TL;DR: OK, let’s ditch the schadenfreude and start USING this.
Sure, it’s great to sit back and enjoy the popcorn while the GOP goes through its internecine battles, but let’s keep our eye on the prizes — November wins up and down the ballot.
Idiocracy jokes won’t get us there. Gleefully reposting anguished tweets from GOPers won’t get us there. We need to deconstruct “the rise of Donald Trump” in terms that we can use at every occasion, whether it’s sitting around the table with conservative family members, commenting in our forums of choice online, or speaking with voters.
So, to keep it simple, I’ll offer up some bullet points. Feel free to sprinkle these about as you see fit, and add your own in the comments. I’ve already used these several times, with some success, in both face-to-face conversations and online/call-in commentary. Use these to tie Trump to your local Congressmen, Senators and/or state and local officials whenever possible.
Let’s get to it.
When a Republican/conservative acquiantance complains about Trump, you can say something like:
You know what got all those Trump voters riled up, don’t you?
They’ll probably say “I have no idea”, and then you can pick from of the following, depending upon what you think will best drive the point home:
- Well, remember when Newt Gingrich encouraged Republicans to describe Democrats and their policies as "traitors", "anti-flag", "corrupt" and the like? That's your seed for the current round of toxic rhetoric...and those Republicans who followed his lead? THEY BUILT THIS.
- Well, remember all the Republicans who questioned President Obama's citizenship and heritage into question - the birthers? All those folks who STILL say he isn’t a legitimate President? Remember how loud Trump was on this subject? Now, remember all the Republicans who either participated or failed to condemn it? THEY BUILT THIS.
- Well, remember all the Republicans who made the last two Congresses the least productive in history (in terms of actual legislation passed - you know, their JOBS)? The Republicans who have led the largest number of Senate filibusters in our history? The Republicans who are leaving dozens of judgeships AND a Supreme Court seat vacant? THEY BUILT THIS.
- Well, remember all the Republicans bashing Muslims and immigrants with things that were never proven? Remember Bobby Jindal's "Muslims run 'no-go' zones in London" claims? How about the one from Steve King about immigrants having "calves the size of cantaloupes" because of all the drugs they're hauling? THEY BUILT THIS.
- Well, you know that guy Erick Erickson? He’s moaning about Trump all over the place...but he didn’t see a problem when he called a Supreme Court Justice as a "goat f**king child molester" and a Texas state legislator "Abortion Barbie". He helped set the stage for Trump, just like the other "attack dogs" - O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck — who just make stuff up to get attention. THEY BUILT THIS.
- Remember all the Republicans who screamed and moaned about stuff that turned out to be forgeries and fakes, like the ACORN videos and the Planned Parenthood videos? Heck, there are Republicans still pushing those videos even AFTER they’ve been exposed as forgeries...THEY BUILT THIS.
You can use the same closing point with any of the above suggestions:
Trump is only doing and saying what Republicans have been doing and saying for the last 20 years or so...he’s only saying it more plainly. He may be the new guy in the GOP’s house, BUT THEY BUILT IT...and you might want to take another look at everyone who built it, not just Trump.