Patterico's Pontifications

9/30/2016

When The Biggest Roadblock Is One’s Own Ego

Filed under: General — Dana @ 6:44 am



[guest post by Dana]

Good morning! It looks like some of us were awfully busy during the wee hours of the morning:

untitled

Who is it keeping this ridiculous story alive? Who is it giving the media even more fuel for their partisan fires of bias? Who is it that eagerly snapped up the bait dangled before him? And who is it that filters everything, first and foremost, through the personal prism of his enormous ego?

Oh, fool, thy name is vanity:

I don’t understand why everybody is surprised at his lack of discipline. He has been out there for 15 months. He is completely undisciplined. Yes, for a month he has been led around, shackled, handcuffed by his staff, made to read from the Teleprompter. But the minute you let him loose – meaning on the debate stage where there is no prompter, and the immediately after when he is reacting — what emerges is his central weakness: vanity. You have seen this all along. I don’t know whether his strategy was to go after target audiences. I suspect that’s what his staff was hoping. Trump’s strategy is to express himself. He did extremely well in doing that in the primaries. He came out of nowhere. There weren’t a lot of people who thought he could. And he trusts himself. Is anybody surprised he is continuing the feud with Miss Universe? The worst part was that little interjection about not paying taxes, which he now has to defend as well. Because this is a man who, when he is personally attacked, has to reflexively respond to defend his self-image. That’s what drives him

As observed:

Why should anyone be emotionally invested in this man’s victory, if he refuses to learn, refuses to improve, and refuses to avoid making the same mistakes, over and over and over and over again? I’d love to see Hillary Clinton defeated. I just have no faith that Donald Trump is capable of doing that. Every now and then, he gains some traction, the polls get closer… and then he goes and does something stupid. And all of his supporters insist it doesn’t matter, and that we should all avert our eyes, and that we’re betraying something good and righteous by noticing what just happened right in front of us. And then they insist it’s not stupid, that there’s some brilliant nine-level chess going on that we can’t possibly understand from the outside, and if we just wait and see, Donald Trump will win in the end. Unless he doesn’t, because the election is rigged. That’s not a campaign; that’s a cult.

–Dana

56 Responses to “When The Biggest Roadblock Is One’s Own Ego”

  1. He has no ability to get out of his own way.

    Dana (995455)

  2. He’s one step forward (his policy speech on immigration) and then a precipitous, full throated, retreat into every thing that makes you wonder about the guy. But his fans here will be cheering him on. This is not the behavior I’d like to see in our President. I really wonder what he thinks is important?

    BobStewartatHome (a52abe)

  3. I don’t foller douchebag Jack Dorsey’s twatter

    happyfeet (c27aef)

  4. It’d almost be worth supporting him, just to see the faces on his antiestablishment fans when he screws them over in order to do business with the GOPe.
    After all, the only thing the working class & middle class can offer him are votes, and he won’t need those once he’s in office. By contrast, the GOPe will continue to own businesses & hold political offices, so he’ll need to win influence with them — and we all know that Trump will do anything to win.

    CayleyGraph (353727)

  5. “and we all know that Trump will do anything to win.”

    Except prepare and control himself as well as an average 10 year old. He doesn’t possess the skill set required for that task.

    Rick Ballard (1aa129)

  6. And let’s be clear: that Insufferable smirk on HRC face is not due to the Clerisy, nor to the MSM.

    It’s due to DJT’s inability to focus and out attention on her shortcomings.

    She won’t win because of #NeverTrumpers. Or even vulgar supporters.

    She will win because of DJT’s choices.

    I keep hoping for him to grow up.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  7. It’d almost be worth supporting him, just to see the faces on his antiestablishment fans when he screws them over in order to do business with the GOPe.

    They, like Trump, would never rationalize away a mistake or betrayal. They always admit when they are wrong and take responsibility. Because that’s the right thing to do and they learned it from their leader.

    Thank goodness Cruz wasn’t nominated. Just imagine… Cruz probably would have been sleeping from 3-5 am and not been tweeting about the really important stuff. Can you imagine?

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  8. I used to wonder, “Is Trump a corrupt con man or is he an ignorant buffoon?” Now I know the answer. He’s both.

    DRJ (15874d)

  9. Why should anyone be emotionally invested in this man’s victory

    I don’t know why anyone should be emotionally invested in this man’s victory. It’s hard to think of a more irrelevant question.

    Gerald A (a48c32)

  10. Mr. Trump is the only one what can save us from getting pigged

    N*Sync can’t do it

    harvardtrash ted and his harvardtrash sacky can’t do it

    deutsche bank can’t do it cause of they busy doing collapse and also illiquidity\

    garjo cannot do it cause he so stupid

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  11. I’m glad you feel so strongly about it, Mr. Feet.

