Great analysis as always, thank you! I am not sure I understood what was intended, but I thought many points to be profound.
In a system that was devised to make it difficult if not impossible for a leader with autocratic tendencies to accumulate power, Trump has managed to do so through sheer force of personality and will. I was wondering if that is what you meant by the role of force; it is force that people listen to to subconsciously, and the masses have to be led and not listened to. And that is what Trump did, and Harris did not. Harris was too focussed on appealing to various factions of the Democratic coalition, and feeling empowered, many of these voters may not have voted against their interest (or maybe not).
Since Obama, Democrats have ceded power to activist group within their coalition, and the candidates lobby these groups to win nomination. A good example is Harris in 2021 when she was made the border czar. A natural leader like, say Obama, might have relished the opportunity and taken on progressive factions of the party to recommend and implement tough border policies that would have positioned her well for the general. Also, solving this vexing issue would have made it easier for voters to see she was qualified to be POTUS. But she played it safe so she to avoid antagonizing any progressive factions. That strategy clearly worked to the extent that she won the nomination, but she also had not real achievements to tout to voters. I suspect many undecideds who voted against her did so for that reason - they were just not convinced she was POTUS material. I voted for her, but I was not convinced either; I just did not want Trump to win.
I don't think Democrats must find their own demagogue, but they need to select strong leaders who can command that respect of the democratic coalition like Obama did. I realize Obama is a generational talent, and so is Trump. But the part needs strong leadership that can hold the various factions in check. (and get rid of some factions - we have too diverse a coalition. I will start with far left, and maybe Arab/Muslims (sorry - nothing personal, just business) - both represent small number of votes but create most of the noise and make most demands, all unpopular.
"The people in accordance with divine law are to be led, not followed… Nor are those to be listened to who are accustomed to say, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.” For the clamor of the crowd is very close to madness."
If reading Doctor Zhivago and Red China Blues have taught me anything... it's that the people are most awful when they are most powerful... but still, we press forward, I guess.
I wonder if William Blake’s Isaiah was closer to the truth:
“I saw no God, nor heard any, in a finite organical perception: but my senses discovered the infinite in everything; and as I was then persuaded, and remained confirmed, that the voice of honest indignation is the voice of God, I cared not for consequences, but wrote.”
Year zero of the Islamic calendar was the move from Mecca to Medina. Year 1 of anno domini is supposedly Jesus’ birth. The spectacular years where the divine mandate became obvious were still a ways off.
Maybe Jan 6 is Trump’s hijrah. Out to the wilderness of Truth Social before he returns in force, having united the tribes.
Trumpum! ✔️😉
Annum Trumpum Nostrum? Limits of our technology.
Great analysis as always, thank you! I am not sure I understood what was intended, but I thought many points to be profound.
In a system that was devised to make it difficult if not impossible for a leader with autocratic tendencies to accumulate power, Trump has managed to do so through sheer force of personality and will. I was wondering if that is what you meant by the role of force; it is force that people listen to to subconsciously, and the masses have to be led and not listened to. And that is what Trump did, and Harris did not. Harris was too focussed on appealing to various factions of the Democratic coalition, and feeling empowered, many of these voters may not have voted against their interest (or maybe not).
Since Obama, Democrats have ceded power to activist group within their coalition, and the candidates lobby these groups to win nomination. A good example is Harris in 2021 when she was made the border czar. A natural leader like, say Obama, might have relished the opportunity and taken on progressive factions of the party to recommend and implement tough border policies that would have positioned her well for the general. Also, solving this vexing issue would have made it easier for voters to see she was qualified to be POTUS. But she played it safe so she to avoid antagonizing any progressive factions. That strategy clearly worked to the extent that she won the nomination, but she also had not real achievements to tout to voters. I suspect many undecideds who voted against her did so for that reason - they were just not convinced she was POTUS material. I voted for her, but I was not convinced either; I just did not want Trump to win.
I don't think Democrats must find their own demagogue, but they need to select strong leaders who can command that respect of the democratic coalition like Obama did. I realize Obama is a generational talent, and so is Trump. But the part needs strong leadership that can hold the various factions in check. (and get rid of some factions - we have too diverse a coalition. I will start with far left, and maybe Arab/Muslims (sorry - nothing personal, just business) - both represent small number of votes but create most of the noise and make most demands, all unpopular.
"The people in accordance with divine law are to be led, not followed… Nor are those to be listened to who are accustomed to say, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.” For the clamor of the crowd is very close to madness."
If reading Doctor Zhivago and Red China Blues have taught me anything... it's that the people are most awful when they are most powerful... but still, we press forward, I guess.
I wonder if William Blake’s Isaiah was closer to the truth:
“I saw no God, nor heard any, in a finite organical perception: but my senses discovered the infinite in everything; and as I was then persuaded, and remained confirmed, that the voice of honest indignation is the voice of God, I cared not for consequences, but wrote.”
Year zero of the Islamic calendar was the move from Mecca to Medina. Year 1 of anno domini is supposedly Jesus’ birth. The spectacular years where the divine mandate became obvious were still a ways off.
Maybe Jan 6 is Trump’s hijrah. Out to the wilderness of Truth Social before he returns in force, having united the tribes.