OPINION:
It is obvious that Donald Trump has rattled the Republican political establishment (“Donald Trump endorsers derided as ’sellouts,’ ’traitors’ and worse — by fellow Republicans,” Web, March 3). He has demonstrated that the new presidential era will not be one of business as usual. His public appeal has not only been overwhelming but has obviously shocked many politicians to the point that they are now traumatized to think that he could potentially become the Republican nominee. They are quaking in their boots.
It has become clear that there are Republican politicians who are notably threatened by Mr. Trump’s popularity, his expedient and successful voter outcomes, and his blunt approach. Their reactive uproar coupled with their attempts to subtly or overtly destroy him serve as reminders of the “queen bee syndrome” wherein a successful individual with many achievements and strong ambition in the workplace poses a threat to other workers who are jealous and feel threatened by the individual’s confidence and performance. Those workers do all they can to take down the individual.
Mitt Romney’s scathing attack and lash-out speech against Mr. Trump was an obvious attempt to employ queen-bee-like tactics. His interjection on the political scene at this point in time points to him serving as a puppet who can be manipulated by detractors behind the scenes. Instead of keeping himself out of the political fray, Mr. Romney jumped in like a low-level street fighter, demeaning himself and disgracing public service.
For those Republicans who are jumping on the bandwagon to denigrate Mr. Trump and teaming up to destroy him, they need to know their behavior is not only despicable but emboldens Mr. Trump and his supporters. Instead of acting like mature politicians and letting the democratic political process run its course, they have degraded themselves and fueled further disgust with the politicians in Washington.
KAREN L. BUNE
Arlington
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