    If you don’t vote, then that says you don’t really care about it.

    Or you can lie that you will vote.

    This is so your kind of election.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  12. i’d love to vote so bad but next year is already so up in the air

    i don’t wanna have to do jury duty i really don’t, not until I’ve made some minimum level of commitment to making Chicago my home

    i have my own agenda you see

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  13. Bob23, putting aside your foolish and juvenile attacks on Patterico last night, don’t you think that Trump should be invested in defeating Clinton…instead of doing impulsive, silly things that divert attention from Clinton’s deficiencies?

    Again, it’s his problem. And he isn’t learning.

    Folks, remember when Mr. Feet urges you to take anything seriously, he is just a lazy poseur.

    “….i’d love to vote so bad but next year is already so up in the air….”

    Good thing it’s not an important election, according to Mr. Feet.

    Oh, wait.

    Patterico, can you set up a program that runs Mr. Feet’s comment in response every single time he encourages people to vote?

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  14. As for your agenda, Mr. Feet, a simple word count of your posts suggests it is to be vulgar, unserious, offensive, and a distraction from the real issues in the election.

    Like DJT, it’s all up to you. You choose to be a jackwagon.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  15. it is SO important

    we’ve talked about this

    it’s so exciting to see you guys getting pumped up and enthoozled to vote vote vote (but not for pig)

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  16. Why should anyone be emotionally invested in this man’s victory.

    I think the NeverTrumps are emotionally invested in his and his supporters’ defeat. At least the loonier ones are, which is quite a few of them from what I can see. That group consists mainly of Cruz supporters (of which I am one, but you live in the present if you’re rational).

    The other NeverTrumps are RINOs whose ideal candidate was Kasich or Bush. In fact that second group includes the Bushes apparently.

    Gerald A (a48c32)

  17. Yes, Mr. Feet, we have talked about this.

    You are damaging your own cause.

    What you are doing makes you look frivolous, unserious, and weird.

    Don’t vote if you wish. Saying that you don’t want to vote because you fear jury duty simply tells everyone—again, based on what YOU write—that you fear jury duty more than HRC being elected President. Repeatedly exhorting others to vote—because of the importance of this election—while skipping out on voting yourself makes you look like an immature hypocrite.

    There is a solution. Vote. Or lie about it, like you have before.

    As you say, this is clear to anyone willing to do the analysis.

    Me, I don’t think you care about anything, really, other than writing nonsense on other people’s websites and high fiving yourself for being “clever.” But I could be wrong.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  18. I wonder where hunson maxedeer went. They seem to have been pretty quiet since Bob showed up. You think they’ll show up on this thread?

    Leviticus (efada1)

  19. Bob23, it’s not your site. I would argue that you are being the aggressive one, and doing so from, um, a not very admirable position.

    But, like Mr. Feet, it takes less energy to be a jackwagon to others. And then wink at yourself in the mirror for being so darned smart and savvy.

    Dr. K. has it right: when you feel as strongly as you do, with the person you disagree running the show here, you should ask yourself why you are posting on such a site.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  20. Leviticus, I just wanted to say that this whole bizarre election has gone a long way to prove your previous points about the system and the candidates.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  21. you fear jury duty more than HRC being elected President

    that’s a mistruth completely

    i hate that stinkypig so much

    but i live in a deep blue pigtropolis

    nobody cares about my little vote

    they just wanna tricker me into doing jury duty

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  22. Simply proving my point. Repeatedly. With added vulgarity.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  23. no your point is in tatters and shambles

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  24. Bob23, he is also the guy who pays for the site, and keeps it working—even for people with whom he doesn’t agree.

    It’s kind of an issue to many folks. Unless you are one of the people who just like to fight.

    Which accomplishes very little.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  25. Ah, Mr. Feet. Let me help you:

    Happyfeet: “Everyone needs to vote, because this is a super important election! Also, vulgar comments and repetitive babytalk tropes.”

    Other people: “But hold on, Happy. You aren’t voting.”

    Happyfeet: “My vote doesn’t count, because I live in a Democrat enclave. Also vulgar comments and repetitive babytalk tropes.”

    Other people: “But I thought you have said, more than once, it’s a super important election. Even if your vote ‘doesn’t count,’ which is not the case for the popular vote, how does your note voting work?”

    Happyfeet: “Oh, and I don’t want to do jury duty. Also vulgar comments and repetitive babytalk tropes.”

