The post opened with a request that we leave our thoughts on how the Bulwark (and, let's be honest, all Americans) might do better. And there is one thing which I believe really needs to be done, and which the broad and well-connected group at the Bulwark is ideally placed to do:
Start a new truly conservative and liberal (liberal with a small l) party.
Let's face it, the Republican party as many of us knew it is gone. There are still plenty of normal citizens and elected representatives who would go back to Bush era policies and norms if they had the chance, but none seem willing to actually do anything to get us there. They're all just going along to get along. And that means there is no truly conservative party in the US right now, which means that whole swath of voters truly have no one they can in good faith vote for, for a number of reasons.
Now, I know the initial response from everyone will be that a third party ain't winning anything, but let's be clear, that is okay for now. In fact, being open about that can be a selling point. Say there is a hypothetical party, we'll call them the Constitutional Party, and they attract the old guard GOPers as the front line for politics, and they make explicitly clear that they are there so that truly, honestly conservative Americans have a party they can in good faith vote for. They can also make clear that they may not win, but by God, no veteran or patriot who has conservative values should have to choose between Trumpism and AOC style progressivism. With that backdrop, there is a reasonable chunk of conservatives who likely would vote for that party. And that chunk can dig into MAGA votes quickly. Especially so, if the new party really makes an effort to get its conservative bona-fides in place, to take shots equally often on the left for, you know, being the left, and on MAGA for being un-American pro-Russia useful idiots. By carving out a space for unflinching conservatives who owe fealty to no one but the people, no ideology but the constitution, there is room to be had for real gains. And those gains would likely make many secure R seats into far more contestable races. And the moment a previously secure seat becomes a tossup due to a new party with good backers, that new party becomes really viable.
The simple truth is that we deserve more than two parties, and with MAGA having killed conservatism in American, we deserve more than the one American party vs. one Russian party option set we now have. As a lifelong Republican, I voted for Harris, and I would vote for her every time in the contest we had. But by God, I would vote for a Kinzinger or McCain over Harris if I could. We need to bring that option back onto the table.
All right at the very beginning Andrew asked that we leave our comments about the Bulwark. I don’t remember when I found Charle’s podcast, but I was hooked. Probably about four or five years ago since then you have expanded exponentially and I’m here for all of it. when Charlie left and Tim took over I was a little skeptical, but he has proved to be an amazing podcaster. I guess I should’ve known since he’s a comms person. I love JBL and Sarah together and with Tim they are hysterical. My point about all this is that in this dark time when you guys are telling us how it is, I also need humor and you provide that Sam Stein has the the best laugh ever and now Will Sommer seems to have a great laugh also.
As a boomer, Bill Kristol is my idol. As a lifelong Democrat, I still am coming to terms with that, but I have not disagreed with a word he’s said in the last five years. What could that mean? I came to my senses.
Last but not least. I know Tim was pushing for YouTube presence long before you did it, but that was brilliant. That is how I end my day watching one of your shorts and watching the physical interaction among you guys instead of just listening is the best I hope if you come to the New York area again you bring Tim and Sam to interact because that is priceless.
Not sure where I was supposed to leave this information and I hope it encourages you to keep going. I talk about the ball work everywhere and with whatever money I have left in the stock market I will continue to support you.
I take it that Vought is one of those hyper-evangelicals to whom the real Jesus would say "Get a life!" And "What part of 'no false gods' do you not understand?"
I greatly appreciate the Bulwarks reporting, along with the ingenuous humor it accompanies. I have been frustrated however, that I have not heard much on the Podcast about Curtis Yarvin- Peter Thiel and JDVance relationship with the Dark Enlightenment, Neoreactionary right movement, and accelerationism. I think it’s time to step beyond analyzing only the myriad of illusions that the White House constantly hurtles down the news feed. And instead, looking underneath the tip of iceberg to determine exactly how lethal and widespread the Despot Iceberg actually is- slowly emerging into full view. They are distracting even the most distinguished political analysts with the non-stop chaotic nonsense of appealing news and right-wing rhetoric.
