So, unrelated to the travails of graduate students, I have a theory about why the conservative press and opinion leaders are freaking out and, ironically, becoming *more* critical of Mueller and more defensive of Trump. /1
I might be way off here, but it's the only way to explain the baffling behavior of people who are too intelligent to be acting this panicky and dumb. And maybe some of it is #NeverTrump wishful thinking, I will gladly grant you. But here goes. /2
Now that Mueller has really rattled multiple people who've been called in, the endgame of a major White House implosion - and of people facing jail time - is in the air. Maybe not soon, but the idea that "collusion is over, and obstruction is all a farce" isn't selling. /3
So, conservatives who still want to be around after the smoke clears are now trying to insulate themselves from the wrath of the conservative populists, who will blame them for being insufficiently pro-Trump and allowing Mueller to bring down their god-emperor. /4
The smart play, then, is start attacking Mueller *now*, knowing full well that there's not a prayer that any of this can be stopped at this point. It's cynical, but it's the time to say: I can look like I gave Trump a fair shake, knowing that the train will hit him anyway. /5
Thus, when everything falls apart, you'll later be able to point to your moment on TV when you attacked Mueller, so you can say: "Hey, we were fair to the President! We stuck up for him! We were even-handed! We criticized him, but also defended him!" /6
This, of course, is a no-risk play. If Trump goes down, you can tell Rube America that you did your part against the Deep State. If Trump survives, you can say "We were there with you, Mr. President, but we're still your honest critics." Either way, Mueller will Mueller. /7
Yes, it's cynical. But I assume that massive huffing of cynicism and hypocrisy is now the only way conservatives who've supported Trump, or even those who tried to make their peace with Trump and avoid the #NeverTrump tag, can get out of bed in the morning at this point. /8x
