Friends, no U.S. president did more to expand the powers and scope of the federal government than Franklin Delano Roosevelt. His power grab was also especially dangerous in that it effectively ballooned the authority of the presidency itself. The Supreme Court stood up to FDR, for a while, but it was bullied into submission and, with the retirement of a number of conservative justices, ceased to be a major obstacle to FDR's New Deal policies. Thankfully, his plan to pack the court was unsuccessful, but that's one of the few victories against Roosevelt's megalomania that conservatives and constitutionalists ever won. Later, Democratic presidents like LBJ and Barack Obama would build on the questionable achievements of FDR and make the federal government even more instrusive and authoritarian.
This, of course, is just one of the historical themes that Brian O'Neil and I discuss on this week's Newsmaker Show. We also ponder the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, and the chaos in Eastern Europe in the wake of WWI.
In terms of current events, Brian and I tackle the Colorado Supreme Court's high-handed and ideologically-driven ruling that removed Donald Trump from the presidential primary ballot in that state, and the horrific consequences that could follow if SCOTUS does not rapidly slap down this anti-democratic outrage. We also discuss the fantasy that Russia could invade Western Europe (or Poland, for that matter), the state of the U.S. defense budget, the biggest stories of 2023, and the future of Harvard President Claudine Gay and the state of (left-wing) academia as an institution.
All that in less than 25 minutes??? I wouldn't believe it myself if I hadn't been integrally involved in taping the show!
https://wlea.net/newsmaker-december-27-2023-dr-nick-waddy/
***
There's lots of other news today. For instance, here's a story about a project to help conservatives identify alternatives to putting money in the pockets of woke corporations. It's easy to say, "No Target for me!" or "Sayonara, Bud Light!", but how do you go about picking new companies to do business with? This might be part of the solution.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2023/12/27/boycotting-woke-worked-publicsq-shows-what-next/
Personally, I was never that impressed by Vivek Ramaswamy, who, in my view, is more smarmy than swamy, but it looks like his upstart campaign is now in a death spiral. My take is that he was never a serious candidate for president anyway. A vote for Ramaswamy is, in effect, a vote for Trump, because it keeps the ranks of the Trump alternatives in the GOP divided, which effectively helps Trump win.
The Michigan Supreme Court has given Trump a "win", in that it has kept him on the presidential primary ballot, but that doesn't mean necessarily that he would be on the presidential ballot itself in the fall. Bottom line: there is NO SUBSTITUTE for U.S. Supreme Court intervention in this matter.
Did you know that the U.S. economy can be summed up in just two words: "All good"! That's Joe Biden's assessment. For some reason, the media isn't reporting news about the economy quite that succinctly and simplistically...but no doubt they'll fall in line as we get closer to the main event.
https://nypost.com/2023/12/25/news/biden-scolds-media-on-economy-start-reporting-it-the-right-way/
Who will control the House of Representatives after the 2024 elections? The results may well hinge not on public opinion, but on a number of active court cases affecting redistricting. Aren't we way past redistricting, you say? Wasn't that completed right after the 2020 census? Nope. The Democratic Party philosophy is, as always, that you keep voting, or keep redrawing electoral boundaries, until you get the results you want.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/redistricting-states-house-congress-control/
Many Republicans and Trumpers argue that the criminal charges against Donald Trump have actually helped him and improved his popularity. Among Republicans, that's certainly true. The bigger question, though, is, once Trump's trials get underway, and once he's convicted of one or more felonies (which is highly probable, given the judges and the venues involved), how will the public perceive him? Will his legend grow, or will he pay a political price? No one knows for sure, but the polls say that being a convicted felon isn't a selling point -- and this, of course, is exactly what the dastardly Dems are banking on. We can't discount the possibility that their evil machinations will be crowned with success...
https://dnyuz.com/2023/12/26/a-trump-conviction-could-cost-him-enough-voters-to-tip-the-election/
DR. WADDY FROM RAY
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that you forgot to mention (unless I missed it), is that Hunter Biden's parents are proud of him. Doesn't that count for something in the general scheme of things?
Ray, it does! One wonders whether Hunter understands that, for now, he's the sacrificial lamb that proves the "objectivity" of the DOJ, but, come January 2025 (if all goes well), he'll be completely out of danger. Of course, that means the Bidens are wagering everything on victory in 2024. And I shouldn't wonder that they are. I believe them when they say that Trump would be THE END, i.e. I believe they believe he would be the end of them.
