We should be seriously worried that Donald Trump has a 43% approval rating. First because much of that support comes from states that will determine the next president and that Trump’s next business venture will be selling Teflon, because nothing sticks.
These supporters just write off his boorish and flagrantly dishonest behavior as “just being Trump”. Secondly Trump has his own freakin’ network, Fox, whose blatant disregard for any semblance of journalist integrity is the primary source of news for much of that 43%. Finally when are Democrats going to figure out that Republican talking points actually work. Too make this point I'll just say “swift boat” and if you’re not old enough to get it, just ask a John Kerry supporter.
Republicans have labeled we progressives as elitists and they have a good point. I live in San Francisco (Sausalito) where nearly everyone I know is on the far left and we have no clue how to speak to people in Kansas and Oklahoma, nor fathom their politics. Dems make the serious mistake to think they are interested in politics or spend time watching CNN, as do apparently the commentators there. They work and spend time with their kids, maybe watch a TV program and drink a beer. Fox is where many, if not the majority, get their news. They are completely at the mercy of Republican talking points.
I agree that Adam Schiff has done a great job so far in the public hearings, but why can’t he take 30 seconds to explain the rules that the Republicans themselves installed in past hearings. Why doesn’t he take 45 seconds to explain the nature of the closed hearings. Dems think that they address these in the occasional reference but they don’t. The Republicans are masters at the drumbeat of simple plain language talking points and they march lockstep in unison in both houses of congress repeating them over and over and over. If that last sentence seems redundant it’s to send the message.
I have heard the pundits say that when the American people watch these hearings opinions will change. Seriously, do you think the average citizen that has trouble paying an unexpected $400 expense is watching the hearings? Really? Like many of us they get the daily synopsis from which ever news source we are accustomed to watching. (see the above reference to Fox)
Here are a couple of recommendations for the Judiciary committee. Every time the right wing henchmen bring up the whistle blower, the Dems need to respond immediately by a brief quote of the statute or some simple analogy which I hear from progressives such as: “A person witnesses’ a crime and calls it into the police and tells them who was involved. The police arrest the suspect and use his fingerprints, DNA and other witnesses link him to the crime”. Who cares about the identity of the caller? What does it matter?
Every time the Jim Jordans bring up Hunter Biden, the immediate retort should be Ivanka Trump’s preferred treatment in China, Jared Kushner’s suspect real estate dealings or any of a number of Trump’s own corrupt and questionable business dealings. This is an incredible opportunity to throw corruption back on Trump and get it in the news. Fox will continue to filter anything that hurts Trump but sound bites make it into the news cycle and corruption is the one thing that can hurt the man who claims he wants to drain the swamp.
There’s plenty more but as a first post and understanding my own short attention span, I will just add this. For all you pundits, do your job. Before you start an interview, perhaps know your facts and stop letting the hatchet men walk all over you. You know their “talking points”, so address their distortions and don't let them get away with it. Dems do the same. The folks that matter aren’t getting their news from MSNBC or even CNN, more likely from a local news station, or gasp…..Fox.