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Trump’s Megyn Kelly Insults Will Drag Down the GOP With Women

By U.S. News & World Report

Donald Trump, meet Todd Akin.

Oh, you don’t have to actually meet him — just read something about the impact Akin had on the 2012 campaign, when Republicans lost a Senate seat against a weak Democratic incumbent, failed to capitalize on what was a good chance at taking back the Senate, and tainted their entire Republican presidential field. But Trump is shaping up as the Akin of the 2016 campaign. And this time, the collateral damage involves not just female voters, but Latinos as well.

Akin famously, in 2012, went on a radio show and said abortion really wasn’t an issue for rape victims, since in cases of “legitimate rape,” the female body has a way to “shut that whole thing down.” He did not apologize or even explain why someone who was a member of the House science committee would have such a flawed understanding of biology and just how babies get made. And it was a turning point for not just Akin (who was roundly defeated by Sen. Claire McCaskill, largely because of a massive female backlash that gave McCaskill 58 percent of the women’s vote, compared to 36 percent for Akin), but for the GOP as a whole. So worried were GOP leaders and presidential contenders about offending the part of the base that hates abortion, they failed to slam a women-hating comment.

[SEE: Editorial Cartoons on Donald Trump]

So now we have Trump, who not only insulted Mexicans (then declared he would win the Latino vote, if he’s the nominee), but has managed to dig himself in deeper and deeper into a political hole with his remarks about women. In last week’s debate, Trump gave a weak answer to Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly’s question about how he planned to get female voter support despite having referred to women as “fat pigs,” “dogs” and the like, saying he was not in favor of “political correctness.” But he didn’t stop there — he went after Kelly personally, tweeting after the debate that she had “bombed” and was asking unfair and unprofessional questions.

And as bad as that was, Trump crossed a line even the most deranged and delusional person cannot imagine anyone doing in a campaign to be leader of the free world. He went on international cable TV, and said Kelly had “blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.”

If candidates need to be told not to talk about rape (unless it involves investigating campus acquaintance rape and punishing such violent criminals), it is still remarkable that they need to be told not to talk about menstruation. For one thing, if you don’t experience it, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. And second, suggesting a woman could only be asking you tough questions because she is hormonal really is a bipartisan insult to a group that is not only slightly more than half the population, but an even greater majority of voters.

[SEE: Editorial Cartoons on the 2016 Presidential Elections]

Even the subtler anti-female put-downs are dangerous: “Hysterical.” “Unstable.” “Emotional.” All are words used to describe women who won’t do what men want them to do, or who challenge a decision or statement a man has made. (Notably, men who go on Trump-esque tirades are not called “hormonal,” though that would be a better excuse than just being an ill-mannered, immature jerk.) But coming right out and making a junior high school-like remark about having her period? That doesn’t just cross a line — the line is so far in the back distance it’s like a reverse horizon.

And if the damage were only to Trump, well, then, other Republicans could simply sit and wait for him to flame out, and then get on with a more dignified, issues-oriented campaign. But Republicans are still leery of losing, in advance, the Trump votes they hope to pick up after he inevitably crashes and burns . Every day they allow Trump to make such offensive comments is another day the GOP brand is damaged among women. You can be against abortion (some women are, too), you can even be against Planned Parenthood or subsidized child care. But you cannot personally insult people and expect them to vote for you. As the Washington Post quoted Sen. Lindsey Graham, who embodies Southern gentlemanly manners, “I think we’ve crossed that Rubicon where his behavior becomes about us, not just him.”

This isn’t about “political correctness.” It’s about political suicide. And Trump is committing it in painful slow-motion. The only question is how many fellow Republicans he’ll bring down with him.

More from U.S. News

Editorial Cartoons on Donald Trump

Editorial Cartoons on the 2016 Presidential Elections

Political Cartoons on the Republican Party

Trump’s Megyn Kelly Insults Will Drag Down the GOP With Women originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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