I am no Nikki stan, but I do think she’s incredibly brave. She seems to be running in earnest and, if she won the primary, I think she’d be killed on suggestion from Trump that she had betrayed him and stolen his rightful nomination. She has to be aware of this possibility.
The best thing about Koch supporting Haley is that it relieved me of any thoughts that I need to give her money. I can just hold my nose and vote for her in the Republican primary.
What? Moderate?? It’s because of the Kochs that we’re in this mess. And look for Nikki Haley to be running as Orange Pustule’s VP. She has no moral center. Zero.
How much does anyone want to bet that Nikki will soon be opposing aid to Ukraine as per the views of her new patrons, the Koch (pronounced Cock) Bros.? And how typical that weaselly Mike Pence had to be persuaded by his son to do his constitutional duty?
Lizz Chenney has stated on numerous occasions that "she would do anything to keep Trump from the White House".I've always been interested in how she will accomplish this.Will she form a pac and run ads against Trump? As JVL theorized about a month ago, will she show up at the Democratic convention and show her opposition to Trump there? Will she run as and independent conservative? None of these questions are out of the realm of possibility now.I would be very interested in seeing Sarah do some focus groups concerning Lizz Chenney in this area
Liz Cheney overestimated her sway. She has no credibility with anyone except anti-Trumpers and some Democrats. Every time she opens her mouth, Trump supporters cling more fervently to him. Maybe one day Republicans will realize in hindsight that she was right, but that’s the best she can hope for. Regrettably.
I whole heartedly agree with Mike Murphy concerning Niki Haley."She is clever by one half.She is cynical". And she is an issues shape shifter(witness her many about faces on Trump).This gives her a very small chance.If it decreases the chance of Trump returning to the whiteHouse,I'll take it.
I have no real idea who Trump will/would pick as VP. But I don’t believe that he would pick anyone who would take any shine away from him. That would rule out Lake and Haley. I don’t think he’ll pick a woman because I just have trouble seeing the MAGA crown being worn by a woman. That rules out Sanders and Noem. I think he will pick someone who is male, religious, and the walking definition of bland – in other words, just like Pence. And the closest thing to Pence seems to be Mike Johnson (as Fitzearl has already written). Of course, Johnson would have to explain how the Earth is only 6000 thousand years old, but since when has logic meant anything in MAGA world?
I don't think so. I think he sees Trump as a threat since chaos is not good for the economy.
I think Koch prefers the slow and steady erosion of democracy fostered by ALEC, the Federalist Society, Americans for Progress, and the other groups into which he pours his millions.
That's the hitch. He doesn't need Trump. Any Republican will do. And there's the threat that Trump could really run things off the rails in a way that's bad for business so why take the risk?
A really big problem for Nikki is that DeSantis voters' second choice is mostly Donald Trump. If DeSantis goes down, most of his supporters won't turn to Haley. The GOP has become so uniformly irrational, there just doesn't seem to be a way to get around an insane Trump nomination.
A suggestion for conservatives, independents, progressives........let's not focus on our internal debates....for those who are Game of Thrones fans...think of Trump as the Night King and his MAGA constituent as the White Walkers....all "enemies" must unite to destroy the existential threat.
He is unequivocally an existential threat and I think that's the attraction to his candidacy. The reason some Americans support him is because they want to tear it all down; The entire political edifice that the Republican and Democrat parties have erected and duly straddle. And this is why nothing he says or does matters. No shocking act or revelation that would ordinarily destroy a political candidacy shakes their support.
So long as the status quo objects to him and fears him, they see his candidacy as a giant wrecking ball they want to leverage.
And "Uncle Joe's" ruthless resistance to Hitler's 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union (much of it taking place in what today is Ukraine) set Germany on the path to its evenutal defeat. Sometimes you just have to take that bargain with the devil. I guess that's the Koch angle on Nikki.
That is encouraging.But I need to see more and over time.I follow the trends of 538 (their approval/disaproval rate) Right now Biden is at 39.2. Most of his presidency he has been at 42-43%. Lets say he get to 45%,I believe he wins.
Charlie, I consider myself a wordsmith, on day 87 of solving Wordle and consistently 'Genius' on the Spelling Bee. But "pullulating"-new to me and awesome. Thanks. BTW, great article, as usual. One more thing, does Joe Scarborough EVER STFU? How you can stand such blabbering is beyond me.
Although Scarborough can be often garrulous (term used just for you....I had to look it up...lol), but when he's not riffing on random things....his commentary as former GOP lawmaker is absolutely important and relevant to today's political conversation.
He's BRUTAL on today's version of the GOP....which is well-deserved.
I am no Nikki stan, but I do think she’s incredibly brave. She seems to be running in earnest and, if she won the primary, I think she’d be killed on suggestion from Trump that she had betrayed him and stolen his rightful nomination. She has to be aware of this possibility.
The best thing about Koch supporting Haley is that it relieved me of any thoughts that I need to give her money. I can just hold my nose and vote for her in the Republican primary.
What? Moderate?? It’s because of the Kochs that we’re in this mess. And look for Nikki Haley to be running as Orange Pustule’s VP. She has no moral center. Zero.
How much does anyone want to bet that Nikki will soon be opposing aid to Ukraine as per the views of her new patrons, the Koch (pronounced Cock) Bros.? And how typical that weaselly Mike Pence had to be persuaded by his son to do his constitutional duty?
They did it to signal they wanted her for VP. If something happens to Trump, they own her.
