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Eleventydimensional thread on Trump v. Romney:
As others have noted, Trump likely didn't write this tweet; the diction + complexity suggest a staffer poorly imitating Trump. That means this attack on Romney isn't a narcissist's knee-jerk reaction, but a strategic choice...
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As others have noted, Trump likely didn't write this tweet; the diction + complexity suggest a staffer poorly imitating Trump. That means this attack on Romney isn't a narcissist's knee-jerk reaction, but a strategic choice...
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Q: since Trump NEEDS Romney moderates (+ Utah's Electoral votes), why not just let Romney's criticism subside?
My thesis: until now, Romney's been very intentional about mildly criticizing Trump without going far enough to alienate the base, ...
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My thesis: until now, Romney's been very intentional about mildly criticizing Trump without going far enough to alienate the base, ...
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... I believe to position himself as the last-minute GOP savior if Trump steps down/is impeached/drinks polonium, leaving Rs in disarray w/out time to conduct a primary.
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Romney has campaign experience and a built-in, neighborhood-level volunteer/field office network (piggybacking on LDS Church "stakes"). People already know him, and with America suffering Trump fatigue, he could pivot the entire debate to "free markets vs socialism."
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Supporting this theory of Romney's strategy, some have suggested Romney may even be quietly assembling a bloc of Senate moderates to vote with Dems on impeachment (which may explain his recent, more-critical tweets).
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I suspect someone on Trump's team realized this, + decided to take Mitt down a notch (starting with these tweets), hoping to prevent Romney from presenting GOPers w/ a non-Trump option + assembling a bloc of Senate defectors.
So keep watching Trump v. Mitt; it could be fun!
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So keep watching Trump v. Mitt; it could be fun!
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Very possible. I don't think she has the pull to be given the top spot, but Romney/Haley would be a VERY attractive ticket to a Trump-weary electorate. This frightening possibility is why I don't want articles of impeachment presented until early Fall.
I don't disagree – IF it's Warren. But Romney would beat Sanders handily, would have a decent shit against Biden, would win "values voters"over Buttigieg, and would pull a lot of Old White Man votes against Harris.
I too am dubious he'll pull it off. But if worse comes to light (eg Putin transcripts), I think it's possible Romney could cobble it together. It WOULD be the best thing for the GOP, + some senators may come to agree. At minimum, I think it's Mitt's plan.
And even if he doesn't pull it off, the same strategy gives Romney a shot at winning Senate Minority Leader if 2020 turns to shit for Republicans and McConnell is disgraced or defeated.
One can hope! But as P.T. Barnum said, no one ever went broke underestimating etc. etc. I never thought we'd have a president named "Jimmy," a divorced actor, or a reality-show star.
And if Trump leaves after the Convention, there's no time to conduct primaries, and therefore little opportunity for GOP dissension. A nominee would be brokered by a gaggle of cigar-smokers, and Republican voters would have no real alternatives.
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