Ron DeSantis’s laughable campaign is collapsing. His bewildered team of fascist amateurs are reeling after making first contact with ordinary Americans who have no interest in being cast as cosplay actors in the Tallahassee Mussolini’s war against the “woke mind virus.” It’s a good thing. His pending national humiliation is well deserved and absolutely earned. He will be remembered as a pimple on America’s rump, a latter day Scott Walker, overhyped and valued by the conflicted, out-of-touch and deluded media and political class.
I have underestimated Joe Biden in the past and he has proven me wrong multiple times. I think Joe can win an election against anyone the Republicans choose as their candidate. The reason being the republican party does not have any palatable policies they can run on and Joe is on a winning streak. If the economy continues to soar and inflation continues to fall, I think Joe can overcome his age and win again. He has far exceeded my expectations, especially on foreign policy. He has recovered nicely since his shaky start with the withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan. He has regained the high ground and is standing tall on the stage with NATO Allies. Give Joe his due and vote Blue in 24.
President Biden made the right decision in Afghanistan, given the Trump ill-conceived surrender agreement that was in place. He was given a choice of restarting the war after Trump had already set in motion the dissolution of the Afghan government or ending American involvement. Trump’s prior negotiation with the Taliban to release 5000 Taliban and ISIS prisoners while American and NATO troops were still on the ground, and before the evacuation ensured that the evacuation would be more more problematical than they normally are. Like all his decisions Trump only had one goal in mind - his re-election. Protection of the Afghan people was never discussed in Trump’s negotiations and the Afghan government was sidelined in the negotiations.
An analogy made all the richer when you realize the red-shirted crew were engineers, essential to the functioning of the ship, but never really given the opportunity to lead at the top. Describes the role of evangelicals, like Pence, in the MAGA Republican Party.
Steve Schmidt, who is a master of campaign strategy: "As it stands today, the Republican field has three contenders in it. They are Trump, Christie and Scott."
"Get low and paddle. Big rapids ahead." Thank you for cutting to the chase. The race is on.
There is not one of those GOP candidates worth a bucket of warm shit. Christie might be able to dock Trump on his ass, but why didn’t he do that long before now? What made Christie see the light and turn on Trump? I saw Christie on Fox News just recently and they were talking about Hillary Clinton in 2016, Christie basically went on to say how America was saved by not having Clinton as President! Hello McFly did you live through the same fucked up four years of Trump as the rest of the Nation? Fuck Chris Christie, and the rest of that fucking clown show running for the Fascist GOP nomination. I still to this day I cannot believe Americans voted in that fascist, orange, bloated, Russian owned, worthless asshole, and criminal called Trump. I cannot believe that Trump is leading the GOP candidates for their parties nomination by thirty points all while being indicted! It is just absolutely 100 percent, unadulterated, USDA grade A insanity. America is in a world of shit.
Thanks for writing the words many of us think or say to our partners and friends. Expletives required! They are both expressive and cathartic. While I disagree with her political positions, Liz Cheney is the only prominent Republican worthy of higher office. I am not saying I would vote for her; I am saying she is the only one worthy of gaining a prominent position.
Years and years of right-wing media propaganda. The main one for years even before Fox was AM radio. You have national radio talking heads to the local ones, and I might add zero push back from the Democratic Party on any of it.
Is the deep state really just the collection of public servants working day by day to provide the best government services of which they are capable ?
The rule of law needs broad and deep activity to function properly . This requires a small army of skilled persons to carry out this complex activity in a fair way.
There must be law makers who propose debate and vote on what will constitute fair and effective laws. There must be investigators who search out and establish behaviors that do not accord with these laws. There must be a system to decide whether to pursue consequences for such behaviors. There must be a system to allow alleged perpetrators to address their accusers and a system to decide on the reality of the alleged violation.
Reflect on the skills and the numbers of persons needed to effect our rule of law.
This is one of the communities that Trump has labeled as part of the deep state. He claims that this army of persons is engaged in an agreed upon conspiracy of an unspecified kind to attack the common citizen.
