Drop The 'Tough Guy' Except For China-Trump Wins

[Kathianne]

In most ways I agree with this in entirety. Just not sure Trump can do it.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/trumps-road-to-victory-is-through-china_3426592.html#

Trump’s Road to Victory Is Through China
Roger L. Simon
July 16, 2020 Updated: July 16, 2020

Brad Pascale is out as campaign manager, meaning something is rotten in the State of Trump.


That something is the poll numbers, trust them or not. The president cannot afford to rely on the assumption the country is filled with closet Trump voters loath to admit their preference lest they suffer retribution that these days can range from job loss to (no exaggeration) rigor mortis.


Pascale is being replaced by GOP veteran Bill Stepien but the election won’t be decided by campaign managers. It will be decided by the candidates.


Trump has to resist the temptation to relive the glory of 2016, as amazing a campaign as it was. As a television personality, he should realize it’s a new season. He needs a fresh approach.


But first he must abandon, at least for now, what I called his “signal-to-noise” problem. No more pointless tweets attacking the likes of Joe Scarborough. Who cares? No distractions in general.

As Magic Johnson used to say, this is “winnin’ time.”


And the road to winning is through Communist China.


They are the ones causing all the trouble in the world today, especially in the USA, but basically everywhere. Almost every contemporary problem stems from China in some manner, if you examine it carefully.

...

They have infiltrated our finest educational institutions to an astonishing degree that we are only beginning to understand. In a very real way, they have been propagandizing us for years with the acquiescence of officials of our greatest universities.


We have all been lied to about China again and again and again.


The president must make that one hundred percent clear to the American public that has been brainwashed by a media that will say anything that would aid in his defeat.


It’s not an easy assignment in a short time.


Successfully done, however, this will win the election for Trump because, as luck would have it, or perhaps it’s something more sinister than that, his opponent, Joe Biden, has been tied intimately to our failed, corrupt and highly dangerous Communist China policy for years.


The former vice president was high up among the many officials of our country that have been selling us out to China for decades.


Only a few months ago Joe was pooh-poohing the idea that China was our competition. You may have seen the video. He went so far as to say their success was important to the world and would make things better. (Perhaps he meant his son’s bank account.)


Trump can make a case for being the first president to confront Communist China in any serious way because he was and is.


Tie China to the plagues of today, make it clear what that means—it’s not that difficult—and he will have a second term.

[Gunny]

Not so much "can" he do it, but does he see it and "will" he do it? I'm not seeing it. The Republican Party missed a bet when they didn't call themselves the "Party of disappointment".

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

In most ways I agree with this in entirety. Just not sure Trump can do it.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/trumps-road-to-victory-is-through-china_3426592.html#

Trump’s Road to Victory Is Through China
Roger L. Simon
July 16, 2020 Updated: July 16, 2020

Brad Pascale is out as campaign manager, meaning something is rotten in the State of Trump.


That something is the poll numbers, trust them or not. The president cannot afford to rely on the assumption the country is filled with closet Trump voters loath to admit their preference lest they suffer retribution that these days can range from job loss to (no exaggeration) rigor mortis.


Pascale is being replaced by GOP veteran Bill Stepien but the election won’t be decided by campaign managers. It will be decided by the candidates.


Trump has to resist the temptation to relive the glory of 2016, as amazing a campaign as it was. As a television personality, he should realize it’s a new season. He needs a fresh approach.


But first he must abandon, at least for now, what I called his “signal-to-noise” problem. No more pointless tweets attacking the likes of Joe Scarborough. Who cares? No distractions in general.

As Magic Johnson used to say, this is “winnin’ time.”


And the road to winning is through Communist China.


They are the ones causing all the trouble in the world today, especially in the USA, but basically everywhere. Almost every contemporary problem stems from China in some manner, if you examine it carefully.

...

They have infiltrated our finest educational institutions to an astonishing degree that we are only beginning to understand. In a very real way, they have been propagandizing us for years with the acquiescence of officials of our greatest universities.


We have all been lied to about China again and again and again.


The president must make that one hundred percent clear to the American public that has been brainwashed by a media that will say anything that would aid in his defeat.


It’s not an easy assignment in a short time.


Successfully done, however, this will win the election for Trump because, as luck would have it, or perhaps it’s something more sinister than that, his opponent, Joe Biden, has been tied intimately to our failed, corrupt and highly dangerous Communist China policy for years.


The former vice president was high up among the many officials of our country that have been selling us out to China for decades.


Only a few months ago Joe was pooh-poohing the idea that China was our competition. You may have seen the video. He went so far as to say their success was important to the world and would make things better. (Perhaps he meant his son’s bank account.)


Trump can make a case for being the first president to confront Communist China in any serious way because he was and is.


Tie China to the plagues of today, make it clear what that means—it’s not that difficult—and he will have a second term.

Seems I have been far, far ahead of the curve-since I have been criticizing China since my arriving here from another site.
And was criticizing China at that site for about 8 years previous. I wrote my senior High term paper in 1973 on China and I spared no ink
while criticizing exactly what it truly was and what an avowed enemy it would in the future be!
Only took 47 years for validation of my 1973 words, adamant criticisms and predictions.
And my projected time frame back then was in about 40 to 50 years!--Tyr

[icansayit]

Wish I could share some of the information I personally read about China while I was in uniform, and had access to things I could be punished for today. (I believe). I have no doubt. If I read some of the things back in the 1980's while stationed at what was called NTCC H.R., THE PRESIDENT has much more access, and knowledge today about EVERY country who hates us.