ReplyDeleteRAY TO DR. WADDY
DeleteMaybe Trump will become the "Amiable Dictator"? Not that I want that to happen of course. After all, I'm getting so used to The Left-wing "dictatorship" that we have, I would miss them if they faded into history.
Frankly, I think Nikki Haley just might make it as our first woman President of the United States of America. Then the whole lot of them (Trump included) might fade into history.
Dr. Waddy and Ray et al from Jack: Nikki Haley would be light years better than any dem but how long would she be in office before the lawfare machine attacks? After all, her obvious ancestral insurrectionary guilt for the Sepoy Rebellion is manifest and the 14th Amendment may be by then constructed in a very expansive manner (though I think not, surely not, with this lawful Scotus).
ReplyDeleteRAY TO JACK
DeleteGlad you mentioned the Sepoy Mutiny/Rebellion. Good sense of humor you have on this.
Frankly, not a lot of choice on our GOP candidates, so I'm "grasping at straws" or something like that. If Trump makes it, there will, of course, be the same endless hogwash (a mild word in this case) of the Left doing everything to unseat him.
I still have the feeling that somehow, the DemoNISTAS will choose Gavin Newsom as their candidate at the last minute. He's far more dangerous that Biden ever was. Gavin is radical Left, he's in good health, not all that old by comparison, he has a good appearance, and spins the BS in an excellent matter. He's also a power addict, and will actively seek the presidency at some point.
I 'm trying to be positive, but am having a difficult time maintaining such an attitude. Best perhaps is to keep as many states as possible as red as possible. Also, I mentioned that The Left still controls higher education, the media, and the entertainment industry.
From a Christian standpoint, it's always been an evil world, so there is nothing much new that will be happening that has not happened before.
RAY TO JACK
DeleteCome to think of it, I'm having a hard time finding Haley's position on many issues in her Nikki for President site. Am I looking in the wrong place? Lots of "Team Nikki" and all that, but what does she plan to do? Do you see anything?
Ray and Dr. Waddy from Jack: If we can't redeem DJT, I would much prefer DeSantis, who walks the conservative walk without reservation or apology. But anyone that S.Carolina elected Gov. would do us passing well, I think. I haven't paid much attention to her views though she does put me in mind of an occasional "apologetic conservative" like Bush I.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: Re the Newsmaker broadcast: I could not be more emphatic in my complete agreement with the authoritative commentator who deemed any imagined Russian intent to invade any Nato country utter madness.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: The red horde never attacked Nato, the Russian army is largely discredited by its poor performance now , Finland and Sweden (both hard fighting peoples well placed to engage Russia) are Nato and Russia continues to have one purpose only in having invaded Ukraine - to keep Ukraine out of Nato for OBVIOUS Russian national security concerns - that's all!
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: You plausibly noted the risks posed by proliferation of this antiamerican left lawfare assault on the integrity of our electoral process and the apparent reckless disregard displayed by the dems. I think they are not interested in any future consequences because they are desperate to keep DJT out of office and willing to do ANYTHING necessary to avoid the abyss on Jan.20, '24. If it comes their response is likely to be apocalyptic.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: I expect Harvard will play grudging games by replacing disgraced Pres. Gay with one as politically correct with nominally better scholarly achievement.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: That worthy will probably pay but euphemistic toothless attention to the complete denunciation of Harvard's detestable countenance of antisemitism at Harvard which must be its only civilized acknowledgement of this profound evil in its midst. I hope the Jewish world does not give them an inch of forgiveness lacking such resolute action.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Jan. 20, 2025 that is.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: Joseph Conrad , a Pole,once opined that Poland was in a hopeless position on a plain between Russian and German savages. How wonderful and ironic that Poland now enjoys greater security than it has heretofore in modern times. Attention many legislators and executive decision makers: learn some Eastern European history and geography! Perhaps a painfully realistic view of Russia's intentions has taken some hold, to judge by opposition in Congress to further military aid to Ukraine . If we want to alleviate Ukraine's agony a simple message could do it: " Dear Russia: We will never allow Ukraine in Nato."
ReplyDeleteRAY TO JACK
ReplyDeleteNo thanks to the Allies during and after WW 2, who literally handed over Poland to The Soviet Union. If Poland is free today, it's because The Poles (and the Poles alone) made it that way, and not because The U.S. or Great Britain gave them anything but betrayal.
Education about how Poland overcame all this begins with The Katyn Forest Massacre which was deliberately covered up by the Allies when it happened and after, to appease The Soviet Union.
