Trump The Carpetbagger

BY Herschel Smith
7 years, 10 months ago

NRO:

Since he locked up the Republican presidential nomination, Donald Trump has furiously backtracked on a number of key positions he took during the heated primary. As my colleague Jim Geraghty has written: “Within 24 hours of becoming the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump had reversed his positions on tax increases, paying down the debt, raising the minimum wage, and self-financing his campaign. It was a busy day.”

Now, Trump seems to be backing away from one of the three signature issues (renegotiating trade agreements and building the border wall are the other two) that added rocket fuel to his quixotic presidential campaign: the “temporary Muslim entry ban.”

Last night in an interview with Fox News’s Greta Van Susteren, Trump said, “sure I’d back off on [the Muslim ban]. I’d like to back off it as soon as possible. Because frankly, I’d like to see something happen [to solve the problem].” He then pivoted to proposing a commission — headed by former New York City mayor Rudy Guliani — that would look into the problem of Islamic terrorism.

Also on Wednesday, in response to a question from Fox News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade, Trump defended the proposed ban, while also appearing to hedge his bets. “We have a serious problem, and it’s a temporary ban — it hasn’t been called for yet, nobody’s done it, this is just a suggestion until we find out what’s going on,” Trump said.

A commission on Islamic terrorism, to solve problems and answer questions for the New Yorker who apparently hasn’t read the history of the previous millennia.

Mr. Trump is laughing all the way to the convention, saying “Thanks for voting for me, SUCKERS!”  You know, at one point in American history, other Northerners came South to sell their snake oil.  They were called carpetbaggers.  The rich boy from the outer boroughs of New York convinced enough Southerners to buy his own brand of snake oil that there’s no turning back now.  Suck that oil down, guys.  Hope it helps you.


Comments

  1. On May 13, 2016 at 6:51 am, Danny Ray said:

    Well it looks like time to say goodbye, I have really enjoyed all your post with the exception of the anti Trump one, but the time is now to say Farewell

  2. On May 13, 2016 at 7:58 am, Herschel Smith said:

    Well, you don’t have to. You are making that choice. But I wasn’t kind to one-worlder GWB when he donated a trillion dollars of tax money to the bankers, and I wasn’t kind to Obama – ever. And I won’t be kind to Trump for his nefarious acts. You deserve to know what he’s saying and doing.

  3. On May 13, 2016 at 8:48 am, Ammono Cruose said:

    He is not alone. I sit here eating my breakfast with egg on my face instead of my plate because I cheered your statements last week about being done with commenting on politics. Yet, here it is again. I really enjoy the rest of this blog as it is thoughtful and informational.
    I know, I know, see a title about politics, don’t click it, don’t read it. I guess I will just have to police what I read here and avoid giving any clicks to anything that seems political in any way. Trump is not my guy, but he will most likely have the R in the election and I am tired of folks bashing the hell out him instead of spending that energy on combating Hillary. She is the real threat to America here.

  4. On May 13, 2016 at 5:36 pm, Haywood Jablome said:

    “…but he will most likely have the R in the election and I am tired of folks bashing the hell out him instead of spending that energy on combating Hillary.”

    I guess I just don’t see how pointing out his complete lack of a principled position on ANYTHING is bashing. How showing his quotes and pointing to the inconsistencies is bashing. Since when is the truth bashing. I don’t put party above principles. And if you think this is bashing, wait until the gloves come off with the major press outlets.

  5. On May 13, 2016 at 5:46 pm, Haywood Jablome said:

    Anybody that has read your posts over the last two Presidents is well aware that you are a principled man. I have seen you call out friends and foe alike. And, no, I haven’t always agreed with you either. Those looking for an echo chamber should look elsewhere. But, I know when I click on this site, I am going to get information with honest, unfiltered commentary. And for that, I thank you!

  6. On May 13, 2016 at 8:48 am, Fred said:

    Honorable men disagree, children get their feelings hurt, stomp out the room, and pout.

  7. On May 13, 2016 at 12:42 pm, Danny Ray said:

    I would hardly call biding someone farewell , pouting and stomping from the room but, if that is the way you see it I’m fine with that

  8. On May 13, 2016 at 5:42 pm, Haywood Jablome said:

    Well, you should have plenty of time on your hands if you are going to avoid any site that is “anti Trump” by quoting him. This is tame compared to what is coming. It is going to be a long few months for you I’m afraid. The media has kept their powder dry and after the convention, the fireworks will begin. If you thought building him up brought them ratings, just wait until you see them tear him down.

    Best of luck to you. And no, I’m not being sarcastic.

  9. On May 13, 2016 at 7:12 am, MARIO V ALBANO said:

    Truth is a straight kick to the gut! Tough times ahead for the unlearned, the naive and the easily led.

