9 Comments
User's avatar
тна Return to thread
Lewis Grotelueschen's avatar

I think there is a divide opening up on the right on economic issues that increasingly poses a problem in holding their coalition together. I live in Nebraska where in the last two election cycles the voters passed initiatives to expand Medicaid and to increase the minimum wage. Translation: A lot of Republican and Republican leaning voters aren't buying the old time economic religion.

Expand full comment
knowltok's avatar

I wonder how much it matters that Trump doesn't hew to the Republican talking points on things like Medicare and SS? Not that I'd accuse him of caring for a second, but he is at least savvy enough not to go after those. His positions there give a permission structure for Republican voters to break with Republican orthodoxy to some extent.

Expand full comment
Lewis Grotelueschen's avatar

Rhetorically Trump is populist on economics. His one big bill on taxation and economics was the old time religion.

Expand full comment
knowltok's avatar

Agreed. In no way am I fooled by his bullshit, but that rhetorical difference may have opened up some possibilities around the edges here and there.

"Donald Trump doesn't agree with Republicans on X" might open a few minds here and there.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Mar 10, 2023
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
knowltok's avatar

Well, it comes out if he's the one running as a Republican. If he's not, just use his rhetoric to hurt the republican who is running.

"Donnie talks a good game, but let's look at his record:"

or

"You know, I disagree with just about everything Donald Trump says, but I do agree with him that cutting social security and medicare like my opponent wants to do is dumb."

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Mar 10, 2023
Comment removed
Expand full comment
knowltok's avatar

A good thing to hammer him on then. "Donnie talks a good game, but let's look at his record:"

Expand full comment
NLTownie's avatar

A relevant fact is a beautiful thing.

Expand full comment