As Critics Assail Trump, His Supporters Dig In Deeper

[truth_seeker]

As Critics Assail Trump, His Supporters Dig In Deeper

LEESBURG, Va. — Gina Anders knows the feeling well by now. President Trump says or does something that triggers a spasm of outrage. She doesn’t necessarily agree with how he handled the situation. She gets why people are upset.
But Ms. Anders, 46, a Republican from suburban Loudoun County, Va., with a law degree, a business career, and not a stitch of “Make America Great Again” gear in her wardrobe, is moved to defend him anyway.
“All nuance and all complexity — and these are complex issues — are completely lost,” she said, describing “overblown” reactions from the president’s critics, some of whom equated the Trump administration’s policy of separating migrant children and parents to history’s greatest atrocities.
“It makes me angry at them, which causes me to want to defend him to them more,” Ms. Anders said.
In interviews across the country over the last few days, dozens of Trump voters, as well as pollsters and strategists, described something like a bonding experience with the president that happens each time Republicans have to answer a now-familiar question: “How can you possibly still support this man?” Their resilience suggests a level of unity among Republicans that could help mitigate Mr. Trump’s low overall approval ratings and aid his party’s chances of keeping control of the House of Representatives in November.
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“He’s not a perfect guy; he does some stupid stuff,” said Tony Schrantz, 50, of Lino Lakes, Minn., the owner of a water systems leak detection business. “But when they’re hounding him all the time it just gets old. Give the guy a little.”
Republican voters repeatedly described an instinctive, protective response to the president, and their support has grown in recent months: Mr. Trump’s approval rating among Republicans is now about 90 percent. And while polling has yet to capture the effect of the last week’s immigration controversy, the only modern Republican president more popular with his party than Mr. Trump at this point in his first term, according to Gallup, was George W. Bush after the country united in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Mr. Trump has also retained support across a range of demographics other than the working-class voters who are most identified with him. This includes portions of the wealthy college-educated people in swing counties, like Virginia’s Loudoun, in the country’s most politically competitive states.
Many of these voters say their lives and the country are improving under his presidency, and the endless stream of tough cable news coverage and bad headlines about Mr. Trump only galvanizes them further — even though some displayed discomfort on their faces when asked about the child separation policy, and expressed misgivings about the president’s character.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/23/us/politics/republican-voters-trump.html


NYT of all publications MUST be more judiciously excerpted. Thank You.

[truth_seeker]

As a white college grad voter, I note the ongoing condescension towards Trump's supporters.

Keep it up. Hasn't worked yet, however. But from where Trump's detractors heads are located, they can't see or hear a thing.

[corbe]

   I'm not being sarcastic when I say that the 'Resolve' of the majority of Trumpers here is, without question, beyond what I ever would have expected. 
   It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.

 

[XenaLee]

As a white college grad voter, I note the ongoing condescension towards Trump's supporters.

Keep it up. Hasn't worked yet, however. But from where Trump's detractors heads are located, they can't see or hear a thing.

Dude..... do you not even see the irony of what you just said???

You just, in spades, showed derision (much worse than mere condescension) towards anti-Trump members here.  What the hell?  Are you totally unself-aware of your own hypocrisy, or what?

[truth_seeker]

   I'm not being sarcastic when I say that the 'Resolve' of the majority of Trumpers here is, without question, beyond what I ever would have expected. 
   It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.

 

After careful analysis, attendance at a March 2016 Trump rally, I decided to become a Trump supporter.  I remain so now. He seemed to be the only candidate that could fight to win the nomination, and to then defeat Clinton. I was fed up by half-measure efforts by Dole, McCain, Romney. (My earlier favorites were Governors Walker and Perry) I had learned my 3rd party lesson with Perot in 1992.

So far I am satisfied with my choice.

I didn't expect it to be pretty or perfect.

[dfwgator]

Do I really like the fact that Trump is President? Not really, but he is a reaction to all the years of useless milquetoast Republican candidates. 

I feel like I have no choice but to defend Trump,  because he certainly is right on most of the issues that matter,  and just the fact that he seems to have a bit of fight in him, even if at times his methods aren't effective,  makes him the best we've got.   And the more they attack, the more I'm inclined to defend him.     

You don't go to war with the army you want,   you go to war with the army you have, and Trump is the army we have.   

Who else is there, anyway?

[Fishrrman]

truth seeker wrote:
"After careful analysis, attendance at a March 2016 Trump rally, I decided to become a Trump supporter.  I remain so now. He seemed to be the only candidate that could fight to win the nomination, and to then defeat Clinton. I was fed up by half-measure efforts by Dole, McCain, Romney. (My earlier favorites were Governors Walker and Perry) I had learned my 3rd party lesson with Perot in 1992.
So far I am satisfied with my choice.
I didn't expect it to be pretty or perfect."

