The Rolling Stone article by Paul Solotaroff.
The main thing that's getting quoted is the part about Carly Fiorina's face, and I want to copy that paragraph in full because it also has Scott Walker in it:
With his blue tie loosened and slung over his shoulder, Trump sits back to digest his meal and provide a running byplay to the news. Onscreen, they've cut away to a spot with Scott Walker, the creaky-robot governor of Wisconsin. Praised by the anchor for his "slow but steady" style, Walker is about to respond when Trump chimes in, "Yeah, he's slow, all right! That's what we got already: slowwww." His staffers at the conference table howl and hoot; their man, though, is just getting warm. When the anchor throws to Carly Fiorina for her reaction to Trump's momentum, Trump's expression sours in schoolboy disgust as the camera bores in on Fiorina. "Look at that face!" he cries. "Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?!" The laughter grows halting and faint behind him. "I mean, she's a woman, and I'm not s'posedta say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?"Who doesn't make fun of the faces that come up on the television? Everyone makes fun of Trump's face. So what is it we're not "s'posedta" do? Theoretically, a candidate is supposed to be more careful, more filtered, but unfiltered is what's working for Trump, perhaps in part because we know we talk like that when we're hanging out with people we like and trust. Another way around the Carly's-face problem is to say that he never specified what's wrong with her face — never said she isn't pretty. In human culture, faces are a rich source of information about a person's character, humor, and honesty. "Would anyone vote for that?" is a perfectly good question. And it's a question we ask all the time about Trump's face.
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Rolling Stone was soooooo right on the details of that University of Virginia fraternity gang rape, how could I possibly doubt anything about their current news content?
Rolling Stone is as reliable a source of news as is the National Enquirer, except the latter has reliable sources all documented that are lawsuit-proof before they publish anything controversial.
Ann Althouse said... Theoretically, a candidate is supposed to be more careful, more filtered, but unfiltered is what's working for Trump, perhaps in part because we know we talk like that when we're hanging out with people we like and trust
Who is this WE? Making fun of people within a lil' group in a way you and others don't find acceptable in public is evidence of "bad character" Professor--I think I remember who so forcefully asserted that. I'm sure you mean "they" and not "we."
Walker couldn't get laid if he walked into a Mexican whorehouse with a fifty dollar bill behind his ear. Trump, with that same fifty dollar bill, could get anal sex with the madame's virgin daughter and have change enough to buy lunch for the house,......This is the kind of edgy anal sex humor you won't hear on Colbert.
"I didn't call her a bitch. I called her a witch." - Eastern Airlines Stewardess defending herself against a charge of being rude to CAB commissioner Betsy Baily.
Maybe it is the obvious fact that Trump "likes and trusts" the American people that explains his success? Naaah!
She is ugly, if you check google images. Add hard to listen to and you don't have a winning chance.
Palin was only hard to listen to.
And the last thing Rolling Stone got right was...?
The importance of The Face in our president:
What does he offer? First and foremost: his face. Think of it as the most effective potential re-branding of the United States since Reagan. Such a re-branding is not trivial—it’s central to an effective war strategy. The war on Islamist terror, after all, is two-pronged: a function of both hard power and soft power. We have seen the potential of hard power in removing the Taliban and Saddam Hussein. We have also seen its inherent weaknesses in Iraq, and its profound limitations in winning a long war against radical Islam. The next president has to create a sophisticated and supple blend of soft and hard power to isolate the enemy, to fight where necessary, but also to create an ideological template that works to the West’s advantage over the long haul. There is simply no other candidate with the potential of Obama to do this. Which is where his face comes in.
Consider this hypothetical. It’s November 2008. A young Pakistani Muslim is watching television and sees that this man—Barack Hussein Obama—is the new face of America. In one simple image, America’s soft power has been ratcheted up not a notch, but a logarithm. A brown-skinned man whose father was an African, who grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii, who attended a majority-Muslim school as a boy, is now the alleged enemy. If you wanted the crudest but most effective weapon against the demonization of America that fuels Islamist ideology, Obama’s face gets close. It proves them wrong about what America is in ways no words can.
