Political experts in the print media and on TV are scorching Democrats for being weak, too dim-witted to effectively counter Trump and his administration, for lacking a comprehensive strategy and, in summary, for just being naive.
Well, excuse me. These so-called analysts obviously did not watch the Democrats’ reaction to Trump’s address at the joint session of Congress March 4. Talk about political sophistication and effectiveness. We had never seen anything like that before — ever.
When I poured myself a drink, and turned on the TV to take notes for a potential column, I expected Trump to run away with the ball. This would be a total waste of time, I told myself.
But within minutes, my mood changed when the camera turned to the audience. My heart palpitated and I felt my blood pressure rising along with my breathing.
Democrats were holding up paddles — yes, paddles with phrases such as
“That’s a lie,” “Musk Steals,” and “Save Medicaid.” Others waved signs reading “Liar” or “False.” Horror of horrors! What a surprising, sneak attack! So lethal. Almost below the belt.
I thought: “This is unprecedented. I need to discuss this historic event with my grandchildren.” I turned to my wife, asking: “What do you think?”
When she recovered, she managed a: “I am utterly emotionally shaken. Please give me a few minutes — make that a couple of days or so.”
Meanwhile, I thought Trump did not look at the Democratic side of the aisle because he was trying to stifle laughter.
After I digested what forever will be remembered as the “political paddles strategy,” I thought that was the end of “giving it to him.” How much more damage could the Democrats do? I got my answer very quickly.
When the cameras swung away from the paddles, they focused on a group of female members of Congress wearing pink. Yes, wearing pink! Oh, mercy, have they no mercy?
“Pink is a color of power and protest,” said New Mexico Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, who chairs the Democratic Women’s Caucus “It’s time to rev up the opposition and come at Trump loud and clear.”
Okay, we can agree to rev up, but heaven help us, take it easy on the poor guy. Show some compassion.
Susan Scafidi, a professor, and founder and director of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School, helped us understand all of this by stating:
“When played right, color coordination can be powerful. In moments when you’re not empowered to speak, fashion can do the talking for you.”
Actually, she’s right; it left me speechless.
Scafidi continued: “On an evening when the members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus have no microphone, their collective splash of bright fuchsia in the House Chamber at least reminds viewers of their existence every time the camera pans across the room.”
Sorry, I called it pink.
The Democrats are now considering sending their upcoming stars to Scafidi’s Fashion Law Institute for training in political strategy.
Being an enterprising reporter, I sought some reaction from a couple of neighbors who are Trump supporters.
“Hi, Joe,” I said to the first one. “What did you think about the protests to Trump’s speech?”
He appeared pale; it was obvious he had watched the speech. “Well, I could take the paddles but the women in pink…”
“Fuchsia,” I corrected.
The next one said he will never play ping-pong again.
“For the first time, I think Trump may really have lost the 2020 election,” said Trump No. 2.
The two looked completely beaten; there was no political fight left in them. Who knew what fuchsia and paddles could do?
We should not overlook that some lawmakers wore other colors to represent special interests.
Several wore black in support of black causes and others yellow and blue in a tribute to Ukraine.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, a Democrat from Illinois who is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and has Ukrainian ancestry, wore pink, black, blue and yellow.
My wife said just like the ties I wear. Kelly is now a Democratic powerhouse.
Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green was removed from the chamber after heckling Trump during the president’s speech.
In the hallway, Green told us he apologizes to his Democratic colleagues but he wanted them to know he tried to dye his beard pink/fuchsia.
The Democratic response to Trump’s speech was delivered by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin. Wearing black — no pink/fuchsia for her — she spoke from Wyandotte, which is 11 miles south of Detroit on the Detroit River, far enough away from possible paddle-fuchsia retaliation from Washington, D.C. Republicans.
According to our sources, Trump plans to get his retribution by levying tariffs on paddles and any product that is the color of fuchsia or even pink.
Well, excuse me. These so-called analysts obviously did not watch the Democrats’ reaction to Trump’s address at the joint session of Congress March 4. Talk about political sophistication and effectiveness. We had never seen anything like that before — ever.
When I poured myself a drink, and turned on the TV to take notes for a potential column, I expected Trump to run away with the ball. This would be a total waste of time, I told myself.
But within minutes, my mood changed when the camera turned to the audience. My heart palpitated and I felt my blood pressure rising along with my breathing.
Democrats were holding up paddles — yes, paddles with phrases such as
“That’s a lie,” “Musk Steals,” and “Save Medicaid.” Others waved signs reading “Liar” or “False.” Horror of horrors! What a surprising, sneak attack! So lethal. Almost below the belt.
I thought: “This is unprecedented. I need to discuss this historic event with my grandchildren.” I turned to my wife, asking: “What do you think?”
When she recovered, she managed a: “I am utterly emotionally shaken. Please give me a few minutes — make that a couple of days or so.”
Meanwhile, I thought Trump did not look at the Democratic side of the aisle because he was trying to stifle laughter.
After I digested what forever will be remembered as the “political paddles strategy,” I thought that was the end of “giving it to him.” How much more damage could the Democrats do? I got my answer very quickly.
When the cameras swung away from the paddles, they focused on a group of female members of Congress wearing pink. Yes, wearing pink! Oh, mercy, have they no mercy?
“Pink is a color of power and protest,” said New Mexico Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, who chairs the Democratic Women’s Caucus “It’s time to rev up the opposition and come at Trump loud and clear.”
Okay, we can agree to rev up, but heaven help us, take it easy on the poor guy. Show some compassion.
Susan Scafidi, a professor, and founder and director of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School, helped us understand all of this by stating:
“When played right, color coordination can be powerful. In moments when you’re not empowered to speak, fashion can do the talking for you.”
Actually, she’s right; it left me speechless.
Scafidi continued: “On an evening when the members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus have no microphone, their collective splash of bright fuchsia in the House Chamber at least reminds viewers of their existence every time the camera pans across the room.”
Sorry, I called it pink.
The Democrats are now considering sending their upcoming stars to Scafidi’s Fashion Law Institute for training in political strategy.
Being an enterprising reporter, I sought some reaction from a couple of neighbors who are Trump supporters.
“Hi, Joe,” I said to the first one. “What did you think about the protests to Trump’s speech?”
He appeared pale; it was obvious he had watched the speech. “Well, I could take the paddles but the women in pink…”
“Fuchsia,” I corrected.
The next one said he will never play ping-pong again.
“For the first time, I think Trump may really have lost the 2020 election,” said Trump No. 2.
The two looked completely beaten; there was no political fight left in them. Who knew what fuchsia and paddles could do?
We should not overlook that some lawmakers wore other colors to represent special interests.
Several wore black in support of black causes and others yellow and blue in a tribute to Ukraine.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, a Democrat from Illinois who is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and has Ukrainian ancestry, wore pink, black, blue and yellow.
My wife said just like the ties I wear. Kelly is now a Democratic powerhouse.
Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green was removed from the chamber after heckling Trump during the president’s speech.
In the hallway, Green told us he apologizes to his Democratic colleagues but he wanted them to know he tried to dye his beard pink/fuchsia.
The Democratic response to Trump’s speech was delivered by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin. Wearing black — no pink/fuchsia for her — she spoke from Wyandotte, which is 11 miles south of Detroit on the Detroit River, far enough away from possible paddle-fuchsia retaliation from Washington, D.C. Republicans.
According to our sources, Trump plans to get his retribution by levying tariffs on paddles and any product that is the color of fuchsia or even pink.
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