Category Archives: Virtual Front Page

Explaining Donald Trump by looking at Donald Draper — and other fictional ‘mad men’

On this slow news day, The Guardian is giving big play to a fun piece that attempts to explain the appeal of Donald Trump by way of various popular fictional antiheroes:

Last week millions of Americans tuned into a cable program featuring a wealthy white male narcissist with anger management issues, a history of viciousness towards women, and a pervading sense that there’s something amiss in his homeland. But this time the character in question wasn’t Walter White, Don Draper, Tyrion Lannister or Tony Soprano, but instead a real – if strangely orange – human man named Donald Trump. The program Americans so eagerly watched him plow through wasn’t an acclaimed drama, but a presidential debate….

Think about all they have in common – Tyrion’s cynicism and cunning, Don’s scorn for weakness, Tony’s rage, Walter White’s limitless ego. They’re all scoundrels who move through the world with an inordinate amount of swagger, and Americans, going back to 1773, love scoundrels with swagger. We love people who challenge authority and convention and get away with it. Thursday night, when Chris Wallace asked Trump if he thought a man who has declared bankruptcy multiple times was well suited to running the economy of an entire country, Trump’s response was to basically blow a raspberry and brag that he simply exploited the law….

No, I didn’t understand the 1773 reference, either (why not ’75, or ’76?). But never mind.

Interesting. And fun, since I have really, really enjoyed most of those shows.

But here’s the flaw in the idea… I respect all of those fictional characters more than I do Donald Trump. Unlike him, they all have appealing characteristics (WARNING! MULTIPLE-SPOILER ALERT):

"Say my name. And no, it's not Trump!"

“Trump is not the One Who Knocks.”

Walter White at least started out wanting to take care of his family after he was diagnosed with cancer. And he truly, honestly grieved when Hank was killed. So he had some actual human qualities. And he was, you know, smart — his ego was based in something.

 

I have NO idea why people like Trump.

I have NO idea why people like the guy.

Don Draper has that characteristic that Trump seems to value, although it completely eludes him: class. At least, class as style if not as a moral quality. And occasionally, he is moved to do the right thing, if it doesn’t inconvenience him. He can be virtuous — not all over, but in spots.

 

Trump on the Iron Throne? Not even I would drink to that.

Trump on the Iron Throne? I need a drink.

Tyrion may be the most virtuous, admirable continuing character on “Game of Thrones,” with the possible exception of Lady Brienne. Admittedly, that’s not a high bar, but he was born into a singularly seamy fictional universe. He is even capable of wit, which distinguishes him rather dramatically from The Donald.

 

You're comparing me to WHO?

You’re comparing me to WHO?

Tony Soprano, being a brutal, blustering bully, comes closest to Trump. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he demanded that Trump cough up some tribute money for running gambling operations in New Jersey. But Tony is a family man, who cares about his kids and sometimes his wife. He has a human, likable quality — think about it: Would you want to sit and watch Trump’s visits with his shrink (even if she was Dr. Melfi)? I hope not.

No, if you want to find a fictional character who is as thoroughly off-putting as Donald Trump, you have to think Frank Underwood. No, wait: Frank at least is clever, and occasionally borders on being amusing.

I’m afraid the theory doesn’t hold up…

BLOG SHOCKER: Virtual Front Page, Monday, Jan. 24, 2010

So I was thinking, “I need to post something on the blog,” and there was nothing much going on around these parts, far as I could see, and my e-mail IN box, usually good for an item or two on a slow day, didn’t offer much either.

At that point I wondered: “Is there ANYTHING going on, anywhere?” So I looked. And having looked, thought I should do a virtual front — which, after such a long absence, is almost news in itself.

Here’s what I found:

  1. Deadly Blast at Moscow’s Main Airport Seen as Terror Attack (NYT) — Of course, I knew about this one; I’ve been hearing about it all day. What to say? — except, of course, that it’s horrible.
  2. Blue Chips Get Closer to 12000 (WSJ) — The Dow jumps higher than it’s been in 2.5 years. In sorta kinda related news at CRBR, Mike Fitts reports that SC Realtors are seeing some improvement.
  3. Loughner denies Arizona attempted murder charges (BBC) — That’s to say, he pleaded not guilty — to the first three charges.
  4. Emanuel removed from mayoral ballot (WashPost) — By a court. He says he’ll fight on. After all, he gave up a pretty good job to do this…
  5. Jack LaLanne: Founding Father Of Fitness (NPR) — I see he died Sunday, but if it was in the papers this morning, I read right over it. I used to watch this guy’s exercise show in the 60s, people — and he was old to be doing it then. If only I could be in the shape now that he was in at 90…
  6. Argentina woman survives 23-storey hotel fall (BBC) — Just to give you something to talk about.

Virtual Front Page, Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Here’s today’s belated report:

  1. Benjamin charged in wreck, pays fine (bradwarthen.com) — Not the biggest story in the world, but I’m leading with it at this hour because it’s long-awaited local news. More details available at thestate.com.
  2. Israel ‘had no choice’ over raid (BBC) — Benjamin Netanyahu sticks up for his country’s actions.
  3. U.S. Car Sales Rose in May (WSJ) — Sales of GM’s brands jumped 32 percent. Since we’re all shareholders now, I expect to get my taste; don’t you? All I want is to wet my beak. In related news, Ford plans to drop the Mercury brand.
  4. For Republican Women, 2010 Is Already A Huge Year (NPR) — Nikki is among the distaff candidates mentioned in this national story. Is it OK to say “distaff?” I was gonna say “chicks,” but figured that wouldn’t fly…
  5. Crews work to free saw stuck at damaged BP oil well (WashPost) — … and then they decided to saw it, but that didn’t work either…
  6. SC lawmakers nix $5B budget plan over drug cuts (AP) — Just a reminder that a lackluster (except for passing the cigarette tax hike!) legislative session is drawing to a close.

Virtual Front Page, Monday, May 24, 2010

Just very briefly:

  1. U.S. Boosts Pressure on BP Over Spill (WSJ) — Gummint’s saying the oil company should lead the clean-up effort.
  2. Korean Crisis May Lead To Greater U.S. Military Role (NPR) — This is getting ominouser and ominouser.
  3. US troops in Afghanistan outnumber those in Iraq (BBC) — One of those important take-note-of moments in the sweep of history.
  4. Haley denies affair with blogger (thestate.com) — Having put this on my front — because I believe it could affect the election outcome (and it’s unfortunately drawing more bemused national attention down on our state) — I will now go take a shower. Or two. Delousing might also be in order.
  5. White House a tough fit for ex-military officers (WashPost) — There’s an interesting trend I had not noted, but the Post has…
  6. Calling it a day on Fox’s ’24’ (WashPost) — Just a little pop-culture fix for the mix. So what did in Jack Bauer? Was it that, like the former military officers, he just wasn’t a good fit for the Obama administration’s approach to the world?