Obama is either a heretical infidel who turned away from the Islam of his father, thus deserving only death from Muslims of (most branches) of faith, or merely a Christian infidel, thus deserving of death from Muslims of (some branches) of faith.
The Big Lie that a specific race or background of a presidential candidate would make us more or less favored by the enemies of the US was popular in 2008, but still only a Big Lie.
I wish I had time to read the article.
MayBee said...MayBee said...
The importance of The Face in our president:
Well yeah, that'd be true if a Republican woman was a REAL woman, of course--millions of lil' girls around the globe would be inspired to see a woman as the head of the US--but Carly & crew (Cond. Rice, Palin etc) aren't REAL women, so they don't count. Duh.
He brings in the "not supposed to say that" to keep up the whole idea of him being a dangerous countercultural rebel who plays by his OWN RULES, MAN. He's reminding us that we're supposed to cheer for him because he's just so independent and courageous.
If Trump wants to make fun of opponent's looks or sex, let him take the heat. But he doesn't, he spins his insults when they are pointed out. That's kid stuff. Like ten year old kid stuff. I can't respect that sort of crap.
My ears perked when I heard dear Mrs. Clinton make a joke about Trump's hair the other day. She's playing with fire there, or at least playing with someone who'll come back at her and hard. And she's no prize when it comes to appearance.
Trump goes over the line with his comments some time, and he did it again with Carly. He won't, but he should apologize.
More importantly, saw that Trump might be getting 25% of the Black vote.
Seems a bit high, not sure if true, but would anybody deny that this is a direct result from his critique of illegal immigration?
Blacks know that the massive influx of low wage, unskilled immigrant workers that the Left wants, will depress wages and take jobs in their community.
If Blacks voted 75-25 Dem, instead of 95-5 Dem, many good things would happen. Obviously, the GOP would jump for joy, but it would do much more than that. Blacks would generate much more political leverage in both parties to get much better policies.
A big chunk of the Black community are "Republicans in Deed Only," meaning they're pro-life, pro family, tough on crime, hard working, modest folks who are simply ignored or generally drowned out by the louder Sharpton/Jackson elements of the community. They don't want to be shunned or marginalized in their community, which is a legitimate concern. So they continue to vote Democrat or don't vote.
If Trump or Carson or some other GOP candidate could organize this group into a solid block of voters, that'd be fantastic. It's probably wishful thinking though.
"Would anyone vote for that?" is a perfectly good question. And it's a question we ask all the time about Trump's face.
For certain values of the word we, I guess. I can think of plenty of reasons not to vote for Trump. I never even considered his face.
""Would anyone vote for that?" is a perfectly good question."
Right, like back when Abe was running and so many people voted against him because he ways ugly. I guess he only won because they had no TV.
"And it's a question we ask all the time about Trump's face."
What do you mean, we?
@MayBee quote: "If you wanted the crudest but most effective weapon against the demonization of America that fuels Islamist ideology, Obama’s face gets close. It proves them wrong about what America is in ways no words can"
And having been proven wrong, they changed their behavior en masse. The word went out among Islamists: enough with the demonization of America. Hussein is in charge now.
Carly doesn't have the face of a trophy wife but for most business and social purposes it's quite ok. Trump's face is far more likely to raise suspicions and distrust.....Those foreign people who most disliked America were the most enthusiastic about an Obama candidacy. Why should that be in any way an endorsement for Obama?
Hoodlum and Sebastian- I wonder if Ben Carson's face would hold the same magic? If not internationally- I wonder if Ben Carson holds the key to some special racial healing in America.
Or if Carly's face would make the War on Women go away. Or make it ok to shake your lawyer's hand in Iran.
