The Long Con: How the Republicans Played Trump Voters
Sunday, 20 November 2016 00:00 By Michael I. Niman, The Public | News
Analysis
Donald Trump speaks as his running-mate, Mike Pence, looks on at his
election night party early Wednesday morning in New York, November 9, 2016.
(Photo: Damon Winter / The New York Times)
There is a chance that Donald Trump will be impeached. If so, the
Republicans will lead the effort, and it will probably take place within a
year of his inauguration. At that point, the ultra-"conservative" Republican
establishment will get what it could never accomplish at the polls --
President Mike Pence.
Pence was just a shadow during the election -- getting about as much media
coverage as a Hillary Clinton campaign speech. As governor of Indiana, Pence
had an approval rating last year of only 36 percent. Earlier this year,
before being tapped to be Trump's running mate, he was running neck-and-neck
with his Democratic challenger. Apparently his theocratic stands against
abortion, birth control, women's rights, and LGBT rights were too far off
the rails even for Indiana.
Where Pence differs from his former running mate is that you can dress him
up, and among Republicans at least, make him appear somewhat presidential.
Trump, at least to many of his voters, was a blank slate upon which they
could all imagine their own values, hopes, and opinions. Many discounted his
frightening rhetoric, claiming that was just talk, and once elected, he'd be
-- fill in the blank. Pence, on the other hand, has an onerous track record
as an elected official. One that even a Trump supporter couldn't imagine
away.
On LGBT rights, Pence campaigned for an Indiana law that would have
guaranteed the right for businesses to discriminate against LGBT people.
Facing an economic boycott of the state and threates from corporations to
cancel expansion plans or relocate, Pence finally signed a watered-down
version of the law. He argued that hate crime laws should not apply to the
protection of LGBT people and argued against funding H.I.V. treatment unless
equal funds were allocated to programs designed to prevent same-sex
relationships. Last year, under his governorship, Indiana declared a state
of emergency regarding an H.I.V. outbreak that was related to needle drugs.
Pence signed into law the most reactionary anti-abortion bill in the
country. It prevented abortions even in the case of severe genetic
deformities and required that medical waste from abortions be buried in a
cemetery or cremated like a human body. A federal court struck down the
bill. A President Pence would appoint new federal judges who will likely be
confirmed by a Republican Congress.
Unlike Trump, who joined Bernie Sanders and other progressives in opposing
free-trade deals, a move that won him many traditionally Democratic voters
in the Midwest, Pence historically has been more in line with most
Republicans in Congress voting in favor of such agreements. He is on record
supporting Trans Pacific Partnership. Ironically he also voted against the
Trade and Globalization Assistance Act (HR 3920), which passed despite his
opposition and assists those put out of work by globalization.
Pence is on record supporting the privatization of public education. As
governor of Indiana, he took over $50 million dollars away from public
school funding and gave it to private charter schools. He is in line with
Trump regarding most areas where Trump has stated a policy, such as
supporting regulation reform, meaning opposing many environmental and
workplace safety and diversity regulations. The difference between the two
candidates is that in many areas, Trump is still a wildcard. And unlike
Trump, Pence has a history of playing nice with other Republicans. In short,
he's a proven product and can get things done -- such as instituting a
reactionary agenda as president.
Trustworthy journalism with integrity is more important than ever. Help
Truthout keep providing a platform for reliable, independent news: Make a
donation today!
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not
be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
MICHAEL I. NIMAN
Dr. Michael I. Niman is a professor of journalism and media studies at
Buffalo State College. His previous columns are archived at
www.mediastudy.com and are available globally through syndication.
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The Long Con: How the Republicans Played Trump Voters
Sunday, 20 November 2016 00:00 By Michael I. Niman, The Public | News
Analysis
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. Donald Trump speaks as his running-mate, Mike Pence, looks on at
his election night party early Wednesday morning in New York, November 9,
2016. (Photo: Damon Winter / The New York Times)
. There is a chance that Donald Trump will be impeached. If so, the
Republicans will lead the effort, and it will probably take place within a
year of his inauguration. At that point, the ultra-"conservative" Republican
establishment will get what it could never accomplish at the polls --
President Mike Pence.
Pence was just a shadow during the election -- getting about as much media
coverage as a Hillary Clinton campaign speech. As governor of Indiana, Pence
had an approval rating last year of only 36 percent. Earlier this year,
before being tapped to be Trump's running mate, he was running neck-and-neck
with his Democratic challenger. Apparently his theocratic stands against
abortion, birth control, women's rights, and LGBT rights were too far off
the rails even for Indiana.
Where Pence differs from his former running mate is that you can dress him
up, and among Republicans at least, make him appear somewhat presidential.
Trump, at least to many of his voters, was a blank slate upon which they
could all imagine their own values, hopes, and opinions. Many discounted his
frightening rhetoric, claiming that was just talk, and once elected, he'd be
-- fill in the blank. Pence, on the other hand, has an onerous track record
as an elected official. One that even a Trump supporter couldn't imagine
away.
On LGBT rights, Pence campaigned for an Indiana law that would have
guaranteed the right for businesses to discriminate against LGBT people.
Facing an economic boycott of the state and threates from corporations to
cancel expansion plans or relocate, Pence finally signed a watered-down
version of the law. He argued that hate crime laws should not apply to the
protection of LGBT people and argued against funding H.I.V. treatment unless
equal funds were allocated to programs designed to prevent same-sex
relationships. Last year, under his governorship, Indiana declared a state
of emergency regarding an H.I.V. outbreak that was related to needle drugs.
Pence signed into law the most reactionary anti-abortion bill in the
country. It prevented abortions even in the case of severe genetic
deformities and required that medical waste from abortions be buried in a
cemetery or cremated like a human body. A federal court struck down the
bill. A President Pence would appoint new federal judges who will likely be
confirmed by a Republican Congress.
Unlike Trump, who joined Bernie Sanders and other progressives in opposing
free-trade deals, a move that won him many traditionally Democratic voters
in the Midwest, Pence historically has been more in line with most
Republicans in Congress voting in favor of such agreements. He is on record
supporting Trans Pacific Partnership. Ironically he also voted against the
Trade and Globalization Assistance Act (HR 3920), which passed despite his
opposition and assists those put out of work by globalization.
Pence is on record supporting the privatization of public education. As
governor of Indiana, he took over $50 million dollars away from public
school funding and gave it to private charter schools. He is in line with
Trump regarding most areas where Trump has stated a policy, such as
supporting regulation reform, meaning opposing many environmental and
workplace safety and diversity regulations. The difference between the two
candidates is that in many areas, Trump is still a wildcard. And unlike
Trump, Pence has a history of playing nice with other Republicans. In short,
he's a proven product and can get things done -- such as instituting a
reactionary agenda as president.
Trustworthy journalism with integrity is more important than ever. Help
Truthout keep providing a platform for reliable, independent news: Make a
donation today!
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not
be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
Michael I. Niman
Dr. Michael I. Niman is a professor of journalism and media studies at
Buffalo State College. His previous columns are archived at
www.mediastudy.com and are available globally through syndication.
Related Stories
Mike Pence May Be a Friend to Trump, but He's No Friend to Workers
By Kali Robinson, In These Times | ReportAtmospheric Scientist: Donald Trump
and Mike Pence Are a Climate Change Denial Dream Team
By Nermeen Shaikh, Amy Goodman, Democracy Now! | Video InterviewTrump and
Pence Ride Tide of Anti-Abortion Lies
By Katie Klabusich, Truthout | Report
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