Althouse: "I love this shirt... You gotta see this shirt... He looks safe. He doesn't look like he's gonna start a fist fight."

February 22, 2020

"I love this shirt... You gotta see this shirt... He looks safe. He doesn't look like he's gonna start a fist fight."

Says Donald Trump, asking that a guy in a shirt be brought up on stage at yesterday's Las Vegas rally. Then he brings up another guy — a guy wearing a suit patterned as a brick wall — and the woman with him. Here, I've clipped out a couple minutes:

After they go back to their seats, he says, about the couple, "I just said how long have you 2 been together. Figured they'd say, 'We're married.' He met her at the rally in Colorado" — the previous day! — "Do you believe it?! Man, did he get lucky!" — pause — "They both got lucky, right?"

57 comments:

Fernandinande said...: Brick shirthouse.; 2/22/20, 9:11 AM
Dude1394 said...: Thanks for the clip. A lot of fun those trump supporters are having.; 2/22/20, 9:12 AM
mccullough said...: Trump as Cupid; 2/22/20, 9:21 AM
Rance Fasoldt said...: That's our President! What a fun guy. I've been to a rally - it's like a rock concert. Everyone's having fun.; 2/22/20, 9:23 AM
AZ Bob said...: It is like those people that follow the Greatful Dead tours. Eighty rallies must be a record.; 2/22/20, 9:26 AM
Paul said...: And you wonder why people like him. He talks the talk of the common man.... and he means it.; 2/22/20, 9:27 AM
Owen said...: Born showman. It’s a gift, and he is sharing it. How often do people get to have unadulterated —innocent— fun in public like that?

How can an angry uncle or a purse-lipped harridan ever hope to compete with that?; 2/22/20, 9:29 AM
Bill R said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/22/20, 9:32 AM
David Begley said...: Trump called those three “fans.” Does Bernie have fans? Mini Mike?; 2/22/20, 9:33 AM
Sebastian said...: Can't see Mini Mike doing that.; 2/22/20, 9:34 AM
doctrev said...: Watching Howard Stern bitch out and tongue slobber over Hillary Clinton had to be humiliating for him. The old him would be utterly disgusted. But yes, it has to hurt quite a few celebrities that Donald Trump is at least as good at drawing enthusiastic crowds as they are.; 2/22/20, 9:36 AM
BUMBLE BEE said...: Democrats today seem angry for life. Must be that Victimology They pride themselves on. Thinking back to one of America's most popular presidential candidates< not Pat Paulson!
Problems? We all got problems and frankly... I DON"T CARE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTIGU6s1llw; 2/22/20, 9:38 AM
Wince said...: With Trump's unguarded style, even watching on TV, it's like having your favorite uncle visit the house.; 2/22/20, 9:43 AM
Gusty Winds said...: He had the 1980 US Olympic Hokey Team on stage for the 40th anniversary, and they were wearing Keep America Great hats. Totally cool.; 2/22/20, 9:51 AM
LYNNDH said...: That he is having fun and wants the people at the rallies to have fun is one of the biggest advantages that Trump has over the Dems. They are all sourpusses. I think the Bloomberg with his dry humor is the only dem that has any fun.; 2/22/20, 9:57 AM
Bill R said...: In 2016, Howard Stern commented that he had advised Trump not to run, that he liked Trump personally and thought Trump would hate being President. It seems Howard was wrong.; 2/22/20, 9:58 AM
AllenS said...: Howard Stern's humor is like really totally way cool, if you're in junior high school.; 2/22/20, 10:01 AM
Kevin said...: and thought Trump would hate being President.

He's only having fun because he's doing it his way.

The media tried to put him in the traditional box, but he refused to go along.; 2/22/20, 10:12 AM
Francisco D said...: I watched a few minutes of Trump's rally yesterday. A person near the front had a medical emergency.

Trump stopped speaking and called out for a doctor. He waited until the person was helped out by medical staff. It was an awkward pause, but he was extremely patient. I found that small act to be quite endearing.

FYI, I am a Trump voter, but never liked his personality. I am beginning to see things in his personality that I like.; 2/22/20, 10:12 AM
Limited blogger said...: Watched the whole thing. It was totally joyful.

Dems are totally miserable, and everyone knows it.

