Quote of the day: Trump on diplomacy

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - 11:15 AM Share

I remember reading somewhere in George Kennan's memoirs that the essence of diplomacy is to be tough-minded without seeming rude. Donald Trump's comment here, made in a speech in Las Vegas, about how he would handle Chinese imports, strikes me as just the opposite:

Listen mother------, we're going to tax you 25 percent."

Tom again: I think the Chinese reaction to such a statement would be to think, Hey, we've won, the Americans are really losing their cool.

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JPWREL

3:51 PM ET

May 3, 2011

I am rather amazed that Tom

I am rather amazed that Tom would even introduce an item on Trump to his blog. He is a clownish and unserious person looking for publicity and does not really have a contribution to make in the ongoing debate in this country over economics, trade and foreign policy.

BTW, Tom you were good last night on TV. Solid commentary on the weekend’s doings – good job!

LMFAO

4:35 PM ET

May 3, 2011

Econ 101 (or 2?)

"Fine, we'll hike the price to recoup the losses, and it will still beat what you can do, and piss off your constituents at the same time"

For someone so successful his grasp of macroeconomics is quite suspect

RYDDLE

5:22 PM ET

May 3, 2011

I suppose Tom had to join in

I suppose Tom had to join in - make fun of Trump. Which might be good: the fact that he is the Republican candidate with the most support is troubling. I still seriously doubt he could actually win an election, but history has been full with surprises - and this would not be a good one.

RVN SF VET

6:08 PM ET

May 3, 2011

FIND THE OLD NEW YORKER MAGAZINE ARTICLE ON TRUMP

It put the lie to the idea that he is a wealthy businessman. He owns little and is a highly successful self-promoter who licenses his name to developers and companies. The saddest thing of all is that he actually takes himself seriously.

There is an insight into his actual make-up if you can stomach watching an episode of the "Apprentice." He places real value on how loud and feisty the contestants are.and not on their substantive contributions. As far as he is concerned, loud and proud is what he is looking for. Funny, that's not who his kids are. In fact, Trump doesn't brook dissent and expects, "Yes, Mr. Trump."

One of the worst things about the Whitte House Correspondents Dinner was the inability of members of the audience to tolerate being fun of. Although most just didn't smile or looked away, Trump bristled with a belligerant look on his face. If you cannot laugh at yourself, you are weak.

The President not only laughed at himself, but he was deceptive as he smiled broadly at UBL jokes while having already given the order to execute the raid. That's showmanship. BTW, where is Tupac Mr. Trump?

LUVMY91STANG

7:29 PM ET

May 3, 2011

Is this the article you are

Is this the article you are referring to? http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/02/13/060213ta_talk_singer

Trump is, without a doubt, an embarrassment. Even more embarrassing is the number of people who think he would make a great president. It boggles the mind.

As for the correspondents, my theory is that people who cover politics at a high level are people that want to be players on the national scene. They want the power and the influence, but they don't have the courage to put themselves out there and run for office. So instead, they snipe from the sidelines. Lack of a sense of humor and lack of courage seem to go together.

VICTORWHITE

6:37 PM ET

May 3, 2011

Where tax payers' money goes to?

"He is a clownish and unserious person looking for publicity and does not really have a contribution to make in the ongoing debate in this country over economics, trade and foreign policy"
As Mr.Jirinowsiy in Russia I guess, hah

VICTORWHITE

6:38 PM ET

May 3, 2011

Where tax payers' money goes to?

STILLWATER

1:57 PM ET

May 4, 2011

Another Kodak moment?

Tom, that's a remarkably accurate portrait of Mr. Trump.

I'm surprised that he posed long enough for you to capture his essence.