How Trump Legitimizes Celeb GOP Attacks

The musician made a media ruckus out of a canceled gig this summer. The concert in question just so happened to align with the GOP’s Cleveland convention.

That let Walsh fire off the standard GOP attacks in true tolerant fashion.

I am very concerned about the rampant vitriol, fear-mongering and bullying coming from the current Republican campaigns. It is both isolationist and spiteful. I cannot in good conscience endorse the Republican party in any way. I will look at doing a veteran related benefit concert later this year.”

Only Walsh’s rhetoric drew a dab or two of blood. Maybe more.

This isn’t the GOP of Mitt Romney or Sen. John McCain. This is a party under the thrall of Donald Trump.

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Walsh’s song may remain the same, but there’s a brand new melody. The current GOP frontrunner has been in the lead since the starter’s pistol fired last year. And he shows little sign of slowing down, even if he doesn’t reach that magical 1237 delegate total.

In the context of Walsh’s GOP attacks, that’s important.

Need we all remind ourselves of the Trump campaign to date, and how it aligns with what the Eagles musician had to say:

• Vitriol: Has there ever been a candidate who behaves like Trump? Can you name a mainstream candidate who offered a fraction of the bile Trump spews – against his own party members, no less?
• Fear Mongering: Trump takes a genuine concern about unchecked illegal immigration and turns it into the ugliest talking points possible. His comments about Mexicans crossing the border kicked off his campaign.
• Bullying: Trump may be the biggest bully the Beltway crowd has ever seen. From his manager man-handling a Breitbart reporter to his not-so-veiled threats against his enemies – including his GOP competitor’s wife. His repeated attacks on Fox News’ Megyn Kelly aren’t just unprofessional. They’re downright cruel.

In short, Trump epitomizes the very worst caricature of the modern GOP.

In the past, Republicans worked hard to fight that stereotype. They railed against politicians who spoke in such blunt terms. They used social media to fire back at that portrait. It simply wasn’t fair to be painted with such an ugly brush.

And many GOP members made progress toward that end.

Today, many of those very Republicans are wearing “Make America Great Again” T-shirts. They ignore not just Trump’s flaws as a candidate. They turn a blind eye to how he is staining both the party and the GOP brand.

And making unhinged rhetoric sound downright reasonable in the process.

photo credit: Donald Trump via photopin (license)