Truth is. What we are prevented from learning from the Liberal sided, Anti-American MSM can be found...word for word on GOOGLE..if you know where, and how to choose key words that will steer you where you want to go.
I'm not trying to sound like Mr. Knowitall...but ALL OF US have access to things that were once considered Classified.

That is probably why I trust, and respect the President so much. He and those around him...I FEEL, Are the only people in Washington I dare to say I trust. Dems and Repub politician are NOT FOR WE THE PEOPLE. Period.

[LongTermGuy]

Wish I could share some of the information I personally read about China while I was in uniform, and had access to things I could be punished for today. (I believe). I have no doubt. If I read some of the things back in the 1980's while stationed at what was called NTCC H.R., THE PRESIDENT has much more access, and knowledge today about EVERY country who hates us.

Truth is. What we are prevented from learning from the Liberal sided, Anti-American MSM can be found...word for word on GOOGLE..if you know where, and how to choose key words that will steer you where you want to go.
I'm not trying to sound like Mr. Knowitall...but ALL OF US have access to things that were once considered Classified.

That is probably why I trust, and respect the President so much. He and those around him...I FEEL, Are the only people in Washington I dare to say I trust. Dems and Repub politician are NOT FOR WE THE PEOPLE. Period.
:clap::clap::clap:

https://images.news18.com/optimize/-nrrsxvpXBiboLdP3GEx7UJlxQo=/532x353/images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/532x353/jpg/2017/01/41.png

[Gunny]

Wish I could share some of the information I personally read about China while I was in uniform, and had access to things I could be punished for today. (I believe). I have no doubt. If I read some of the things back in the 1980's while stationed at what was called NTCC H.R., THE PRESIDENT has much more access, and knowledge today about EVERY country who hates us.

Truth is. What we are prevented from learning from the Liberal sided, Anti-American MSM can be found...word for word on GOOGLE..if you know where, and how to choose key words that will steer you where you want to go.
I'm not trying to sound like Mr. Knowitall...but ALL OF US have access to things that were once considered Classified.

That is probably why I trust, and respect the President so much. He and those around him...I FEEL, Are the only people in Washington I dare to say I trust. Dems and Repub politician are NOT FOR WE THE PEOPLE. Period.That's always bugged me as well. "What am I allowed to say that I know?" I'm not Hitlery. Disclosing classified info is a crime -- Federal felony -- at MY pay grade.

[NightTrain]

I've seen dozens of articles giving Trump advice on how to modify his behavior for a 'sure win' in November. Some have points I agree with personally, most lament his combative Twitter activity.

He's not a politician. He's a brawler. He's not going to take a shot to the nuts and smile through the tears like Dubya did, taking the high road.

The bitter hatred for the GOP began in earnest in 2000 when Gore lost the SCOTUS battle over Florida. That's when the unrelenting attacks began and the Media began aiding the leftists - Dan Rather's despicable attack based on outright falsehoods was the first glimpse into how far the media was willing to go, and damn the supposed objectivity. Rather got fired, but he wouldn't be today for the same stunt.

For all 8 years, Dubya never fought back. The silence only emboldened the left. Nazi, War Criminal, Draft Dodger, Bloodthirsty, Traitor, Alcoholic, Cocaine Fiend, Womanizer, Fake Christian, Religious Fanatic, Controlled by the Jews, Anti-Semite, Stupid, Misogynist, Racist, all of these things and more were increasingly hurled at him in the press, and he never defended himself. By 2008, most of the press had completely abandoned the notion of impartiality because they were never challenged, instead getting praised by other media outlets and the backslapping increased tenfold.

How does a new journalist set themself apart from the pack in such an environment? There's a sitting President that won't say anything no matter how outlandish the claim, go get 'em, Tiger! This is the construction of that industrial grade bubble - no repercussions for smears and lies, only gasps of astonishment from fellow liberals followed by accolades and hearty thumps on the back. And it continued spiraling ever upward, each trying to outdo the last vicious article.

0bama was easy to defend. Anything he did or said that someone didn't agree with, well you're just a racist and a bitter clinger. Dismissed, you neanderthal, begone!

There is no one left in the media to defend the President, unless it's a half-hearted article from Fox or a handful of conservative outlets that are actively and loudly scorned by 95% of other media outlets. No liberal would ever say they read something on Fox or the Federalist or the Washington Times. You'd get mobbed and ridiculed for it.

Trump doesn't sit back and naively hope that other journalists will set the record straight for twisting his words or inventing scandals or other journalistic sins - those days are long past. Reagan and HWB were the last GOP Presidents that enjoyed the luxury of at least the appearance of a fair media willing to police their own.

No, Trump bypasses the media and attacks directly because he knows there's no cavalry, and as we've all witnessed, anything not challenged becomes established fact.

Sure, I would love to have less combative Twitter, but it's the reality of being a conservative President now. Every future conservative President had better have a good social media game or he'll soon be destroyed.

I've been watching this whole devolution of society for a long time now, and it's only getting worse from here.

