[UrukParthian]

It's almost like politicians manage their perception and image in strategic ways where they lull their enemies into being emotionally caught up with minor character flaws rather than the tactics and orientation of their actions.

The smugness of people against Trump is even more worse than the smugness people had against George W.

They're not idiots. They're sharks who have a very clear aptitude at manipulating people and public perception. It's very bad strategy, and very human, to ascribe to your opponents victories as "luck" and to ascribe their mentality as "dumb".

[mikeash]

I agree with you when it comes to most politicians, but I’m pretty sure Trump is actually dumb. He’s the only person I’ve ever seen contradict himself three times in a single sentence. When he speaks, he almost never displays any indication that there’s any understanding of the subject at hand.

W had a superficial dumbness that was largely cultivated. Beneath that he had at least a basic understanding of the issues.

[UrukParthian]

Do you think he cares about you the coherence of his statements when they provoke a strong emotional reaction from a dumb population addicted to emotionally reacting and addicted to signaling alliegence to some vague social grouping?

You're taking his bait superbly by thinking that the truth wins you the game of democracy. To call him "dumb" is to severely underestimate the strategies potential president have used in their rise to power. Or in other words, did calling him an idiot get your side any concessions, any retaken ground?

Instead of taking Trump's bait, I'd highly recommend reading Robert Caro's books on Lyndon B. Johnson. You'll never look at politics the same way again.

[mikeash]

Are you under the impression that I’m calling him “dumb” as some sort of political strategy? I’m just describing the facts as I see them. Pointing out that it works for him is not any sort of argument against what I’m saying.

Of course his dumbness has appeal. That’s why he won. That doesn’t mean he’s not an idiot.

[UrukParthian]

Your facts is what he says to the public. That's not a "fact", that's taking politics at face value. I told you, such men are sharks. Not merely the men you back on your own political aisle.

I told you to read Robert Caro's series on Lyndon B.Johnson because it opens your eyes to the political process. Do you think Johnson campaigned as a Roosevelt man because he liked Roosevelt? Hell no, he was an opportunist.

[mikeash]

I still don’t get what about this is supposed to contradict what I’ve said. And there’s plenty of evidence for Trump’s idiocy from stuff that wasn’t supposed to be public.