Bullshit Althouse! Trump referred to a woman as "that" and ridiculed her facial appearance as disqualifying for a position of leadership and that's OK with you. You who for the last 8-9 years have been trumpeting every internet link that in any way has a relationship to feminist issues. But this genuinely indefensible comment from a sexist thug whose behavior/commentary would have been unacceptable to civilized adult society 100 years ago. I'm not sure what kind of bull shit game you're playing, it might be a way you stimulate your young students to think but I can't imagine why you'd post it under your name as something we need to legitiamtely consider. I heard Trump on CNN (radio) this morning as he made pathetic excuses for his words. I've successfully ignored him for years, never the least inclined to consider any of his boorish action or words. His rant today on air sounded like an actor giving an academy award winning performance of a sociopathic thug/criminal making excuses for being universally recognized for his repugnance. OK, with you though. I call bullshit.
There is no way in heaven or hell Donald Trump will ever be president of any country he doesnt 100% own outright, including every vote in it. He may have 30% of polls, but that's a solid 70% of people who view him the way I do, as a vile scum. He brings to mind the old wisdom seen posted behind the bar in every old tavern in the country, except he personifies the inverse: "If you're rich, why ain't you smart?"
"...SO rich, why aint you smart?"
"I'm talking about persona. I'm not talking about look."
so brave...
He may have 30% of polls, but that's a solid 70% of people who view him the way I do, as a vile scum.
And to think a week ago he'd never break his ceiling of 25%.
Trump's the trump! Trumpet it!
Yeah, I know - he's only got that sort of support in the redneck racist deepsouth full of bitter Confederates - states like Iowa and New Hampshire.
I look forward to the coming hilarity of CNN liberals explaining how in their particular case, keeping 4000% increase of profits is a good thing, but you can't have the population supporting Republicans because greed it bad.
Not a Trump fan, but he calls out bullshit when he sees. Not always right, but more prescient than the shit shovelers on the 24 hour cable networks. I know life-long FOX viewers who now despise Doctor K, Megan Kelly, Shep Smith. Liberal friends of mine have the same antipathy for MSNBC talking heads. Nobody cares about a candidate’s religious beliefs, Black Lives Matters, Kim Davis or any of this meaningless outrage bullshit. If this election devolves into shouting “Squirrel !” and pontificating meaningless platitudes, there’s going to be a lot of angry people.
Knaves or fools the lot, (including the Dems). This gladiatorial political system we have doesnt produce many statesmen.
Sebastian said: "when Abe was running and so many people voted against him because he ways ugly. I guess he only won because they had no TV."
Actually, you're close. Newspaper columnists caricatured Lincoln as an ape.
BTW, in an interview this morning on Fox News, Trump admitted that he had said that about Carly Fiorina. But he made the same point Althouse made: People criticize his hair and even his face. So why shouldn't he able to do that to others?
There seems to be a lot of hypocrisy here. Conservatives were absolutely horrified at the personal attacks against Sarah Palin but have no problem making the same kind of attacks against Michelle Obama asnd other lefty women. Liberals who gleefully mocked Sarah Palin's looks and actions are horrified when a conservative says something nasty against a liberal woman. Etc.
but that's a solid 70% of people who view him the way I do, as a vile scum.
I am not part of that 30%, but I don't think he is a "vile scum." I would be interested to hear which of the things he said or did that led you to that conclusion.
There seems to be a lot of hypocrisy here. Conservatives were absolutely horrified at the personal attacks against Sarah Palin but have no problem making the same kind of attacks against Michelle Obama asnd other lefty women.
I made fun of Michelle's looks when the media decided to declare that the woman was amazingly gorgeous, which is laughably false in any possible light.
If you're going to sell somebody's sex appeal, you'd best make sure they have some.
Theoretically, a candidate is supposed to be more careful, more filtered, but unfiltered is what's working for Trump, perhaps in part because we know we talk like that when we're hanging out with people we like and trust.