But it’s time to face the Despot Iceberg for what it is- a coup attempt by the richest men in the world, to create a technocratic feudalism society infused with the dangerous under currents of NeoNazis, evangelical christians, and an imperialist Mad King who most likely is a Russian KGB.
I hope the Bulwark continues on with their great in-depth political reporting but maybe stop taking ALL of the bait for your valuable airtime. The clock is ticking. Please spend some more time broadcasting on how we can organize, and fight against this dark enlightenment movement. Also, how to protect ourselves financially, legally, and physically before we wake up in the Handmaidens Tale. 🥺
Should we just create our own government?
Surely we have the competent officials available to lead departments, now that all the best have been fired…. 🤔 A government built w a backbone of integrity, equality, and justice for all.
Yes This CR has a poison pill feature that gives the President full discretion on what to actually spend the budgeted money on. The CR is essentially a slush fund for Trump to use as he pleases.
This happens to be a violation of the Constitution’s Spending clause!!
It’d be great to hear Tim or Sarah interview Robert Sapolsky. He’s professor of more or less everything at Stanford. His most recent book is, “Determined”. Professor Sapolsky has a view on determinism (and many other matters). He’d generate some engagement, I can assure you!
Good luck with everything over there. Nil desperandum.
Geez, Bill, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your attempts at comedic writing (where you "imagine" a conversation between members of the MAGA world) don't work. Simply put, you are not funny.
I greatly appreciate the information and perspective I get from the Bulwark. How about checking out this Congressman as a model of good communication by a Democrat, since we're all bemoaning the Dems overall paucity of good communication skills: Rep. Pocan (D-WI) at his Town Hall https://youtu.be/IhcHZMlpVuQ?si=wdo1bl87jX4IcpSJ
And now we know the answer: capitulation. Senate Democrats cave again. Schumer made a grave error yesterday when he went all in on resisting the CR. The grassroots, of whom I am one, feel betrayed and are furious. Schumer needs to step down as leader stat.
P.S. Right now, Bernie is saying that the country is against what's going and they will take to the streets to stop it if POS takes full power. I'm afraid I don't have his faith in the people. Hell, they didn't bother voting when Biden and others were warning against POS.
Okay, I changed my mind. Schumer convinced me. I forgot a central point about shutdowns, partly because it seemed to be a kind of a joke to me as an employee. A couple of times, I was considered essential, the rest I wasn't. But I KNEW that it was a joke, and that I'd get paid in the end with a job. What I forgot is the fact that the guy in that big White House was in charge. And HE controls what's essential and what isn't. Given that the chainsaw fool is already cutting whatever he wants, POS could just decide that NO ONE is essential except for the POS lackeys. The courts would have no control over whatever happens. During that time, he could also declare martial law or follow the Alien Sedition laws. And no one could stop him. We would essentially be doing what happened after Hindenburg died after appointing Hitler as chancellor. When Hitler became the president as well, country was doomed.
I have one more thought as I wrap up another awesome podcast — could you break out some of these wonderful blurbs into shorter videos to share? The interview with Gen. Hertling has many of those moments that deserve wider attention, even if it is just the one about moral courage at the end. So valuable that need to be spread far and wide.
Finally, I need a Spotify playlist of the songs at the end.
Bill, you're made up conversations and thoughts from trumps head are the worst, not sure if you wanted to be a playwright growing up but good decision choosing a different direction....
Thank you for this photo of Rubio's very small red carpet, lying in little frozen puddles on the tarmac. At the foot of a short set of stairs deployed from the belly of the plane. The de minimis group of greeters also conveyed little of the awesomeness that normally marks the diplomat's arrival. What have we we done with the pomp and circumstance of yore? Oh, right. It's a whole new era. That's for sure. But thank you again for this photo. I did need a laugh today.
The post opened with a request that we leave our thoughts on how the Bulwark (and, let's be honest, all Americans) might do better. And there is one thing which I believe really needs to be done, and which the broad and well-connected group at the Bulwark is ideally placed to do:
Start a new truly conservative and liberal (liberal with a small l) party.
