I realize our Conservative friends find it the ultimate in political correctness when we point out parallels between Trump and Hitler, modern Conservatism and National Socialism, and Trump’s America with the early 1930s in Germany. They are so offended, so self-righteously insulted. Tough shit.

The rhetoric, the bigotry, the propaganda, the militarism and jingoism, I could go on. But Woodward’s new book, which only corroborates what we’ve already surmised from so many others, like Manigault and Wolfe, only adds legitimacy to what we’ve already suspected. No longer can the Trump gang blame axe-to-grind outsiders or disgruntled former employees for what is obvious to everyone not on the payroll or counting on a tax cut or a job in the coal industry. Woodward’s reputation for truth and insight is intact, while the Trump record is in ruins.

But the true believers will not be dissuaded by any evidence. What I’m really curious about is why, and how. How are the initial successes of the Hitlers and Trumps possible? These men are crazy, they are impulsive and supremely self-confident as only the truly crazy can be, and the early resistance to them is always taken aback. Simply no one can imagine such a reckless and desperate attack is possible by a rational actor, so they are never ready for it. But eventually, you can only bluff so much and so far, and sooner or later the blitzkrieg is over-extended and runs out of steam.

I think Trump has just experienced his Stalingrad.