Romney’s risky ties to Trump
WASHINGTON — It is now being reported that Donald Trump is likely to play a “surprise” part on the first day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa—perhaps, some speculate, in a comedy bit involving the firing of a Barack Obama impersonator.
“The role, like Mr. Trump,” says a Trump spokesman, “is unique and will be memorable for all those in attendance at the convention and those watching around the country. Stay tuned.”
The appearance is further evidence of one of the oddest flirtations in American politics. Trump and Mitt Romney appeared together at a Las Vegas fundraiser in May. The Romney campaign raffled off a meal with the pair as a reward for campaign donors.
Romney supporters tend to be perplexed by his ties to Trump but dismissive of their importance. No one is likely to confuse the members of a couple this odd. On the plus side, this connection may help unbutton Romney’s public image. Add a little pop culture sizzle. Bring in some extra cash.
All of these justifications would make sense if we were talking about Kim Kardashian, who is famous merely for her fame. But Trump is also famous for spreading conspiracy theories. He is the nation’s highest profile “birther,” who sent investigators to Hawaii to uncover proof of Obama’s duplicity. Finding none, he moved on to the sinister mystery of the president’s unreleased college transcripts.
Turning his attention from politics to medicine, Trump has asserted that multiple vaccinations cause babies to be “different,” based on this evidence: “I’ve known cases.” When informed that most physicians disagree, he responded: “I know they do. … I couldn’t care less.”
Set aside that vaccine skepticism is the medical equivalent of encouraging children to play in traffic. Trump represents not merely wealth and brashness but an attitude toward authority and knowledge. He has developed a standing among some populist conservatives by arguing that mainstream information is fundamentally biased, that public officials are engaged in elaborate deceptions, and that only a courageous few can understand and uncover the alarming reality.
Politics, in this view, are not the contest of ideas; they are the exposure of a plot. It matters little if hard evidence is nonexistent, which is taken as further evidence of the plotters’ diabolical sophistication.
This isn’t new in American history, but that doesn’t make it less damaging. In “Voodoo Histories,” an entertaining demolition of modern conspiracy theories, David Aaronovitch argues that tolerance for conspiracy thinking amounts to a kind of “relativism,” which “doesn’t care to distinguish between the scholarly and the slapdash, the committed researcher and the careless loudmouth, the scrupulous and the demagogic.” Everyone becomes entitled to their own “alternative narratives,” at the expense of rationality, earned authority and objectivity. And conspiratorial narratives are often divisive and disturbing.
That is certainly true of presidential conspiracy theories—that Bill Clinton ordered a series of murders, or that George W. Bush was complicit in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, or that Obama illegally holds the presidency through deception. These charges are designed to delegitimize presidents. Instead of being opponents with different views, they become aliens or oppressors, unworthy of power and respect.
This brings the fracturing of America to a new level. It is more difficult to unite people after an election when a significant portion of political activists, based on the finest Internet sources, are convinced that a president is a fraud or a monster. Once the narrative of conspiracy is accepted, unity becomes a vice. Divisions and contempt become permanent.
A few official campaign appearances by Trump do not imply a full embrace of birtherism by Romney or the Republican Party. But it is not healthy to take even a little bit of this hemlock. Trump’s appearance at the Republican convention represents a disturbing tolerance for disturbing ideas. What does it say about the modern GOP that the leading advocate of the theory that Obama is Kenyan is on the convention schedule, while the leading advocate, say, of mainstream climate science would risk being booed off the stage?
And there is a cost to Romney himself. The mainstreaming of Trumpism, in a small but significant way, undermines the authority and standing of the office Romney seeks and further divides the nation he hopes to govern. And if Romney uses part of his convention speech to confront the Obama campaign’s relentless negativity and nastiness—which he should—his opponents will have a simple riposte: Your convention had Donald Trump.
Michael Gerson is a columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group; email michaelgerson@washpost.com.
Aug 27, 2012 at 2:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
The Donald, Limbaugh, and Honey Boo Boo -now that's entertainment!
Aug 27, 2012 at 2:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
By all means, RAF, give us the latest on the Bill Ayers-President Obama connection. I'm all for talking about this fresh new info that hasn't already come to light. Sounds like you've got the latest scoop.
Aug 27, 2012 at 11:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOL...the story played itself out...LOL
That is leftest shorthand for we don't want to talk about that....