Let's face it, the Republican party as many of us knew it is gone. There are still plenty of normal citizens and elected representatives who would go back to Bush era policies and norms if they had the chance, but none seem willing to actually do anything to get us there. They're all just going along to get along. And that means there is no truly conservative party in the US right now, which means that whole swath of voters truly have no one they can in good faith vote for, for a number of reasons.
Now, I know the initial response from everyone will be that a third party ain't winning anything, but let's be clear, that is okay for now. In fact, being open about that can be a selling point. Say there is a hypothetical party, we'll call them the Constitutional Party, and they attract the old guard GOPers as the front line for politics, and they make explicitly clear that they are there so that truly, honestly conservative Americans have a party they can in good faith vote for. They can also make clear that they may not win, but by God, no veteran or patriot who has conservative values should have to choose between Trumpism and AOC style progressivism. With that backdrop, there is a reasonable chunk of conservatives who likely would vote for that party. And that chunk can dig into MAGA votes quickly. Especially so, if the new party really makes an effort to get its conservative bona-fides in place, to take shots equally often on the left for, you know, being the left, and on MAGA for being un-American pro-Russia useful idiots. By carving out a space for unflinching conservatives who owe fealty to no one but the people, no ideology but the constitution, there is room to be had for real gains. And those gains would likely make many secure R seats into far more contestable races. And the moment a previously secure seat becomes a tossup due to a new party with good backers, that new party becomes really viable.
The simple truth is that we deserve more than two parties, and with MAGA having killed conservatism in American, we deserve more than the one American party vs. one Russian party option set we now have. As a lifelong Republican, I voted for Harris, and I would vote for her every time in the contest we had. But by God, I would vote for a Kinzinger or McCain over Harris if I could. We need to bring that option back onto the table.
All right at the very beginning Andrew asked that we leave our comments about the Bulwark. I don’t remember when I found Charle’s podcast, but I was hooked. Probably about four or five years ago since then you have expanded exponentially and I’m here for all of it. when Charlie left and Tim took over I was a little skeptical, but he has proved to be an amazing podcaster. I guess I should’ve known since he’s a comms person. I love JBL and Sarah together and with Tim they are hysterical. My point about all this is that in this dark time when you guys are telling us how it is, I also need humor and you provide that Sam Stein has the the best laugh ever and now Will Sommer seems to have a great laugh also.
As a boomer, Bill Kristol is my idol. As a lifelong Democrat, I still am coming to terms with that, but I have not disagreed with a word he’s said in the last five years. What could that mean? I came to my senses.
Last but not least. I know Tim was pushing for YouTube presence long before you did it, but that was brilliant. That is how I end my day watching one of your shorts and watching the physical interaction among you guys instead of just listening is the best I hope if you come to the New York area again you bring Tim and Sam to interact because that is priceless.
Not sure where I was supposed to leave this information and I hope it encourages you to keep going. I talk about the ball work everywhere and with whatever money I have left in the stock market I will continue to support you.
Thanks for all you do.
Miss this on the 13th, but I love the dream. As usual, you guys are not just smart. You’re funny. thank you for keeping my head on straight.
"Jesus!—Oh, sorry, no offense Russ"
I take it that Vought is one of those hyper-evangelicals to whom the real Jesus would say "Get a life!" And "What part of 'no false gods' do you not understand?"
I greatly appreciate the Bulwarks reporting, along with the ingenuous humor it accompanies. I have been frustrated however, that I have not heard much on the Podcast about Curtis Yarvin- Peter Thiel and JDVance relationship with the Dark Enlightenment, Neoreactionary right movement, and accelerationism. I think it’s time to step beyond analyzing only the myriad of illusions that the White House constantly hurtles down the news feed. And instead, looking underneath the tip of iceberg to determine exactly how lethal and widespread the Despot Iceberg actually is- slowly emerging into full view. They are distracting even the most distinguished political analysts with the non-stop chaotic nonsense of appealing news and right-wing rhetoric.
But it’s time to face the Despot Iceberg for what it is- a coup attempt by the richest men in the world, to create a technocratic feudalism society infused with the dangerous under currents of NeoNazis, evangelical christians, and an imperialist Mad King who most likely is a Russian KGB.