If you know a legal aid, a police officer, a judge, a court clerk, a legislator, an FBI agent, an attorney, a prosecutor or anyone involved in the criminal justice system - ask yourself how they collude with their colleagues and for what agreed upon purpose. This system is open to public scrutiny and criticism which has resulted in revisions which have created a system that better serves the public interest.
This system uses a grand jury of common folk to bring an indictment and uses a jury of common folk to get a conviction.
We were gifted this system after rejection of one where the will of the king was law.
Ask yourself, is Trump's promise to destroy the deep state a campaign to end the rule of law ?
I am struck by the phrase ‘whatever trump thinks.’ ‘ Trump thinks’ is an oxymoron. I have always believed that he is a useful idiot puppet and others are pulling the strings. I used to think the likes of McConnell, other politicians on the right. But it’s really Steven Miller and the other MAGA ‘hatefuls’ who have surrounded him and remain lurking in their dark and sleazy caves.
Dianne: You hit the bullseye: “Trump thinks” is an oxymoron. I agree that his decisions are made by the group of twisted minds that surround him. T ‘s behavior erupts as manifestations of his sick mind, goaded by his advisors...definitely not crafted by critical thinking or using intellect.
I’m of the same mind, Dianne. Trump is a walking, talking tell about who he listens to. He “obeys” people who scare him. Having read various theories, I think he acts out the behavior of the scary, immoral, autocratic types like S. Miller when people get in his way because he sees himself in the people he scares. These same scary immoral autocratic people can smell it an inch away and they influence him.
"... Whatever trump thinks is Ok." That one line sums up exactly what would happen should trump ever gain power. The rule of law is paramount in a constitutional Republic. Scar to think otherwise.
“Whatever Trump thinks is ok” is the current GOP platform, for real.
I feel your pain, Steve, of the pundit class who opine about things of which they know not. Practically every day since 2015, I hear one of them say about Trump, “I’m not a psychiatrist BUT,” and then proceed to do armchair psychotherapy. Another reason why cable is dying.
Your ability to entertain me while making what are intelligent points is just great! Thanks for that, it's why I subscribe. I think you are right on the money. DeSantis is down for the count and will not be able to get up before the stroke of 10. Christie is making significant progress and Scott has the religious right should Trump falter. Given that, whichever one of the three wins, Biden will beat them. What about that third party? Now that scares me. Part of me just can't wait to see what happens and especially if Trump fades. But before that, we get to watch Christie tear up the orange man. Oh boy!
Thanks Steve for your terrific journalism on the most important issues facing us today. On an other note: in your title ..."than (not that)what it may seem.." is correct. Again, when comparing use "than." 🤓Retired writing teacher
One more correction, Steve (of a minor typo)-- should be "staying" not "saying" in that line about Trump: "Donald Trump may not show up for the first debate, but he is psychologically incapable of saying away from a stage and a camera...."
Another great piece of multi-analysis you've given us today!
My Mother was an English teacher, but I have been trying to curb my instinct to correct every minor grammar mistake. Life is too short. Carry on, Steve!!
Yeah, it's time to throw some exacting and hard punches at MAGA -knock 'em on their *sses, and it ain't gonna be pretty! Democracy is on the line -take em down!
If we are being picky, I’d say the Trump catastrophe has been eight years. It started when he went down the escalator in 2015 and the media did cartwheels to promote him because it spiked their ratings. Turning the election into a reality show destroyed the political process.
I hope it plays out as you say. That would mean we may go through a national reckoning and get a true debate over what direction we head rather than name calling and division.
This is also my most fervent hope. I have almost physically felt the pressure building since 2015. But “things fall apart; the centre cannot hold,” and I’m praying that we emerge from the cataclysm intact and on stronger footing as a democracy. Trump is a black hole. He has the power only to destroy. But he has proved expert at destruction & it scares the be Jew us out of me.
