Posts by Carter Wrenn
Birdbrain
Nikki Haley moved up to second place in New Hampshire and South Carolina, passing Ron DeSanctis, and Trump’s antennae twitched – Trump called Haley a ‘birdbrain,’ sent her an empty birdcage. Haley moved up, Trump gave her a nickname.
Read MoreThe New Era
Thirty years ago when the Cold War ended, after the Soviet Union collapsed we were the world’s dominant power, stronger than all our enemies combined. Time passed. We lost a long war in Iraq, fled Afghanistan – cracks appeared. A year ago, Russia started a war in Europe. A week ago, Iran’s proxy Hamas started…
Read MoreCharming and Bland
Years ago sitting in a restaurant in Raleigh at dinner listening to a young Congressman talking I thought, Charming and bland. Charming and bland worked in Congress until he ran head-on into a wild-eyed Matt Gaetz: It took 15 votes to elect Kevin McCarthy Speaker – then one vote sent charming and bland packing.
Read MorePure Politics
Running for Governor Andy Wells and Mark Walker asked Mark Robinson to join them in opposing casinos. Robinson, who likes to talk tough, act fearless, sidestepping, dodging, didn’t say a word to stop the State Senate’s ‘Casino Bill’…the bill died in the House in Raleigh on a Tuesday night and the next morning, back to…
Read MoreHedging
“I think they’re all going to like me – I think both sides are going to like me.” Trump took a breath, said he’d make a deal with liberals and conservatives on abortion both like. Meet the Press’ Kristen Welker, facing Trump, asked whether he’d abolish abortion after 6 weeks, like DeSantis did in Florida.…
Read MoreThe Disconnect
Strolling onto stage, speaking to a Christian group, Trump stopped, grinned, blonde hair awhirl enjoying the applause, stepped to the podium, told a story, purred to the audience, “I love you. And I hope you love me.” Two miles away DeSantis, speaking to another Christian group, strode to the microphone, voice clipped said: “When you…
Read MoreTrump on Abortion
Years ago the Supreme Court made abortion legal – after that there were no limits on abortion the first trimester (12 weeks) of pregnancy, some limits on abortion in the second trimester, and, in the third trimester states could prohibit abortions. Back then conservatives, believing a fetus was a living being, called themselves ‘pro-life,’ said…
Read MoreA Pig in a Poke
Face aglow, without a doubt in his voice, Trump said he’d end the Ukraine War in 24 hours. Vladimir Putin praised Trump. Trump boasted on Meet the Press, “I like that he said that. Because that means what I’m saying is right. I would get him into a room. Then I’d bring them together. And…
Read More10 O’clock on Election Night
On Meet the Press Trump told Kristen Welker there were lawyers in his administration, and lawyers in his campaign, who told him the ‘election wasn’t stolen’ – but then Trump added, he knew personally, the election was stolen at ‘10 o’clock on election night.’ Now stop and think about that for a moment: At 10…
Read MoreIdolatry
A young man sitting at dinner in a crowded restaurant leaned back. “I work with three Trumpsters. They love Trump. I asked one, ‘When Trump says he can end the Ukraine war in 24 hours – do you believe that?’ He absolutely did. 100%. Why can’t he see what Trump said was silly?” I nodded:…
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