Trump’s biggest impediment to winning in
2020? His personality
Los Angeles Times,
by
Jonah Goldberg
Original Article
Posted By: zoidberg,
6/19/2019 1:32:20 PM
“What’s your pitch to the swing voter on the fence?” ABC’s George Stephanopoulos asked President Trump on Sunday. Questions of this sort are gifts to politicians, but interviewers ask them for a couple of reasons. One, they’re civic-minded. Politicians deserve the opportunity to make their cases straightforwardly — and voters deserve to hear them. Second, they save time. (Snip) Trump’s initial answer started off following the standard script. He got four words off that must have had his political advisors cheering, “Safety, security, great economy.” Ideally, this is where Trump should have stopped talking.
Reply 1 - Posted by:
john56 6/19/2019 1:35:25 PM (No. 101564)
Oh yeah, I forgot. All those people I've known from New York City are modest, quiet, friendly and accommodating fellows. That Trump just isn't like them
Sarcasm key now OFF.
59 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
chumley 6/19/2019 1:37:04 PM (No. 101566)
He just cant let it go. He'd have been happier with the Hilebeast.
91 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
excalgalcg 6/19/2019 1:39:06 PM (No. 101569)
Ah yes, words from never Trumper, Jonah. Always negative.
92 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
VinGoombatz 6/19/2019 1:48:47 PM (No. 101577)
By the fourth sentence, JG is telling me that Stephano... is "civic minded". Without stating it directly.
Bye Bye, little JG.
46 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
Quigley 6/19/2019 1:49:53 PM (No. 101578)
Yes, that’s it, tell us mr know it all, why we should vote for your candidate.
40 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
WAN2 6/19/2019 1:51:06 PM (No. 101580)
Jonah? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
43 people like this.
Jonah's schtick is really getting old.
51 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
doublesharp 6/19/2019 1:54:09 PM (No. 101584)
Jonah will be right at home at the LA Times. I am so ashamed of him.
43 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
stablemoney 6/19/2019 1:56:25 PM (No. 101586)
I love Trump, his personalty, his fight, his family, and winning. I just cannot get enough of winning!
67 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
Catherine 6/19/2019 1:56:51 PM (No. 101587)
I guess Jonah feels he hasn't almost completely destroyed his mother's site, he'll just keep on going til he does. Personality is the last thing we look for in a president. We want real people such as Reagan and Trump. Not those who have learned mind numbing phrases that are geared to bring cheers and applause on the left.
42 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
Toby Ten Bears 6/19/2019 2:08:59 PM (No. 101592)
Jonah... Please keep quiet. Nobody likes you!
51 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
vrb8m 6/19/2019 2:09:22 PM (No. 101593)
I find his personality refreshing -- indeed, a much needed breath of bracing, fresh air.
37 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
Peeps 6/19/2019 2:11:45 PM (No. 101596)
One of Trump's biggest assets in winning the 2020 election is his personality. Some people are too thick to get that.
38 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
Pook60 6/19/2019 2:12:30 PM (No. 101597)
I'll be the first to admit that I was not on board with Trump until late in the primary process because of his personality. But to be at a point 2-1/2 years into his presidency and have supposed conservatives this blind is maddening. I still don't care for some things about the president's personality, but some of those things are techniques he uses to get things done. It is almost miraculous what he has been able to get done under these circumstances. Any conservative with a rudimentary sense of fairness and a scintilla of observational skill should be able to figure this out. So Trump sounds more like Muhammad Ali than Thomas Jefferson. So? Trump isn't taking on Alexander Hamilton. He's got the lying Democrats and stupid establishment Rinos hyperanalyzing his every move while totally ignoring the criminality of the left. Trump has to be all about Trump because he's just about the only one with a microphone who isn't lying and misrepresenting everything he does.
50 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
PlayItAgain 6/19/2019 2:13:17 PM (No. 101598)
Gasp! Did Trump do something interesting? I guess I’d better get out there and be relevant!
