Mark Leibovich: Trump's success due to 'racism, gullibility' of GOP voters

[Dakine10 5,452]

http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/14/politics/axe-files-axelrod-mark-liebovich/?iid=ob_lockedrail_bottomlist&iref=obinsite

Mark Leibovich: Trump's success due to 'racism, gullibility' of GOP voters

By Matthew Jaffe, University of Chicago Institute of Politics

Updated 8:00 AM ET, Mon March 14, 2016

Story highlights

• Leibovich said Trump has made "fools" out of numerous political pundits with his success to date
• Looking ahead to a probable Trump vs. Clinton matchup in this fall's general election, Leibovich said he expected it to be as "dispiriting" as he has found the primary season thus far

The Axe Files, featuring David Axelrod, is a podcast distributed by CNN and produced at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. The author works at the institute.

Chicago (CNN)Mark Leibovich believes political reporters need to stop using words like "frustrated" and "angry" when referring to voters' support for GOP front-runner Donald Trump and start being far more blunt.

"One of my peeves is that the press always says, 'Oh, well, the voters are just frustrated and angry.' And they just use those stupid graveyard words over and over again. I mean, what we're talking about here in the Republican Party is, I would say ... racism, gullibility. I mean, words that are less flattering than frustrating and angry," Leibovich told CNN Senior Political Commentator David Axelrod on "The Axe Files" podcast, produced by CNN and the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. "On the Democratic side, I think it's a pretty virulent anti-Clintonism."

Leibovich, the chief national correspondent for The New York Times Magazine and author of the book "This Town," a blistering critique of the Washington political scene, said Trump has made "fools" out of numerous political pundits with his success to date.

"There are a lot of fools out there that, you know, I've spent a lot of my career really kind of rolling my eyes at, and I assume you have, too, that he has kind of, I think, exposed," he told Axelrod.

Lindsey Graham: Brokered convention would be unfair... to Trump

Leibovich, reflecting on his past interviews of Trump, described the GOP front-runner as an "uncurious" person.

"The amazing thing about Trump is just he's one of the most intellectually uncurious people in the world," said Leibovich. "I mean, he just watches himself on TV all the time. I mean, it's a perfect kind of 'Truman Show' sort of situation, but he's the director."

Leibovich also had harsh words for the leader in the Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton.

"She's just not a very good politician," he said, noting, "You don't talk to a lot of people out there in either party who are really excited about her."

"I think she's had a pretty lousy campaign so far ... I just don't feel like she's moved the needle on a lot of people."

Looking ahead to a probable Trump vs. Clinton matchup in this fall's general election, Leibovich said he expected it to be as "dispiriting" as he has found the primary season thus far.

Sidney Blumenthal: Who is he and why was he mentioned?

"The really depressing thing about her and Clinton World is you look at Trump and you look at her and you say, 'OK, it's apples to oranges. This person is prepared. She's experienced. She knows the world.' ... And then you wake up November whatever and Hillary Clinton is the next president and, you know, a lot of America is feeling good that, you know, this menace has been left at the door," he said. "And then you wake up and you see, you know, Sid Blumenthal and Mark Penn and, you know, David Brock lining up to become senior advisers to the president. And you're like, 'Oh, this is what we're all feeling good about?'"

[Jacque67 7,328]

Interesting read. Thanks.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Interesting read. Thanks.

You're welcome. Usually I have a comment, but I thought the author was clear and concise. I'm sure not everyone will agree though.

[Jacque67 7,328]

You're welcome. Usually I have a comment, but I thought the author was clear and concise. I'm sure not everyone will agree though.

Yes, a very well written, well thought out piece. No need for embellishment on my part, for sure.

[Jacque67 7,328]

But to sex things up a bit, this could be Donald's song-Charmless Man (Blur)

[ExPatty 502]

This tactic has failed since Trump announced his presidency. Insulting the people who support him without giving any credence whatsoever to the reason they do will make them dig their heels in further. If I'm a guy who just lost my job due to outsourcing to Mexico, Trump is telling me this is crazy he'll do something about NAFTA, and you tell me I only support him because I'm racist, I just might buy a Trump sticker. I sure as hell won't buy yours.

As for racism, the democrats are plenty racist themselves. It's now entered acceptable lexicon to denigrate "old white men". Saw it even on CBS' Supergirl, a mainstream show aimed at young audiences. Funny, they didn't denigrate young black men. Even though both statements are undeniably racist.

Keep calling people racist. Keep calling them gullible for not wanting to support a multi-millionaire who's policies change with the winds of lobbyists, who 70% of the country think is "dishonest". This talk just lowers the attack down to the same level Trump's detractors say he always does: all words, no substance.

Edited March 15, 2016 by ExPatty

[smilesammich 10,727]

certainly isn't the only article i've read that's suggested the same two culprits - racism and gullibility. leibovich didn't call them 'graveyard words' for nothin. tis common knowledge..it's been on full display since obama's first run.

