Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Just a guess

I'm pretty sure that Sean Spicer knows the Nazis were actually quite fond of using chemicals to kill people. He may be incompetent, but he's not dumb. Spicer seems to have fundamental problems using the language, though. And considering the job he holds requires an individual who has excellent communication skills, he doesn't seem like the optimal choice for the position. Not my place to make personnel decisions for the White House, but they might want to consider an upgrade. And that's all I have to say about that.

17 comments:

Bike Bubba said...

The only defense I can think of is that the Nazis technically used chemical poisons in the death camps, but not in combat. But since that's a distinction that doesn't resonate with most people, time to work in the PR angle here....

W.B. Picklesworth said...

I don't know this to be true, but is it possible that he's got the job precisely because he's so awful and goads Trump's opponents into endless hysterics? To win in this political atmosphere is at least as much about making your opponents look bad as it is looking good yourself.

I should note that I don't pay any attention to anything Spicer says and haven't seen the SNL bits about him and just generally care at all. What I do notice is the hypocrisy coming from people about his (and Trump's) ignorance, who never cared a wit about Obama flubbing various things or displaying ignorance. I'm assuming that at least some of the time Obama was playing the same game. Certainly that was the case with the whole birth certificate and Muslim thing.

This is all just meaningless distraction. A game. The question is, "What's really going on?" I'll be curious to see how the economy grows, whether the international situation calms down in a few years (it certainly won't any time soon), and if the Overton Window on immigration and other issues really gets moved.

Gino said...

outside of Tony Snow, is there another press secretary that could stand up to the press these days considering their attitude, partisanship, and fake reporting?

this guy is fighting a cage match against a tag team, every day. who else would take this job?

Mr. D said...

outside of Tony Snow, is there another press secretary that could stand up to the press these days considering their attitude, partisanship, and fake reporting?

Don't know the answer to that, Gino. What I do know is using Nazi analogies never ends well. Yes, everyone in that room is a jackal, but what happened yesterday was an unforced error.

3john2 said...

At least he doesn't have to look at Helen Thomas.

Gino said...

It was a miniscule error. I understood what he was saying, and so did you. It's the jackyls that made it into something else... As they would have with any other analogy.

Calling for his removal is playing their game. That's all they've tried to do for three months is oust one member of Trump's team after another.

Mr. D said...

It was a miniscule error. I understood what he was saying, and so did you. It's the jackyls that made it into something else... As they would have with any other analogy.

Right. And he's apparently not quick enough on his feet to understand the jackals are going to pounce and misrepresent him if he gives them even a tiny opening. Republicans have to be demonstrably better than Democrats in order to have any chance of success in Washington. I don't see that Spicer is equal to the task. It's a problem.

Look, I don't care what the Democrats say about this. They're certifiable at this point. The people you have to convince are the 20% in the middle. And saying dumb stuff is not helpful. Trump has demonstrated he's capable of learning. He won't give Spicer another chance if he screws up. Trump will find someone who can dance with the jackals.

Bike Bubba said...

The thing I can say in Spicer's support is that he's apologized and admitted he embarrassed the boss. He's already infinitely better than his predecessors with the Obama administration that way.

But definitely; he needs to work with a team to avoid more missteps. Trump can not get away with the stuff that Barry did.

Gino said...

The Trump team can get away with a lot more if the standard GOP base gave them the same support and hallelujah echo chamber the left gets from it's minions. Instead they pull each other down Everytime the left lets out a shriek.

Mr. D said...

So are we supposed to get in line, then? Just trying to figure out my responsibilities in this matter.

Mr. D said...

In other words, my preference is Sean Spicer worry less about getting away with things and more with getting his shit together.

Gino said...

it doesnt matter how together his shit is, because it will always fall short with this press corps... who didnt seem to mind when the DNC spent 18mos calling Trump Hitler... and now is perturbed because Spicer used the name to compare to an actual murderous dictator.

but thats ok, i guess...

Mr. D said...

but thats ok, i guess...

It's not, but trying to change the behavior of the press is like plowing the sea. You control what you can control. And Spicer is under the president's control.

W.B. Picklesworth said...

Totally with Gino on this. The whole point of the exercise is to control Republicans and make them dance. The appropriate response is "Eff you." Yes, there are the 20% of people in the middle. And some of them might be swayed by the media on this. But some of them also assume that the fake news du jour is a real deal because REPUBLICANS act like it is. And when they act weak, they lose by it. And don't forget another 10% of conservatives who will vote for someone with pants, but won't bother to vote for those who apologize to bullies. We want fighters not wimps, even if they say something dumb sometimes.

Bike Bubba said...

Echo chamber? No way, Gino. Gonna leave that one to the DemocRATs, to be blunt about the matter. Per Romans 13, government ought to be about moral law, and blowing off the bit about false witness is simply wrong.

I'm fine with saying "nice that you notice this--where were ya when....?" and all that. But no echo chamber.

Gino said...

Fine bubba... Lose with dignity if you prefer. I prefer to win.

Bike Bubba said...

Gino, I might lose the way I'm doing it, but if I cast aside the principles of Romans 13, I've lost before I've gotten going.