Repeated because that pretty much sums up my reasons for supporting Mr. Trump from early on in 2016.

I stated back then, and stand by my statements today, that NO OTHER REPUBLICAN could have beaten Clinton. Not the wishy-washy mealy-mouthed ones, and certainly not Ted Cruz (regardless of whether he was "conservative enough" for you or not, he just didn't have the personality that could have o'er-ridden o'er-the-hillary).

Mr. Trump won because enough of "the deplorables" in the purple-battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin turned out at the polls.
NO other candidate had enough horsepower to motivate these folks as did Mr. Trump.

He had the money, the rhetoric (MAGA), and the chutzpah (NY style, whether you like it or not) to win.
And... he did.

[XenaLee]

Do I really like the fact that Trump is President? Not really, but he is a reaction to all the years of useless milquetoast Republican candidates. 

I feel like I have no choice but to defend Trump,  because he certainly is right on most of the issues that matter,  and just the fact that he seems to have a bit of fight in him, even if at times his methods aren't effective,  makes him the best we've got.   And the more they attack, the more I'm inclined to defend him.     

You don't go to war with the army you want,   you go to war with the army you have, and Trump is the army we have.   

Who else is there, anyway?

Yes... but..... you apparently (See: Truthseeker's comment below) automatically become a "head-up-butt detractor" if or when you dare to criticize anything he says, tweets, crawfishes on or approves of.

Enjoy!  Embrace the suck.   I am anti-leftist but that sure as hell doesn't mean I have to approve of and applaud everything Trump does and says.

And quite honestly... I can put up with and deal with Trump's antics far better than I can with some of the attitudes expressed here by Trump acolytes against anyone NOT fully committed to being on that Trump-train.  If you dare to use logic, reason and discernment re: what he is actually doing.... you are apparently not worthy of having an opinion....(since it differs).   It gets really old.

[corbe]

  @truth_seeker, @dfwgator  I understand and respect that in both of you and the other Trumpers here also, valiant warriors most of ya and though we clash at times I still consider yall my Friend. 

[endicom]

   I'm not being sarcastic when I say that the 'Resolve' of the majority of Trumpers here is, without question, beyond what I ever would have expected. 
   It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.

 

Tough? I'll tell you what's tough. Allowing conditions for more jobs is tough. Dealing with egomaniacal leaders is tough. Contending with a hostile government you're said to lead is tough. Seeing your loved ones dragged through the trash press is tough. 

I'll give you tough.

   @NotTheRealDonalTrump

[roamer_1]

And the more they attack, the more I'm inclined to defend him.     

INDEFENSIBLE.

[truth_seeker]

Dude..... do you not even see the irony of what you just said???

You just, in spades, showed derision (much worse than mere condescension) towards anti-Trump members here.  What the hell?  Are you totally unself-aware of your own hypocrisy, or what?

There is a big universe of Trump's detractors. I had them all in mind. I  Sorry that YOU decided to infer I was directing it to Briefers.

[XenaLee]

There is a big universe of Trump's detractors. I had them all in mind. I  Sorry that YOU decided to infer I was directing it to Briefers.

Well... I had just read corbe's comment and it said "here" (as in... on this forum).  So I guess I took it or interpreted it to mean "here" too.  Sorry for my rant, but it just struck me wrong.  And there's a lot of us here that aren't in either camp .... solidly.  Can we just be called free-thinkers... instead of the silly nic-names?   

[Right_in_Virginia]

Yes... but..... you apparently (See: Truthseeker's comment below) automatically become a "head-up-butt detractor" if or when you dare to criticize anything he says, tweets, crawfishes on or approves of.  ....   

I don't want to speak for @truth_seeker but I think he's saying keep bashing the President, keep bashing his supporters and bond between the two grows stronger. And anyone (not just Briefers) who cannot see that have their heads up their butts.  (BTW, the words you put in quotes are not what TS posted)

It's not about the bullshit fallback that no one can criticize *anything* the President says or does @XenaLee   The post and the essay are talking about criticizing *everything* the President says or does ... it's the relentless lies and beatings aimed at the President that are pulling his supporters closer to him.

Personally, if this is the dynamic, then I give every NTer everywhere my blessings to keep at it. 

[XenaLee]

I don't want to speak for @truth_seeker but I think he's saying keep bashing the President, keep bashing his supporters and bond between the two grows stronger. And anyone (not just Briefers) who cannot see that have their heads up their butts.  (BTW, the words you put in quotes are not what TS posted)

It's not about the bullshit fallback that no one can criticize *anything* the President says or does @XenaLee   The post and the essay are talking about criticizing *everything* the President says or does ... it's the relentless lies and beatings aimed at the President that are pulling his supporters closer to him.

Personally, if this is the dynamic, then I give every NTer everywhere my blessings to keep at it.