Again, Poland is free today ONLY due to its own heroic efforts, and not that of any other country. When you are done reading up on Katyn, move on to The Solidarity Movement. Poland doesn't owe shit to anyone!
If you want to debate this, I'm ready.
Ray and Dr. Waddy from Jack: I am read on both Katyn , Yalta and Solidarity. As I remember it wasn"t certain until after the USSR fell that the Russians slaughtered those Polish officers and not the Boche.
ReplyDeleteRay, Dr. Waddy et al from Jack: At the time of the Yalta Conference in February, the Western allies still needed the Soviets. It was only two months after the terrible shock of the Battle of the Bulge and the V-2s had terrified an already way beyond war weary London. What else to think at that time but to wonder what the apocalyptic boche might do next?FDR was a dying man lacking in healthy cynicism about the
ReplyDeletemonstrous Stalin. Britain could no longer negotiate as an equal partner with Russia or the US. Yes, Poland was betrayed but not entirely knowingly by the US . The war was never fought for Poland's benefit; the guarantee to Poland was made out of sad full realization of Hitler"s imperial intent. I wouldn"t call it appeasment of Russia to have come to Yalta determined to keep the alliance together.
Ray and Dr. Waddy from Jack: Solidarity/ I revere the name!Lech Walesa spoke at a college ten miles from where I worked and I kick myself endlessly for having failed to go see him! Such indomitable courage and shining example Poland showed. And with their living Saint blessing them they made forever glorious world history!
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese were fighting with with surpassingly savage animal ferocity and the Abomb was not yet guaranteed. Manchuria is a short hop from Japan and we needed Russia to task Japan there lest the Japanese bring those troops home to face an American invasion. Yes, much of importance to postwar Europe was determined at Yalta but a Soviet postwar threat to Western Europe was not yet fully anticipated. Also, Russia and "Uncle Joe were much admired for going toe to toe with the Nazi monster under unthinkably terrible conditions. And without the Western allies during and after the war how could Poland have thwarted murderous occupation by either hellish power?
ReplyDeleteabove from Jack
ReplyDeleteRay , Dr. Waddy et al from Jack: Stalin just sat the Red Army down before Warsaw for his own purposes. He could have done the same for awhile on the way to Berlin (I mean even beyond Zhukov"s preparation for the final effort) and alot more Brits and Americans wouldn"t have come home. Can we have been sure he wouldn't do it? Yes,the specter of a separate peace no longer obtained but could we have been certain he wouldn"t take a little hiatus?
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy, Ray, et al from Jack: Above, by "after the war" I mean, finally, with Nato membership.
ReplyDeleteRAY TO DR. WADDY AND JACK
ReplyDeleteThe Year 2024 is going to be another "Year of Anxiety" for the American people as our politicians continue to f*k them over with their monumental corrupt and egotistical personalities. What we really have is a bunch of assholes who place their own political careers over the general welfare of the American people. Quite frankly, it would be better if voters did not go to the polls. I'm seriously think about it. Why bother.
RAY TO DR. WADDY AND JACK
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget that the current "Junta" has the full year of 2024 to further spread more of its toxic shit throughout the land. Even if the Grand Old Pissants (GOP) win the elections, the DemoNISTAS will still have almost three more months after that to FUBAR the nation before the new president is installed, and of course if they win, we will probably never see a so called Republican (RePOOPlican?) president ever again. That's why 2024 is going to be another "Year of Anxiety". Better not even to watch the news in 2024, unless you enjoy political skullduggery, and more school and mall shootings, and whatever other bleak shit happens. Good luck to the both of you in 2024.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: I see Nikki has run afoul of the "gotchas" as was absolutely inevitable. How unbearably miffed the dems would be if the first elected female President is GOP. I think she would beat Biden and I think they greatly fear that.
ReplyDeleteRay from Jack: And good wishes to you also. We must needs fasten our seat belts: its going to way outdo 1968 I think. The wonderful car mechanic I go to owns his business and he told me : "I don't have time to pay any attention to all that stuff". ( Although here in the peoples republic of NY, the business loathing totalitarians who dictate to us will be busy dreaming up new regs to burden him all the more. The legislature sits in a week and its any guess what dreamy humbug they
ReplyDeletewill force on us this time).So it is for so many people living positive
andconstructive lives. I
crave the drama of current political events and have since Sputnik popped up.