Interesting mix. Yes I concur with Christie’s rise and the Scott potential, but another topic. Is there a scenario where no Trump=no MAGA and the rabid R crowd stays home? That Trump, and only Trump will meet their red-meat need?
Yes, I feel we need to consider the MAGA-CULT factor. DJT is the cult leader who meets his followers 'red-meat need'. This is my take on what you're saying, Liz. Huge consideration!
I would love it if Trump, losing the primaries, then decided to run as a 3rd party candidate and split the GOP vote, and not just for president, but get his MAGA hordes to split from the GOP at state-level elections. The Dems would finally have a chance to re-take many state legislatures across the land.
Just guessing, but I agree that some percent will be “Trump or nothing” at voting time. I hope they go back to their churches and gun shops and retreat into their caves
That is the way I see it, no Trump no MAGA voters. No MAGA voters means the GOP is fucked, because they are roughly40% of the GOP voters. If they stay home because no Trump it will affect the GOP in every race from top to bottom.
You are the best when you wade into presidential political machinations. And yesterday’s consideration of Earth and how we warm it was truth writ and illustrated economically. All Earth species that have great success finally are too successful for their own good. They exhaust the resources and environment that allowed them to thrive. By splitting the atom, we proved we could extinct ourselves. By not looking closely at the pictures you posted and considering the beautiful fragility (and our good luck to be here) of starship Earth, we have taken giant strides to do just that.
Related, but not claiming it would have been a panacea, I wonder what now would be like if we had had a Supreme Court, in 2000 that valued the actual preference of the American people -- the democratic side of our republic -- over the intersection of politics and the courtroom and the political preferences of the justices. Al Gore won Florida, barely, over George Bush, if a statewide recount had been taken. And he won the popular vote. He would have been president and would have brought the inconvenient truth we will sweat over for the rest of our lives into sharper relief and perhaps the world, with the U.S. presidency in the lead, might have acted a bit more responsibly. I’m not naive enough to think it would have been a miracle cure. 911 might not have happened. Gore, coming from the previous administration, might well have taken the pre-911 intelligence more seriously. But maybe not. Iraq most assuredly wouldn’t have happened. Afghanistan? Who knows. But Gore wasn’t charismatic. I certainly expect he would’ve been a one-term president, because no party holds the White House in post-WWII American for more than 12 years (witness George HW am-Bushed in the Clinton, Ross Perot 3-way). John McCain might well have been president in 2008. Doesn’t matter. Here’s what does: United State, China, India, Brazil, EU, all of us -- need to preserve together the separate places we’ve got, not keep fighting to dominate some fresh, hot hell with nothing left to give.
Great analysis, but I still think Trump is the Indestructible Man of Magaland. He is paradoxically the anti-establishment leader to his cult of authoritarian followers, while in reality, the epitome of every piece of the establishment that is broken and corrupt. Most of the Republican base won't quit him no matter what, and go to their graves not knowing they've been played. Pranked. Pwned. (Particularly by Trump, but the entire ecosystem of right wing liars and con artists).
The rapturous response all over the Twittersphere to video of Pence getting beaned in the head by a water balloon demonstrates that contempt of Pence may be the one thing that will unify us all.
I cannot stand that soulless piece of shit Mike Pence. He is everything and I mean everything people despise in a politician. Matter of fact he is everything the MAGA idiots despise in a politician, and are why they are MAGA idiots in the first place, because they are fed up with politicians just like him in Washington.
You nailed him perfectly. I simply cannot (and have not, since the Descent from the Escalator in Trump Tower) been able to figure out how those MAGA diehards do not see that they have been duped by an elitist who is immeasurably more authoritarian than the "Feds" and "deepstate" that MAGOIDS loathe. Nor can I figure out how they reconcile the flagrant lack of ethics, morals and iffy accumulation of wealth/power embraced by Trump -- with their own sorry lot in life. Those people vote against their own interests... and support a self-aggrandizing con man, side-show huckster as a savior. HOW???
I’m thinking that the MAGA crowd will stay superglued together no matter what and No Labels will further divide the vote! Democrats must get out to vote to avoid another Nader Affect in 2024. That could result in a catastrophic result!
