Admittedly listening to Christie take Trump to task last night was part ear candy and part Schadenfreude, not to mention a welcome speaking of truth when it is in order. But I also came to see that glass as half-empty when he stated that Joe Biden and his policies represent just as much of an existential threat to America as Donald Trump. At once Christie became part of the problem no less than part of the solution. From where I sit you simply can't put public policy differences with an opponent on the same level as actual insurrection and lawlessness, in service to the personal interests of one narcissistic individual who would destroy the nation -- even the world -- just to get what is good for him.
If Christie cannot see that and is too hyperpartisan to reach across the aisle in such a grave circumstance, he does not belong on the stage to begin with. We continue to wait for a consistent voice of reason on the political right.
I agree! Christie showed courage and responsibility when the hurricane hit NJ and he worked with Obama in the face of GOP ugliness. But it never lasts very long and isn't very deep, if it can even be called responsible or honest.
This is the HUGE GOP ELEPHANT: Republicans simply have no core, no core values, nothing to rely on when the wind blows hither and yon (so they blow with it). They have no center except self-centeredness. These people should never be anywhere near seats of authority!
Christie knows the stuff he says about Biden isn’t remotely true. But he also knows that he has to say that in order to have any credibility with those yokels.
Christie lost me after 15-20 minutes. Yes, he bashed the orange one over docs handling but the rest could've come out of the mouth of meatball, Haley, Scott, et. al.
Joe Biden spends too much, he's the greatest threat to our country, Democrats are evil.
What really dismayed me was the underlying mean-spiritedness of the audience's question, Granted, I only heard 2. The woman asking why are we giving Ukraine money when so many are suffering here? (although she didn't look like she was suffering).
The young man in glasses who asked Christie whether he was conservative enough, would he compromise? Which leads me to believe the whole republican stance is no compromise at all, force Americans to bend to their will. Oppressing people is Fascism.
I don't know if anyone in the audience brought up the undoing of Roe v Wade. I couldn't stomach anymore of it. I switched over to Dateline recordings.
I too turned away after abt 15 minutes. And I do not get the attitude from so-called independents/leaning slightly right, that "Biden's hurting everything". I have heard it more than once from friends.
I wonder why CNN, positioning itself as neither Fox nor MSNBC, chooses to make these events a "Republican" town hall forum rather than an open forum, including left-leaning or unaffiliated voters -- as whoever is elected is supposed to serve the interests of all Americans, not just those who align with them politically. Yes, the GOP field is wide-open (supposedly) and one goal likely is for them to differentiate themselves from the others. But a cross-section of participants is more likely to speak to the wants and needs of all of us and give us all both more and better food for thought. (One question I'd love to hear: "What has Joe Biden done right, and where does he deserve praise even from the opposition?" Those who cannot bring themselves to find some area of common ground ... kick them off the island. We have too much tribalism already.)
The new owner wants CNN to become Fox, he is a right wing Republican billionaire. There is no desire to move to the center. CNN is now garbage and nothing there worth watching. It is unfortunate that Wolf and Jake are still there, but other than those two there are no journalists at CNN.
I'm probably giving them too much credit, but I think they genuinely want to find a "center" and report the news from that center. Their problem is that the "center" is in the Democratic Party. The great majority of Republicans do not want news or analysis supported by facts. They will turn off news and analysis based on facts in favor of unsupported assertions favorable to Trump.
So CNN's problem is that they viewed "the center" as somewhere between the Democratic and Republican parties. No. It's within the Democratic party. Look at the leadership. Most of the Democratic leadership is centrist, and their statements and actions can be backed up by facts. Most of the Republican leadership disregards facts in favor of assertions.
By the way, I wish CNN would bring back its old format on Headline News - they used to bring brief straight news stories from around the world, with updates from different quarters at regular times. I think there would be a place for a channel with a minimum of analysis, just concise reporting of important stories from around the world.
The mission is the same for the owners even though they fired the guy who they hired to drive the car. They are still working on making themselves fox lite and a home for conservatives. Before last week they had a face to blame that shift on---but they are still full steam ahead on that mission
The rank and file of Republican support has marinated in the cesspool of right-wing noise machine grievance and resentment for so long that it has become impossible to attract them without reinforcing their view that the political opposition is the personification of the Devil. Hence Christie's attack on Biden.
