This week on Bulwark on Sunday, Bill Kristol talks with Michael Wood about his military service and the meaning of Memorial day, Texas politics, his 2021 run as a Never-Trump Republican, and whether he’ll switch parties and challenge Ken Paxton as a Democrat in the next Senate race.
Simply one of the best Bulwark pods I've listened to. Many thanks to Bill for having Michael Wood on. I was so impressed with Michael and so grateful that in these horrible times, there is someone like him out there who exemplifies what a decent, intelligent and brave person looks/sounds like. If he decides to take the stomach-turning plunge and run as a Dem against that corrupt POS Paxton in the 26 Texas Senate race...as pathetic as it might sound, I will have my checkbook out.
Just rare to see someone like Michael who you immediately recognize as a noticeable force for good in our country.
Mr. Wood, please run for office against Paxton. I do believe that there are reasonable, middle-of-the-road people who could serve our country well in political office. Michael Wood seems like a good example. I don't live in Texas, but I'd contribute to his campaign and spread the word.
That was a fascinating show. Bill & Michael I thank you for your insights and commentary. I have to tell you that when Mr Wood was telling his story at the beginning I was weeping. Here I am a grown man twice his age and was so happy to see an authentic, good human being . On Jan. 6th, you are correct. We had a chance for a great cleansing that would have shown the world what a truly great nation we were. We could have shown the world that we correct our mistakes. The failure of our elected officials will be a stain that may never be erased. What can we do about it? Keep fighting. Keep telling the truth. And maybe more people will take off the goggles.
Would Michael Wood be interested in lobbying for a voting system that would 1) enable Democrats who appeal to voters who dislike generic Democrats to be viable in the general election even if they do not excite the party base and 2) counts Democratic voters' preferences among the Republicans so that if the Republican Party wins the election, it would not mean that the craziest Republican will get elected?
That was very interesting! I did not know of Michael Wood, and was very impressed by his history and demeanor. I will be watching, hopefully to see him take on Paxton. If the Democrats are to have any hope in TX, it is with candidates like him.
Thank you for this interview. As someone who was raised in south Texas and whose brother and sister along with their spouses and adult children still live there, I can tell you they have certainly been infected by the notion that Trump is a great businessman, a great negotiator, and is finally doing something about illegal immigration.
We can no longer talk to each other about politics so I'm not sure how they feel about the current economic and foreign policy situations but I can confidently say that they are more likely to blame Biden than Trump for the economy, that ICE is acting legally, and isolationism is the only course that makes sense for America.
My Navy Vet cousin says the same stuff. It’s like a brain disease. Maybe it’s a brain worm, and they’ve all got it. What amazes me is that, unlike Michael Wood, my cousin never saw combat, and was never deployed anywhere more dangerous than Hawaii. Wood, otoh, served two tours in Afghanistan and has two Purple Hearts to show for it. Yet Wood sees the truth more clearly than my cousin does. I just can’t comprehend the disconnect.
Come to think of it, JD Vance never saw combat either, although he did go to Iraq, but he just wrote press releases in an office building. Yet he comes back all bitter and hateful, while Wood wants to make the world a better place. Strange times indeed.
"...JD Vance never saw combat either, although he did go to Iraq, but he just wrote press releases in an office building. Yet he comes back all bitter and hateful, while Wood wants to make the world a better place"*
I cannot say anything to make the distinction clearer about the types of people that might face off against each other in the upcoming four years than what you said here Ann.
*Michal tried to downplay the severity of the wounds he received but you could see the emotions coursing through him as he talked about that and the wounds/deaths his Marines endured.
I am ashamed to admit that I had never heard of Michael Wood. I am a Texan and before this, considered myself politically aware and savvy. This man is what we need in Texas and in this country. I hope he decides to run, but wouldn't be surprised if he didn't as politics in Texas is formidable. The Democratic party needs lift up people like Michael Wood. This is who the party needs. Thanks to The Bulwark and Bill Kristol for showcasing Michael Wood.
Paxton is a nasty crook. Trump gave the guy oxygen and brought forth the role model of starting grievance fires to distract from his corruption. It’s a lot to ask of Mr. Wood to run against the MAGA hate machine, on the other hand he embodies the America I strive for and our best bet to win!
Simply one of the best Bulwark pods I've listened to. Many thanks to Bill for having Michael Wood on. I was so impressed with Michael and so grateful that in these horrible times, there is someone like him out there who exemplifies what a decent, intelligent and brave person looks/sounds like. If he decides to take the stomach-turning plunge and run as a Dem against that corrupt POS Paxton in the 26 Texas Senate race...as pathetic as it might sound, I will have my checkbook out.
