Finebaum: "Jim Harbaugh is the Donald Trump of CFB"

Submitted by BTB grad on

I apologize for the link from the Worldwide Leader, but the lead SEC cheerleader Paul Finebaum had an interesting take on Harbaugh ruffling feathers with the SEC, comparing the reaction of SEC coaches to Harbaugh's actions to the reactions of GOP candidates to Donald Trump. Of course he found a way to throw in some love for his beloved SEC:

"The SEC is at the vanguard of college athletics . . . The rest of the country is supposed to be reacting to the SEC, not the other way around. What has Jim Harbaugh done?" 

Jim Harbaugh is the Donald Trump of #CFB

WATCH: https://t.co/HlTacRhw7V

— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) February 10, 2016
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SalvatoreQuattro

February 10th, 2016 at 6:49 PM ^

know absolutely about Hitler. Trump is Father Coughlin/George Wallace.

Hitler was an oratorical master  who understood that mass politics is theater.

Trumps is rich bigot who has chanced upon an segment of the American population angry and disenchanted enough to support a loudmouth mediocrity.

Joined: 11/30/2010

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4godkingandwol…

February 10th, 2016 at 7:54 PM ^

To me, the underlying issues which give candidates like Trump energy are very scary (and were prevalent in Pre-Hitler Germany).  Weak, ineffective government (regardless of who is to blame), corruption, a feeling of decline (perceived or real), etc... are real issues in the US that could lead to a strong man type leader.  

A good article on the topic: 

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/01/donald-trump-2016-author…

Great book on Nazi Germany:

http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Third-Reich-History/dp/1451651686/

I can't remember the exact numbers, but the Nazi party never won a majority vote before rising to power -- they only ever won like 40% of the popular vote. And that was after blocking key competitive parties from being able to run, terrorizing intellectuals, etc... Think about that for a moment.  All that destruction based on 2/5 of a terrorized voter population in one medium sized country...  

 

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SalvatoreQuattro

February 10th, 2016 at 8:09 PM ^

37% was the highest they polled before they took power. That's a pretty significant number in a country with more than two parties challenging for power.

He isn't anything like Hitler. I have read four biographies of Hitler, read Mein Kampf, a psychology study, and countless articles on the man. Donald Trump can't hold his jockstrap in terms of demagoguery. Few, if any, can. 

Hitler was a truly fightening person who was uniquely potent.

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Tuebor

February 10th, 2016 at 10:50 PM ^

That and you had von Pappen convincing von Hindenberg that Hitler could be controlled.  I don't how anybody in Germany could witness the tactics of the NSDAP and think thier leader could be contained.   The big problem is you had a tenuous coalition of the SDP and Centre Party (those who believed in democracy, centre left and centre right parties) keeping the anti-democracy parties (NSDAP and KPD) at bay.  After the July, 1932 elections and thereafter the nazis and communists could have formed a majority coalition government.  Obviously that wasn't an option as nazism and communism are mortal enemies.  But after that point the centrist coalition could never form a government and it was only a matter of time until one of the anti-democracy parties assumed absolute control.  At the end of the day Hitler was a much more charismatic leader than Ernst Thalmann.

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michgoblue

February 10th, 2016 at 6:50 PM ^

I know that the dislike of trump is fairly common on both sides of the political aisle, but let's avoid making comments that could lead to a political debate. One of my favorite things about this blog is that it is a nice escape from topics like politics.

Joined: 11/16/2009

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Dr. Venture

February 10th, 2016 at 6:43 PM ^

There's nothing wrong with competition. The SEC has cornered the market on the crazy and ridiculous when it comes to recruiting. Now that Harbaugh and others are pushing back trying to even the playing field everyone is losing it like this is sacrilegious conduct.

Joined: 10/05/2014

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UmichFord

February 10th, 2016 at 6:46 PM ^

Not denying that Finebaum is a huge SEC fanboy, but he at least isn't afraid to give teams from other conferences (often Harbaugh) credit from time to time 

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ChiBlueBoy

February 10th, 2016 at 7:05 PM ^

Finebaum's analysis is way off. JH has accomplished a lot. There weren't a bunch of SEC schools with equal or better classes. And JH isn't simply trying to get a reaction, he's playing the game and doing it better than anyone right now. Finebaum's basic point, though, that SEC coaches would be better served shutting up, is a good one.

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Joseph_P_Freshwater

February 10th, 2016 at 7:18 PM ^

Or hate him, The Donald is an amazing businessman and gets what he wants. Harbaugh is no different.

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