Trump has tapped into America's heart and soul, and it is pure energy for him.; 2/22/20, 10:14 AM
Limited blogger said...: Remember Obama's rallies?

Yea, me neither.; 2/22/20, 10:17 AM
Kevin said...: Meanwhile: "MSNBC Hopes for ‘Global Financial Crisis’ Helping Dems in 2020".; 2/22/20, 10:20 AM
bleh said...: His rallies are really something special and will serve him well in the election. I wonder sometimes how he justifies the taxpayer expense of sending him around the country to do political rallies. Typically there’s some bullshit official event given as a reason to justify the expense of flying the president out, and while he’s there he might as well do a rally or, more commonly in the case of Trump’s predecessors, attend a fundraiser.; 2/22/20, 10:23 AM
Limited blogger said...: The elected president is always running for re-election. It is a pretty good design in our political apparatus.

That's why we limit him/her to 2 terms. The sitting president could easily win re-election many times over, if allowed.

No one begrudged Obama's 'fund raisers'.; 2/22/20, 10:31 AM
daskol said...: What I found remarkable about Trump in August, 2015 during the GOP debates remains the most remarkable thing about him: he's managed to be a public figure while maintaining essentially a single personality for private and public consumption. It's why he's never afraid to speak extemporaneously: he's not at risk, as all other public personalities are, of revealing something he's chosen to hide from the public. The contrast with the other GOP candidates, who appeared frightened and like badly programmed human robots alongside him, was stark. Trump is also good at heart and funny as hell, tough and tenacious, but his apparent fearlessness in public is the strongest testament to his fundamental honesty. He is a weird one, alright, but in a wonderful way for this country. Reminds one of the adage that God takes care of drunkards, fools and the United States of America.; 2/22/20, 10:31 AM
AllenS said...: Limited blogger said...
Remember Obama's rallies?

Yes, he talked about "I", "me", "my" over and over again.; 2/22/20, 10:32 AM
wildswan said...: People are having fun and at the same time Trump is always making general and specific points - explaining price transparency here, other times talking about energy. You wouldn't know from reading fake news that things are being done to lower costs and increase employment and so the fact that people follow Trump is inexplicable to those in the fake news bubble. For instance, due to fracking the United States has lowered its carbon output more than any other country due to increased use of natural gas while also becoming the leader in oil and gas drilling while also increasing jobs in mining by selling coal to China in place of North Korea. And yet all the Dems want to end fracking even though this would increase carbon emissions and dependence on unstable dictators. And yet the Trump supporters who know the above facts and act on them by supporting Trump are treated as irrational, planet-destroyer hicks. There's kind of Urban Hick who really exists and this U-Hick thinks the rural hicks of 1930 still exist in 2020 and form Trump's base. And he and she and they feel/s very superior.; 2/22/20, 10:36 AM
Mark said...: I wonder sometimes how he justifies the taxpayer expense of sending him around the country to do political rallies.

Like every other president since probably the 19th century.

If Kennedy didn't do it, he'd have finished his term(s).; 2/22/20, 10:55 AM
Drago said...: bleh: "I wonder sometimes how he justifies the taxpayer expense of sending him around the country to do political rallies. Typically there’s some bullshit official event given as a reason to justify the expense of flying the president out, and while he’s there he might as well do a rally or, more commonly in the case of Trump’s predecessors, attend a fundraiser."

He gave a major speech and policy pronouncement in the Central Valley of CA as well as calling out the incredibly deteriorating conditions on the streets of CA's major cities due to lefty policies creating more homelessness and laxity with illegal aliens and crime.

But yeah, he could have become the first President in modern times who simply did it all by conference call I guess.; 2/22/20, 11:04 AM
Drago said...: The REAL question is: Can Trump be impeached for daring to act like he is the elected President?