Is Trump's Mouth Going to Finally Destroy Him? —Ace
"The fact that Trump is gloriously unburdened by respectability makes him willing/able to say things that no Respectability-Craving politician ever could, like that yes, we need a border wall, and yes, we are permitted to, and should, be outraged by foreign criminals murdering Americans who are permitted to be here by Democratic mayors and presidents.
But the downside of his contempt for respectability is that he will obliviously trample things that are very important to the people whose support he will ultimately need, if he wants to do more than blow hot air."
"I made fun of Michelle's looks when the media decided to declare that the woman was amazingly gorgeous, which is laughably false in any possible light."
De gustibus and all that--I find Michelle (and Sarah Palin, whose politics I also don't care for) very attractive older women. Maybe I have a low bar for people involved in politics.
Yeah, but all the obligatory dick sucking reminds me of tales of Elvis and the Memphis Mafia, just letting him get fat and sick. As I've said before, I never thought people would seriously vote in Arnold, but they did and I have no doubt a huge percentage of voters would be ecstatic with Trump.
Most people I've talked with in person really want to see Trump v Sanders.
if he wants to do more than blow hot air."
He looks like he does because he uses his mouth for a hair dryer.
Just did some googling: Trump is 69. He's actually older than Hillary. I thought he was about 64, but no. That makes Clinton 67, Trump 69, Sanders 74. Ben Carson and Jeb Bush are relative spring chickens at 63 and 62.
My favorite Trump look is the kissing gourami in the aquarium look. You know, the lips jutting out like a suction cup when he talks. Just sayin'.
I can just see Trump at his first meeting with Angela Merkel: "Hey, baby, you must have been something before electricity!"
This Trump news cycle falls into a predictable pattern:
1) Trump says something outrageous--either a lowbrow insult towards some person or group, or something betraying "conservative orthodoxy", or something just plain stupid.
2) Trump's critics go on about how nasty, secretly liberal, or nonsensical he is, and wonder if "this time" he's going to see his support drop dramatically.
3) Trump's supporters love him even more because of, not in spite of, 1).
Face it--there's literally nothing Trump could say or do that would make his supporters give up on him. If he announced that the Chinese were paying him to destroy this country, they'd say it was just proof of how great a deal he can get out of China. If he announced a plan to double everyone's taxes and ensure that abortions became available via drive-thru restaurants, they'd say they love that no other politicians speak like him. If he said rape is impossible because everyone secretly wants sex all the time, they'd say he must know something or he wouldn't have gotten so rich.
Rational arguments won't work, Trump Critics! Just sit back and enjoy the entertainment. If he wins somehow, then he is what the country deserves. If he tosses the election to the Democrats, then maybe this country wanted it that way.
"Who doesn't make fun of the faces that come up on the television?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ-f4Ij6ycg#t=12s
Maybe I have a low bar for people involved in politics.
She made the Maxim Hot 100 one year. It actually got that ridiculous.
I don't expect models out of politicians or their wives. But when somebody wishes to compare them favorably to models, etc --- then, yeah, some checking of them is due.
If you're one of the "hottest 100 women on Earth" according to Maxim, then some comparison to who you beat out for that spot is due (note, she wasn't #100, either). Hell, Palin was markedly more attractive and she, sure as hell, wasn't making that list.
Trump is winning because his bombastic, low brow, insulting others while telling the truth on them is still telling the truth and the professional liars of politics are flustered by such a communications style.
Plus Trump is super smart in choosing his words. They leave a mark on the opponents while he remains immune from outrage at the speaker under the exemption for telling the truth.
You're all jackasses! And stupid! And ugly! And I'm rich!
Vote for me!
It's gonna get worse. I'm buying bullets. Yuge bullets!
Isn't he prepping them for the real campaign; liberals would be writing rape porn about her if she wins the nomination. Tell her to call Sarah Palin if this offends her.
"And I'm rich"
But Trump is less rich than he would have been if he had invested his inherited fortune in an index fund.