Trump's biggest appeal to normal Americans is his willingness to say what he thinks, and is fearless in fighting back against anyone, for better or worse. Americans are exhausted of the unrelenting and unfair attacks on him, but there's really no one with a voice except him that will defend him and his actions.

Take all that and add in covert ops from the FBI and active saboteurs within his own administration and agencies and the steady leaks of misinformation & lies, and it's a pretty grim picture.

Then the House is trying to impeach him, something they openly talked about BEFORE he even took office.

Who do you trust? Who can you trust? No one. You have to fight back and communicate directly with your voters or all is lost.

We should all thank our lucky stars that McConnell is running the show in the Senate or nothing would have been accomplished.

Given the big picture and the reality of things, I'd say he's handling the job remarkably well. And I'm confident he's going to cruise to victory in November. Despite all the noise, there's much more enthusiasm for him than what I observed in 2016.

[Kathianne]

I really don't want Biden, even more than not having wanted Clinton. I hope you're right. I'm seeing lots of problems with virus and now schools. I don't know why he's not focused on what he's been doing good at?

[Abbey Marie]

I know it’s off the point, but how can I take anyone seriously who cannot even use the right name for the object of his writing? It’s Parscale.

[NightTrain]

I really don't want Biden, even more than not having wanted Clinton. I hope you're right. I'm seeing lots of problems with virus and now schools. I don't know why he's not focused on what he's been doing good at?

As much as I dislike Biden and think he's a doddering old fool, I think we really dodged a bullet with Hillary. Where Biden wouldn't really have a coherent plan and the intelligence to pull off nefarious schemes, Hillary would have. It would have been disastrous.

We're kind of in a slack ride right now. The virus is a wild card and a huge distraction, combined with the BLM / Socialist riots. It's pretty hard to be seen as heavy handed and crush the idiots rioting in an election year... even though that's what I'd love to see personally, that's a very risky move going into an election and I'm positive the DNC is trying to goad him into such an action.

Other than try to help the virus effort and foreign policy, I don't see much that he can do right now.

The debates are still unscheduled, that's his time to dismantle Biden and end the election early. But if I were in Biden's camp, there would be no way in hell I'd allow that spectacle to happen.

I don't see any way Biden can avoid it - that's a very traditional political event. On the other hand, I would claim that the Kung Flu makes it unsafe if I were running Biden's campaign. Don't know if that would fly, but there will be efforts at all costs to duck the debates and they've got to be furiously trying to figure out a way.

[Abbey Marie]

Wish I could share some of the information I personally read about China while I was in uniform, and had access to things I could be punished for today. (I believe). I have no doubt. If I read some of the things back in the 1980's while stationed at what was called NTCC H.R., THE PRESIDENT has much more access, and knowledge today about EVERY country who hates us.

Truth is. What we are prevented from learning from the Liberal sided, Anti-American MSM can be found...word for word on GOOGLE..if you know where, and how to choose key words that will steer you where you want to go.
I'm not trying to sound like Mr. Knowitall...but ALL OF US have access to things that were once considered Classified.

That is probably why I trust, and respect the President so much. He and those around him...I FEEL, Are the only people in Washington I dare to say I trust. Dems and Repub politician are NOT FOR WE THE PEOPLE. Period.

I agree and have said this forever about all of our Presidents. They are privy to info we will never know, and we therefore cannot always judge their actions based on what we think we know.

[Abbey Marie]

As much as I dislike Biden and think he's a doddering old fool, I think we really dodged a bullet with Hillary. Where Biden wouldn't really have a coherent plan and the intelligence to pull off nefarious schemes, Hillary would have. It would have been disastrous.

We're kind of in a slack ride right now. The virus is a wild card and a huge distraction, combined with the BLM / Socialist riots. It's pretty hard to be seen as heavy handed and crush the idiots rioting in an election year... even though that's what I'd love to see personally, that's a very risky move going into an election and I'm positive the DNC is trying to goad him into such an action.

Other than try to help the virus effort and foreign policy, I don't see much that he can do right now.

The debates are still unscheduled, that's his time to dismantle Biden and end the election early. But if I were in Biden's camp, there would be no way in hell I'd allow that spectacle to happen.

I don't see any way Biden can avoid it - that's a very traditional political event. On the other hand, I would claim that the Kung Flu makes it unsafe if I were running Biden's campaign. Don't know if that would fly, but there will be efforts at all costs to duck the debates and they've got to be furiously trying to figure out a way.

I would agree, except that Biden’s mental acuity means he will be totally manipulated by someone, anyone, behind the scenes. Soros? China? Who knows? That is scary. Not to mention that his VEEP may call the shots. At least with Hillary, we knew she would always act in her own best interests.

[Kathianne]

I agree and have said this forever about all of our Presidents. They are privy to info we will never know, and we therefore cannot always judge their actions based on what we think we know.
I agree, but in this case do you think it's wrong that China is our enemy and is actively working for our demise?

[Abbey Marie]

I agree, but in this case do you think it's wrong that China is our enemy and is actively working for our demise?

Nope, China is a big, bad deal.

[Kathianne]

As much as I dislike Biden and think he's a doddering old fool, I think we really dodged a bullet with Hillary. Where Biden wouldn't really have a coherent plan and the intelligence to pull off nefarious schemes, Hillary would have. It would have been disastrous.