According to the dems and lunatic left Lawfare and Lawfare minions like LLR-lefty Chuck, the answer is most certainly "Si".; 2/22/20, 11:06 AM
bagoh20 said...: The guy wins me over more and more every day, if that's even possible. Although I would never vote for Hillary, I started out a near never-Trumper, voted for him reluctantly, became a supporter over the actions of his hateful lying enimies, and now I like him more than any President in my lifetime. He's firing on all cylinders. I took a similar journey with Reagan. Voted against him once, then became a fan, then voted for his reelection. I'm naturally distrustful, but follow the results. I've learned a lot about what to trust and what not to in politicians. I never wanted any free stuff, but promises of increased freedom sometimes actually get delivered. I don't vote on personality, but Trump has even turned me around on his. I hated the guy, but now I love him. Go figure.; 2/22/20, 11:06 AM
Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...: Limited blogger said...
Remember Obama's rallies?
Yea, me neither.

the guy with the Fake Greek Column shirt never got called up?; 2/22/20, 11:22 AM
Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...: for Trump supporters, after holding their peace/piece each day,
laying low to avoid abuse from the 'tolerant' crowd,

...what joy and freedom there is to finally let out that
pent-up enthusiasm in a safe environment, and to share it
with kindred souls

to let your American 'Freak' Flag Fly, so to speak; 2/22/20, 11:30 AM
eddie willers said...: How in God's name are we ever going back to a 'normal' President?; 2/22/20, 12:02 PM
Bay Area Guy said...: The rallies are fine, every candidate wants love from their supporters. Trump is a bit more skilled since he was a celebrity tv star.

As an aside, many left of center folks focus on Trump's tone, speeches and tweets, as opposed to the exercise of his presidential powers under article 2, i.e. his policies and programs that impact 330 Million people.

Just sayin'; 2/22/20, 12:04 PM
walter said...: MALA; 2/22/20, 12:18 PM
Breezy said...: My lefty friends look sideways at me for liking him. I am always honest about this when it comes up, even though they hate him. I am hopeful one day they will understand. That’ll be a few years after he’s no longer our president, I reckon.; 2/22/20, 12:21 PM
phantommut said...: Not my cup of tea, but damn he can work a crowd.; 2/22/20, 12:33 PM
walter said...: Hopefully that guy doesn't get punished.
Charges going forward:
"According to police in Hobart, Indiana, a northwestern Indiana couple suffered a bout of road rage when they spotted two teenage boys with Trump flags attached to their bicycles. Their response was to run them off the road, potentially endangering the lives of the two minors, who are twins."
Couple in car runs two Trump-supporting boys off the road; 2/22/20, 12:52 PM
Anita said...: President Trump also spoke in Nevada at a Hope for Prisoners graduation ceremony. I watched it and was struck by how completely relaxed he was. I know he has the teleprompter to feed him information and names, but man, it seems like he's just there talking off the cuff to this crowd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYwJPKmVozk

Like bagoh20, I was not happy about Trump getting the nomination in 2016, and didn't vote in that election. But he's endeared himself to me in these 3.5 years. I especially liked his smile in the clip where Barron is mentioned. It comes across as a flash of pride and love for his boy. I can't wait to vote for Trump in November.; 2/22/20, 1:07 PM
Marc in Eugene said...: Mr Trump said, 'I'm going to have to get me one', one of those shirts. No idea how prevalent that idiom is, in NY or elsewhere, but I do know I'd've been writing sentences on the blackboard for a hour had I said it in Mrs Purdy's third grade classroom.

On the other hand, no one seems to be accusing him because of it of pandering to the mob.; 2/22/20, 1:17 PM
Seeing Red said...: We r out of the country. At dinner last nite, we sat with British and a young Chinese couple who went to school in the YS and are now getting advanced degrees in Britain. The young man told us it was nice to talk to us because he realized he missed Americans and their happiness.; 2/22/20, 1:37 PM
Seeing Red said...: Mr Trump said, 'I'm going to have to get me one',

Raises hand but not in public; 2/22/20, 1:43 PM
Jim at said...: No one begrudged Obama's 'fund raisers'.

I begrudged him when he jetted off to a Las Vegas fundraiser the day after four American were killed in Benghazi.; 2/22/20, 1:45 PM
bagoh20 said...: Obama would arrogantly shut down most of Los Angeles at rush hour on a Friday to meet with his Hollywood deep pocket friends. Absolutely ignorant behavior, and it was done over and over despite public outrage. He wasn't meeting with thousands of ordinary Americans. He was having wine and cheese with a dozen rich donors hidden in the Hollywood Hills behind walls and gates.; 2/22/20, 1:55 PM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: I think the Bloomberg with his dry humor is the only dem that has any fun.