I had the same thought - Christie just took everything he's been trying to accomplish with criticizing Trump and give voters a reason not to vote for him, but then threw it all away by saying Biden v. Trump is a coin-toss for which will be more destructive. You damn foolish #$@$#@! Any progress you may have made in the minds of anyone was just washed away by your false equivalence! Anyone that was apprehensive about Trump, but also about voting for Biden as a partisan Republican, you just told them that, as bad a Trump is, he's no worse than the alternative; i.e., might as well vote for Trump then... YOU HAD ONE JOB TO DO YOU BASTARD!!
Hate to tell you this, but Christie is running for the GOP presidential nomination, not 'normie of the year'. I don't believe in my entire lifetime I've heard a politician of either party encourage people to vote for the other party against himself. Yea, Christie was puke inducing but he's still running on the GOP ticket and the vast majority of GOP politicians are puke inducing. What did you expect?
I would never expect him to explicitly say, "vote Democrat!" I would expect him to say, "vote for me!" But when his purported goal is to convince people how bad Trump is, that he is a danger to the country, then I expect him to honestly represent that threat by avoiding false equivalencies. Why can't he say, "Trump is a uniquely dangerous individual and should never be allowed near the presidency again. He's so bad, even Biden would be better! Of course, if you actually want a good president*, vote for me!"
* For the record, I think Biden has been a pretty good president.
I wouldn't think that anyone seriously expected Christie to say "vote Democratic" when the point of the event was for him to say "vote for me." But a more moderate, inclusive, less combative tone toward the loyal opposition would have been a welcome gesture. It used to be okay to disagree agreeably and act like a statesman rather than just an aspiring politician. I'm not sure when the GOP lost sight of that and came to the conclusion that politics has to be a blood sport grounded in divide-and-conquer. But I do know that, collectively, we are not better off for it.
His equivalence of Trump to Biden is what told me he really does want to win, he’s not being some selfless kamikaze, and if he sincerely thinks Joe Biden is as destructive a force as Trump, he’s delusional, too. We don’t need yet another delusional person in the White House.
I guess you take your potential primary voters where you find them. Assuming the logical possibility that Christie might get somewhere with his campaign, that would not be by praising Biden--or neglecting to criticize him.
My view is that nobody is qualified to be president. Diligence and competence are pluses, as are a clean nose and a moral compass. I believe Asa's got all of that.
Brilliant! I think you are absolutely right (not about Asa; I will never again vote for an R, however calm; and he doesn't believe women have rights). President is a Learning on the Job business! Nobody is truly prepared. HRC was the most prepared probably. Maybe Biden moreso. Biden's Senate years, like LBJs, have certainly helped him (and us)! Just as Obama's lack thereof hurt him and us. But having certifiable morons hold high political office is just beyond the pale in any sane philosophy!!!
Especially certifiable morons who claim to be negotiators but who can't negotiate their way out of a paper bag.
When I talk about Asa, I'm coming from the perspective that atwo-party system needs two sets of stable leaders. Two facts about Asa on abortion: he signed a ban handed to him by the legislature (bad), though he had wanted exceptions to include rape and incest. Also, he opposes a federal abortion ban. If he were gun ho right to life, he would take a different position.
I agree a two party system needs two real parties. I think we should have listened to those who cautioned against a two party system to begin with but since we're stuck with it I think one of those two needs to suffer defeat after defeat after defeat at every level until they change their moronic ways and vote for at least minimally qualified people.
He’s anti-choice, an absolute non-starter for me and every woman I know. And a lot of men.
Apart from that he’s definitely a good guy. He gave interviews to Mary Louise Kelly on NPR when he was in office and he always sounded practical and patriotic.
I feel the same way regarding choice, but when I looked into his statements on the subject, it sort of looked like he was against abortion but tolerating choice. Like some Bulwarkers. I wish I could remember what he actually said.
Yes, he has been so far the case study in how much MAGA has hijacked and warped the conservative movement in America. He has taken some reasonable positions relative to traditional conservative doctrines yet has gone unheard as if he were whispering into a hurricane. Bad for him, worse for the rest of us.
I had dinner with MAGA neighbors last weekend and asked them what they thought about Asa Hutchinson and was met with completely blank confused looks on their faces.
Given that there were myriad 20th Century ultraConservatives who expressed sharp vitriol against Democrats before Reagan’s rise to national Office.
But Reagan’s 1980 campaign against Carter - and Democrats in general - was particularly mean, and starkly instrumental toward establishing the current “us vs them” atmospheric.
As did trump, Reagan recognized the political power of that narrative. And utilized it to his advantage for 8 years.
