National Republicans
A Forgotten Memory
The first speech I heard Ronald Reagan make was six weeks after Russian tanks rolled into Saigon in 1975 and we lost the Vietnam War. Voice mellow, soothing, humble, his speech wasn’t a history lesson it was a reminiscence, a man telling a story he’d watched, lived through, remembering storm troopers goose-stepping into Vienna, the…
Read MoreAbortion
Two Republican candidates Democrats were hammering on abortion asked me before the election last year: “Should I answer those attacks – the party’s telling me to ignore them, that they don’t matter?” I said abortion mattered to swing voters, answer the attacks. Neither did. Both lost. This election Republican political wizards moved from ignoring abortion…
Read MoreTime to Turn Back the Clock?
Years ago when President Richard Nixon was in the White House politicians could take unlimited contributions and take corporate contributions. Nixon raised millions. Scowling, ruling Congress, Democrats passed laws that limited campaign donations – no one could give more than $1,000 and corporations couldn’t give at all. Thirty years rolled past. The Supreme Court upended…
Read MoreAn Odd Slip
Standing on stage at a rally in New Hampshire making a speech Trump said an odd thing: “I was the first President in decades not to start a war.” Surely, Trump knew Obama didn’t start a war – that Bush did but Clinton didn’t. When Biden fumbles for words people frown. Trump just fumbled –…
Read MoreVivek, Again
The sideshow rolls on – Vivek Ramaswamy just can’t stop whacking Ronna McDaniel. On Twitter he said, ‘I’m sick and tired of this Republican Establishment that has made us a party of losers.’ Vivek then told grassroot conservatives to go to his website and sign his petition to ‘FireRonna.’ Vivek’s feud rolls on. It’s quirky.…
Read MoreTrump-slayer?
Nikki Haley is having a media moment. The New York Times and Politico say she’s the rising Not-Trump Republican. I’m torn here. Given the threat Trump poses to democracy and the free world, I’m for anybody who can stop him. But if Haley slays the Trump dragon, she’ll be a formidable opponent for President Biden…
Read MoreWho’s the Leaker?
The headline across the top of the page said: ‘Trump power grab comes into focus in leaked Georgia videos.’ Someone had leaked videos of Trump lawyers Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell being questioned by prosecutors to ABC News. The leaked videos bruised Trump but also bruised Fani Willis the D.A. prosecuting Trump. Trump claims Willis…
Read MoreGo With Grandpa
President Biden passes the most consequential social and economic legislation in decades, despite dysfunctional D.C. Republicans. He rallies the free world behind Ukraine. He skillfully steers us through the dangerous and domestically divisive war in Gaza. But he stumbles on a word or a stage and the media writes that he’s old and Democrats should…
Read MoreTrump’s Trial
Should people be able to watch Mark Meadows sitting on the witness stand testifying against Trump on TV? The prosecutors say no. Trump says yes. Watching the trial on TV means you’ll be able to see whether Meadows sounds honest or shifty, whether the judge is fair or unfair. Not watching the trial means counting…
Read MoreThe World of RNC Politics
After Ronna McDaniel‘s spat with Vivek Ramaswamy the RNC stumbled again, telling Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott if they participated in the Christian Family Leader Forum in Iowa it’d ban them from the next Republican Presidential debate. Nikki Haley and Tom Scott didn’t say a word, sat silent. But Ron DeSantis fired back he…
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