To me, Trump's appeal isn't what he is saying. Its who he is saying it to. All the a...holes in Congress, the WH and the media who have been for years calling the American people names, lying to us and acting like we are dirt - are now getting their noses rubbed in their own shit. They can do nothing to Trump. Donors cutting him off, politicians trying to make his life miserable, media jerks trying to bring him down, etc. don't touch him. He generates so much energy that no one can ignore him. He just goes and does or says what he wants and all they can do is sputter.
Does this make him presidential material? In comparison to some other candidaes, maybe not. In comparison to the present occupant of the WH, he is like Einstein.
I know faces. I have a yuuge beautiful face. And my daughter what a beauty, that one. If I weren’t happily married and, ya know, her father . . . * But the Trump faces have the highest ratings. So highly rated and beautiful that everyone will get bored with them some day. [*Actual quote].
" All the a...holes in Congress, the WH and the media who have been for years calling the American people names, lying to us and acting like we are dirt."
Any Trump quotes on how ugly Obama, Boener, McConnel , or... Sessions are? I must have missed them.
And Trump's self assessed wealth is mostly based on the value of his brand, I.e." good will." Which may be ephemeral.
On the other hand, I'm thinking he may just have the experience we need right now. Since we'll be declaring national bankruptcy soon anyway.
"Vote for Trump! He knows how to declare bankruptcy and get away with it!"
Althouse is so right on this one. I've been thinking the exact same thing as Trump every time I see her on TV.
I love how Trump brings out all the usual suspects. The White Knights, the pompous all-wise old grey beards, the permanent "Only adult in the room:, the finger shaking prudes, and the elitist bow-ties blowhards.
Trump - assuming he was quoted accurately, didn't explicitly attack CF's looks. All you characters just assumed that he did. After all, how you pose as Miss Manners or the wise old grey beard and pronounce that Trump "went too far" unless you do?
Someone should do a column on why George Will, a TV commentator, thinks he can look down upon and sneer at trump. It isn't because Will is smarter, better looking, richer, or has more friends. Nor it because Will is more patriotic or public spirited. Trump beats him in every category. Yet, Will affects a pose of superiority, while praising Jeb Bush. Why?
So, you'd rather fuck Trump than Carly? Hmm...
The few times I've seen Trump the candidate on TV, he is holding the famous "bulldog" facial expression of Winston Churchill. Google Yousuf Karsh Churchill.
Bobby Jindal was dead on today
Funny that we all believe that Trump is actually quote correctly by RS. They have little credibility.
Bobby Jindal ? Is he running for something?
Sebastian: "But Trump is less rich than he would have been if he had invested his inherited fortune in an index fund."
On the other hand, if Trump had simply pumped all his cash into an index fund, there would be no buildings/resorts/hotels etc with "Trump" plastered all over them.
From what I have read, Trump may or may not have outperformed the market with his inherited wealth, but who exactly is out there in business providing those market returns? It's people in the arena. Trump stepped into the arena rather than spending his life enjoying wealth he never earned.
So many of these attacks on Trump are so weak assed. Like I have said many times, he is not my first choice, maybe not even my third, but yeesh! You guys just drive people to him with your clueless "occutard" or "chamber of commerce we need the cheap labor" attacks on him.
"I'm not s'posedta say bad things"
Wow..that's an interesting spelling. Looks like the "journalist" was trying to convey a sort of image judgement of his own.
"I tell him I'm not in favor of chopping people's heads off, and ask if he'd sanction waterboarding as president. He begins a rambling answer, then asks the woman across from me if she believes in the practice of waterboarding."
Really? Snarkily denouncing beheadings, inserting miscellaneous weird details all over but can't convey anything at all about his answer.."rambling" or not? Which one of you are really not interested in the issues?
"If you're going to sell somebody's sex appeal, you'd best make sure they have some."
Reminds me of when Obama and others were trying to tell us Debbie Wasserman Schultz is "cute". What? Did they actually say cute?
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