Early on in George W. Bush’s second term, I bought a button that read, “I never thought I’d miss Nixon”. I wore it most of the time for a couple of years. It got laughs from some surprising people: a clerk at Target, who wasn’t old enough to remember George H.W. Bush, but assured me she was taking A.P. history.
When my car broke down in OHara Township, an upscale Pittsburgh suburb, the local police thought my button was hilarious, and agreed whole heartedly.
I didn’t get any negative comments. Just an occasional “Who was Nixon?’” Bush had his admirers, but they didn’t admire him that much.
Now I’d like a button that says, “I never thought I’d miss George W.” But wearing it might not be the best idea. Ditto the Dump Trump sign I’d like to put in my front yard. Impeach Trump would be better, and apparently a very good idea, but I won’t put a sign saying so in my yard any time soon.
But I don’t want my windows broken. I don’t want someone shooting at my house. I don’t care to be assaulted. I am no longer a young woman. Fighting off an attacker isn’t something I can do these days.
Unlike Bush’s fans, or Reagan’s admirers. Unlike John McCain’s supporters, or even Sarah Palin’s, Donald Trump’s people can get very unpleasant indeed.
Not all of Donald Trump’s supporters are violent. Not all of them are white nationalists. Not all of them, are part of the alt right. That group represents only a few of the men and women who believe President Trump is what our country needs. Sadly those few, are large, young, strong, frequently armed, and given to violence.
It would be very nice, and very presidential, if Mr. Trump were to denounce this small group. But he hasn’t so far.
You have to wonder why. These aren’t people who have a lot of money. They don’t have that much pull with the media. Many of them never finished high school. A few of them never started high school.
More to the point, many of them are anti Semites. Mr. Trump’s daughter and son in law are Jewish, ditto his grandkids. Either he hasn’t noticed that the Kushners are Jews or he hasn’t noticed that his pet hoods are anti Semites.
Trump isn’t a man who takes criticism well. It’s possible he likes the idea of someone assaulting his critics, even if that someone has a swastika tattooed on his chest.
I am also hoping that some day Donald Trump will denounce the most extreme of his followers.
But I am not holding my breath.