Eugene Robinson: Americanism Is Bigger Than Trumpism

[babylonsister]

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/americanism-trumps-trumpism/

Dec 14, 2017
Americanism Is Bigger Than Trumpism
Eugene Robinson


Who’s afraid of Trumpism-Bannonism? The noxious stew of nativism, xenophobia, misogyny, manufactured grievance and barely disguised white supremacy that put Donald Trump in the White House now appears less an all-conquering juggernaut than a paper tiger—one that Alabamians, bless their hearts, balled up and threw in the trash.

Incredibly, Trump managed to lose twice in a deep-red state he won by 28 points just a year ago. He supported Roy Moore’s opponent, Luther Strange, in the Republican primary, only to suffer a humiliating defeat. And then—prodded by his political “wizard,” Steve Bannon—Trump reversed himself and went all-in for Moore in the days leading up to Tuesday’s general-election vote. As you might have heard, Moore lost to Democrat and now Senator-elect Doug Jones.

“I was right,” Trump pathetically tweeted, having been utterly wrong. Sad!

It is possible to read too much into Jones’ victory. He won by fewer than 21,000 votes out of more than 1.3 million cast, which is not exactly a landslide. And Moore was thought of as a dangerous clown by many Alabama voters even before The Washington Post revealed he was credibly accused of being a child molester.

But let’s not read too little into Tuesday’s vote, either. Alabama is such a solidly Republican state that in 2014, the last time this Senate seat came open, Democrats didn’t even bother to field an opponent against incumbent Jeff Sessions, whose resignation to become attorney general triggered Tuesday’s special election.

snip//

In both Virginia and Alabama, Democratic voter turnout was huge, while Republican turnout was middling. The enthusiasm gap between the parties was more of a chasm. A year ago, Democrats spoke of the 2018 midterm election as an opportunity to make gains in the House and, if possible, keep from losing seats in the Senate. Now, after Alabama, even cautious analysts have to consider the possibility of a wave election that gives Democrats control of one or both chambers.

Don’t get me wrong, Trumpism-Bannonism does have a following. It’s just that Americanism has a bigger one.

[oberliner]

1. Is there a collective American identity?

Does Americanism actually exist?

[babylonsister]

2. Judging from the abhorrence

of all things dt and his minions, I'd say yes, most definitely.

[TrishaJ]

3. I will add that this

battle is no longer "Red versus Blue" or "Republican versus Democrat" or "Liberal versus Conservative."

It is now Americans versus Traitors. It is painfully clear now that Trump is beholden to his "Godfather," Vladimir Putin. It is clear that Putin has not only gained control of the Executive Branch of our government, but also has allies in the GOP controlled Congress.

Americans versus Traitors. That's the war we are currently fighting.