Although you mentioned Rick Santorum later in the article, my first thought when you mentioned DeSantis as a “latter day Scott Walker” I was already picturing a latter day Santorum, with DeSantis trying to out-bigot Santorum in gay rights; he’s already demonstrated his idea of “Intelligent Design” as eliminating all free thought in Florida and that Florida wasn’t built on stolen land from the Indigenous people of Florida. Hoping DeSantis’ arc flames out the same way, though doubt as you do he can win a single primary unlike Santorum somehow did.
Steve, I respect your opinion and I hope you’re right about Trump. However, I have a hard time believing the MAGAts will vote for, or even accept, Tim Scott. These are the same people who detest Obama for the color of his skin. These are the same people who believe that Black people are taking the opportunities intended for White people, them. These are the same people who fear becoming a minority in “their” country.
The MAGAs will only accept Trump, all the others can kiss their ass. And you are right they are not going to vote for a black man or woman, but that is not just the MAGAs, that is the majority of the GOP. I bet if Trump doesn’t get the nomination all those MAGA voters will sit out the election and Biden wins. They are roughly 40% of the GOP that votes, and they are only going to support and vote for Trump.
Agree Barbara. Speaking of white nationalists, which is where we are, there is no evidence that MAGoids are keen on Clarence Thomas, either. He and the inimitable "Ginni" are admired inside the Beltway. Clarence Thomas is viewed as a lackey who has been able to ingratiate and "prove" himself by his pro-GOP positions on the Supreme Court. Beneath all the fake tolerance, fancy travel and monetary gifts.... Thomas is a lackey and is considered such, in the (detestable) way slave owners and wealthy "bosses" treated their trusted house servants. Clarence is not an exception to white nationalists. I agree with your take on Tim Scott.
If Thomas was not in a position to advance GOP agendas, he would be subject to overtly racist beliefs… exacerbated by his marriage to a white person. The hard core are not fans of racially mixed marriages. So we repeat: No Tim Scott as candidate
I guess Charlie Daniels was right when he sang, “The South is going do it again!” They are still as racist as when they owned slaves, and Clarence Thomas is a runway slave in their eye’s. To the rich, the wealthy, and big business he is their house negro, nothing but a servant to do their bidding. Funny how the South all became GOP when LBJ got civil rights and voting rights passed. LBJ even said that the South will be lost for 100 years to the Democratic Party, simple because those things were passed.
Thomas traded his integrity ? for acceptance by rich/powerful white folks. The pathetic nature of his yearning os obvious. He became a sycophant to the wrong set of Americans. Rich and selfish and inherently cruel racists. Racists to their bone marrow and DNA. Clarence crawls up the pie hole of the wrong political animal. Should have chosen the donkey instead of the elephant
Clear truth and well stated. “House negro” is the “title” I was searching for. Why isn’t a paragraph like yours on the Opinions page of big news sites ? Media tiptoes around the edges of truth and the obvious. That is one reason the public ignores those “news” outlets.
No guts to put it in the simplest of terms for ever American can understand. The National Press or Media has really lost they way, and what sickens me is they know it, every last one of them. I guess because they are owned by people who expect a profit, doing Real journalism like questioning everything, and asking hard questions of these worthless politicians is rocking the boat to much for ownership.
I have underestimated Joe Biden in the past and he has proven me wrong multiple times. I think Joe can win an election against anyone the Republicans choose as their candidate. The reason being the republican party does not have any palatable policies they can run on and Joe is on a winning streak. If the economy continues to soar and inflation continues to fall, I think Joe can overcome his age and win again. He has far exceeded my expectations, especially on foreign policy. He has recovered nicely since his shaky start with the withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan. He has regained the high ground and is standing tall on the stage with NATO Allies. Give Joe his due and vote Blue in 24.
Right On! Thanks.
Amen!
Time will tell if your assessment is correct. For the sake of the country, I sure hope that it is.
