2020's politically correct presidential election
- Mike Allen, author of Axios AM
Illustration: Lazaro Gamio/Axios
Get ready for the most politically correct — and politically incorrect — election of our lifetime.
Why it matters: Look for 2020 Democratic candidates to be more careful than ever not to offend anyone, while Trump revels in the contrast with a stream of outlandish assertions and observations that will delight his followers.
- On one side, you have President Trump, easily the most politically incorrect figure to win the White House in the modern era. He loves nothing more than to taunt liberals, the media and America with throwback thinking and insults.
- On the other, you have the most diverse Democratic field ever, showing early and enthusiastic insistence on inclusivity, as well as race, gender and lifestyle sensitivity.
This weekend was a sneak peek: Beto groveling and Trump bellowing. Beto O'Rourke apologized for joking during his first two days on the trail that his wife is raising their three children "sometimes with my help."
- For good measure, he admitted his white male privilege had benefited him, and he said his preference for a running mate would be a woman.
- As RedState put it: "Beto Apologizes for Being White & Male After the Woke Trash Him Over a Joke About His Wife."
At the same time, Trump was tweeting love for two embattled Fox News hosts — Tucker Carlson, who made misogynistic comments on a radio show a decade ago, and "Judge" Jeanine Pirro, who made an anti-Muslim comment on her Fox show.
- "Keep fighting for Tucker, and fight hard for @JudgeJeanine. Your competitors are jealous," Trump tweeted.
- Trump continued: "Stop working soooo hard on being politically correct, which will only bring you down. ... The losers all want what you have, don’t give it to them. Be strong & prosper, be weak & die!"
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