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Old 03-20-2020, 07:20 AM   #28
Pete F.
Canceled
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: vt
Posts: 13,429
It's comical that people think that Trump* is not manipulated by flattery and not vindictive if he doesn't get it.

As Kim Darroch had written in the leaked memos months ago and which every diplomat and leader of another country either already knew or was then made aware of, Trump* is easily manipulated. Governors have learned and used this also.

Here's a synopsis of what he wrote:
Darroch recommended to British politicians and officials for staying on Trump’s winning side. Far more damaging to Trump than the standard trash-talking he receives every day, Darroch’s strategies portray the president as an emotionally frail child-man who can easily be manipulated. The method he suggests is to pay constant attention to Trump, dose him with flattery, and suck up to his friends and staff. Darroch, in the Mail on Sunday article, provides a road map for how journalists, politicians, diplomats and adversaries can manipulate Trump. Here’s a recap.

Flood the Zone.
Because Trump spends so much time in the Oval Office asking everybody for advice, the best way to sway Trump is to sway his familiars. “It's important to ‘flood the zone’: you want as many as possible of those who Trump consults to give him the same answer,” Darroch wrote. “So we need to be creative in using all the channels available to us through our relationships with his Cabinet, the White House staff, and our contacts among his outside friends.” Darroch bragged about having “cultivated” many of Trump's friends to influence him directly.

Be a Phone Buddy.
Trump’s fondness for telephone chat makes the shortest path to the Oval Office a quick call. Darroch instructed Prime Minister Theresa May to capitalize on Trump’s phone devotion by calling him more often. “In a perfect world, they would be speaking two or three times a month, if not more,” he wrote.

Stroke Him. Then Stroke Him Some More.
“You need to start praising him for something that he's done recently,” Darroch wrote. “You need whenever possible to present them as wins for him.”

Keep It Simple, Stupid.
In making points to the president, Darroch insisted, be “blunt,” as Trump doesn't do subtlety or ambiguity. This confirms what White House briefers have said about the president’s inability to concentrate on anything more complicated than a couple PowerPoint slides.

How to Criticize Trump.
Carefully! “Arguably, you get more respect from this President if you stand up to him occasionally—provided the public comments do not come as a surprise and are judicious, calm and avoid personalizing,” Darroch counseled.

When In Doubt, Toss Him a Glitzy Party.
The British slathered Trump with pomp and circumstance and paved his path with gold leaf during his three-day state visit in June. It started with a ceremonial welcome at B#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&gham Palace hosted by Queen Elizabeth. That was followed with a lunch with Prince Harry, a state banquet at the palace attended by royals, British politicians and executives, a breakfast with Prime Minister May and Prince Andrew, and a dinner with Prince Charles. And, he got to bring his entire family! Trump was “dazzled” by the visit, Darroch wrote, which was the Brits’ intent. “This was a wonderful visit, and U.K.-U.S. relations are now in the best state ever,” Trump told Darroch, who served as Trump’s glorified escort during the trip, as he departed.

Frasier: Niles, I’ve just had the most marvelous idea for a website! People will post their opinions, cheeky bon mots, and insights, and others will reply in kind!

Niles: You have met “people”, haven’t you?

Lets Go Darwin
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