Ray from Jack: Do you remember the comic strip which featured a business office with imperious Mr. Bulgebottom, Miss Pot hooks, Carbuncle and Cardley? I didn't realize for a long time that Bulgebottom was a caricature of FDR (ironic that with FDR's antibusiness reputation)! Of course with the dawn of political correctness Mr. Bulgebottom became Mr. Bumble and I suppose long suffering secretary Miss Pothooks joined the revolution.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: Now its distant Maine, although DJT is apparently denied only the primary ballot.Oh no, these dems aren't incipient totalitarians - not much! Arbitrary and sweeping administrative law floats their boat just fine. Bring on SCOTUS!
ReplyDeleteRAY TO JACK
DeleteThe time is coming (if the DemoNISTAS win the 2024 elections) when only one political party will be allowed, and we will begin the transition to The People's Democratic Republic of The United Socialist States of America.
Dr. Waddy from Jack:Imminent Congressional redistricting here in the people's republic of NY: "Why any ol' pretense will do; the process is all. Way too much 'representation' resulting from that last election and we CAN'T have that!"
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: Biden on the economy: "Coo, ee's alright Jack!'
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: Fox Business says some corporations are laying off their wokeness commissars. Under Gov. Pataki, NY state government's vindictive affirmative action regime was disempowered for a time and the sky didn't fall. I'm sure its back now but I don"t have to deal with it any more
ReplyDeleteRAY TO JACK
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know that I always enjoy reading your comments. I mean that seriously. I certainly appreciate you and Dr. Waddy (Nick) keeping this blog alive. It's a shame more people don't comment on it, for whatever reasons or excuses.
For the most part, my comments tend to focus on worst case scenarios, but I hope to be more upbeat in 2024 despite my pessimism.
With that said, I really would like to hear your take on DeSantis. Am I right to say that you seem to admire him for his views? Frankly, I really don't know that much about him, so I would be interested in what you have to say. Do you think that if Trump is not nominated that DeSantis might be?
Again, would be interested in your views on DeSantis.
RAY TO JACK
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm at it, let me ask you why you don't just leave New York and move to a Red State. I realize this is a personal question, so I will understand if you choose not to answer. I realize uprooting is far easier said than done, so I don't mean to sound like a fool for asking, but I am curious. Thanks.
Oh my! 34 comments! You've outdone yourselves, Ray and Jack. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteRay, you're starting to become a believer in Nikki Haley? Really? Why is that? I don't see any sign that she can compete with Trump...although there are many signs that the RINOs and establishment types are coalescing behind her. I give her a decent shot, assuming Trump gets hit by lightning, or is buried under a lava flow. Otherwise, she's a (very) long shot.
Jack, lawfare will be, alas, a fact of life from now on. Even if we retake the White House, and continue to dominate SCOTUS, the Dems have proven very adept at tying us up in legal knots. Look at how gun rights are never "settled law", and how the gun control movement always finds new ways to press its luck. Now, if the federal bench was thoroughly purged of neo-Marxists, that might do the trick, but that would require either many years of continuous Trumpian rule, OR several days of iron-fisted Trumpian dictatorship. Neither one seems all that likely.
Ray, I agree that Newsom is bearing down on us. He'll make his move either in '24 or '28. And good point that it's always been a fallen world, and Democratic Party misrule, bad as it may seem at times, is a long, long way from the worst case scenario!
Jack, I concur that the Left doesn't care about precedents nearly as much as it cares about power. If it can hold the barbarian MAGA hordes at bay long enough, the Left assumes it will inherit total and permanent sway over the American people, and it may be right in this assumption. The key here is the progressive mantra that "time is on our side", by which of course they mean that youth indoctrination and the constant importation of Third World migrants both work to their long-term advantage. It's cynical logic, but it's also hard to dispute.
Oooooo! Are we going to debate Katyn Forest revisionism? Count me in! As Ray suggests, I think it was exceedingly clear to the Western Allies, during the war, that the Soviets were responsible, but the U.S. and the U.K. had made their deal with the Devil and thus had no choice but to clam up. And, as Ray says, they hung Poland out to dry. Now, I think Ray is a little ungenerous in giving the West ZERO credit for liberating Poland from Soviet hegemony. I mean, would Gorby have retreated were it not for his perception of Western strength and Soviet weakness? I think not. We stood against the USSR implacably for four decades, and they blinked, not us.
