years and President Bill Clinton was actually impeached by the Republican-controlled House. But while the official charge was perjury, Clinton was really mired in an extramarital affair scandal. As embarrassing as the Lewinsky scandal facts were, they were in no way a surprise to most Americans who were already aware of Clinton’s philandering history. In essence, it was part of a brand that made him seem much more real to voters compared to the stodgier George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole.

Clinton was also helped by something that didn’t exist in Nixon’s time: a 24/7 cable news media that provided his supporters ample opportunities to make their cases for him and attack his accusers. Right now, Trump is getting at least some of that support on Fox News and some smaller conservative networks. Also unlike Nixon, Trump has his own Twitter account and many other supporters on social media. Throw in the conservative talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin who are defending him daily, and this is yet another reason why the rules are very different than they were in 1973-74.

Branding and different standards aren’t the only reasons why Bill Clinton and Trump fare better than Nixon when it comes to scandal. Nixon was also straddled with high inflation and a generally weak economy during the final years of his presidency while Trump is riding a still strong economy and Clinton enjoyed the same scenario.

None of this means the Ukraine scandal won’t hurt the president in the long run. That’s especially true if it coaxes another truly non-establishment candidate off the sidelines to challenge him. But those seeking to impeach and remove him don’t seem to understand that this push is just as likely to help Trump, as his generally static poll numbers and improved fundraising since the scandal broke continue to prove.

Donald Trump is different. He plays by different rules and is judged by different rules. As long as his opponents play by the old rules, he’s likely to survive this scandal and the 2020 re-election battle.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/04/heres-wh…

33 comments

  • Papi_Chulo
    5 years ago
    LOL @Trump seemingly trying to make Xi Jinping his bitch:


    https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/10…

  • Clubber
    5 years ago
    Let's face it. After 2+ YEARS of the "news" pounding on russian collusion, russian collusion, russian collusion, russian collusion,and russian collusion, NOTHING!

    Why would one start believing now? No reason. But then why would many NOT believe any longer?
  • Muddy
    5 years ago
    Hard to argue. I mean I’m not extreme one way or the other but economy has been doing well on his watch, market’s been good, and unemployment is down. Numbers are good. Do I wish this dude was a little more professional, yes but that takes a back seat to people having jobs to support their families IMO. America is gonna be fine if Biden gets elected but hell no to some of the other extreme candidates who want drop 10 trillion on whatever new bullshit they come up with. They are like that drunk broke friend who wants to bring the fat girl to $800 dollar VIP. You just have to intervene. I just don’t understand how a sane person could want a radical candidate like Sanders or Warren I just don’t.
  • san_jose_guy
    5 years ago
    Trump is a megalomaniac. And with 30 years of Right Wing Nonsense News behind him, the American Electoral System has broken.

    So don't be surprised now when we go to Gun Barrel Communism. Best for now is just to keep your heads low.

    SJG
  • mark94
    5 years ago
    By the time the dust settles, we will discover that most of Washington has been corrupt for decades. Hunter Biden is the norm, not the exception.

    We need to burn the city to the ground and start all over again. We have the right man for the job.
  • san_jose_guy
    5 years ago
    Bernie Sanders, AOC, Andy Yang, all great people to turn to.

    Trump as an aberration, showing how far our political process had degenerated.

    SJG
  • anthony6613
    5 years ago
    Trump may be a jerk personally but as long as the economy stays solid and the democrats run Sanders or Warren he is a lock to win.
    The same reason Hillary didn’t win. People vote against the person he is running against. Sad but true.
  • RandomMember
    5 years ago
    Sort of a long-winded article. Simple explanation is that if you already hated Trump the inquiry makes you hate him more -- whereas Ukraine is fake news to his supporters. So net effect on his approval rating isn't much.

