Friends, the enigmatic Democratic Senator from West Virginia, Joe Manchin, has announced that he won't run for reelection in 2024. That almost certainly increases the GOP's odds of taking over the Senate, but, simultaneously, it may also increase the Republican Party's odds of seizing back control of the White House. That's because Joe Manchin has long been teasing a possible centrist, "No Labels" run for the presidency. I think it's a great idea! Throw him into the mix with Trump, Biden, Kennedy, West, the Greens, the Libertarians, and who knows who else, and -- voila! -- you've got a recipe for total chaos. And who's Agent of Chaos Numero Uno, who we all know and love? Trump! A thoroughly scrambled presidential field works to Trump's advantage. No doubt about it.
In other news, it's the developing world's dirty little secret that, for all its protestations about climate change, it is, by and large, steadily increasing its use of coal to feed its burgeoning demands for electrical power. So enjoy driving around in that Tesla and, when global temps become sweltering, turn up your A/C and you should be fine.
Finally, I know many conservatives are gung-ho about supporting Israel and its operations against Hamas, but Israel does have a perception problem internationally. There's really no way to root out Hamas without causing a lot of civilian casualties...and in the process global condemnation of Israel will reach a crescendo. Only Israel can decide when it's reached a point of diminishing returns.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: Most developing countries do not have the luxury of the surplus well being which gives some the in the US leave to toy with perfectionist dreams of "environmental purity". They know readily available coal lifted the west to unprecedented, miraculous prosperity and by golly, they want that too! Do the climate crazies have significant followings in the 3rd world? Maybe unwanted Dutch Uncleing by the US compels them to make gestures of concern but I'm guessing they may follow the customary practice when dealing with presumptuous "know it alls": nod gravely, bid them good days and go back to what works.
ReplyDeleteDr Waddy from Jack: Adding to the number of "independent contenders" does stir the cauldron and that could redound to DJT's advantage. But that said, though Joe Manchin has done our country much good by frustrating some his party's radical measures, I do not like his position that the intense partisanship obtaining today is to be equally blamed on left and right and remedial by sweet reason and joining of hands. The present conflict is the result of the antiamerican radical left's now 60 year old fanatically unwavering demonstrated determination to "fundamentally transform" our imperfect civilization into dreamy perfection. American common sense, in understandable self defense, stands for its life, which can only be preserved by destroying the malign power of this proven historic murderous abberation:marxism and its totalitarian doctrinal spawn.
ReplyDeleteRather , aberration.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: I would not blame Israel for taking notice only of the tactical aspects of the world's concerns about their assault on the barbarian Hamas host. Why shouldn't they, pray; the world has never been a friend to them! But they are probably so civilized a land that the plight of the innocent Gazans will speak to them on its own.
ReplyDeleteJack, I would imagine the developing world is about as Janus-faced on the issue of climate change as we are. They probably fret genuinely about it, and virtue-signal vigorously, but do little of any practical value to counteract it. The only "sacrifices" that I see us making in the West involve contracting even more government debt than usual, on the backs of the next generation, to finance endless "green energy" schemes. Needless to say, minors, and even more so the unborn, can't vote and thus get no say.
ReplyDeleteGood luck convincing Joe Manchin that the REAL threat to this country is neo-Marxism. He's been working hand-in-hand with it for decades. I agree that the "let's just put partisanship aside and act based on common sense" line has limited explanatory power and intellectual heft, BUT it almost elected Ross Perot in 1992, and it probably could win a presidential election if just the right candidate came along. I'm pretty sure Joe Manchin ain't him.
True, Jack -- the doubts inside Israel about the wisdom of their military strategy will probably be more telling than the doubts percolating in Paris or Peking.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: Interesting news today Tim Scott is out. Hope he would be available as a running mate though I think DeSantis the best choice for that. Jill Stein is running again. Oh but that's going to make the antiamerican left squirm! She's terribly politically correct but she has a Jewish sounding name and that could generate all manner of radical disingenuous posturing, though they will try to pretend she isn't there.She helped to sink the" unsinkable" Hillary liner in 2016 so they may turn the radical smear machine on her. But they will have to be careful about that, oh so careful. If she gives liberal American Jews an alternative to a dem party increasingly and I think accurately,perceived as buddy buddy with marxist Jew haters, she would help DJT to an extent unlooked for before the Hamas onslaught.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: As is so often true, I am encouraged by your views on how our country's climate " concerns" will shake out. Sounds like you see common sense prevailing after much antiamerican left harm to our civilization. Turn up the AC and build only the proven NECESSARY defenses against rising waters. "Fundamental transformation", the product of dreams,,is frantic overeach.Its passionate advocacy by radicals bespeaks not fear of a Venusian atmosphere but their fundamental pursuit of the arbitrary totalitarian power which would enable them indulge their every incidental, politically voluptuary whim.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: But Perot was not close to election. He did deliver us into the smarmy embrace of the Clintons and in that was decisive.
ReplyDeleteJack, it's an interesting question how much Stein may hurt Biden, when Cornel West is already performing much the same function. The bottom line is one or more leftist loonies need to be ON THE BALLOT to do real harm, and, since getting on the ballot in many states is tough, it may thus be wise for us to spread our anti-Biden bets around a bit.
ReplyDeleteAh, Perot wasn't close to winning when the election was actually held, true but earlier he outpolled both Bush and Clinton (briefly). I contend he had a real shot but mostly sank himself by sheer wackiness.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: Ah,ditto.
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