Aug 27, 2012 at 10:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
MrData,
The Bill Ayers story played itself out of the news cycle long ago. New Bill Ayers stories aren't turning up these days. Conversely, Trump consistently reinserts himself back into the news cycle in ways that could be harmful to Romney as Trump is one of if not the most high profile Romney surrogate. Then, just a few days ago Romney decided to make a comment nodding to the fringe element of the birthers. Trump is one of if not the most high profile birther. All of this is why Trump is risky for Romney. If Romney can detach himself from political liabilities of Trump's ilk like President Obama did with Ayers and Wright, then the issue goes away. Tougher to do though given Trump's much more widespread notoriety.
Aug 27, 2012 at 9:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
Why is it a risk for Romney to be associated with a successful man from NYC, and not a risk for Obama to be associated with a 60s radical political terrorist bomber / killer - Bill Ayers?
I don't see why Romney is to be held to a much higher standard than Obama.
Aug 22, 2012 at 6:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
Anyone that would say "that TRUMP associated with the RNC convention is no more risky than the people who are associated with the DNC" is a few bits short of a byte.
"Trump Is A Clown That Hurts Romney"
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/for...
Aug 21, 2012 at 5:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
How about a contest led by Rmoney to see who can tie a dog to the roof of a car the best?
Aug 21, 2012 at 3:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
Third_Eye, there's just one reason Republicans have been calling for Akin to quit the Senate race. He puts the focus on the Republican platform on abortion, on Akin's legislative history on abortion and, more importantly, on Ryan's legislative history on abortion. That is, no exceptions for rape or incest. Oh, the Romney campaign has spoken for Ryan and according to them Ryan now "defers" to Romney's position. How does a person defer their most moral convictions for the chance to be Vice President? Lame.
This is why Republicans in droves are calling for Akin to step down. They want the abortion issue and the Republican platform on abortion to go away. I'm happy Akin has said he won't step down and will continue his campaign. This issue won't go away. The only fringe that Republicans should be worrying about are the Republicans like Romney who are the fringe of the Republican party having self-identified themselves as pro-choice as Romney has.
"I was effectively pro-choice when I ran for office." Mitt Romney (2007 Des Moines Register Republican Debate , Dec 12, 2007)
Aug 21, 2012 at 2:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
poobah, You're really stretching now, not even the most ardent mainstream lefties are trying to hang Akin around Romney/Ryan's neck.
But then there's the fringe....
Aug 21, 2012 at 1:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
Not to be outdone by Democrats, the Republicans have a least one Filthy Rich Celebrity.
Aug 21, 2012 at 12:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Don't bother woody. Most of the people that believe that tripe wouldn't know a fact if it smacked them in the face.
Aug 21, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
You still believe Trump's wacked out allegations of Obama's birthplace? Read for your self...
.
http://www.factcheck.org/2011/04/donald-...
Aug 21, 2012 at 12:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
Trump...the king birther wacko just can't let it go.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9mnkC0pg...
Aug 21, 2012 at 12:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Rmoney...biggest flip flopper ever????
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQwrB1vu7...
Aug 21, 2012 at 11:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
How about Ryan's risky ties to Akin? People need to be very cautious of the double-talk of Romney, Ryan and the Republican party platform on abortion.
"Romney and his running mate Paul condemned Akin’s remarks and pledged that under a Romney administration, abortion would be allowed in the case of rape. An exemption for rape, though, is not included in the platform set to be adopted by the party Romney will officially lead when nomination next week.
And Ryan, his vice presidential pick, has opposed exceptions for rape and voted alongside Akin in the House, though Ryan now says he defers to Romney’s position on the matter." [ http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/201... ]
Some moral conviction on Ryan's part, isn't it? Who do you believe? Paul Ryan since elected? Paul Ryan since yesterday? Romney? Or the Republican platform? I say trust none of them!
Aug 21, 2012 at 11:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
Donald Trump can articulate the Obama administration policies that have hurt the economy and explain it in details that are easy to understand.
Mr. Trump has a view of worldwide economics and has an idea on how the US should react to that reality.
So of course he's portrayed as a crackpot zillionaire who dabbles in fringe politics, surprisingly even by many on the right.
Perhaps that is part of his plan...
Aug 21, 2012 at 11:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
Actually -- as an entertainer, I think there will be allot of people tuning in to see Trump. But most will pay attention to the main speakers, so its just entertainment.
I could see him standing up up saying "Mr. Obama, your FIRED".
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Just pointing out that Trump associated with the RNC convention is no more "risky" than the people who are associated with the DNC.
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
Linda must be reading a different article.
Aug 21, 2012 at 9:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
Speakers for the DNC convention....
Elizabeth Warren (faux Native American)
John Kerry (flip flopper)
Jimmy Carter (2nd worst president)
Rahm Emanuel (Chicago's Rambo)
So far....TBaldwin isn't on the list, nor is DWSchultz.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.