Backing [Yourself] Into A Corner

A lot of people -- from both sides of the aisle -- are livid with the President because he has thus far refused to condemn Nazis and far right hate groups. In his remarks to date, his response has been tepid, at best. The question is...why?

It seems like a no-brainer. It seems like the type of thing that almost ANY president could do without much effort. Sadly, the man currently occupying the White House isn't just any president!

You see, Donald J. Trump finds himself in a bit of a bind because he has backed himself into a corner.

I think it is grossly unfair to say that all individuals who voted for and/or support Mr. Trump are bigots and racists. However, most individuals who ARE bigots and racists back Mr. Trump to the hilt. And herein lies his dilemma.

With possible impeachment looming, Mr. Trump is counting on those bigots and racists to have his back -- to be his stormtroopers. Consequently, from his perspective, he can't bow to political pressure to call them out. If he did, they might turn on him and call him a sell-out. There's a good chance his poll numbers would tank into the teens!!

And so, he is stuck. I'm sure he understands he needs to make a stronger statement about the violence and deaths that occurred in Charlottesville, but he must do so in a manner that doesn't piss off the hate groups that form the backbone of his support.

Of course, he has no one to blame except himself. He put himself into this straitjacket. It will be interesting to see how he tries to wiggle out of it.