THE ERA OF TRUMP

[Smitty-48]

Oh yes they did, in 1981, Reagan was pretty much exactly where Trump is now, but then he launched the charm offensive, and the media melted like ice cream in the sun, going to war with the media hammer and tong relentlessly, is not MAGA, that's not what MAGA did, that's not Reagan, that's what Jimmy Carter did, the strategy you are asserting, is not MAGA, it's the Carter Doctrine.

[de officiis]

The new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump vowed on Monday that the United States would prevent China from taking over territory in international waters in the South China Sea, something Chinese state media has warned would require Washington to "wage war."

The comments at a briefing from White House spokesman Sean Spicer signaled a sharp departure from years of cautious U.S. handling of China's assertive pursuit of territory claims in Asia, just days after Trump took office on Friday.

"The U.S. is going to make sure that we protect our interests there," Spicer said when asked if Trump agreed with comments by his Secretary of State nominee, Rex Tillerson, on Jan. 11 that China should not be allowed access to islands it has built in the contested South China Sea.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1572M4

Here we go.

[Smitty-48]

Here we go.

Meh, not a big deal, that's status quo, he's not saying the US is going to attempt to eject them from the islands, they're just going to keep doing what Obama has been doing, asserting freedom of navigation, by sailing up and down and all around. Ongoing operation that has never ceased. Sharp departure from status quo; not really, that's just rhetoric.

[StCapps]

Oh yes they did, in 1981, Reagan was pretty much exactly where Trump is now, but then he launched the charm offensive, and the media melted like ice cream in the sun, going to war with the media hammer and tong relentlessly, is not MAGA, that's not what MAGA did, that's not Reagan, that's what Jimmy Carter did, the strategy you are asserting, is not MAGA, it's the Carter Doctrine.

The media hate Trump more than they ever hated Reagan, at any point in time. Trump has a bigger gulf to overcome because of this and pure charm isn't enough without results.

[Smitty-48]

Oh yes they did, in 1981, Reagan was pretty much exactly where Trump is now, but then he launched the charm offensive, and the media melted like ice cream in the sun, going to war with the media hammer and tong relentlessly, is not MAGA, that's not what MAGA did, that's not Reagan, that's what Jimmy Carter did, the strategy you are asserting, is not MAGA, it's the Carter Doctrine.

The media hate Trump more than they ever hated Reagan, at any point in time. Trump has a bigger gulf to overcome because of this and pure charm isn't enough without results.

I assume he will have to produce some results, I agree that he can't be Ronald Reagan, he has to be his own guy, but there is plenty of room to get the media onside, the MSM at least, they are easily converted, and I'm not talking about the CBC here, I'm talking about the American MSM, the corporate media, which is actually loathe to be in conflict with the center of power, they want to be converted, ain't no Glenn Greenwalds up in there, he can get a lot done with more stroking and access carrots, and at times, he has looked like he is going to go that way, remember the Fake News conference, he actually had all the rest of the MSM on his side, and against Buzzfeed/CNN.

[StCapps]

I assume he will have to produce some results, I agree that he can't be Ronald Reagan, he has to be his own guy, but there is plenty of room to get the media onside, the MSM at least, they are easily converted, and I'm not talking about the CBC here, I'm talking about the American MSM, the corporate media, which is actually loathe to be in conflict with the center of power, they want to be converted, ain't no Glenn Greenwalds up in there, he can get a lot done with more stroking and access carrots, and at times, he has looked like he is going to go that way, remember the Fake News conference, he actually had all the rest of the MSM on his side, and against Buzzfeed/CNN.

It will take time and points put on the board. It will be a slow process and focusing on other matters will actually help him convert the media quicker than if he focused solely on getting them on his side. Moving the ball down the field will score him more points with the media than playing nice with them and charming them. Take care of the former and the latter will follow with minimal flattery and you can still call them out on their bullshit while you do so. Trump can have his cake and eat it too, if he delivers. If he doesn't deliver, than schmoozing the Press won't save him.

Reagan might have been able to get them onside before Morning in America, Trump needs dawn to arrive before that will happen.

[Smitty-48]

See, I actually think it could be done quite quickly, he could divide and conquer, wouldn't take that long, the corporate MSM is just itching to be converted, I think he's making war pointlessly, on a huge cohort of corporate MSM, which desperately wants to lie down for him, but is wondering why he won't just let them, after he has already won, and so doesn't need to use this cudgel anymore.

Trump can be charming when he wants to be, and as soon as he does start charming them, you feel them folding right away, they are ripe for the taking, the media war is pointless now, they want to capitulate, he just has to give them the excuse to.

[StCapps]

Trump can be charming when he wants to be, and as soon as he does start charming them, you feel them folding right away, they are ripe for the taking, the media war is pointless now, they want to capitulate, he just has to give them the excuse to.

Nah everytime Trump turns on the charm they move the goalposts and then just wait until they can focus the spotlight on something negative about him. I don't see them stopping now, he would have to keep the charm flowing non-stop for months before the gave him credit for it, if he just waits and turns on the charm after he gets some points on the board it will be snowball effect from there though and they actually begin to buy the charm when he decides to turn it on. Doing it before he scores points won't melt them at all.

[Smitty-48]

Well, as I said, if that is the case, then I'm not as bullish as I was, because I think this is having dimishing returns now, he's overplaying the media war hand.

[StCapps]

Well, as I said, if that is the case, then I'm not as bullish as I was, because I think this is having dimishing returns now, he's overplaying the media war hand.

Nah. He's hammering home a clear advantage and won't slow down until he starts seeing those diminishing returns. I haven't seen any sign of diminishing returns yet and neither does Trump apparently, if he did, he'd switch the strategy as you suggest and I would advise mixing it up as well. If ain't broke don't fix it.