27 Comments

Terrific piece

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IMO, You, TLP, and the supporting donors are our modern-day “Wolverines” fighting for our democracy. Thank you!

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Eh, a lot of this is about identity, sense of self, etc. There's nothing morally objectionable about the things Dems stand for.

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They always come back to "pro-life" and they clearly don't care about anyone after they're born. Sure, women should die of sepsis, sure kids don't need childcare nor free lunch nor public schools nor healthcare because... Democrats. 🤬

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Do you think Matt is trying to defend a lifetime believing in something that no longer exists?

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Hank I'd phrase that it as "defending a lifetime believing in something that never really existed."

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I honestly feel sorry for people who believed in the GOP, which I never did. They've had to come to terms with this horrific and seemingly permanent transformation.

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““Burke believed western civilization was something of a miracle that had slowly evolved over time. His version of conservatism stressed being grateful and giving thanks for the institutions we have. Tweaking and improving things are commendable, but we shouldn’t stress the system too much. And we certainly shouldn’t attempt to overturn society via revolution.”

Substitute “Trump” for “Burke.” See how dumb and clueless it sounds. Then try “Biden.” The last sentence would actually make sense.

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What are your thoughts on The Federalist Society? Seems they taught the leopard how to attack, and now they're attacking everyone they can catch.

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Insightful and thoughtful piece.

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What would happen if some how Nikki Haley did win the nomination. Would Trump and his 35% cultists back down and admit defeat? Would the RNC suddenly decide that we would no longer have two sets of rules for the party. Would our current house speaker suddenly decide that he represents all of the people and not just the populist republican voters. Would the Republican Party become less extreme? Biden has been pretty good at staying close to his center-left legacy. I am not so sure that any Republican could do the same. One party still has restraints and the other party does not. Look at the Republicans still in office now and see how many are anti-Trump. Only Mitt Romney is left, and he said he is not coming back. I am not convinced that any republican has the courage to stand up against what the party has become. I also worry that the Democratic Party could follow in the other direction.

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If the shrinking moderate/sane contingent quit the GOP in my state, it will be overrun by MAGA in one election. I am one primary election away from extreme policy ideas being enacted. Right now, holding the MAGA contingent at bay is barely working. The GOP primary is the only meaningful vote I have. General elections are already known outcomes and that is not changing. I do not have the luxury of leaving the GOP.

As soon as there is another organized political party to replace the structural power the GOP holds in my state, without increasing the MAGA power in my state, I will gleefully drop them in a second. The Dems have not been able to convince enough voters in my state that they are that alternative. That is beyond my control and I have a practical decision to make.

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Stopping the GOP in your state may not be possible, but finding ways to unelect the MAGA crowd might be. Or, convincing the Dems to stand on their hind feet and fighting back fiercely could help to get the MAGA crowd unelected.

The People aren’t stupid, but they are very ignorant about what TFG and the MAGA crowd actually intends to do. When it starts, if TFG is elected, they will be dropped like a hot rock and wonder what happened to their Constitutional free speech, elections, civil rights and a blind justice system, and more.

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I quit the GOP after 51 years as a registered Republican. My decision was not so much about what the Democrats stand for as it was about the radical anti-American and constitutional perversions promulgated by TFG and his Senate and House henchmen that continue to today.

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Brilliant! Thank you for this clearly stated description of the GOP descent into madness and the need for the rest of us to make a choice. Thanks, Reed.

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Very well stated.

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It was time three years ago.

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Better late than never.

Do I want Nikki Haley to be president? Not really.

She's been too mealy mouthed and I think she'll bend the knee in a heartbeat.

But in my fantasy world, Chris Christie is the Republican nominee and I can sleep easy election night before the votes are counted.

I'd rather have Joe Biden but Chris Christie or Asa Hutchinson would mean a Republican administration run by the rule of law.

Unfortunately, the Republican base doesn't want the rule of law.

Edmund Burke is rolling in his grave.

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So heartfelt and to the point, Reed.

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