Joe Perticone, congratulations on writing one of the very best pieces of “you are there” reportage I have read this year. You have explained the Kennedy phenomenon to me better than anyone else has.
The common denominator between Trump's and Kennedy's crowd— they are both terrified by a world that seems/is out of control.
Joe Perticone, congratulations on writing one of the very best pieces of “you are there” reportage I have read this year. You have explained the Kennedy phenomenon to me better than anyone else has.
The common denominator between Trump's and Kennedy's crowd— they are both terrified by a world that seems/is out of control.
They are both terrified by a world that they do not understand because they are constantly looking backward. The difference between Old Convicted Felon and RFK, Jr.' "vision" is how far in the past they look. RFK, Jr. wants the "glorious 60s" while OCF wants to go 100 years further than that, back when men were men, women knew their place, in the kitchen, pregnant and making dinner, and there was no talk about "equal rights" for anyone who "did not belong".
Perticone continues to impress. The Bulwark was smart as hell to snatch him up. There’s not a bad writer or a bullshit thinker at this joint, but I agree with you that this piece is FIRE!
Kathleen we keep crossing paths today! I totally agree with your sentiment on this article. I remember as a little girl staying up with my mother to watch Jaqueline Kennedy host a televised tour of the White House. It was grand! I’d seen the White House many times since my grandparents lived in D.C. but I’d never been inside. That’s the time the Kennedy family was our royalty. The family history is truly sketchy for sure, but the image Jack and Jaqueline created was like watching a fairytale. Because that’s exactly what it was. RFK jr is deeply involved in that fantasy and between him and Trump’s fantasy of raping and pillaging the peasants, supported by the like of Phil McGraw and delusional “Blue MAGA” liberals is not a viable option for voters.
Yep, Jack and Jackie sure did look good. Many have stressed that JFK was the first president of the TV era, when it became extremely important to look well on the tube. Pretty people like Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and movie star Ronald Reagan have had a definite advantage over ugly people like LBJ and Nixon.
He lost his uncle and his father to violence. I'm sure that effects person. But I'm sorry that because of his name, family connections and money he can insert himself in politics inspite of his being inadequate. He offered to campaign with Biden and Harris and they turned him down. I don't know what price he was asking. But then going to Trump shows a desire to be relevant and absolutely no political convictions.
I appreciate Joe's highlighting of nostalgia as a driving factor of Trump and Kennedy's popularity. And Kathleen - "terrified by a world that seems/is out of control" is just as apt.
Interestingly, when I look back at the Great Recession in the 00s, it was clear that people blamed big business and the government - and this sentiment was the direct cause of the anti-government Tea Party movement. Then came the George Floyd protests and the progressive backlash against Trump - which led to the anti-woke movement. And when you think about it, the anti-woke movement really manifested itself as an anti-modern culture movement.
So - a significant group of Americans, motivated by nostalgia and fear of the modern world, feel betrayed by their governing bodies, rules-based capitalism and their fellow citizens. And then in walks Trump and Kennedy….suddenly the lurch towards authoritarianism on the extreme right and left doesn't seem so surprising.
Joe Perticone, congratulations on writing one of the very best pieces of “you are there” reportage I have read this year. You have explained the Kennedy phenomenon to me better than anyone else has.
The common denominator between Trump's and Kennedy's crowd— they are both terrified by a world that seems/is out of control.
They are both terrified by a world that they do not understand because they are constantly looking backward. The difference between Old Convicted Felon and RFK, Jr.' "vision" is how far in the past they look. RFK, Jr. wants the "glorious 60s" while OCF wants to go 100 years further than that, back when men were men, women knew their place, in the kitchen, pregnant and making dinner, and there was no talk about "equal rights" for anyone who "did not belong".
Perticone continues to impress. The Bulwark was smart as hell to snatch him up. There’s not a bad writer or a bullshit thinker at this joint, but I agree with you that this piece is FIRE!
Kathleen we keep crossing paths today! I totally agree with your sentiment on this article. I remember as a little girl staying up with my mother to watch Jaqueline Kennedy host a televised tour of the White House. It was grand! I’d seen the White House many times since my grandparents lived in D.C. but I’d never been inside. That’s the time the Kennedy family was our royalty. The family history is truly sketchy for sure, but the image Jack and Jaqueline created was like watching a fairytale. Because that’s exactly what it was. RFK jr is deeply involved in that fantasy and between him and Trump’s fantasy of raping and pillaging the peasants, supported by the like of Phil McGraw and delusional “Blue MAGA” liberals is not a viable option for voters.
Yep, Jack and Jackie sure did look good. Many have stressed that JFK was the first president of the TV era, when it became extremely important to look well on the tube. Pretty people like Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and movie star Ronald Reagan have had a definite advantage over ugly people like LBJ and Nixon.
He lost his uncle and his father to violence. I'm sure that effects person. But I'm sorry that because of his name, family connections and money he can insert himself in politics inspite of his being inadequate. He offered to campaign with Biden and Harris and they turned him down. I don't know what price he was asking. But then going to Trump shows a desire to be relevant and absolutely no political convictions.
I appreciate Joe's highlighting of nostalgia as a driving factor of Trump and Kennedy's popularity. And Kathleen - "terrified by a world that seems/is out of control" is just as apt.
Interestingly, when I look back at the Great Recession in the 00s, it was clear that people blamed big business and the government - and this sentiment was the direct cause of the anti-government Tea Party movement. Then came the George Floyd protests and the progressive backlash against Trump - which led to the anti-woke movement. And when you think about it, the anti-woke movement really manifested itself as an anti-modern culture movement.
So - a significant group of Americans, motivated by nostalgia and fear of the modern world, feel betrayed by their governing bodies, rules-based capitalism and their fellow citizens. And then in walks Trump and Kennedy….suddenly the lurch towards authoritarianism on the extreme right and left doesn't seem so surprising.