Says Jonah Goldberg.
I live in Arizona. When Janet Napolitano was governor, if Sheriff Joe Arpaio did anything that got his name or voice on the radio or television, Jane-o had her media lap-dogs put her on the air pronto! Whether she had something to say in response to Sheriff Joe, or something completely different you could bet we would be hearing something!! Anything!! from the governor before the day was over.
Thank you, President Trump, for the wonderful rally in Orlando! And my thanks to those who attended. You’ve warmed my heart and irritated many.
38 people like this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
GoodDeal 6/19/2019 2:14:47 PM (No. 101601)
I am so disappointed Jonah is a Trump Hater. I am sure his mom is too. Considering the author of the story and the publisher, I consider it as just another media effort to make pseudo-news. Too bad he has it backwards because it IS Trump's personality that is one of the greatest character traits he has that will make him just win win win again baby. Go do something important there Jonah, like hit the beach and fly a kite.
30 people like this.
Reply 17 - Posted by:
The Remnants 6/19/2019 2:20:28 PM (No. 101604)
I was thinking, apropos of nothing, but could it be that the reason the Trump Administration accomplishes so much is because the man at the top is not a drug user. It is my experience from working in two different corporations, that the culture of a corporation reflects the man at the top. I think a good example of that maxim is the tech industry; and i do not mean the drugs, but do mean that a corporation's culture reflects the man at the top.
Jonah and Byron York (according to an article posted here today) must think that none of us have pulled the plug.
12 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
stuBdoc 6/19/2019 2:21:16 PM (No. 101605)
Number 17: I don't think his Mom is a Trump-hater, too. As the editor of this site, she would have the opportunity to reject positive articles, and that is certainly not the case. At least, I hope I'm right.
15 people like this.
Reply 19 - Posted by:
WhamDBambam 6/19/2019 2:21:32 PM (No. 101606)
Golly, what a coincidence! Exactly the same problem that the author might have if he ever had the gumption to throw his hat into the ring.
9 people like this.
Reply 20 - Posted by:
FleetUSA 6/19/2019 2:22:26 PM (No. 101607)
Jonah who?
13 people like this.
Reply 21 - Posted by:
FleetUSA 6/19/2019 2:29:01 PM (No. 101613)
Unfortunately journalists are paid to have regular articles, not to have quality, researched pieces.
8 people like this.
I love you, Jonah (in a straight sorta way, for clarification).
But please let it go. Trump is an ass. But he's our ass.
And he's quite the effective force because (not in spite of) being an ass.
9 people like this.
Reply 23 - Posted by:
Ida Lou Pino 6/19/2019 2:48:51 PM (No. 101628)
Jonah is in a wildly competitive race - - with Kristol, Stephens, Noonan, Napolitano, Podhoretz, and several other eager contenders - - to see who will be the Last Japanese Soldier - - the last NeverTrumper to remain bitter and delusional.
It's quite a race - - so just sit back and enjoy!
24 people like this.
Am I wrong in remembering that in 2012 one of Jonah’s biggest objections to Trump was that he couldn’t possibly win ?
15 people like this.
Reply 25 - Posted by:
lakerman1 6/19/2019 2:57:20 PM (No. 101639)
who?
3 people like this.
Reply 26 - Posted by:
DVC 6/19/2019 2:57:38 PM (No. 101640)
Uh, Jonah, your view is not the view of most people.
I wish I could understand what it is that drives certain conservative commentators
over the edge into this entirely irrational hatred, but it is real and it is destroying
them...not Trump. Sad to see.
19 people like this.
Reply 27 - Posted by:
chillijilli 6/19/2019 2:59:16 PM (No. 101641)
Taking a big breath and getting ready to be flamed big time.
I'll say it. I agree with some of the things that JG said. He's saying what he thinks, what's the matter with that? Don't we ALL do that? Or even more importantly, SHOULDN'T we all do that?
