A thought about Trump

His rage is real but disassociated:

@ThePlumLineGS He will say anything that works and taps followers' anger. But vicious response to those who insult/cross him bespeak rage.

— xpostfactoid (@xpostfactoid1) January 15, 2016

@xpostfactoid1 interesting, thanks

— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) January 15, 2016

Two caveats. First, over the years Trump has doubtless learned that all-out aggression against anyone who gets in his way or challenges his self-love "works" -- so it's hard to separate calculation from the emotion behind the strike-back reflex. Second, Trump's vicarious rage against the (wrongly) alleged Central Park rapists and prospective Indian casino builders may have had an emotional component -- the rage reflex easily attaches itself to prejudice. But as for his political targets, it's obvious that he'll take up any attack that gets a rouse out of his follows