President Biden made the right decision in Afghanistan, given the Trump ill-conceived surrender agreement that was in place. He was given a choice of restarting the war after Trump had already set in motion the dissolution of the Afghan government or ending American involvement. Trump’s prior negotiation with the Taliban to release 5000 Taliban and ISIS prisoners while American and NATO troops were still on the ground, and before the evacuation ensured that the evacuation would be more more problematical than they normally are. Like all his decisions Trump only had one goal in mind - his re-election. Protection of the Afghan people was never discussed in Trump’s negotiations and the Afghan government was sidelined in the negotiations.
The image of Mike Pence as a Star Trek red-shirted crewman made me guffaw! 😂🤣
An analogy made all the richer when you realize the red-shirted crew were engineers, essential to the functioning of the ship, but never really given the opportunity to lead at the top. Describes the role of evangelicals, like Pence, in the MAGA Republican Party.
I immediately thought of Guy Fleegman, (Sam Rockwell) a character in Galaxy Quest. So funny!
😂🤣😅
I love that movie!!!!
Me three!
Me too!
Steve Schmidt, who is a master of campaign strategy: "As it stands today, the Republican field has three contenders in it. They are Trump, Christie and Scott."
"Get low and paddle. Big rapids ahead." Thank you for cutting to the chase. The race is on.
There is not one of those GOP candidates worth a bucket of warm shit. Christie might be able to dock Trump on his ass, but why didn’t he do that long before now? What made Christie see the light and turn on Trump? I saw Christie on Fox News just recently and they were talking about Hillary Clinton in 2016, Christie basically went on to say how America was saved by not having Clinton as President! Hello McFly did you live through the same fucked up four years of Trump as the rest of the Nation? Fuck Chris Christie, and the rest of that fucking clown show running for the Fascist GOP nomination. I still to this day I cannot believe Americans voted in that fascist, orange, bloated, Russian owned, worthless asshole, and criminal called Trump. I cannot believe that Trump is leading the GOP candidates for their parties nomination by thirty points all while being indicted! It is just absolutely 100 percent, unadulterated, USDA grade A insanity. America is in a world of shit.
Thanks for writing the words many of us think or say to our partners and friends. Expletives required! They are both expressive and cathartic. While I disagree with her political positions, Liz Cheney is the only prominent Republican worthy of higher office. I am not saying I would vote for her; I am saying she is the only one worthy of gaining a prominent position.
Furthermore: your description of Trump (Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloon) was spot-on.
Thank You I appreciate that.
Right On! Thanks.
Thank you!
* knock Trump on his ass.
Years and years of right-wing media propaganda. The main one for years even before Fox was AM radio. You have national radio talking heads to the local ones, and I might add zero push back from the Democratic Party on any of it.
Thank you for your comments.
Is the deep state really just the collection of public servants working day by day to provide the best government services of which they are capable ?
The rule of law needs broad and deep activity to function properly . This requires a small army of skilled persons to carry out this complex activity in a fair way.
There must be law makers who propose debate and vote on what will constitute fair and effective laws. There must be investigators who search out and establish behaviors that do not accord with these laws. There must be a system to decide whether to pursue consequences for such behaviors. There must be a system to allow alleged perpetrators to address their accusers and a system to decide on the reality of the alleged violation.
Reflect on the skills and the numbers of persons needed to effect our rule of law.
This is one of the communities that Trump has labeled as part of the deep state. He claims that this army of persons is engaged in an agreed upon conspiracy of an unspecified kind to attack the common citizen.
If you know a legal aid, a police officer, a judge, a court clerk, a legislator, an FBI agent, an attorney, a prosecutor or anyone involved in the criminal justice system - ask yourself how they collude with their colleagues and for what agreed upon purpose. This system is open to public scrutiny and criticism which has resulted in revisions which have created a system that better serves the public interest.
This system uses a grand jury of common folk to bring an indictment and uses a jury of common folk to get a conviction.
We were gifted this system after rejection of one where the will of the king was law.