Oh naturally.   You've already proven over and above how you care nothing for winning the hearts and minds of voters that have many qualms about Trump..... voters that may still be "on the fence" and unsure.  Which is (not surprisingly, mind you) pretty damned stupid.... considering that Trump is going to need every non-leftist vote he can get this November and again in 2020.  See where continuing to insult those folks and/or taking them for granted gets ya.

[truth_seeker]

@Right_in_Virginia @XenaLee

I posted an article, and later clarified how I became a Trump supporter. I follow SEVERAL thoughtful people, with mature analysis of this presidency. Scott Adams and Victor Davis Hanson to name just a couple.

But this is the great age of "self indentification" If someone self-identifies as a particular category or quality, they mjust accept barbs from time tto time.

[XenaLee]

@Right_in_Virginia @XenaLee

I posted an article, and later clarified how I became a Trump supporter. I follow SEVERAL thoughtful people, with mature analysis of this presidency. Scott Adams and Victor Davis Hanson to name just a couple.

But this is the great age of "self indentification" If someone self-identifies as a particular category or quality, they mjust accept barbs from time tto time.

I self-identify as a far-right anti-leftist card-carrying conservative.  If anyone wants to throw barbs at that, I couldn't possibly care less.  So there.   ^-^

[libertybele]

Do I really like the fact that Trump is President? Not really, but he is a reaction to all the years of useless milquetoast Republican candidates. 

I feel like I have no choice but to defend Trump,  because he certainly is right on most of the issues that matter,  and just the fact that he seems to have a bit of fight in him, even if at times his methods aren't effective,  makes him the best we've got.   And the more they attack, the more I'm inclined to defend him.     

You don't go to war with the army you want,   you go to war with the army you have, and Trump is the army we have.   

Who else is there, anyway?

Amen!!!   Excellent post.  Exactly --- he's the best we've got standing between keeping this country or losing her.  You bet ya, the more 'they' attack, the more I too am inclined to defend him!!! 

[Right_in_Virginia]

I self-identify as a far-right anti-leftist card-carrying conservative.  If anyone wants to throw barbs at that, I couldn't possibly care less.  So there.   ^-^

Good to know.   

[corbe]

I don't want to speak for @truth_seeker but I think he's saying keep bashing the President, keep bashing his supporters and bond between the two grows stronger. And anyone (not just Briefers) who cannot see that have their heads up their butts.  (BTW, the words you put in quotes are not what TS posted)

It's not about the bullshit fallback that no one can criticize *anything* the President says or does @XenaLee  The post and the essay are talking about criticizing *everything* the President says or does ... it's the relentless lies and beatings aimed at the President that are pulling his supporters closer to him.

Personally, if this is the dynamic, then I give every NTer everywhere my blessings to keep at it. 

   

   The highlighted part above is a 'TO' way street @Right_in_Virginia There are many of us in here that really question the stability of anyone that cannot criticize *anything* he does.  JS

[Emjay]

   I'm not being sarcastic when I say that the 'Resolve' of the majority of Trumpers here is, without question, beyond what I ever would have expected. 
   It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.

 

When you see a man who's trying to help the country being abused, his wife being abused, his young son being abused, it's not tough at all to have a negative reaction against those abusers.

Besides their wimmen are ugly and vulgar.

[Emjay]

   

   The highlighted part above is a 'TO' way street @Right_in_Virginia There are many of us in here that really question the stability of anyone that cannot criticize *anything* he does.  JS

Don't be a jerk, @corbe   How about the stability of those who criticize everything he does?

[Right_in_Virginia]

Oh naturally.   You've already proven over and above how you care nothing for winning the hearts and minds of voters that have many qualms about Trump..... voters that may still be "on the fence" and unsure.  Which is (not surprisingly, mind you) pretty damned stupid.... considering that Trump is going to need every non-leftist vote he can get this November and again in 2020.  See where continuing to insult those folks and/or taking them for granted gets ya.

I am SO damn sick and tired of this tedious, snowflake encrusted 

This crap threat does not work with me.  But feel free to waste your time. 

[Right_in_Virginia]

   

   The highlighted part above is a 'TO' way street @Right_in_Virginia There are many of us in here that really question the stability of anyone that cannot criticize *anything* he does.  JS

Piss off, ah ... please.   

[XenaLee]

I am SO damn sick and tired of this tedious, snowflake encrusted 

This crap threat does not work with me.  But feel free to waste your time.

Oh trust me.... I know only too well how that logic (foreign concept to you, apparently) doesn't work with you.  You (again) have demonstrated that here perfectly.  Which is.... exactly why I mentioned it.   And....I have plenty of time to waste here on this forum....since...  I'm retired, after all.   

I'll say it again.... your attitude and that of a few others does more damage to the potential support of those "on the fencers" or even those that are not Trump supporters....

than any stupid tweet or comment he makes could ever do.

Just sayin.....