Just rare to see someone like Michael who you immediately recognize as a noticeable force for good in our country.
Mr. Wood, please run for office against Paxton. I do believe that there are reasonable, middle-of-the-road people who could serve our country well in political office. Michael Wood seems like a good example. I don't live in Texas, but I'd contribute to his campaign and spread the word.
I like that young man. And if he could stop Paxton, I'd call him a hero.
Banger videos over the past three days. Y'all are what I remember Americans being, sigh.
It isn't even Birchers, Trump is a criminal dictator in it for the money. How do upright, intelligent conservatives support that?
That was a fascinating show. Bill & Michael I thank you for your insights and commentary. I have to tell you that when Mr Wood was telling his story at the beginning I was weeping. Here I am a grown man twice his age and was so happy to see an authentic, good human being . On Jan. 6th, you are correct. We had a chance for a great cleansing that would have shown the world what a truly great nation we were. We could have shown the world that we correct our mistakes. The failure of our elected officials will be a stain that may never be erased. What can we do about it? Keep fighting. Keep telling the truth. And maybe more people will take off the goggles.
Would Michael Wood be interested in lobbying for a voting system that would 1) enable Democrats who appeal to voters who dislike generic Democrats to be viable in the general election even if they do not excite the party base and 2) counts Democratic voters' preferences among the Republicans so that if the Republican Party wins the election, it would not mean that the craziest Republican will get elected?
That was the best Sunday show I’ve heard in years.
If Michael Wood runs, I'll donate to him! I'd vote for him, too, but I'd have to move to Texas from Oregon.
That was very interesting! I did not know of Michael Wood, and was very impressed by his history and demeanor. I will be watching, hopefully to see him take on Paxton. If the Democrats are to have any hope in TX, it is with candidates like him.
I agree! He's well spoken and seems to have a solid understanding of what the Dems need to do to win in Texas. I think he'd make an awesome Senator.
Michael Wood is a clear-eyed, intelligent truth-teller. More power to him!
Listening to this conversation gave me great hope on this gloomy day in North Carolina.
Thank you to Michael Wood for fighting for us, and for sharing his very moving story.
Thank you for this interview. As someone who was raised in south Texas and whose brother and sister along with their spouses and adult children still live there, I can tell you they have certainly been infected by the notion that Trump is a great businessman, a great negotiator, and is finally doing something about illegal immigration.
We can no longer talk to each other about politics so I'm not sure how they feel about the current economic and foreign policy situations but I can confidently say that they are more likely to blame Biden than Trump for the economy, that ICE is acting legally, and isolationism is the only course that makes sense for America.
My Navy Vet cousin says the same stuff. It’s like a brain disease. Maybe it’s a brain worm, and they’ve all got it. What amazes me is that, unlike Michael Wood, my cousin never saw combat, and was never deployed anywhere more dangerous than Hawaii. Wood, otoh, served two tours in Afghanistan and has two Purple Hearts to show for it. Yet Wood sees the truth more clearly than my cousin does. I just can’t comprehend the disconnect.
Come to think of it, JD Vance never saw combat either, although he did go to Iraq, but he just wrote press releases in an office building. Yet he comes back all bitter and hateful, while Wood wants to make the world a better place. Strange times indeed.
"...JD Vance never saw combat either, although he did go to Iraq, but he just wrote press releases in an office building. Yet he comes back all bitter and hateful, while Wood wants to make the world a better place"*
I cannot say anything to make the distinction clearer about the types of people that might face off against each other in the upcoming four years than what you said here Ann.
*Michal tried to downplay the severity of the wounds he received but you could see the emotions coursing through him as he talked about that and the wounds/deaths his Marines endured.
Infected is the right word.
I am ashamed to admit that I had never heard of Michael Wood. I am a Texan and before this, considered myself politically aware and savvy. This man is what we need in Texas and in this country. I hope he decides to run, but wouldn't be surprised if he didn't as politics in Texas is formidable. The Democratic party needs lift up people like Michael Wood. This is who the party needs. Thanks to The Bulwark and Bill Kristol for showcasing Michael Wood.
Paxton is a nasty crook. Trump gave the guy oxygen and brought forth the role model of starting grievance fires to distract from his corruption. It’s a lot to ask of Mr. Wood to run against the MAGA hate machine, on the other hand he embodies the America I strive for and our best bet to win!