I hope the Bulwark continues on with their great in-depth political reporting but maybe stop taking ALL of the bait for your valuable airtime. The clock is ticking. Please spend some more time broadcasting on how we can organize, and fight against this dark enlightenment movement. Also, how to protect ourselves financially, legally, and physically before we wake up in the Handmaidens Tale. 🥺
Should we just create our own government?
Surely we have the competent officials available to lead departments, now that all the best have been fired…. 🤔 A government built w a backbone of integrity, equality, and justice for all.
Yes This CR has a poison pill feature that gives the President full discretion on what to actually spend the budgeted money on. The CR is essentially a slush fund for Trump to use as he pleases.
This happens to be a violation of the Constitution’s Spending clause!!
https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/250308_johnsons_yearlong_crpdf.pdf
https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C1-2-1/ALDE_00013356/
It’d be great to hear Tim or Sarah interview Robert Sapolsky. He’s professor of more or less everything at Stanford. His most recent book is, “Determined”. Professor Sapolsky has a view on determinism (and many other matters). He’d generate some engagement, I can assure you!
Good luck with everything over there. Nil desperandum.
Geez, Bill, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your attempts at comedic writing (where you "imagine" a conversation between members of the MAGA world) don't work. Simply put, you are not funny.
People have different senses of humor , I thought it was hysterical, especially the Susie Wiles bits about Russ
It was hilarious! I came on here to comment to Bill that I didn't realize he could be so funny. Keep it up Bill.
I disagree. I thought it was hysterical, especially Susie's dismissiveness of Russ.
I greatly appreciate the information and perspective I get from the Bulwark. How about checking out this Congressman as a model of good communication by a Democrat, since we're all bemoaning the Dems overall paucity of good communication skills: Rep. Pocan (D-WI) at his Town Hall https://youtu.be/IhcHZMlpVuQ?si=wdo1bl87jX4IcpSJ
And now we know the answer: capitulation. Senate Democrats cave again. Schumer made a grave error yesterday when he went all in on resisting the CR. The grassroots, of whom I am one, feel betrayed and are furious. Schumer needs to step down as leader stat.
P.S. Right now, Bernie is saying that the country is against what's going and they will take to the streets to stop it if POS takes full power. I'm afraid I don't have his faith in the people. Hell, they didn't bother voting when Biden and others were warning against POS.
Okay, I changed my mind. Schumer convinced me. I forgot a central point about shutdowns, partly because it seemed to be a kind of a joke to me as an employee. A couple of times, I was considered essential, the rest I wasn't. But I KNEW that it was a joke, and that I'd get paid in the end with a job. What I forgot is the fact that the guy in that big White House was in charge. And HE controls what's essential and what isn't. Given that the chainsaw fool is already cutting whatever he wants, POS could just decide that NO ONE is essential except for the POS lackeys. The courts would have no control over whatever happens. During that time, he could also declare martial law or follow the Alien Sedition laws. And no one could stop him. We would essentially be doing what happened after Hindenburg died after appointing Hitler as chancellor. When Hitler became the president as well, country was doomed.
I have one more thought as I wrap up another awesome podcast — could you break out some of these wonderful blurbs into shorter videos to share? The interview with Gen. Hertling has many of those moments that deserve wider attention, even if it is just the one about moral courage at the end. So valuable that need to be spread far and wide.
Finally, I need a Spotify playlist of the songs at the end.
Breaking news from the NYT: Schumer sides with GOP Senators to avoid shutdown. He’s worse than useless. 😡
No, he's not. Read my comment. There's something we've all forgotten about shutdowns.
Bill, you're made up conversations and thoughts from trumps head are the worst, not sure if you wanted to be a playwright growing up but good decision choosing a different direction....
Different humor senses and all that, I love them
I totally disagree. They are quite enjoyable and I like the literary allusions.
Thank you for this photo of Rubio's very small red carpet, lying in little frozen puddles on the tarmac. At the foot of a short set of stairs deployed from the belly of the plane. The de minimis group of greeters also conveyed little of the awesomeness that normally marks the diplomat's arrival. What have we we done with the pomp and circumstance of yore? Oh, right. It's a whole new era. That's for sure. But thank you again for this photo. I did need a laugh today.