We're kind of in a slack ride right now. The virus is a wild card and a huge distraction, combined with the BLM / Socialist riots. It's pretty hard to be seen as heavy handed and crush the idiots rioting in an election year... even though that's what I'd love to see personally, that's a very risky move going into an election and I'm positive the DNC is trying to goad him into such an action.

Other than try to help the virus effort and foreign policy, I don't see much that he can do right now.

The debates are still unscheduled, that's his time to dismantle Biden and end the election early. But if I were in Biden's camp, there would be no way in hell I'd allow that spectacle to happen.

I don't see any way Biden can avoid it - that's a very traditional political event. On the other hand, I would claim that the Kung Flu makes it unsafe if I were running Biden's campaign. Don't know if that would fly, but there will be efforts at all costs to duck the debates and they've got to be furiously trying to figure out a way.
Pretty sure that is where Simon is going, (btw he is huge pro-Trump, barely anything against him before and after election.) Helping the states with virus? Yep, couldn't have done anymore. Talking about it? Awful. He seems constitutionally unable to show empathy on such a topic, regardless of his personal feelings-he just is not going to be warm and comforting.

Now China? He can let the inner tough guy thrive. He certainly can put forth draconian measures and punishments, even if not doable until after the election. People are furious at China and would like that. Stop railing about how miserable the media, Fauci, AOC, etc., people are not wanting to hear that right now-domestically they are looking for solutions to crime in cities (that's the dems in control and he can only go off the rails with them); covid, (again, no good solutions today-though he's given all the incentives and they seem ready to pay off regarding vaccine and treatments-but he doesn't project the warm fuzzies and gets sidelined with rants.)

So use the bullying for China. That's all that's being said here.

[NightTrain]

I would agree, except that Biden’s mental acuity means he will be totally manipulated by someone, anyone, behind the scenes. Soros? China? Who knows? That is scary. Not to mention that his VEEP may call the shots. At least with Hillary, we knew she would always act in her own best interests.

Yeah, kind of like Woodrow Wilson's wife secretly ran the presidency when he had his massive stroke.

Pretty scary possibility, considering who the puppeteer would be before installing the VP.

[icansayit]

I agree, but in this case do you think it's wrong that China is our enemy and is actively working for our demise?


Does anyone happen to remember the Korean War? China has been our enemy since the end of WWII after we saved them from the Japanese, and when they turned to Communism.

If the Dems want to treat the Chinese like they are Our Friends...which they will completely do if someone like Biden and Warren happen to replace President Trump. Literally...We can all start learning to write, spell, and speak Chinese...Their Way. They took power from Russia as they became an overcrowded nation where their people are nothing but slaves, and EVERYONE in the Chinese Govt's eyes...IS BOTH IN THE WAY AND EXPENDABLE.

They want to control the entire world, and can SPARE as many fallen, dead soldiers as they like.
So, it is not WRONG that China is our Enemy. If they control OUR economy by getting a Democrat pawn into the White House.
Sad to say but...WE ARE DONE!

[Black Diamond]

Does anyone happen to remember the Korean War? China has been our enemy since the end of WWII after we saved them from the Japanese, and when they turned to Communism.

If the Dems want to treat the Chinese like they are Our Friends...which they will completely do if someone like Biden and Warren happen to replace President Trump. Literally...We can all start learning to write, spell, and speak Chinese...Their Way. They took power from Russia as they became an overcrowded nation where their people are nothing but slaves, and EVERYONE in the Chinese Govt's eyes...IS BOTH IN THE WAY AND EXPENDABLE.

They want to control the entire world, and can SPARE as many fallen, dead soldiers as they like.
So, it is not WRONG that China is our Enemy. If they control OUR economy by getting a Democrat pawn into the White House.
Sad to say but...WE ARE DONE!

The Korean War is the forgotten war and as you probably know better than most, it has never actually ended.

[Kathianne]

I don't think there will be any debates this year, at least in any recognizable form. Even virtual I don't think is going to happen in the way of 'unscripted' which is a joke at best.

Why? This is working:

https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/387578/

JULY 17, 2020
JOE WHO? VIDEO: Young voters can’t remember last time they saw Biden on campaign trail. “Almost all said they had not seen Biden campaigning in the last few months, with some even agreeing that Biden was ‘hiding. The young voters also could not name any of Biden’s career accomplishments.”


To be fair, it’s better for Biden if they don’t know what he’s actually done in office.




Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 10:30 am


No 'traditions' left, those went out with Obama/Trump.

[Abbey Marie]

I’m sure the DNC shudders at the thought of Biden in a live debate. Trump will have to set up a Biden doll behind a podium, and just point out all of his sketchy past and current policies.

The Biden doll will probably have clearer answers than Biden would, too. And the young girls will be safer.

[SassyLady]

If Biden can come out to do press briefings without worrying about virus exposure he should be able to do a debate.

[Kathianne]

If Biden can come out to do press briefings without worrying about virus exposure he should be able to do a debate.
Doesn’t mean he will or those willing to vote for him or against Trump will care if he flips them off.

[Kathianne]

Pretty sure that is where Simon is going, (btw he is huge pro-Trump, barely anything against him before and after election.) Helping the states with virus? Yep, couldn't have done anymore. Talking about it? Awful. He seems constitutionally unable to show empathy on such a topic, regardless of his personal feelings-he just is not going to be warm and comforting.

