He never knew what hit him.
Both of them can now ‘speak openly’ because neither is running again. The polls are dead against them.
They join the unhappy ranks of Jeb Bush, John McCain, Marco Rubio, and a long list of conventional politicians who have been mowed down by Donald Trump, including Hillary Clinton, who wrote the book, “What Happened.’
Indeed, any of them might have authored a book with the same title.
How is it possible that, in the words of Jeff Flake, “Reckless, outrageous and undignified behavior has become excused and countenanced as telling it like it is?”
Well, clearly Jeff Flake has not spent enough time watching TV.
Reckless, outrageous and undignified behavior is the life blood of TV.
And, of course, Reality TV is where Donald Trump learned his trade.
A lot of people say that John F. Kennedy was the first ‘television President’.
That is not really true. JFK looked good on TV. And TV liked JFK. But JFK was not really a TV President, even if he appeared on TV. He didn’t live the medium.
Donald Trump lives the medium. He understands it. It is in his blood. In fact, he personifies television. And, if you want to get elected President of the United States (or to the Senate or to Congress), that’s a good thing.
Americans spend an astonishing 5 hours a day, every day, watching TV. It is our number one activity as a nation.
We like to say that baseball is America’s pastime. But that is not true. Nobody spends 5 hours a day, every day, playing baseball. If we did, we would ALL be out there in LA in the World Series this week. But we don’t. What we do do, every day, for 5 hours a day, rain or shine, from the time we are about 3 years old until we are on our death beds is watch TV. It is in our blood. We are world class TV watchers. We are Olympic class TV watchers - (if TV watching were in the Olympics, America would take all the gold).
So all that TV watching, day after day, year after year gets in out blood. If effects the way we think; how we feel.
And what are we watching?
Well, it sure isn’t the PBS Newshour.
It’s shows that are made of reckless, outrageous and undignified behavior. Yes! Jeff Flake, TV critic called it right. That is what rates. That is what we love, whether it is The Amazing Race or Survivor or Fox News or Naked and Afraid. Gimme more of that reckless, outrageous and undignified behavior. (Walking Dead, anyone?)
Day after day, week after week, year after year.
And so, when a Presidential candidate comes along who absolutely personifies reckless, outrageous and undignified, what do we do?
That’s what we have been conditioned to love and respect.
Donald Trump has been in the making for forty years or more.
Reckless, outrageous, undignified. There is a straight line from top rated Jerry Springer to top rated Donald Trump.
It is who we are. It is who we want to watch.
Anyone tuning in to the Hillary Clinton show?
You remember the movie The Imitation Game?
You remember the part where the Alan Turing character says ‘you need a machine to beat a machine.?
You want to defeat Donald Trump in 2020? You aren’t going to do it with ‘policy’. You need a bigger, more obnoxious, more outrageous TV personality. Worse than Donald Trump.
Because that is what rates. That is what we respect now. That is, sadly, who we are.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.