Jack, I agree that the Western Allies were realists at Yalta and Potsdam, and realism is never a sin. What would it have taken to prevent Soviet domination of Poland post-war? Probably a complete U.S./British betrayal of the Soviets, coupled with a cynical alliance with Hitler and/or his generals to push the Russkies back. Does anyone believe that that was really in the cards? The best the West could do was ask politely for the Soviets to respect the freedoms of their new charges. Fat chance of that, of course.
ReplyDeleteRay, I can understand why you view voting and watching the news as wastes of time. In many ways, they are. You, or I, or Jack, for example, are, individually and collectively, completely impotent when it comes to determining the course of history. What's more, our votes, although they may be duly and accurately recorded, won't change the outcome of the presidential race -- of that we can be sure. So why not just tune out and eat cheeseburgers all day? Hmm. Give me a minute. Uhhh. Okay, how's this? We should vote because it makes poll workers smile, and we should watch the news because the decline and fall of America is entertaining to watch, if nothing else. There! Have I won you back into the fold, Ray?
Jack, it's easy to say that Haley would beat Biden, because right now most people know virtually nothing about her. How the Dems would go about eviscerating her, if she were the GOP candidate, we can only guess at... Plus, if Haley were the candidate, that means Trump wouldn't be, and how would his millions of adoring (and obsessed?) fans react in that case?
Yes, Jack, it was a MIRACLE that we elected 11 Republican House members in the state of New York in 2022 -- and the Dems will do everything in their power to "right" that "wrong".
Ray, I'm glad to hear that your resolution for 2024 is to be more "upbeat". I'm a big believer in optimism. It's not that I think this is the best of all possible worlds or anything like that. I just happen to believe that the world is what it is, and we can choose either to see the good in it or the bad, and the good parts are a whole lot more heartening, so why not focus on those? Of course, politically, I seldom follow my own advice. I see Western Civilization and America as entities in terminal decline. BUT...I don't necessarily assume that what will follow them will be uniformly abysmal. Human beings don't fundamentally change all that much as the years pass. They always have a great capacity for positive achievements and simultaneously for hatred, carnage, and small-mindedness. One thing that HAS changed a great deal, however, is man's capacity to provide himself a high and ever rising standard of living. Even if we descend into some version of dictatorship, therefore, I'm confident that it will be a materially COMFORTABLE sojourn in the political wilderness, relatively speaking. And what feats of technology and science await, regardless of which set of a**holes is in charge!?!! That's something we can rejoice about, surely.
Ray from Jack: My wife (God bless her , 46 years and still going strong) does not share my views and I cannot ask her to move. We really like our house and land and lots of relatives nearby. Plus, this area is down to earth and common sense. I'm only six miles from beautiful Pennsylvania mountain country and that is God's country down there. I go there often.NY is a pretty state with salubrious weather but needless to say, straight up marxist incipient totalitarians in charge. People with our views are as insects to them.They are national models for this kind of haughty disdain. America, beware they'd like to make serfs of you too.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: I dunno, the supreme soviet (alias NYS "legislature") convenes this week and we must resume our customary state of suspense concerning what they will dictate to us, knowing we have no say in it. We can be certain they will continue to turn up the heat (as it were) in their continuing journey to perfection for us subjects. When would they stop? Never willingly! That said I think I share with you a historical knowledge of how terrible life has been and what extraordinary relief we enjoy in the West from the pain and squalor of it all. A modern supermarket says it all. But will totalitarians arrogate this well being only to themselves (of course) and those who are , in their incidental and arbitrary wills, socially creditable, even in the West?
ReplyDeleteRay from Jack: DeSantis has resolutely stood against woke insanity in education and corporate obsequiousness by usingFlorida's state governmental power against it (eg putting modern Disney Inc. in its place and protecting school kids from depraved leftist indoctrination). He has of course thereby garnered the vicious antipathy of the antiamerican left and has put himself perhaps in some physical danger too. If DJT isn"t nominated I expect it will be Nikki; I still hope DJT would make DeSantis VP and put him in line for 2028. What a long, redeeming period of antiwoke administration that could provide. Maybe enough to drive it underground.
ReplyDeleteRAY TO JACK
DeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts with me. Well, if you are only six miles from Pennsylvania, that's good, to be sure. It is beautiful country.
I'm so much of a Westerner that when I cross the Mississippi River going east I get nervous. Not really, because I like The Appalachians.
One thing for sure, the Year 2024 is not going to be boring.
