Slog in the mud

Mona Charen writes at National Review,

...This week’s new slog in the mud demonstrates one of Trump’s techniques to perfection — he flings filth at an opponent and then invites the docile press to conclude that “both sides” are engaged in unseemly brawling. (This is usually John Kasich’s moment to shake his head sadly and remind voters that, golly gee, he would never do such things.)

...The Trumps chose to advertise her body to provoke envy among other men. Trump is in a poor position to complain now that it is illegitimate when those very same pictures provoke dismay and doubts among potential voters (particularly women).

Further soiling himself, Trump then tweeted (or retweeted) an unattractive candid of Heidi Cruz in a split screen with glamor shot of his own wife — precisely the sort of fifth grade, low-rent “mine is better than yours” one-upsmanship that he mistakes for strength.

Heidi Cruz happens to be an attractive woman, but that’s beside the point. Trump is such a shallow, low human being that he cannot get beyond judging others on their appearance. Basic decent manners forbid commenting on others looks except in the mildest way. “What a lovely dress!” or “That color suits you.” Polite people remember to see others in full — as professionals, wives, mothers, sisters, volunteers, patients, teachers and so forth. Trump is obsessed with people’s looks. He has disdained countless formidable and impressive women for their looks (remember what he said about Carly Fiorina?)

But now we come to the crux: Trump has figured out that he can violate every rule of decency and integrity without paying much of a price, AND that he can pull others in confident in the knowledge that they will not be judged by the same lax standards. So the thrice married man who has boasted of his many affairs with married women, among others, apparently helped to leak a story about Ted Cruz sleeping around to the National Enquirer (owned by a Trump friend). Cue the press to present the question as he said/he said.

Read more here.