E. J. Dionne: No End to the Phony Populism

No End to the Phony Populism: "Many people turn away from politics because so many of the players evade difficult questions by attacking their critics and changing the subject. Phony populism is the technique of choice, and it is much favored by the current administration.

On the same day this week, Americans were offered two examples of the politics of aggression and evasion. In both instances, politicians sought to duck hard issues by inventing an elitist enemy. In both, they ascribed to their adversaries views their critics don't hold, and never did."