Now China? He can let the inner tough guy thrive. He certainly can put forth draconian measures and punishments, even if not doable until after the election. People are furious at China and would like that. Stop railing about how miserable the media, Fauci, AOC, etc., people are not wanting to hear that right now-domestically they are looking for solutions to crime in cities (that's the dems in control and he can only go off the rails with them); covid, (again, no good solutions today-though he's given all the incentives and they seem ready to pay off regarding vaccine and treatments-but he doesn't project the warm fuzzies and gets sidelined with rants.)

So use the bullying for China. That's all that's being said here.


Well looky!

https://hotair.com/archives/ed-morrissey/2020/07/22/escalation-us-orders-china-close-houston-consulate/


Escalation: US Orders China To Close Its Houston Consulate
ED MORRISSEYPosted at 10:01 am on July 22, 2020

At least they had one last Texas barbecue at China’s consulate in Houston. Late last night, a local news station — ironically, KPRC — noticed a bonfire in the back of the facility. Workers at the consulate had already begun destroying sensitive material after the US ordered the People’s Republic of China to shut down the facility in 72 hours:

...

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Well looky!

https://hotair.com/archives/ed-morrissey/2020/07/22/escalation-us-orders-china-close-houston-consulate/

A bonfire eh?
hmmmmm - trash burning trash....
I have been speaking against China and what it was, and will do to us since back in 1973...
Have hundreds of post here doing same...
Always best to realize who the real enemy is and not be blind sided by that enemy.
China has played this nation for almost fifty straight years like a fiddle, imho.
We can most definitely thank the worthless (and truly treasonous)dem party that it bought out long ago for that..-Tyr

[Kathianne]

A bonfire eh?
hmmmmm - trash burning trash....
I have been speaking against China and what it was, and will do to us since back in 1973...
Have hundreds of post here doing same...
Always best to realize who the real enemy is and not be blind sided by that enemy.
China has played this nation for almost fifty straight years like a fiddle, imho.
We can most definitely thank the worthless (and truly treasonous)dem party that it bought out long ago for that..-Tyr
China is an enemy, we agree.
Burning papers before abandoning an embassy/satellite is normal, for any country, for any reason.
Who brought diplomacy with China? I think it's not the Democrats, though they've certainly made things worse.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

China is an enemy, we agree.
Burning papers before abandoning an embassy/satellite is normal, for any country, for any reason.
Who brought diplomacy with China? I think it's not the Democrats, though they've certainly made things worse.
Nixon opened up diplomacy and trade with China..
However, the Dems took control shortly thereafter.
As they saw it as a huge windfall to them and their power, to control it and be allies with China.
Now these almost 50 years later we get to see the ill fruits of that devil's bargain made between the two slimy serpents, imho..--Tyr

[Gunny]

China is an enemy, we agree.
Burning papers before abandoning an embassy/satellite is normal, for any country, for any reason.
Who brought diplomacy with China? I think it's not the Democrats, though they've certainly made things worse.It was Richard Nixon. Thing is, Nixon's administration was more like what I would expect from Democrats. He was a serious autocrat and socialist.

[Black Diamond]

It was Richard Nixon. Thing is, Nixon's administration was more like what I would expect from Democrats. He was a serious autocrat and socialist.

Didn't he create the epa and advocate social medicine?

[Gunny]

Didn't he create the epa and advocate social medicine?And the 55 mph speed limit.

Now I have to admit, I'm not saying everything he did was wrong. The EPA was needed back then. I remember trash on the sides of the highways, and the Potomac River was brown with all kinds of crap floating in it. Problem is, it turned into part of the rest of the bureaucracy and started going way beyond getting people to be responsible.

The guy was a paranoid psycho at war with the media and look how that turned out. The MSM has been and always will be what it is. Nixon's issue was the media portrayed him negatively and JFK positively and cost him the election since he WAS the more qualified politician. Fact is, JFK was media friendly and Nixon was not.

[Kathianne]

Nixon was both the best and the worst of Presidents. No excusing Watergate, which puts him at the bottom no matter what.

His opening China did allow for hope that peace was possible. That it's where it is now is obviously not his failing. His moves on missile treaties finally slowed the race for more and reduced the fear that the USSR and US were heading for a very, very short hot war.

While he had reasons for his paranoia, he couldn't overcome his own personality disorders to rise above the media and his fears within the GOP and of course, the DNC. Let's hope that others with some of the same problems handle the problems better.

[Black Diamond]

Nixon was both the best and the worst of Presidents. No excusing Watergate, which puts him at the bottom no matter what.

His opening China did allow for hope that peace was possible. That it's where it is now is obviously not his failing. His moves on missile treaties finally slowed the race for more and reduced the fear that the USSR and US were heading for a very, very short hot war.

While he had reasons for his paranoia, he couldn't overcome his own personality disorders to rise above the media and his fears within the GOP and of course, the DNC. Let's hope that others with some of the same problems handle the problems better.

He's a tragic figure for sure.

