“Krauthammer said, ‘[I]t degrades the political discourse and it embarrasses the country. Presidents — [Senator] Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) I think, was right. Presidents don’t talk like this. They never have. This is what it sounds like when you’re living in a banana republic. This is how Hugo Chavez would talk about his opponents. This is how the worst dictator, Duterte, in the Philippines, would talk about opponents. It’s degrading and it sort [of] reduces the United States from a grand republic to a banana republic.'”
Presidents do talk like this and worse, as we know from reading accounts after they leave office.
The United States was never a “grand republic”. Republics are not republics if they are grand: magnificent, imposing, impressive, awe-inspiring, splendid, resplendent, majestic, monumental. Symbols of grandeur are symbols of empire.
Harsh political rhetoric has a long history, including attacks on George Washington. “Federalist wags made frequent reference to alleged Republican desires to see their opposition bereft of their heads, and guillotines installed in the capital.”
Vulgarity became a notable and widespread feature of American entertainment, media and public pronouncements long before Trump became prez. He reflects it. He’s a mirror to the culture.
The elevation of the presidency to a super-dignified position is a statist device. Insisting on the president being above everyone is stuffy and hypocritical. It’s an act of reverence toward his power and that of the government to make laws. Everyone must kneel and kiss the ring on his finger. He in turn must act with dignity and do nothing beneath his office. Otherwise he lessens the office. So, when Trump makes clear that the president is just a man, after all, statists from Left and Right both get upset.
In the latest Trump tweet episode, Mika Brzezinski sniped at Trump’s hands in her remarks; Trump sniped back at her facelift. Big deal. Neither one is a Phyllis Diller aiming barbs at Wolf or a Don Rickles or Jackie Mason or present at a Celebrity Roast. Delivering a witty insult beyond the bounds of ordinary propriety is an art form that neither has mastered. Neither Mika nor Donald were funny, and that’s the biggest problem with their remarks.
On the other hand, Rob Reiner’s condemnation of Trump was amusing, even though it was not meant to be. Rob Reiner: “Besides possible obstruction of justice & treason, we have a childish mentally unstable bully in the WH. We have 25th Amend. for a reason.” That one made me smile because it applies to presidents generally and certain well-known members of Congress. In fact, it’s mild. What might one say of McCain and Pelosi?
8:06 am on June 30, 2017