No matter what, God is still in charge, which cheers me up considerably.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: My guess is that Trump nation would support Haley with grim realization that not to means a tsunami of antiamerican left dictatorship. That is, unless it very unlikely appeared that she had a hand in DJT's downfall, which probably can come only from lawfare fallout, which should incense MAGA and mobilize it even further. Though Haley is in some ways suspect, she would have a chance to win; we MUST win and MAGA America knows that. No doubt she would closely court Trump nation in the campaign and go allout to keep it from recklessly going 3rd party. I know you have plausibly said 3rd party candidacies could work against Biden but I would guess not one appealing to bitterly disappointed Trumpers.
ReplyDeleteRay from Jack: The American west is nonpareil; one of the reasons I enjoy that Yellowstone series is its depictions of the scenery and perhaps some aspects of western life. I really like the sympathy it shows for mountain states invaded by Californians
ReplyDeleteRay from Jack: I know some Californians sincerely seek to escape that place but they need to leave their California ways in Kalifornia! Same thing happened in Vermont with toxic New Yawkas (eg. Sanders)invading; its sparked a "take back our state "movement there.
ReplyDeleteRay, Jack's reasons for staying put are shared by millions of sensible New Yorkers, myself included (well, I'm a New Yorker -- I dunno if I'm "sensible"). Of course, many Jews refused to leave Nazi Germany too. At a certain point, everyone reaches (or ought to reach) a breaking point. The commencement of Civil War II will no doubt cause a flood of refugees in both directions. Jack and I may well be among them. We trust you have two air mattresses ready for us.
ReplyDeleteJack, DeSantis has made many refreshing anti-woke noises as Florida Governor, but I wonder how many neo-Marxist teachers and professors have been removed, or have resigned? None, as far as I know...which is to say that the substance of Florida education likely remains the same. Likewise, last I checked, Disney is still woke, and it's still cranking out its toxic spew. I would argue that, as Trump brought the lefties out into the open, and made them more brazen, nationally speaking, DeSantis may have done the same in Florida. It's nice to fulminate, in short, but I have my doubts whether the Left has been lastingly displaced, even in the Sunshine State.
Jack, no offense, but I strongly disagree that thwarted Trump supporters would not consider voting for a third party candidate to screw a RINO like Haley and deprive her of victory. Tucker Carlson has already said that he wouldn't vote for Trump, if Trump picked Haley as his V.P., so what are the chances that people like Carlson would vote for Haley as the presidential candidate? Zilch! No, I believe there's no way that Haley can be the nominee without ripping the party to shreds.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: I am much offended and I give you license to offend me at will, provided you gainsay me with substance. Since that is your modus operandi I will gladly endure being contradicted.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: Bush I did a very skillful job of portraying himself as fundamentally conservative in 1988. The dem he was running against, criminal loving and disdainful Dukakis, was odious; of today's possibilities Biden is pathetic and Newsom is a model of slick haught( surely even a caretaker Pres. Kamalafornia would be out of the question ). The time for the vital fight against rinos is in the nomination campaign. Should DJT be somehow derailed and DeSantis denied, we must, must vote for the GOP nominee. This general election is NOT the mountain on which to fight the final deserved banishment showdown with the rino (the comprehensive success of which I support wholeheartedly). But if necessary it should be fought within the party; MAGA is here to stay. Haley -DeSantis would be an endurable ticket (the proximity of their states not withstanding; Clinton and Gore pulled it off). RFK Jr and ? Huntsman and Manchin? Talk about rino. I like Tucker alot but would he have us believe he would support delivering us to not incipient anymore but open and fanatic antiamerican left totalitarianism? I think not.
ReplyDeleteJack, that's a fair point of view -- that any vote NOT for Trump is, in effect, a vote for Biden and everything he represents. Literally, it isn't so. I mean, a vote for, say, Joe Manchin, ISN'T a vote for Biden, but functionally it could work out as you say, but surely only in purple states. Tucker, I believe, lives in Virginia. He may be of the opinion that his is a throwaway vote, and he may be right (although, given Trump's current standing in five-way, six-way, and seven-way polls, he might have a shot in Virginia). Of course, what Tucker SAYS to his adoring fans is far more important than how he votes. If he encourages millions of conservatives to waver in their support of Trump, then waver they shall. Of course, Biden "supporters" do nothing but waver, so there's that. The bottom line for me is that Trump CAN win, and so conceivably could Haley, but mainly because the electorate is so divided, and therefore this time around a popular vote total of 40% might be more than enough to take possession of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
ReplyDelete