[Kathianne]

I must say, I did post the OP. Note the 'older Americans' and the 'independents that lean Republican,' both groups with whom Trump has lost significant support:

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/

JULY 30, 2020





Americans Fault China for Its Role in the Spread of COVID-19

Unfavorable views of China reach new historic high, and a majority supports taking a tougher stand on human rights

BY LAURA SILVER (https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/laura-silver), KAT DEVLIN (https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/kat-devlin) AND CHRISTINE HUANG (https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/christine-huang)

How we did this


https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-01.png?w=420 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-01/)Americans’ views of China have continued to sour, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Today, 73% of U.S. adults say they have an unfavorable view of the country, up 26 percentage points since 2018. Since March alone, negative views of China have increased 7 points, and there is a widespread sense that China mishandled the initial outbreak and subsequent spread of COVID-19.
Around two-thirds of Americans (64%) say China has done a bad job dealing with the coronavirus outbreak (https://www.pewresearch.org/topics/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/). Around three-quarters (78%) place a great deal or fair amount of the blame for the global spread of the coronavirus on the Chinese government’s initial handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan.
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-02.png?w=310 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-02/)Faith in President Xi Jinping to do the right thing in world affairs has also deteriorated: 77% have little or no confidence in him, up 6 percentage points since March and 27 points since last year.
More generally, Americans see Sino-U.S. relations in bleak terms. Around seven-in-ten (68%) say current economic ties between the superpowers are in bad shape – up 15 percentage points since May 2019, a time in the trade war (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-timeline/timeline-key-dates-in-the-u-s-china-trade-war-idUSKBN1ZE1AA) when tariffs were ramping up. Around one-in-four (26%) also describe China as an enemy of the United States – almost double the share who said this when the question was last asked in 2012. Another 57% say China is a competitor of the U.S., while 16% describe it as a partner.
As the U.S. imposes sanctions on Chinese companies (https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/21/business/us-sanctions-china-companies-xinjiang-intl-hnk/index.html) and officials (https://www.npr.org/2020/07/09/889406296/u-s-sanctions-chinese-officials-including-politburo-member-for-xinjiang-abuses) over Beijing’s treatment of Uighurs and other minority groups – after originally resisting these actions (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/20/business/economy/china-sanctions-uighurs-labor.html) – the American public appears poised to support a tough stance. Around three-quarters (73%) say the U.S. should try to promote human rights in China, even if it harms bilateral economic relations, while 23% say the U.S. should prioritize strengthening economic relations with China at the expense of confronting China on human rights issues.
More Americans also think the U.S. should hold China responsible for the role it played in the outbreak of the coronavirus (50%) than think this should be overlooked in order to maintain strong bilateral economic ties (38%). But, when asked about economic and trade policy toward China, Americans are slightly more likely to prefer pursuing a strong economic relationship (51%) to getting tough on China (46%). Still, more support getting tough on China now than said the same in 2019, when 35% held that view.
While more Americans say the U.S. is the world’s leading economy (52%) than say the same of China (32%), views of U.S. economic superiority declined 7 percentage points over the past four months. And those who see China as economically dominant are less likely to support getting tough on China economically, instead prioritizing building a strong relationship with China on economic issues. They are also less likely to say the U.S. should hold China responsible for its role in the pandemic at the expense of the bilateral economic relationship.
These are among the findings of a new survey by Pew Research Center, conducted June 16 to July 14, 2020, among 1,003 adults in the United States. The survey also finds that while Republicans and Democrats both have negative views of China and are critical of Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus, this criticism is more prevalent among Republicans. Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are significantly more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners to have a very unfavorable view of China, to criticize the Chinese government’s role in the global pandemic and to want to take a tougher policy approach to the country. (For more on partisan differences in views on China, see “Republicans see China more negatively than Democrats, even as criticism rises in both parties (https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/07/30/republicans-see-china-more-negatively-than-democrats-even-as-criticism-rises-in-both-parties/)”.)
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-03.png?w=640 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-03/)Negative opinion of China sharply increased in recent months

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-04.png?w=310 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-04/)Around three-quarters (73%) of Americans have an unfavorable view of China today – the most negative reading in the 15 years that Pew Research Center has been measuring these views. This July survey also marks the third survey over the past two years in which unfavorable views of China have reached historic highs. Negative views have increased by 7 percentage points over the last four months alone and have shot up 26 points since 2018.
The percent who say they have a very unfavorable view of China is also at a record high of 42%, having nearly doubled since the spring of 2019, when 23% said the same.
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-05.png?w=420 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-05/)Negative views of China are consistent across education levels. Around seven-in-ten of those who have completed at least a college degree and those who have less schooling voice this opinion. Men and women also differ little in their views of China.
While majorities of every age group now have an unfavorable view of China, Americans ages 50 and older are substantially more negative (81%) than those ages 30 to 49 (71%) or those under 30 (56%). For those ages 50 and older, this represents an increase of 10 percentage points since March.
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-06.png?w=420 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-06/)As has been the case for much of the last 15 years, Republicans continue to hold more unfavorable views of China than Democrats, 83% vs. 68%, respectively. Republicans are also much more likely to say they have a very unfavorable view of China (54%) than Democrats (35%).
In the past four months, negative views toward China among Republicans have increased 11 percentage points. Over the same period of time, unfavorable views among Democrats have increased 6 points, resulting in a 15 point gap between the parties.
Americans are critical of China’s role in the spread of COVID-19

