1. Platner went around wearing a Nazi tattoo for 19 years. There's no reforming that. There's no hiding that. Democrats have done themselves a *grave* disservice in their race to embrace the man. "Oh, look! A legit masculine man! He'll be our standard-bearer!" No, he won't. He's an albatross around the neck of the national Democrat party, and EVERY time oppo research turns up some ugly background fact about a Republican for the next decade, the answer will (rightly!) be: "Sit down. Shut up. You voted for Platner."
2. Democrats do not have a big tent. They refuse to look in the mirror about why they keep losing winnable races. The age of Trump is coming to a close. And what are they going to do when they can no longer simply screech: "But TRUMP!"
But..TRUMP! is not a policy position, nor a platform plank.
This pajama boy syndrome is entirely a byproduct of the progressive left’s Marxist/Woke assault on the Judeo/Christian values that are the foundation of American exceptionalism and American greatness. From their viewpoint, everything must fit into their contrived matrix of intersectionality where everyone is either oppressed or an oppressor.
Almost all of the detrimental ideas that have harmed western society, especially in the US, have been birthed in the faculty lounge. And from there they have indoctrinated the education system that has polluted the minds of many of our youth. They’ve been adopted by the democrat party, from their hatred of working class Americans, to promoting the mutilation of children and allowing men in women’s bathrooms and sports in order to create a victimized class of transgenderism to believing that violence including murder is acceptable to express political dissent.
The progressive left has created a generation of castrated males who would have crapped their pants before even landing on the beaches of Normandy. These losers have been taught to hate American exceptionalism, masculinity and patriarchal strength and that’s one of the reasons for the left’s Trump derangement syndrome mental illness.
I love this column. It shows Joe Klein at his finest!
As for me, I was never a Republican and have completely lost hope for the Democrats.
I favor voting for Democrats in 2026 only to provide sorely needed checks and balances of the Trump regime.
In 2028, I want unaffiliated independents who favor liberal democracy, free markets, and calling things by their name to win races big and small in as many parts of the country as possible.
This has been very true for a few decades now. Unfortunately, only now have the results of such actions, only pro-female/girl, come to be appreciated. Glad to have you on the team.
Great piece but you should have given a shout out to Richard Reeves who first identified the boy problem and has devoted his life work since to rectifying it.
1. Platner went around wearing a Nazi tattoo for 19 years. There's no reforming that. There's no hiding that. Democrats have done themselves a *grave* disservice in their race to embrace the man. "Oh, look! A legit masculine man! He'll be our standard-bearer!" No, he won't. He's an albatross around the neck of the national Democrat party, and EVERY time oppo research turns up some ugly background fact about a Republican for the next decade, the answer will (rightly!) be: "Sit down. Shut up. You voted for Platner."
2. Democrats do not have a big tent. They refuse to look in the mirror about why they keep losing winnable races. The age of Trump is coming to a close. And what are they going to do when they can no longer simply screech: "But TRUMP!"
But..TRUMP! is not a policy position, nor a platform plank.
This pajama boy syndrome is entirely a byproduct of the progressive left’s Marxist/Woke assault on the Judeo/Christian values that are the foundation of American exceptionalism and American greatness. From their viewpoint, everything must fit into their contrived matrix of intersectionality where everyone is either oppressed or an oppressor.
Almost all of the detrimental ideas that have harmed western society, especially in the US, have been birthed in the faculty lounge. And from there they have indoctrinated the education system that has polluted the minds of many of our youth. They’ve been adopted by the democrat party, from their hatred of working class Americans, to promoting the mutilation of children and allowing men in women’s bathrooms and sports in order to create a victimized class of transgenderism to believing that violence including murder is acceptable to express political dissent.
The progressive left has created a generation of castrated males who would have crapped their pants before even landing on the beaches of Normandy. These losers have been taught to hate American exceptionalism, masculinity and patriarchal strength and that’s one of the reasons for the left’s Trump derangement syndrome mental illness.
Generalize much, Deplore?
I love this column. It shows Joe Klein at his finest!
As for me, I was never a Republican and have completely lost hope for the Democrats.
I favor voting for Democrats in 2026 only to provide sorely needed checks and balances of the Trump regime.
In 2028, I want unaffiliated independents who favor liberal democracy, free markets, and calling things by their name to win races big and small in as many parts of the country as possible.
This has been very true for a few decades now. Unfortunately, only now have the results of such actions, only pro-female/girl, come to be appreciated. Glad to have you on the team.
Great piece but you should have given a shout out to Richard Reeves who first identified the boy problem and has devoted his life work since to rectifying it.
You're right...and I'd like to have him on a podcast.
Terrific. Thx for quick response
So so so we'll articulated, Joe. You've been on even more of a tear of common sense than usual lately.
You are amazing, Joe Klein! This is something I never would have thought of and I do believe you are spot on!
Fascinating column, Joe
Excellent! In the same vein as Scott Galloway.