The problem is a media establishment and a Republican Party that is dedicated to normalizing a radical and dangerous political figure.
Applause and ratings are not more important than our democracy.
Donald Trump did not deserve this forum. He was not entitled to a major media network rolling out the red carpet for a prime-time event stacked with influential primary voters inclined to support him.
That is what went wrong here.
Besides, the primary is seven months away.
Just when you think Trump couldn't get worse, the topic turns to Ukraine.
Trump began the town hall by propagating 2020 election lies and is ending it by propagating Russian propaganda.
All while the GOP audience claps and laughs.
I do not understand the argument that this is somehow shining a light on what Trump is thinking.
Nothing is new. He lies about the election, downplays the violent assault on the Capitol, blames others for it, smears women, and cozies up to Putin.
Like he always has
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Gonna make my time here w/ the last gasp of my blue check mark count. A rant.
I see that the new standard among my Republican friends is that we cannot indict anyone running for president, anyone who is president, or anyone who used to be president. Cool, cool.
Why stop there though. Let's make this fair. Let's repeal all campaign finance laws. Let people buy off whoever they want whenever they want on whatever terms. Make this fair.
Up and at em for a casual trail race this morning, saved this for my drive to the starting line. Put it on your playlist for your chores, drive, or weekend run! :) And let’s hope the wind and rain holds off for a bit, okay?
Pausing the track: I absolutely love @AdamKinzinger ‘s take about the magical thinking behind the White Horse Barn. (“Oh, wait! We are supposed to be the white horses!”) 🎠
10k trail race ✅ and yes I’m test girl that wears sunscreen eyeshadow at all times. And a little lip gloss for good luck.
I know this--let's call it the Pity Vote Theory--is a commonly-expressed belief but what voters who voted for Biden in 2020 are now going to say "You know what? January 6 and the incitement changed my mind. I think I'll vote Trump now."
Will Trump have an excuse to send out fundraising appeals? Sure. Will he keep the media attention on him? Yes. Will the GOP be forced to, ONCE AGAIN, defend Trump's corruption? Uh-huh.
How is this good, in the end, politically for any of them?
You can argue this will successfully gin up the cult-dedicated Fox Nation subscribing type base but those ppl are already in the bag. And they turn off everyone else. -end-
Pence made a calculated decision to “go hard”—if you can call it that—at Trump to win over DC journos. Puke. DC journos are not the ones who need to be convinced Trump is a danger. Go say it on Fox. Or in Iowa. And try saying the actual words. politico.com/news/2023/03/1…
For some reason he thinks speaking in coded Bible passages and to audiences who are known to be friendly to his message and will give him applause for the bare minimum is brave. Give me a break. Comply with your damn subpoena.
And apologize for ghosting to the January 6 Cmte and leaving Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney to take on all the arrows you ducked, Pence
Perhaps Mike Pence would like to finally send a thank you for or finally, nicely, acknowledge the January 6 Committee he refused to meet with? Or is that not part of the history book he wants some Hillsdale professor to write
"History" does not exercise accountability. Elections do. The law does. Accountability means consequences. -end-