That word is “coward.”
Democrats accuse him of lying. “Liar” is accurate, but Trump’s base doesn’t care. Nor do they care about his flip-flopping or pending lawsuits against him. Over and over, in interviews, his supporters say he is brave and courageous for taking on “the establishment.” As one of his campaign’s bumper stickers says, “Trump — the only candidate with balls.”
That perception of courage is what must be cracked. And here’s how.
Trump has not had the courage to release his tax returns. If the information in them matched all his bragging, then why would he hide them? Because he can’t take the heat of criticism or even tough questioning, that’s why, as he has demonstrated over and over during the past year of campaigning. He deflects his critics by hurling another insult or making another outrageous threat that sidetracks the media once again.
What to do? Democrats — Tim Kaine, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, senators, representatives, governors, military brass, all the rest of us — must immediately mount a chorus demanding release of his returns NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 1. The deadline is important, as he has been able to make endless excuses for postponing, hoping he can get past mid-October, when there is little time left for analysis. The “coward” word must be brought up in every speech, every talk show, at every opportunity.
In the challenge, it is important to repeat, over and over, “Are you a coward? If not, release your returns.” And to point out that Clinton has withstood tough Senate hearings and much more. She is no coward.
If Trump refuses to meet the deadline, he will indeed demonstrate to his base that he is a coward. If he releases his returns, then he will have to deal with questions about those returns for the remaining five weeks.
And his base? They will never vote for Hillary, as they have been too brainwashed for too long. But if they were to be disillusioned enough to stay home, as they have in the past, it could well be enough to provide the margin of victory for Clinton in key states.
President Harry S. Truman said it best. “If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.” Trump can’t stand the heat; let’s make sure he stays out of the kitchen.