Ask yourself, is Trump's promise to destroy the deep state a campaign to end the rule of law ?
It will then be whatever Trump thinks is OK.
Back to 1774
I am struck by the phrase ‘whatever trump thinks.’ ‘ Trump thinks’ is an oxymoron. I have always believed that he is a useful idiot puppet and others are pulling the strings. I used to think the likes of McConnell, other politicians on the right. But it’s really Steven Miller and the other MAGA ‘hatefuls’ who have surrounded him and remain lurking in their dark and sleazy caves.
Dianne: You hit the bullseye: “Trump thinks” is an oxymoron. I agree that his decisions are made by the group of twisted minds that surround him. T ‘s behavior erupts as manifestations of his sick mind, goaded by his advisors...definitely not crafted by critical thinking or using intellect.
I’m of the same mind, Dianne. Trump is a walking, talking tell about who he listens to. He “obeys” people who scare him. Having read various theories, I think he acts out the behavior of the scary, immoral, autocratic types like S. Miller when people get in his way because he sees himself in the people he scares. These same scary immoral autocratic people can smell it an inch away and they influence him.
"... Whatever trump thinks is Ok." That one line sums up exactly what would happen should trump ever gain power. The rule of law is paramount in a constitutional Republic. Scar to think otherwise.
Scary. (I dislike typos 😉)
“Whatever Trump thinks is ok” is the current GOP platform, for real.
I feel your pain, Steve, of the pundit class who opine about things of which they know not. Practically every day since 2015, I hear one of them say about Trump, “I’m not a psychiatrist BUT,” and then proceed to do armchair psychotherapy. Another reason why cable is dying.
Your ability to entertain me while making what are intelligent points is just great! Thanks for that, it's why I subscribe. I think you are right on the money. DeSantis is down for the count and will not be able to get up before the stroke of 10. Christie is making significant progress and Scott has the religious right should Trump falter. Given that, whichever one of the three wins, Biden will beat them. What about that third party? Now that scares me. Part of me just can't wait to see what happens and especially if Trump fades. But before that, we get to watch Christie tear up the orange man. Oh boy!
Are we all certain that Chris the Ripper will perform as we hope?
Only as long as he can shut down a bridge in New Jersey!
Thanks Steve for your terrific journalism on the most important issues facing us today. On an other note: in your title ..."than (not that)what it may seem.." is correct. Again, when comparing use "than." 🤓Retired writing teacher
Janice,
You got me two days in a row! Have made the correction. Thank you!
Steve
One more correction, Steve (of a minor typo)-- should be "staying" not "saying" in that line about Trump: "Donald Trump may not show up for the first debate, but he is psychologically incapable of saying away from a stage and a camera...."
Another great piece of multi-analysis you've given us today!
Corrected too!
Thanks, Timothy.
My Mother was an English teacher, but I have been trying to curb my instinct to correct every minor grammar mistake. Life is too short. Carry on, Steve!!
Yeah, it's time to throw some exacting and hard punches at MAGA -knock 'em on their *sses, and it ain't gonna be pretty! Democracy is on the line -take em down!
So many typos are the result of our phones or PCs deciding what we intend to say. Infuriating.
If we are being picky, I’d say the Trump catastrophe has been eight years. It started when he went down the escalator in 2015 and the media did cartwheels to promote him because it spiked their ratings. Turning the election into a reality show destroyed the political process.
I hope it plays out as you say. That would mean we may go through a national reckoning and get a true debate over what direction we head rather than name calling and division.
This is also my most fervent hope. I have almost physically felt the pressure building since 2015. But “things fall apart; the centre cannot hold,” and I’m praying that we emerge from the cataclysm intact and on stronger footing as a democracy. Trump is a black hole. He has the power only to destroy. But he has proved expert at destruction & it scares the be Jew us out of me.
Interesting mix. Yes I concur with Christie’s rise and the Scott potential, but another topic. Is there a scenario where no Trump=no MAGA and the rabid R crowd stays home? That Trump, and only Trump will meet their red-meat need?