    His approval rating is about 41% (average of polls) which is awful.
  • Nidan111
    5 years ago
    Fuck Washington. Go Trump!
  • ime
    5 years ago
    Hard to put much stock in approval numbers for any president, I haven't and don't know anyone who was ever part of one of these polls.
  • Cowboy12
    5 years ago
    The swamp hates Trump because he won't play by their rules.
    We need someone to take the establishment down a notch.
    Hopefully the voters will wake up and vote out some of these long term politicians AND the left wing, crazy liberals too.
  • Cashman1234
    5 years ago
    Very interesting post. It appears contrarian logic keeps his supporters committed to the cause. It is definitely logical. A useful read.
  • pistola
    5 years ago
    ‘Gun Barrel Communism’
    -
    Spoken like a true radical left wing cuckoo nut job. That’s right can’t beat em, can’t impeach em, rather than get a new strategy turn to shooting people. What a retarded comment but not surprising coming from the radical left. Don’t like it, ride your purple Huffy bike to a communist country and live in joy there.
  • ime
    5 years ago
    Haha Pedo Joe and Fauxcahontas have no chance, VHIV wont even be alive by the election all that cock he took in the ass and mouth to give him AIDS will have killed him by then. But i guess that explains his daily tantrums. Haha stay pissed vhhomo.
  • skibum609
    5 years ago
    SJG - Take your gun barrell communism and shove it up your own ass. Fucking pussy. You even make VH seem remotely masculaine.
  • nicespice
    5 years ago
    Good article, Papi. I know Scott Adams back in 2015 correctly predicted trump’s ability as a master persuader would win him the election.

    That personal branding is definitely a way to have that going.
  • san_jose_guy
    5 years ago
    We will see, but this may be the end for America's Nonsense Right. It just about has to be, or we won't have a country left.

    SJG
  • san_jose_guy
    5 years ago
    Quid Pro Quo

    GOP challenger Joe Walsh: Donald Trump is a traitor
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N6ftLgW…

    Goodbye Donald Trump!

    SJG
  • san_jose_guy
    5 years ago
    MATH, Make Americans Think Harder, Andy Yang

    Court orders Trump to provide 8 years of tax returns
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uRscIrQ…

    Former Trump Organization executive says she expects Trump will resign
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0deWxcvY…

    SJG
  • georgmicrodong
    5 years ago
    I seem to recall several polls' and pundits' certainty that Clinton had the last election "locked". Didn't turn out that way, did it.

    I'm no fan of Trump, but the shadenboner I got from watch liberal heads explode lasted for months.
  • san_jose_guy
    5 years ago
    Republicans blocked at least one recount where the returns seemed strange.

    SJG
  • skibum609
    5 years ago
    Losers whining. You lost to Trump lol.
  • pistola
    5 years ago
    Holy shit these fucking whiny bitch cocksucking dems and the popular vote stuff again. They can’t win elections fair and square so popular vote this and that and recounts and Florida and on and on and on. Grow up you snowflake buttercup sissies. Put up a better candidate.
  • BigDickSammy_
    5 years ago
    VH_Hicks, you sexy beast! You got me so hard! I got a boner bro! Come here and give daddy a blow job!
  • BigDickSammy_
    5 years ago
    Go Trump!
  • latinalover69
    5 years ago
    San Jose Asshole never bet against Trump. I cant wait to drink the liberal tears in Nov2020.
  • Cashman1234
    5 years ago
    Sammy knows what that ass clown VH_dicks enjoys! He’s like most dems - filled with pent up rage - and looking for a real man - with a Republican cock to suck!
  • pistola
    5 years ago
    How come the only Presidents in the last 100 years who needed a rigged system
    -
    What a truly repugnant comment, indicative of the shitstain you are and the brainwashing you have endured. I’d love to see you walk up to our founding fathers and tell them that. Ben Franklin would bitchslap you so hard you wouldn’t be able to order one of your faggoty Starbucks drinks because you’d have a speech impediment for a week. What a stupid, anti American comment. Figures coming from a dem.

