19 Comments
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Geri Benedetto's avatar

Great show, JVL! Thank you for the important great work and content you consistently provide!

Grateful for The Bulwark+!!

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Desi's avatar

The Capitol police not only protected Congress and saved democracy from being overturned, they saved Trump from being disqualified. He was in the White House tweeting “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage…”, doing his projecting, employing his I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I tactic , accusing Pence of his own lack of courage, of not doing his duty to protect the Constitution as his mob hunted Pence for execution. This projection is something he apparently learned from the KGB. Luckily for Trump, the Capitol police and secret service got the VP and others to safety, protecting them from Trump’s ire, so he could survive politically and be their nominee again.

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James Moseley's avatar

Prediction: Charlie will host a longform interview (political/academic/experty-type guests) podcast once a week at the Bullwark. How wrong am I?

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L Howard's avatar

I wish!

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Bruce Lawrence's avatar

At this point, it sounds like Charlie himself doesn't know what he will do next. So, anything is possible!

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Rajeev's avatar

I didn’t realize Amanda was traded. I would hope the Bulwark got at least a 1st round pick given here immense value and contributions over the past years.

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Lisa Still's avatar

Thank you Amanda! I have been “hair on fire” concerned about what is going on at the Texas border since I learned what Governor Abbot is up to. That 25 red state governors are supporting this insanity just keeps my hair burning. I am ABSOLUTELY baffled that this has not garnered more attention!

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E2's avatar

If Haley endorses Trump after criticizing him, the message she sends is: none of those criticisms really matter. You can disregard them now from her, and from anyone else.

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Bruce Lawrence's avatar

Haley is damaging Trump by exposing his weaknesses - not with her words to the voters, but with Trump's own reaction to her trolling. Even in the increasingly unlikely event that Haley endorses Trump, swing voters will not forget the whiny, confused, beta Trump who emerged in response to Haley.

Furthermore, every day that Haley remains in the race is a day that Trump has to spend campaign funds to beat her. And, since his super-PAC and the RNC are spending most of their money on Trump's legal expenses, he doesn't have extra funds to spend in the primary. Biden and Haley are both outdoing Trump in fundraising, and most of Trump's money is going to legal expenses. In the general election, Biden will be able to monopolize the airwaves, thanks in part to Nikki.

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Leros's avatar

She will undoubtedly endorse Trump and you are absolutely correct. As I think Sarah has observed, Nikki's endorsement of Trump provides a permission structure for all of these "I prefer Nikki over Trump but . . . ." voters. Some of them are lapsed MAGA so it doesn't matter, but it will matter for MAGA-leaning Independents in swing states who might otherwise hold their nose and vote Biden.

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Bruce Lawrence's avatar

"Undoubtedly"?

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Leros's avatar

10 bucks says she does.

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Elizabeth McIlvaine's avatar

Why is everyone so sure that the Supreme Court won’t enforce section 3 of the 14’th Amendment? The Court sees what is going on in Texas. Most of them do not appear to be MAGA. Surely they realize the provision was enacted to prevent the threat that Trump poses to the Constitution. Will they have the courage to enforce the Constitution at the risk to their personal safety? Maybe, when the alternative is a risk that the Republic ends.

Thank you for having Amanda back. I love hearing what she thinks. While I completely understand why Charlie is stepping back, I am devastated.

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jcjnyc's avatar

Pass the hopium, man!

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Various internet opportunities's avatar

All Nikki has really done is shown you the percentage of republicans that might be getable. That is a good thing. A helpful thing. But that is all she has done.

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Adam Johnson's avatar

Would have been helpful to hear how Protect Democracy is funded.

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Feb 2, 2024
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L Howard's avatar

What other president (such as Biden) has had to deal with a former president who is constantly undermining his policies from the sidelines (such as Trump). That will continue until Trump is dead. I keep asking when this nightmare will end?

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E2's avatar

As long as Trump remains in politics, he is a pernicious influence, *at best* delaying our recovery.

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L Howard's avatar

Agreed. He is poison for our country.

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