I loved the huge supportive crowd last night for his speech. But for me, I lost interest after only ~ 10 minutes. I got bored with the schtick. Over and over again, the same stuff. Apparently I'm not supposed to express my honest opinion in this salon? Do others really think THEIR opinion is more valid than mine? Why is that?
Blindly accepting behavior that is unappealing to me is a little too heil-like for me, thank you very much. You are free to like it and I am free not to like it. And we're both free to say so.
Trump has flaws just like everyone else. And against all odds, he's achieved some near-miracles. Still, I totally agree with Jonah that if Trump would just stay on point about his many accomplishments the media and the Demos would go crazy. Unfortunately, for some reason Trump seems unable to stop taking the bait they toss him. And I suspect many fence-sitters (and he will need their votes) agree with JG about that.
9 people like this.
Reply 28 - Posted by:
Terry_tr6 6/19/2019 3:03:27 PM (No. 101649)
Can the moderators have writings from jonah banned from the site as non-news? or at least as an embarrassment
(I hope) to his mom?
5 people like this.
Reply 29 - Posted by:
LC Chihuahua 6/19/2019 3:19:05 PM (No. 101674)
Trump's personality is one of his strong points considering all the backstabbers that are opposing him.
14 people like this.
Reply 30 - Posted by:
1976Ag 6/19/2019 3:35:17 PM (No. 101689)
It's voter fraud.
2 people like this.
Reply 31 - Posted by:
agape 6/19/2019 3:44:56 PM (No. 101696)
JG’s definitive treatise defined with great clarity that the Nazi’s were just a crazy bunch of leftists, not completely unlike the dem party so far. The dems are moving closer every day. JG deserves thanks, which means buy the book.
But, he was sorta of surrounded by Uber-liberal New Yorkers at NatReview when the stuff Trump issue was published and has lots of friends that would disown him if he saw the light. But, JG ought not think we think Bit Donald is JC personified. Certainly not so.
But, for JG to pick today, after a seriously remarkable rah rah party and monster fundraiser to claim Trump’s personality is defective... is plain nuts and indicates a certain unhealthy degree of of self-abuse. Frankly, my dear,i will not be insulted regarding either my Faith or loyalty to the Constitution..
Maybe JG is trying to help BiG D. But, since JG is neither a high-wire professional or another Hamilton, his best help would be to suggest items not covered enough, priorities missed and programs that ought to die. Why not criticize the lies told by media just after the speech. Perhaps a good book on secret exculpatory evidence liberals have hidden in famous czses or the three FBI attempts at Coups.
Remember, the only examples of perpetual motion and supernaturally long life have been ineffective government programs. (And lawyers lips)
3 people like this.
Reply 32 - Posted by:
MEMcL 6/19/2019 3:46:40 PM (No. 101697)
I love, no, LOVE President Trump"s personality! He is straight forward and unequivocal in his answers.
How hypocritical to hear people "shocked" by his language! "Hell" is too crass for them? Have you listened to the music and videos and social media these days? Vulgar and crude. Trump is brash, and that is a good thing. He is grinding it out for all of us, and when I hear this type of criticism, I realize that the critics have nothing to hang their hat on...so they criticize "style."
I like Tucker too, but it makes me so mad that he always "qualifies" his statements about Trump. He says things like: "Trump, for all his faults, ......." or, "You may not like Trump for good reasons, but....or, "This is at least ONE thing that he has done right..." I think Tucker is a Never-Trumper who recognizes intellectually that the President is doing a good job, but can't get off that anti-Trump wagon. If he continues with this, he will lose me as a viewer. I don't like always having to be ready for an attack!
And, Johah got in tight with the prissy, intellectually-superior Conservatives who formed a bond against the Man of the People, and he can't jump off that bandwagon. We all know, remember and disparage his unrelenting attacks on OUR choice, so he has no strategies for backing down now.