    Other people: “So maybe getting called to a jury, which most people avoid, is more important than voting against HRC?”

    Happyfeet: “Your argument is tattered. Also vulgar comments and repetitive babytalk tropes.”

    As you often say, Mr. Feet: the truth is clear to anyone willing to do the analysis.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  26. I agree completely, Bob23.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  27. i need a nap

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  28. @29 Bob23

    If that’s the case then you should be voting for HRC, depending upon what’s being pumped into her.

    Pinandpuller (d64b08)

  29. Just 4 years ago, the GOPe nominated Mitt Romney — a Northeastern businessman who isn’t really conservative but pretends to be — and he lost. I could support Romney because he is a decent man, but he was a hard sell.

    So what does the GOPe do next? It nominates Trump, a Northeastern businessman who neither conservative nor decent. Hilarious.

    DRJ (15874d)

  30. Actually the hope was all in for the Medici and staypuft with a default for mailman’s son.

    narciso (d1f714)

  31. What did David plouffe say, Obama’s campaign manager, we must not only defeat trump we must destroy him.

    narciso (d1f714)

  32. Hillary has an as featuring the woman Donald was tweeting about. Patterico even mentioned it before how effective it was. So Donald fights back, and nevertrumpers tell us that’s “undisciplined”.

    Remember about ten years ago when the conservatives were all mad at Bush because he would never fight back and defend himself against the left’s attacks?

    Ahh, good times…

    LBascom (2f3828)

  33. 37
    So let Trump supporters go after her.
    It is called priorities. Trump’s priority should be to keep people focused on how bad Hillary is. His opponent is not a refugee from Chavismo. His opponent is among the most corrupt politicians alive.

    Frankly, this is why I think Trump would be a really bad President: unable to stick to message, unable to channel his anger in useful ways. His aides won’t need to worry about misuse of the nuclear button. They’ll have to keep him off Twitter 24/7.

    Kishnevi (8ce7fb)

  34. “Leviticus, I just wanted to say that this whole bizarre election has gone a long way to prove your previous points about the system and the candidates.”

    – Simon Jester

    Regarding the extreme power of Wasted Vote logic and it’s ability to smash all contrary logics on the altar of false pragmatism, I agree.

    None of the solutions I ever bandied about would have saved us from this sort of election, though. A) a unified Executive is always going to be a “First-past-the-post” office (not susceptible to proportionality, and always subject to Wasted Vote logic), and B) the electorate’s brains have been turned to mush by the type of “bumper sticker thinking” you’ve long warned against.

    It’s a perfect storm of nadirs.

    Leviticus (efada1)

  35. well that was his not the subject of his last three rallies, but there’s a blackout on that, you notice,

    narciso (d1f714)

  36. Trump can’t let an atack on himself go unanswered, but Hillary can. Do you ever catch her mentioning the e-mails gratutiously? A

    And then for some reason he goes easy on Hillary Clinton.

    He has her duped by Alicia M. I doubt that very much.

    biut two hours later, donald Trump comes up with anotehr thought. Maybe he read soemthing. It is a good question if she helped her become a U.S. citizen – but then Hillary Clinton wouldn’t have been duped by her of course.

    If she was just telling the truth, she could have used her anyway, except maybe if you think non-U.S. citizens don’t count for anything. That she’s a citizen (and can vote and will not vote for Donald trump) just adds a tiny bit.

    On the other hand, if Alicia Machado is following a script, and even had some of her accusations (like Donald Trump allegedly calling her Miss Housekeeper supposedly a proof he didn’ like Hispanics) written for her by the Clinton campaign then it matters a great deal that she helped her become a citizen.

    In any case, the whole thing was prchestrated:

    http://thefederalist.com/2016/09/29/alicia-machado-is-2016s-sandra-fluke-a-democratic-public-relations-scam/

    Sammy Finkelman (a64d54)

  37. it’s a little thing and it’s only the pacific northwest, the recipients of the california vector,

    https://pjmedia.com/trending/2016/09/29/oregon-judge-to-convicted-murderer-if-i-could-i-would-take-all-the-guns-in-america/

    his appearance before the polish american congress, also down the memory hole,

    narciso (d1f714)

  38. 38-Trump seems to find time to do a lot of things. He does many rallies and says all the stuff you talk about, but it isn’t reported. Then he ALSO tweets in the middle of the night, and this is proof he can’t stay on message?