No, it isn't. Take a look at American conservatism before the 20th century (and even in the early 20th century, before the establishment conservatives cleaned things up). It was often the worst impulses of people, it was profoundly racist and anti-immigrant and "America First."
They keep on saying that Biden has done terrible things to this country but never give examples. I guess keeping one toe in that water is the only amount needed to remain a true republican?
The problem with being a "true Republican" seems to be how much the ground has shifted under their feet since at least 2015 and what they actually stand for -- beyond merely being against whatever the Democrats are for and seeking to own the libs.
In light of recent developments, here's what I hoped and expected to hear former prosecutor and badass-wannabe Christie say last night, at a minimum, if he really wants us to see him as a leader: "In no way, shape, or form is political violence against anyone and insurrection against the United States acceptable. It will be my highest priority to both cool the unrestrained rhetoric that is threatening to burn out of control in our nation and work with others, including my opposition, to ensure that our democracy remains safe and secure. We simply have to get this situation under control." He failed to do so. That speaks volumes about how far the GOP has fallen as the supposed party of law and order, that it cannot advocate openly for that in the most obvious case it faces.
You are the typical hateful ignorant who thinks you become an American citizen with the right to vote the minute you arrive in the US. Why don’t you read the Homeland Security regulations to see what you need to first get a resident visa (if you have a sponsor) and eventually, after many years, citizenship(if you even want to to become one). It takes decades.
To be fair to Michael (and TomD), the sarcasm might have been a little *too* good. There are a lot of racist jerks out there and if I didn’t know better, I might also have believed it was a serious comment.
But the good news Michael, is that this is the Bulwark and not Twitter. The kind of people who write those kinds of comments probably wouldn’t have the attention span to make it past paragraph 2 of a Morning Shots Newsletter.
I understood it to be sarcasm as well. In the future though, if you want your sarcasm to be clear, you could use “/s” at the end of your statement. It indicates that the post is sarcastic.
Christie lost me (in terms of me taking him seriously as a candidate, not as someone who would get my vote) when he compared Biden equally to Trump as a threat to the interests of the United States. That is more than excoriating a Democrat. It also is denying how serious the Trump threat really is, and how dangerous the problem of tribalism has become in our midst.
Sadly, I do not see any reason for hope on the right as long as none of the major players are willing to break openly with Trump and make a necessary case with people who might listen to them, and enough of them to form a viable alternative to Trumpism. McConnell, McCarthy, and others who are in real positions of authority need to take one for the team -- Team America, not Team GOP -- if there is to be change. If it hasn't happened by now, I can't imagine it taking place in 2024.
This scenario spoken by most “moderate’ Republicans, that Trump is bad but Biden is equally bad, is why I gravitated to The Bulwark. It’s a rare sign of character to admit past mistakes and leave your comfort zone in the name of what’s right.
I heard yesterday that Romney's approval rating is sinking in Utah; my guess is because of some tepid thing he said in support of TFG's latest indictment. That seems emblematic of how far Team GOP is gone. I'm in my early 60s and don't think I'll see a voice of reason among them in my remaining years.
The MAGAs in my hometown show no signs of dawning reason or rationality. We're in our 60s now and they are like the dwarfs in the stable in the last Narnia book,
Admittedly listening to Christie take Trump to task last night was part ear candy and part Schadenfreude, not to mention a welcome speaking of truth when it is in order. But I also came to see that glass as half-empty when he stated that Joe Biden and his policies represent just as much of an existential threat to America as Donald Trump. At once Christie became part of the problem no less than part of the solution. From where I sit you simply can't put public policy differences with an opponent on the same level as actual insurrection and lawlessness, in service to the personal interests of one narcissistic individual who would destroy the nation -- even the world -- just to get what is good for him.
If Christie cannot see that and is too hyperpartisan to reach across the aisle in such a grave circumstance, he does not belong on the stage to begin with. We continue to wait for a consistent voice of reason on the political right.
I agree! Christie showed courage and responsibility when the hurricane hit NJ and he worked with Obama in the face of GOP ugliness. But it never lasts very long and isn't very deep, if it can even be called responsible or honest.
This is the HUGE GOP ELEPHANT: Republicans simply have no core, no core values, nothing to rely on when the wind blows hither and yon (so they blow with it). They have no center except self-centeredness. These people should never be anywhere near seats of authority!
Christie knows the stuff he says about Biden isn’t remotely true. But he also knows that he has to say that in order to have any credibility with those yokels.