Lizz Chenney has stated on numerous occasions that "she would do anything to keep Trump from the White House".I've always been interested in how she will accomplish this.Will she form a pac and run ads against Trump? As JVL theorized about a month ago, will she show up at the Democratic convention and show her opposition to Trump there? Will she run as and independent conservative? None of these questions are out of the realm of possibility now.I would be very interested in seeing Sarah do some focus groups concerning Lizz Chenney in this area
Liz Cheney overestimated her sway. She has no credibility with anyone except anti-Trumpers and some Democrats. Every time she opens her mouth, Trump supporters cling more fervently to him. Maybe one day Republicans will realize in hindsight that she was right, but that’s the best she can hope for. Regrettably.
But that small support can make a difference in a close election.
Koch Bros also contributed greatly to illegal immigration with all of their chicken farms, etc. But I like that they're backing Haley.
Anything that hurts Trump helps America.
I whole heartedly agree with Mike Murphy concerning Niki Haley."She is clever by one half.She is cynical". And she is an issues shape shifter(witness her many about faces on Trump).This gives her a very small chance.If it decreases the chance of Trump returning to the whiteHouse,I'll take it.
It looks like Charlie Koch finally figured out that a second Trump term threatens his economic interests.
Because you sure as hell can be sure he's not doing it because he cares about democracy.
Wait until Nikki and Donnie form a joint ticket after convention. She will make a U-turn in no time to become a VP.
Too true. She is an inveterate opportunist evidenced by her frequent flip-flops.
I kind of doubt that. I think he'd say she's not his "type."
I have no real idea who Trump will/would pick as VP. But I don’t believe that he would pick anyone who would take any shine away from him. That would rule out Lake and Haley. I don’t think he’ll pick a woman because I just have trouble seeing the MAGA crown being worn by a woman. That rules out Sanders and Noem. I think he will pick someone who is male, religious, and the walking definition of bland – in other words, just like Pence. And the closest thing to Pence seems to be Mike Johnson (as Fitzearl has already written). Of course, Johnson would have to explain how the Earth is only 6000 thousand years old, but since when has logic meant anything in MAGA world?
That makes a lot of sense. MJ has proven he would be unendingly loyal and would never "betray" him as Pence did.
But then who is?
I dunno. Kari?
MTG?Boebert?
It doesn't matter for them if they decide that it helps to get votes. Both would do anything to win.
Maybe, but I can't see it. Her loyalty is suspect. She'd probably just pull another Pence on the next go around.
I don't think so. I think he sees Trump as a threat since chaos is not good for the economy.
I think Koch prefers the slow and steady erosion of democracy fostered by ALEC, the Federalist Society, Americans for Progress, and the other groups into which he pours his millions.
"or any Republican"
That's the hitch. He doesn't need Trump. Any Republican will do. And there's the threat that Trump could really run things off the rails in a way that's bad for business so why take the risk?
A really big problem for Nikki is that DeSantis voters' second choice is mostly Donald Trump. If DeSantis goes down, most of his supporters won't turn to Haley. The GOP has become so uniformly irrational, there just doesn't seem to be a way to get around an insane Trump nomination.
THAT TOO...:)
Re Cheap Shots: Do you mean "Ha Ha Funny" or "Lose the Republic to a Fascist Due to an Idiot Bootlicking Coward Funny?"
A suggestion for conservatives, independents, progressives........let's not focus on our internal debates....for those who are Game of Thrones fans...think of Trump as the Night King and his MAGA constituent as the White Walkers....all "enemies" must unite to destroy the existential threat.
As a Game of Thrones fan, great comparison!!!
He is unequivocally an existential threat and I think that's the attraction to his candidacy. The reason some Americans support him is because they want to tear it all down; The entire political edifice that the Republican and Democrat parties have erected and duly straddle. And this is why nothing he says or does matters. No shocking act or revelation that would ordinarily destroy a political candidacy shakes their support.
So long as the status quo objects to him and fears him, they see his candidacy as a giant wrecking ball they want to leverage.
Real history - make peace with Stalin to keep Hitler from destroying Europe.
And "Uncle Joe's" ruthless resistance to Hitler's 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union (much of it taking place in what today is Ukraine) set Germany on the path to its evenutal defeat. Sometimes you just have to take that bargain with the devil. I guess that's the Koch angle on Nikki.
i'll be voting for Joe no matter who he faces.
but i could live with a Haley presidency. wouldn't be happy about it but she's not an existential threat to the country.
That sums up what I think perfectly.
Biden regains lead in three new polls:
https://open.substack.com/pub/simonwdc/p/3-new-polls-show-biden-leading-again?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=kfjl7
That is encouraging.But I need to see more and over time.I follow the trends of 538 (their approval/disaproval rate) Right now Biden is at 39.2. Most of his presidency he has been at 42-43%. Lets say he get to 45%,I believe he wins.
I'll get you through this. It's going to be ok.
Charlie, I consider myself a wordsmith, on day 87 of solving Wordle and consistently 'Genius' on the Spelling Bee. But "pullulating"-new to me and awesome. Thanks. BTW, great article, as usual. One more thing, does Joe Scarborough EVER STFU? How you can stand such blabbering is beyond me.
Although Scarborough can be often garrulous (term used just for you....I had to look it up...lol), but when he's not riffing on random things....his commentary as former GOP lawmaker is absolutely important and relevant to today's political conversation.
He's BRUTAL on today's version of the GOP....which is well-deserved.
I like Joe's rants.