From a former Republican (me): Let's say you're a powerful Republican politician (Senator, perhaps). You know Joe Biden won the election, but you also know that 80% of Republicans have been successfully deluded to the contrary by crass demagoguery and propaganda. What do you do?
Do you (1) finally denounce the demagoguery and false propaganda--meanwhile discrediting the criminal demagogue, knowing that this may ruin your own short-term prospects; or (2) continue to ride the wave of your thoroughly deluded "base," knowing that the long term looks bleak?
Do you try to be part of a return to public truth-telling? Or do you have the epiphany that every populace--even America's--is susceptible to rabble-rousing demagoguery if it's emphatic and repetitive and loud enough? And therefore conclude that this is the "new way" of politics?
Do you discredit the public liar to whom much of the American public is so much in thrall? Or do you embrace their thralldom and see where it might lead you?

See the whole thread: @gtconway3d @PaulBegala @BillKristol @GeorgeWill @wolfblitzer @davidgura @LesterHoltNBC @JohnCleese

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More from @BryanAGarner

18 Jan
To the thinking American: we have before us a masterclass in #rhetoric, which of course is the art of saying the right thing at the right time. In coming days, I encourage you to listen closely and actively to commentators & politicians. Listen to what they say & how they say it.
Are you hearing smart ideas well expressed? Or are you hearing trite "talking points" that repeat banal ideas? You can take note of this most saliently when politicians take the floor for a limited number of minutes and seconds. Do they speak to any effect?
The dichotomy was very much to the fore during the House impeachment proceedings. Does the speaker say anything that matters? Is the speaker concrete and specific, or vague and sweeping? Is the speaker tying conclusions to observable facts, or repeating tendentious abstractions?
Read 4 tweets
1 Dec 20
That’s a funny story, Raffi. In 1984, I was among the first crop of law clerks to act as bailiff and “knock in” the judges. I was told that once they were robed, I was to give the door three hard knocks and open the door. Which I did.
But I was standing on the wrong side of the door—I’d gone through the door, into the courtroom, and used my whole forearm for three hard knocks. Then I opened the door.
There was a loud voice on the other side, and the judges came in chortling and having a great time. Judge Reavley had bellowed, “Come in!” They thought it was hilarious.
Read 5 tweets

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