(Thread) It Was All A Lie Part II
Part I of my Twitter Book Report on @stuartpstevens’s book is here ⤵️
Lots of people hold the theory that Sen. Lindsay Graham and others kiss Trump’s ring because Trump (or Russia) has Kompromat on them.
Part I of my Twitter Book Report on @stuartpstevens’s book is here ⤵️
Lots of people hold the theory that Sen. Lindsay Graham and others kiss Trump’s ring because Trump (or Russia) has Kompromat on them.
1/ I’ve argued that the "they're blackmailed" theory gives the GOP leadership too much credit.
It assumes they’d do the right thing, but for the blackmail.
terikanefield-blog.com/no-the-entire-…
It assumes they’d do the right thing, but for the blackmail.
terikanefield-blog.com/no-the-entire-…
2/ Of course there is compromising material, but it’s right out there in the open. They lie, openly embrace Russia, take dirty money, engage in insider trading, break laws and norms and shield trump when he does the same.
3/ Blackmail doesn't work on people with no principles, who don’t care if they appear to be hypocrites, who are backed by a propaganda machine, and whose supporters cheer lying and lawbreaking.
4/ I suggest that the blackmail theory is reverse projection: People with integrity assume that only fear of blackmail could cause McConnell to be so depraved, or cause Lindsay Graham to do an about-face and eagerly kiss Trump's ring.
5/ GOP insider @stuartpstevens, who spent his career helping get Republicans elected—and who knows these people well—wrote an entire chapter on “What Are They Afraid Of?”
Never once does he mention fear of blackmail.
Notice, however, the word "pretend" ⤵️
Never once does he mention fear of blackmail.
Notice, however, the word "pretend" ⤵️
6/ Stevens says GOP officials are moral cowards who long ago traded their principles for power, and who are surrounded by other cowards so they feel right at home (screenshot #1)
Stevens offers a different explanation for Lindsay Graham’s about face (screenshot #2)
Stevens offers a different explanation for Lindsay Graham’s about face (screenshot #2)
7/ What changed for Graham—according to Stevens—was that Trump freed him from the need to pretend.
Stevens uses the word “pretend” often. Here are a few examples (all screenshots from the Kindle version).
Stevens uses the word “pretend” often. Here are a few examples (all screenshots from the Kindle version).
8/ The main reason elected Republican officials jump to do Trump’s bidding?
They like what he stands for. From Stevens: They like being the voice of white America.”
They are moral cowards without principles—and Trump freed them from the need to pretend.
They like what he stands for. From Stevens: They like being the voice of white America.”
They are moral cowards without principles—and Trump freed them from the need to pretend.
9/ As I was writing this thread, this comment appeared in my mentions⤵️
You are good and decent people projecting your decency on those who are unworthy.
In other words, you’re giving them way too much credit.
You are good and decent people projecting your decency on those who are unworthy.
In other words, you’re giving them way too much credit.
10/ Yes, the genie is out of the bottle. They can't go back to pretending (although I'm sure many would like to try).
They're a white nationalist party with shrinking demographics.
Next, I'll analyze Stevens' ideas for what's next for the GOP.
They're a white nationalist party with shrinking demographics.
Next, I'll analyze Stevens' ideas for what's next for the GOP.
Apologies-- I intend to write a separate thread on what comes next.
I have to think about it. Me = 🤔
I have to think about it. Me = 🤔
This thread is now a blog post, here: terikanefield-blog.com/it-was-all-a-l…
If your theory requires you to say "maybe this could have happened," and "what if," it's a weak theory.
It's called Occam's razor. britannica.com/topic/Occams-r…
Theory one: Graham supports Trump because he wants to, because he's a secret Confederate. . .
It's called Occam's razor. britannica.com/topic/Occams-r…
Theory one: Graham supports Trump because he wants to, because he's a secret Confederate. . .
He did an about face because Trump freed him from the need to pretend. What supports this theory is by all standards, Graham appears eager to support Trump and looks sincere.
Theory two requires you to speculate about unlikely occurrences. You say things like . . .
Theory two requires you to speculate about unlikely occurrences. You say things like . . .
. . . "What if they have pic" (which is somewhat unlikely, but possible) and "might that not cause him to kiss rings?"
The second theory is weaker because it relies on conjecture.
Moreover, if a person kisses rings unwillingly, generally we'd detect a reluctance.
Right?
The second theory is weaker because it relies on conjecture.
Moreover, if a person kisses rings unwillingly, generally we'd detect a reluctance.
Right?
It's late and I may not have explained Occam's Razor well.
I'm amazed how attached people are to the blackmail theory.
I attribute it to being good and honorable, and unable to believe that elected leaders are so spineless and corrupt.
I'm amazed how attached people are to the blackmail theory.
I attribute it to being good and honorable, and unable to believe that elected leaders are so spineless and corrupt.
You can read Part II here:
