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mjdlight's avatar

Brilliant argument from Tim Ryan in regards to JD Vance’s utter supplication to Trump. Funny how MAGA talks about the virtues of masculinity 24/7, and yet display all the courage and bravery of last year’s Jell-O.

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Eric73's avatar

By the way, anyone else notice that when Ryan was talking about how he didn't know anyone else that would sacrifice their dignity like Vance did, he specifically mentioned "anyone that I went to *high school* with ...". I mean, the guy's no Ivy Leaguer (like Vance) but he does have a law degree from New Hampshire. Yet he didn't say anything about people he went to college with. That's some impressive political discipline; the guy knows how to appeal to a working class electorate. Meet them where they are.

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hrlngrv's avatar

There's only one virtue in today's Republican Party: being at the front of the line at Trump's rear end.

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Eric73's avatar

Of all the utter contradictions that MAGA embodies, this is the one that has always baffled me. This is supposed to be the "daddy party". The one that makes the hard decisions and doles out the tough love while the bleeding heart Democrats coddle and mother everyone because they're too easily intimidated by the guilty sentimentalization peddled by the extremist left.

And now look who can't stand up for what they always claimed to believe. Look who turned their backs on every principle they once espoused because this bloviating cretin called them mean names and activated the deplorables in the Republican base.

The guys who let an interloper come into their party and bend it over an electoral fence before having his way with it don't get to call anyone else a "cuck". Those who drool while fawning over their "alpha male" and cupping his sack don't get to call anyone else a "beta". Those who fall all over each other to be part of the entourage of some whiny drama queen like they're in an episode of "The Real Housewives of DC" don't get to claim the mantle of restoring "masculinity".

We can argue over what aspects of "traditional masculinity" are worth preserving. For my money, standing firm on what you believe in the face of toxic, pugnacious aggression is one of them.

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Paul Topping's avatar

It reminds me of high school where a lot of the "masculinity" was fake and where the real coin of the realm was allegiance. Unfortunately, a lot of voters are still in high school.

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James Ackerman's avatar

Unfortunately, for a lot of people, they never mature emotionally past 18

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Paul Mccrary's avatar

Trump himself never does anything traditionally masculine.

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Craig Butcher's avatar

I respectfully disagree. Trump is a total p----k, and that's as masculine as it gets.

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Paul Topping's avatar

I'm surprised that this isn't an argument we hear more often. When Trump supports someone, it isn't with reverence or respect. Sure, he says a few words from a script someone else has written but, when he ad libs, it is clear that he regards them as weak, but useful, scum. He wants the crowd to understand that while he appreciates allegiance, it isn't something he would ever do. Politicians running against Trumpers should bring that front and center with voters. Turn Trump's support into a liability for both the politician and Trump.

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James Ackerman's avatar

The downside to this of course is the numbers of MAGAts who not only approve of but desire this level of supplication to the orange slug king of the cult

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Ben - MD, VA, NE Florida.'s avatar

"desire this level of supplication to the orange slug king of the cult" We need a new word for this - it's like they are cuck-ifying themselves before Trump and wanting a gold star for the performance.

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mjdlight's avatar

I nominate Tim Miller to coin this term!

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Paul Topping's avatar

The ass-kicker vs ass-kisser comment was a good start. Keep it simple.

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Paul Topping's avatar

Sure, but pointing out how un-masculine these candidates would be targeted at potential swing voters, not the full-on MAGAts. They can be reminded that, while they may still like Trump for his "strength", a Trump-supported candidate is not at all strong.

Usually, when a politician endorses a candidate, they are telling voters, "If you think I'm a good politician, then voter for this guy/gal as they are much like me." Trump could never feel this way. He can't help but subtly remind people that he's using the candidate and he/she is really a wimp.

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Carol S.'s avatar

Notice the slavering praise of Kari Lake for being a "servant" by ostentatiously vacuuming a rug for Trump. It was said to demonstrate a humble readiness to serve, in general -- but what Trumpites saw (judging from Twitter comments) was someone who reveres to Trump. Of course, Lake knew that MAGA would appreciate her gesture of reverence.

In MAGA land, you're good or bad according to whether you love Donald Trump. Abasing yourself before him is not a demerit in the MAGA gospel.

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James Ackerman's avatar

Nope. If anything, it's the expectation. And the cruelty and perversion of these displays are only going to get worse from here

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knowltok's avatar

Problem is the same logic applies in Ohio as it does in Georgia.

At this point I don't know if there's a scandal big enough to tarnish a Republican running for office against a Democrat. It isn't like there is anything any of them could do that would cause the Orange God-King to rebuke them as long as they are properly submissive to him.

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James Ackerman's avatar

Come on, that's an insult to Jello: it at least can stay upright

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