    And if when Texas and FL turn blue, it ain’t gonna be from immigration. It might be because Latinos breed like cockroaches but no more of this illegal immigration shit. Republicans only whined for about a year after a highly unqualified, only elected because of his skin color, pot smoking anti Semite was elected. Unlike the Dems, who have acted like total crybaby bitches for 3 years. I’m cool with the electoral college, if the republicans can’t put up a person that can win within the rules of the game, I’m fine with it. But I don’t understand your faggot way of thinking that the system is fucked. Let me explain it to you in a way that your liberal lack of brain cells might be able to comorehend. Sometimes in the game of football, your team might outgain the other team by 200 yards and during the same game you might win the turnover battle, but the score says you lost. So maybe we should change football to start giving weighted points like every 100 yards ga8ndd, the team gets 4 points and every forced fumble with recovery is 2 points, that’s why you liberal waste of space cunts sound like complete dumbasses complaining about it.

    Now go be a good boy a give Sammy what he wants
  • skibum609
    5 years ago
    Electoral college works as planned and keeps America as a country. Amend the Constitution If you don't like it progressive rats.
  • nemesisk7
    5 years ago
    Can't wait to see Texascunt and Floridass turn solid BLUE !!
  • san_jose_guy
    5 years ago
    I first saw that there was something seriously wrong about Trump with the Muslim couple who spoke at the Democratic Convention.

    Trump was talking about Muslim Bans. He was fondling his xenophobic base.

    But such a ban would violate the Constitution, and the courts would later tell him so.

    At the Convention a Muslim couple spoke. They challenged Trump, asking if he had ever read the Constitution. They were Naturalized Citizens, having as much right to be called Americans as does Donald Trump.

    They lost one of their sons, 27yo, while he as serving in Iraq, as a US Army Captain.

    But Trump makes fun of them.

    And that is totally wrong, he makes fun of the Muslim Couple, he makes fun of all immigrants, and of all who have descended from immigrants, and he makes fun of all of those who have served in our military.

    Donald Trump has no idea at all what this country is about!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S17KDmZh…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPg1aPFC…

    SJG
  • san_jose_guy
    5 years ago
    URGENT !! Breaking Trump News [3PM] 10/8/19 | CNN News Today Oct 8, 2019
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alRaIqBe…

    Gordon Sondland has instructions direct from Trump, no buffers.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Son…

    Trump admin issues new letter of defiance to Nancy Pelosi, ratcheting up Constitutional Clash.

    URGENT !! Breaking Trump News [6PM] 10/8/19 | CNN News Today Oct 8, 2019
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH6efd5P…

    4 hour gap, Sondland making his own phone call to Trump

    Will Trump's handling of Turkey mean that US troops will be placed at greater risk later on?

    The Khan Family lost their son to a car bomb while serving as a US Army Captain in Iraq. There are dangerous wackos in the Middle-East. But Trump's entire political career has just been massaging such wackos here in the US.

    Who should deliver the Final Message?

    I say it should be Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

    But who will give Trump asylum, and can his 757 fly there without refueling?

    There is not enough water to get to Leningrad without crossing over EU waters and airspace. But he could go above the Arctic Circle and get beyond Finland to Murmansk.

    If his 757 does not have the range, maybe a bunch of food and water and he can borrow Greta Thunberg's 60' yacht.


    SJG
  • san_jose_guy
    5 years ago
    White House: Trump will not cooperate with impeachment probe
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na7zy9iI…


    Majority Of Americans Back Impeachment Inquiry Or Trump's Removal From Office
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSNScI9r…

    This Joseph Maguire, Acting Director of National Intelligence, Retired as a Navy Vice Admiral, spent over 20 years as a Navy Seal.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mag…

    These sorts of people, and Adam Schiff Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, all very different from Donald Trump. They are Military, Intelligence, National Security, Diplomats, and often Lawyers. They may or may not agree with the politics of Donald Trump and his party, but they conduct themselves very differently. They are careful about what they say. They have gotten to where they are by decades of reliable service. Trump is absolutely nothing compared to them.


    Impeaching Trump is a Constitutional Requirement!

    Messages Detail Alarm From State Department Official Over Policy Toward Ukraine
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axKxZ4ih…

    This is so similar to how Nixon went down, but just greatly accelerated, and with Trump very likely facing post removal prosecution.

    SJG
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