Wording

Trump’s what???

Hegseth’s experience in the Army National Guard is seen by the incoming administration and supporters in Congress as an asset for the job, but he also brings a jarring record of past statements and actions, including allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking and derisive views about women in military combat roles, minorities and “woke” generals. He has vowed not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon. He is among the most endangered of Trump’s cabinet picks, but GOP allies are determined to turn him into a cause célèbre for Trump’s governing approach amid the nation’s culture wars.

Trump’s “governing approach”?

You mean his total lack of relevant experience and education? You mean his profound ignorance coupled with raging hostility and vindictiveness? You mean his general contempt for almost everyone? That “governing approach”?

Come on, news media. He doesn’t have a governing approach. He has an Id. He has a vast supply of grudges and hatreds, and a passion for putting them into action. It’s not about governing, it’s not about us, it’s about him and his entertainment.

Comments

4 responses to “Wording”

  1. Sackbut Avatar

    In The Bulwark today: Goodbye, Good Governance. Hello, Insane Promises.

    Trump’s return fits the pattern of careening from one personality type to the other and back, but I still can’t fathom the results given that as a nation, we know Trump so well. Whatever happened to judging people on character, competence, or both?

    And why on earth choose someone who has neither? Are voters still, a decade into the MAGA era, judging candidates on how persuasively they make inane promises (I’ll end the Ukraine war in one day; I’ll singlehandedly reduce food prices) or float insane ideas (let’s buy Greenland; let’s annex Canada)? How does any of that compete with a larger, stronger NATO, more clean energy jobs and semiconductor manufacturing, and a real commitment to roads, bridges, ports, airports, the electric grid, and rural broadband?

  2. Blood Knight in Sour Armor Avatar
    Blood Knight in Sour Armor

    It’s odd how many of the people I trust most right now are people I considered the Enemy in the Aughts… The “heterodox” mostly turned out to be the MAGA lite that the Wokies accused them of being, the Wokies suck, and there’s a fair bit of capture all around. I might well be a Republican right now if that was still a thing.

  3. John the Drunkard Avatar
    John the Drunkard

    ‘…swearing off forever (with and without a solemn oath),…’

    Or for some arbitrary time. No flag redder than that.

  4. Robert Estrada Avatar
    Robert Estrada

    you mean he has a drinking problem, is still drinking, but will stop if appointed? Scout’s honor? Color me skeptical.