Yes, I feel we need to consider the MAGA-CULT factor. DJT is the cult leader who meets his followers 'red-meat need'. This is my take on what you're saying, Liz. Huge consideration!
Yes it is. There was a quote from some legitimate source (PBS?) where MAGA voters said they would only vote DJT or stay home. I believe them
I would love it if Trump, losing the primaries, then decided to run as a 3rd party candidate and split the GOP vote, and not just for president, but get his MAGA hordes to split from the GOP at state-level elections. The Dems would finally have a chance to re-take many state legislatures across the land.
Yes, this is true to cult thinking/behavior. We need a better understanding of cults!
Just guessing, but I agree that some percent will be “Trump or nothing” at voting time. I hope they go back to their churches and gun shops and retreat into their caves
We can help it along by voting BLUE!
No Trump. That can only mean that Christie and/or Scott stole the primary from Trump. Well, at least for the MAGA folks. Right?
That is the way I see it, no Trump no MAGA voters. No MAGA voters means the GOP is fucked, because they are roughly40% of the GOP voters. If they stay home because no Trump it will affect the GOP in every race from top to bottom.
Great question.
You are the best when you wade into presidential political machinations. And yesterday’s consideration of Earth and how we warm it was truth writ and illustrated economically. All Earth species that have great success finally are too successful for their own good. They exhaust the resources and environment that allowed them to thrive. By splitting the atom, we proved we could extinct ourselves. By not looking closely at the pictures you posted and considering the beautiful fragility (and our good luck to be here) of starship Earth, we have taken giant strides to do just that.
Related, but not claiming it would have been a panacea, I wonder what now would be like if we had had a Supreme Court, in 2000 that valued the actual preference of the American people -- the democratic side of our republic -- over the intersection of politics and the courtroom and the political preferences of the justices. Al Gore won Florida, barely, over George Bush, if a statewide recount had been taken. And he won the popular vote. He would have been president and would have brought the inconvenient truth we will sweat over for the rest of our lives into sharper relief and perhaps the world, with the U.S. presidency in the lead, might have acted a bit more responsibly. I’m not naive enough to think it would have been a miracle cure. 911 might not have happened. Gore, coming from the previous administration, might well have taken the pre-911 intelligence more seriously. But maybe not. Iraq most assuredly wouldn’t have happened. Afghanistan? Who knows. But Gore wasn’t charismatic. I certainly expect he would’ve been a one-term president, because no party holds the White House in post-WWII American for more than 12 years (witness George HW am-Bushed in the Clinton, Ross Perot 3-way). John McCain might well have been president in 2008. Doesn’t matter. Here’s what does: United State, China, India, Brazil, EU, all of us -- need to preserve together the separate places we’ve got, not keep fighting to dominate some fresh, hot hell with nothing left to give.
Great analysis, but I still think Trump is the Indestructible Man of Magaland. He is paradoxically the anti-establishment leader to his cult of authoritarian followers, while in reality, the epitome of every piece of the establishment that is broken and corrupt. Most of the Republican base won't quit him no matter what, and go to their graves not knowing they've been played. Pranked. Pwned. (Particularly by Trump, but the entire ecosystem of right wing liars and con artists).
The rapturous response all over the Twittersphere to video of Pence getting beaned in the head by a water balloon demonstrates that contempt of Pence may be the one thing that will unify us all.
I cannot stand that soulless piece of shit Mike Pence. He is everything and I mean everything people despise in a politician. Matter of fact he is everything the MAGA idiots despise in a politician, and are why they are MAGA idiots in the first place, because they are fed up with politicians just like him in Washington.
You nailed him perfectly. I simply cannot (and have not, since the Descent from the Escalator in Trump Tower) been able to figure out how those MAGA diehards do not see that they have been duped by an elitist who is immeasurably more authoritarian than the "Feds" and "deepstate" that MAGOIDS loathe. Nor can I figure out how they reconcile the flagrant lack of ethics, morals and iffy accumulation of wealth/power embraced by Trump -- with their own sorry lot in life. Those people vote against their own interests... and support a self-aggrandizing con man, side-show huckster as a savior. HOW???