Sad..
15 people like this.
Reply 33 - Posted by:
Strike3 6/19/2019 3:55:55 PM (No. 101707)
Exactly 180 degrees off, Jonah, AS USUAL.
11 people like this.
Reply 34 - Posted by:
AltaD 6/19/2019 4:08:35 PM (No. 101718)
Donald Trump's personality was a huge turnoff for me during the 2016 primary season. He was not my first, second or even third choice but when it was Trump vs. Hillary I decided to overlook his personality and hope for the best. Next time around I won't have to "hope for the best", he has proven that he is the best person for the job.
16 people like this.
Reply 35 - Posted by:
red1066 6/19/2019 4:18:41 PM (No. 101723)
Trump's personality is exactly why he was elected in 2016. Goldberg hasn't been right about anything for years. When Trump won in 2016, he made a left turn and hasn't recovered from it.
11 people like this.
Reply 36 - Posted by:
armywife85 6/19/2019 4:37:23 PM (No. 101739)
The establishment, media and the libs still don't get it. President Trump is where he is because of who he is and how he "acts" as they say. We love the fighter. We love having a President that isn't a politician, we love having a President that LOVES this country and doesn't speak ill of her, We love having a President that will take on the old guard in Washington.
13 people like this.
Reply 37 - Posted by:
Holeymoses 6/19/2019 4:45:39 PM (No. 101744)
Yes, Jonah, we yearn for the insincerity and shrill voice of a crooked old hag, wise to the ways of criminality and contemptuous of the people she is suppose to be serving. But in truth, many of us love our President's rough diamond ways, his tweets that are arrowed to us, his public, and his kind heart. Sorry guy!
14 people like this.
Of course I meant 2016, doesn’t seem to be a way to edit.
1 person likes this.
Reply 39 - Posted by:
StormCnter 6/19/2019 5:18:52 PM (No. 101765)
Jonah Goldberg makes a good point, but only the independents and/or undecideds will pay attention. President Trump has accomplished much. He deserves sincere applause for that. But, I believe there could have been more if he could sacrifice some of his more injudicious comments. Cut back the ridicule and name-calling. Rest the Twitter jibes occasionally, Sir, and please stop whining about criticisms against you. Let your actions and accomplishments speak. Let your supporters tout them. Let the RNC make supportive videos. Give the Jonahs of our political world a chance to like you. Allow us to reelect you.
5 people like this.
Reply 40 - Posted by:
Safari Man 6/19/2019 5:22:30 PM (No. 101767)
Trump had a wry sense of humor. He’s hilarious. Some people just cannot grok.
10 people like this.
Reply 41 - Posted by:
FormerDem 6/19/2019 5:23:47 PM (No. 101768)
I like his personality and I think he has good manners - namely, he puts others at ease, he never punches down, he stands fast for the weak, he is funny, and he does not show off in real ways.
11 people like this.
Reply 42 - Posted by:
msjena 6/19/2019 5:24:14 PM (No. 101769)
You know what they say--if you can't change someone, change yourself. Trump is who he is. He isn't going to change. It's get on the Trump train or get left behind.
4 people like this.
Reply 43 - Posted by:
jeffkinnh 6/19/2019 5:32:56 PM (No. 101779)
About 20,000 people in Florida would strongly disagree Jonah. Meanwhile YOUR personality is of one obsessed to the detriment of their mental health.
5 people like this.
Reply 44 - Posted by:
David Key 6/19/2019 6:30:55 PM (No. 101822)
I like Jonah, have followed him for years, but.....He's like every other never Trumper. Sometimes you just can't see the trees or the forest for you own prejudices. He doesn't like Trump's style and personality. We get it a lot of people have problems with a lot of other people because there's a personality conflict. What they don't seem to even attempt to understand is that we are sick and tired of Slick Willie, and Slick O'ster's ability to shuck and jive us. Trump has faced slings and arrows like nobody since Lincoln. He kept more of his promises than the last three Republican administrations combined. He also fights back which is more than the last three Republican administrations combined.