Amen, Deutschmeister.
It’s the difference between Chris Christie and Liz Cheney
Christie lost me after 15-20 minutes. Yes, he bashed the orange one over docs handling but the rest could've come out of the mouth of meatball, Haley, Scott, et. al.
Joe Biden spends too much, he's the greatest threat to our country, Democrats are evil.
What really dismayed me was the underlying mean-spiritedness of the audience's question, Granted, I only heard 2. The woman asking why are we giving Ukraine money when so many are suffering here? (although she didn't look like she was suffering).
The young man in glasses who asked Christie whether he was conservative enough, would he compromise? Which leads me to believe the whole republican stance is no compromise at all, force Americans to bend to their will. Oppressing people is Fascism.
I don't know if anyone in the audience brought up the undoing of Roe v Wade. I couldn't stomach anymore of it. I switched over to Dateline recordings.
I too turned away after abt 15 minutes. And I do not get the attitude from so-called independents/leaning slightly right, that "Biden's hurting everything". I have heard it more than once from friends.
I wonder why CNN, positioning itself as neither Fox nor MSNBC, chooses to make these events a "Republican" town hall forum rather than an open forum, including left-leaning or unaffiliated voters -- as whoever is elected is supposed to serve the interests of all Americans, not just those who align with them politically. Yes, the GOP field is wide-open (supposedly) and one goal likely is for them to differentiate themselves from the others. But a cross-section of participants is more likely to speak to the wants and needs of all of us and give us all both more and better food for thought. (One question I'd love to hear: "What has Joe Biden done right, and where does he deserve praise even from the opposition?" Those who cannot bring themselves to find some area of common ground ... kick them off the island. We have too much tribalism already.)
The new owner wants CNN to become Fox, he is a right wing Republican billionaire. There is no desire to move to the center. CNN is now garbage and nothing there worth watching. It is unfortunate that Wolf and Jake are still there, but other than those two there are no journalists at CNN.
I'm probably giving them too much credit, but I think they genuinely want to find a "center" and report the news from that center. Their problem is that the "center" is in the Democratic Party. The great majority of Republicans do not want news or analysis supported by facts. They will turn off news and analysis based on facts in favor of unsupported assertions favorable to Trump.
So CNN's problem is that they viewed "the center" as somewhere between the Democratic and Republican parties. No. It's within the Democratic party. Look at the leadership. Most of the Democratic leadership is centrist, and their statements and actions can be backed up by facts. Most of the Republican leadership disregards facts in favor of assertions.
By the way, I wish CNN would bring back its old format on Headline News - they used to bring brief straight news stories from around the world, with updates from different quarters at regular times. I think there would be a place for a channel with a minimum of analysis, just concise reporting of important stories from around the world.
You are giving them too much credit. Read up on John Malone. Malone is on the Cato board and gave $250k to Trump. The new CNN's center is way right.
Probably worried about actual violence on the set
The mission is the same for the owners even though they fired the guy who they hired to drive the car. They are still working on making themselves fox lite and a home for conservatives. Before last week they had a face to blame that shift on---but they are still full steam ahead on that mission
Republicans don’t want to govern, they want to rule. The more it hurts, the better.
Chris Christie is in this for Chris Christie.
The rank and file of Republican support has marinated in the cesspool of right-wing noise machine grievance and resentment for so long that it has become impossible to attract them without reinforcing their view that the political opposition is the personification of the Devil. Hence Christie's attack on Biden.
And, in a cesspool, the larger chunks float to the top.
Better get comfortable. Probably gonna' be a long wait. Might want to lower your sights a bit at this point and settle for a little sanity. :-D
I had the same thought - Christie just took everything he's been trying to accomplish with criticizing Trump and give voters a reason not to vote for him, but then threw it all away by saying Biden v. Trump is a coin-toss for which will be more destructive. You damn foolish #$@$#@! Any progress you may have made in the minds of anyone was just washed away by your false equivalence! Anyone that was apprehensive about Trump, but also about voting for Biden as a partisan Republican, you just told them that, as bad a Trump is, he's no worse than the alternative; i.e., might as well vote for Trump then... YOU HAD ONE JOB TO DO YOU BASTARD!!
Hate to tell you this, but Christie is running for the GOP presidential nomination, not 'normie of the year'. I don't believe in my entire lifetime I've heard a politician of either party encourage people to vote for the other party against himself. Yea, Christie was puke inducing but he's still running on the GOP ticket and the vast majority of GOP politicians are puke inducing. What did you expect?