  10. On May 13, 2016 at 8:26 am, Fred said:

    “He then pivoted to proposing a commission — headed by former New York
    City mayor Rudy Guliani — that would look into the problem of Islamic
    terrorism.”

    We don’t need a commission, we shouldn’t have to pay for another committee of know-it-alls.
    Let me translate islams followers intentions into clear language that you can easily understand;
    ‘we declare war on you. We hereby declare a state of war to exist between our peoples. We will kill you, rape your women, subjugate your daughters, and convert or kill your sons in the name of our satanic idolatry.’

    Here is a little story we should read to our children at night. Oh, and pay attention yourself.
    http://gatesofvienna.net/2016/01/the-alienork-way/

  11. On May 13, 2016 at 8:34 am, Geoffry K said:

    Lesser of two evils.
    I choose Trump over hillary or bernie.

  12. On May 13, 2016 at 9:44 am, Parnell said:

    And the alternative is?

  13. On May 13, 2016 at 9:45 am, Kaiser Derden said:

    so vote for Hillary … you worldview that everyone must have rigid dogmatic positions on all issues blinds you to the idea that getting problems solved requires negotiation and compromise … of course Trump positions are the STARTING point … not the end point … of course Trump is not a conservative (according to your rigid definition) but on the other hand he also not a liberal (according to your rigid definition) … scary isn’t it when a politician isn’t as dogmatically rigid as you are …
    Maybe you should find a way to offer a way forward with Trump as the nominee that doesn’t involve screaming about the fact that Trump is doing EXACTLY what he has always done in business when he stakes out an initial negotiating position that OF COURSE he may have to move off of … taxes are a perfect example … Trump has made it clear he wants to reduce taxes on everyone (the rich, the middle class and businesses) but also realizes that to get middle class and business cuts he may have to give Democrats something to prevent a filibuster … sure higher taxes on the rich reduce growth …. but lower taxes on the middle class and business boost growth and I’d bet it boosts grow alot more than extra taxes on the rich would reduce growth … I would also bet that in Trumps world view anyone making less than a million dollars a year is not rich … (unlike the dems who think anyone above 200K is rich)

  14. On May 13, 2016 at 10:40 am, Archer said:

    … of course Trump positions are the STARTING point …

    And he’s now walking them back, before any negotiations have started. He’s ceding his position without being asked, and with nothing being offered in return. I can understand – and even approve of – a “compromise” that ends up somewhere in the moderate middle of the left-right spectrum, but Trump is moving away from the right into the middle. Instead of compromising us into a moderate deal, the new mid-point will be significantly to the left of center.

    If this is what he’s done in business, it’s amazing he’s made any money over the years.

  15. On May 13, 2016 at 11:43 am, Fred said:

    Amazon bought the Washington Post a while back. The Post, unsurprisingly (does he have an R?) goes after Trump. Trump threatens Amazon CEO Bezos with higher taxes if the Post doesn’t stop. Can you say ‘Chairman Mao’?

  16. On May 13, 2016 at 12:08 pm, Josh said:

    I see no evidence that Trump is walking back his position on Muslim immigration. What I see is a statement that he would prefer to implement his position, and then “back off” as soon as possible, which he then defines as a presumably longer term solution.

    I’m no Trump maniac, but I’m not an anti-Trump maniac either. This is just objective fact, gleaned from reading his statement in the quote.

  17. On May 13, 2016 at 1:35 pm, Bill in Tennessee said:

    Carpetbaggers were actually folks who came to the South following the Civil War, sent here by northern politicians to run the former Confederate states and districts like Atlanta, Charleston, etc. It’s a pejorative term that is a direct result of the Civil War and its aftermath. They were a hated lot, and some of them met untimely ends, late at night, by certain “night riders” and Klan members. Good riddance.

  18. On May 15, 2016 at 6:05 pm, Val said:

    Hahaha, wow, another desperate page.
    Embrace Hilllary! Cause your choice is her or Trump.

    Trump 2016

  19. On May 15, 2016 at 9:52 pm, Herschel Smith said:

    Surely you’re not serious? Do I sound like I’m desperate? The post is called “mocking.” I’m mocking the GOP because the choice posed is Hillary 1 and Hillary 2. There isn’t a dime’s worth of difference between the two candidates.

    And I always have a choice. I choose not to vote. That way I’m not responsible for the ensuing debacle. I embrace nothing except my duty before God to vote Biblically. If I cannot do that, I will abstain.

    In the mean time, stay tuned for more mocking.

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This article is filed under the category(s) Politics and was published May 12th, 2016 by Herschel Smith.

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