Damn! Well, how about we're all unified by the DESIRE to see Pence get beaned by a water balloon?
I’m thinking that the MAGA crowd will stay superglued together no matter what and No Labels will further divide the vote! Democrats must get out to vote to avoid another Nader Affect in 2024. That could result in a catastrophic result!
Three way race? Biden, GOP, and the no label pro Trump scam?
Although you mentioned Rick Santorum later in the article, my first thought when you mentioned DeSantis as a “latter day Scott Walker” I was already picturing a latter day Santorum, with DeSantis trying to out-bigot Santorum in gay rights; he’s already demonstrated his idea of “Intelligent Design” as eliminating all free thought in Florida and that Florida wasn’t built on stolen land from the Indigenous people of Florida. Hoping DeSantis’ arc flames out the same way, though doubt as you do he can win a single primary unlike Santorum somehow did.
I really enjoyed this analysis. Especially the part about the accesses media not knowing what's gonna happen. lol
Steve, I respect your opinion and I hope you’re right about Trump. However, I have a hard time believing the MAGAts will vote for, or even accept, Tim Scott. These are the same people who detest Obama for the color of his skin. These are the same people who believe that Black people are taking the opportunities intended for White people, them. These are the same people who fear becoming a minority in “their” country.
The MAGAs will only accept Trump, all the others can kiss their ass. And you are right they are not going to vote for a black man or woman, but that is not just the MAGAs, that is the majority of the GOP. I bet if Trump doesn’t get the nomination all those MAGA voters will sit out the election and Biden wins. They are roughly 40% of the GOP that votes, and they are only going to support and vote for Trump.
Stump: please see my comment to Barbara Stikker....on this very topic. They will not support a black person for president. NFW.
Agree Barbara. Speaking of white nationalists, which is where we are, there is no evidence that MAGoids are keen on Clarence Thomas, either. He and the inimitable "Ginni" are admired inside the Beltway. Clarence Thomas is viewed as a lackey who has been able to ingratiate and "prove" himself by his pro-GOP positions on the Supreme Court. Beneath all the fake tolerance, fancy travel and monetary gifts.... Thomas is a lackey and is considered such, in the (detestable) way slave owners and wealthy "bosses" treated their trusted house servants. Clarence is not an exception to white nationalists. I agree with your take on Tim Scott.
I agree.
If Thomas was not in a position to advance GOP agendas, he would be subject to overtly racist beliefs… exacerbated by his marriage to a white person. The hard core are not fans of racially mixed marriages. So we repeat: No Tim Scott as candidate
I guess Charlie Daniels was right when he sang, “The South is going do it again!” They are still as racist as when they owned slaves, and Clarence Thomas is a runway slave in their eye’s. To the rich, the wealthy, and big business he is their house negro, nothing but a servant to do their bidding. Funny how the South all became GOP when LBJ got civil rights and voting rights passed. LBJ even said that the South will be lost for 100 years to the Democratic Party, simple because those things were passed.
Thomas traded his integrity ? for acceptance by rich/powerful white folks. The pathetic nature of his yearning os obvious. He became a sycophant to the wrong set of Americans. Rich and selfish and inherently cruel racists. Racists to their bone marrow and DNA. Clarence crawls up the pie hole of the wrong political animal. Should have chosen the donkey instead of the elephant
Clear truth and well stated. “House negro” is the “title” I was searching for. Why isn’t a paragraph like yours on the Opinions page of big news sites ? Media tiptoes around the edges of truth and the obvious. That is one reason the public ignores those “news” outlets.
No guts to put it in the simplest of terms for ever American can understand. The National Press or Media has really lost they way, and what sickens me is they know it, every last one of them. I guess because they are owned by people who expect a profit, doing Real journalism like questioning everything, and asking hard questions of these worthless politicians is rocking the boat to much for ownership.