    Meanwhile, back in realsville…

    http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2016/09/post-debate-polls-trump-surges-lead-5-battleground-states-following-debate/

    LBascom (2f3828)

  39. he scathing about the great port au prince grand theft, yet the local paper, and even most of the dailies didn’t care to bring it up,

    narciso (d1f714)

  40. that was at the james l knight center, not one podunk gym in raleigh,

    narciso (d1f714)

  41. in fact most of the press, even fox and the journal, operates much too much like the managed media we see in venezuela, during the kabuki they call elections,

    narciso (d1f714)

  42. It looks like some of us were awfully busy during the wee hours of the morning…

    Melania had her period.

    “When you create a diversion, it’s for a reason. Connect me with General Pemsel!” – ‘The Longest Day,’ 1962

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  43. Donald Trump may be fighting back, but he’s fighting back very incoherently.

    The points to make are:

    1. The whole thing was orchestrated.

    2. Alicia Machado is telling some lies.

    a. Details have been added to the story so that Donald Trump can be construed as anti-Latina. (but not for certain – The Clintons calibrate these things, so that if Donald Trump behaves, he can be rehabilitated.)

    b. Others names just sound bad (Miss Piggy) worse than what he actually said. Although again it is defensible – Miss Piggy is s beloved Muppet character.

    c. Another lie is that he was the cause of her anorexia.

    3. There was a real legitimate issue here.

    4. If he can prove, or there are strong grounds to suspect, that Hillary Clinton and Alicia Machado have been working together and planning this for six months that would be a good point. (if so, you wonder what were the attacks being planned against Ted Cruz or MArco Rubio?)

    5. This all goes to Hillary’s Clinton’s dishonesty and dishonest campaigning.

    6. But it’s true, Donald Trump did indeed humiliate Alicia Machado.

    (and it might be the case that the reason he did not take away the crown because that would embarass him – possibly theer are some legal reasons too.

    Sammy Finkelman (a64d54)

  44. Seems keeping classified material classified still isn’t too important with the democrats:

    http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2016/09/obama-admin-leaks-details-trumps-classified-intel-briefing-influence-election/

    LBascom (2f3828)

  45. 38
    Who tweets out insult at 3 AM?
    For that matter, who gets on Twitter at 3 AM.

    Kishnevi (c2a547)

  46. Trump’s latest tweet:

    For those few people knocking me for tweeting at three o’clock in the morning, at least you know I will be there, awake, to answer the call!

    https://mobile.twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Eappleios%7Ctwcamp%5Esafari%7Ctwgr%5Eprofile

    Okay then.

    Dana (12eef8)

  47. look at the links before and after that post,

    narciso (d1f714)

  48. A different perspective on the debate; Trump walks a fine line:

    http://judgybitch.com/2016/09/27/trump-gave-a-master-class-in-how-to-fight-with-a-girl/

    White knights hardest hit.

    LBascom (2f3828)

  49. a sheindlin by another surname,

    On July 16, 2012, Judge Garaufis ordered the New York City Fire Department to implement racial quotas to address grievances from minorities who failed entrance exams. His ruling requires hiring off a list of priority hire candidates, two of every five newly hired firefighters to be black and one of every five Hispanic, until the department has fulfilled the court-ordered quota of 186 black and 107 Hispanic hires or until the list is exhausted. This is due to a lawsuit that alleges two placement exams (Written Exams 7029 or 2043) for the FDNY were discriminatory against blacks and Hispanics, because fewer minorities passed the exam than whites.[1]

    narciso (d1f714)

  50. Tick… tick… tick… WikiLeaks…

    Wait for it, Maudie.

    “… if your doorbell rings and nobody’s there, that was no Martian, it’s Halloween.” Orson Welles, ‘War of the Worlds,’ CBS Radio, October, 1938

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  51. Re; Happyfeet voting:
    All sorts of Lifelong Republican True Conservatives — like our esteemed host — brag that their vote doesn’t matter because their state’s vote is already baked in. Patterico because he is in Caliornia, others in Texas.

    If Mr. Feet is in Chicago, I assure you that his vote won’t even be noticed among the thousands of votes that come from graveyards and vacant lots.

    Plus, he is entertaining, and has a knack for nicknames.
    ============
    “34. Just 4 years ago, the GOPe nominated Mitt Romney — a Northeastern businessman who isn’t really conservative but pretends to be — and he lost. I could support Romney because he is a decent man, but he was a hard sell.

    So what does the GOPe do next? It nominates Trump, a Northeastern businessman who neither conservative nor decent. Hilarious.”

    Romney didn’t fight. Trump fights. Trump may lose but at least he didn’t curl up into a ball and give up.

    Not to mention that the GOPe didn’t nominate Trump. The voters did, over the GOPe’s objection.

    fred-2 (ce04f3)


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