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-07.png?w=310 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-07/)Americans are highly critical of the way China has handled the coronavirus outbreak. Around two-thirds (64%) say China has done a bad job, including 43% who say it has done a very bad job. (When a slightly different question (https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/05/26/americans-are-critical-of-chinas-handling-of-covid-19-distrust-information-about-it-from-beijing/) was administered online in April and May, 63% of Americans said China was doing only a fair or a poor job dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, including 37% who said it was doing a poor job.)
Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are significantly more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners to say China has done a bad job dealing with the coronavirus: 82% vs. 54%, respectively. And they are about twice as likely to think China has done a very bad job (61% vs. 30%). Older people, too, are more critical, with 73% of those ages 50 and older finding fault in China’s pandemic response, compared with 59% of those 30 to 49 and 54% of those under 30. But education has little relationship to how people think China has handled the novel coronavirus: Around two-thirds of those with and without a college degree say China has not done well in its response.
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-08.png?w=310 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-08/)Around three-quarters of Americans say the Chinese government’s initial handling of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan contributed either a great deal (51%) or a fair amount (27%) to the global spread of the virus. Republicans are particularly critical: 73% believe China’s early handling of the pandemic contributed a great deal to its spread, compared with 38% of Democrats who say the same. Older people, too, are especially likely to lay the blame on China.
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-09.png?w=310 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-09/)Half of Americans think the U.S. should hold China responsible for the role it played in the outbreak of the coronavirus, even if it means worsening economic relations, while 38% think the U.S. should prioritize strong U.S.-China relations, even if it means overlooking any role China played in the outbreak. (The 8% of adults who say the Chinese government’s initial handling of the virus is not at all to blame for the global spread of the virus were not asked this foll0w-up question, while 5% expressed no opinion, either to the first or second question.) Republicans and those who lean toward the GOP are about twice as likely (71%) as Democrats and Democratic leaners (37%) to say the U.S. should hold China responsible even at the expense of worse economic relations.
Those who think China has done a poor job handling the outbreak or who fault its role in the virus’s global spread are significantly more likely to have negative views of the country. For example, 85% of those who say China had done a poor job handling the COVID-19 pandemic have an unfavorable view of the country, compared with 53% among those who think it’s doing a good job dealing with the outbreak.
Americans divided on getting tougher with China on trade

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-10.png?w=200 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-10/)When it comes to the bilateral economic relationship, Americans, by a more than two-to-one margin, say economic ties are bad (68%) rather than good (30%). And a quarter say economic relations are very bad.
While more than half thought economic ties were bad in the spring of 2019, when the question was last posed, this sense has increased by 15 percentage points over the past year. These shifts are visible across the political spectrum. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, who were split nearly evenly last year, a majority (63%) now believe bilateral economic ties are bad, a 15-point increase. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have also become more negative – roughly three-quarters (73%) say ties are bad, up 12 points from a year prior.
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-11.png?w=310 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-11/)And Americans have mixed preferences (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/07/30/climate-change-and-russia-are-partisan-flashpoints-in-publics-views-of-global-threats/) on how to best shape economic and trade policies with China. Around half say it is more important to build a stronger relationship with China, while 46% place more value on getting tougher with China. In the past year, the share endorsing a tougher stance with China on economic and trade policy has grown by 11 percentage points.
Republicans and Democrats have both shifted their views over the past year in favor of getting tougher on China on economics and trade. Today, roughly two-thirds of Republicans support this position, 12 points higher than in 2019. Democrats, for their part, are 14 points more likely this year to favor getting tough on China, though only a third pick this option over building relations.
Majority favors promoting human rights in China over prioritizing economic relations

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-12.png?w=310 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-12/)In recent months the Chinese government has come under fire on several human rights fronts, including a new national security law in Hong Kong (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52765838), mass surveillance and detention of ethnic Muslim Uighurs (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/features/uighurs/), drastic responses to the coronavirus (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/cloneofcloneofcoronavirus-deepened-human-right-200312074518781.html) and mistreatment of Africans in the country (https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/25/asia/china-anti-african-attacks-history-hnk-intl/index.html).
When asked whether the U.S. should prioritize economic relations with China or promote human rights in China, nearly three-quarters of Americans choose human rights, even if it harms economic relations with China.
Democrats are more likely than Republicans to emphasize human rights over economic gain, though at least seven-in-ten of both groups hold this opinion. Younger and older Americans alike prefer more emphasis on human rights than economic relations when it comes to China. Less than a quarter of all age groups say the U.S. should prioritize economic relations with China, even if it means not addressing human rights issues.
Most Americans see China as a competitor, but share seeing the country as an enemy grows

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/PG_20.07.30_U.S.-Views-China_0-13.png?w=200 (https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/07/30/americans-fault-china-for-its-role-in-the-spread-of-covid-19/pg_20-07-30_u-s-views-china_0-13/)When asked if they see China as a competitor, enemy or partner, a majority of Americans say they see the country as a competitor (57%). This is a significant decline from last time the question was asked in 2012, when 66% said the same. The share of Americans who consider China an enemy has increased by 11 percentage points over the same period, from 15% to 26%. The proportion of Americans who see China as a partner has remained steady at 16%.
The share of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who see China as an enemy has increased 21 percentage points since the question was last asked in 2012. In comparison, there has been an 8 percentage point increase among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, widening the gap between the two parties.
Perceptions of China’s relationship with the U.S. differ by age. While roughly a quarter of those ages 18 to 29 see China as a partner, only 6% of those 50 and older say the same. Conversely, older Americans are nearly three times as likely as their younger counterparts to see China as an enemy (36% vs. 13%). Americans of all age groups are equally likely to see China as a competitor.
Americans who see China’s initial handling of the coronavirus outbreak as at least somewhat responsible for the global pandemic are more likely to see China as an enemy.