I would never expect him to explicitly say, "vote Democrat!" I would expect him to say, "vote for me!" But when his purported goal is to convince people how bad Trump is, that he is a danger to the country, then I expect him to honestly represent that threat by avoiding false equivalencies. Why can't he say, "Trump is a uniquely dangerous individual and should never be allowed near the presidency again. He's so bad, even Biden would be better! Of course, if you actually want a good president*, vote for me!"
* For the record, I think Biden has been a pretty good president.
I wouldn't think that anyone seriously expected Christie to say "vote Democratic" when the point of the event was for him to say "vote for me." But a more moderate, inclusive, less combative tone toward the loyal opposition would have been a welcome gesture. It used to be okay to disagree agreeably and act like a statesman rather than just an aspiring politician. I'm not sure when the GOP lost sight of that and came to the conclusion that politics has to be a blood sport grounded in divide-and-conquer. But I do know that, collectively, we are not better off for it.
My thought as well. Coin Toss? Just like 2016, Chris? Was he just tossing a scrap of meat for some of the base in case he gets traction?
If that's what Christie really thinks, he's a freakin idiot.
His equivalence of Trump to Biden is what told me he really does want to win, he’s not being some selfless kamikaze, and if he sincerely thinks Joe Biden is as destructive a force as Trump, he’s delusional, too. We don’t need yet another delusional person in the White House.
Spot on. My thoughts (and fears) exactly -- thanks for sharing.
I guess you take your potential primary voters where you find them. Assuming the logical possibility that Christie might get somewhere with his campaign, that would not be by praising Biden--or neglecting to criticize him.
Asa Hutchinson is an almost perfect conservative candidate, and I say that as a labor democrat.
The best of the worst is hardly good enough imho.
My view is that nobody is qualified to be president. Diligence and competence are pluses, as are a clean nose and a moral compass. I believe Asa's got all of that.
(I would still vote for Biden.)
Brilliant! I think you are absolutely right (not about Asa; I will never again vote for an R, however calm; and he doesn't believe women have rights). President is a Learning on the Job business! Nobody is truly prepared. HRC was the most prepared probably. Maybe Biden moreso. Biden's Senate years, like LBJs, have certainly helped him (and us)! Just as Obama's lack thereof hurt him and us. But having certifiable morons hold high political office is just beyond the pale in any sane philosophy!!!
Especially certifiable morons who claim to be negotiators but who can't negotiate their way out of a paper bag.
When I talk about Asa, I'm coming from the perspective that atwo-party system needs two sets of stable leaders. Two facts about Asa on abortion: he signed a ban handed to him by the legislature (bad), though he had wanted exceptions to include rape and incest. Also, he opposes a federal abortion ban. If he were gun ho right to life, he would take a different position.
I agree a two party system needs two real parties. I think we should have listened to those who cautioned against a two party system to begin with but since we're stuck with it I think one of those two needs to suffer defeat after defeat after defeat at every level until they change their moronic ways and vote for at least minimally qualified people.
He’s anti-choice, an absolute non-starter for me and every woman I know. And a lot of men.
Apart from that he’s definitely a good guy. He gave interviews to Mary Louise Kelly on NPR when he was in office and he always sounded practical and patriotic.
I feel the same way regarding choice, but when I looked into his statements on the subject, it sort of looked like he was against abortion but tolerating choice. Like some Bulwarkers. I wish I could remember what he actually said.
Yes, he has been so far the case study in how much MAGA has hijacked and warped the conservative movement in America. He has taken some reasonable positions relative to traditional conservative doctrines yet has gone unheard as if he were whispering into a hurricane. Bad for him, worse for the rest of us.
I had dinner with MAGA neighbors last weekend and asked them what they thought about Asa Hutchinson and was met with completely blank confused looks on their faces.
Finally, the wife asked, "Who's she?"
Actually, the conservatives like Hutchinson hijacked the traditional conservative movement in the US and MAGA finally took it back.
Before 2016, when was American Conservatism based on a cult of personality?
Take a look at what was espoused in the past and what these people espouse.
I recognize that Reagan held a position of reverent esteem in the Republican universe.
But I didn’t see people who supported him willing to physically attack other Americans based on their approval of Reagan.
Blind loyalty that risks personal injury or death on behalf of an American politician hadn’t happened since 1865, until 2016.
It all started with "Death Valley Days."