2/22/20, 9:57 AM

The problem with dry humor is that to many people it's as undetectable as sweet vermouth in a very dry martini. Adlai Stevenson could be quite witty, but his wit was an elitist tastes. Most Americans prefer the Three Stooges.

I happen to like dry humor but I saw no evidence of Bloomberg's sense of humor during the debate. Eye rolls and peevish expressions remind people of know-it-all 14 year olds.; 2/22/20, 2:14 PM
effinayright said...: Marc said...
Mr Trump said, 'I'm going to have to get me one', one of those shirts. No idea how prevalent that idiom is, in NY or elsewhere, but I do know I'd've been writing sentences on the blackboard for a hour had I said it in Mrs Purdy's third grade classroom.
*************
Follow the bouncing ball:

"I'm going to KANSAS city, here I come
"I'm going to KANSAS city, here I come
They've got a lot of crazy little women there
And I'm going to get me one."

So yes, it's idiomatic English, using a reflexive verb.

"In grammar, a reflexive verb is, loosely, a verb whose direct object is the same as its subject." ---Reflexive verb - Wikipedia

(btw I've never seen "I'd've" in print before, but I guess it works.); 2/22/20, 3:34 PM
traditionalguy said...: The wife said she does not remember the 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey gold medal. After testing her, she really did manage to ignore it. So I read her the Wiki site's history of it. I was reading it out loud and darned if she caught me crying. So we rented the 2004 Disney movie to watch tonight. Adult Edu. 101.; 2/22/20, 3:38 PM
Milwaukie guy said...: I'da bin at the chalkboard, too.; 2/22/20, 3:43 PM
Maillard Reactionary said...: daskol @10:31 AM: Well stated.; 2/22/20, 4:05 PM
pacwest said...: President Trump gets accused of demagoguery fairly often.

Demagogue:

noun
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.
"a gifted demagogue with particular skill in manipulating the press"

verb
rhetorically exploit (an issue) for political purposes in a way calculated to appeal to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people.
"he seems more interested in demagoguing the issue in media interviews than in dialogue"; 2/22/20, 4:27 PM
Marc in Eugene said...: I believe that I was taught that it is correct to use 'myself' in that sentence, and I thought I detected a quarter or half note of theatre in Mr Trump's voice; maybe not, and nobody else seems to have done.

That idioms and colloquialisms abound is fine-- Mrs Purdy, requiescat in pace, is dead these twenty years so am not quaking in my shoes. Read Benjamin Dreyer's Dreyer's Usage not too long ago, and share much of his point of view: there are rules, there are circumstances in which rules don't serve much purpose, let us merrily go forward without erecting prisons or employing censors. Used to be violently prescriptivist but since these days I often enough can't recall with any degree of certainty this or that from last week I decided it's better to let go of that.

'I'd've' is a recent experiment; I think I do say it but there's probably no good reason to write it. Someone online: "I'dn't've thought that I'd've was a problem".; 2/22/20, 4:44 PM
Seeing Red said...: I love Miracle on Ice.

Still gives me thrills 40!!! Years later.; 2/22/20, 4:45 PM
tcrosse said...: That Herb Brooks statue in downtown St Paul needs a MAGA hat.; 2/22/20, 5:16 PM
fleg9bo said...: And I'm going to get me one."

So yes, it's idiomatic English, using a reflexive verb.

"In grammar, a reflexive verb is, loosely, a verb whose direct object is the same as its subject." ---Reflexive verb - Wikipedia

I see it as "me" being more of an indirect object here. The direct object is what he's going to get, i.e., "one (of those crazy little women)" and he's going to get her for "me" (himself).; 2/22/20, 5:44 PM
Narayanan said...: daskol said...
What I found remarkable about Trump in August, 2015 during the GOP debates remains the most remarkable thing about him: he's managed to be a public figure while maintaining essentially a single personality for private and public consumption.
_____&&&&&&
Integrity is a disease..
You can only catch it from someone who has it.

Miles Vorkosigan; 2/22/20, 11:01 PM
Kansas City said...: This was about as engaging as I have ever seen Trump.; 2/23/20, 2:39 PM