The Democrats Boldly Respond to Trump by Citing--Ronald Reagan
Trust me, I'm ex-CIA!
I confess I didn’t watch President Trump’s address last night nor the response from the Democrats. I’ve heard enough of Trump bloviating and I’ve had my fill of Democrats and their “resistance.”
Checking my news feed this AM, I see that the Democratic response was given by a “moderate,” Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. She’s an ex-CIA agent, so I guess that means we can trust her? And she served alongside troops in the disastrous Iraq War, so I guess she’s patriotic and smart?
Here’s the link to her address.
Senator Slotkin tackled Trump not by citing progressive ideas and Democratic worthies like FDR and George McGovern but by applauding a Republican President, Ronald Reagan. President George W. Bush also got a positive mention.
Her main complaint was the “chaos” unleashed by Trump/Musk. She made a big deal about protecting the “homeland” along with immigration reform. She dropped a lot of buzzwords. She stressed that Trump apparently doesn’t think that America is the exceptional nation. And that he’s too cozy with Russia and Putin. The usual charges.
What was missing was vision, especially moral commitments to peace and justice. I heard nothing concrete about enlarging unions, boosting wages, affordable health care for all, serious student loan debt relief, or putting a stop to genocide in Gaza.
Slotkin’s speech was a perfect product of the corporate Democrats, or, more accurately, the uniparty and the national security state. She’s for “responsible” change. She’s for the middle class. Even apple pie got a mention!
Apparently, the Democratic plan to win back the presidency in 2028 is to reanimate the body of Ronald Reagan with apple pie as his running mate. How’s that for “resistance,” America?
Bonus Lesson: Slotkin said America’s “superpower” is that we’re a nation of “strivers” and “risk-takers” who are “never satisfied.” I guess other nations and peoples don’t have innovators with ambition, or maybe they’re too easily satisfied, unlike Americans?
Thanks for reviewing this drivel so I don't have to listen to it, Bill. I remember Bruce Gagnon blowing the whistle on Dems filling Congress with ex-CIA and ex-military candidates. Looks like that strategy is paying off for our corporate overlords.
I didn't watch or listen, either; I really see little point in always having my worst expectations / fears confirmed - as they always seem to be.
Trump always does amaze me when I hear a sound clip - I can never quite imagine beforehand just how embarrassingly cringe-worthy and sad it will be live.
But I always expect the "opposition" to select someone just about as dreadful to respond. Apparently previously to-me-unknown Slotkin filled that bill admirably.
The D's choice is telling. It tells us they're doubling down on corporate imperialist militarism and the selling of war and that effectively, even after Joe was put to pasture, that 'nothing will fundamentally change. It also suggests how they're planning to campaign two and four years hence. I suppose someone decided to screen-test Slotkin to see if she's material for 2028. Any bets?
If this situation doesn't confirm to a broader electorate that it's time to get up the courage to think outside the binary choice box, I don't know what else would.