The case for or against Donald J Trump as the 2024 nominee of the Republican Party should start with a very simple question - can the man win a general election in the current environment?
I believe the answer to that is NO, he cannot. That is simple electoral calculus, not a personal attack or an emotional temper tantrum or a refutation of Trump's policies. It is just the damn truth.
Winning the election is the bottom line. Period.
If the Republicans cannot create a bloody red wave in the current environment -- economy, inflation, interest rates, crime, immigration, education, woke-ism, war -- then when the Hell can they?
It is time for new leadership -- not just Trump, but McConnell and McCarthy also. We need a younger man or woman.
I blame that trio for failing to craft a usable, inspiring rallying message, for failing to fund the right candidates, and for allowing internecine, petty, ego-driven nonsense to divide the effort -- all of which led to this outcome.
The Republicans must recognize we are now dealing with an extended Election Season, not an Election Day and we have to develop a ground game that starts putting votes on the board on the first day of early voting.
Reagan's speech - love the background music - highlights something important: candidates must inspire voters.
You cannot win elections by re-litigating the past. Yes, I believe Joe Biden is the product of a crooked election, but that is in the past.
Fair? Unfair? Doesn't mean anything. It is the past and it isn't our collective future. It is a sunk cost and we cannot win by harping on it.
In a perfect world, Donald J Trump would realize that he had a good adventure, made a huge difference in America, and step back to play a senior statesman role that will exclude the constant bullshit.
If Biden indicts DJT then this will become even more absurd. We shall see.
That's the way I see it and, honestly, I think that is what will happen.
Right now, the Republicans have a strong, deep bench: DeSantis, Abbott, Pompeo, Haley, 2X Scotts, Sununu, Youngkin, Cotton, Noem, Cruz and others.
A ticket of DeSantis or Pompeo and any of those others would be a winner.
It's my opinion that the GOP Leadership needs to expel DJT from the party.
I am tired of being held hostage. Trump has given the GOP Leadership ample reason. He has actively worked against the party. He does not support either the leadership or the platform. He has broken laws while serving as a Republican President. He does not agree to support the future nominee of the party, unless it is him.
We have been far too afraid for far too long that he will take his hoard of MAGA and leave. Well like any blackmail scheme, when the man comes to you with pictures the first thing to do is publish them yourself. Do not allow yourself to be extorted.
The end result of this is obvious. He will leave the GOP when he figures out he can't get the nomination (which he can't). I say let's make that happen here and now.
Let him out into the wilderness with no party, no fundraising ability, no press apparatus, no grand game, no other candidates, and a dwindling hoard of every more crazy supporters.
If Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Green and some others wish to go with him into the wilderness, let them... Even if it costs us the majority.
DJT will spend $100M of his own money before Ron DeSantis even decides to announce his run. He simply won't be able to do it.
It will be painful... but if we want our party back by 2024... we need to just do it. Consequences be damned. It's all going to happen anyway. It's better that it happen right now, while he's weak.
Indicting him won't stop him. Convicting him won't stop him. This is a free country, he can do what he wants... but if I were leading the Grand Old Party, I would not continue to let him do it in my name.
Donald Trump is running for President. He will do it from his jail cell if he has to. But we don't have to let him run as a Republican. It's that banner from which he derives all his power. He needs it. It does NOT need him.
Bravo 👏 again.
DeSantis/ Gabbard 2024
The case for or against Donald J Trump as the 2024 nominee of the Republican Party should start with a very simple question - can the man win a general election in the current environment?
I believe the answer to that is NO, he cannot. That is simple electoral calculus, not a personal attack or an emotional temper tantrum or a refutation of Trump's policies. It is just the damn truth.
Winning the election is the bottom line. Period.
If the Republicans cannot create a bloody red wave in the current environment -- economy, inflation, interest rates, crime, immigration, education, woke-ism, war -- then when the Hell can they?
It is time for new leadership -- not just Trump, but McConnell and McCarthy also. We need a younger man or woman.
I blame that trio for failing to craft a usable, inspiring rallying message, for failing to fund the right candidates, and for allowing internecine, petty, ego-driven nonsense to divide the effort -- all of which led to this outcome.
The Republicans must recognize we are now dealing with an extended Election Season, not an Election Day and we have to develop a ground game that starts putting votes on the board on the first day of early voting.
Reagan's speech - love the background music - highlights something important: candidates must inspire voters.
You cannot win elections by re-litigating the past. Yes, I believe Joe Biden is the product of a crooked election, but that is in the past.
Fair? Unfair? Doesn't mean anything. It is the past and it isn't our collective future. It is a sunk cost and we cannot win by harping on it.
In a perfect world, Donald J Trump would realize that he had a good adventure, made a huge difference in America, and step back to play a senior statesman role that will exclude the constant bullshit.
If Biden indicts DJT then this will become even more absurd. We shall see.
That's the way I see it and, honestly, I think that is what will happen.
Right now, the Republicans have a strong, deep bench: DeSantis, Abbott, Pompeo, Haley, 2X Scotts, Sununu, Youngkin, Cotton, Noem, Cruz and others.
A ticket of DeSantis or Pompeo and any of those others would be a winner.
It is time to turn the bloody page already.
JLM
www.themusingsofthebigredcar.com
It's my opinion that the GOP Leadership needs to expel DJT from the party.
I am tired of being held hostage. Trump has given the GOP Leadership ample reason. He has actively worked against the party. He does not support either the leadership or the platform. He has broken laws while serving as a Republican President. He does not agree to support the future nominee of the party, unless it is him.
We have been far too afraid for far too long that he will take his hoard of MAGA and leave. Well like any blackmail scheme, when the man comes to you with pictures the first thing to do is publish them yourself. Do not allow yourself to be extorted.
The end result of this is obvious. He will leave the GOP when he figures out he can't get the nomination (which he can't). I say let's make that happen here and now.
Let him out into the wilderness with no party, no fundraising ability, no press apparatus, no grand game, no other candidates, and a dwindling hoard of every more crazy supporters.
If Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Green and some others wish to go with him into the wilderness, let them... Even if it costs us the majority.
DJT will spend $100M of his own money before Ron DeSantis even decides to announce his run. He simply won't be able to do it.
It will be painful... but if we want our party back by 2024... we need to just do it. Consequences be damned. It's all going to happen anyway. It's better that it happen right now, while he's weak.
IMHO and with respect.
You are falling into the trap that will kill the Republicans - you are re-litigating the past.
If every word you write is embraced as revealed truth, it is still in the past.
Grit your teeth, take a cold shower, and focus on the future.
I do not believe Trump can win the election in 2024. I do think he can get the nomination.
I actually think the Dems will solve the problem - they will indict him and that will be the fig leaf behind which the torch is passed.
JLM
www.themusingsofthebigredcar.com
Indicting him won't stop him. Convicting him won't stop him. This is a free country, he can do what he wants... but if I were leading the Grand Old Party, I would not continue to let him do it in my name.
Donald Trump is running for President. He will do it from his jail cell if he has to. But we don't have to let him run as a Republican. It's that banner from which he derives all his power. He needs it. It does NOT need him.