Yeah, it sure wasn't Gerald Ford.
Given that there were myriad 20th Century ultraConservatives who expressed sharp vitriol against Democrats before Reagan’s rise to national Office.
But Reagan’s 1980 campaign against Carter - and Democrats in general - was particularly mean, and starkly instrumental toward establishing the current “us vs them” atmospheric.
As did trump, Reagan recognized the political power of that narrative. And utilized it to his advantage for 8 years.
That's a joke, right?
No, it isn't. Take a look at American conservatism before the 20th century (and even in the early 20th century, before the establishment conservatives cleaned things up). It was often the worst impulses of people, it was profoundly racist and anti-immigrant and "America First."
"It was often the worst impulses of people, it was profoundly racist and anti-immigrant and "America First.""
That sounds like a very apt description of MAGA to me.
Even in the 20th Century. Conservatism was isolationist (against getting in WWII) and the original proclaimers of "American First"
He's been running Arkansas. Like Bill Clinton was.
They keep on saying that Biden has done terrible things to this country but never give examples. I guess keeping one toe in that water is the only amount needed to remain a true republican?
He hung a rainbow flag at the White House.
The problem with being a "true Republican" seems to be how much the ground has shifted under their feet since at least 2015 and what they actually stand for -- beyond merely being against whatever the Democrats are for and seeking to own the libs.
In light of recent developments, here's what I hoped and expected to hear former prosecutor and badass-wannabe Christie say last night, at a minimum, if he really wants us to see him as a leader: "In no way, shape, or form is political violence against anyone and insurrection against the United States acceptable. It will be my highest priority to both cool the unrestrained rhetoric that is threatening to burn out of control in our nation and work with others, including my opposition, to ensure that our democracy remains safe and secure. We simply have to get this situation under control." He failed to do so. That speaks volumes about how far the GOP has fallen as the supposed party of law and order, that it cannot advocate openly for that in the most obvious case it faces.
Wut? He's recruiting POC's to come here, register to vote, and out-populate the white people in this country!
You are the typical hateful ignorant who thinks you become an American citizen with the right to vote the minute you arrive in the US. Why don’t you read the Homeland Security regulations to see what you need to first get a resident visa (if you have a sponsor) and eventually, after many years, citizenship(if you even want to to become one). It takes decades.
It was sarcasm, Michael. TomD is on YOUR side, my friend.
To be fair to Michael (and TomD), the sarcasm might have been a little *too* good. There are a lot of racist jerks out there and if I didn’t know better, I might also have believed it was a serious comment.
But the good news Michael, is that this is the Bulwark and not Twitter. The kind of people who write those kinds of comments probably wouldn’t have the attention span to make it past paragraph 2 of a Morning Shots Newsletter.
It was satire/sarcasm, evident to everyone but you.
I understood it to be sarcasm as well. In the future though, if you want your sarcasm to be clear, you could use “/s” at the end of your statement. It indicates that the post is sarcastic.
Forensic statement analysis can be you people's friend.
That is disappointing from Christie, but not surprising. Excoriating Ds has long been necessary in the R camp.
Regarding your last sentence: do you see any reason for hope that such a person will speak up soon?
Christie lost me (in terms of me taking him seriously as a candidate, not as someone who would get my vote) when he compared Biden equally to Trump as a threat to the interests of the United States. That is more than excoriating a Democrat. It also is denying how serious the Trump threat really is, and how dangerous the problem of tribalism has become in our midst.
Sadly, I do not see any reason for hope on the right as long as none of the major players are willing to break openly with Trump and make a necessary case with people who might listen to them, and enough of them to form a viable alternative to Trumpism. McConnell, McCarthy, and others who are in real positions of authority need to take one for the team -- Team America, not Team GOP -- if there is to be change. If it hasn't happened by now, I can't imagine it taking place in 2024.
This scenario spoken by most “moderate’ Republicans, that Trump is bad but Biden is equally bad, is why I gravitated to The Bulwark. It’s a rare sign of character to admit past mistakes and leave your comfort zone in the name of what’s right.
I heard yesterday that Romney's approval rating is sinking in Utah; my guess is because of some tepid thing he said in support of TFG's latest indictment. That seems emblematic of how far Team GOP is gone. I'm in my early 60s and don't think I'll see a voice of reason among them in my remaining years.
The MAGAs in my hometown show no signs of dawning reason or rationality. We're in our 60s now and they are like the dwarfs in the stable in the last Narnia book,