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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEdward Norton On Why Trump Won't Concede
Good Twitter thread worth reading:
Link to tweet
@EdwardNorton
Im no political pundit but I grew up w a dad who was a federal prosecutor & he taught me a lot & Ive also sat a fair amount of poker w serious players & lll say this: I do not think Trump is trying to make his base happy or laying the groundwork for his own network...
..or that chaos is what he loves. The core of it is that he knows hes in deep, multi-dimensional legal jeopardy & this defines his every action. Were seeing 1) a tactical delay of the transition to buy time for coverup & evidence suppression 2) above all, a desperate endgame
...which is to create enough chaos & anxiety about peaceful transfer of power, & fear of irreparable damage to the system, that he can cut a Nixon-style deal in exchange for finally conceding. But he doesnt have the cards. His bluff after the flop has been called in court...
His turn card bluff will be an escalation & his River card bluff could be really ugly. But they have to be called. We cannot let this mobster bully the USA into a deal to save his ass by threatening our democracy. THAT is his play. But hes got junk in his hand. So call him.
I will allow that hes also a whiny, sulky, petulant, Grinchy, vindictive little 10-ply-super-soft bitch who no doubt is just throwing a wicked pout fest & trying to give a tiny-hand middle finger to the whole country for pure spite, without a single thought for the dead & dying
But his contemptible, treasonous, seditious assault on the stability of our political compact isnt about 2024, personal enrichment or anything else other than trying to use chaos & threat to the foundation of the system as leverage to trade for a safe exit. Call. His. Bluff.
Faith in the strength of our sacred institutions & founding principles is severely stretched...but they will hold. They will. Hes leaving, gracelessly & in infamy. But if we trade for it, give him some brokered settlement, well be vulnerable to his return. We cant flinch.
Excellent!
Rorey
(8,445 posts)Perfect description.
I agree. He's trying to play "Let's Make A Deal". The problem is that all three curtains have Zonks. He's screwed.
Initech
(100,102 posts)He's playing two pair against a straight flush. No way he wins that one.
yonder
(9,674 posts)redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)I just don't think he is that smart. He would be a lousy poker player.
leftieNanner
(15,149 posts)a 2-7 off suit.
Squidly
(783 posts)One of my favorite actors. This just made me like him more.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)If we, the United States of America, give him any kind of a deal, he better be giving us something YUGE in return. Big names. Big crimes.
And he still needs to go to prison.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,214 posts)is more important than our country's. What he is doing is simply indefensible, and all his supporters in the White House and Congress will go down with him.
Thomas Hurt
(13,903 posts)He does it because he is a mentally bent tool who likes to sow dissension and hurt people.
He does it for money because he is greedy.
He does it for the adoration.
He does it to keep the power.
He does it to keep himself out of prison.
He is usually incompetent but he is also a lucky sob
If this is the instance where he pulls off he ploy we are all fucked.
We are all fucked even if he leaves office, just not as bad. He has stirred up the RWNJs into a frenzy.
dutch777
(3,035 posts)I think disparaging the Grinch by comparison to something even more loathsome like Trump is unfair to the Grinch. I love "little 10 ply super soft bitch"...how spot on! Well said and thanks for sharing!
Initech
(100,102 posts)Is that the Grinch's heart grew three sizes when he saw the evils of what he was doing. Trump on the other hand, would have to have a heart in order for it to grow three sizes.
MFM008
(19,818 posts)Was redeemable...
onecaliberal
(32,894 posts)K&R
dalton99a
(81,570 posts)Marcuse
(7,506 posts)ScratchCat
(2,002 posts)Trump has no "leverage" here. He doesn't have to "concede" or "leave office". Good grief, why is it that so many intelligent people can't comprehend this? Trump doesn't have to "agree to stop being President".
The continued talk from this perspective is what is lending legitimacy to the entire notion that Trump has to agree to leave. This has gotten patently ridiculous. His term is over 01/20/20 per The Constitution. Joe Biden's will begin. There is nothing Donald Trump can do about this.
peggysue2
(10,839 posts)You don't give deals to terrorists who continue to terrorize.
You take them down. You make them pay. Set the example with the Chaos King. Shut him down and let him stew in his self-inflicted desperation.
Never forget, never forgive.
Stinky The Clown
(67,818 posts)Et puis avec sa tete!
Upthevibe
(8,071 posts)I LOVE Edward Norton. I think he's one of the best actors of our time.
This tweet is perfection.
Initech
(100,102 posts)That is some definitely interesting insight!
shelshaw
(535 posts)Then blatantly rescind it all after he leaves and fuck him in a way that only he could truly understand. After all, any agreement is only as good as his signature.
czarjak
(11,289 posts)Put up or shut up!
ItsjustMe
(11,244 posts)Evolve Dammit
(16,763 posts)DFW
(54,436 posts)TomDaisy
(1,900 posts)AwakeAtLast
(14,133 posts)Or the technological equivalent of that.
Initech
(100,102 posts)AwakeAtLast
(14,133 posts)Love the GIF!
Initech
(100,102 posts)One of my favorites!
NoRoadUntravelled
(2,626 posts)Democracy wins hands down.
AdamGG
(1,294 posts)though he's great in everything, whether he knows the topic to begin with or not.