7 people like this.
Reply 45 - Posted by:
udanja99 6/19/2019 6:38:22 PM (No. 101828)
I wonder how much Jonah likes his investment portfolio these days. I sure like mine, thanks to President Trump and his magic wand.
8 people like this.
Reply 46 - Posted by:
kreeger 6/19/2019 7:23:27 PM (No. 101846)
Nice change in tone from his scorched earth days as a NeverTrumper. It seemed a constructive article with some valid points. The President too often crosses the line from revving up the base to turning off swing voters with his bellicosity. He should stop compensating for his inarticulateness with smash mouth insults. He needs to take a few lessons from Nigel Farage.
4 people like this.
Reply 47 - Posted by:
Sunhan65 6/19/2019 11:35:50 PM (No. 101975)
#29, I'm always grateful for your candor, even when I don't agree with your position. As a long-standing and valued contributor on this site, you have every right to state your views without being flamed.
The truth is that men and women of good faith and conservative views took divergent positions on Trump during his hunt for the nomination. Some of my favorite L-Dotters opposed him. However, most supported Trump once he was nominated, and almost all of them support him now as President.
The same cannot be said for the conservative commentators in NR's "Against Trump" issue. They misjudged every aspect of 2016: Trump's ability to win, his commitment to enacting the conservative agenda once elected, and his subsequent success in doing so. They were not just wrong about President Trump; they were wrong about those of us who supported him. (The insults leveled against David Horowitz, for example, were appalling.)
Why would anyone want or take advice from people who missed the point so badly?
1 person likes this.
Reply 48 - Posted by:
Sully 6/20/2019 7:58:36 AM (No. 102120)
I know you're supposed to read the article before commenting. Sorry. I couldn't read this goober before he stabbed the conservative base.
May he be left in President Trump's wake. Irrelevant to match insufferable.
0 people like this.
Reply 49 - Posted by:
drive 6/20/2019 8:05:24 AM (No. 102124)
Lucianne is definitely not on same page as her son. Read the must reads and you will see plenty of proTrump posts. Like many of us, Trump was not her first choice but he is now.
2 people like this.
Reply 50 - Posted by:
NotaBene 6/20/2019 1:54:13 PM (No. 102459)
Wrong again, Jonah. Donald Trump is a master communicator the likes of whom we have never seen. We absolutely love him and will crawl over red-hot coals to re-elect him.
0 people like this.
Reply 51 - Posted by:
LadyVet 6/20/2019 5:03:57 PM (No. 102625)
I think #18 has a good point about not using drugs. There were times when Obama was speaking, that I thought he must he almost stoned. Not drinking also helps Trump function.
For a short time, I worked with a man who spent most afternoons after 4 pm at the downtown club(s) drinking. Sometimes he did not even come back for lunch. He probably would have fit in well with Hillary and John Boehner. Not much got accomplished.
0 people like this.
Reply 52 - Posted by:
anonymous 6/20/2019 10:00:33 PM (No. 102802)
This is a good article by Jonah Goldberg. I think his premise is correct in a general sense. If there is anything that is guaranteed to turn off voters, it's the way the candidate conducts himself at the level of manners, humility..call it what you like. There have been many candidates with good policies who have self-destructed due to the perception that they are gruff or boastful.
Trump's good fortune is that the array of candidates on the opposition are so poor in terms of their policies, especially the border.
0 people like this.
Reply 53 - Posted by:
judy 6/20/2019 11:46:34 PM (No. 102835)
This time he has his record, a well oiled campaign staff & big $$$ to run on. Warts & all Trump is getting the job done. One thing for sure he won’t wait for you to leave the room before he tells you what he thinks. He is real. My advise ignore the media Trump’s rating are higher than the media & congress combined.
0 people like this.