[OriZ 3,157]

This tactic has failed since Trump announced his presidency. Insulting the people who support him without giving any credence whatsoever to the reason they do will make them dig their heels in further. If I'm a guy who just lost my job due to outsourcing to Mexico, Trump is telling me this is crazy he'll do something about NAFTA, and you tell me I only support him because I'm racist, I just might buy a Trump sticker. I sure as hell won't buy yours.

As for racism, the democrats are plenty racist themselves. It's now entered acceptable lexicon to denigrate "old white men". Saw it even on CBS' Supergirl, a mainstream show aimed at young audiences. Funny, they didn't denigrate young black men. Even though both statements are undeniably racist.

Keep calling people racist. Keep calling them gullible for not wanting to support a multi-millionaire who's policies change with the winds of lobbyists, who 70% of the country think is "dishonest". This talk just lowers the attack down to the same level Trump's detractors say he always does: all words, no substance.

The left has a long history of being very condescending towards anyone who doesn't agree with them, as well as being hypocritical. They never practice what they preach. Preach for tolerance and crash a rally is just one of many, many examples. So far I didn't see any GOP backer crash any democrat rally. And the way they try to indoctrinate children these days is mind blowing. I would never ever send my kids to a public school and anyone who can afford not to, shouldn't.

I'm telling ya for the longest time I was convinced we were going to vote for our cat or not vote at all if it's between Trump and Clinton. I am THIS close to just saying screw it and voting for Trump, only because of all this silliness. Solely for the need to show them that there's consequences to their actions.

Edited March 15, 2016 by OriZ

[smilesammich 10,727]

some people take a longer time to come out of the closet than others. i mean i get it, being racist and gullible in public is a big step.

[ExPatty 502]

I'm telling ya for the longest time I was convinced we were going to vote for our cat or not vote at all if it's between Trump and Clinton. I am THIS close to just saying screw it and voting for Trump, only because of all this silliness. Solely for the need to show them that there's consequences to their actions.

I do believe it. I'll never vote for Hillary, so that's a non-starter. And at the same time I can't readily admit in polite company I voted for Trump, which tells me I really ought not to vote for him, either; you shouldn't be ashamed of who you vote for. Yet, I've complained about the status quo for so long and watching it completely lose its S over Trump, and not even entertaining any of the real reasons why people actually support him has me sympathize with that side.

[OriZ 3,157]

I do believe it. I'll never vote for Hillary, so that's a non-starter. And at the same time I can't readily admit in polite company I voted for Trump, which tells me I really ought not to vote for him, either; you shouldn't be ashamed of who you vote for. Yet, I've complained about the status quo for so long and watching it completely lose its S over Trump, and not even entertaining any of the real reasons why people actually support him has me sympathize with that side.

I'm the type of person who doesn't really give a rats ### what people think of him, so if I actually went ahead and did it, I'd let ya'll know(assuming I can vote, otherwise my wife) on election day lol

[smilesammich 10,727]

real reasons people support trump:

1. they're racist

2. they're blind patriots

3. they never actually read anything of substance from the founding fathers..

4. they have no grasp of history

5. they have no grasp of basic human rights and what facilitates a functioning society

6. guess i could have just said they are ignorant

7. and longstanding ignorance leaves one gullible

8. NEVER FORGET: they've been angry, really angry, for the past eight years that a muslim non american has been acting as president of the united states.

[OriZ 3,157]

real reasons people support trump:

1. they're racist

2. they're blind patriots

3. they never actually read anything of substance from the founding fathers..

4. they have no grasp of history

5. they have no grasp of basic human rights and what facilitates a functioning society

6. guess i could have just said they are ignorant

7. and longstanding ignorance leaves one gullible

8. NEVER FORGET: they've been angry, really angry, for the past eight years that a muslim non american has been acting as president of the united states.

Well, being none of the above applies to Trump supporters I know, it proves again the Full of S and condescending point.

I have to admit I get a kick out of people trying to figure this out and always coming up with the wrong reasons. Seems to really get into some people's heads, and that's hilarious as all.

[smilesammich 10,727]

Well, being none of the above applies to Trump supporters I know, it proves again the Full of S and condescending point.

I have to admit I get a kick out of people trying to figure this out and always coming up with the wrong reasons. Seems to really get into some people's heads, and that's hilarious as all.

outside of this place - i don't personally know anyone voting from trump. seriously no one.

[Teddy B 17,252]

real reasons people support trump:

1. they're racist

2. they're blind patriots

3. they never actually read anything of substance from the founding fathers..

4. they have no grasp of history

5. they have no grasp of basic human rights and what facilitates a functioning society

6. guess i could have just said they are ignorant

7. and longstanding ignorance leaves one gullible

8. NEVER FORGET: they've been angry, really angry, for the past eight years that a muslim non american has been acting as president of the united states.

I will say that the idea of just voting for someone outside of the norm is tempting, even if that alternative is the buffoon Trump. But when it comes down to it, I probably won't because Trump really is that bad.