Quick point of order: MAGA Republicans define themselves thusly because they are Trump-first voters. So they’ll back him no matter what he does. So him getting nearly 100% support from that group is preordained. They’ve self identified as people who will back Trump on anything.
That group can’t, alone, win elections anywhere remotely competitive. They can often win GOP primaries. Which is why Trump’s endorsement is so important. But in swingy statewide and national elections you need a lot of independents and Rep-leaners. It’s those voters who are
Influenced by the vibes and podcasters and empty promises of “no wars” and “lowering grocery prices on day one.” They’ll vote for whichever person they think is going to improve their material well-being and otherwise improve their lives. Trump is losing those people and so will
I’m going to spend the rest of my afternoon posting clips of high-level officials on that Signal text chain demanding “accountability” for Hillary Clinton’s mishandling of classified information.
When a former Trump official comes out with a story demonstrating Trump’s unfitness for office, nihilistic Trump defenders leap into action, questioning the motives, context, or credibility of the individual making the claim. They’re doing this right now with General Kelly.
They want you to forget the cumulative weight of the accusations against Trump coming from a raft of his own former employees. Kelly is far from alone in warning the American people that Trump is a threat to the country. Let’s start with Trump’s former Vice President:
“The American people deserve to know that President Trump asked me to put him over my oath to the Constitution. … Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president of the United States.” —Mike Pence
I don’t think saying “Trump is uniquely unfit and dangerous and therefore I will use my unique position of influence to argue that’s what’s gone wrong with the conservative movement is that some conservatives are actively supporting Harris to stop Trump” is the stand you think it is.
Look, my initial response was prompted by your claim that some conservatives support for Harris was a driver of the sad state of the conservative movement. Which is silly. Trump and Republicans and GOP voters are responsible for that and it’s why some conservatives find themselves supporting Democrats.
But my real objection is actually to what you said above. I know you and Jonah see Trump for the threat he is. Which is why I find it baffling that you want to beef with people who are actively doing something to oppose that threat.