From a strategic perspective, anti-anti-Trumpism has no victories to its name. Trump has thus far been beaten only when social conservatives have been energized to reject him. There is no reason to think that friendly dialogue can cut through this moment of madness.

Psychologically, though, anti-anti Trumpism is easy to understand. Rejection hurts, and when it happens at such a critical moment, it’s intuitive to respond with the despairing plea, “Come back and I’ll change!” Most of us have no trouble feeling sympathy for the frustrations of people who have struggled, not only to find jobs, but also to open a social space in which they can be viewed as respected, contributing citizens. We share a growing unease over the increased fragmentation of America. It feels good, then, to stand in solidarity with ordinary Americans, decrying the grasping indifference of a cosseted elite.

These impulses are understandable, but we should deny ourselves that indulgence of wallowing. Conservatives can easily appreciate that Trump’s proposed policies (insofar as he offers any) will not address the real grievances of his admirers. We can see the swirling nativism that underscores Trump’s rhetoric and animates many of his supporters. As a man, Trump is a disgrace to our national politics. We damage our credibility when we try to cast Trumpism as righteous, or possessed of deep insight.

But the impulse to do this is clearly strong, and not limited to Trump’s overt supporters. David Frum and Charles Murray, for instance, have both written affirming (and widely circulated) explanations of the origins of Trumpism, focusing on the snobbery of the “creative class,” and on its disdain for working-class America. Both make some fair points, but notably soft-pedal the internal problems in the demographic they champion. Like most struggling Americans, working-class whites would be in better shape if they got and stayed married, avoided addiction, and more assiduously sought opportunities to reskill and change professions. White-collar workers are better off in no small part due to healthier life habits. It’s worth pointing this out, not so we can heap scorn on the Trumpites, but so we can ask ourselves: Would we be willing to gloss over those thorny details as a courtesy to Democratic-voting groups? If not, then why are we doing it now?