National Republicans
Politicizing Tragedy
North Carolina Republicans see this awful time in Israel and Gaza as a wonderful time for politics. Lt. Governor Mark Robinson proclaimed himself “Acting Governor” and proclaimed a Day of Prayer for Israel. Pesky reporters promptly hounded him on his history of anti-Semitic, Holocaust-denying statements. State Rep. Erin Paré of Wake County attacked 12 House…
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 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 MoreTrump’s Trap
If Republicans nominate Donald Trump next year, they’ll make the fatal mistake of making the election about Trump, not the American people. Their best chance to win is to attack Biden on the economy. But if Trump’s the candidate, he’ll make it all about him: his trials, grievances and threats of retribution. A majority of…
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:…
Read MoreGold Bars
Well, Democrats are using the Justice Department as a weapon again – but this time they threw Republicans a curveball: After FBI agents found envelopes stuffed with cash, shining gold bars, and a Mercedes convertible at his home he didn’t pay for, they indicted a Democrat for taking bribes. When Trump says Biden’s using the…
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