Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
You can include NBC Icon, Bob Costas in the “Trump Derangement Syndrome” crowd.
“He is by far the most the most disgraceful figure in modern presidential history. He’s only become more disgraceful since 2016 and since 2020. He is a bubbling cauldron of loathsome traits and it’s only those who are actually suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome, which is the way they and Fox News and MAGA media try to brush aside all legitimate criticisms of Trump,” Costas said.
In an interview on CNN, Costas unloaded on the 45th president, calling him “the most disgraceful figure in modern presidential history.” He then listed off a score of things that he feels about Trump and all of his supporters, comparing Trump’s support to people being in a “toxic cult.”
Costas should stick to figure skating and volleyball!
Trump Derangement Syndrome: Why it Progressed.
It can be fairly said that it is so profound that many afflicted with “TDS” would choose “Adolph Hitler and his Jewish policies” over Trump if given the “either or” choice on the voting ballot! This reflects a Fascist inclination!
I never liked and still do not like Barack Obama. But I would have voted for him if given the same choice. As distasteful as his policies may have been, he wasn’t speaking of killing people as Kamala Harris did in her now infamous Coppin State address this past July!
The overriding concern is that Trump, unlike Obama and Biden is a clear threat to an entrenched political system. From the outset, he called them out, proposing that we “drain the swamp.” Translated it amounted to “dismantling the administrative state.” We have witnessed the resulting pushback during the last three years.
An” About Face” on the Horizon?
There is a glimmer of hope that some of the unconvinced might see that both the Biden policies and his weaponization of the bureaucracy is synonymous with “liberal fascism!” A dozen years ago, the I.R.S. was targeting Tea Party members.
Today, we are witnessing how Merrick Garland’s Justice Department does business. The administrative state has proven to be overwhelmingly partisan. The Heritage Foundation determined that 95% of the federal bureaucracy made contributions to Democrat candidates.
The H.I.R.E.S Act, introduced in 2019 by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Josh Hawley decentralized some of the bureaucracy. Evidence suggested that the administrative state wasn’t thrilled! A glaring example was Bureau of Land Management’s relocation to Grand Junction, Colorado. 70% of the BLM personnel declined the move.
Trump’s VP Selection Critical to Objective
This past weekend’s CPAC convention brought to the table, the two leading contenders for the VP job: Kristi Noem and Vivek Ramaswamy. Noem is “beautiful, loyal and safe.” Ramaswamy is what Trump needs in his quest to dismantle the administrative state: “a hatchet man.”
Laying off 75% of the administrative state will be a political bloodbath for the ages. The alternative is to do nothing and allow the “fourth branch of government” to continue business as usual. Vivek is likely the only candidate who can take Trump’s “drain the swamp” vision into the next decade. His assertion that the founders specified “three branches of government, not four” is gaining traction at warp speed!
Democrats have the “Kamala problem.” In the minds of many party members, she could be Joe Biden’s single biggest liability. His age and mental faculties are increasingly coming into question. Is America ready for a Harris presidency? Most rank-and-file party members say “no.” Problem is, Kamala believes that she is more than ready.
CNN ran a favorable opinion piece about the former senator in recent days by Basil Smikle, a black former Democrat official, titled “Kamala Harris is not a liability. She may be Democrats’ best weapon.”
Smikle contends that it is her appeal within the black community, and especially with young people, that is most important for the Biden-Harris ticket.
“Boxing out” Kamala Alternatives
A lot of names have been mentioned, starting with, Gavin Newson. He clearly has his eye on 2028. After witnessing Ron DeSantis’ premature run, sidestepping any 2024 nomination notions makes sense. So does replacing Harris on the ticket with the assurance that Dems plan to invoke the 25th on Biden. This would be easier if Noem were Trump’s running mate.
A Trump-Ramaswamy ticket makes dumping Kamala all but impossible. Removing a woman of color from the ticket is treacherous business. To do in while Trump is selecting a man of color would be a gamble most Democrats would consider unthinkable.
Biden might do what many are predicting: “Announce that he is not seeking a second term at the DNC convention?” This would remove some of the guess work. Smart money suggests that such a development would intensify Kamala’s insistence on being the nominee.
Then there is Trump Derangement Syndrome. It alone might prompt the Biden camp to look for a more moderate running mate, such a Joe Manchin. I could even see DNC making peace with RFK, Jr. if it guaranteed a second Biden term. In Trump Derangement Syndrome thinking, any alternative is better than Donald Trump.