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[Gunny]

This is what I have been voicing concern about. Granted, I take polls and such data with a grain of salt. At the same time, even if they are off significantly, one cannot deny the existence of the basis for concern.

Americans are fickle and my younger granddaughter can pay attention longer :rolleyes: Forget the first 3 years. Seen this movie before titled "GHWB and his NO Second Term". The dems bent him over a barrel on the budget and signing it ended his political career. The Dems are in the position to repeat, should that be one of their choices.

I'm going first with the "playing to not lose" strategy. The inaction against both the lawlessness, only lip service support to police departments, and not holding China accountable as the main issues. If they are not addressed adequately and/or satisfactorily, I don't see how he can win.

[Kathianne]

Guess someone has been listening:

https://hotair.com/archives/jazz-shaw/2020/08/08/whoa-trump-sanctions-carrie-lam-hong-kong-officials/


Whoa! Trump Sanctions Carrie Lam, Other Hong Kong Officials
JAZZ SHAWPosted at 8:31 am on August 8, 2020


Looks like we’re done playing nice with the Chinese Communist Party, no matter how far its tentacles reach. Now that China has cracked down on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, primarily through its control over the city’s government, the White House has taken the same measures there that it has against Beijing. The Treasury Department announced personal sanctions against Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the police commissioner, the secretary for security, and others. As you would expect, the Hong Kong officials impacted by this move were less than pleased (https://apnews.com/052f8877b3026e57e8ec843c2cc90d59). (Associated Press)


The U.S. on Friday imposed sanctions on Hong Kong officials, including the pro-China leader of the government, accusing them of roles in squashing freedom in the former British colony.

The Treasury Department announced sanctions on Carrie Lam, the leader of the government in Hong Kong, and other officials. The sanctions are the latest in a string of actions the Trump administration has taken targeting China as tensions between the two nations rise over trade disputes and the coronavirus.

The sanctions were authorized by an executive order that President Donald Trump signed recently to levy penalties against China for its efforts to curtail anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.



Not all/ of the sanctions will have any immediate impact on the targeted officials. One of them responded to an AP request for comment by saying that he doesn’t have “a penny of assets abroad.” But he did offer to send Donald Trump one hundred dollars to freeze if he thought it would help. (Hey… at least the guy has a sense of humor about it.)

Some analysts are taking this as a signal (https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/07/politics/us-sanctions-carrie-lam/index.html) that President Trump is taking a tough stance against the CCP to bolster his reelection chances, and there may be an element of truth to that. The White House has been flexing its muscle in the South China Sea recently and also going after TikTok and WeChat.

But there’s also a lot more to the situation than that. What we appear to be seeing here is a sea change in terms of America’s relationship with China, not Hong Kong. The reason is that the “old Hong Kong” we were used to under the One Nation, Two Systems agreement between China and Great Britain is essentially gone. While the pro-democracy movement is still as active as it can be in the city under the circumstances, the government has completely ripped off the mask at this point. Carrie Lam and her senior officials have long been the face of the CCP far more than any sort of representation of the will of the people of Hong Kong. On the best of days, she was little more than a mouthpiece for Beijing.

Her response to the sanctions offered even more proof that the days of semi-autonomous rule in Hong Kong are over (https://twitter.com/alvinllum/status/1291959639198720000).

​Go to link

That statement is little more than a case of parroting the party line coming out of the mainland. All this talk of national security is simply a cover story for the fact that any thoughts of autonomy will not be tolerated and Hong Kong is being folded into the rest of the CCP’s web. And the reference by Lam to how the crackdown in her city is also intended to ensure the security of “the 1.4 billion mainlanders” is quite telling as well. Notice, she doesn’t refer to “China” as a separate entity anymore, but simply “the mainland.”

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[Kathianne]

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/07/900245813/u-s-intelligence-warns-china-opposes-trump-reelection-russia-works-against-biden


NATIONAL SECURITY
U.S. Intelligence: China Opposes Trump Reelection; Russia Works Against Biden
August 7, 20203:39 PM ET

...

[Kathianne]

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/04/21/u-s-views-of-china-increasingly-negative-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/

These results from back in April, does anyone think that anyone not in antifa would see improvement in the responses?


APRIL 21, 2020
U.S. Views of China Increasingly Negative Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
Republicans more negative than Democrats toward China, though unfavorable ratings have climbed among both parties
BY KAT DEVLIN, LAURA SILVER AND CHRISTINE HUANG


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[Gunny]

Guess someone has been listening:

https://hotair.com/archives/jazz-shaw/2020/08/08/whoa-trump-sanctions-carrie-lam-hong-kong-officials/If nothing else, Trump is certainly doing a good job of peeling back the veneer China hides behind for all to see. All he's really had to do is shine the light on them. China was perfectly happy in the shadows.

Pissing them off is a bonus :)